LETTER: A Note from "Skoz" for Tolland Town Council

My name is David Skoczulek and I am running for Town Council in Tolland to build upon the progress and successes of our current team. I hope you have spotted my family nickname ‘SKOZ’ on my signs and you will see it with my name on the ballot November 3rd.

When my wife Kate and I moved to Tolland with our growing family, we fell in love with the character of the community and the overwhelming commitment to public service. It inspired me to get involved, which is why I am currently a Commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Commission and have served since December of 2013. This role has allowed me to be actively engaged in public hearings related to high visibility development projects and reform regulations that will give Tolland a more sustainable, business-friendly culture.

The most important election issue today is that Tolland is bubbling with opportunities and with the right leadership the Town can be a model for eastern Connecticut. We have many opportunities to which we need to give careful consideration, seize upon and run with. These include land and business development opportunities that fit with the character of the Town; excellence within the schools; robust access to and services for seniors; the creation of a long term plan for police services in the Town; and addressing the problems of blight in foreclosed and condemned homes. These issues and opportunities call for thoughtful leadership and engagement with the town as a whole.

While Chairman of the Board for the North Central District Health Department, we balanced the budget for the first time ever. As the current President of the North Central Area Agency on Aging (NCAAA) Board of Directors I have received extensive training on good governance to ensure that seniors, the disabled and their caregivers have access to high quality care and services in our region. I have been a Rotarian since 2008 and a Corporator of ECHN. All of these experiences have provided me with the ability to learn and grow as a professional and as a leader.

I have always been dedicated to service. I have been in Emergency Medical Services since I was 19 and have gone on thousands of 911 calls. I have treated people on the worst day of their lives and learned how to convey to them that I know what they are going through, I have seen it before and I can help. I have managed and developed large budgets and I have made sure I am serving the constituents while being good stewards of tax dollars and donated funds.

I feel I have always brought even, calm and thoughtful leadership, free of drama while keeping the passion and commitment. I have left things better than I have found them. I have built and developed in public and private entities. I hope to bring that same evenness and commitment to inclusivity and success to the Tolland Town Council. The voters should elect who they know and trust and who shows the best promise for getting the job done and I hope to earn your vote for Tolland Council on November 3rd.

David “Skoz” Skoczulek
Tolland