Politics & Government

Nielson: 'I Am An Independent Voice'

Republican aims for re-election to township committee.

Of the three candidates running in this year's Republican primary for township committee, Deb Nielson considers herself to be the most independent.

"I am an independent voice," Nielson said. "I look at each issue, sometimes in the same light that they [her opponents] do, and sometimes from a different angle."

Overall, though, she said her voting record closely matches that of Jim Sandham and Art Daughtry.

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"I would say that my colleagues and I have voted in unison…our voting patterns are about 95 to 98 percent identical," said Nielson.

But there are certain issues on which they have differed, and that is where Nielson considers herself to be more independent. 

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As the sole condominium owner on the committee, she says she can best represent issues with regard to condominiums—and, she says, 25 percent of the town lives in condominiums.

But she also says that does not mean she thinks condominium owners should take precedence over homeowners.

"I am a condominium owner," said Nielson. "That does not mean I advocate for condos at an unfair advantage over homeowners; I think they should receive equal treatment."

An example of where Nielson and her opponents Art Daughtry and Jim Sandham have differed comes from a vote in 2008 regarding new sewer rates. At the Nov. 13, 2008 meeting, according to the minutes from the township website, a change to how sewer rates are determined was discussed, based on winter water usage.

During the meeting, business administrator Frank Bastone "stated this is what is necessary to not run a deficit."

Nielson wanted to know if the Long-Term Financial Planning Committee had examined the issue.

"There are monies in the water budget; and again, I feel uncomfortable," Nielson said, according to the minutes from the meeting.

When the issue came to a vote, Nielson was the only member of the committee to vote no. In December of 2008, when the public was given a chance to speak about revising the sewer rates, many rose to challenge the committee.

Nielson and Sandham at this point agreed, and a vote to withdraw the motion was accepted by a vote of 4 to 1, with Daughtry casting the only vote against withdrawing the ordinance. Sandham had stated "it is not being rushed through tonight. There is input that I got last week."

"That's one example where I listened to feedback from residents and wanted additional feedback…that was in the best interest of the rate payers," said Nielson.

Nielson also emphasizes that her background as a licensed land and town planner and landscape planner makes her an important member of township committee. 

"In an town and any government, there are two major topics of importance or issues of importance," said Nielson. "The one has to do with finances, the other has to do with land usage issues…zoning and land use shapes the character and lays a foundation for the quality of life in Montville; it also has a financial component which is revenue stream through taxes."

Of the current members of the township committee, two are accountants with C.P.A. qualifications, another has a background in finance, and Nielson is the only professional planner. 

Nielson commended her opponents for the work they've done for the township. Nielson and Daughtry are both former mayors and Sandham is the current mayor.

"I don't have anything negative to say personally about my colleagues, they've shared their time and talent with the public, their family as well as my family has sacrificed to share us with the public in all of our public obligation," said Nielson.

Still, she was surprised when Daughtry stepped back into politics.

"Mr. Daughtry was a catalyst for change in 2004," Nielson said. "I respect that; I respect his efforts. In his first and second terms, he did campaign on self-imposed term limits…I do respect what he did for the town…I agree with his initial decision to stay retired."

The primary will be held on June 7.

For more information about Jim Sandham, .

For more information about Art Daughtry, .


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