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New Canaan School Board Chair Joins Selectman Race

Nick Williams is ready to make the smooth transition from the school board to New Canaan’s top board.

Williams, chairman of the New Canaan Board of Education, announced Thursday that he will run for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. Williams’ announcement comes a day after John Engel threw his name into the ring.

Williams says he’s running because he cares about the town and believes his skills, particularly his legal experience as a senior partner and corporate attorney with the Clifford Chance law firm in New York City, will benefit Town Hall.  

"My job is negotiating deals," Williams said. “The vast majority of our town's budget is related to deals in one way or another – deals with unions, deals with contractors and other service providers, even deals with the state of Connecticut. I'm confident that my legal experience can bring great benefit to the people of New Canaan."

Williams also points to the success of the New Canaan school district, regarded by many as one of the nation’s best, in touting his candidacy. "This is an important leadership role and an important election, and I feel that my background and abilities make me particularly suited for the job," Williams said. "I'm extremely proud of the achievements our school system has made in the past few years. There's no reason that our town shouldn't be every bit as successful as our school system."

The Board of Education chairman says he can help the Board of Selectmen with transparency, mentioning how the school board was the first to televise all of its meetings and invite residents to attend budget workshops.

Like Engel, Williams says he will not endorse either of the Republican first selectman candidates, Board of Finance member Paul Giusti or current Selectman Robert Mallozzi III. Williams said he is “very confident” that he could work with either man if they were elected in November. “They are both friends of mine, and I have a great deal of respect for both of them."

What do you think of Nick Williams’ candidacy for New Canaan selectman? Let us know by leaving a comment below. You can also visit us on Facebook.  

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