About the Candidate: Patty Stoddard

Name: Patty Stoddard

Party: Republican

Running for Second District Town Council

Family Information:  I have lived in the Unionville section of Farmington for the past 21 years with my husband, Jack and 2 children, Christopher and Megan. Professionally, I have been a Real Estate Agent for the past 15 years for Prudential Connecticut Realty in the Farmington Valley.

Political Experience and Why I am Running for office:  I have been a member of the Farmington Town Council for the past 2 years, and prior to that, I served 8 years on the Board of Education. I am seeking re-election because I feel, although we have many accomplishments over the past 2 years, I have more to do in Farmington and I have the experience to get things done. 

If elected, what would be my primary area of focus?   I believe as an elected official, we are obligated to provide excellent services, including a superior school system, for the lowest tax rate possible.  My primary focus is the Town Budget and Economic Development including focusing on the UCONN Corridor and Unionville Revitalization and the traffic changes associated with Unionville Center.

What issues or opportunities is the town facing today?  The biggest issues facing our town today is the budget with the economic climate and maintaining our low tax rate.  We also have an opportunity to bring new businesses to the UCONN corridor and make significant traffic changes to improve the traffic in Unionville center.   

How would you address them?  One of the main areas I plan to focus on, which has a significant impact on our budget, is the Revaluation which is scheduled to begin in 2012.  We have a strategy to defer the re-val in the coming year working with our State Representatives to move the re-val out one or two years.  This would help with the balance of our commercial property rates which could drop to approx 22% in the coming year thus putting a large tax burden on residential property owners.

I will also work with the Town Manager and her staff regarding the Strategic Plan which we use to set goals and standards for the Council and Town Staff.  I believe it is time to send out a new survey to town residents to update our strategic plan and get input from the residents about what is important to them in the coming years in the Town.  These topics include traffic issues, open space, economic development, as well as Town Services. 

I want to say it has been my privilege to serve on the Town Council these last 2 years and I look forward to a successful election.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach me by email ~ pstoddard@prudentialct.com or by phone @860-751-9135. 

Please remember to Vote on November 8th.