Forum will seek answers on how to move forward without GE
FAIRFIELD — Fairfield University’s First Annual MPA Summit is a yearly public forum focusing on the issues and challenges of public administration in a global marketplace. The 2017 inaugural summit, Moving Forward in the Absence of GE, will be held at the Quick Center for the Arts on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., and will consider the political and economic impact of General Electric’s departure from Connecticut. The event is free and open to the public.
Moderated by News 12’s Tom Appleby, the summit will feature a Q & A session and a panel of state and local elected officials, business leaders and economists including: Rep. Cristin McCarthy-Vahey (D-133); Michael Tetreau, First Selectman of Fairfield; Timothy Herbst, First Selectman of Trumbull; Joseph McGee, VP of Public Policy & Programs for The Business Council of Fairfield County; Mark LeClair, Director, Master of Public Administration and professor of Economics at Fairfield University; Senator Tony Hwang (R-28); Rep. Laura Devlin (R-134); Rep. Brenda Kupchick (R-132) and Ken Flatto, City of Bridgeport Director of Finance/CFO.
“This MPA summit offers an opportunity for collaboration across governments and between business and community leaders and the public. With GE leaving, there is a lot of uncertainty,” said Fairfield’s MPA Director Mark LeClair. “The summit creates a space for politicians and the business community to discuss ways to move forward, and provides citizens a place to ask questions. Fairfield University is excited to offer a platform for intergovernmental collaboration and community engagement."
Tickets for the summit are free of charge and available through the Quick Center Box Office at boxoffice@quickcenter.com or 203-254-4010. The summit is co-sponsored by the Dolan Business School, College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Communication Program, and both the Economic and Political Science departments, and will run in partnership with the Quick Center for the Arts’ Open Vision Series.
Panelists:
State Senator Tony Hwang: Senator Tony Hwang represents Connecticut’s 28th Senatorial District, which includes the towns of Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. Senator Hwang serves as Co-Chair of the Housing Committee, Vice-Chair of the Aging Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee. He is also a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Planning and Development Committee and previously served as ranking member on the Housing and Labor and Public Employees committees, and as a member of the Commerce and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. Hwang won the State Representative seat for the 134th district in 2008 and in 2010 and 2012, he was re-elected by nearly 70% of the voting members in his district. In 2014, Hwang became the first Asian-Pacific American State Senator in Connecticut history. That year, he received the Legislative Champion Award from the Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs for his commitment to strengthening communities, youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. In 2015 and 2016, citing his environmental leadership, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters named Hwang a “Legislative Champion” in its Environmental Scorecard. Senator Hwang has also been recently recognized by CT Parent power for his efforts to support early childhood care, education, health and wellness.
Rep. Laura Devlin: State Representative Laura Devlin represents the 134th Assembly District, covering Fairfield and Trumbull. She began her second term in January 2017 and serves on the legislature’s committees on Transportation, Finance, Revenue and Bonding and she is the Ranking Republican on the Government Administration and Elections Committee. In her first term, Devlin has focused on tax policies, Connecticut’s transportation system and elections. She supports environmental legislation including a Long Island Sound Blue Plan to determine the full extent of the Long Island Sound’s resources and a State Constitutional Amendment to protect state-owned open space lands. Devlin worked to pass bi-partisan legislation protecting college students and parents by creating a ‘Student Loan Bill of Rights,’ as well as younger students with dyslexia who need additional support and help.
Rep. Brenda Kupchick: State Representative Brenda Kupchick was re-elected to her fourth term representing the 132nd District in Fairfield and Southport on November 2016. Kupchick serves on the legislature’s committees on the General Law, Finance, Revenue and Bonding, and also serves as the ranking member of the Housing Committee.Prior to her election, as State Representative, Kupchick served as an elected member of the Fairfield Representative Town Meeting from 1999-2003, and 2009-2010 serving as the Public Health and Safety Chairman. She was a member of Fairfield’s Board of Education from 2003-2009, and on the Fairfield Parks & Recreation Commission from 2004-2009. Kupchick is the founder of “One Voice,” an education advocacy group, and is a former member of the Fairfield Taxpayers Association.
