About the Candidate: Jim Leblanc

Name: James LeBlanc

Party: Republican

Position Seeking: Planning and Zoning Commission, Regular Member.

Family information: I Reside in Unionville with my wife Karen and children Victoria, Andrew and Matthew.

Occupation, if applicable: I am a landscape architect.  I have a degree in finance and worked for years in the financial industry before going back to school and obtaining my B.S.L.A. from the University of Connecticut in Landscape Architecture.

I am a lecturer on subjects such as the Green Industry, Resource Management Practices, and Soil Science.

I have been a youth sports coach over the years for my children’s teams.

Political Experience: None.

Why are you running for office? My youngest child goes off to college next year and I have much to offer to my community and hope to serve my friends and neighbors in Farmington in a new capacity as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus? My focus on the Planning and Zoning Commission will be on the enforcement of the existing rules with an eye toward supporting businesses that want to come to Farmington and to retain and assist those businesses already located in Farmington.  This can be accomplished while balancing the needs of our residential neighborhoods. 

What issues or opportunities is the town facing today? Farmington is facing competition from other towns for businesses that help drive our economy and support our tax base.  Farmington needs Planning and Zoning Commissioners that are committed to making the application process for businesses as simple and friendly as possible.

How would you propose to address them? I plan to apply our zoning regulations as they are written and will not seek to interpret our rules in ways that discourage businesses from coming to Farmington.  The Planning and Zoning Commission also has the responsibility to see that our residential zones are not eroded by inappropriate activities that attempt to encroach on neighborhoods.  I will support permitted activities in the proper zones.

Anything else you would like to share? Farmington has a chance to elect new Planning and Zoning Commissioners to carry out the will of the people and I believe that I am well qualified along with my running mates to accomplish that goal.