Tolland Election Profiles 2023: Erin Stavens, PZC

TOLLAND, CT — Erin Stavens is running for a seat on the Tolland Planning and Zoning Commission.

Here is her profile, as submitted to Patch:

Name

Erin Stavens

How old will you be as of Election Day?

32

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

What city or town do you live in?

Tolland

What office are you seeking?

Planning & Zoning

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

BS Equine Business Management & MS Human Resource Management

What is your occupation?

10 years as an HR Manager at Barber Utilities, LLC

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I’m the oldest of five kids. My family resides in Ellington. I’ve lived in Tolland for 3 years now with my dog, Elle.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My father, David Stavens, is on the Board of Selectmen in Ellington.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

ZBA in Ellington 2019-2020. Tolland PZC 2021-Present

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am running again, because I want to continue the Work I came on board to two years ago. Updating and improving 20 year regulations has been a learning experience I’ve come to appreciate, so I am looking forward to bringing more regulations into the 21st-century. Our plan is to continue our work on diversifying the housing market in town, as well as improve the 195 corridor south of I 84.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Taxes. Although the commission I am running for can’t control our taxes, we can do our best to make Tolland more business friendly and more friendly towards development in the appropriate zones. Expanding the tax base is something that can bring a little relief to the people currently living here if we don’t continue to increase our mil rate.

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

I have experience in construction, business, conservation and HR, so I can pull knowledge from a multitude of sources when it comes to making responsible decisions for Tolland.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

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

In the two years I’ve been on PZC, I have helped pass updates to outdated regulations, which has been ongoing since being elected in 2021. I have also helped approve plans that will bring people and businesses to town, like Rough Cut Cider House, Fieldstone Commons, and Starbucks.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Don't stop being yourself just because others don’t like the energy you bring to the table. If you’re too much, they can go find less.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am here for Tolland. I want what’s best for everyone here, and I hope that my energy, hard work and compassion can help contribute to positive growth that we can all benefit from in the years to come.