Meet Dennis Swanton: Republican Candidate for West Hartford Town Council

Name: Dennis Swanton
Age:48
Party, Board Seeking: Town Council Republican 
Family information: My wife is Eileen married for 19 years- school teacher Methodist Preschool, Connor 15 sophomore at Conard and Abigail 13 8th grade at Sedgwick
Occupation, if applicable: Corporate Accounts Manager at Kimberly Clark
Political Experience: None 
Other Experience: I have been very active in town. Coach for 7 years and Board Member (Director of Fundraising 3 years)for West Hartford Little League, Coach West Hartford Girls Lacrosse 3 years, West Hartford Girls Field Hockey 3 years coach, assistant football coach WH Youth Football 5 years. Knights of Columbus and Eucharistic Minister St Peter Claver Church and teach religious Education (CCD)

Why did you run for office? I am running to add a new fresh voice to the Council. I am also a voice for those who feel that the town does not do enough to promote traffic safety. Traffic safety touches everyone. When the Newington Rd issue came up the biggest complaint was the traffic. If we can fix this other zoning issues will be resolved. 

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus? I have two main issues that I will be working on from day one. Traffic safety is important to everyone I will work on this from day one. I will also fight from day to one to look for alternative avenues of revenue.   

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today? Over the past years we have increased property taxes and cut town services, this is driving residents from our Town especially the elderly. West Hartford is a town that we should be able to hand off to our children. If we stay on this current course our children will not be able to come back and afford to live here. I have spoken to many residents who have children who want to live in this area, but they are either moving to other towns or even out of state. In addition, the unfunded pension and health care liabilities for our municipal employees will eventually have a negative impact on the Town’s credit rating. Lastly, the Town has seen a recurring reduction in State and Federal funding we must find new alternative revenue streams. West Hartford needs to be a town where businesses want to continue to come to. We need to develop all areas of West Hartford’s business sectors.

My experience as a corp. accts sales rep and coach for youth sports in W.H has helped me to develop unique talents I will bring to the town council position.

Whether coaching youth sports or representing your company to customers it is essential for success that one brings a passion for the task. I bring that passion to these jobs, just as I will bring my passion to the town council position.

My corporate and volunteer experience has also helped me develop an open-minded attitude that permits me to seek solutions not always within the scope of current ideas. I look forward to advancing this approach in the town council.