We reached out to both the Killingworth Republican Town Committee and the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee and asked candidates to respond to a set of questions; if a candidate did not respond, their name is listed, so that you know who is running for each office. Updates from all candidates are welcome, and will be published as Letters to the Editor. The questions posed to the candidates were:
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
2. Why are you running for the position?
3. What do you see as the important issues facing Killingworth and how would you address them in your role?
4. What are the key things you love about this town and its people?
5. Additional thoughts to leave voters with?
Marcel Couture (Democrat)I am asking for your vote for re-election to the Board of Finance. My wife, Marsha, and I have lived in Killingworth since 1993. We raised two children who have graduated from our excellent regional school system. I volunteered as a leader in the local Cub Scout program and a coach in the Killingworth Youth League and thoroughly enjoyed both experiences.
I have an Associates Degree in business Administration from the University of New Haven. I worked at a global supplier of metals for the telecom/connector industry for 35 years in various managerial positions, serving as Materials/Purchasing Manager for the last eleven years before retiring. In that position I gained budgeting and cost-reducing skills that will help keep the town’s finances in good order. As a homeowner I
appreciate how the town has kept taxes low with no mil increases in the past 3 years. My past 4 years on the Board of Finance have provided me with extensive knowledge of Killingworth’s finances and budgets. I will strive to continue the good work of the Board of Finance.
appreciate how the town has kept taxes low with no mil increases in the past 3 years. My past 4 years on the Board of Finance have provided me with extensive knowledge of Killingworth’s finances and budgets. I will strive to continue the good work of the Board of Finance.
I love this town and hope to contribute to its continued success as a great place to live and raise children.
Andy O’Neill (Republican)
I am the 3rd of 8 children. Of necessity, I learned early how to fight for what I want and how to share. Connecticut is my adopted home state. My family moved here to CT from Maryland when I was a senior in High School; and except for law school I have not left! I met and married my wife, Betsy, a CT native and quickly learned the difference between jarred sauce and true homemade Italian sauce! My three children were all born in CT and attended and graduated from Killingworth/H-K schools. We have instilled in our children the importance of faith, family and country.
I want my children to be able to return to Killingworth and CT if they so choose. CT’s financial house is in disarray. I want Killingworth to be the rural/nurturing community it has been to my family and I don’t want it to become more out of reach and needlessly expensive than it already is.
I will keep a “legal” eye on budget issues and fight for people to keep more of their hard earned money in their own pockets. Governments are a necessary evil as are taxes. By keeping a sharp eye on needless costs we can make Killingworth a more financially friendly community to come to live in.
I love the friendly, community feeling at the dump, at the library, at the circle, at church, at town parades, etc. This is what America was meant to be and these experiences and opportunities need to be preserved for future generations.
I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, from clients, to my catechism students, to the guy who cut me off on the road or to the person I disagree with. That being said I am thankful to my creator for all of the benefits he has poured upon me, my family and this country and town we are blessed to live in.
Rob Rimmer (Democrat)My wife, Joann, and I have two daughters – Lena, a tenth grader at the Williams School and Josephine, a fifth grader at the Haddam Killingworth Intermediate School. We are active in our church and I have been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Killingworth Congregational Church for the past several years. I am a graduate of Yale University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. I am a practicing attorney with an office in Old Saybrook and an emphasis on trial work.
I am running for re-election to a seat on the Killingworth Board of Finance. It has been my privilege to serve on the Board of Finance for the past four years. If re-elected, I will continue to work toward ensuring quality services to town residents while keeping the mil rate as low as possible.
The Board of Finance oversees the preparation of the town budget, monitors the budget throughout the year, oversees long-term financial planning and sets the town’s mill rate. Killingworth’s financial position is strong and the Board of Finance has worked to keep our mill rate as low as possible. The vast majority of the town’s budget is comprised of expenses paid to RSD 17 as set by the Board of Education and the voters. Additionally, Killingworth receives various grants from the state and is obligated to meet various requirements set by the state. The most important issue facing the Killingworth Board of Finance over the next four years will be the challenge to keep our costs low, our mill rate low and maintain the services that our residents deserve. I will continue the work that I have engaged in during the past four years to meet these challenges on behalf of the taxpayers of Killingworth.
My family and I have lived in Killingworth since 2008 and love this town. We love its rural character and the mix of long term residents and new residents. We enjoy walking our dog at Parmelee Farm – especially in the fall and winter. We have met many wonderful people through the schools, our church and our other volunteer activities. We appreciate the way that everyone welcomed us and made us feel at home here.
