Meet the Candidate: Lisa Heavner for Simsbury Board of Selectmen

Lisa Heavner is seeking re-election to the Simsbury Board of Selectmen for her third term.

Education:

Haverford College, BA 1987

Georgetown University Law, JD 1991

Work Experience:

I am completing my fourth year on the Simsbury Board of Selectmen and currently serve as Deputy First Selectman, Chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee, member of the Public Safety Committee, the Eno Farms Subcommittee, and the Pension Committee. I also serve as Board of Selectman liaison to the Board of Education, the Technology Committee and the Simsbury Housing Authority. Prior to having children I taught third grade at a parochial school and as an attorney I clerked for a federal district judge.

Why are you seeking office?

I am seeking re-election so I can continue to work with you to keep our town a great place to raise a family, do business and retire.

I am proud of my record as a Selectman. Simsbury is already on track to move our town forward by keeping budgets low, pursuing proactive planning and marketing to grow our tax base, and engaging in regional cooperation to reduce costs. Simsbury has been recognized by Money Magazine as a "Best Place to Live" and by Connecticut Magazine as a best economy.

What experience do you bring to the table?

Those who know me know that I work hard, am fair, and build consensus to get things done for Simsbury. I bring my legal training, my experience on the Board of Selectmen and years of community volunteering to the table.

As a Selectman, I have held the line on spending -- finding ways to save money and keep today's 2013 town budget at nearly the same level as 2008. I helped institute reforms to bring town pensions more in line with the private sector and implemented risk management practices to reduce town costs. With the support of the Board of Selectmen, I initiated the Technology Committee to find efficiencies and cost savings. Working with Mary Glassman, I support regional cooperative efforts to reduce costs. Moody's has recognized our efforts with an Aaa Bond rating - the best a town can receive and one that saves taxpayer dollars.

In addition, I have supported initiatives to retain and attract business to grow our tax base. The town has a marketing plan to guide our growth in a sensible way. Phase I of our Marketing approach - which was unanimously supported and funded by the Board of Selectmen - can be found at www.simsburystrategy.com. Working together, Simsbury has adopted Connecticut's first form based zoning code which welcomes growth while preserving the look and feel of our community. As a result, we now have $17 million in new building permits.

As Selectman, I started the Senior Citizen VIP programs with the schools and the Neighbor to Neighbor program to assist seniors and others in need during storms. I have  testified against the Farmington River water diversion proposal and against proposed utility rate hikes. I have endorsed public private partnerships that support organic farming, conservation and clean energy.

When my children were at Central School, I designed and founded an after school activities program that served over 1,000 children and awarded nearly 200 need based-scholarships. I served as Parent Teacher Council President at Henry James, a member of the Simsbury School District Vision Committee and a four year member of the Simsbury High School Leadership Team.

What do you feel is the town's most pressing issue? 

Over the next two years, Simsbury will be challenged with ensuring quality education and preserving the Town's natural beauty and historic character, while keeping Simsbury a community our residents can afford to live in throughout their lifetime.

As Selectman, I have confronted these challenges with conservative fiscal management of town budgets, support for regional cost sharing initiatives to reduce costs, a unanimously approved marketing strategy to attract and retain businesses to grow our tax base, and support for a zoning code with an expedited approval process for businesses consistent with our community. I am grateful to the many in town who generously give their time as volunteers on Boards and Commissions to work together for Simsbury's future.

What do you love about the town?

I love that Simsbury is a community full of people who are committed to keeping it a wonderful place to call home. I am inspired by how many kind people volunteer in so many capacities -- on boards and commissions, as coaches, in their houses of worship, in service organizations, at the schools, or just helping a friend in need. I also love how beautiful our town is and how much there is to do -- trails, the river, the bike path, recreational opportunities, and musical and theatrical performances throughout. 

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to spend time with family and friends, cook, travel, read and play tennis.

How can residents keep up with you? 

Residents can reach me at ljheavner@comcast.net and at my home phone number:  (860) 651-4929.  Or just stop me when you see me around town!