MEET THE OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

 

OF

 

THE FEDERATION OF CONNECTICUT

 

 

TAXPAYER ORGANIZATIONS, INC. (FCTO)

 

 

The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations, Inc. is pleased to introduce you to the following Officers and Board Members of our organization and provide a brief profile on each. 

FCTO serves its members through research and advocacy on significant tax and spending issues on the local, state, and national levels.   FCTO’s goal is to promote fiscal austerity in all levels of government thereby constraining the tax burden on local and state taxpayers. As a government watchdog, FCTO provides a system of checks and balances with the intent of protecting taxpayers from unnecessary taxation and government mismanagement or corruption. Our belief is that the only Special Interest in government should be the taxpayers from whom government draws its resources.   

State and local issues currently being pursued by FCTO include, but are not limited to: 

• A Property Tax Cap,
• Reform of State Statutes governing Eminent Domain, Binding Arbitration, and Prevailing Wage,
• Providing transparency of government sector union contracts for the benefit of the taxpayers who fund them,
• Enactment of Sound Ethics Policies to prohibit conflicts of interest and corruption,
• Constraints on, and oversight of, government spending to include enhancement of financial, procedural and operational audits,
• Initiative and Referendum at the State and Local levels of government,
• Automatic Budget by Referendum for all 169 Towns in Connecticut to allow taxpayers to control their property taxes. 
  
  

For additional information, visit the organization’s website at http://ctact.org, contact Susan Kniep at 860-524-6501, 860-841-8032 or via email fctopresident@aol.com, and any one of FCTO’s  Officers or Board members as referenced below. 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESIDENT
Susan Kniep
Tel:  860-524-6501
East Hartford Taxpayers Association
fctopresident@ctact.org

VICE PRESIDENT
Jack Walton
860-274-4413
 Watertown-Oakville Taxpayers Association
 jacc45@hotmail.com

SECRETARY

Robert Young
 (860) 563-6923

Wethersfield Taxpayers Association

ryoung0@snet.net

 

 

TREASURER
Tom Durso

860-417-3340

Watertown Taxpayers Association

tdurso8217@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

Thomas Ahern
203-773-1571
New Haven Taxpayers Union
TOMNHCTHALLOCK7@msn.com

 

 

 

 

Judy Aron
 860-523-7257

West Hartford Taxpayers Association

imjfaron@sbcglobal.net

Lenoard Chaponis
860-225-0079

New Britain Connecticut Property Owners Assoc.

chaponis2@yahoo.com or mecnbc@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

David Cronin
  203-729-3995

Naugatuck Taxpayers in Revolt

dcrow06770@sbcglobal.net

 

 

Marvin Edelman
860-456-7455
Windham Taxpayers Association
frogpond01@earthlink.net

 

 

Sandra Feld
(860) 620-0704

Concerned Southington Citizens

csc@feldclan.com

 

 

Armand Fusco

1563 Durham Rd

Guilford, CT 06437-1639

(203) 453-1301

fusco.a@comcast.net

 

 

Robert M. Green

860-859-0836

Board of Education, Salem

rgreen619@snet.net

 

 

Jim Louziotis

860-443-1144

Lower Our Taxes,  New London

ledgehill@sbcglobal.net

 

 

 

Florence Stahl
860-677-2121
Avon Taxpayers Association

flostahl@snet.net

 

 

 

 

 

Fred Standt

203-775-9364

Brookfield Taxpayers Association

fstndt@aol.com

 

 

Mike Telesca

203-573-9524

Waterbury Property Owners Association

teleman2@aol.com

 

 

 

Tami W. Zawistowski
Concerned Taxpayers of East Granby (CTEG)

cteg@live.com

 

 

*****************

 

Profiles of FCTO Officers and Board Members

Thomas Ahern:  Thomas B. Ahern has been the organizer & chairman the New Haven Taxpayers Union since 1993.  He has also been an active member of The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations since 1995.  Tom expresses his opinion on issues frequently as a contributor to the New Haven Register "Letters" column.  Tom is also a member of the Greater New Haven Property Owners Association.  He is married to his lovely wife Jean, and they are the proud parents  of seven children and three grandchildren.   

