Eric Thompson

Name, Address and or Phone Number: Eric A. Thompson Sr. 9 Warren Drive East Hartford Ct 06118 (860)568-1277 (please leave message I will get back to you.)

What office am I running for: East Hartford Town Council

Previous experience in town government or Boards or commissions I currently serve on, other activities: I am presently a member on the East Hartford Town Council. I previously served on East Hartford’s Economic Development Commission as well as The Building Board of Appeals. I am also on several subcommittees on the East Hartford Town Council which comprise of the Town’s EMS Commission, The Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee, Tax Policy Committee and the Town owned property other than Real Estate Committee. I am also The Senior Pastor of a local ministry as well as the Director of Religious Outreach for The Family Institute of Connecticut.

Any Thoughts on my role in East Hartford government if elected: East Hartford is in a transitional state, somewhat in its infancy, as far as what it can become in the future largely depends upon the ‘steps’ we take now as a community. We have seen some ‘positive growth’ as it relates to Rentschler Field and the Cabela’s project, as well as some ‘slight pitfalls’ as it pertains to the Board of Education and our failing schools and the failed referendum vote as it related to revaluation. We have also had unforeseen nuances as it directly relates to the levees in town. If elected, I will continue the fight for you, the residents of East Hartford, and your best interest as it relates to our children, our families, and our seniors. As well as our businesses and future developments as we make East Hartford better, together! Not only do we need the right mixture and balance of businesses to help this town’s Grand list grow, we also need the town to limit its spending without sacrificing many of its well needed services that you, the resident, depend upon daily, monthly and even yearly! You, as the resident deserve a government that will not seek to serve the best interests of these businesses, but to develop coalitions and relationships that will foster these types of relationships for all of the town’s resident’s best interests. It is about you. I will work to revise our Town Charter, because as it is our organic law it is inherently flawed for more than one reason. One, when you have a historic referendum like we did this year and the number of votes cast, that have, in times past, elected a mayor into office, as a majority cannot change a budget set by your Town Council proves its flawed. Secondly, the system of setting a budget is flawed for our town. How do you set a budget for something when you don’t have the money guaranteed or at the very least assured? We have done this in the past as a Town Council and will continue to do so as long as the system remains intact. If elected, I will continue to speak to this issue and fight for common sense government in our town that involves you. It is time for a new force to show that these directives can make our town a better place to live, grow and raise a family.

My own comments:

I will fight to:

• Grow the Grand List
• Revise the East Hartford Town Charter
• Make the Education system more accountable to the citizens

If anyone would like to email me feel free to use mspell@snet.net Thank you for your support! Please Vote for Eric Thompson for Town Council this November.

Thank you.