Meet the Granby Independent Party Candidates

Submitted release

A group of concerned citizens in Granby has completed the necessary documentation to bring candidates for a new political party to Granby’s municipal election process. The Granby Independent Party was formed to give Granby voters more options than the traditional dominant Republicans and Democrats and to provide a seat at the table for all Granby citizens, not just a seat in the audience.

The Independent party’s objective is to be an alternate voice for people concerned about how fiscal, and land use policies have been implemented in the past. We believe that these policies  should be exercised in a responsible manner such that municipal government is being held accountable to maintain good management practices.

Transparency will occur when Independent Party candidates are elected and watching out for the citizens of Granby.

Candidates on this fall’s municipal elections for the Independent Party are: 

Barbara J. Berkowitz -  Candidate for Planning and Zoning

Ms. Berkowitz is a Realtor, and a top producer with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Simsbury and Granby Ct.  Ms. Berkowitz began her career in Real Estate in 1994-95 with William Raveis Real Estate.  The very first year in Real Estate she achieved the recognition of Rookie of the year, and continued as a Top Producer, Top Selling Agent, and Top Listing Agent for the 13 years with Raveis. Prior to her being a Realtor, Barbara was the National Marketing Manager for Reform Writing Instruments, a German Based company.  Barbara is married, has two daughters, Cyndi, and Jennifer, and her husband Kenneth who is now retired. Barbara has been a member of the Granby community for 42 years.

Terry Wright - Candidate for Zoning Board of Appeals

Mr. Wright has dedicated his life to public service and has served as a volunteer and career firefighter for thirty-four years.  During that time Mr. Wright has received numerous citations and awards. Mr. Wright frequently participates in and attends fund raising events for public charities and benevolent associations.

Mr. Wright was certified by the Connecticut Department of Public Safety as an investigator and code enforcement official for approximately ten years.  He received specialized training from the Connecticut State Police, Legal Division and the Connecticut State's Attorney's Office in statutory interpretation, legal affairs and proper application of Statutes and Regulations.  Mr. Wright holds several other State certifications.

Doug Maus -  Candidate for Zoning Board of Appeals                        

Doug and his wife have lived in Granby for 36 years and raised two children here.  He is an alumnus of Long Island University and came here via Washington, DC and Indiana.

He has been involved in our community since shortly after his arrival.  He successfully petitioned Day Street as a Scenic Road, has been active in Cossitt Library events and in initiatives to preserve Granby’s rural character and to maintain an affordable tax base for all residents.  He was employed by an insurance company as a Facilities Manager and IT Manager for their northeast offices and is now retired.

Doug is a firm believer in owners’ property rights and realizes it must be modified by a common sense approach to our neighbors, neighborhoods and town regulations.  He believes that special interests have no place in zoning decisions or enforcement of regulations.  

Reinhard Maier – Candidate for Board of Finance

Mr. Maier is an internationally recognized energy consultant with experience in both technical and financial matters on projects with capital costs in the several billions of dollars and operating expenditures in excess of one hundred million annually. He has completed assignments for major financial institutions including Morgan Stanley, GE Capital, Bank of Tokyo and the Royal Bank of Canada. Mr. Maier is also a vice president of a green technology startup firm that is converting waste materials into a cement substitute and simultaneously reducing greenhouse gases with projects in the United States and India. He is a twenty-five year resident with his wife Andrea who has lived in Granby for forty years. Reinhard holds a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Connecticut.