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05/15/2017 12:00 AMAfter 10 years of service on the Board of Selectman, Cindy Cartier will be taking a ‘time out' this election cycle. “It has been a tremendous honor serving the citizens of Guilford for close to 20 years. Although I have been asked to run for another term, the demands of my growing law firm, Cartier & Bower, LLC have increased significantly since we opened our doors 3 years ago,” said Cartier. “So, I have decided not to seek reelection to the BOS this year to allow me to spend more time focusing on our law practice and newly formed mediation business, CT Mediation & Arbitration Services, LLC. I am privileged to work in town serving families, seniors, veterans and small businesses throughout the State."
Cindy Cartier dedicated herself to public service since moving to Guilford with her husband, Rich, in 1998 after serving on the Legislative Council in Hamden. At 33, she began her service on the Planning and Zoning Commission in 1999. She served on the Commission through 2004 becoming its Chairman and overseeing the completion of the Rt. 1 East/West Rezoning. She then went on to serve on the Board of Education from 2005 through 2007 and was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2007 serving three consecutive terms. During this time, she and her husband, Rich, added 3 children to their family – Joey, 14, an 8th grader at Adams Middle School; Samantha, 5, soon to be a Kindergartener at Lakes School; and Charlotte, 3. “Working with my colleagues and Town employees, we have been able to accomplish much over the years moving Guilford in a positive direction,” said Cartier. “With a few gray hairs added over this time, I am proud of my service on the PZC where we rezoned Rt. 1 for future development resulting in an increased tax base; my service on the BOE heading the Policy Committee revamping the policy manual and passing a wellness policy for the betterment of our children as well as implementing long range plans for technology and facilities and participating on the Task Force to build our new high school; and my service on the BOS, which included significantly improving the long term fiscal health of the Town and heading up the Health Committee implementing a wellness program resulting in thousands of dollars of health care savings for the town. These accomplishment were all the result of sharing creative ideas, encouraging collaboration among fellow volunteers, listening to Town residents' opinions and concerns, and doing what is in the best interests of our community,” added Cartier.
Cindy has also seen public service change considerably over the past 20 years becoming more divisive than ever, while women remain in the minority. “For many of our elected officials, it has become more about staying in power than about serving those that elected you in the first place,” said Cartier. “During most of my public service, I was the only woman serving on that particular board. For the past 4 years, I have been the only female on the BOS. During my service on the BOE, women were also in the minority and while serving on the PZC, I was the only woman as well. I hope to encourage more women to get involved by either running for office or serving on a board. Only then will we be able to find meaningful solutions for our entire community.”
“I have been honored to spend almost 16 years on the PZC. It was Cindy who invited me to join the PZC in 2001,” said Ray Bower. “I have been a friend of Cindy's and her family ever since and her business partner for the last four years. I am amazed at the energy level that Cindy has displayed over these years and her ability to juggle her political, community, work and family responsibilities so effectively. Cindy has contributed so much to the Town we love in so many ways. I thank her so much for her effort on behalf of the Town and wish her the best in whatever future roles she decides to play to make Guilford become an even greater community than it is today.”
“Having worked with a multitude of Boards of Education over the years involving a huge degree of politics, Cindy always put politics aside and was truly about the kids,” said Former Guilford Superintendent Tom Forcella. “She was innovative in her leadership spearheading the movement of our schools from good to great. It was an honor to have worked with her.”
“During our period of service on the Guilford BOE, Cindy Cartier was always a wise, outspoken and strong advocate for our children,” said Dr. Louis Iorio and former Board of Education Member. “She continually demonstrated a unique and scarcely seen ability to combine wisdom, insight and innovation to effectively overcome the challenges we faced as a community. She went on to demonstrate this same quality during her service on the Board of Selectmen. She always places people before politics even when confronting those of her own political affiliation. It was inspiring to work with her!”
