Meet the Candidate: Jan Rubino

Name: Jan Rubino

Age: 57

Party and position running for: Democrat, running for Town Council

Family Info: Married to Bob Rubino, 2 Step daughters, Rachel and Nicole

Previous Political Experience:  Served on Board of Education 3 years, Zoning Board of Appeals 1 year; Previously Treasurer of the Tolland Democratic Town Committee for several years, Previously Secretary of the Tolland Democratic Town Committee for several years.

Other Experience: Current Board Member, Arts of Tolland; Served 3 years as Treasurer for Tolland Garden Paths; Currently a member of the Tolland Conservation Corps. Served in the United States Army 1973-1980, and with the Army Security Agency in Augsburg Germany from 1973 – 1977. MOS: Personnel Specialist and rank, E5. Received 3 Army Commendation Medals for Meritorious service during that time.

I am self-employed as a Certified Bookkeeper (freelance).

Why are you running for office? 

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt called to participate in my community and country. I believe I have the skill set to work with other community leaders in making decisions that are good for the citizens of our town.

What, in your opinion, is Tolland's biggest issue? 

I think the biggest issue in Tolland is now and has been our tax base.  We need to continue to work to find ways to increase our tax base while not increasing the need for more services.  This will be our greatest challenge moving forward.

What would you change, if anything, about how the council is run and/or communicates with the community?

  I wish that our elections were not by political party. I believe more our citizens would embrace the idea of participation if the tone was less polarizing. We need more community involvement and if elected, I hope to have the support of other Council members to re-instate Community Conversations and work together to find even more ways to get our neighbors more interested and active in their local government. And we all need to recognize that everyone on the various boards and commissions are serving our community as volunteers.