We reached out to both the Killingworth Republican Town Committee and the Killingworth Democrat 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:
Jennifer Liptak (Democrat)
I am originally from Pennsylvania (PA). I am a Veteran of the United States (US) Navy. I served as a Hospital Corpsman (HM) with duty stations in Bethesda, MD, where I worked as a medic at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC). And then, in Camp Lejuene, NC, where I was stationed with the US Marines and did a deployment to Haiti, also working as a medic. I moved to CT in 2000 for a job with Pfizer, Inc., with whom I am still employed. I have experience with overseeing budgets for manufacturing products, supply chain logistics and quality management. I moved to Killingworth in 2012 and have two daughters, who attended the Haddam-Killingworth Middle and High Schools. I volunteered for the HKHS Project Graduation Committee for three years, as the Business Donations Coordinator. And, we love spending time at Chatfield Hollow, which is near our home!!
I am running for the Killingworth Fire Commission because I want to ensure our town’s safety always comes first.
Two important issues that Killingworth is facing is the recruitment and retention of volunteers for our Fire Company and the continuing increase in the needs of our aging community for the Fire Company’s services. Through my role as Fire Commissioner, I will work with our Town (Board of Selectman) and the Fire Company to incentivize more volunteers to step forward and stay. Our town’s safety should be first and foremost for all of us!
I moved to Killingworth in 2012 and although I wasn’t born in Killingworth, my daughters and I still call Killingworth home! We love our neighbors, the overall sense of community no matter where you are in town, and the commitment I’ve witnessed by our Fire Company and town representatives.
Don Offner (Republican)
I am married with four children, and one grandchild. I have been a Killingworth resident for over 15 years, and in those 15 years, it is my experience that the people are warm hearted and willing to help their neighbors. I am a retired New York City firefighter with 23 years or service. I am committed to ensure that the Killingworth Fire Department is adequately and safely funded. Dedication to the safety of all Killingworth residents is of utmost importance to me.
I believe community building and preserving the beauty of Killingworth.
It would be a honor to serve as Fire Commissioner with my extensive experience with the New York City Fire Department.
