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Kim Pereira

Running for Town Council

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Party: Democrat

CEP Status:

Website: http://avonctdems.org/pereiratc/

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Current Residence: Avon

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Education: Ed.D.

What is the most pressing local issue facing your community and how would you solve it (within the capacity of the office for which you are running)?
As a candidate for Town Council, my primary goals include transparency in governance, a stronger focus on long-term strategic planning, fostering a welcoming community, and preserving our open spaces. We also need more balance in our town’s governance.
Why are you running for this office?
I was motivated to get involved in local government after last year's national election. I believe that I can add a new perspective and fresh leadership to the Town Council in a way that would benefit all residents of Avon.
With the state's ongoing budget crisis looming over the election, what are your plans for your community's budget? Is there anything you can do make your town less dependent on revenue from the state?
In order to preserve our property values, it is time to think more deeply about what we want our schools to provide, what Route 44 could possibly look like in the future, how our trails and parks can be improved to be more accessible and to increase utilization, and how to figure out how to move the town center project forward in a positive way. I believe it is important to investigate environmental innovations and regionalization opportunities for our town that can lead to cost savings without reducing the quality of our services.
The legislature has been debating various ideas to allow towns to raise revenue locally through something other than property taxes. If you could ease your residents' property tax burden by adding another method of taxation, is there anything you might consider for your town?
As I mention above, I believe it is important to investigate environmental innovations and regionalization opportunities for our town that can lead to cost savings without reducing the quality of our services. Addressing the needs of the community does not require raising taxes. Instead, it involves creatively thinking about what we want Avon to look like in the future.
Are you in favor of regionalizing more services in conjunction with other nearby communities? If so, which ones?
Yes, there are many different services that could possibility be regionalized within the Farmington Valley. I think a comprehensive review of the various town services is essential to determine the redundancies that could benefit from regionalization without reducing quality.
Should your school district get the same amount of education funding from the state if your district's enrollment is dropping?
The school enrollments in Avon are actually increasing and the amount of funding we have received from the state in the past has been very small.
What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I have lived internationally in Singapore, Argentina, England, and Canada.