Rep. Cristin McCarthy-Vahey: State Representative Cristin McCarthy-Vahey was elected in 2014 to serve Fairfield's 133rd Assembly District. She currently serves on the legislature's Education, Government Administration & Elections, and Transportation Committees. She was previously elected to Fairfield's Representative Town Meeting in 2005, where she served as Deputy Moderator and Minority Leader. McCarthy-Vahey received her party's annual Denise Dougiello Young Turk award in 2010 for her leadership on local, state and federal campaigns, and in 2011 was elected to the Fairfield Board of Selectmen. In the 2015 legislative session, McCarthy-Vahey was appointed to the permanent Commission on Economic Competitiveness, which analyzes the implications of state tax policy on business and industry. The commission develops policies and legislative recommendations that promote economic growth and prosperity in the state.
Michael Tetreau, First Selectman of Fairfield: Mike Tetreau has been proudly serving as Fairfield’s First Selectman since June, 2011. As a life-long Fairfield resident, Tetreau has a deep appreciation for the many different people who live here and all that the Town has to offer. His record of public service going back 20 years reflects his commitment to continuous improvement and the highest standards for the Town of Fairfield. As First Selectman of one of the State’s largest communities, Tetreau’s strong financial leadership in Fairfield has resulted in the lowest tax increases in recent years, while providing key town services. Under Tetreau’s management, Fairfield is home to one of the best education systems in the state, some of the busiest libraries in the state, a revitalized Senior Center and a thriving downtown with an array of fine restaurants and businesses.
Timothy Herbst, First Selectman of Trumbull: On November 3, 2009, Timothy M. Herbst was elected First Selectman, becoming the youngest elected First Selectman in Trumbull’s history. At the age of 29, Mr. Herbst’s historic election capped more than a decade of public service. Before his election as First Selectman, Herbst served as a member and Chairman of the Trumbull Planning & Zoning Commission. As Chairman, Herbst developed an ability to bring parties together, forge consensus and achieve positive results for the people of Trumbull. While working to grow Trumbull’s tax base, Herbst has also worked hard to protect the character of Trumbull. Herbst successfully led the Trumbull Planning & Zoning Commission through a comprehensive revision of the Town’s Plan of Conservation & Development for the first time in 22 years and the Trumbull Zoning Regulations for the first time in more than 60 years. The changes implemented under Herbst’s leadership as Chairman have promoted economic development while maintaining even stronger protection of our residential neighborhoods.
Joseph McGee, VP of Public Policy & Programs for The Business Council of Fairfield County: JosephMcGee has worked extensively with the business community, civic organizations and government officials in the areas of economic development, transportation, housing, energy conservation, environment and tax and fiscal policy. He is currently Co-Chair of the Commission on Economic Competitiveness and a member of the Commission on Judicial Selection. Before joining the Business Council of Fairfield County, McGee was Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic Development, Chairman of the Connecticut Development Authority and Chairman of Connecticut Innovations, Inc. from 1990-1994. He served as Vice President at People’s Bank between 1979 and 1990. Prior to joining People’s Bank, McGee served as Staff Director for Congressman Stewart McKinney in Washington, D.C. from 1971 to 1978.
Mark LeClair, PhD, MPA Director, Fairfield University: Mark LeClair received his BA in Economics from Colgate University in 1980, an MA in Economics from Northeastern University in 1983, and his PhD in Economics from Rutgers University in 1987. He joined Fairfield University's faculty in 1988, received tenure and promotion to associate professor in 1993 and in 2005, he was promoted to full professor. Dr. LeClair's research has focused on the causes of commodity price instability and some of the methods by which that instability can be reduced. His 2000 book on cartels examined how collusion in commodity markets influenced markets. Subsequent published work has focused on the related topics of Fair Trade, the use of commodity money to stabilize prices, and use of the tax system to eliminate price swings. Currently, LeClair has returned to the topic of cartels and is researching the latest round of cartels impacting markets in Europe and the U.S.
Ken Flatto, City of Bridgeport Director of Finance/CFO: Ken Flatto serves as the City of Bridgeport’s Director of Finance/CFO. Prior to his current position, Flatto was Executive Director of the Division of Special Revenue for the State of Connecticut. He served as Fairfield’s First Selectman for 12 years until 2011. Under Flatto’s leadership as First Selectman, twelve balanced budgets were administered and he led audits and cost savings initiatives, saving over $3 million per year through restructuring, management efficiencies and negotiated collective bargaining givebacks. Prior to serving as Fairfield's First Selectman, Flatto served as the Chief Financial Officer for Orangetown, New York and Comptroller and Deputy Commissioner for the City of Yonkers.