“Working with towns throughout the State, Cindy had the foresight to implement a wellness program ahead of the curve saving our Town thousands of dollars,” said resident Dede Colcord. “Although we will miss her service on the BOS, we are encouraged with her commitment to our citizens.”
Cartier also has an accomplished a record of service on a multitude of nonprofit organizations including MJ Petretto Foundation, Sarah, Inc., Orchard House, Soundview YMCA, Shoreline Eldercare Alliance, Corporator for the American School for the Deaf, Shoreline Senior Area Network, WFLC where she currently serves as a volunteer attorney, Guilford Rotary and Branford Exchange. She started a Yoga on the Beach program dedicating her yoga teaching to raise over $15,000 for the Chittenden Scholarship Program. In 2010, she founded the Guilford High School Debate Team, coaching and supporting the Team financially. Her efforts helped Team members receive countless awards. She expanded Guilford Clean-Up Day, which has evolved into an Earthfest event for the town. These are just a few of the many accomplishments she has achieved through her years of service in Guilford.
“I had the honor of getting to know Cindy as a resident and appreciated her advocacy for our town and schools as well as small businesses,” said Guilford Resident and Veteran Donald Pritchard. “After a major health crisis, she was there for my family helping me to sell my business and secure disability and veteran benefits. She was our saving grace never giving up and handling the matter pro bono. I always said that Cindy is the type of person that if there is a 10 ft wall that she needs to climb over, she will get a 12 ft ladder – in a hurry.”
“Since Cindy's return to local practice just a few short years ago, she has earned a solid reputation in the legal community for being a tenacious and fair advocate for her clients. I have referred a number of people in need of assistance with family and elder issues to Cindy. Due to the significant personal nature of clients' needs in these areas, it is extremely important that they have diligent and responsive counsel. I have heard nothing but praise for Cindy and her ability to focus on her clients' best interests and lead them to a good result in an efficient way,” said Jennifer Coppola, an attorney and Guilford resident.
Cindy's appointment to the CT Commission on Women, Children and Seniors (CWCS) in 2015 has also shifted her focus to State issues. “With the dismal fiscal environment of our State increasing challenges for our citizens, the needs of our citizens are greater than ever. My appointment to the CWCS coupled with the work in my legal practice have increased my desire to find solutions to the greatest challenge we face at this time in Connecticut - decreasing revenues and increasing costs,” said Cartier. “Families are moving out of our State in record numbers. We need to stop the bleeding and turn it around to make Connecticut a healthy and vibrant community once again. My experience working with families, seniors, veterans and small businesses allows me to advocate for programs that can improve our path forward. I look forward to helping chart a path of fiscal solvency in these turbulent times.”
“Cindy has been someone who continues to touch so many lives,” said State Representative Noreen Kokoruda. “It's been an honor to work with her. Her thoughtful and intelligent approach to critical issues is so needed in community service. Whatever she decides to do in the future, I'm sure that she will contribute to our shoreline towns and our State. Truthfully, I can't wait to hear what's next for her…and us!”
In making this decision, Cindy also took into consideration the needs of her growing family. “Twenty years ago, I never expected to have three children and be changing diapers at 51. God laughs as we make plans,” smiles Cartier. “All of my children attended board meetings as infants in carriers and have logged in countless hours on my lap or by my side as I met with residents, attended various functions and marched in parades. I hope that I am instilling in them the importance of volunteerism because our society can't function without volunteers who are willing to support their communities through service.”
“My wife has opened our doors for countless people in our community and never tires while helping our neighbors,” states her husband, Rich. “As most would agree, she works harder than anyone. She often returns to the office after putting our children to bed and works until 2 or 3 in the morning, coming home to sleep a few hours and then gets up to take care of our family, the house and her business commitments - never skipping a beat.”
Cindy has appreciated greatly the outpouring of support she has received during her tenure of service and encourages you to stop by her office for a cup of coffee and some conversation. She can be reached at (203)458-1477 or ccartier@cartierbower.com.