Meet the Democrat: John Moise

"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 Board of Finance candidates:

Name: John P. Moise
Age: 49
Party, Board Seeking: Board of Finance
Family information: Married with 2 children
Occupation, if applicable: Operations Manager, Dattco
Political Experience: 
2003 to 2005 - Served for two years as an alternate on the Planning and Zoning 
Board. 
2005 to 2011 -Member of Board of Finance 
2007 to 2009 – Chairman Board of Finance 
2007 to-2011- Member Self Insurance Committee
2008 to 2011- Chairman Self-Insurance Committee
Other Experience: 
2002 TO 2004 -Served on the Southington Schools Redistricting Committee 
2002 to 2006 -PTO President for Hatton Elementary School
2006 to 2009 -PTO President for DePaolo Middle School
2008 TO 2011- Served on the Plantsville and South End Building Committees 
2009 TO 2011 -PTO President for Southington High School 

Why did you run for office? 
I have decided to run for the Board of Finance to ensure that residents once again have a voice in how town officials spend taxpayer money. I was a member of the Board of Finance from 2005 to 2011 and chairman from 2007 to 2009. In those years the residents had a voice that was not muted by the Town Council. During the last several years there have been a number of occasions that the Town Council approved spending prior to the Board of Finance doing its due diligence. I believe this is a violation of the town charter and would like to ensure this no longer happens.

The Town and BOE budgets over the last two years have not been fair and balanced. In 2012 the Board of Finance approved a budget that was unfair to the taxpayers and business owners. It far exceeded the amount of money that was generated through the grand list and federal and state grants as well as the previous year’s surpluses. This caused a large tax increase and no consideration was taken into account for the taxpayers. This past year the Board of Finance went in the complete opposite direction gutting both the Town and BOE budgets. This was not a fair and balanced approach and is causing numerous financial problems within the BOE such as having to eliminate the librarians at the middle schools. I would like to restore the fair and balanced approach to the Board of Finance and work with the Town Council to improve the finances of Southington.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus? 
There would be several areas to focus on beginning with communicating with the town department employees and administration and the BOE and their administration to see what the spending is projected to be over the next two years. This will be done in order to have a long-range view of the budgets, in particular the next two years. I will focus on working towards increasing the bond rating by reviewing the fiscal policy and working with the economic developer to see what the departments needs are to bring business into Southington. Most importantly, I will focus on is ensuring the taxpayer’s dollars are spent wisely on the needs of our entire town.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today? 
The economic climate has begun to improve over the past year however it is still very fragile. The Board of Finance needs to pay close attention and receive updates on two large expenditures that the town is currently in the midst of. The first one is the $11 million road project approved by the residents. The second is the middle school projects at a cost of over $85 million. In order to keep these projects on the right financial track the BOF should be updated during their meetings. The technology upgrade the town continues to undergo should show savings and the BOF should analyze these savings prior to the budget process. Bringing business into Southington should be the number one priority as well as keeping the education of the children moving forward.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community? 
Having been a previous member of the Board of Finance I have a working knowledge and the experience to move Southington forward. I have also been a member and chairman of the Self Insurance Committee that gives me a better understanding of the employee health care insurance and how it can affect the budgets. I was a member of the very successful building committee for Plantsville and South End elementary schools, which may allow me to assist the present Middle School Building Committee.

(Optional) Anything else you would like to share?
I would like to thank those who have voted for me in the past and I ask for your vote once again. To those who do not vote in the local election I would ask that you reconsider. Southington has an over 75% voting in the state and federal election. The local election generally has a 30% rate for voting. Consider this, the local officials have a greater impact on your property tax and services that are generated in Southington. The local impact cannot be overstated. Please take the time to research the candidates and vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you have any questions for me I can be reached at jmoise1@cox.net or (860) 628-5083.

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