South Windsor 2019 Candidate Profiles: Andrew Paterna, Council

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — South Windsor's election season is heating up, and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to represent their town in November's municipal election. Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns, and has been publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Andrew Paterna Ph.D.

Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019)

72

Town of Residence

South Windsor

Position Sought

South Windsor Town Council

Party Affiliation

Democratic Party

Family

Professor Joan Paterna, two children and three grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

• University of Connecticut - May 2003 -- Ph.D. – Kinesiology; Study Areas: Therapeutic Recreation; Nutrition; Statistics
• Cornell University: Dr. T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies; Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition -- February, 2015
• University of Connecticut-May 1991--Professional Diploma: Fitness Management
• New York University - May 1972 -- M.A., Educational Administration
• Montclair State University (NJ)-May 1969-B.A., Physical Education, Health & Recreation

Occupation

• Professor Emeritus, Adjunct Professor, Manchester Community College,
• Health & Exercise Science Dept. 40+ years at MCC.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently Mayor of South Windsor, previously Deputy Mayor and Town Council Member,
Served on the Park & Recreation Commission (12 years), Served on the Agricultural Land

Preservation Advisory Commission.

Campaign Website

Paterna4Council.com

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

The Construction of Pleasant Valley School, and Smart Growth/Economic Development in SouthWindsor. The 2019 Democratic Team intends to give our full support to passing the next town referendum to fully fund the construction of Pleasant Valley School and complete the Ten Yeay plan of the Board of Education. Our Smart Growth/Economic Development program in SouthWindsor must be balanced with a focus on preserving valuable farmland and expanding ouropen space, parks, and green corridors! These are issues I will work on in the next few years.

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

The experience and expertise brought to our town by the Democratic Team is outstanding. Wewill work to produce a balanced approach in our town: SMART GROWTH/ EconomicDevelopment balanced with preserving valuable Farmland, expanding our Parks and openspace, and continuing to provide the excellent services that our residents expect from the Townof South Windsor.

I support the creation of a sub-committee of the Town Council to work with the Town Manager
and direct our SMART GROWTH program towards small business, restaurants and expansion of
companies already in town. In addition, I support the creation of a sub-committee of the Town
Council to work on farmland preservation and expansion of our parks as a high priority for our
community. We must especially look at land that is adjacent to existing parks in order to
increase the green space and wildlife corridors in town. In the long term, we can reduce taxes

and support growth as we include more business revenue for the town budget. Our Democratic Team just produced the LOWEST tax increase in the last ten years (2018-2020: 1.10%), without

reducing important services that our residents expect. This shows our team is moving us in theright direction as we continue our work to improve the quality of life for all South Windsor

residents.

List other issues that define your campaign platformClimate Change issues & Renewable Energy; Accessibility in all town buildings; Understanding
Diversity and Inclusion; Tax Stabilization; Diversity in the Workplace; Tax Credits for Seniors,
Volunteer Firefighter, and Veterans. We will support Smart Growth while continuing the
excellent level of services our town residents expect. We will work to reduce taxes in South

Windsor.

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

At Manchester Community College: I served as Chair of the Faculty Senate; Co-Chair of theGreen Team Environmental Committee; Founder of the Farmers Market; Founder of the
Community Gardens; Chair of the Health & Exercise Science Dept; Director of Admissions;
Member, College Sustainability Committee;
Recipient—Campus Inclusion and Accessibility Award,

(MCC/Communitas Institute on Disability and Community Inclusion)

In South Windsor:Expanded the Tax credits for Seniors; Completed a Farmland Preservation project; Sponsored aClimate Change Forum; Created the Accessibility Advisory Committee; Created the South
Windsor 175th Anniversary Committee; Supported the Tax Stabilization budget line item;Supported Economic Development projects; Supported expanding Nevers Park with purchase of
the sledding hill; Supported local farmers in their transition to Hemp Farming; Supported
additional land purchase for the expansion of the Pleasant Valley School construction project.

Recipient--Eugene Policelli Community Service Award, (Board of Education)

The best advice ever shared with me was ...The best advice was shared with me by my parents. They taught me the value of community
and showed me, through their example, what it meant to be a part of the community where
you live. Their said: Remember what you received from your community and always give back

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?Joan and I have lived in South Windsor for 44 years and raised our family here. We are grateful
to the Education system and welcome the chance to give back to this community as we support
the school projects in town. I also serve on the: South Windsor Hunger Action Team; Co-Chair
the South Windsor Food Alliance; Member: South Windsor Farmers Market Planning Team;
Member: South Windsor Land Conservation Trust; Co-Chair: Planning Team South Windsor
Agriculture, Arts & Nature Center (SWAAN-Priest Farm); Member: Support South Windsor
Schools; Advisor: Zero Waste South Windsor.