Meet Harry Captain: Democratic Candidate for West Hartford Town Council

Name:  Harry J. Captain

Age:  50

Party, Board Seeking:  Democrat, Town Council (incumbent)

Family: Married to Heather (Horrigan) Captain for 24 years; they have three children: Jeffrey (Emory University 2013, Hall 2009), Matthew (Marist College 2016, Hall 2012), and Katie (Hall 2015).

Occupation:  Second Vice President, The Travelers

Political Experience: WH Town Council, two years, Chairman of Public Safety Committee, Finance Committee, WH Board of Education, eight years, Financial Examiner, Secretary, Enfield Board of Education, two years

Why did you run for office?  I run for office for the same reasons that I live in West Hartford. I want the best for my family. I want to live and raise my family in a community that has a high quality of life:  Strong schools, safe streets, libraries, parks, pools, golf, skating, community and senior centers. A community with opportunities and excitement for kids, adults, and seniors that not only creates value for them today, but also ensures increased value in their greatest asset - their home.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?  Providing high quality services, with schools and public safety being the most critical, at a price (taxes) where people feel they get value for their investment.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today? An interesting thing happened with me in regards to this question. My first response in answering it was “what’s the biggest negative”? And it was difficult to say because there are an overwhelming number of positive things happening in West Hartford.  Investments in Bishops Corner, a boutique hotel at Blue Back, potential luxury housing on Park Road, and a renaissance in Elmwood.  Our glass is more than half full; it’s almost a full glass! So against all that good, the biggest issue facing us is negotiating with our town employee bargaining units, particularly the Fire Department Union, to reduce the Town’s cost of employee health and pension benefits to be more in line with the private sector. We’ve had success with some groups like the school nurses.  We’re going to arbitration with the Fire Fighters Union.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?  The skills I bring to the community are my experience and commitment on the Town Council, two years, and on the Board of Education, 8 years. My financial (CPA) and business experience are an asset as the Town works to live within our means while investing appropriately.