Judy Aron:     Judy Aron attended SUNY New Paltz, and earned a BA in Economics in 1978.  She graduated magna cum laude with a dual minor in Business Administration and Computer Science. After graduation she married and settled in West Hartford, CT.  She worked for the Travelers Insurance Company as a systems manager in data processing, and after having her second child hung up the corporate suit and stayed home to be a full time parent. Judy is wife to Michael Aron, and mom to 3 wonderful kids.

 

Judy is currently Research Director for National Home Education Legal Defense (NHELD). She held the position of Vice President of CT Homeschool Network (http://www.cthomeschoolnetwork.org/), and now is their legislative liaison. Judy Aron is a long time Homeschooling Activist. She has been heavily involved in protecting the rights of parents: particularly homeschoolers. She is also involved in civic organizations in her home town of West Hartford, CT; Vice President of the West Hartford Taxpayers Association, and Vice President of Public Relations for the West Hartford Toastmasters club. Judy also performs volunteer work with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.  Judy ran for CT State Representative in November 2007. 

 

Judy has written numerous articles about homeschooling teens and preparing for college as part of "College Corner" in the CT Homeschool Network monthly newsletter, and she has also written extensively for NHELD. Some of her articles have appeared in Home Education Magazine, Journal of College Admissions, RadioFree West Hartford, online blogs and websites, as well as various newspapers. She has been a guest on several radio and cable TV shows speaking about homeschooling, parental rights, mental health testing and a host of other issues. She currently has her own blog entitled "Consent of the Governed" (www.yedies.blogspot.com), a West Hartford Cable TV show entitled "What You Should Know", and she is nearing completion of her first book. 

 

Judy manages a website at   http://yedies.blogspot.com/ .  She can be reached at 860-523-7257 or by email at imjfaron@sbcglobal.net .

Lenoard Chaponis:  Leonard is a member of the oldest taxpayers group in Connecticut, The Citizens Property Owners Association of New Britain (CPOA).  Leonard worked with CPOA President Ann Mikulak and member Lou Salvio to update the written genealogy of the Assocation in 1999.  It is interesting to note that The CPOA Constitution was Ordained on July 7, 1924;  The CPOA Articles of Association were Incorporated on May 24, 1929, and the CPOA BY-Laws were revised May 20, 1999.  Leonard is a native of Pennsylvania and moved with his parents to Hartford, Connecticut in 1940.  Upon graduation from Bulkeley High School in Hartford in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.  He was stationed in Alaska, the Aleutian Islands of Attu, Kisa and Adak.  Leonard is also a Veteran of the Korean War 1950 -1951. In 1956 he graduated from the University of Hartford with a B.F.A. in Graphic Design.  After graduation he married and settled in New Britain, CT.   He was then hired by the Travelers Insurance Companies as a Graphic Designer retiring in 1993.  In addition to his involvement with FCTO, Leonard is actively involved in the following community associations:  Member, New Britain Senior Center – Computer Class instructor for period of 5 years; Member, New Britain Area Seniors - member of Leadership Team;  Member, The American Legion - Post No. 0006;  Member, VFW – Pvt. Walter J. Smith Post No. 511; and a Member, The Travelers Retirees Club.  Leonard and his wife Mary have two children.  Robert is a senior Director of Pfizer Gobal Pharmaceuticals, New York City.  Christopher is an Emergency Technician (EMT) Southington, CT.   While the city of New Britain, a former manufacturing town has moved into the service economy, the current New Britain Voter Registration numbers tell the story: Total 30,434 voters;  3,728 Republicans;  10,454 Unaffiliated;  and 16,054 Democrats.  It is interesting to note that today a Republican serves as Mayor. 

David Cronin:  David is a native of Connecticut and has resided in Naugatuck for the past 70 years. David is married and has three children.  David is proud of the accomplishments of his children who include, David II who is a transplant surgeon and Director of liver and kidney transplantation at Yale New Haven Hospital, Dennis who is a federal lawyer and part time superior court judge in Spokane Wa. and a daughter,  Dana who is chief operating nurse for neuro-surgery at Bridgeport Hospital.  David is a grandfather of 8 grand children and a soon to be great grandfather.  David retired from professional driving in 1998.  He was a union steward for 4 years at Uniroyal, a Vice President of custodial union and on the negotiating committee in the Naugatuck School system, and a steward in the Teamsters Union and on the negotiating committee on contracts at Sealy Mattress Co.for 5 years.  For the last 4 years, David has been President of The Naugatuck Taxpayers in Revolt, a watch dog for taxes organization, newly elected Vice President of the Naugatuck chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and he also teaches a driver safety 55 and over program for AARP.

