East Windsor Candidate Profile: Petitioning Candidates

EAST WINDSOR, CT — The 2023 municipal election season is heating up in East Windsor, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Names: Keith Yagaloff, Lynn Stanley, Mike Ceppetelli

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

https://www.ourfutureew.com

What city or town do you live in? East Windsor

What office are you seeking? First Selectman and Selectman

Party affiliation: Petitioning candidates

Education: Keith, •Ph.D., J.D., Masters, BS, Lynn •MS Organizational Psychology (UHart) and BA Sociology (Trinity College), Mike HS

What is your occupation?

Keith Attorney, scientist, farmer, small business owner. Inventor on several U.S. patents. Author of many scientific publications, Lynn Finance, Higher Education, Public Education, and insurance, Mike Electronic Design and Application Engineer currently employed with Fortune 500 manufacturer of microcontroller and analog semiconductors.

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

Keith •Married 38 years, father of three, Lynn married 29 years, and mother of 2 sons, Mike •Husband of 23 years

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

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

Keith, Town Council and Board of Education, Lynn Board of Education, Mike Chairmanship of the Inland Wetlands Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals.

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?

Our team is united by a commitment to community and service. Together, we’ve passionately served in various capacities, from educational boards to legislative roles and community volunteering. Our dedication to East Windsor is unwavering, with years of hands-on experience and active involvement, which positions us to serve East Windsor with passion, commitment, and wisdom.

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

Our town's future hinges on thoughtful allocation of our limited resources. While attracting young families with amenities can be beneficial for long-term growth, our current focus seems far too skewed towards this approach. By investing almost exclusively in attractions for children and families, we're inadvertently sidelining crucial infrastructure improvements that businesses require. It's evident in our struggle to attract and retain businesses, which are vital for immediate economic growth and diversifying our revenue sources. We need a more balanced strategy that addresses the immediate and long-term needs of our community. Infrastructure investment is needed to attract new businesses, providing jobs, and building our tax base. A thriving business environment can in turn support and complement our educational goals. By redirecting more of our resources towards infrastructure and business development, we can create a sustainable and comprehensive growth plan. Let's refine our strategy, combining the needs of businesses, families, and our schools, to ensure a prosperous future for our town.

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

We've seen the consequences of fiscal neglect, such as awarding no-bid contracts to employee family-run businesses, tax increases, spending increases, stagnation in the grand list, excessive use of the fund balance to balance the budget, budgetary maneuvering, overspending on non-essential capital equipment, and spending an exorbitant $786,000 on a playground at Reservoir Park while requiring an admission fee for its use. Such practices cannot endure. We commit to transparency, methodical planning, and responsible financial management to safeguard East Windsor's economic health. Our aim is to ensure affordability without sacrificing quality.

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

The current administration's handling of financial matters, notably the flat grand list and convoluted tax maneuvers, is troubling. One of the most concerning aspects of the current administration is the dissemination of false narratives. We must correct these inaccuracies. The role of local governance should be to clarify, educate, and guide — not to confuse and mislead.

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

We stand firm against industrial solar on our East Windsor farms. We advocate for growth that truly benefits the community. Vast 450-acre, 120-megawatt solar projects, and their associated million dollar tax breaks, are not benefiting East Windsor, especially when none of the electricity is going to East Windsor residents or business. Our campaign believes in responsible growth that aligns with the community's interest, rather than making political gains. Please join us in our fight for East Windsor.

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

Keith Yagaloff, Lynn Stanley, and Mike Ceppetelli bring a wealth of private sector experience, credentials, town knowledge, and common sense that East Windsor needs to put an end to the poor performance of the current administration.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Think before you speak. Read before you think.

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

At this critical juncture in East Windsor's history, we're faced with multifaceted challenges, many exacerbated by the present administration’s lack of transparency and a disregard for our town’s core values. As independent petitioning candidates, our commitment goes beyond party allegiances. We are dedicated to equality and justice, restoring fiscal sanity, defending our agricultural legacy, and rectifying the misinformation that's undermining our town’s unity and future.