Candidate for Board of Selectman | 2021
I am Jamie Mowat Young, and I am excited to run with Lou Annino, Jr. to serve you on Killingworth’s Board of Selectmen.
I love Killingworth and want to dedicate more of my energy, experience, and efforts into serving and maintaining our town. I want to focus on meeting Killingworth’s challenges – big and small – head on.
My husband and I made Killingworth our home 23 years ago. We enjoy raising our three boys here because the town is rural and well maintained, with a terrific corps of engaged citizens and an outstanding school system.
Many dedicated employees and volunteers sustain our town and make our community the great place it is. It takes good listening skills, genuine concern, and strong leadership on the Board of Selectmen to support these people, balance competing interests, and maintain our infrastructure – all while keeping the town budget and taxes in check. I hope you’ll give Lou and me the opportunity to do just that.
I like people, challenges, and solving problems. I have a graduate degree in ethics, and a law degree with a specialization in mediation and contracts. I strive to find common ground and bridge differences. I’ve led complex undertakings, streamlined organizations and procedures, and navigated large bureaucracies. I enjoy the challenges of finding efficiencies and creative fixes to complex issues and assembling the stakeholders to get difficult things done. I have managed large and small staffs and multimillion dollar budgets. I also worked as Associate Legal Counsel to Governor Rell and in the departments of Energy and Environmental Protection and Transportation under Governor Malloy. I get things done with good cheer and I am known for my integrity.
I grew up in an Air Force family that was active in the VFW, community, and church. That upbringing built public service into my core. It taught me that giving back is both privilege and obligation. It led me to roll up my sleeves behind the scenes to support countless organizations and events, serve on many state and local boards and in community organizations such as the KWO and the KVFC Auxiliary. It also compelled me to temporarily step away to meet extended family needs. It has now led me to run for office.
I look forward to meeting you around town. And please vote for Lou and me on November 2!
Candidate Q&A
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am Jamie Mowat Young, and I’m excited to run with Lou Annino, Jr. on the Democratic ticket to serve on Killingworth’s Board of Selectmen.
My husband, Brian, and I made Killingworth our home 23 years ago because it’s rural and well maintained, with a terrific corps of engaged residents and an outstanding school system. We are raising our three sons here and enjoying the beautiful landscape and community activities.
I have a graduate degree in ethics, and a law degree with a specialization in mediation and contracts. I strive to find common ground and bridge differences. I’ve led complex undertakings, streamlined organizations and procedures, and navigated large bureaucracies. I worked as Associate Legal Counsel to Governor Rell and in the departments of Energy and Environmental Protection and Transportation under Governor Malloy. I was frequently tapped to resolve sensitive, complicated, or cross-agency challenges. Before I studied law, I worked for over a decade in universities, leading teams and streamlining projects with multi-million dollar budgets. I love conquering challenges and getting things done with good cheer. And, I am known for my integrity.
I grew up with my sisters in an Air Force family that was active in the VFW, community, and church. That upbringing built public service into my core. It compels me to jump in and help when a need arises. It prompts me to provide assistance behind the scenes. It led me to serve on state and local councils and community organizations such as the United Way, KWO, and the KVFC Auxiliary. It also led to serving on Killingworth’s Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, Water Pollution Control Authority, Charter Revision Commission, and the Representative Policy Board of the Regional Water Authority.
Who else am I? A reliable and creative problem solver, a caretaker, an environmentalist, a believer in prayer and elbow grease, a klutz, and someone who loves our town.
Why are you running for the position?
I love Killingworth and its people. I want to devote my experience and skills to the preservation of Killingworth’s best qualities and the creation of a bright future. I believe my moderate and integrative approach suits the community well.
I bring a practical but creative Killingworth-centric perspective. I understand the laws and procedures of municipal, regional, and state governments and agencies. I can work with colleagues regardless of party. I can make tough budgetary calls.
I ask for your vote in November to give me the opportunity to serve you on the Board of Selectmen.
What do you see as the important issues facing your town and how would you address them in your role?
