Robert Kenyon Frink II

Party affiliation: Democrat

Are you an incumbent for this seat? no

Campaign website:

Education/degrees: BSCE University of Connecticut; MBA Rensselaer Poly Tech

Occupation: Retired

Civic involvement: Past member of the Economic Development Commission and the Water Pollution Control Authority.

Current member of the Permanent School Building Committee

Endorsements:

Previous offices held and other government service: Retired Captain, Civil Engineer Corps, US Navy Reserve

What are the major issues for your town? I see 3 major issues.

We need to fully embrace the future in a meaningful way and not continue to allow day-to-day issues to consume all our energy in government. Embracing the future means having a vision for Groton and a roadmap to achieve that vision. It means being more efficient today and looking at how we are organized to be successful going forward.

The Phase II school construction program failed in referendum. Many of the problems that Phase II was going to solve remain and will have to be dealt with. These include the resolution of our middle school alignment, racial balancing and a number of outstanding school capital improvement projects, many of which are high priority.

Finally, sustaining and growing Groton’s economy is something that we must do. We need to use our own initiative as well as partnering with regional, state and federal leaders to keep Groton "business friendly" and the town “where people go to work”.

What makes you the best candidate for this office? First, my business and military experience provide me with the skills needed to be a Town Councilor. Second, I have volunteer experience with various town commissions including the Economic Development Commission and the Water Pollution Control Authority. I am a current member of the Permanent School Building Committee. Third, I will devote myself full time to the position of Town Councilor, giving it the time it requires and deserves.

What was the last book you read, and what did you think of it? The Wrong War by Bing West.

A great piece about our strategic and tactical errors in pursuing our national goals in Afghanistan, with a number of recommendations on how to achieve success. Mr West, a former Marine, spent considerable time on the ground. Further, he wrote passionately about the heroic efforts of Cpl Dakota Meyer who as we now know, recently received the Medal of Honor.