Bruce Walczak
12 Glover Ave.
Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 270-9520
bw.reloconsult@snet.net
Holly and I have been married for almost two decades, have three grown children have lived in the Newtown for the last 21 years. My two oldest attended Newtown Schools and played sports on various teams.
Public service has always been part of my life on both the national and local levels. Just after graduation from Colgate University with an concentration in economics, I became a Vista Volunteer. I worked with local communities in Oklahoma organize self help projects such as food banks, and tutoring programs. After moving back to Connecticut I spent 6 years in the Connecticut National Guard. I’ve been on the Board of Directors of United Way of Northern Fairfield County and was the Volunteer Campaign Fund Director one year. I have also been on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement, Multiple Sclerosis, Staffing Management Association and Chairman of The Newtown Family Counseling Center. Currently I am on the World Wide Employee Relocation Council’s Charitable Foundation Board.
The skills and knowledge base skills I have acquired through working more than 40 years in corporate America will be put to good use as a member of the Legislative Council. Advancing from a customer service representative to a Corporate Vice President at Prudential Real Estate and Relocation, I have run operating divisions with budgets in the tens of millions of dollars with hundreds of employees. Today I operate a relocation consulting firm assisting employees being relocated by major corporations on where to live in the New York and Connecticut area. This allows me to understand what makes a community attractive and vibrant to its residents.
It is the combination of my service on the municipal level and experience in Corporate America that make me a strong candidate for Legislative council. Serving three years on the Newtown Economic Development Commission has provided me with a base of knowledge significant for understanding and planning the town’s economic growth. I know what is required to attract business to Newtown and how to utilize tax incentives to make it more attractive. As Chairman and Treasurer of The Family Counseling Center, I have learned how to provide more of these important services with fewer dollars, something that is important to the fiscal stability of Newtown. Providing more value to our residents without raising our taxes is my objective.
In 2007 I ran and was elected to the Police Commission, a non political commission which has concentrated on the safety needs of our community I campaigned heavily on the need to re-energize the Commission and to refocus it on accomplishing its mission. I am please to say that goal was accomplished.. The Commissioners have worked hard to resolve issues without invoking partisan politics. I will bring that orientation to the Legislative Council if elected.. As Police Commissioner working closely with department officials, I am actively involved in our ever-changing traffic management needs of as well as the development of a more effective personnel evaluation process. I pledge to utilize these, and all my other experiences to effectively contribute to the Legislative Council for the benefit of all citizens.
My goals are straight forward:
1. I will follow the successful model of the Police Commission by focusing on the needs of the community and refuse to participate in the Partisan Political activities we have seen over the last two years. Issues must be thoroughly discussed in open meetings and the council must be open to hearing the voters. I will study the facts and represent our constituents. I will concentrate my energy on getting the job done.
2. I will support and advocate for the creation of a nonpartisan Charter Revision Commission to thoroughly review the current town charter. The Legislative Council must be open and willing to make changes in the Charter to meet today's changing needs. Among the items I would advocate changing would be the role of The Fairfield Hills Authority and bringing Fairfield Hills under all the provisions of the Newtown Charter.
3. I will continue the council’s efforts to become more involved in the Capital Improvement Plan and an even more transparent annual budget. I will support more voter participation in spending decisions. I will support bringing efficiencies and new ways of accomplishing tasks within the municipal and school budgets. My objective is to provide more value to the taxpayers while looking for ways to reduce our tax burden..
4. I will actively support quality schools that will prepare our youth to succeed in today’s society. Quality schools protect our property values and our quality of life.
5. I am committed to meeting the needs of our senior citizens so that they may age in Newtown.