 

Tom Durso:   Tom has a BA in economics from St.  Michael's College in Winooski, VT.  He was one of a select few non-lawyers accepted into and who completed  Harvard Law  School’s  Mediation/Dispute Resolution program. A former Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce  vice-president,  he  was also a Ct State Labor Dept. adjudicator, hearings officer and auditor/investigator  who  now advises national employers on payroll tax issues.   He was a member of the Governor's Commission on Unfunded Mandates  which issued its final report  in January 2007  and   he served on the Watertown Town Council from 1997 to 1999, the  Watertown Police Commission from 2000 to2007 and as its chairman from 2004 to 2006.  Tom was chosen by the IRS to serve on its  Taxpayers Advocacy Panel  (TAP)  program for 2007-2010.  He is also vice president of the Watertown-Oakville Taxpayers association.  One of Tom’s favorite Ronald Reagan quotes is "the  closest thing to eternal life on earth is a government program".  He and his wife Dora have two daughters, Danielle Ann and Stephanie Jeanne.

 

Marvin Edelman:  Marvin is a former teacher and administrator in a Westchester County, NY, school district and former president of the district’s teachers’ union.   He holds an Ed.D.degree in curriculum research and design from Columbia University and a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Connecticut.  He is secretary of the Windham Republican Party and co-host of Charter Communications cable television weekly program “Eye on Windham.”  He was a member of the Windham Charter Revision Commission.  He is the co-founder of the Thomas Paine Institute and former chairman of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association and Museum.  He was the owner and director of Camp Windham-National Sports Camp.  He is a Korean War veteran of the United States Army Medical Service Corps and former commander of the Yonkers, NY, post of the Jewish War Veterans USA.  He was the treasurer of the Westchester County Alliance Francaise and president of the Yonkers, NY, chapter of the United Nations Association, USA.  He is also a certified mediator with the New York State courts.   His wife Eunice is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and holds an M.A. degree in higher education from Columbia University and a MSW from Fordham University.  She is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Connecticut who has worked with clients having dual diagnoses of drug/alcohol addiction and mental health disorders.  She is a member of the board of directors of the Willimantic Library and a member of the Mansfield Senior Center choral group which performs at local senior residences and nursing homes.  Son Steven is in property management in Windham.  He holds a B.S. degree in systems engineering and economics from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.S. in electrical engineering from Columbia University, and an M.B.A. from Yale University.  He and his wife Pazit have three children who are active in the performing arts in the Windham community.  Son Bruce is a graduate of Vassar College and Tulane University and has an MLS degree from Southern Connecticut State University. He is a research librarian with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries.  Marvin’s major concerns are (1) The impact of current public school policies and practices on local taxation (2) The ethical conduct of elected and appointed public officials and (3) Governmental abuse of the power of eminent domain.  “When opinions are free…the truth will prevail”—Thomas Paine

 

Sandra Feld:  Before moving to Connecticut 9 years ago when her husband retired, Sandy lived in Monmouth County, NJ for 25 years.  She has a B.S. in Education, taught JHS English, designed paperbacks with New American Library and Bantam Books, obtained an A.A.S. as a paralegal, had her own business, Family Law Assisted Services working with matrimonial lawyers, founded and was Executive Director of AWARE, a non-profit,  which helped enforce court-ordered child support , served on NJ Supreme Court Joint Advisory Commission on Child Support Enforcement, Monmouth County NJ Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. She lobbied tirelessly for federally mandated withholding of child support from obligor’s wages until it was finally enacted ! Since moving to CT, she formed and is Chair of Concerned Southington Citizens, addressing all areas of accountability by elected and appointed officials.  She was recently appointed to Southington’s Charter Revision Commission.   She is currently the financial manager of a computer consulting firm.

