Selectmen, How Do You Stay Informed?

In this week's New Canaan News both candidates for Selectman were asked about how we plan to stay abreast of all the issues. What follows is my answer as well as a link to my opponent's. I think that the contrast in our answers is striking.

Question: At every Board of Selectmen meeting, the board is bombarded with a lot of different requests and tasks ranging from departments like Parks and Recreation to legal issues. How do you plan on being proactive in terms of staying abreast of all issues and asking the right questions?

Answer: A: I was trained long ago as an Army officer that there is no substitute for walking around to be informed. I successfully applied this rule in business, managing a myriad of issues for e-Media, a company of over 150 employees. Keeping abreast of issues is primarily a matter of being present, attending a broad range of meetings outside of Town Hall, being available to talk to residents, taking notes and getting back to people. You can't phone this job in. On Monday mornings I meet with Realtors discussing our real estate market, afternoons with the Board of Staying Put on senior issues, and Monday evenings I serve as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. I teach CCD for St. Aloysius and get a student's perspective. I meet with the Rotary Club and learn about issues there, and Fridays I attend the Advertiser's coffee to discuss the week's events. Every day I am in New Canaan getting information first-hand from merchants, Realtors and residents. It is any wonder that over 30 business owners in the downtown have written a letter of support for my candidacy? They know me; I am here, for over 32 years, participating and listening, and I am committed.

My opponent cites his experience with the Board of Education saying, "I believe this experience, together with my legal background, has provided me with excellent training for the role of selectman." Here is a link to my opponent's full response.

http://www.johnengel.com