Meet the Republican: Peter J. Romano Jr.

"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: Peter J Romano, Jr.
Age: 46
Party, Position Seeking: Republican, Southington Town Council

Family information: Married for 25 years with 3 children. One child has graduated from UConn, one attends Southington High School and youngest attends Thalberg Elementary School.

Occupation: Vice President, Senior Project Manager for a commercial construction management firm.

Political Experience: One term on the Southington Town Council; chairman of the Public Works Committee; chairman of the North Center School Use Committee. Also served on the following Committees: Facility Advisor Committee, Building Maintenance Committee and Sewer Committee.

Other Experience: Local youth sports coach for Little League baseball and recreation and travel soccer teams.

Why did you run for office?
I have been blessed with a wonderful life. As a result I believe that I should volunteer to give back to the community. I hope that I can instill this belief in the youth that I coach and mentor.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
I will continue to keep a watchful eye over our construction and maintenance projects. I will monitor how funds are being spent and continue to review our policies and procedures in an effort to improve our process.

I also plan to work closer with our state and federal legislatures to restructure the unfunded mandates that are being imposed upon us by the state and federal government. These costs are staggering. These mandates need to not only be put in front of our state and federal politicians, but we must keep the pressure on them and demand relief.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?
The biggest issue that Southington is facing is how to maintain services while minimizing any additional burden on the taxpayers. This last term on the Town Council, we were able to accomplish the lowest ever tax mill increase in the history of the Southington Town Council. We achieved this through various methods, focusing heavily on economic development.

We will need to continue to pursue responsible economic development. This, balanced with a clear understanding of our long-term capital plan will solidify Southington as a fiscally and economically sound community.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
Among the skills I have, I believe the most valuable one that I bring to the Town Council is my construction experience. I have been in the construction industry for three decades. I have a clear understand of construction costs, procedures and scheduling. If the town must make repairs and/or improvements to its infrastructure you can be sure that I will be scrutinizing the process to make sure that our tax dollars are being used appropriately.