Meet the FSA Coordinating Committee Team

Urb Leimkuhler
​Q: What are FSA's top concerns?
A: Our seniors are as heterogeneous as our Town is:   
  • Many are really hurting financially;  
  • Others who are better off feel resentful and abused as taxpayers;
  • Regardless of income or asset levels, keeping our seniors is important to everyone’s economics; and
  • More than taxes, FSA is about seniors’ wellness needs and need for community.   

Q: You have an actuarial background.  How have you applied your business skills to your advocacy for seniors?    
A: I’ve worked in technical roles,  have led large business units, and have worked with companies and investors as a consultant. These experiences relate to volunteer work: organizing and communicating with volunteers, charting plans, monitoring progress.  You know,  each of us can offer much to our community.   There are many fulfilling roles our volunteers can play within FSA - in research, computer input/analysis, position papers on issues, communicating with fellow residents.   

Q: What is FSA's most important objective over the near term?
A: Working toward housing solutions for the many seniors who want to age in place or downsize elsewhere in Fairfield.  We want to protect the gains we’ve helped secure for vulnerable seniors and middle income taxpayers at the State level.  The goal is real, continuous progress that gives seniors and taxpayers hope for the future.  FSA can be a catalyst for change, but we need more senior advocates to get involved and work with us.  
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Gordon Mackenzie 
Gordon has led FSA initiatives advocating change in the burdensome CT taxes affecting seniors. His primary role within FSA is to focus on state-wide issues affecting seniors. Two years ago we surveyed 600 seniors and learned that their primary issues of concern were financial; that is, a need to make Fairfield more affordable for them. ​Gordon is focusing on repeal of the State tax on our Social Security Income and other financial strategies. ​
​​​Carrie Makover
Carrie is one of our webmasters and a core member of our Affordable Housing Interest Group. ​She brings to FSA her background as a Planner and as a computer professional.  

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​Bob Ellwanger
​A retired sales & marketing executive, Bob currently serves on the boards of several non-profits in the areas of development, website management and digital marketing. Bob's passions include advocating for seniors, choral singing, and being on in two. Bob is our Communications Manager. 
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Catherine Giff
Catherine wasn’t born in Fairfield but feels lucky that it is her family’s hometown.  She and her husband have moved internationally four times but made returning to Fairfield a priority each time, making it home for almost forty years.  Her children graduated from Fairfield schools and she served on multiple PTAs, including as Treasurer and President.  Catherine hopes to continue building community partnerships that will retain and value all residents.  Her focus is advancing the development of well designed housing options for our changing household demographics.
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In Memoriam:  Bob Frigo, 1933-2017
Bob Frigo was chairman of FSA's housing committee and co-chair of the town’s Affordable Housing Committee.  He had a serious concern  for  not only Affordable Housing, but also for available housing alternatives for seniors. He moved to Fairfield in 1973 and devoted his time and efforts to many community activities for the town, especially the Library. In 2016, he was a co-founder of the Fairfield Senior Advocates. Posthumously Bob received the "Fairfielder of the Year" award for 2017 because of his many volunteer activities that benefited all residents.  He is surely missed.