Name: Will Rodgers (R)

Address: 208 Hattertown Road.

Age: 39

Occupation: General practice attorney since 1985 - Sugarbrook Law Center.

Education: BA and AM from Pennsylvania University. JD from Boston University.

Political Experience: Three-year incumbent to Legislative Council. Former chairman Hattertown Historic District. Member ad hoc Elderly Tax Relief Committee.

Years in Newtown: 7

What is the best plan of development for the re-use of Fairfield Hills? I have not seen the best proposal in any of the three yet. Certainly, Becker and Becker has the best proposal. I would like to see a bigger, light-impact, commercial presence up there, at least as one component. All have residential housing as their core. What we’re sliding toward is the town possibly buying it.

How do you feel about giving tax breaks to special groups: senior citizens, volunteer emergency personnel and new businesses? For senior citizens, I am in favor of some token measure of tax relief. These won’t keep people in town; it’s more of a recognition thing. I would lean toward across-the-board relief for all seniors given that the amount in savings will be modest. I am in favor of tax breaks for volunteers, and I am strongly in favor of breaks for new businesses. We need an incentive program to be competitive.

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)? 5/6 school, municipal, administrative space and a centralized public safety center. Fairfield Hills helps to address all three. We have to wait for the Fairfield Hills process to unfold before we can move forward.

What skills do you have for the job that will most benefit the Town of Newtown? As a three-year council member, I bring a small measure of experience to the board. Also, my legal background enables me to perform the functions of the council’s ordinance committee.

Why do you feel you should be reelected?

I think I have the experience to take on a number of issues that will come to fruition, issues that have been in play for several years. Now is not the time to expand the learning curve by bringing new people into the equation. I think I’ve done a good job to earn the voters’ trust. We’ve had some big school increases, but we have managed to keep the mill rate at the rate of inflation.

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

I would like to see town offices centralized. The system as it stands is a little unwieldy and inefficient.