Meet the Candidate: Chris Barnes

We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running for election on Nov. 3, 2015.

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 the Nov. 3, 2015 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. 3.

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

Name: Chris Barnes

Age: 46

Party, Board Seeking: Republican seeking re-election to the Town Council.

Family Information: Married to Stephanie and we have three teenage daughters.

Occupation: Partner with the law firm of Reardon Scanlon Vodola Barnes LLP located in West Hartford.

Political Experience: Elected in 2013 to the Town Council and completing my first term.

Other relevant experience: Previously a member of the West Hartford Risk Management Advisory Board and District Chair, Republican Town Committee.

Why are you running for office? I am seeking re-election to the Town Council because I really enjoy the work and representing all of the people of West Hartford. Our town is a great place to live and raise a family. I continue to be concerned about the fiscal issues facing our town and the impact those issues will have on our ability to maintain the quality of life we enjoy.

What issues(s) are your primary areas of focus? Fiscal issues, including our property taxes, spending, and the town’s long-term pension and healthcare obligations.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today? One of the biggest challenges we face is to break the cycle of maintenance budgets, where town residents pay higher property taxes for the same or fewer town services. During my time on the Council, I voted “No” on the maintenance budgets presented to the Town Council by the Town Manager. Unfortunately, the budgets passed 6-3 on party-line votes, increasing the town budget by approximately $15 million over the two-year period. The town also faces serious long-term financial issues including unfunded pension and long-term debt obligations, as well as increasing healthcare costs. West Hartford is a great town, but we need to address these important fiscal issues now before it is too late.

What do you feel differentiates you from other candidates also running for this position? As an attorney, I am called upon to review and negotiate contracts, communicate effectively, advocate for my clients, and work to solve their problems. I believe I have put those skills to work during my first term on the Town Council. The Town Council is the forum for resident issues, concerns, and viewpoints, and, to be most effective, we need a balance of representation and viewpoints on the Council.

Anything else you would like to share? I can be reached by phone at (860) 955-9457 or by email at [email protected].

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