Meet the Darien selectman candidates
Here are the candidates running for first selectman or selectman in Darien.
Republican First Selectman candidate Monica McNally and Republican selectman candidate Jon Zagrodzky did not submit responses to the below questionnaire sent by Hearst Connecticut Media. Christian Noe will again appear on the ballot as a petitioning candidate for first selectman.
Voters will be asked to choose one first selectman candidate and two selectman candidates. Tara Ochman Party/ office: Democrat, First Selectman Age: 44 Current job: n/a
Education: Joel Barlow High School, Lafayette College-Government & Law
Elected offices held/ community groups:
Chairman of the Board of Education (three years), Member, Board of Education (five years), Chairman Council of Darien School Parents, Chairman of Ox Ridge PTO, Vice Chair Ox Ridge, Trustee of the Darien Library (six years), Member, St. Luke's Parish School Management Board (nine years) Darien Youth Field Hockey coach (three years)
The top issue you will address if elected: Keeping taxes under control. For our town to maintain our low mill rate, we must have a First Selectman with experience and an understanding of fiscal responsibility and strategic budgeting, still able to get results. I have practiced both on the BOE and will do the same if elected First Selectman.
Family: Married to husband Charlie with three children.
Campaign website: TaraOchmanforDarien.com Michael Burke
Party/ office sought: Democrat, Board of Selectmen
Age: 59 Current job: Sr. Trial Attorney with Brody O'Connor & O'Connor
Education: Scarsdale High School, BA at Skidmore Collge, JD at Fordham University School of Law
Elected offices held: Darien RTM (2009-14), Darien Board of Education (2014-20)
The top issue you will address if elected: Darien needs to address infrastructure issues including flood mitigation. As a member of the RTM, we approved flood mitigation studies that the administration ignored. The administration even dismissed the committee studying the problem! It is well past the time for town leadership to resolve this issue. Darien deserves better.
Family: Married to wife Kathleen with twin sons who are now college freshmen
Campaign website: mikeandsarahforbos.com
Marcy Minnick
Party/ office: Republican, Board of Selectmen Age: 43 Current job: CEO of Excello Tool Engineering and MFG Milford.
Education: Wilbraham Monson Academy, Randolph-Macon College
Elected offices held: RTM (Planning Zoning and Housing Committee), Board of Directors at Inspirica (Governance and Strategic Planning Committee), Vice President ManufactureCT (Legislative Committee), Girls Scout Troop Leader, Former Ox Ridge PTO Social Chair
The top issue you will address if elected: Safety and security for our children and families in town is at the top of my agenda. This includes public safety, walkability, anti-bullying and diversity and inclusion. I want our families to feel safe and secure as they move through town and raise their children.
Family: Married to husband Emanuel with three children: Teagan (freshman at Darien High), Tenley (fifth grade Ox Ridge Elementary), Tymon (second grade Ox Ridge Elementary)
Campaign website: https://www.darien republicans.com
Sarah Neumann
Party/ office: Democrat, Board of Selectmen (Incumbent) Age: 49
Current job: Office Manager/The Strategy Group, LLC
Education: Daniel Hand High School, Saint Michael's College
Elected offices held: Board of Selectmen; RTM; Co-Chairs of the Hindley and DHS PTOs; President of the Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk Inc.
The top issue you will address if elected: Going forward, I strongly believe that Darien needs to focus on infrastructure, with immediate focus on solutions to the extensive flooding issues. We failed our residents by waiting too long to address these concerns. We need to keep our residents safe.
Family: Married to husband James with two daughters: Emma, 20 and a college junior, and Abigail, 16 and a high school junior.