Town Council District Candidates
Carol Doheny - Town Council District 1
Carol has lived in Cheshire for 37 years with her husband James and children Jamie, Maureen and Siobhan. She is a tax preparer and has operated her own business in town for 10 years. She has a long record of service to Cheshire, including the Zoning Board of Appeals and assistant registrar of voters. Carol is also a Justice of the Peace and a notary. She has served on the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee and many boards and commissions over the years, the latest being the Energy Commission. She is a vice president of the charity A Touch of Comfort and has worked as a substitute teacher in town periodically for 30 years.
Carol believes town government is in need of fresh faces and could benefit from transparency, inclusion and diversity. She believes in listening to residents and each other and being environmentally and fiscally responsible. She hopes to use project labor agreements and local building trades for our school modernization projects.
Email: [email protected]
Carol has lived in Cheshire for 37 years with her husband James and children Jamie, Maureen and Siobhan. She is a tax preparer and has operated her own business in town for 10 years. She has a long record of service to Cheshire, including the Zoning Board of Appeals and assistant registrar of voters. Carol is also a Justice of the Peace and a notary. She has served on the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee and many boards and commissions over the years, the latest being the Energy Commission. She is a vice president of the charity A Touch of Comfort and has worked as a substitute teacher in town periodically for 30 years.
Carol believes town government is in need of fresh faces and could benefit from transparency, inclusion and diversity. She believes in listening to residents and each other and being environmentally and fiscally responsible. She hopes to use project labor agreements and local building trades for our school modernization projects.
Email: [email protected]
Jim Jinks - Town Council District 2
For the past twenty years Jim has held leadership positions in Connecticut-based advertising and marketing companies, including operating his own direct marketing business. Jim is currently Vice President at Mediabids, the leading direct-to-consumer print advertising firm in the country.
In 2019 Jim was elected to serve on the Cheshire Town Council. He received support from voters across the spectrum and is the first Democrat in fourteen years to hold the 2nd District seat. On the Council Jim has served on the School Modernization Committee, the Budget Committee, Planning Committee and the Solid Waste Committee. He also serves as the Council liaison to the Public Safety Commission, the Beautification Committee and the new Sustainability Team. In 2018 Jim founded Bike Cheshire, an award-winning community nonprofit devoted to encouraging and improving biking in Cheshire. Bike Cheshire operates a popular community bike share, organizes Bike to School Days, group rides, safe-biking initiatives and is working on developing Cheshire open space for mountain biking. Jim is also one of the founders of the Coalition for a Sustainable Cheshire and worked as part of the team that led to the Town of Cheshire achieving ''bronze level'' certification by Sustainable CT.
For years Jim has been very active in our community in several other capacities, volunteering his time on the Cheshire Youth Services Committee, the Cheshire Planning & Zoning Commission, and was the Vice Chairperson of the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee. In addition, Jim has been active in Cheshire’s St. Bridget of Sweden Parish, coaching the girl’s basketball team at St. Bridget’s school, helping with the Youth Ministry, and the Cheshire Lights of Hope. Jim lives in Cheshire with his wife Marie and their four kids. He has an undergraduate degree in history from UConn, and a master’s degree in public policy from Trinity College.
Facebook page: @JimJinksCT
Twitter: @JimJinksCT
For the past twenty years Jim has held leadership positions in Connecticut-based advertising and marketing companies, including operating his own direct marketing business. Jim is currently Vice President at Mediabids, the leading direct-to-consumer print advertising firm in the country.
In 2019 Jim was elected to serve on the Cheshire Town Council. He received support from voters across the spectrum and is the first Democrat in fourteen years to hold the 2nd District seat. On the Council Jim has served on the School Modernization Committee, the Budget Committee, Planning Committee and the Solid Waste Committee. He also serves as the Council liaison to the Public Safety Commission, the Beautification Committee and the new Sustainability Team. In 2018 Jim founded Bike Cheshire, an award-winning community nonprofit devoted to encouraging and improving biking in Cheshire. Bike Cheshire operates a popular community bike share, organizes Bike to School Days, group rides, safe-biking initiatives and is working on developing Cheshire open space for mountain biking. Jim is also one of the founders of the Coalition for a Sustainable Cheshire and worked as part of the team that led to the Town of Cheshire achieving ''bronze level'' certification by Sustainable CT.
