Meet the Republican: Edward Pocock III

"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:  Edward Pocock III
Age:  43
Party, Position Seeking:  Republican, Southington Town Council

Occupation: Lieutenant, Southington Police Department

Political Experience: BOE member 1993 - 1997 (past vice-chairperson); SWD Board of Water Commissioners 1997 - 2006 (past president); and Town Council 2007 - Present, current Chairman.

Why did you run for office?
I wanted to see real change in Town Hall. Having accomplished all the goals we set out to accomplish during our last two years, keeping the tax rate at the lowest two-year level in town history, I want to keep that momentum moving. 

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
Economic Development. We need to position Southington so that our town can grow when this economic downturn ends. While there are a number of other important elements in running a town, a solid economic development plan benefits everyone and reduces the tax burden on our citizens.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?
The poor economy, coupled with ridiculous state mandates, is the greatest issue facing Southington today.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
I am a person who likes to talk out problems and find real solutions. The North Center School project is a prime example. It needed to save the taxpayers at least 1.5 million over traditional bonding; it needed to have a minimal impact to our yearly annual budget; it needed to correct the Town Hall and Board of Education space issues (fixing two issues with one project); and, most importantly, it needed to have a referendum option.

An unprecedented level of cooperation, creativity, and communication between the BOE and the Town Council allowed for this problem to be solved, correcting all the issues listed above and saving the tax payers over 1.5 million over traditional bonding.

Anything else you would like to share?
I want to stress the same thought that I provided in both of my “State of the Town” addresses (January 2010 and 2011). I refuse to lie down and feel hopeless, now is the time to strike and position this town for better things to come. Unless one does not believe in America, one has to believe that we will pull through this and I believe that whoever is in the leadership position in this town, they will need to deal with the problem directly and lead us through this turmoil and position ourselves economically for the growth to come.

These are not just words, I live this. 

When we (Team Republican) were elected to the majority, I had no delusions about the responsibility that we were about to shoulder. As Chairman, I quickly realized that leading our town through one of the worst economic times in our country’s history fell to me.  We had many issues to address. Town Hall needed changes and improvements, the middle schools were in desperate need of refurbishment, economic development was treated like an afterthought and we needed to improve our roads and sewer infrastructure. Our plate was full because all these issues had an impact on how our town runs and our mill rate.

The plan for the future is to continue the course because for us, it is working.  We have changed Town Hall for the better, the middle schools are being addressed, infrastructure improvements were made, and economic development is a priority again. We accomplished all this yet kept the mill rate at the lowest two-year rate in the Town’s history and Team Republican is proud of that.

In Southington, we are leading the way and our future is bright.