Name: Anna Wiedemann (D)

Address: 13 Clearview Drive

Age: 42

Occupation: Secretary in the guidance department at Newtown Middle School.

Education: Attended Queens College

Political Experience: I’ve been involved in the PTA for 11 years as PTA president for Sandy Hook, Newtown Middle School and Newtown High School. I’ve also been PTA Counsel President and involved in Junior Women’s Club.

Years In Town: 11

What is the best plan of development for the re-use of Fairfield Hills? I think either Becker and Becker or town purchase. My only fear is getting everyone to agree on what should and shouldn’t be there if we buy it, and leaving someone to run it and oversee it.

How do you feel about giving tax breaks to special groups: senior citizens, volunteer emergency personnel and new businesses?

The seniors are long overdue for getting a tax break, though you have to base it on need. The volunteers should be compensated for all the work that they do. We need to get new businesses into Newtown, so if a tax break would get them here, then I would support that.

What are Newtown’s three most pressing capital needs? How do we plan for them given the nearly $60 million worth of projects currently on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)?

A new school building, the Fairfield Hills decision and either relocating or building a new Town Hall.

What skills do you have for the job that will most benefit the town of Newtown?

I have knowledge of the needs regarding the school system, a working knowledge of budgets and budget requirements and the assertiveness to address a problem and find a solution.

Is there one aspect of Newtown’s government you would like to see changed?

We need to look at issues such as a charter revision and the role of the Board of Selectmen, perhaps concluding that we shouldn’t have a Board of Selectmen.

Why do you feel that you should be elected? I would like to bridge the gap between Legislative Council and the Board of Education.