Who is Chris Barnes and Why is He Running for Town Council

My name is Chris Barnes and I am running for West Hartford Town Council.  My wife, Stephanie, and I have lived in West Hartford for 17 years. We have three daughters and are parishioners at The Church of Saint Timothy.  

I am a Partner with the law firm of Reardon Scanlon Vodola LLP in West Hartford, and a member of the town’s Risk Management Advisory Board. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, my law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law, and an LL.M. degree in Insurance Law from the University of Connecticut School of Law.    

I decided to run for Town Council because I am concerned about the fiscal issues facing our town and the impact those issues will have on our ability to maintain the quality of life we enjoy. Our property taxes have continued to increase each year without receiving (and sometimes losing) additional services. As many already know, the town also faces serious long-term financial issues including unfunded pension and long-term debt obligations, as well as increasing healthcare costs that need to be addressed. The trend of higher spending and higher taxes is unsustainable.

Being a town councilor is a serious and important undertaking because local decisions touch all of us. We should demand fiscal responsibility and accountability from our town government. As a town councilor, I promise to do that and more. I look forward to the opportunity to listen to and work with the residents of our town on all of the important issues we will face in the future.

West Hartford is a great place to live and raise a family, and this election is an opportunity for us to make sure it stays that way.

Between now and Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, I will be writing about current issues and topics we face in town and my experience on the campaign trail.  

Please send me any questions or comments.  I look forward to hearing from you.