Bill Davidson
First Selectman

davidsonfirstselectman.com

WHY I AM RUNNING

Leadership for Today …
Planning for Tomorrow

Why am I seeking the position of First Selectman? The short answer is: I will bring strong and positive leadership to the First Selectman’s office. My campaign will focus on four themes, each critically important to the well-being of our Town:

Leadership
Communication
Infrastructure
Alternate Revenue Sources

Elections should be about choice. My platform and demonstrated accomplishments (Selectman, member and chairman of the Board of Finance, chairman of the Senior Citizen Tax Committee, chairman of Lake Lillinonah Authority, member and/or chairman of a number of other Town committees and organizations) will give all voters a real choice in November.

Brookfield’s considerable assets make this Town a great place to live.  With the right leadership, we can improve the quality of the lives of all Brookfield citizens. It is time for change, fresh air, a new direction, a positive can-do outlook and honest dialogue. I will respect and represent everyone in the Town and look forward to support from all of Brookfield’s residents.

COMPETENT AND DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP
Brookfield needs strong and effective leadership. I am ready and capable of stopping the town’s downward spiral and pointing Brookfield in a new direction.

• Leadership means managing the town’s destiny by determining our current and future needs, setting goals, and establishing policies and day-to-day activities to succeed. I have a proven track record of leading people and organizations to achieve positive and successful results, both in the corporate world and as an entrepreneur. I have the experience acquired through my service as a Brookfield selectman for 2 years and as a member of Brookfield’s board of finance for 15 years, including 6 years as chairman.
• Leadership means communicating to the residents on a regular and frequent basis so that anyone interested can know today's news and events and tomorrow's plans.
• Leadership means finding new revenue sources (other than property taxes) to begin the enormous task of funding the town’s capital needs, especially road repair and maintenance of town-owned buildings.
• Leadership means support for our schools, support for our seniors citizens, support for all of the town’s residents and organizations. We are all in this together. We are a community.
• Leadership means recruiting a broad cross-section of our talented residents to participate on our established boards and commissions and to participate on informal advisory boards that I will establish.
• Leadership means planning for tomorrow, not just solving the problem of the day. Brookfield needs to have a discussion on what it wants to look like 5 and 10 years from now.
• Leadership means generating a positive spirit in town hall so that the public is served efficiently and effectively by employees and by the Town’s various boards and commissions.

COMMUNICATION
As First Selectman, I will welcome thoughts and ideas from all Brookfield residents.

• I will hold twice-a-month “Talk to Bill” informal public meetings (one during the day, one during the evening) where residents can discuss any and all town matters with me.
• I will broaden the town’s website to serve Brookfield’s many interest groups with a wider variety of information.
• I will determine the feasibility of establishing a town newsletter.

INFRASTRUCTURE
As First Selectman, I will work to improve the town’s roads and recreational facilities.

• I will oversee the development and implementation of plans to accomplish the long-term and long-overdue tasks of restoring town roads and recreational facilities.
• I will keep the public advised about the financial cost of accomplishing these improvements.

ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCES
We need to develop alternate sources of revenue to reduce our dependence on real estate property taxes.

• I will speak about ideas for new and expanded revenue sources during the campaign.
• I will encourage suggestions from residents.
• I will appoint an on-going revenue committee as soon as I am sworn into office.

Click here to read Bill's Caucus acceptance speech.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

COMMUNITY

Brookfield Selectman – 2 years
	Chaired special projects including Senior Citizen Tax study and Town Vehicle Evaluation study. The updated Senior Citizen Property Tax program benefits 225 senior citizens for a total of $400,000 in tax credits and deferrals.
Brookfield Board of Finance – 15 years, 6 years as chairman
	While chairman, budget referendums were passed on the first vote 4 times. In last year as chair, the town’s fund balance was a strong $4.2 million (11.9% of the annual budget).
Lake Lillinonah Authority – currently chairman
	While chairman, provided leadership and direction to modernize the organization, website established, accounting system computerized, automated Lake Alert system developed to provide phone alerts to over 200 homes for changing water levels and other important lake-related events. Treasurer for 2 years.
Brookfield Lions Club – active member and former board member
	Updated and rewrote the club’s constitution and by-laws. Received the Connecticut Lions Knights of the Blind award and the prestigious Lions Clubs International Melvin Jones Fellow award, both for dedicated humanitarian service.
The Brookfield Partnership – former chairman
Meals-on-Wheels – currently a volunteer driver
Economic Development Commission – former member
Brookfield Education Foundation – former board member and treasurer
Brookfield Historical Society – former board member

 

PERSONAL

Married 45 years to Marge
Two children: Jennifer, a teacher at Newtown High School; Jill, the publications director for a national educational organization
Five grandchildren: Zach, Elias, Leo, Sara, Henry
Brookfield resident for 36 years
Pets: Two Labrador Retrievers (Harley and Susie)
Graduate of Columbia University, New York City
Class officer in college
President of senior class in high school

 

EMPLOYMENT

Founder and president of Davidson Insurance Services. I developed this enterprise into one of the largest property-casualty insurance agencies in western Connecticut during my twenty years of ownership.
Insurance Company of North America (18 years)
	Resident vice-president and general manager, sales and underwriting, White Plains, NY Marketing executive, Philadelphia, PA General Manger, Northeast Regional Processing Office, Springfield, MA Management information systems analyst, Philadelphia, PA Senior underwriter, Philadelphia, PA Sales manager, Philadelphia, PA

 

RECREATION ACTIVITIES

Bicycling
Traveling
Boating and kayaking