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Fairfield Candidates Q&A: Mary Saunders

FAIRFIELD, Conn. ? To help our readers prepare for Election Day, The Daily Fairfield sent five questions to each of the candidates on the November ballot. The following responses are from Mary Saunders, a Democrat running for to the Representative Town Meeting in District 9.

Why should people vote for you?

I have been a resident for over 20 years in Fairfield. My two children have attended public schools here and I think they have both received a superior education. However, this also takes parent involvement. Two of the reasons we moved here long ago were for the school system and also the quality of life Fairfield has to offer. I love Fairfield and all it has given my family. I want to share this with others and also contribute to creating an even better town for all of us.

What are the biggest issues facing Fairfield?

I worry about the yearly increase in taxes, the typical cost of living increases and the suffering economy. I worry for the senior citizens in town as well as the middle class. I am worried for everyone as far as maintaining quality and affordable living environments here in such a wonderful town. I want the quality of life and affordability of Fairfield to continue for all.

Is Fairfield going in the right direction -- If you are an incumbent, what were your biggest achievements? If you are a challenger, what has your opponent done wrong while in office?

In the 20 years I have lived in Fairfield, I have seen a downtown revitalized, improvement in education, a new train station and sidewalks put in where I once thought there was an accident waiting to happen. I am impressed with all of Fairfield’s improvements in recent years, but would also like to be a participant in fiscal responsibility and making sure our taxpaying dollars are spent realistically. I hope to be part of the solution, and not the problem — if elected.

What would you do to involve your constituents in your decision-making process?

I will be a listener with fair objectives. I will be the voice of my neighbors and friends, who share many of the same concerns. The bottom line is, if I am elected a member of the RTM, I will think of us Fairfield residents as a whole body and vote with my head and not my heart for our entire community, with the best interest for all of us in mind.

How can Fairfield avoid another Metro Center, i.e., a project that goes severely over budget? What will you do to prevent it? Be specific.

I support [Interim First Selectman Michael Tetreau] and what he has done to turn this around. He has saved us thousands of dollars and moved the project along. I believe in business plans and that people need to be accountable. There should be structure and committees who strategize and share outcomes with one another.

Something of this magnitude is not a one man job. Responsibility to the taxpaying citizens, along with accountability from those at the helm, are what make processes like this move forward with honesty and integrity. We need to have faith and trust in those who have the power to make major decisions.

Find all of our Candidates Q&As here.

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