We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running for election on Nov. 7, 2017.

Compiled by Ronni Newton

We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to “Meet the Candidate” – designed to help them get to know the candidates running for office in West Hartford’s Nov. 7, 2017, municipal election.

Identical questionnaires have been sent to all major party candidates, and each profile received has been submitted directly to We-Ha.com by the candidate or the candidate’s campaign management. The responses have not been edited but have been formatted to match our publication style. Questions left blank have been deleted.

As profiles are received, they will be published on We-Ha.com under the “Government” tab. We-Ha.com is not making endorsements of any political candidates but we are publishing this information in order to assist West Hartford voters in being informed and prepared when they go to the polls on Nov. 7.

If you are a candidate and wish to submit a profile, please return it by email to Ronni Newton at [email protected] by Oct. 18.

Name: Leon S. Davidoff

Age: 55

Party, position seeking: Democrat, Town Council

Family information: I am happily married to Alexis Silverstein Davidoff and the proud father of Becky, a senior at Clark University in Worcester, MA and Lani, a freshman at The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Our family has an adopted dog named Kevin.

Other occupation, if applicable: Co-owner of The Paper Station in Newington, Connecticut with my sister, Susan Davidoff. Also, I am an Attorney at Law.

Political experience: Deputy Mayor, May 2016 – present; Chair, Public Safety Committee; Town Councilor 2007-present. Past Chair/Member – Town Plan and Zoning Commission.

Other relevant experience: Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Organizer: Former Rotarian – Paul Harris Fellow; Past President, Newington Chamber of Commerce; Past PTO Treasurer, Aiken School; Past Treasurer, WHEE II; Member of The Emanuel Synagogue.

Why are you running for office? I truly enjoy serving our community and I am grateful for the privilege to serve on your Town Council. I want to continue to make West Hartford the best place to work, to live, and to raise a family. I will continue to work diligently to keep our community safe and our schools strong, to support our libraries, recreational programs and senior centers, to attract quality economic development to our vibrant business centers and neighborhoods, while being fiscally prudent with your tax dollars. My approach to addressing the issues that face our community has been straightforward thinking. You can count on me to advocate for well-reasoned, common sense positions that are in the best interests of our residents and the town.

What issue(s) are your primary area of focus? 

• To keep our community safe. I will continue to support our police and fire departments so that our residents have the best public safety services provided to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• To keep our public school system strong. I will continue to support our schools so that they provide a first-rate education to all West Hartford students so that each student can reach their fullest potential.
• To be fiscally prudent with your tax dollars. I will continue to work hard to attract business investment and redevelopment in our community in order to grow our Town’s grand list. Additionally, I will continue to seek savings and efficiencies in the town services and programs that we provide to our residents.

Several topics are likely on the minds of West Hartford voters this year. Please provide a brief statement regarding your opinion about:

• The Town of West Hartford budget – Every year the Town Council is tasked by the Town Charter to adopt a budget that meets the needs of our community. I take this responsibility quite seriously, and spend hours examining every line item of our budget. During the budget process, I listen carefully and with an open mind to the various opinions expressed by our residents as to what their budget priorities are for the upcoming year. During Council committee meetings on the budget, I work diligently to make certain that we are spending your tax dollars in a fiscally prudent manner. I ask questions such as: Do our fees for services need to be adjusted? Should we be continuing this particular program? Can we explore alternative ways to provide this service? Every budget presents unique challenges, but I believe if we work together, we will adopt a budget that serves the needs of our community and the best interests of our residents.
• The State of Connecticut budget situation – As I write my response to this question, the State of Connecticut still has not adopted a budget. It is imperative that our state lawmakers work cooperatively, in a bipartisan manner, to pass a state budget that does not penalize well-managed towns such as the Town of West Hartford. A state budget needs to be adopted that is fair and balanced and supports our future by supporting public education.
• Regionalism – As an elected official of the Town of West Hartford, my first responsibility is to the residents of the Town of West Harford. When asked to explore regional solutions, the question must be asked: Is this opportunity in the best interest of our residents? Every proposal must be evaluated on an individual basis.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today? Currently, the biggest issue facing West Hartford are the proposed cuts in state funding to our town. West Hartford must continue to advocate for our “fair share” of state aid. West Hartford is a strong, diverse community that offers a good quality of life to all of our residents. We must continue to make a great town even better by working cooperatively with each other to find solutions to any challenge that we encounter.

What do you feel differentiates you from other candidates also running for this position? I commend any member of our community who is willing to volunteer their time and energy to serve our town as a member of the Town Council. Many hours are spent working on a variety of issues for the betterment of all, and my hope is that all that are elected to serve will continue to do so with civility and with respect for their colleagues.

Anything else you would like to share? Thank you to Ronni Newton, and We-Ha.com for providing me this opportunity to share my thoughts. I ask for your vote on November 7^th so that I can continue to be a voice of reason at the Council table.

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