Armand Fusco:  The Officers and Board Members of The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayers met on August 16, 2008 in West Hartford to welcome Dr. Armand A. Fusco to the Federation’s Board of Directors.  Armand resides in Guilford, Connecticut, with his wife Constance of 55 years who retired as Assistant Superintendent of School in Madison, CT.  They have four children, fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  Armand has an extensive career in education having begun as a teacher in 1958 and quickly advancing to administrative positions becoming superintendent of schools in Hadley, Massachusetts and Branford, Connecticut.  After his retirement from Branford, he became Director of the Teacher Intern Program and a professor of education at the University of Bridgeport, Retirement provided an opportunity for Armand to advocate for better management and monitoring of school resources—human, physical and financial.  To this end he has conducted numerous workshops throughout the state and has appeared on many cable shows and talk radio.  While doing so, he developed his own bi-weekly education column, Inside Education, that appeared in several shoreline newspapers. He has authored many professional works, including the book School Corruption: Betrayal of Children and Public Trust, and Ending Corruption and Waste in Your Public School:  A Manual for Taxpayers (free download at yankeeinstitute.org).  He is very passionate about the need for every school district to have a volunteer, Citizen Audit Committees to constrain the tax burden on taxpayers by providing oversight of school spending using performance review criteria and best practice systems.  He provides orientation and training at no cost to any taxpayer group interested in forming a Citizen Audit Committee.  He, together with board member Susan Lavelli-Hozempa, helped to establish and train the first audit committee in Enfield, CT in January 2008; six months later, it issued four professional and illuminating reports that can be found on the Board of Education website.  What the Citizen Audit Committee demonstrated was that ordinary citizens can identify waste and mismanagement of school resources.  Based on current interest, there will be several new audit committees established this year by taxpayer groups in other school districts.  Two new manuals have just been developed for use by taxpayers:  Citizen Audit Committees:  Providing Oversight to Achieve Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness of School Resources, and School District:  Accountability, Transparency and Participation Index.  Although not yet in publication, both are available from Dr. Fusco at fusco.a@comcast.net.  The following website will provide further insight into the accomplishments of Armand Fusco and his vision for the future  http://ednews.org/articles/21679/1/An-Interview-with-Armand-Fusco-About-School-Corruption/Page1.html

 

Robert M. Green:   Bob is a native of Illinois, who moved to Connecticut in 1975 and served in the U.S. Navy submarine fleet until his retirement as Chief Petty Officer in 1994.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2000.  He now works as an Analog Engineer for EG&G Technical Services at the Module Screening Repair Activity at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton.   A resident of Salem, since 1989, he was the chairman of the former Salem Taxpayers Association.  In addition to his involvement with FCTO, he also is actively involved in the following boards, committees, and commissions:

 

1. Vice Chairman, Salem Republican Town Committee
2. Member, Salem Economic Development Commission since 1992
3. Member, Salem Board of Assessment Appeals since 2000, Chairman since 2004
4. Member, Salem Board of Education since 1996.  Elected Vice Chairman in March 2007. (In 2006, Bob persuaded the Board of Education to become a member of the Connecticut Consortium of Municipalities for Fiscal Responsibility.)
5. Member, CABE Government Relations and Resolutions committees.

 

Bob and his wife of 28 years, Henryka, have one son, William.  A native of Polaniec, Poland, Henryka is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business.  She is small business owner specializing in custom jewelry and also serves as a language interpreter for the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch.  She also teaches parenting classes for Polish-speaking parents for Community Mental Health Affiliates in New Britain.  William has an A.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Three Rivers Community and is a member of the Anti-terrorist Task Force at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton.  Bob’s favorite quote comes from President John F. Kennedy:  “One person can make a difference, and everyday someone should try.”

