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

Essie Labrot is running for re-election as West Hartford Town Clerk. Submitted photo

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] by Oct. 9.

Name: Essie Labrot

Party, position seeking: Democrat, Town Clerk       

(Optional) Anything else you would like to share? [Editor’s Note: Essie Labrot is running unopposed for the position of Town Clerk. She has provided responses to most of the questionnaire items in the summary below.]

As West Hartford’s Town Clerk since 2008, I am seeking re-election to continue the job of offering our residents top notch, courteous and efficient services. Although the Office of Town Clerk is an elected position, the job itself is Administrative, which manages all the activities of Land Records, Vital Records, Licenses and Permits, Absentee Ballots, and other important documents. As Town Council Clerk, I also manage the Town Council meetings and public hearings, and am the official custodian of the Town’s Public Records. The office processes over 25,000 transactions per year and takes in between one million to 2 million dollars each year in fees and revenue to the town.

Since first becoming Town Clerk, I have focused on making our records accessible to the public through on line processes and forms, started Thursday evening office hours, and worked on creating efficiencies and streamlining office procedures through the most modern and cost effective methods available. I have lived in West Hartford for over 34 years and raised my three children here. I’ve been active in the community through volunteering in the schools, participating on Boards and nonprofit organizations.

I’ve attained the State of Connecticut Town Clerk certification in 2012, and earned the International Certification of Municipal Clerk this past year. I remain actively involved in the CT Town Clerks Association, serving as their Chair to the Legislative and Elections Committee which monitors and makes recommendations on Legislation that affect our office and our Town.

I love West Hartford, and would be proud to continue to represent our residents as Town Clerk.