Meet the Democrat: James Sinclair

"Meet the Candidates" is a feature on Southington Patch designed to help you get to know your local candidates before you take to the polls this November. Each profile was submitted directly by the candidate. 

Take a moment to review each profile so you can be informed and prepared when you go to the polls on Nov. 5, 2013.

This week, we are looking at the Southington Planning and Zoning candidates.

Name: James Sinclair
Age: 34
Party, Board Seeking: Democrat, Planning and Zoning Commision
Family information: My family has been in Southington for the last 20 years, My sisters and I all attended SHS. 
Occupation, if applicable: Assistant at DellaVecchia Funeral Home
Political Experience: I have served 8 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission where I served as Secretary and on subcommittees for Continuous Improvement, Adult Oriented Businesses and Subdivision Regulations. Before that I served on the Southington Parking Authority for 5 years were I serves as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary.
Other Experience: I am active in the Masons were I have served as Secretary, and have worked on various committees for Scholarships, Membership, Communication on the Lodge level as well as Chairman of Strategic Planning for the State. I have been active in the community in several groups and committees and, for the last few years, have been a member of the Relay for Life committee involved with logistics.

Why did you run for office?
Southington is a wonderful community and as we continue to grow we must have a vision that will afford sustainable growth in our commercial and industrial sectors while keeping the integrity of our community intact. In our residential zones we have to be exceedingly careful not to allow development to overburden our resources and that new homes are in character with their surroundings.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
If reelected, I will continue to look for areas where we can increase our economic development while allowing for reasonable residential growth in a way that best fits the feel of our town.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?
In this economy, we must continue to work to increase our tax base and job opportunities through smart and sustainable growth to allow for opportunities to strengthen our community. We can not allow the perception that we are not open to new commercial and industrial development, while, at the same time, ensuring that development meets the standards of safety and esthetics we want to see as a town.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community? 
Having served on two boards over the past 11 years and groups that support our community, if reelected, I will continue to work to use my experience to further improve our community. As I have always done, I will listen to our town and make decisions that are in the best interest of all of Southington.

(Optional) Anything else you would like to share?
Southington is a great town. As a Planning and Zoning Commissioner, I have always tried to listen to the whole community to make choices that are in the best interest of the whole town and will keep Southington the town that attracted my parents here when they were looking for a better place to raise their children. If allowed to continue to serve, I will keep scrutinizing every application to make sure it will be an asset to Southington!

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