We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running in the Nov. 2, 2021 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 2021 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 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 voters in being informed and prepared when they go to the polls on Nov. 2.

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.

Name:  Mary Fay

Party, position seeking: Republican, Town Council

Family information: Married to Mary Smith; 11 year old daughter, Katie

Other occupation, if applicable: Senior Executive

Political experience: 2 term town councilor; minority leader’ library board; Class President high school/college; worked on campaigns

Other relevant experience: MBA Finance; led Fortune 100 companies. Minored in government

Why are you running for office? I love serving the public, and solving problems, from small problems, to large problems. I believe all voices need to be represented, and I will do just that. I feel our town is at a tipping point regarding public safety, our finances, infrastructure, and education. These need to be addressed now.

What issue(s) are your primary area of focus? I believe in public safety, and stand with our police, fire, and first responders. Crime has escalated dramatically, and is now violent. Shootings, armed car jackings, car jackings with babies in the car. Cars being stolen was bad enough. The police accountability bill has had very adverse consequences. Catch and release of juveniles does not work, they are repeat offenders. Many police officers are retiring, and they are very difficult to replace. We need to support our law enforcement. I’m 4th generation NYPD.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today, and how do you plan to address it if elected? The biggest issue facing West Hartford is crime. I will work with our state delegation to solve the problem and root cause. I will work with Chief Ridddick to make sure he has what he needs to keep our town safe. We can’t do this alone.

What do you feel differentiates you from other candidates also running for this position? Lots of things! Like many of us, I’m dealing with a young child and older parent. We need services for our seniors, ideally keeping them in their homes. I’m a business leader, specializing in finance. I understand budgets, bondings, pensions, and other complex matters. I volunteer in schools, as a coach, and on the library board., I make decisions based on facts and analysis, not on politics. As a result, I’ve voted with the Democrats when it makes sense.

Anything else you would like to share? I love our town, and am concerned about the direction we are heading. Over development, traffic, crime, unsustainable budgets, infrastructure are issues we need to deal with. We must listen to all voices, and I’m very concerned about people being afraid to speak against the liberal agenda. I get letters and call from people who do not support a particular agenda item, but are afraid to reveal themselves due to being canceled and shunned. They deserve to be heard. All voices deserve to be heard. That is what will make us all better.

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