Meet the Democrat: John P. Moise

"Meet the Candidates" is a new 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.

Name: John P. Moise
Age: 47
Party, Position Seeking: Democrat, Southington Town Council
Family information: Married to Nancy Frechette Moise and we have two sons, Jonathan and Jake, who both attend Southington High School.
Political Experience:  Planning and Zoning Alternate 2003-2005; Board of Finance 2005-present, Chairman 2007-2009; Self Insurance Committee Chairman 2009-present; South End and Plantsville Elementary School Building Committee 2007-present. Capitol Bonding Committee for Southington Schools 2007-present.
Other Experience: Southington School Redistricting Committee 2002-2004; PTO President Hatton Elementary School 2002-2006; PTO President DePaolo Middle School 2006-2009; PTO President Southington High School 2009-2011.

Why did you run for office?
I am seeking election to the Town Council to have a positive impact on the community and ensure all residents have a voice.

I had been elected to the Board of Finance in 2005 and worked to ensure the taxpayer’s money was being spent wisely. The Town Council’s spending habits and giveaways over the past two years is unprecedented. The list includes:

• The Selling of North Center School for $1 to a private developer so the town can lease the property for eight years and then buy back for $3 million in eight years.
• Bonuses and raises for administrators of 7% and 8% for a total of $15,000.
• Health Insurance for life given to the former town manager and his wife at the expense of the taxpayer’s.
• A sewer to nowhere on Spring Street for $250,000, if ever completed, will cost the town over $1 million.

I am a member of Team Southington running for Town Council to listen to the all residents of Southington. It does not matter if you are Democrat, Republican or independent elected officials must have concern for the residents. Not contempt for the residents as we have seen over these past two years. If elected to the Southington Town Council I will continue to listen ensuring the voice of the people will be heard and tax dollars are being spent properly.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
If elected to the Town Council as a member of Team Southington I will have several areas of focus. The first area would be to set up and enact a policy to ensure the town of Southington receives a better rate on its investments. Currently, we are receiving minimal returns on the $13,000,000 we have in reserves. We could and should be doing better. I along with Kevin Beaudoin have been trying to get this done at the Board of Finance level. Town Council sets policy and has not reviewed the investments during the past two years.

I will continue to fight for services to the elderly and will not allow a Calendar House Bus and other crucial services to be cut from the budget as the republicans tried and failed to do in 2010. I will continue to support the safety and well being of our residents so they live in a safe and affordable environment.

I will continue to balance the needs of the schools in Southington with those of the businesses and homeowners. I will work to find ways to save money and maintain services for the residents of Southington. Team Southington will work to develop a short and long- range plan that will encourage new businesses that are appropriate to open in Southington. This will spur economic development not just in the present but also, well into the future.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?
The biggest issue facing Southington today is that of ensuring services for our residents and schools continue to improve. This will take a mixture of experience and that of new candidates with new ideas that we have with Team Southington. The school system faces over a $2,000,000 deficit in next years budget. We need to work now to minimize this impact. We need to combine more services, invest the taxpayer’s money better, and bring in business that will have positive impact on our local economy. All the elected boards, both Republicans and Democrats need to work together and combine their efforts and bring ideas to fruition that will assist each and every resident. The Team Southington candidates are anxious to get to work to alleviate the issues facing Southington today.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
Being on the Board of Finance I was able to gain a great understanding of how the departments operate. I have and will continue to work with Independents, Democrats, and Republicans to do what was best for our town. As a manager in customer service over the past 25 years I understand the need to work with and assist all residents and businesses in Southington.

Anything else you would like to share?
I would ask the residents to look at Team Southington and get to know the candidates. Please review what each candidate will try to do for you and not his or her party.  Call or email the candidates with questions that are important to you in this election.  Above all I ask that you get out and vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.