Patch Candidate Profile: David Tatkow, Wilton Board Of Finance

WILTON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Wilton and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Wilton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

David Tatkow, 44, is running as a Democrat for a seat on the Wilton Board of Finance. He has an MBA in Finance, and an AB in Computer Science, and has worked as an investment consultant for 13 years. He lives in Wilton with his wife and two children, ages 9 and 8.

Why are you seeking this office?

I believe that the Wilton Public Schools are among the most precious assets in the town, and that the Board of Finance should provide it with support, along with financial oversight.

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

Adequate funding for our town's schools. I intend to provide strong oversight to ensure that the Board of Education has thoroughly defended its costs, but once that is satisfied, I intend to support it.

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

I have a background in due diligence, which should serve in asking the right questions during oversight. Unlike Republican candidates, I believe in the necessity of properly funding public education.

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

The existing Republican members of the Board of Finance unnecessarily cut down the Board of Education's requested budget increase in Fiscal Year 2024. The Board of Ed thoroughly demonstrated its need for teacher's coaches, yet Republican Board of Finance members denied this request, resulting in only a "maintenance" budget increase for the Board of Ed. The Wilton Schools cannot continue to maintain their elite status in the state when they cannot get funding for demonstrated programs of need for our kids.

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

I intend to stress the importance of growing Wilton's commercial base, as part of a larger forward-looking plan for the town. The town has never developed a long term vision for its growth and development, and without this, the burden of the tax base will remain on residents.

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

I have performed oversight through due diligence of complex alternative investments, and have evaluated benefits and tradeoffs when advising on asset allocations for multiple state and private pensions.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Never be afraid to approach an old and seemingly well-worn problem with fresh eyes.

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

I am a concerned parent in this town, much like many others. My kids have a long way to go in the Wilton Public Schools, and my intent is to make sure that they, along with all the others students in this town, can get the resources they need from the system. All costs need to be scrutinized carefully, however I believe in the importance of properly funding public education and other town services.