We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running for election on Nov. 4, 2014.

Compiled by Ronni Newton

Mark Zydanowicz. Submitted photo.

“Meet the Candidate” is designed to help West Hartford residents get to know the candidates running for office in the Nov. 4, 2014 election.

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.

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.

If you are a candidate and wish to submit a profile, please return it by email to [email protected] by Oct. 29.

Name:  Mark Zydanowicz

Age: 47

Party, position seeking: 
Republican, State Representative, 19th District

Family information: Mark lives in West Hartford with his wife Nella and their three children, Jenna, Ryan and Julia.

Other occupation, if applicable: Professionally, Mark was an owner and third generation family member of Guida’s Dairy, employing 260; it was one of the largest independent dairies in New England which was founded by his grandfather in 1947. However, recently the family sold the business where Mark helped transition with the new ownership. Zydanowicz’s business experience provides him with the acumen vital to understanding the importance of solid leadership and accountability to staff and clients; characteristics he considers critical in any role.

Political experience: Mark’s currently a West Hartford Board of Education member. He has served as a commissionaire on the West Hartford Zoning Board of Appeals, 2nd Vice Chairman for the CTGOP in the first district and the Republican Town Committee.

Other relevant experience: Joining the military in 1991 as a private, Zydanowicz has over 23 years in the Connecticut Army National Guard.  He’s currently the HHC Commander of the Connecticut Training Center (CTC) where he’s responsible for accountability and operational readiness of unit with over $4 million dollars’ worth of property and three collective training sites encompassing two-thousand acres and eighty buildings. Major Zydanowicz has completed a number of humanitarian missions: helping build schools, hospitals and roads in the Dominican Republic and providing engineering support for projects on the U.S.-Mexico border. Following a tour of duty in Iraq, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge in 2007. He headed the Baghdad Joint Planning Commission, overseeing reconstruction projects in the city and coordinating a $2.2-billion annual budget for construction-related work in the city of 5 million inhabitants.  Zydanowicz worked with leaders from the local communities as well as the American and Iraqi governments to lay the foundation for restoring essential services to Baghdad and helping the Iraqi people rebuild their country.

Why are you running for office? For the future of our children and the viability of our state. I believe Hartford has lost sight of their purpose, “the people.” It seems now more than ever personal agendas and grid lock are taking precedence over the real work needed to turn Connecticut around. Our state has lost confidence and we’re in economic and job recovery turmoil. I want to bring a fresh vision and common sense approach back to Hartford and the 19th District.

What issue(s) are your primary area of focus? It’s critical our next session focuses on creating jobs, improving our economy and supporting students’ success. Critical foundations for the future of Connecticut.

Creating jobs: I know what business owners in Connecticut are going through. Tax increases and over-regulation are creating a poor environment to grow jobs and keep them here. I will be a voice for small business, and help bring jobs back to Connecticut. 

Improving our economy:  For the future of our economy, we must put an end to taxing and spending in Hartford which Connecticut families simply cannot afford anymore. I will stand up against wasteful government spending and reduce taxes on residents and small business owners.

Supporting students’ success:  As a father of three children, and a member of the West Hartford Board of Education, I know what students need to succeed. Work with both sides of the aisle and schools systems for smart supportive collaboration ensuring every child has access to a quality education and that all Connecticut schools are performing at a high level.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today? West Hartford shares the same economic & job recovery lag the rest of the state experiences. However, when it comes to our school system and the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding. West Hartford has fallen short by tens of millions of dollars over the years. We must re-evaluate the current formula to make the funding distribution equitable.

(Optional) Anything else you would like to share? To find out more about me, please visit my website markzforct.com.