West Haven Candidate Profile: O'Connor For City Council

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

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

Colleen O'Connor, 52, is running for City Council At-Large as a Republican.

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

Family:

Son - Raymond O'Connor age 18 years old

Education:

West Haven High School Graduate Class of 1984, BS in Business from Albertus Magnus

Occupation:

Assistant Manager - Arethusa Farm Dairy in New Haven for 3 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Former Chairman for the West Haven Republican Town Committee

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

High taxes and the Havens project. I will work hard with the tools given to me to find a way to lower taxes and offer some transparency in regards to the Haven project.

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

As a single-working mom I have had to make the tough choices between things we want and things we need. I am also the first to admit that I don't have all the answers. I am willing to listen and to try different things so that we can all walk away feeling like we received something.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

I will work hard with the whole City Council to do what is best for the citizens of West Haven. I do not have a personal agenda. I want to leave West Haven just a little better than what it is.

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

While Chairman of the WHRTC, with the help of my team, we built up the party, became close allies with Milford and Orange and raised enough money to have some left over when my term was done. With Milford and Orange, we were able to work together to get Charlie Ferraro elected. He has been very good for all 3 towns.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Treat others how you would want to be treated.

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

My phone will always be on and my door with always be open. I will try my best to help you with any of the problems you might have. I will be there to listen any day, time or place.