Wallingford Candidate Profile: Laffin For Town Council

WALLINGFORD, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Wallingford and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Wallingford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Tom Laffin, 39, is running for re-election to the Town Council as a Republican.

Are you running for office in Wallingford? Contact Vinnie Salzo at vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Wallingford Patch.

Family:

Son: Jack (13); Daughter: Abby (11)

Education:

B.A. in Political Science

Occupation:

IT Manager, Social Media Coordinator, Finance Associate for Franciscan Family Network in Meriden, CT

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Currently serving as Vice Chairman (6 years) of the Town Council (8 years)

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

Continuing to keep Wallingford financially solvent with a responsible and consistent budget.

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

I don’t like to speak for anyone who might be also running for a seat on the Town Council, but I think Wallingford has been running exceptionally well particularly compared to other towns in the state and it’s important that we maintain that level of excellence. There is always room to improve and grow, but the most stark difference between someone who might be running “against” me is their desire for an across the board leadership change in Wallingford, when I believe we have a lot of things to be thankful for and I am not interested in trying to fix something that is not broken.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Expanding our police force and supporting our Fire Department. Building a new pool. Leveraging and easing in technology to improve operations and the constituents’ experience.

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

I have served the past 8 years on the Town Council, 6 as Vice Chairman, and 4 years before those on the Board of Education. I have fought to keep taxes low yet responsible and to maintain and foster a town where people enjoy to live, work, and grow their families and businesses.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Leadership is influence, not control. Support and success with people are grown like a farmer grows vegetable, not as a laborer manufactures widgets.

Campaign Website:

www.voteinlaffin.com