Meet Maurice Blanchette, Candidate for Ellington First Selectman

Name: Maurice W. Blanchette

Age: 65

Family: Married, wife Mary. Three grown independent daughters

Office Sought: First Selectman

Occupation: Current Ellington First Selectman

Education: Bachelor of Science (Engineering Physics), University of Maine

Government and/or other experience qualifying you for office: First Selectman 2009-present

- Board of Education 1994-2009, 8 years as Chairman

- BOE Finance Committee Chairman 2003-2009

- BOE Policy Committee 2003-2009

- Served on many BOE ad-hoc committees including union negotiations, major school facilities, and two superintendent search committees

- Employed 35 years with Trans-Tek in Ellington, starting as engineer, and ultimately serving as President for 9 years

- Resident of Ellington since 1977

As First Selectman for the past two years I've worked with the residents to make their opinions count and to get budgets passed in spite of the tough economic climate and resulting federal and state budget uncertainties.

Looking forward to our future, I've saved the Town more than one million dollars over the next decade by refinancing the Town's bonds, while not extending payments. 

As I did in my prior professional life and work on the Board of Education, I've brought a fiscally prudent, but optimistic attitude and management style to Town government. 

We need to continue that approach by focusing on basic needs and maintaining Ellington's infrastructure until the economy improves significantly."

It takes more than time served to make a successful leader. I've demonstrated leadership as First Selectman for the past two years, as Chairman of the Ellington Board of Education and as President of a successful company.

My business style is simple. First, pick competent people who are right for the job, give them the tools to do the work in a professional way, and treat everyone, both employees and customers, in a fair, honest and forthright way.

Second, promptly identify what needs to be done, even in tough situations, and take timely, decisive action to do it.

I brought a 'most-bang-for-the-buck', 'can-do' attitude and business management style to Town government during a very tough period, and we need to continue concentrating on basic needs until the economy and unemployment turn around and improve our income.”