Q&A: Town Council Candidate Naomi Rodriguez

Note: In the days leading up to Election Day, the Ledyard Patch will run short profiles of all town candidates for council and board of education, along with their responses to three questions that we asked. Election Day is Nov. 8.

Name:  Naomi Rodriguez

Age: 47

Education: University of California, Riverside

Current Work Experience: Housewife/Volunteer/Community Activist

Civic/Political Experience: Planning Commission member (since 2008 - present); Dow Chemical Community Advisory Panel member (2005 - present); Charter Commission member (2009); Energy/Green ad hoc committee member (2009); Agricultural ad hoc committee member (2009); Justice of the Peace; League of Women Voters member; Co-Founding member of Ledyard District-Wide Recycling Program in the Ledyard Public Schools (2008 - present); Ledyard High School ECOS Club Coordinator (2011); Ledyard Center School Green Team member (2009 - present); Ledyard Center School PTO Volunteer (2007 - present); Ledyard Center School Classroom Volunteer (2007 - present)

Family: Happily married. Son attends Ledyard Center School and Italian exchange student attends Ledyard High School.

1. Why are you running for this office?

I am running for Town Council because I would like to see value for our tax dollars, quality education, better communication between the Mayor/Town Council and improved economic development. It is imperative that we have communication and collaboration between the Town Council and Mayor in order to manage our town effectively, especially during these difficult economic times. It is my goal to do my best for the town. I hope to have the privilege of serving my community.

2. What do you believe is the greatest challenge Ledyard faces today, and what would you do to meet this challenge?

1. Quality schools,
2. Value for our tax dollars,
3. Economic Development/improvement of the Route 12 corridor and 117 corridor and,
4. Greater transparency in town government

The town government needs to attract new business in order to lower the tax burden. If we have excellent schools then more parents will move to Ledyard for the school system. The only indicator for parents that a school is excellent are test scores and low student/teacher ratios. CMT test scores are on the rise and so far Ledyard has maintained low student/teacher ratios. If you maintain an excellent school system then more people will choose to live in Ledyard/Gales Ferry, thus lowering the tax burden. All of this will give us value for our tax dollars, but only if our elected officials spend the money wisely. I would do my best to make the best decisions possible in regards to the town and try to address the issues/challenges that face Ledyard/Gales Ferry.

3. How would you rate the performance of the current council overall, and what, if anything, would you do differently?

I believe the current council has worked very hard for this town and has genuinely tried their best, which is all that they can do. I would not be afraid to speak my mind or roll up my sleeves to do the work. I am a great listener, communicator, organizer, delegator and troubleshooter. I have experience serving on the Planning Commission, Dow Chemical Community Advisory Panel and volunteering in the schools. Residents of Ledyard/Gales Ferry have concerns and they want their voices heard – I know how they feel. I want the residents to know that I want feedback from them and to feel free to contact me at Naocry@comcast.net. I hope to have the privilege of serving my community.