East Windsor Candidate Profile: Sarah Muska, Board Of Selectmen

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.

Name: Sarah A. Muska

How old will you be as of Election Day? 37

What city or town do you live in? East Windsor

What office are you seeking? Board of Selectmen

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: Studied Social Services at Manchester Community College

What is your occupation? Floral Designer for 15 Years

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

My family has proudly called East Windsor home for five generations! My grandmother, Sophia Muska will be celebrating her 100th birthday in January and my parents live in town, as well.

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

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

Board of Selectmen 2019-Present, Board of Finance 2017-2019, CT GOP State Central Committee 2019-2023

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?

The future of East Windsor is very important to me. I want to continue to work collaboratively to support projects and policies that will benefit all members of our community. Areas of importance to me include: supporting and working with law enforcement and first responders for a safe and vibrant community, supporting our school system to ensure that the tools and resources needed are available to provide all students with a quality education and economic development to keep the tax burden low, while still maintaining necessary services.

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

I feel that the single most pressing issue facing our community is finding the balance between maintaining our rural charm and precious farmland, while still encouraging economic development and growth to grow our grand list. I intend to support initiatives that will make East Windsor a business friendly community, which include ensuring that our Building and Planning Departments are user friendly and offer a speedy, yet efficient process. I will also work with our state legislators to push for solar installation decisions to be made at the local level, so the townspeople have the opportunity to speak up whether for or against, like other zoning matters.

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

Over the past four years, the current Board of Selectmen has worked in a bipartisan manner, putting people over politics to strive to make East Windsor an amazing place to go to school, raise a family, work and retire. The current board is serving with no self interest, but simply to continue to move East Windsor forward.

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

I would like to encourage more residents to get involved and serve on our boards and commissions. I would like to promote and make our Economic Development Commission and Beautification Committee functional again.

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

As a former small business owner and someone who is currently employed at my family's small business, I am in tune with the needs of the community, as well as how zoning regulations and taxes affect a business owner. I am also a domestic violence survivor and I spend a lot of my free time volunteering and giving back to those in need. I am available and approachable at the many town events I attend. As a selectman, over the past four years, I am proud to have been a part of: rectifying the issue of unequal taxation for fire services, the hiring of a new Chief of Police, which improved morale within the department and distributing ARPA funding to support small business and quality of life and infastructure improvements throughout town.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Be the reason why someone smiles today.

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

It has been an honor to serve as a selectman over the past four years. I am proud to have been a part of the many successes East Windsor has seen during my service and with your vote, I would love to continue to work collaboratively for the betterment of all members of our community.