Ohler running for first selectman in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN — The North Canaan Republican Town Committee has nominated Brian Ohler, former state representative for the 64th District of Connecticut, for first selectman in the November 2023 election.

“Running for first selectman in my hometown truly is a calling, and one that I am fully capable and willing to take on,” Ohler said.

Ohler, 39, will be running to fill the seat of Charlie Perotti when he departs from the role of first selectman later this year. Republican Craig Whiting will run to keep the seat of second selectman.

The Democrats in North Canaan have not yet announced their ticket for the 2023 election. Christian Allyn, current third selectman and chair of the North Canaan Democratic Town Committee, said he is “still on the fence” about running against Ohler in November.

Ohler sat down with The Lakeville Journal on June 25.

“I am not just announcing my intent to run for first selectman, but I am also releasing my 50-point plan that will act as the foundation for my agenda and goals,” said Ohler.

The full action plan outlining Ohler’s vision for the future of government, business, programs, and families in North Canaan can be viewed online at brianohler.com

Ohler said he hopes to improve accessibility to the town’s government, revitalize community involvement, and enable residents to “truly feel like they can engage.”

“Volunteerism is at the heart of small towns,” said Ohler. “I hope to use my platform as first selectman to inspire that again.”

Ohler is a lifelong, fifth-generation resident of North Canaan and comes from a family with a considerable history of service to the town.

His mother, Marissa Ohler, currently works as the selectman’s secretary but stated she plans to retire later this year. His grandfather, Henry Pozzetta, served as North Canaan’s First Selectman from 1982-1987 and his great-grandfather, William Menser, was one of the last elected high sheriffs in Litchfield County.

“I’d like to think that I’m following in my grandfather’s footsteps,” said Ohler.

Ohler served 12 years in the Army as a military police officer and volunteered for three combat tours of duty: twice in Iraq and once in Afghanistan. He was honorably discharged in 2013 and currently works as regional director for safety and engineering at Hartford HealthCare.

He has volunteered at the Canaan Fire Company and served as a volunteer EMT in North Canaan for over 20 years.

“To me, servant leadership has always been my guiding virtue,” said Ohler.

Ohler holds a master’s in public administration and emergency management from Sacred Heart University along with a master’s in healthcare administration from the University of New Haven.

“I love North Canaan. I truly do. My beautiful fiancé Meagan and I, and our two pups Sawyer and Frasier, have willingly and eagerly pushed our roots even deeper into the fabric of our beloved community,” said Ohler.