Meet Bob Hoffman, Candidate for Ellington First Selectman

Name: Bob Hoffman                                             

Age: 53

Family: Divorced father of three boys. Bradford, age 19, attending Manchester Community College. Jason, age 16, a senior at Ellington High School, and Eric, age 13, a freshman at Ellington High School.

Office Sought: First Selectman

Occupation: Police Officer

Education: 

Ellington High School

Naval School of Health Science

Attended Manchester Community College

Attended University of Connecticut 

Connecticut Municipal Police Academy

Connecticut Criminal Justice Academy (Distinguished Graduate Award) 

Government and/or other experience qualifying you for office:

Veteran United States Navy

Intern CT State House of Representatives

Asst. Scoutmaster, Troop 11

Chairman, Police Explorer Executive Committee

Vice Chairman Planning and Zoning Commission

Lieutenant, Connecticut Department of Correction

30 years as and Ellington Police Officer

8 years Planning and Zoning Commission (Vice Chair)

I have lived in this community all my life. I am proud of my community. As I watch how rapidly it grows I feel a responsibility to make sure Ellington does not lose its unique character. I have served the people of Ellington from my early years in the Rescue Post throughout my adult life with the Police Department and the Planning and Zoning Commission. It was on Planning and Zoning, working with the wonderful commissioners on that board, that I discovered I had a talent for finding creative solutions and gaining consensus. It has been my pleasure to listen to the people of Ellington and represent them on this Board. Now I feel ready to expand my role and represent them as First Selectman.

Major issues you are focusing on: Accessibility and communication, smart growth, and professionalizing personnel management

How you intend on addressing these issues:

Accessibility and Communication:

People deserve a voice in their town government. The most common complaint I have heard as I talk to people is that they don’t think anyone in government is listening to them. People feel shut out, important public forums were scheduled at the same time so they had to choose which one to attend. They want answers to their questions. They want their opinions and solutions heard. They want to know what is going on in their government. I will increase accessibility and will schedule carefully to make sure everyone is included. I will make sure information is shared and communication with the community improved. Under my administration all departments will answer e-mail and return phone calls.

Smart Growth: 

Ellington is growing rapidly; it has been one of the fastest growing towns in the state. Steps must be taken to reign in residential growth and attract commercial growth to expand the tax base so that we do not overburden taxpayers. Creative economic development strategies and partnerships are necessary to attract business to Ellington. I am proud that the Planning and Zoning Commission, on which I am proud to serve, has already taken meaningful steps to slow down residential development, while remaining farm and business friendly.

Professionalizing Personnel Management:

The town has no trained Human Resource professional. The town should consider contracting services through a human resources firm or having our own professional part time. In this complicated environment we must make sure we have the tools to properly develop our staff, while protecting employee rights and still having the tools necessary to ensure quality work. In the past the town has been forced to pay in labor settlements, but still has not corrected the problem.  Ellington currently spends for a Labor Attorney but not a human resource officer; this is similar to buying a fire extinguisher rather than fixing the wiring.