Judy Heise

Judy Heise

BROOKFIELD - It's been a wonderful 20-year run for Judy Heise as a public official, but her days of running for office have come to an end.

"I will not be seeking re-election," Heise said.

She has been on the Board of Selectmen for the past four years.

Heise, 59 and a Democrat, was the first woman elected to the Brookfield Board of Finance in 1985.No woman has served on the board since.

"It's been a fantastic 20 years," Heise said."I've seen a lot of different things coming through town.I would encourage younger, different people to come on board.Whether they do a better or same kind of job, they would be different."

Heise was president of a former regional League of Women Voters in the 1980s and a member of the league's state board of directors, and she said the organization was an excellent training ground to prepare members for public office.

"They encourage active participation," Heise said.With a push from a friend and fellow member of the organization, she first ran for a spot on the finance board."I encourage all women to step up to the base and take up active participation."

She said joining the board was not meant to be a stepping stone to further political jobs.

"I was an observer of the Board of Finance, and I thought 'I can do that,'Ÿ" Heise said.

Heise said there were times during her tenure on the finance board when there was a grand list increase and plenty of money to go around without squabbling over it.

There were also lean times when cuts had to be made to budgets.

Heise got involved with politics when she first moved to town and joined a steering committee designed to investigate future space needs for the town's schools.Her friend, Adie Westenhofer, then a member of the Board of Education, urged her to get involved.

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Heise also was part of the latest Brookfield High School renovation and expansion committees.The $31 million project is expected to break ground this summer.

When a Democratic selectman moved out of town, creating an opening, Heise decided to run for the spot.

"I thought this was a different step, it would give me a broader view than the board of finance," Heise said.

Heise said in the last four years, the town has made strides toward getting a septic system in place at three local condominium complexes, and fixing the problem of contaminated water at the Four Corners.

"Also, getting the budget passed the first time," Heise said.

In what would be her last year as a member of the Board of Selectmen, Heise has also secured grant money for the restoration project at the Gurski barn at routes 25 and 133.

Heise will continue to work with the Brookfield Substance Abuse Coalition and as a member of the town's League of Women Voters.She said she plans to spend lots of time in North Carolina to spoil her 4-month-old granddaughter, Ashlin.

"I have two sons, so having a girl is very special," Heise said.

First Selectman Jerry Murphy said Heise will be missed.