Jeffrey Parker Running For Easton First Selectman

EASTON, CT — The state Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Republican Jeffrey Parker, 71, is running for First Selectman in Easton.

Occupation: Retired

Family:Wife Diane Parker (69) Daughters Elizabeth (39) and Megan (36) and grandson Robert, "Trip" Newhouse

Experience: Board of Education 2 terms

Family in government: Diane Parker, Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Easton Senior Center and newly appointed member on the Commission for the Aging.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

What matters most is getting back to the Easton we all know and love. We must bring civility back to our town. Not only will I reunite our town, but I will also ensure the Board of Selectmen focus on our town's agenda, not a sociopolitical agenda from Hartford or Washington. Those who truly understand our town and our unique place in the State of Connecticut don't need to expend precious time and resources over political stunts. There is actual work to do.

I will bring together Easton's religious and community leaders to help us focus on what unites us. We will have open, face-to-face conversations about who we are as Eastonites, and what we need to move our community forward.

We are a town that was once characterized by civil discourse, shared values, and a common vision. In fact, one of my guiding principles comes from the great Democratic President John F Kennedy, who said: "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us"
Those are words to live by and lead by, and and that is how I will address the privilege of being elected Easton's First Selectman

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

It is vital that Easton's First Selectman has the ability to exclusively focus on the town's needs and operations. Last-minute meetings and fire drills are no way to run a town. As a retiree, I can ensure Easton will regain the efficiency that has been lost under this administration.

Easton rightfully deserves a First Selectman who can dedicate 100 percent of their time, focus, and energy to the role.

I will also proactively stand up to Hartford's overreach that will negatively impact our zoning independence. I don't think anyone is paying enough attention to this issue and I promise to address it head-on. Easton is subject to recent legislation from Hartford that could change not only our town's rural character but threaten the environment and our coveted watershed areas. The current administration has done nothing to prevent this from happening; in fact, I believe they embraced it. As voters will recall, and the current administration heavily supported the use of state and federal funds for a multi-use pathway that would alter the beautiful aesthetics of our town. That concept was soundly defeated at the polls

Accomplishments:

My experience serving Easton surpasses that of the current first selectman. I was elected to serve on our Board of Education in 2011, a seat I ran for in honor of my late wife Joan Parker, a beloved educator and principal for the Helen Keller Middle School.

Managing Easton's schools is one of the most important things our Boards do; they are one of our greatest assets and reasons for living here.

Throughout my time on the Board, and in my nearly seven years as Chairman, I brought people together to reach fair compromises in the face of challenging budget situations. I successfully negotiated multiple union contracts for the teachers, custodians para-professionals, and school administrators.

I successfully led the board through seven budget cycles balancing the needs of our children with the finances of the town. When facing budget challenges in 2019, and the prospect of increasing class sizes, budget adjustments were made that created new bus stops for a number of our children. When concerned parents called, I travel to their home and walked with them to the proposed new stop to see it through their eyes. I also engaged the Easton Police and the First Student Safety Division to ensure our children were not at risk. Some bus stops were changed and all were viewed by the experts as safe for our children.

I served on the search committee for our current Superintendent (McKinnon), current Director of Special Services (Del Conte), and current Easton Middle School Principal (Clapp). Finally, I also serve as the Chairman of the ER9 Food Service Committee, effectively negotiating contracts with Chartwell, and the district choice of food supplier

Other issues:

Putting Easton above its political parties is critically important to our shared future. That shared future also includes the preservation of our land, especially the property on South Park Avenue which has been a point of discussion for many years. The current administration hand-picked a committee of interested and knowledgeable citizens to serve on the South Park Advisory Committee to research possible uses for the property. After 18 months, the committee did not identify an option worth pursuing. In fact, the only choice presented at the 11th hour was a financial offer made by the Aspetuck Land Trust, tied to a state grant, that would pay the pennies on the dollar of what Easton borrowed--and is still paying off-- to purchase the property in 2008. By his own admission, the current first selectman handled this situation poorly.
I won't allow that to happen again.

As First Selectman, and I commit to delivering a financially sound and fully transparent plan for the entire 29.8 acres of land before asking voters to decide the fate our cherished open space

What else would you like voters to know about you?

First of all, I am extremely proud of our entire Republican slate which includes decades of service to Easton and a few inspired newcomers unhappy with the way they see things progressing. Despite the fact that we have built an idyllic community with a foundation of respect for one and another, I am disappointed in the multiple accusations that have been leveled at me and my running mate by a small but vocal group of citizens. That's not the Easton I know. Ensuring that all voices are heard, welcoming the diversity of thought, and ensuring our children receive the best education has always been my focus.

I am a proud father and grandfather, and and husband to my wife Diane whom I met at a high school friends reunion. My family connections to Easton that date back nearly 150 years. I truly love this town.

I believe that Kristi Sogofsky's experience along with my dedication will be the change we need to keep things going the way Easton should be.