Wallingford Election 2023: Vinnie Testa Running For Town Council

WALLINGFORD, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Wallingford with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 7 and cast their ballots for the position of mayor, along with seats on the Town Council and Board of Education.

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

Vinnie Testa, 63, is running for re-election to the Wallingford Town Council as a Democrat.

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

https://www.facebook.com/Counc...

Education.

B.S. Biology, minor Political Science, Fairfield University

What is your occupation?

Teacher

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

Married to Kimberly B. Testa; 5 children ages from 24-34.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

2 years on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, 8 years on the board of Education, and I am completing my 9th term (18 years) on the Town Council.

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 feel strongly about serving and having a positive effect on the quality of life in my home community.

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

Maintaining critical services and improving our infrastructure through responsible planning and budgeting. I will continue to be careful with our reserves while avoiding large tax increases. We need to encourage more economic development to build the Grand List tax base and seek more state and federal grants to complete needed infrastructure upgrades.

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

I believe it is my experience, deep understanding of the issues facing our community, and skills at developing solutions and forging agreements among my colleagues.

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

I would not say any current incumbent has failed the community. Some are more effective than others, but all are good people. I am strongly endorsing our new Democratic candidates due to the skills and experiences they will bring to the Council.

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

I will continue to advocate strongly for the Community Pool project, the development of a skate park for our youth, and the urgent need to upgrade and repair our infrastructure.

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

Over the years, I led the efforts to move to a self-insured model for employee health benefits, forged compromises on budget agreements and public safety programs, assured full budgeting of athletic complexes at both high schools, advocated successfully for air conditioning at the Animal Shelter and continue to work respectfully and effectively with my colleagues as well as the administration and department heads.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen to all sides of an argument, respect your opponents, and decide on what you believe is best for the community as a whole.

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

I'm a lifelong Wallingford resident who takes my responsibilities seriously and feels extremely humbled and gratified by the trust placed in me for so many years. I still have the energy and drive to continue serving and respectfully ask for that opportunity.