There are four candidates for First Selectman in Kent. Democratic incumbent Jean Speck is seeking a second term, and facing a challenge from Republican Ed Matson who ran and lost two years ago during the open race. Also on the ballot are petitioning candidates Rufus de Rham and James Rundall.
Speck says she wants to focus on the continued, complex recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and on creating a more sustainable Kent. Matson wants to focus on updating Kent Common Park and emergency services. The unaffiliated de Rham wants is chair of the Board of Assessment Appeals and has previously served on Planning and Zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Finance, and as selectman. Rundall is also unaffiliated and has served with the the Kent Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years.
Speck says she wants to focus on the continued, complex recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and on creating a more sustainable Kent. She touted efforts on both fronts over the past two years such as bringing a state-backed testing site to Kent, and joining the Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management. She also created the Citizen Emergency Response Team and is overseeing the transfer of data and documents to virtual storage. Speck says the next task will be to form a Broadband Committee to make recommendations on capabilities, infrastructure and funding needs.
Matson wants to focus on updating Kent Common Park and emergency services. The Volunteer Fire Department member. who served as chief last year, says the town now has a paid service because of a volunteer shortage. He added that Kent is paying a lot for ambulance services and should consider moving to an ambulance association full time. Matson says Emery Park should not be used for swimming and suggested either adding a water park or a pool at the common park. Matson served on the Board of Selectmen from 1999 to 2001.
If elected, de Rham wants to improve connectivity and called for more affordable housing. The Board of Assessment Appeals chairman has previously served on Planning and Zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Finance, and as selectman. The unaffiliated resident says the pandemic put a renewed focus on increasing fiber optics and cell service. He notes that only 4-percent of housing in Kent is affordable, according to the state Department of Housing Affordable Housing Appeals list.
Rundall is also unaffiliated and has served with the the Kent Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years. He called for upgrades on trucks, new equipment and training. He also wants to improve the town's roads and sidewalks to make Kent more attractive for younger residents. He also wants to prioritize playground improvements at Emory Park, off Route 341. His late grandfather was involved in building the park’s cement pond in the 1940s. He worked in the water department for the city of Danbury for over eight years, was a pipe installer for transmission and distribution, was the utility mechanic for the water treatment plants, and in charge of the landfill.
