Stratford Election 2021: Will Farmer Running For Town Council

STRATFORD, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in Stratford with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for the position of mayor, along with seats on the Town Council, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning and more.

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

Will Farmer, 52, is running for election to the Town Council in the 1st District as a Democrat.

Occupation: Director, Information Security (Vroom)

Family: - Xander (Brother, 53) - District Heights Ward-1 Commissioner); Program Analyst, Library of Congress - Rhodesia (Sister, 49) - Caterer - Chanae (Daughter, 27) - Forensics Technician, Florida Dept of Law Enforcement - Dante (Son, 16) - Student

Experience: N/A

Family in government: Brother - Xander Harcourt; District Heights MD Ward-1 Commissioner (https://www.districtheights.org/government/city-comissioners/commissioner-xander-harcourt/)

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

Working to remove Stratford from Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) list of "25 Most Distressed Municipalities in Connecticut." (2020, 2021). We must promote our town's location to bring in sustainable opportunities, while working with our small businesses to improve their ability to create jobs and prosper, offer affordable housing, and manage the budget's impact on the mil rate.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

First, my professional and leadership experience, extends beyond Stratford. And that's what we need to lead innovation to our Town and District. Fresh ideas from a worldly perspective. We have one of the most beautiful coastlines in the county, and I see the hard work remaining, to position our Town to grow into a thriving location. But that comes from having a fresh set of eyes and ideas to get us there. Second, constituents need to know where you stand on issues, even if they don't agree. We have a well informed and engaged constituency, and that's what keeps leaders accountable. They will see an independent thinker with decisions always made in the best interest of the Town and Districts.

Accomplishments:

- A 22-year Air Force highly decorated veteran with progressive leadership retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant. - A 10-year cyber security consulting practice working with Fortune-500 and Big-4 Consulting companies across government and industry, managing diverse teams as large 125 people - Director, and Information Security (Cybersecurity) at a national automotive e-commerce company valued at nearly $3B - Certified Project Management Professional with the ability to design and manage highly technical initiatives - Alpha Community Board of Directors since 2018 helping eradicate homelessness; single-handedly registered 100 constituents to vote

Other issues:

- Town Council diversity to represent the changing demographics of our constituents - Prioritizing COVID American Rescue Act Plan expenditures - Pursuit of anchor businesses to invest in Stratford for long-term job creation (i.e Shakespeare Park Utilization) - Developing a balanced budget with fiscal consciousness and and ability to make tough decisions to aide in lower operating costs - Creating better venues (especially the use of web & mobile solutions) to improve community engagement to help inform Town Hall decisions.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

Leadership, transparency, and accountability are values that develop over time, through a set of diverse life experiences. Getting out of my comfort zone has allowed me to fearlessly go beyond my hometown borders, and gain life experience. Listening to the constituents and transacting on those ideas allows the community to not only be a part of the discussion, but to guide it. Equity extends beyond employment opportunities, and they extend into government affairs and the decisions of those affairs.

Are you running for office in Stratford? Email vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile on Stratford Patch.