Meet the Candidates: Judith Hotz, Former School Nurse, Seeks Re-Election to the BOE

Name: Judith L. Hotz

Years of residence in Branford: I have lived in Branford for 31 years.  My three children attended and graduated from Branford Schools.

Party affiliation: I am a Republican.

Position Running For: Member of the Branford Board of Education. 

Branford Patch: When you’re not sitting in committee and full meetings, what are you doing? i.e. work and fun? 
Judith L. Hotz: In my free time I participate in book, bridge, mah jongg clubs and volunteer  in community organizations.  I enjoy being invited to attend classroom presentations  and  other school events, to see how our schools operate.

Branford Patch: How many years have you been a sitting member of Branford politics? 
Judith L. Hotz: I have been involved in politics since I retired from nursing at Murphy School six years ago. I became actively involved in politics as a candidate for the BOE 6 years ago.

Branford Patch: What’s your 10-second elevator pitch for getting elected? 
Judith L. Hotz: I have tried to make a difference in how the Board of Education and the schools operate and I would like to continue to move the BOE in a forward direction.  I have always been aware of my responsibility to the taxpayers and the town’s ability to pay. I will continue to work for excellence in education.

Branford Patch: What’s one thing right about Branford politics? 
Judith L. Hotz: I believe that most people involved in Branford politics are trying to improve the lives of our citizens. However, there are many approaches to doing this and the majority approach is not always right.  I believe that too often majority politics does not recognize the best interest of the taxpayers. There needs to be less of a majority party rule.  We need to have more independent minded candidates.

Branford Patch: What’s one thing you’d like to see changed? 
Judith L. Hotz: I would like to see more thought, analysis and plannin put into decisions. i.e. The old post office land swap, moving the BOE, and relocation of the senior center.  These projects appear to have been poorly planned, resulting in their being dropped.

Branford Patch: Regardless of your party affiliation, can you name one good thing about the current First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos and one good thing about his challenger, Joy McConnell? 
Judith L. Hotz: Although I disagree with many of his decisions, it seems that during Irene Mr. DaRos did a great job managing the town’s resources and recovery.  He should utilize this approach to improve Branford. JOY represents an honest, fiscally responsible, refreshing new approach to an open and responsive government.

Branford Patch: What’s one piece of advice you would give apathetic voters about the importance of casting his or her ballot? 
Judith L. Hotz: In the past few years across the town slate many elections have been decided by a very small margin.  Wouldn’t you like to put your choices into office?

Branford Patch: What’s the one thing that you like best about Branford?
Judith L. Hotz: Branford has a small town feel but delivers many of the benefits of a much bigger town. Our town center is a gem along the shoreline. Branford offers great cultural events, dining, community services & organizations, great schools and a strong residential and commercial mix.

Branford Patch: Why did you decide to for re-election? 
Judith L. Hotz: Although it is difficult at times and requires a lot of time, I have enjoyed my term on the Board.  I believe I have made difference by developing policies which provide for a great  education for all our students while mindful of fiscal restraints.  I would like to be re-elected in order to complete many of the projects that the Board has begun. With advancing technology and fiscal restraints this is a very challenging  and dynamic  time for education.  I believe that I can be a valuable member of the Board in the next six years.

Meet Board of Education Candidate John R. Prins for six-year term tomorrow night and two-year term candidate Mary N. Grande. Six-year-term candidate Peter A. Berdon-R and two-year-term candidate Lori A. Fogler-Nicholson-R did not fill out Q&As.

Did you miss the stories on the candidates for selectman’s office? Check out the profiles below: