From the Candidate: Thomas Horan

Name: Thomas Horan

Age: 69

Party, position seeking: Democrat — Zoning Board of Appeals

Family information: I have been a resident of Simsbury since 1969. My wife, Mary Margaret, and I moved from Hartford then and raised our three boys here. They went through the Simsbury school system and they went on to college. They are all married now and we have five grandchildren. 

Occupation: My wife and I own here in town. Horan's is a third-generation flower shop that was started by my grandfather in Hartford in 1909.  

Political experience: Current member of the Simsbury Zoning Board of Appeals.

Other experience: I have been a member of many committees over the years, including the public building committee, the charter revision committee, the hometown hero selection committee, and a couple of planning and charette committees. I was lucky enough to be selected as a hometown hero a few years ago.  

Statement: The members of the zoning board of appeals have tried to be reasonable and fair with everyone who comes before us. Each applicant needs to show a real hardship before we may grant their application. Many times we have worked over their plans and suggested a different way to look at their project that might not need any variance. We often times have to remind the applicant that any variance stays with the property, so we need to look after the welfare of the neighbors as well as the full use of their property. Lately, it seems that some people across this great country of ours want to argue about everything. I hope to continue to bring a reasoned, common sense voice to the board. I ask for your vote to remain on the Simsbury Zoning Board of Appeals on Nov. 8.