To the Editor:
The Board of Finance is an important arm of the Monroe Town Government. It provides oversight and guidance for the budget process and expenditures throughout the fiscal year. Working with the First Selectman’s Office and Town Council, the Board of Finance should be cognizant of the needs of the Town and ensure public transparency throughout this process.
As candidates for Board of Finance seats, we would be honored to take on this opportunity. We bring a fresh perspective backed by 60 collective years of experience in accounting and finance leadership roles in both Corporate and public accounting.
Our achievements have delivered balanced budgets and responsible spending while providing a high level of accountability and professionalism. We have worked through complex accounting and business scenarios in the public, private and government spaces to drive growth and quantifiable results.
We will ask tough questions to ensure that taxpayer revenue is appropriated to best serve our community. Are we focusing on economic development to bring in town revenues through business sales? Are we preserving our open spaces to expand the beauty of our town? Are we supporting our teachers and students as the quality of education is a cornerstone of Monroe?
The answers to these questions and much more should come together to justify our tax rates while keeping Monroe one of the most desirable communities in the area.
Our motivation for running is not limited to what our financial backgrounds bring to the board, but our desire to support the town we have decided to call home and our firm belief that our values will align with our fellow residents.
Let us introduce ourselves:
Samantha Spino
When my husband and I moved to Connecticut from the D.C. Metro area seven years ago, we had a lot of flexibility with where we wanted to plant our roots and grow our family. We chose Monroe because of the strong community, beautiful open spaces, and fantastic schools.
I feel great raising my kids here and supporting the friendly local businesses, but I always wanted to do more to contribute to this great town. I am so excited to have the opportunity to give back to Monroe using the skills I have honed throughout my career as a CPA.
Mary Hall
Before retiring in 2018, I spent 45 years in GE and Genpact in various financial positions; a career that gave me both challenges and opportunities. With retirement settled in and no longer providing elderly family care, my husband and I decided to stay in Monroe as it provides a perfect balance of New England charm and acts as a convenient corridor to so much more. We built our home and a life here, 21 years ago, and now want to work with others to support our town and help it grow and flourish.
Together, the sum of our experiences will bring balance to the Board of Finance by ensuring alternate perspectives and the views of our residents are heard. We are two clear voices that will use our conscience, integrity, and strong work ethic as our guide to deliver transparent fiscal results and continued prosperity for Monroe.
Samantha Spino and Mary Hall
Democratic candidates for Board of Finance
