Meet the Democratic Candidates for the November 7, 2023 Municipal Election!
Jay has served 10 years as Selectman. He is proud of his work developing long range plans and implementing sustainable practices. As a result of these efforts, the Town saved funds to replace technology, highway and fire equipment, and bridges without having to borrow for these expenditures, nor increase taxes or the mill rate. Jay is chair of the Sustainability Comm. and supports efforts to provide affordable housing, which he believes is critical to Washington’s ability to thrive. Jay worked for 25 years as Business Manager for 4 local school districts and was elected to 4 terms on the Board of Education, serving 2 years as chair. He earned an MS in Public Administration from the University of New Haven and has lived in Town for 45 years.
Ashley has lived in Town for 9 years and is proud to call Washington home. After graduating from The Gunnery, she completed accounting/finance courses at Bentley Univ. and earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology at UConn, minoring in Business. Her experience as a bookkeeper and current position in Advancement at The Frederick Gunn School make her highly qualified for Town Treasurer. Her service on the Board of the Swanson Family Foundation and her passion for encouraging young adults to be active community members showcase her dedication to making a positive impact in Washington. Ashley possesses the necessary attention to detail, experience, and initiative to effectively serve as Treasurer and collaborate with Town partners.
Kevin has a long record of civic engagement. He has served on and chaired the Vista Las Palmas Foundation and Columbus, OH Civic Relations Committee for the largest historic district in the country, as well as the Washington Democratic Town Committee. He is the founder of We the People, a non-profit focused on issues important to voters. He organized the Time to Rise rally, energizing regional Democratic voters prior to the 2022 mid terms. Kevin has a strong background in real estate finance and evaluation, including stock analysis work for Kidder Peabody, Bankers Trust, and Alex Brown and Group Head of Real Estate Securities for Deutsche Bank. He uses this experience serving as current chairman of Washington’s Board of Assessment Appeals.
Liz was appointed Board of Finance Alternate in 2020. Before moving to Washington she served on the Darien Board of Education for 8 years, one as its chair. She also served as the vice chair of the Darien Representative Town Meeting’s Finance and Budget Committee, which gave her experience working on town budgets. She has also worked for non-profits such as the Darien Historical Society and Greenwich Library. Liz earned an AB from Berkeley, an MA from San Francisco State, an Mphil from the Graduate Center of CUNY, and an MBA from NYU Stern.
Patrick Horan co-owns Waldingfield Farm, a certified organic vegetable operation on fourth generation family land, here in Washington. He currently holds two board memberships, serving as Vice President of CT- NOFA (Northern Organic Farming Association), and locally, he is a Trustee and Treasurer of The Washington Park Foundation, better known as the Judy Black Memorial Park and Garden.
Prior to returning to farming full time in 2006, Patrick spent ten years working for R.G. Niederhoffer Capital Management, a NYC based hedge fund, where he was Director of Back and Middle Office Operations.
Working with the boards of two organizations in executive committee positions (VP and Finance Committee for CT-NOFA, and Treasurer of WPF) has allowed Patrick to use his budgetary and fiscal management skills effectively for both entities. As a business owner in town Patrick is an employer of local citizens, and Waldingfield Farm has become a destination business for many seeking a clean, chemical free, food source. Most importantly, Patrick and his family are helping to keep the agricultural presence in the town viable for the 21st Century.
Patrick holds B.A. in English Literature from Union College, and a graduate degree in Theater Arts from The Stella Adler Conservatory.
He lives with his wife Suzie Paxton, and their ten year old son, Griffin, and their dog Eliot, on Woodbury Road.
Peter is currently the longest continuously serving member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was appointed Alternate in 2006, became a permanent member in 2010, and now serves as chairman. In addition, Peter has coached local youth sports teams, was the “foreman” for a local Habitat for Humanity project, and has volunteered for several Region 12 committees. Peter is now Washington’s Building Official. He is a graduate of Syracuse University’s School of Architecture and has lived in Town since 1999.
Bob was appointed Alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals in 2019 and elected a full member in 2020. He was also elected in 2021 to the Board of Assessment Appeals, where he currently serves. He has been active in our community; serving on the Board of Finance and Inland Wetlands Commission, volunteering for Region 12 after school programs, serving on its Technology Committee, and consulting with Gunn Memorial Library. Bob’s interests and education help him contribute to effective town government. He is an electrical engineer with an MSEE from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from the University of New Haven. Bob has lived in Washington for 43 years.
Dean has enjoyed his first term serving as a Town Selectman as well as his first term as a Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate. He is a 10 year veteran of the Washington Volunteer Fire Department and is serving his 7th year on the Lake Waramaug Authority. He is always looking for the next challenge and the next opportunity to better himself and help others. Dean is a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who has lived in New Preston/Washington since 1989; drawn here by the Town’s natural beauty and amazing community.
Valerie graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and became an international banker in New York City before moving to Washington over 30 years ago. In that time she was elected to Region 12 Board of Education and served as Treasurer, Finance Committee chair, and was a member of the AgSTEM Building Committee. She believes all viewpoints matter, and in responsible and transparent government. She understands, while we all want to safeguard the rural character of Washington, we must work to expand housing opportunities for the work force and our senior citizens. Valerie currently serves as a valuable Zoning commissioner dedicated to balancing landowners rights with the economic health and the unique historic character of our town. She volunteered to work throughout the year on the subcommittee drafting multifamily housing regulations mandated by the state. She is an active Zoning member who conducts her own research on difficult matters, asks both staff and applicants tough questions as needed, and tracks the resolution of enforcement matters. And she believes firmly that it is her duty to help preserve our past and protect our future here in Washington.
Jennifer was born and raised in Washington and is now raising her own family of 11th generation farmers. After graduating from Shepaug, she earned a major in History from Bridgewater State College, and has taught at the Montessori School for 14 years. She has served two years on the Planning Commission. With long roots in Town, Jennifer has a vested interest in helping Washington be a viable and sustainable option for everyone.
Liddy’s volunteer record shows her commitment to Washington. She served as Board of Finance Alternate for 19 years, full member for 3 years, and was vice chair. She was the Director of the Washington Community Housing Trust for 12 years. She served on the Housing Commission for 10 years. While under her chairmanship, the Downpayment Assistance Program was established. Liddy graduated from Shepaug Valley High School and the University of Oregon. She has worked both as a real estate agent and broker. Her experience in housing and real estate will serve the Zoning Commission well as it continues to work on regulations promoting housing diversity.