Meet the Candidate: Denise Berard Hall

West Hartford Patch is offering a new feature – "Meet the Candidate" – which is designed to help you get to know your local candidates before the Nov. 8 election. Each profile has been submitted directly by the candidate.

Take a moment to review each profile so you can be informed and prepared when you go to the polls on Nov. 8. Once they have been published, all profiles will be easily accessed through the "Elections 2011" tab at the top of the home page.

Name: Denise Berard Hall

Age: 51

Party, Position Seeking: Republican, Candidate for Town Council

Family information: Married to Tom Hall, with two children, and three grandchildren. Parents – Jean-Paul & Marion Berard

Occupation: Senior Vice President, Webster Bank. I manage the department that provides money market, fixed income, foreign exchange and interest rate risk management products to clients.

Political Experience: First elected to Town Council November 2009, and serve as Minority Leader

Other Experience: Previous volunteer on West Hartford’s Investment Advisory and Risk Management Committees and Treasurer of the West Hartford Veterans Memorial Committee. Past President of the Board of Trustees, Mercy Housing & Shelter and current member of the Finance Committee. Associate Member, Government Finance Officers Association

Why did you run for office? I ran for office as I wanted to continue to volunteer in town and the best way to utilize my background in government finance and knowledge of the town gained from participation in its advisory committees was to run for office. 

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus? I will continue to focus on the more than $200 million in unfunded pension and other post employment benefits and advocate ways to address the unsustainable aspects of our employee contracts.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today? Keeping it affordable for all four generations of my family that live in town!

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community? Our challenges are financial and I believe my input has been valuable. But I also bring an understanding of social needs, gained through 15 years of involvement with the sponsored ministries of the Sisters of Mercy. 

Anything else you would like to share? Don’t forget to vote November 8th!