Vote for Steve Kalkowski for the Planning & Zoning Commission

Please vote on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 for 

STEVE KALKOWSKI 

For the Planning & Zoning Commission

Steve Kalkowski is employed by The Hartford as AVP: Enterprise Data Management. He resides at 27 Brightwood Ln, Southington

An Interview with Steve Kalkowski:

Q. Why are you running for office? 

A. I have lived in Southington for 26 years with my wife Debra and sons Ryan and Aaron and grew up right next door in Kensington. My mother's family grew up here in Southington on West Center Street and my mother and aunt both worked at Peck Stow & Wilcox.  My uncle, Thomas Galick, was the last First Selectman before Southington moved to a Town Manager/Town Council form of government.  

Community service is important to me. I have been involved in several youth athletic organizations over the past eighteen years and have deep roots in our community. That's why I feel so very passionate about preserving the character of our town and protecting our citizens while also supporting intelligent commercial and industrial growth.

Q. What are your qualifications? 

A. I was initially appointed as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in 2004, then as a regular member and Secretary from 2005 to 2007. This time on the ZBA really provided me with an excellent learning experience of the zoning regulations here in Southington. 

I was then appointed as an alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) in 2007 and subsequently appointed as a full member in 2010. I was re-elected to the PZC in November 2011 and voted in as Secretary by the Commission in 2011.  

In 2011, I was also asked by the PZC Chairman to lead the PZC Continuous Improvement Sub-Committee which is responsible for several new and updated regulations such as being the first municipality in Connecticut to adopt Medical Marijuana zoning regulations for production and dispensing which supports and protects our citizens, the creation of new Temporary Sign regulations in partnership with the Southington Chamber of Commerce and the update of the Adult Oriented Business regulations to further protect our citizens.  I bring a strong professional background in information technology, large complex program management and process management.  

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Finance from Central Connecticut State University.  I was a coach, Board member and President of Southington North Little League from 1995 to 2007 and have coached youth teams for the YMCA and Southington Youth Basketball League.

Q. What do you consider the two most important local issues and, if elected, how do you propose to address them?

A. My first concern is the preservation of open space in Southington.  This can be accomplished in several ways such as supporting the town in its purchase of open space or influencing the use of open space subdivisions with future residential development applications.

 My second concern is getting the balance right between preserving the rights and quality of life for our citizens and supporting commercial and industrial growth to enhance our tax base.  While I pledge to be business-friendly, I always put the safety and quality of life of our citizens first.

I seek your support and ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 5. 2013 for re-election to the Planning & Zoning Commission.