For Partnership

At Meet the Candidates night, the current Town Council Chairman expressed his view that the relationship between the Council and the Board of Education is inherently adversarial.  He is certainly not alone in this view.  I have encountered many professional and elected leaders from both parties who operate from this perspective.  In fact,  this conflict-oriented approach to governance is so ingrained in our culture that the town charter practically codifies it.

I believe there is a better place to start.  Good governance in Tolland begins with honest dialogue among the BOE, the Council, and the citizens of Tolland and can lead to positive outcomes for all.  Identifying our shared priorities and working together to achieve them will make us stronger as a community and give us a path to follow.  The current practice of one-year-at-a-time resource allocation is short-sighted and unsustainable --- as is waiting until the 11th hour to have the necessary conversations.   This is a common practice in our governance, particulary at the BOE, and it sets those involved up for conflict and negative public perception.  Successful long-term planning must be done within a process that requires to town leaders work in partnership, not as adversaries.

This is why, for the first time since I began voting in Tolland, I will be voting for all of the candidates running on Democratic ticket.  Any one of the individuals on this slate will be a councilor, commissioner, or board member that you will be proud of; elected together, they will bring the voices and experience necessary to really change the conversation around the budget.  In turn, you will get better decisions that are more responsible to the community and a process that supports all of Tolland rather than one that is adversarial. These candidates are project managers, educators, budget experts, business people, community volunteers, and experienced facilitators of meaningful dialogue. They are eager to use their personal and professional experiences to improve the process in Tolland.  Learn more about them here and please vote this Tuesday!