Candidate Q&A: Richard Barlow

Name:

Richard J. Barlow

Party, Position Seeking:

Republican, First Selectman

Background:

Lifelong resident of Canton, received a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University and a ME degree in Sanitary Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University

Family information:

Wife Carol, former Executive Director, Canton Housing Authority (“21”)

Daughter, Jennifer; Son, Geoffrey

Occupation:

Retired – Employed for 34 years by Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (over ten years as Chief of Waste Management Bureau with over 150 staff and $60 million annual budget)

Political Experience, if applicable:

Seeking third term as First Selectman

Other Relevant Experience, Community Service:

• Former member Canton Zoning Commission
• Former Coach Canton Youth Soccer
• President and Coach Avon-Canton-Farmington Youth Hockey
• Chairman, Central Connecticut Solid Waste Authority
• Member – Canton League of Women Voters
• Licensed Professional Engineer

Why are you running for office?

In these tough economic times, it is important to have leadership that can maintain the blend of needed services while being fiscally conservative. I wish to continue to provide that leadership.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?

I have proven in both state and local government to have the necessary administrative and leadership skills to effectively manage the Town. My State government experience has been invaluable in securing resources and assistance from State agencies.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?

I will continue to focus my energy on maintaining the delivery of the optimum level of all the services, which our citizens expect while minimizing expenditures. I will also focus on implementing the capital infrastructure plan, which we have developed to maintain and upgrade our roads and municipal buildings. The updating of the Plan of Conservation and Development, which defines our long-term goals, must promote appropriate economic growth while maintaining the Town’s character. As always, I will continue to be an accessible and accountable leader for all our residents.

Name something the town has done well over the past four years.

The Board of Selectmen has continued to provide and, in some areas, expanded the delivery of services to our citizens while decreasing its expenditures.

What is something the town could have done better during the past four years?

Direct citizen participation is critical to good government. The Town could have been more successful in getting more citizens to participate on Town Boards and Commissions.