Community Corner

Meet the Democrat: James Sinclair

A look at James Sinclair, Democratic candidate for Southington Planning & Zoning Commission.

"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. 8.

This week, we look at the Planning and Zoning Commission candidates. Be sure to look back at the Town Council, Board of Finance and Board of Education profiles featured during the past three weeks and stay informed.

Name:
James Sinclair
Age: 32
Party, Position Seeking: 
Democrat, Southington Planning & Zoning Commission

Family information:
I am in a serious relationship with a great lady. I have a wonderful family, which was recently expanded with the addition of our first nephew.

Occupation:
Sales and marketing.

Political Experience:
I have served 6 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 including in roles as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary.

Other Experience:
I am active in the Masonic Lodge, where I currently serve as Secretary; I 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, as of last year, 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 also 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 re-elected, 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, thereby creating additional opportunities to strengthen our community.

We cannot 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.

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 the opportunity to continue serving, I will keep scrutinizing every application to make sure it will be an asset to Southington!


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here