 

 

Susan Kniep:  Susan is a life long resident of East Hartford, where her family had founded the Bergren Dairy.  Susan lives in the family homestead built in the 1840s with her husband, George, of 40 years.  George is a retired engineer of Terry Steam Turbine Corporation, am affiliate of Ingersoll Rand.   Susan has one daughter, Jennifer, a graduate of St. Joseph College.   Susan’s strong roots ultimately led to her successful election to East Hartford’s Town Council in 1983, where she served as Minority Leader until 1989.  In 1989, Susan was elected the first woman Mayor of East Hartford where she served until 1993.   As a Republican, Susan’s party had not held that office for 25 years.  Under a strong Mayor form of government, Susan instituted many changes, to include developing professional standards for Directors, as well as standards for contracts, bidding and ethics to avoid much of what we are witnessing in State government today.     When Susan entered the Mayor’s office she was confronted with a $2 million deficit left by her predecessor.  In 1993, Susan left the Town with a surplus unmatched by any of her predecessors, while imposing no tax increase in her final year.  She again sought the office of Town Council in 1995 and won that office as the only Independent to ever hold office.  Susan graduated from Bay Path College, worked for several years in the stock and bond brokerage industry,  had a floral business servicing outlets such as Caprilands in Coventry, Country Curtains and Crabtree Evelyn, and is a real estate agent with Century 21 Classic Homes of East Hartford and Glastonbury.  Susan practices that which Thomas Jefferson proclaimed:   ETERNAL VIGILANCE IS THE PRICE OF LIBERTY! 

 

 

Jim Louziotis:   Demetrios Louziotis, Sr. "Jim” is a lifelong resident of New London.  He was instrumental in raising the awareness of the Eminent Domain issue and continues to crusade for Eminent Domain reform at the state level.  Jim attended Dean Academy in Franklin, Mass, and was subsequently drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Europe.  He also attended Mitchell College and Northeastern Univ. graduating in 1953 with a BS, BA degree in Finance.  Upon graduation, Jim became involved in real estate and insurance.  He has had an interest in a restaurant, subdivisions and selling building lots and modular homes.
He is a Member of the New London Housing Authority, and Chairman, of the New London Harbor Improvement Agency.  Jim is Past President of St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church of New London, Former Town Chairman of the New London Republican Town Committee, and a 50 year member of Oxoboxo Lodge of Masons #116 A.F. & A. M.  Jim is recognized by the  American Biographical Institute - Community Leaders of America (Who’s Who) and Hellenic Leaders of America (Who's Who).  He received the Order of AHEPA District #7 Hellene of the Year Award.  Jim was appointed by Gov. Meskill as a Commissioner of the Division of Special Revenue and by Gov. Weicker as Exec. Director of the Commission of Special Revenue.  Jim is presently Treas. of L.O.T., (Lower Our Taxes), for Fair and Responsible Govt.  Jim is also a Lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #189 in New London. 

Florence Stahl:   Florence is a native of Boston, Massachusetts and a world traveler.  She opened her own resume business, Avon Resume, twenty-two years ago and has an office at Old Avon Village.  In the early 70s, she ran for the Town Council in Avon and won...the first woman ever to seek this office. After serving two terms on the Council, she went on to serve on the Board of Finance and the Water Pollution Control Authority. An overpriced and overblown Avon High School renovation referendum in 1995 resulted in the founding of the Avon Taxpayers Association (ATA) with Florence as President, a position she still holds. In the decade that followed, the ATA spearheaded a change in the Town's Charter to allow for an automatic referendum on the budget, dramatically increased transparency in Town reporting, challenged the use of a school emergency telephone system for political purposes, distributed an annual booklet showing salaries of all Town employees, and successfully fought numerous budget and other referendums it deemed excessive. The ATA is well-known and recognized as an important and integral part of the community.

Fred Standt:  Fred has long been an advocate for the Connecticut taxpayer, and an outspoken critic against government waste and mismanagement.   Fred served as President of The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayers Organizations for several years and helped to chart the course for the organization’s success.  For years, Fred took his fight to the State Capitol, challenging State laws such as Binding Arbitration and Prevailing Wage.  No matter where the call came from, Fred would drop what he was doing, get in his car and travel any distance to assist taxpayers or taxpayer groups with issues they were challenging.  He relinquished his position as President to Susan Kniep five years ago.   Fred’s history of taxpayer advocacy began in the 1980s when Fred, Billy Michaels of The Bethel Action Committee, and John Cooke, former Selectman of New Fairfield, organized “Citizens for Limited Taxation” (CLT).   CLT responded to requests from isolated taxpayer groups statewide, from Norwalk to Norwich, all by word of mouth. CLT grew to the Connecticut Association of Taxpayer Organizations (CATO) with a mailing list that covered most towns in the state.  When taxpayer groups in towns around Hartford, to include Wethersfield and Glastonbury, wanted to organize statewide they merged with CATO to form FCTO Inc. in 1992.    Fred has served in every office of FCTO Inc. and continues today as a director where his expertise in taxpayer advocacy is relied.  Fred has also served on the Board of Finance in Brookfield for 8 years and on the Planning Commission for 10 years.   Fred has been married to his lovely wife Audrey for 57 years.   He has two daughters, Susan and Nancy, and two sons, Richard and Roger.  

