PJ Shanley

Serving on the Board of Selectman has been an honor and a privilege.  I am asking for your consideration to allow me to represent you for another term.  The reason that I want to continue to be on the Orange Board of Selectmen is twofold.  I serve because I share the same concerns as the rest of you and want those issues discussed and addressed.  The other reason that I am running for this position is because I truly love the town of Orange.  I grew up here, met my wife Whitney and most of my close friends here.  We are proudly raising our family here and there is nowhere else we would rather be.  Our children have thrived in the Orange public school system and I want to make sure that Orange continues to be a “destination town” for young families.  As someone who watched my parents and in-laws grow older in this community, I am quite aware of the amazing services that our town provides for the elderly.  At the same time, I am cognizant that our elderly population is lacking affordable opportunities to downsize when their large homes no longer meet their needs while still being able to reside in a community that they love.

For those that are not familiar with my background, I am a financial advisor with 23 years of industry experience.  I have been with Barnum Financial Group since 2008.  I have my Series 7 and 66 Securities Licenses and Chartered Advisor Senior Living (CASL).  Additionally, I am licensed to sell life, health, accident & disability, property & casualty insurance.  I graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a BS Finance

I served on the Board of Finance for 8 years prior to my appointment to the Board of Selectmen.  I am a fiscally conservative Democrat, who has worked hard to help implement budgets that make sense for the entire town.

I volunteered to join the Fred Wolfe Park committee because I saw an opportunity to participate in a committee that could create a multi-use “facility” that can make a lasting impact for generations.  A place for people of all ages to enjoy.

I have been an active member of the Orange Democratic Town Committee since 2007, many of those years working in a leadership capacity (secretary, vice-Chair).

In my spare time, I coach my children’s teams.  When they were younger, I volunteered to help coach their soccer and t-ball teams.  As their dreams changed, I supported them.  I am currently an assistant coach on my daughter’s hockey team.  Coaching not only allows me to spend quality time with my children, but provides me with the opportunity to talk with and listen to parents.  I feel that taking the time to listen to peoples’ concerns and ideas is very valuable.  It is important to have people on the Board of Selectmen who are in touch with the wants and needs of the community.

As I stated before, I love this town and am committed to ensuring that this community continues to flourish while maintaining appropriate class sizes and the small town feel that we all know and appreciate.  My hope is that my children and their friends will continue to love this town and eventually will come back to raise their children here.