Kapoor Runs for a Full Term on the Town Council

Name: Nick Kapoor

Age: 23

Occupation: Asst. Financial Analyst - I-Engineering, Inc. & MBA (Finance) student, Sacred Heart University

Political party: Democrat

Running for: Town Council

Why are you running?

I am running for the Town Council because I want to give back to the town that I grew up in and gave me so much in my youth.  It is our duty as citizens of our country to participate in our democracy as much as we can and for me that means running for office and representing the people of Monroe to make our town the best Monroe it can be right now and to bring Monroe into the future with proper planning in the short-term and long-term.

What are the three biggest issues facing Monroe?

Three of the biggest issues facing Monroe are: economic development, management of legal fees and working together. 

We need to have a short-term and long-term plan for sound and logical economic development in Monroe.  Moreover, what is going to be the execution of this plan?  I support the funding of a part-time economic development coordinator whose sole job it is to attract businesses to Monroe and keep Monroe competitive with its surrounding towns. 

We need to be more frugal with our money when it comes to legal counsel.  In the last fiscal year the Town Attorney’s invoices amounted to 30% of all money that was spent on legal fees and outside counsel was the other 70%.  This is wrong.  We need accountability from the Town Council and Board of Finance on the administration as to how the administration is going to reign in legal spending.  Spending more than $1M over budget of the taxpayers’ hard earned money over the past three years on legal fees is unacceptable. 

Many of Monroe’s boards and commissions are apolitical – some are not.  The Town Council, at times, can seem as dysfunctional as Congress when it comes to members from opposite parties bickering – I admit that I do this myself.  We, members of the Town Council, fight hard for what we believe in and fight hard for what we think is the best course of action for our town; however, at times the Republican versus Democrat mentality can get in the way. 

At the October 15 Town Council meeting I issued a challenge to all of the elected boards.  After the November 5 election, I challenge the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of Education to reserve one space in their leadership (Chairman, Vice Chairman or Secretary) for a member of the minority party, whichever party it may be, and I challenge the Board of Finance and Town Council to reserve one space in their leadership (Chairman or Vice Chairman) for a member of the minority party, whichever party it may be. We need to start working together for our town and working towards the shared goal of making Monroe the best Monroe it can be right now. To have a member of the minority party, whichever party is in the minority after November 5, in each elected board’s leadership is vital to bipartisanship and working together so that all members of both parties can be sufficiently informed and kept in the loop before meetings. 

What can the Town Council do to keep the town in the right direction?

The Town Council needs to keep its check on the First Selectman and his administration in place and even stronger.

The Town Council needs to demand planning documents and information from the First Selectman’s office when needed. Also, the Town Council needs to have the information before hand so that we can make an educated, informed vote.  

Too many times, since I’ve been on the Town Council, we have been handed things the night of a meeting and asked to consider them right away. For emergency situations I can understand this procedure, but this should not be a routine matter. 

What skills and attributes make you a good fit for Town Councilman?

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Politics & Government and am in the home stretch of obtaining a Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance – both from Sacred Heart University.

I was also an intern for Former State Representative Chris Lyddy (D-Newtown) in 2011. Being at the Capitol in Hartford opened my eyes to the rewarding and fulfilling aspects of public office.

I hope to use my classroom knowledge of quantitative skills, financial skills and government and apply them to the real world situations of Monroe has I have been doing since last March as a member of the Council.

My goal on the Town Council is to make Monroe the best Monroe we can be!

The Town Council, as famously said by Former Councilman David Halliwell, is “the heartbeat of Monroe.” Having served on the Council for the past 18 months I can tell you this is absolutely true.

Having to review the budget, approve contracts and being involved in the planning process for our town has shown me that the Town Council has an important place in Monroe’s government.

I have been privileged and honored to be your Town Councilman for 18 months and I ask for your vote this November 5 to continue to serve YOU, the residents of Monroe as your Town Councilman.