For years Jim has been very active in our community in several other capacities, volunteering his time on the Cheshire Youth Services Committee, the Cheshire Planning & Zoning Commission, and was the Vice Chairperson of the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee. In addition, Jim has been active in Cheshire’s St. Bridget of Sweden Parish, coaching the girl’s basketball team at St. Bridget’s school, helping with the Youth Ministry, and the Cheshire Lights of Hope. Jim lives in Cheshire with his wife Marie and their four kids. He has an undergraduate degree in history from UConn, and a master’s degree in public policy from Trinity College.
Facebook page: @JimJinksCT
Twitter: @JimJinksCT
Karen Schnitzer - Town Council District 3
Karen Schnitzer moved to Cheshire over 10 years ago with her husband to be closer to their grandchildren and the green spaces they really enjoy. Karen is a UConn School of Business graduate and worked at Yale School of Medicine for more than 20 years. Soon after retiring in 2017, Karen found her place in Cheshire as an active member on the boards of the Cheshire Land Trust and the Coalition for a Sustainable Cheshire. As a Master of Bird Conservation, she has been a dedicated volunteer for the local Audubon chapter. Karen is running for District 3, and if elected as a member of the Cheshire Town Council, would serve to speak for those who care about the environment, and work to build a stronger community by promoting and protecting open space and Cheshire’s natural resources.
Her greatest concerns for Cheshire are:
Email: [email protected]
Karen Schnitzer moved to Cheshire over 10 years ago with her husband to be closer to their grandchildren and the green spaces they really enjoy. Karen is a UConn School of Business graduate and worked at Yale School of Medicine for more than 20 years. Soon after retiring in 2017, Karen found her place in Cheshire as an active member on the boards of the Cheshire Land Trust and the Coalition for a Sustainable Cheshire. As a Master of Bird Conservation, she has been a dedicated volunteer for the local Audubon chapter. Karen is running for District 3, and if elected as a member of the Cheshire Town Council, would serve to speak for those who care about the environment, and work to build a stronger community by promoting and protecting open space and Cheshire’s natural resources.
Her greatest concerns for Cheshire are:
- Local Environment: We cannot ignore the environmental issues of the day. Preserving farmland, reducing pesticide use, keeping our waterways clean, and managing open spaces are critical to our future.
- Quality Schools and Education: Without a doubt, we need to have schools that can meet the challenges of the 21st century and prepare our children and grandchildren for new opportunities.
- Affordable Housing: Let's have affordable housing options for seniors, singles and young families who want to live in our town.
Email: [email protected]
Peter Talbot - Town Council District 4
Peter Talbot is a lifelong Cheshire resident who has always resided in the South end. He has proudly served the 4th district on the Town Council since 2011. Prior to his election to the Council, Peter served on the Board of Education and the Inland Wetland and Watercourses Commission. He served for ten years on the Board of Directors of the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, including two years as Chairman and two years as Vice-Chairman. Peter’s education includes Norton Elementary, Dodd, Cheshire High and a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College. He has worked for Cox Communications for over 35 years and currently serves as the company’s Manager of Government Affairs.
Peter will continue to fight to:
Email: [email protected]
Peter Talbot is a lifelong Cheshire resident who has always resided in the South end. He has proudly served the 4th district on the Town Council since 2011. Prior to his election to the Council, Peter served on the Board of Education and the Inland Wetland and Watercourses Commission. He served for ten years on the Board of Directors of the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, including two years as Chairman and two years as Vice-Chairman. Peter’s education includes Norton Elementary, Dodd, Cheshire High and a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College. He has worked for Cox Communications for over 35 years and currently serves as the company’s Manager of Government Affairs.
Peter will continue to fight to:
- Preserve Cheshire's charm, sustainability and community
- Ensure fiscal responsibility that keeps taxes low
- Invest in school modernization projects
- Promote small business and economic growth
- Maintain safe neighborhoods, streets, and parks
Email: [email protected]