Patch Candidate Profile: Gerald Leventhal For Southbury Finance Commission
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Gerald Leventhal: A Proven Financial Steward Seeking Southbury Finance Committee Seat
Gerald Leventhal, a lifelong resident of Southbury, is running for a seat on the town’s Finance Committee in the upcoming municipal election. With over three decades of experience in public and private finance, Leventhal brings a track record of prudent fiscal management and a deep commitment to the community’s long‑term prosperity.
A Career Built on Budgetary Discipline
Leventhal’s professional résumé is rooted in financial stewardship. According to his LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerald-leventhal), he spent 12 years as Chief Financial Officer for a regional mid‑size manufacturing firm, where he oversaw multi‑million‑dollar budgets, implemented cost‑saving measures, and ensured compliance with federal financial regulations. Prior to that, he served as a Certified Public Accountant for the firm “Leventhal & Associates” in Bridgeport, where he helped small businesses navigate complex tax codes and secure financing for growth.
In public service, Leventhal was the Southbury Town Treasurer from 2005 to 2013. In that role, he managed the town’s general fund, pension obligations, and capital improvement projects. He played a pivotal role in securing a 5% reduction in the town’s annual operating expenses without cutting essential services, a feat that earned him praise from the Southbury Town Council (https://www.southburyct.gov/finance).
Leventhal’s work at the state level includes a consulting stint with the Connecticut Department of Finance, where he helped design a fiscal policy framework for small towns grappling with budget deficits. The state’s Department of Finance (https://portal.ct.gov/DMRE) cited Leventhal’s reports in a 2018 policy paper on municipal debt management.
Campaign Platform: Transparency, Accountability, and Growth
Leventhal’s campaign is built on three core pillars:
Transparent Budgeting – “The town’s budget should be clear and accessible to every resident,” Leventhal says. He proposes quarterly town‑wide budget forums and an interactive online dashboard that will display real‑time spending data (available at https://www.southburyct.gov/finance/budget‑dashboard).
Fiscal Accountability – Leventhal stresses the importance of rigorous audits. He has pledged to expand the town’s partnership with the independent audit firm “Hart & Co.”, which will conduct annual reviews of all major contracts and procurement processes.
Strategic Growth – “Investing in infrastructure and local businesses is investing in Southbury’s future,” he notes. Leventhal supports modest tax relief for small businesses while advocating for targeted capital improvements—particularly on Main Street and the downtown revitalization project outlined in the town’s Master Plan (https://www.southburyct.gov/master-plan).
Leventhal also plans to champion a new “Finance Advisory Committee” composed of residents, business leaders, and fiscal experts to provide non‑binding advice to the Finance Committee, ensuring that diverse perspectives shape town decisions.
Community Roots and Personal Commitment
Born and raised in Southbury, Leventhal attended Southbury High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut. He lives with his wife, Marianne, and their two children in the town’s historic district. Beyond his professional duties, Leventhal has served on the Southbury Chamber of Commerce board, the local Library Advisory Committee, and the Southbury High School Parent‑Teacher Association. He is also a volunteer firefighter with the Southbury Fire Department, where he has trained for over 15 years.
His long‑standing involvement in community organizations reflects his belief that a town’s prosperity depends on the active participation of its residents. “I know the challenges that local businesses face,” Leventhal says. “I want to use my experience to help them thrive while keeping our town’s finances healthy.”
How to Support or Learn More
Campaign Website – The official Gerald Leventhal campaign site (https://geraldleventhalfinance.com) offers a full policy platform, volunteer sign‑up forms, and a donor page. The site also provides a FAQ section that details Leventhal’s stance on key budgetary issues such as property taxes, school funding, and public‑sector pension liabilities.
Town Elections – For voting information, residents should consult the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles’ election portal (https://portal.ct.gov/DMRE) or the Southbury Town Clerk’s office (https://www.southburyct.gov/finance/town-clerk). The Clerk’s office will be open for early voting and Election Day polling on standard local voting days.
Public Forums – Leventhal will host a town hall on September 12, 2023, at the Southbury Community Center. The event will be streamed live on the town’s official YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/southburyct) and will include a Q&A segment where residents can submit questions online (https://www.southburyct.gov/finance/forum).
Conclusion
Gerald Leventhal’s candidacy for the Southbury Finance Committee is rooted in a strong professional background, a proven record of fiscal responsibility, and a deep connection to the town’s people and heritage. His focus on transparency, accountability, and strategic growth positions him as a candidate who can guide Southbury through the fiscal challenges of the coming decade while safeguarding the town’s quality of life. Residents who value sound financial stewardship and community engagement may find Leventhal’s platform aligns with their aspirations for Southbury’s future.
Read the Full Patch Article at:
[ https://patch.com/connecticut/essex-chester-deepriver/patch-candidate-profile-gerald-leventhal-southbury-finance ]