Trumbull Candidate Profile: Michael Barker Board Of Finance

TRUMBULL, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Trumbull and there are plenty of 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.

Michael Barker is running for Board of Finance as a Democrat He is the managing director of the Westport Country Playhouse and has been an alternate on the Board of Finance.

Are you running for office in Trumbull? Contact Rich Scinto at rich.scinto@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Trumbull Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Funding our pension liability, and maintaining our excellent bond rating. Smart budgeting that we can execute on is the only way forward. We cannot return to tricks like spending our town's reserves in order to fill a budgetary gap.

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

I have substantial experience managing organizational budgets successfully, and formal practical and theoretical training (including an MBA from Yale).

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

We want to continue to keep taxes steady, and when there are increases
required that those increases be minimize.

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

I have managed organizations large and small. I understand how finance and
budgetary discipline works and will leverage that experience on the Board of
Finance.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Be true to your values. Also: if you want to know someone's values, look at
his budget.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your
positions?

I am a Trumbull dad, homeowner, and my son will be in Trumbull public
schools next year. I want the same things we all want: public safety,
excellent schools, adequate infrastructure. I believe I can deliver on these
issues.