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Addressing the Challenges

My name is Mike Bender and I am excited to be nominated for the Old Saybrook Planning Commission by the Old Saybrook Democratic Town Committee. Currently, I am serving as an alternate member of this commission. With your readers’ support, I am looking forward to continuing the important work that we do.

Old Saybrook is a vibrant community with many neighborhoods, great schools, a classic New England town center, thriving businesses, and unmatched natural resources. The Planning Commission is tasked with preserving and developing our town in a responsible way for current and future residents while addressing the challenges facing our town. I believe that the greatest challenges facing our town are rising sea levels due to climate change and high housing prices that make it difficult for young families, essential workers, and retirees to live and work in a town that they love.

After graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, I have worked in information technology as a system administrator, project manager, technical architect, and now as a senior principal engineer. In this field, as in life, having a long-term plan is important. The opportunity to use my experience in systems analysis, design, and planning is what drew me to serve on the Planning Commission.

My wife, Kate Bender, and I chose to make Old Saybrook our home in 2016. We have two young children in the town schools, have been active with the Goodwin PTA, and enjoy the many outdoor activities that Old Saybrook offers.

As a member of the Planning Commission, I take my responsibility very seriously. I appreciate and take into consideration the comments, needs, and concerns of all constituents in Old Saybrook. I encourage your readers to vote for me in the town election this November.

Mike Bender

Old Saybrook

Planning Commission alternate Democrat Michael Bender is seeking a full seat on that commission.