Carol Ann Manning
Party affiliation: Democrat
Are you an incumbent for this seat? No
Campaign website: http://www.OldSaybrookDemocrats.com
Education/degrees: EdB in Secondary Mathematics & Science, cum laude, Rhode Island College
MS in Biology, Umass-Amherst
Occupation: Former educator, grades 7-12 Science/math coordinator; Currently Selectwoman
Civic involvement: Founding and current member of Heating Emergency Assistance Team (HEAT)
Member of Old Saybrook Historical Society-worked on 375th Family Celebration
Member of Old Saybrook Land Trust-helped obtain additional grant money
Secretary of the Senior Agenda Consortium (Rhode Island)
Endorsements: Old Saybrook Democratic Town Committee
Previous offices held and other government service: Current minority member of the Board of Selectman
Grant writer & administrator for two grants under the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs
What are the major issues for your town? How does Old Saybrook make the transition to a more efficient, transparent and approachable form of government?
I have a vision and specific plans for the way to make this transition happen.
The basics include the following:
1) Enhance fiscal responsibility and accountability
2) Provide good government services from fair taxation
3) Lead a government that respects and listens to voters
4) Support quality education for our public schools
5) Protect the environment and our quality of life
Some important shifts can be made predominately with a change in attitude.
Other changes will take more time and careful re-organization of the “silo/chimney” structure used today to a more efficient and effective “process driven” structure capable of responding to future needs.
What makes you the best candidate for this office? With my on-the-job experience as Selectman, I am the only candidate who has been part of the process of formulating budgets and dealing with issues. In my former career, I had 5 years experience evaluating staff, planning and conducting meetings and preparing complex budgets with purchase orders. I have repeatedly demonstrated a respect for the opinions of all residents, including those who may disagree with me. My record for the past two years shows service under difficult circumstances. I have not been part of the “old buddy system”. As First Selectman, the slogan “working for all the good people in our great town” without regard to political party affiliation will have meaning.
What was the last book you read, and what did you think of it? I just finished reading The Last Oracle by James Rollins. I loved it! It is a fast moving,adventure novel which takes real science into the realm of science fiction. Throughout the novel the action smoothly shifts locations from the Washington, D.C. to northern India to Romania and the Ukraine. The author of this “New York Times” best seller also
engages the reader with his link of the past (Greece in A.D. 398) to the present including Chernobyl after the nuclear meltdown. For me, it was a chance to relax from stress.
CAROL ANN MANNING
Email: cmanning@town.oldsaybrook.ct.us
Address: 442 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Marital Status/Children: single/no children
Age on Election Day: 67
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