Meet the Republican: Joe Labieniec

"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. 5, 2013.

This week, we are looking at the Board of Finance candidates:

Name: Joe Labieniec
Age: 34
Party, Board Seeking: Republican Candidate for Board of Finance
Family information: Married with two daughters 
Occupation, if applicable: Vice President E&O Practice, Allied World Assurance Company
Political Experience: Served 4 years on Board of Finance, currently as Vice-Chairman
Other Experience: Current Chairman of the Self Insurance Committee for the Town of Southington

Why did you run for office? 
It has been an honor to serve the Town of Southington over the past four years. My philosophy about the Town’s finances has not changed during that time: Absent a sound financial plan, success is nearly impossible and failure is all but guaranteed. This statement is true for individuals, families, businesses and municipalities alike. Southington is currently in terrific financial shape and I am proud to have been a part of protecting and improving our financial condition over the past four years. However, the next two years are going to be more difficult than the previous four. I am running for re-election as I want to be on the front lines of protecting Southington’s financial health in 2014 and beyond.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus? 
My primary area of focus will be continuing to keep the mill rate as low as possible while ensuring the Town and school system are put in a position to succeed. This is one thing to say and another to accomplish. I believe the work done on our Board over the past 4 years helps substantiate the fact this goal has been planned for, and more importantly, achieved. 

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today? 
The Town of Southington is growing and prospering, which is something every citizen of our Town is pleased to see. However, managing this growth requires strategic planning. As a Board of Finance member, the most important issue facing Southington is the collaboration necessary to properly manage this growth. The way to address this issue is to work together with all members of the Board of Finance, both Republicans and Democrats, to lay out a financial framework for the Town over the next 3-5 years. As a Town, we cannot be surprised with where we find ourselves in the future. Rather, we need to plan now for where we will be. This can be accomplished, and I hope I am able to play a role in accomplishing same.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community? 
Any person running for the Board of Finance needs to possess two skills: the requisite financial background and the ability to assess the future impact of their decisions. I believe my degree in business management, concentrating in Finance, along with my work experience and financial knowledge provide me the necessary skills to understand the intricacies and nuances of Southington’s budget. My qualifications include:

• I have been an elected member of the Board of Finance for the previous four years, currently serving as Vice-Chairman.
• I serve as Chairman of the Self Insurance Committee. This committee oversees all aspects of Southington’s self insurance program, which accounts for approximately 15% of the overall budget.
• I am a Vice-President in the E&O Practice Group at Allied World Assurance Company, where I manage a product that generates in excess of $50 million in revenue.
• I am an active member of my church and have given leadership seminars both domestically and internationally.