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FAIRFIELD, Conn. – To help our readers prepare for Election Day, The Daily Fairfield sent five questions to each of the candidates on the November ballot. These answers were submitted by Phil Dwyer, a Democrat running for the Board of Education.
Why should people vote for you?
As CEO of a $28 million YMCA where 25 percent of the budget was focused on early childhood education, I bring experience helping youth build a future. In addition, I successfully managed $60 million of YMCA capital projects. I was elected to the Board of Education in Rye, N.Y., and was chair of the Finance Committee. I have also served as a trustee of Springfield College. My broad range of experience will be helpful to the BOE.
What are the biggest issues facing Fairfield?
First, Fiscal Responsibility. Members of the BOE must make difficult decisions now, to avoid more painful decisions later.
Second, Academic Excellence: The BOE must accomplish fiscal constraint (the above) while maintaining a focus on academic excellence in a positive school environment.
Third, Better Communications: The BOE must work more closely with town bodies, parents, students and the larger community to better communicate and justify the needs of the school district.
Is Fairfield going in the right direction – If you are an incumbent, what were your biggest achievements? If you are a challenger, what has your opponent done wrong while in office?
People move to Fairfield because of our quality school system. Therefore, town residents believe our public schools are generally going in the right direction. I believe I have something to contribute to making our school environment a better place to teach and learn. I am ready to face the challenges before it at this time. Voters should study each candidate’s credentials and choose the most qualified five people for the BOE to assure educational excellence.
What would you do to involve your constituents in your decision-making process?
Decisions made by the BOE are made for the good of all involved in the education process, not individual constituent groups. I would encourage the public to read about the issues, attend and speak up at BOE meetings and to watch them on public access TV. I will maintain a Website to encourage citizens to raise their concerns and will attend public sessions seeking advice and comment on specific issues.
How do you plan to improve your board’s relationship with other town bodies, especially when it comes to financial issues?
The BOE must work more closely with elected officials on town boards to justify the educational needs of youth. We must start the budgeting process early and have it be goal-oriented, not expense driven. I am an effective communicator who has appeared before a U.S. Senate Committee and many state legislative committees, helping them make the right decision on issues impacting the lives of young people. I will bring these skills to the BOE.
To reach Greg Canuel, email gcanuel@thedailyfairfield.com.
The biggest financial difficulties facing Fairfield Citicens right now is holding on to their home with loss of jobs, staying in town to keep the kids in the schools they financed over the years. in a lot of cases the "straw that breaks the camels back " bringing on foreclosure is real estate taxes, gone to new highs with BLOATH and waste...Us " Private Sector Taxpayers" have to wake up to our political financial realities, we have 3 goverments WE HAVE TO RUN, Local, State and FED. We have to get the ball rolling getting with our smallest local goverment on the right track, to correct the bloath and waste that became the "Political Culture" over the years with Higher Educated Political Candidates. The TAX PAYERS ARE DEMANDING PLAIN "COMMON SENSE" IN THE GOVERNING OF OUR TOWN. All expenditures an open book, competive bids, salaries and benefits in line with "Private Sector" competitive pay. TAXPAYERS ARE TAKING BACK CONTROL. We dont need the "dysfunctional party system" any more in this digital age, that is why more and more people are registering INDEPENDANT. We got the webb, we can do our own oversight on our elected officials. "VOTERS FOR CONTROL" are on the go.