Westbrook Connecticut
Vote
Chris Ehlert - Board of Selectmen
- Incumbent, Board of Selectmen
- Manager – The United Illuminating Co.
- Energy Committee, Chairman
- Board of Finance, Past Member
- Zoning Commission, Past Member
- Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission, Past Member
- Westbrook Little League, Board Member
- St. Mark’s Church, Member
- Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program Graduate
- Neighborworks New Horizons, Vice President; Chairman, Real Estate Committee
- B.A., Political Science, Fordham University
- Married: Melissa; Children: Zoe & Gabriella
- Westbrook Resident, 12 years
I have a vested interest in the betterment
of Westbrook and look forward to helping make Westbrook an even better place to
live. My wife, Melissa, and I moved to Westbrook for its small charm and
good school system, two issues that are important as we raise our two daughters
to have the best of what Westbrook can offer. Like many, I believe that
government should be open and transparent.
As a former member of Westbrook’s Board of
Finance I understand the Town’s finances and have demanded fiscal
responsibility. I insisted that the Town and Board of Education look at ways to
save residents money and this yielded over $10,000 in savings to taxpayers
there are more savings to be had.
I have been fortunate to have been elected
by Westbrook residents to many Boards and Commissions including the Board of
Finance and Zoning Commission - a responsibility which I do not take
lightly. Instead I am truly humbled and privileged to serve.
- Incumbent, Board of Education
- Policy Committee, Chairman
- Negotiations Committee
- Middle School Principal Search Committee
- CABE Conferences 2008, 2009, 2010
- Dean of Studies, Oxford Academy
- Former Teacher – TASIS Hellenic, Greece & Oxford Academy, Westbrook
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation Visiting Committees
- Daisy Ingraham PTSO, Past Member and Membership Chairman
- Past English as a Second Language Tutor - Shoreline Literacy Volunteers
- WHS Theater Program, Past Volunteer
- First Congregational Church, Past Member Board of Christian Ed.
- M.A., Education summa cum laude, St. Joseph College
- B.A., English, University of Michigan
- CAIS Education Conferences, Sacred Heart University
- Married: Doug
- Children: Alex, Ben & Nick
- Westbrook Resident: 26 years
As an incumbent candidate, my 6 years
experience on the Board is the strongest measure of my commitment. Westbrook's citizens should be able to count
on board members to attend meetings, join committees, and find other ways to be
involved in Board business and the various activities of the school
system. My record of attendance and
committee membership reflects my commitment to our district and our town. Furthermore, my work on committees such as
Policy and Negotiations will ensure continuity as we build on our outstanding
progress of the past 6 years.
My personal and professional life gives me a
unique perspective. All three of my
children were educated K-12 in the Westbrook schools and are now college
graduates. As current Dean of Studies
and former teacher at the Oxford Academy in Westbrook, I understand the needs
of adolescents who struggle in the traditional classroom. My self-design Masters in Education from St.
Joseph College in West Hartford allowed me pursue an in-depth study of the
complexity of human motivation and change with a focus on academic motivation.
Above all, as a Board member, I am able to
listen and to voice my opinions respectfully.
I pride myself on giving an ear to both sides of an issue and to
question my own assumptions in the pursuit of fairness. Although my priority as a Board member is a
high quality education for all Westbrook's children, I am mindful that the
resources of the town are not infinite.
- Incumbent, Board of Finance
- Science and Math Teacher, 17 years
- Self-Employed Carpenter, 10 years
- Westbrook Foundation Board of Directors, 9 years
- Westbrook Foundation, Chairman, 3 years
- Safe Harbor, Inc., President; Board Member, 7 years
- First Congregational Church choir
- B.S., Chemistry, UCONN
- Graduate Studies, UCONN, University of Hartford
- Married: Maureen
- Children: Samantha & Nick
- Westbrook Resident, 14 years
I
have a particularly appropriate history of volunteer service. I have experience
in budgets and financial issues from my time as an incumbent on the Board of
Finance (BOF) and as a Board member and leader of the Westbrook Foundation and
Safe Harbor, Inc. (a non-profit, residential community here in Westbrook).
I
attended many Middle School Building Committee meetings where I learned about
the complicated process of bringing a multi-million dollar project to reality
and contributed to that process even though I was not on the committee. My
years of volunteer time to my church choir and to set construction at the high
school demonstrate a strong commitment to my community. I will bring the same
energy and commitment to a full 6 year term on the Board of Finance.
My
professional background as an educator and a self-employed carpenter will help
in assessing the Board of Education budget requests and will keep me vigilant
in ensuring that taxes for Westbrook’s residents are limited to only what is
reasonable and necessary.
If
elected, I will build on my strong record of community service by providing a
conscientious and practical voice to the BOF discussions and decisions.
- Vice Chairman, Planning Commission
- Chief Operating Officer, Radiall USA
- Planning Representative to CRERPA
- Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission, Past Member
- Economic Development Commission, Past Member
- First Congregational Church, Past Trustee
- Westbrook Land Trust
- Volunteer Action Center, Greater New Haven, Past Treasurer
- New Haven Manufacturer’s Association, Secretary
- New Haven Economic Development Corp., Board Member
- CT Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, Member & Past Officer
- CARE, Haiti, Field Rep., 1979-1982
- Peace Corps and CARE, Tunisia, 1976-78
- B.A., History, New England College
- MBA, Yale School of Management
- Married: Martha
- Children: Abby & Will
- Westbrook Resident, 17 years
With twelve years of experience on the Commission, I am very familiar with the laws governing its actions and the precedents set in the past. I have a history of excellent attendance and contributing to the non partisan approach that is the history of the Commission. I was part of the Committee that drafted the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) that was recently adopted by the Town. As secretary of the New Haven Manufacturer’s association and former member of the Inland Wetlands Commission, I have a proven record of balancing economic development needs and protecting our environment.
- Operations Manager / Sr. Hydrographer, Ocean Surveys, Inc.
- Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
- Boy Scout Troop 38 Assistant Scout Master & Merit Badge Counselor
- Cub Scout Pack 38, Pinewood Derby Committee Chair
- St. Mark’s, Religious Ed Safety Monitor
- A.S., Electronic Technology, Waterbury State Tech
- Married: Desiree
- Children: Dylan & Danyelle
- Westbrook Resident, 21 years
I will bring to the Commission my broad background in land surveying, hydrography, and cartography as well as my experience in the preparation of final reports and drawings for survey projects. This expertise, along with my understanding of the Town, will help the Commission carefully evaluate the projects and proposals that come before it. As a 21 year resident who is raising a family here, I understand and appreciate those things that make Westbrook special and I know that good land use decisions are key to keeping this a special place.
- Chairman, Zoning Board of Appeals
- Assistant Town Engineer, Town of Guilford
- Town Center Revitalization Committee
- Town Garage Building Committee
- Riggio Building Renovation Committee
- Registered Engineer, New York & Connecticut
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- B.S., Engineering, University of Connecticut
- M.E., Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Westbrook Resident, 13 years
With over 20 years of experience in municipal government as a
member of the Westbrook Zoning Board of Appeals and the Assistant Town Engineer
for Guilford I have the knowledge and ability to serve Westbrook in a
responsible and intelligent manner. I understand the needs and desires of
Westbrook residents to continue to move Westbrook forward yet maintain the
Town's unique character.