Community Corner

Meet the Republican: Steve Kalkowski

A look at Steve Kalkowski, Republican 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:
Steve Kalkowski
Age:
53
Party, Position Seeking:
Republican, Southington Planning & Zoning Commission

Family information:
Married 26 years, lived in Southington since 1987; Wife Debra, Sons Ryan (21, Senior at Rutgers) and Aaron (18, Freshman at URI), Mother’s family (Galick) grew up in Southington on West Center Street; Uncle Attorney Thomas Galick was the last First Selectman of Southington.

Occupation:
Assistant Vice President, Enterprise Data Management at The Hartford

Political Experience:
Zoning Board of Appeals (3 Years), Planning & Zoning Commission (Current member, 4 years)

Other Experience:
President of Southington North Little League, 2001 – 2007; President of SHS Diamond Club (SHS Baseball Boosters), 2005 – 2011; Coach of Southington Youth Basketball League, 2009 – Current.

Why did you run for office?
I am running for re-election so that I can continue to influence the enhancement and drive a focus toward short and long term planning of our zoning regulations and a continued emphasis on expanding our Industrial and Commercial tax base.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
I would continue to support the growth of our Industrial, Commercial and Central Business zones with the goal of continuing to increase our tax base, support the expansion of open space acquisition and implementation of a formal annual zoning planning process.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?
We need to continue to focus on sound financial discipline given the state of the economy. We must increase the tax base of our town from the Industrial and Commercial sectors. We must reduce the dependence of the greatly needed investment in our infrastructure from the backs of our citizens. We must preserve as much of the remaining open space as possible and make this land available to our citizens. 

Our buildings are in dire need of investment which will cost hundreds of million of dollars that we just do not have and cannot bond all at the same time. We are paying now for the sins of the past due to a lack of investment by previous administrations. Our Water Department building is the newest and best building of all town owned buildings. Our schools have recently been the focus of the town’s investment and there is a long way to go before all schools are improved. We must find a way to upgrade Town Hall. The North Center School project was a clear demonstration of the critical thinking that the Republican Party brings to this town. We need more of that going forward.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
I have over 30 years of experience in the IT industry. Our town needs to invest more heavily in technology and drive productivity into the town administration business processes. I am also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt with a specialization in process management and process improvement. The combination of these skills is essential in today’s business world, both private and public sectors.

Anything else you would like to share?
I am proud of the work I have done during my time as a commissioner on the Planning & Zoning Commission. I was asked to lead the Adult Oriented Business sub-committee and my sub-committee significantly enhanced the zoning regulations, and combined with the enhanced town ordinance, we have taken the necessary steps to protect the citizens of our town. There are now two less AOB businesses in town.


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