Overall, Killingworth is in great shape, but we face both short- and long-term issues. We have all experienced the increasing traffic down our main corridors, and the dangers and inconvenience that come along with it. Some of our town facilities are sorely outdated. The drop in enrollment in our school system has been sharp, and that poses questions about how we will continue to support the strong education we count on for our kids. Every day, I hear more urgent calls for alternative housing that is accessible to young families and older residents who want to downsize. Some of our households and public buildings have been found to have PFAS in their water, and we need to find both immediate and permanent solutions to that. In a somewhat longer time frame, the statewide crisis in managing our waste system has huge implications for Killingworth.
As a Selectman, I would advocate for a DOT/regional planning analysis and grants with input from our business community to more proactively address the increased flows in traffic while not detracting from Killingworth’s ambiance. Before offering my opinion on the status of infrastructure, I would need to deliberately engage the research, reports, and recommendations regarding the structural needs of the town hall and fire houses and balance that with strategic capital planning and resources and any necessary updates by experts. I would not want to recreate the wheel and would listen to stakeholders and the other Selectmen. I would seek grants to assist with any of the associated costs. I would apply that same diligence to all areas of town needs. I would further reach out to sister municipalities in Connecticut and other states to learn about alternative approaches that might inform our recommendations.
What are the key things you love about this town and its people?
I love the winding trails among the trees, the howl of coyotes, the sight of bats looping over vernal pools, the helping snowplow of a neighbor, the teamwork of volunteers, the sunny farms of Killingworth, the maple syrup made at Parmelee, and the evolving small businesses providing even more reasons for shoppers to stay in town. I love that the first responders know us and arrive quickly.
I love that our townspeople came together to form the KWO, HK Backpack Program, the Killingworth Ambulance Association, and so many more groups to sustain our community. I love that when ballfields were badly needed, Mr. Auer grabbed his truck and dug in; when trails needed to be cleared, Mr. Dodson and Andy Annino stepped up; when a town center was longed for, the emerging team of volunteers of what would become the Parmelee Farm Committee began their visionary endeavors. Gardening, coaching, meals, preserving history, supporting school activities, granting scholarships, … the list of needs met by Killingworth volunteers is long and compelling. Our town continues to flourish because of the creativity, dedication, and teamwork of volunteers. What better environment exists in which to both raise my kids and dedicate my skills?
Plus, I love that the houses are far enough apart that my kids’ bagpipe lessons don’t invite noise complaints.
Additional thoughts to leave voters with?
My legal, labor, land, administrative, and contract expertise and background in the Departments of Transportation and Energy and Environmental Protection will complement Lou Annino’s comprehensive strengths on our Board of Selectmen. I intend to work hard on the team to: learn; maintain the safety of our residents and enhance housing options; support economic development and environmental preservation while maintaining Killingworth’s rural essence; work with other entities to efficiently improve our roads and infrastructure; research alternatives when issues arise; and efficiently manage the town budget.
It takes good listening, care, and strong leadership on the Board of Selectmen to support volunteers, balance competing interests, strategically plan, and maintain our infrastructure. I hope you’ll give Lou Annino, Jr., and me the opportunity to do just that.
Letter to the Editor
The following letter was published October 13, 2021 in H-K Now.
Jamie Young would be a great selectman for Killingworth. She is an attorney who has experience in industry as well as state government, having served as Associate Legal Counsel to Governor Rell and in the DEEP under Governor Malloy. She has a very positive, energetic attitude and is a joy to work with.
She and her husband Brian have lived In Killingworth for 23 years. She has been active in several local organizations including the KWO and KVFC Auxiliary, and she is dedicated to conserving Killingworth’s environment. I know the family and have served on the ZBA with Brian for many years. They have three boys—one of whom is a student director of the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust—and together are a delightful and respected family. Cathy Iino has been actively supporting Jamie’s candidacy and says “she would be a terrific selectman. No one is more diligent than she is about getting all the facts and considering the various angles of a project.” The fact that Cathy is so enthusiastic about Jamie also means that a transition to a new administration would be a very smooth one—a significant benefit for the town.
On November 2nd please vote for Jamie Young and Lou Annino, Jr. for Board of Selectmen. If you would prefer, absentee ballot applications are now available at Town Hall and on line at townofkillingworth.com.
Bruce Dodson
Killingworth
Killingworth Democratic Town Committee 