We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running in the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal election. 

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 2025 municipal election.

Identical questionnaires have been sent to all 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 noted.

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 voters in being informed and prepared when they go to the polls on Nov. 4.

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

TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATE

Name: John Lyons

Party affiliation: Republican

Family information: Wife, Jessica. We have been married 31 years. We have three kids, all attended West Hartford Public Schools. Two live and work here in town and one lives in Denver, Colorado. We have lived in West Hartford since 2004.

Primary occupation: Consulting: I work with estates to handle sale of antique automobiles.

Previous political experience: I currently serve on Greater Hartford Transit District which focuses on public transportation including ADA Paratransit and oversight of Union Station in Hartford. West Hartford is one of several member towns. For the past two years, I have also served on the Town of West Hartford Planning & Zoning / Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency.

This is my first effort at elected office.

Other relevant experience that may be related to your desire to serve the community, and further qualifies you for the office you are seeking: For about the last 15 years, I have volunteered to provide weather alerts and information for the over 27,000 members of the West Hartford Neighbors and Friends group. I have also been a contributor to We-Ha.com as an occasional columnist and television news special round table cohost. Member of the West Hartford Democratic Town Committee including two years as District Seven Chair. Hosted countless political events, fundraisers, community outreach, food drives, etc. Also initiated several vigils and events including for the Newtown School attack and the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Why are you running for office? I had planned on running under the Democrat endorsement, but the cost of a primary was something I did not want to see the town face. I asked several folks if I could serve the town well running as a Republican and the answer was largely ‘yes’. I have the experience and understanding of issues facing the town, have attended Town Council meetings for many years, understand the schools and have the local relationships to learn and contribute to moving the town forward.

There have recently been numerous residential and commercial developments approved by the Town Council, and it is likely that more will be considered during the upcoming Council term. What is your overall opinion of the pace of development in West Hartford? This is a very complicated issue as it is interconnected with so much else. Public safety, taxes (grand list), traffic, pedestrian and cyclist safety, it all connects. There has been a huge focus on rental apartment building construction. There needs to be a balance between responsible multifamily building and building affordable homes allowing those at lower income levels the opportunity of home ownership in West Hartford. I am also concerned that at least two of the biggest apartment building projects approved in the last 18 months have seen little to no activity. I will push for lookbacks on all projects to make sure they are viable from the outset. Affordable home ownership has largely been ignored during this building boom in West Hartford and that must change to sustain the vibrancy of our town.

What are your specific ideas for keeping future budget increases to a minimum? Deep understanding of the budget including a careful look at administrative costs in both the town and schools. I (along with other members of the row B slate) bring something that has been somewhat absent over the last ten years, a strong relationship with the Board of Education. I’ve lobbied them on several issues in recent years including the reversal of the unfair public commenting restriction that was rushed through several years ago. On the record, I’ve defended members of both parties when they had been verbally attacked. I’ve also testified on several other important issues as well. Are there positions within the town government that are repetitive or overlaying one another? I believe there are. I think there are also vital gaps which cause lower workplace satisfaction and higher turnover/burnout of our wonderful town employees. That is a hidden and steep cost to West Hartford taxpayers. Town Council has a huge impact on West Hartford as an attractive place to work.

How do you think the town will need to/be able to respond to cuts in federal aid to education, Medicaid, and food assistance? This is a frightening prospect and one that clearly, we should not have to face. If Washington pulls back any of these programs, we will have to take a muti-pronged approach to navigating:

1. Education: Protect classroom teachers and our special education services as a priority. Delay lower priority capital projects to protect class size and quality of instruction. Work with local colleges to provide tutoring services and enrichment programs. Work with the local PTO organizations to sponsor arts, after school and sports programs that could face reductions.
2. Medicaid: Work with local hospitals and community clinics to keep access to preventative care and urgent care. Try to expand the role of the West Hartford Bloomfield Health District for immunizations, mental health and other critical needs. Lobby the local legislative representatives to pressure the state for additional funding.
3. Food Assistance: Ensure West Hartford retains free and reduced lunch access for those who need. We will need to partner with the Food Pantry, Foodshare, and other charitable organizations including churches and synagogues to bridge. Work with organizations like Food Rescue to capture surplus food opportunities from Trader Joes, Whole Foods and Stop & Shop to sponsor meal programs.

With or without these cuts occurring, we need to be engaging the community in helping those in need. At my urging, the entire row B slate has been focusing on food drives as a key part of our outreach efforts. All the food has been donated to food assistance programs right here in West Hartford. This needs to continue indefinitely

Do national issues affect your approach to local governance, and if so, how? Yes, (as evidenced by the threat covered in the previous question). Never more than now, it will take a village to tackle some of the issues and pressures coming from Washington. My role on Town Council is to make sure national influences translate into smart local solutions. Despite what many are saying, local government isn’t about national politics, it is about keeping our streets safe for kids, responsible budgeting of your tax dollars, infrastructure and other public services, great schools, etc. National debate shapes the conversation, but my decisions will be grounded in what is best for West Hartford as they always have been.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing West Hartford today, and how do you plan to address it if elected? Many of these challenges are interconnected.

1. Affordability and tax burden: rising property values and taxes are pricing out long-time residents and lower income families. Everyone loses when these two groups can’t move to (or stay in) town.
2. Traffic Safety and Infrastructure: Pedestrian and cyclist safety is a major concern, with several fatal crashes and serious incidents in recent years. West Hartford has adopted ‘Vision Zero’, a plan to eliminate traffic fatalities, and implementing safety improvements. The row B slate of candidates has done more for this effort than just about anyone else in town. We must focus hard on this right out of the gate.
3. Housing and Development: The redevelopment of the former UConn campus has been a major issue with no action since approval by the current Town Council. The approval process was very long and with debates over affordable housing, density, and community character, sill controversial. A greater focus on affordable home ownership is a must to keep West Hartford as diverse and welcoming a community it can be.  

What do you feel differentiates you from the candidates from other parties – or your own party – who are also running for this position? I am extremely bothered when I see a candidate run and then not take their office seriously. They don’t show up at events until election season (when they know voters are paying more attention) or spend their time lobbying or run their own PAC or pet project. As for me: I do not lobby. I do not have a PAC. I do not have a job or pet project asking the state for money for anything other than to improve services in West Hartford. My entire focus is on improving West Hartford for people living here and people wishing to move here. That is the difference I bring.

Anything else you would like to share relevant to earning votes on Nov. 4? One of the biggest shocks I have encountered was when switching parties this past June, some folks acted as if they no longer represent me. Party affiliation should have nothing to do with whether one is obligated to serve their constituents. We can all have differences of opinions, but all should be treated with respect, and I will proudly and respectfully respect all as your Town Councilor. Doing what is right for the community requires courage. That is why I am on the ballot, here to serve you.

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