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08/04/2015 04:45 PMJoan Walker, Madison’s Democratic candidate for first selectman, said she’ll put public service ahead of politics to achieve her goals for the town. She also believes her slate’s combination of experience would serve the town well with the departure of three-term First Selectman Fillmore McPherson n November.
Al Goldberg and Scott Gyllesten are the Democratic nominees for selectmen. Walker noted Goldberg’s 10 years serving the town on the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen (BOS), including a term as first selectman, and Gyllesten’s four years with the Board of Finance.
“We are strong as a slate and have a good range of perspective for the town,” said Walker, who has been on the BOS for four years. “I thought it was a good opportunity to take it to the next level. I’ve seen what’s worked well and what hasn’t worked so well.”
Walker plans to focus on several issues, if elected: looking at the downtown area, especially the library campus; supporting the Board of Education; and improving government efficiency.
“I personally support the library effort because it’s an integral part of any town with the books and the technology,” said Walker. “I’ve pledged to bring the Board of Education budget to people for their vote because they have a thoughtful process and they’re the experts. They always bring a reasonable budget that deserves the support of the town.”
In the wake of numerous town meetings failing to meet the attendance quorum needed to advise the BOS, Walker’s goal is to disseminate more information to the townspeople so the town meeting form of government can be more effective. She sees the job of first selectman as representing the town.
“I want to giver the townspeople [an opportunity] to be more informed so we can have better discussions,” said Walker. “We need to allow the people to really have a voice in the discussion—it’s not that the five people elected know best. We should be hearing the public’s opinion.
“I want to hold people accountable and to bring some more transparency to what we do,” she said.
Walker also stressed the importance of maintaining a multi-generational community and hopes to be able to freeze taxes for seniors in need.
“Madison is a well-to-do town, but there are still people that need our support,” said Walker. “Senior tax relief has worked in Durham and Guilford and there’s no reason it can’t work in Madison. For people who have lived here 30 to 40 years and given financial support and volunteered in the community to have to sell their homes because they can’t afford their taxes is not fair.”
In addition to serving on the BOS for the past four years, Walker has also volunteered with several organizations, including Madison Youth & Family Services, the Economic Development Commission, Friends of Madison Youth, Night in Hand, and the Jeffrey School book fair. She was also a CCD teacher at St. Margaret’s and a parent volunteer for Madison Alcohol & Drug Education Coalition.
Walker also co-owns Unapen, Inc., with her husband Joseph and David Gemma, a childhood friend. Their company designs software for financial service companies. Walker, who has an economics degree from College of the Holy Cross, focuses on business analysis and is the treasurer of the corporation.
While Walker would remain on the Board of Directors of Unapen if elected, she would focus her efforts on the town.
“Day in and day out would be completely devoted to being first selectman,” said Walker.
Walker and her husband have two children, 17-year-old Christopher and 13-year-old Melissa. For now, though, her focus is on winning the first selectman seat.
“I want people to understand that I’m not a politician—I may have been on the Board of Selectmen for four years, but I’m more of a public servant,” said Walker. “I want to be there for them, listen to their needs, and make things happen in the most positive and effective way. I don’t like the negative happening at the national level. At the local level we need to focus on where we come together. I’ve worked with the selectmen in the other party and brought positive ideas and changes to the public and want to take it to the next level.”