FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Colchester taxpayers are stretched thin, and too often, when department budgets head to the Board of Finance, the first instinct is to ask for more money. What we end up with isn’t real savings, it’s just a smaller budget increase. That’s not fiscal responsibility, that’s tax and spend.

As First Selectman, John will approach budgeting with common sense and honesty. He knows that every dollar the government spends comes from a hardworking family, a small business owner, or a retiree on a fixed income. We cannot keep passing the burden onto taxpayers and expect everyone to afford to stay in Colchester.

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With over 30 years of professional and community experience, John understands how to manage budgets, cut waste, and prioritize the needs that matter most—without inflating the cost of living. Fiscal responsibility isn’t about saying “no” to everything, it’s about saying “yes” to what truly serves the people and planning responsibly for the future.

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John will champion clear, accountable budgeting, making sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely, transparently, and with respect. Because at the end of the day, fiscal responsibility isn’t just about numbers, it’s about protecting families, keeping Colchester affordable, and ensuring our community thrives for generations to come.

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EDUCATION

Colchester families and taxpayers deserve a Board of Education that prioritizes students, not bureaucracy. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a troubling trend of overstaffing in administration while classrooms and student outcomes continue to lag behind. Throwing more money at administration has not improved education for our children.

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John believes every dollar should be directed toward improving classrooms, supporting teachers, and raising student achievement. The Superintendent’s contract even ties compensation to student attendance, yet taxpayers see little accountability or results. Behind closed doors, too many questions remain unanswered and too much double talk erodes public trust. We want parents in control and aware of what is happening in their children’s schools and to always have a seat at the table to voice their concerns,

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As First Selectman, John will bring transparency, accountability, and common-sense leadership to education budgeting. Serving as an ex-officio member of the Finance Committee, he will work to ensure that board of education budgets are clear, responsible, and truly student-focused. Colchester taxpayers deserve honest answers and responsible stewardship of their hard-earned dollars. Our children deserve schools that prioritize outcomes, not administrative overhead.

 

SMALL BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT

Colchester is, at its heart, a farming community. Our farms are not only a vital part of our economy, but also a cornerstone of our history, culture, and way of life. Protecting our farmers’ land and ensuring their ability to prosper will remain a top priority under John’s leadership.

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At the same time, Colchester must continue to grow in ways that strengthen our economy and expand our tax base—without losing the rural character that makes our town unique. That means supporting our farmers while also attracting and retaining small to medium-sized businesses that provide good jobs and keep Colchester affordable for working families.

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With over 30 years of experience in business development and sustainable growth, John has the expertise to balance both priorities. He will:

• Work to preserve farmland and protect the future of Colchester’s agricultural heritage.
   

• Foster a business-friendly environment that encourages small businesses to open, grow, and succeed here
   

• Leverage opportunities like the recently passed federal bills that provide businesses with a 100% tax write-off on qualifying investments, to make Colchester truly “Open for Business”
   

• Partner with local and regional leaders to attract smart investment that grows our economy while respecting our community values
   

Colchester deserves leadership that understands both the importance of protecting our farmland and the need to build a strong, diverse economy. With John as First Selectman, Colchester will thrive as a community that honors its roots while creating new opportunities for the future.

 

SAFETY

The safety of Colchester residents must always be our utmost concern. Families should have confidence that when an emergency strikes, help will arrive quickly, and that our police, fire, and emergency services have the resources they need to keep our community secure.

At the Spring 2025 Finance Committee workshop, Republicans successfully advocated for funding a third ambulance and a full-time firefighter position, strengthening Colchester’s 24/7 emergency response capabilities. These were important steps forward but more work must be done.

 

Our Police Department continues to operate out of cramped, outdated space at Town Hall, despite past investments intended to modernize facilities and support a more diverse force, including the hiring of female officers. This piecemeal approach to public safety infrastructure is unsustainable for a growing community like ours.

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As First Selectman, John will make public safety a top priority. He will:

• Partner with our Police and Fire leadership to ensure resources match community needs
   

• Work with designers, leverage state and federal funding, and collaborate with our State Representatives to deliver a long-overdue modern Police Department expansion
   

• Ensure transparency and accountability so that every dollar spent improves safety outcomes for residents