By james art MADISON, Conn. — Election Day on Nov. 5 is fast approaching and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Madison and Durham.
To help inform readers about the state’s elections, Patch reached out to the candidates for office to learn more about their campaigns and the issues facing the city and state.
Applicant Name: Lisa Dean
What kind of office are you looking for? State representative
area: 101st Precinct
Party Affiliation: a republican
education: AS Business, AS Criminal Justice, forthcoming BA Criminal Justice
profession: Restaurant owner for 10 years, Founder of a non-profit organization for 6 years.
family: My husband of 32 years, Peter, my son Mike, 30, and our son Joe, forever 23, have lived in Madison in the same house for 30 years. My “boys”, including my husband, are the absolute loves of my life.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? no
Previous public office, appointed or elected:
no
Age: 64
Why are you looking for this office?
At this point in my life, I have the opportunity to share my years of experience in business and working with people to make my area and the state of Connecticut a better, more affordable and safer place to live.
What do you think is the #1 problem facing Connecticut and how do you plan to solve it?
Accessibility. Taxation is a critical issue that affects us all, and I am committed to addressing it with a practical approach by: eliminating inefficient taxes, evaluating the effectiveness of government programs, supporting small businesses, and eliminating Social Security taxes. I would also work to remove the unfair public benefits tax on our electricity bills.
There is an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut roads. Is there anything legislatively that can be done to address this?
Yes, all target 236 ramps that are considered unsafe should be addressed as soon as possible. The work has begun. What is retention? This is a bipartisan issue, and I would work for the immediate completion of all dangerous ramps, helping to provide funding, labor, engineering and related enforcement costs.
What are the main differences between you and other candidates seeking this position?
My opponent has served as a state representative for two terms. Although I have lobbied and worked on legislative bills regarding Hartford’s illegal fentanyl crisis, I have not held office. however
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as proof that you can handle this job?
As a restaurant owner who also runs a nationally recognized non-profit organization, my extensive experience in “getting the job done” has allowed me to be successful with both. My restaurant has given me experience with wages, unfair taxation, supply highs and lows, and of course, the tenacity to survive COVID. Through the non-profit organization, requestZERO, we have become community partners with the Madison Police Department, the New Haven Police Department, the New England DEA, the FBI, and the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, all because of our mission to provide resources to law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking in Connecticut and the United States
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you and your positions?
My voting and creating legislation with my colleagues will be based on what the citizens of the 101st are most concerned about, all citizens. I look forward to serving a community that my family and I have been fortunate to call home for 30 years.