 

Mike Telesca:   A native of Waterbury, Mike has been instrumental in changing the face of politics in Waterbury.  Concerned for the years of government mismanagement and corruption which plagued Waterbury, Mike, in 2003,  co-founded The Waterbury Independent Party.  Under Mike’s leadership as Chairman, seven members of The Waterbury Independent Party have been elected to serve on two of the most important Boards in Waterbury, the Board of Alderman and the Board of Education.  Mike has served in many volunteer and civic organizations throughout his lifetime.  In 2005, Mike served on the “Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Housing”.  Mike currently serves as Board President of “Naugatuck Valley Projects” Housing Committee in Waterbury.  From 2004 to present, he has served as a Board member of “Neighborhood Housing Services”.     Mike has been a Member of “The  Walnut, Orange, Walsh- Neighborhood Revitalization Zone ” since 1995, serving as Housing Committee Chairman from 1996 to present.    He was a Member of the Waterbury Neighborhood Council from 1996- 2003.  Mike has been a Member of “The Property Owners Association of Greater Waterbury” since 1996, serving on the Board of Directors as Treasurer from 1997 to 1999, and as President from 1999 to 2003.  Mike was co-founder and President of NRZ Property Rescuers Inc from 1997 to 2000, a non-profit group that provided jobs in the inner city that cleaned vacant lots, boarded up abandoned buildings and helped elderly residents with yard work and small repairs on their homes.  Mike served in the US Army from 1971 to 1974.  After his military service he owned and operated several retail shops in Florida and returned to CT in 1985. A former Realtor, he is currently the owner and manager of several residential properties in Waterbury today.  Concerned for the failure of the two major political parties to provide a system of checks and balances, Mike’s goal is to see more independent Parties emerge locally, and a viable Independent Party emerge within the State.    

 

Jack Walton:   Jack Walton, President, of the Watertown-Oakville Taxpayers Association and Vice President of The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations, Inc. accomplished what no other Connecticut Taxpayer Group member has to date.   In 2005, Jack gained a seat at the negotiation table as Board of Education contracts were being negotiated in his town.  Jack was subsequently elected to Watertown’s Town Council where he currently serves.  Jack is also a Police Commissioner in his town.   Jack is a life long resident of Watertown and is the proud husband of Irene having been married for 55 years.  Jack and Irene have a son John and a daughter Linda.   Jack’s accomplishments are many.  He worked effectively to give taxpayers the right to vote for their budget.  He works aggressively for change at the State level and can be found meeting and communicating with  State Reps Shawn Williams and Lou Deluca as he looks for reforms of Binding Arbitration, Prevailing Wage,  Deregulation of Electricity, and other state mandates impacting town in Connecticut.  He continuously breaches to other taxpayer groups the importance of lobbying at the State to improve conditions locally.    Jack is well known for the numerous articles he has authored in the Waterbury Republican newspaper and his local newspaper, the Town Times.  

Robert Young:    Bob is a native of Connecticut and has resided in Wethersfield for the past 26 years.  He has an MBA in Finance from the University of Hartford and currently works in the Accounting and Finance areas.  Bob is married and has a daughter who most likely will attend St. Joseph College this fall.   As a member of the Wethersfield Taxpayer’s Association where he has served as Treasurer for the past five years, Bob has an understanding of the financial and emotional hardships encountered by many concerned taxpayers in our State.  Bob and his family come from a farming background.  Their farm, purchased by his grandfather in 1924, was taken from his family in 1999 by the Town of Newington through Eminent Domain.  Bob does not believe eminent domain is a viable and correct option in a country founded on the principals our founders set for the country.   Bob works hard lobbying the State legislature to abolish Eminent Domain.