Wilton Candidate Profile: Joshua Cole For Board of Selectmen

WILTON, CT — The 2019 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.

Joshua Cole, 43, is running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen as a Republican. Cole was appointed by the Board of Selectmen in July 2018 to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term ending November 30, 2019. He served on the Zoning Board of Appeals, appointed by Board of Selectmen in October 2014 to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term ending November 30, 2015, and was elected in November 2015 by municipal election to a new four year term expiring November 30, 2019. He resigned from that effective July 31, 2018 when appointed to the Board of Selectmen. Cole served as chairman from December 2016 to July 2018, and as vice-chairman from December 2015 to December 2016. He was also appointed to the Board of Selectmen Sub-Committee on Town Counsel Selection, where he served from October 2016 to December 2016.

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

The Town is facing a question of continued leadership and preparedness. During the past four years, we have had strong, pragmatic leadership. As a member of the Board of Selectmen, I have promoted a frank and open dialogue about the specific challenges our Town faces. I will continue to be open with our residents, keeping them apprised of issues and working collaboratively toward solutions.

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

Having resided in town for more than 12 years, and now having two daughters attending Miller-Driscoll School, I offer a different generational perspective than the other candidates. Additionally, my legal experience in commercial real estate allows me to provide insight as we consider the need to support responsible development.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

I believe Wilton needs to be prepared for whatever the future may bring. I will work to continue to strengthen our Town by improving essential services and amenities for our residents, supporting responsible development, and reducing costs through shared services, where appropriate. When my wife and I moved to Wilton, we did so because we liked the Town and I want to ensure that Wilton remains the beautiful, safe, and nurturing community we selected to start and raise our family.

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

I spend a significant amount of time preparing for each meeting and thoroughly familiarizing myself with matters before the Board, so that meetings can run efficiently and questions I ask are pertinent to the issues. As a former college football player, I am able to work well with a team. My service on the BOS and ZBA, as well as my professional experience are evidence that I have and will continue to be ready to address the responsibility of this position.

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

I have and will continue to volunteer my time to the Town because I believe that reasoned and frank discussions are the best way to bring people together and formulate functional solutions.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

My grandmother would quote Theodore Roosevelt to me: "Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering."