Patch Candidate Profile: Paul Timpanelli, Trumbull Board of Finance

TRUMBULL, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Trumbull and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Trumbull Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Democrat Paul Timpanelli, 77, is a Trumbull resident running for the Board of Finance.

Education

Master's in Urban Sociology, St. John's University, Bachelor's in Sociology, Sacred Heart University, Certificate in Organizational Management, Villanova University's in Sociology, Sacred Heart University.

What is your occupation?

Real Estate Agent 6 years, Business Consultant 6 years.

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

Married 52 years to my wife Carol.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

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

In Trumbull as Member of Conservation Commission, 1971-1975, Inland-Wetlands Commission, 1973-75, elected Town Clerk, 1975-812, elected First Selectman, 1981-87, elected Board of Education, 1987-89, elected Board of Finance, 2019-23, served twice on Charter Revision Commissions.

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?

My vast experience in varied elected and appointed positions serving the town of Trumbull provides a unique perspective on where the town has come from, how it operates successfully and what is required to enable quality service at a reasonable cost.

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

Balancing the needs of a young, vibrant and active population with our ability to properly fund required services. I will continue to carefully watch our ability to pay while seeking to grow our fund base to enable a budget that provides what our constituents want.

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

My years of experience and kinds of experience within the political and government arena offers a unique perspective.

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

Coming to grips with what will be a critical decision on the re-instatement of a police pension, deciding how to best use the town's very healthy fund balance (savings/rainy day) account, and the continuing need for a community/senior/aquatics/veteran's center, and monitoring the future of our largest tax payer.

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

I have been on the ballot nine times in Trumbull and have won nine times. I think my constituents have clearly concluded that I can handle this job. I thank them for their confidence in me and am humbled by it.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Your most important organs are your ears and your heart. Use them to listen with passion.

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

Sometimes it's best to vote the way your constituents would like you to vote and sometimes it's best to vote your conscience. Knowing which approach to take when will mark your success. I will always consider the difference by using my ears and my heart.