Candidate Profile: Robert Marconi for Zoning Board of Appeals

BROOKFIELD, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Brookfield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Brookield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Democrat Robert Marconi, 64, is running for re-election to the Zoning Board of Appeals. He is currently serving as the chairman of the board, and has served as a member of this board since 2015. Previously, he served as an appointed member of the Brookfield Police Commission.

Marconi holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Yale University, a master's degree in government from Georgetown University, and a JD and LLM in energy and environmental law from the University of Connecticut.

In his day job, Marconi is an assistant attorney general for the State of Connecticut.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

We need to continue to balance the needs of the people of Brookfield, including the needs of our children for a first-rate education, with maintaining reasonable tax rates.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have extensive experience in federal, state and local government, including service as a U.S. Air Force officer, service as an attorney for the U.S. EPA, service as an assistant attorney general for the State of Connecticut, past service on the Brookfield Police Commission and my current service on the Zoning Board of Appeals. This experience gives me insight on how to make government work for people.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

I will continue to balance the requests for variances with the public policies reflected in Brookfield’s zoning regulations. I will strive to apply the law in a fair and evenhanded approach.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During the past four years, the ZBA has heard numerous cases, treated all participants with respect, carefully considered the issues, and rendered decisions on a nonpartisan basis resulting in very few court challenges.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Each case before the ZBA should be judged on its merits. That is what I will continue to do if re-elected.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

My mother taught me to always treat everyone with respect. That advice served me well in the military, as a lawyer in court, and as chairman of the ZBA.