Patch Candidate Profile: Karen Fassuliotis For Greenwich Board Of Estimate And Taxation

GREENWICH, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the town.

Candidate's Name:
Karen Fassuliotis

What office are you seeking?
Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET)

What town do you live in?
Greenwich

Campaign Website
https://www.karen-4-bet.com

Party Affiliation:
Independent

Occupation:
Attorney (25 years)

Family:
I am a proud dog mom of Artemis and Apollo

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
Not currently. My mom was a 20 year RTM member and my dad was a town constable for 20 years.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
BET member, past RTM member

Why are you seeking this office?
I am running for re-election to the Board of Estimate and Taxation as an Independent to prioritize community needs over partisan bickering, promote fiscal responsibility, and ensure affordable taxes while maintaining high-quality services like excellent public schools.

In an election cycle poisoned by division, you deserve a candidate who sees Greenwich as a community first, not a battleground. The major parties have lost their way, turning the BET into what feels like radioactive territory. Just look at the toxicity: a Republican Town Committee chair dismissing women with snide remarks, Democrats pulling out of a key BET committee and leaving critical work—like human resources—paralyzed in dysfunction. These aren't abstract spats; they're real roadblocks. Our schools face mounting legal challenges for special education, our infrastructure demands investment without waste, and families are squeezed by rising costs. Partisan shouting matches don't fix that—they exacerbate it.

That's why I am running on "community over politics". In today's hyper-polarized world, from national headlines to our own backyard, we've seen how ideology trumps pragmatism. Greenwich used to be different—a beacon of bipartisanship where officials rolled up their sleeves for the greater good. That's the Greenwich I know we can reclaim—and it's why this theme has never been more urgent.

You have a choice this November: double down on the drama, or demand better. That is why I am asking you to vote for me, Karen Fassuliotis, whether you vote early, starting on October 20th, or on November 4th - let's choose better. Together, we can restore sanity to our local government, prioritize our shared values, and build a town that works for everyone. Your voice—and your vote—can make it happen.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The single most pressing issue facing our Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) is the toxic grip of partisan politics that's paralyzing our ability to craft sensible budgets—one that delivers essential services like top-tier education and infrastructure without saddling middle-class families and seniors with unaffordable tax hikes. In a town as vibrant and diverse as ours, we can't afford to let party lines dictate decisions; they erode trust, stall progress, and leave our community paying the price through inefficiencies.

As your independent candidate, I intend to break this cycle by putting community over politics from day one. Drawing on my years of service on the BET and RTM, plus my background as an attorney advocating for vulnerable Greenwich residents, I'll champion a disciplined, collaborative budgeting process: working to restore open, nonpartisan, dialogue with the Board of Education and discuss setting clear, measurable goals for smarter spending; prioritizing town infrastructure projects that truly serve our neighborhoods, like the successful Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center model; and ensuring our investments strengthen—not strain—our shared future. Together, I will work for a BET that listens more, shouts less, and builds a Greenwich where every voice counts, not just every vote. Practical solutions unite us, they do not divide us—because when community comes first, everyone wins.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
As a long time Greenwich resident and seasoned public servant, I've spent decades fighting for our town's best interests on the Representative Town Meeting and in leadership positions on the Board of Estimate and Taxation. That's why I'm running as an independent this year—because the partisan gridlock from both major parties is holding us back, and voters deserve a collaborative voice unburdened by national politics or party loyalty.

While I respect the other candidates’ service and intentions, the critical differences boil down to independence, proven experience, and a laser focus on fiscal discipline without the baggage of party agendas.

First and foremost, I'm the only independent in this race, endorsed by the Independent Party of Connecticut. Unlike my Republican and Democratic opponents, who are locked into their parties' slates and often prioritize loyalty over local needs, I answer to you—not a town committee or caucus. We've seen the fallout: the Republican Town Committee's dismissive attitude, like Michael Hahn's offhand remark about "dragging the women along," undermines real dialogue. On the flip side, the Democrats' abrupt withdrawal from our BET Human Resources Committee has left us paralyzed, unable to address key issues effectively. As an independent, I'll bridge that divide, fostering the non-partisan discussions our town thrives on.

Second, my track record sets me apart. With many years as a practicing attorney I've brought practical expertise to the table. Many opponents are newcomers or lack this depth in town governance; for instance, while some bring business acumen, they haven't chaired the BET and BET committees or navigated our complex budget processes through economic ups and downs like I have.

Finally, on substance, my commitment to fiscal responsibility is unwavering and non-ideological. I'll push for budgets that fund essentials—robustly funded, top-tier education, safe infrastructure, and support for our vulnerable—while keeping taxes affordable for middle-class families and seniors. No blank checks for pet projects or unchecked spending, which we've seen balloon under partisan pressures and party lines.

In short, the other candidates represent more of the same—party-first politics that's stalled progress. I'm here to restore trust, cut the noise, and deliver results for every Greenwich resident.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
As a lifelong Greenwich resident for many years— practicing law, and serving in public office—I've seen that what unites us isn't red or blue, but our shared community. That's why I'm your Independent candidate for the Board of Estimate and Taxation, endorsed by the Independent Party of Connecticut. With national politics making local service feel "radioactive," I prioritize community over politics: uniting solutions for a stronger town.

Beyond fiscal discipline, education, and infrastructure, my platform addresses key daily concerns.

Public safety: I'll ensure continued necessary funding for police, fire, and emergency services—quick responses without waste—because safety is personal, not partisan.

Environment: Leveraging my expertise in compliance and cleanups, I'll continue advocating for investments in our beaches, parks, and waterways, balancing growth with our legacy of commitment to green spaces for future generations.

Mine aren't abstract policies; they're the threads that weave our community together. By choosing community over politics, we can cut the rancor—"not when we're shouting over each other, but when we listen"—and build a BET that truly serves all of us.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As a long-term Greenwich resident and Greenwich High grad, I've never wavered in putting community over politics. But partisan gridlock has taken over our budgets. As the only candidate endorsed by the Independent Party of Connecticut I am ready to cut through the noise with proven leadership that delivers now, not later.

Look to my pro bono work for the Greenwich Probate Court where I've earned the prestigious Robert G. Krause Pro Bono Award numerous times. I have and continue to fiercely represent our most vulnerable neighbors in conservatorship, probable cause hearings, and estate and probate battles, ensuring no one slips through the cracks in our community. This isn't abstract service—it's battle-tested empathy and razor-sharp financial navigation, the exact arsenal we need to fiercely protect every taxpayer dollar on the BET.

And my past record on the Representative Town Meeting and BET? As a multi-year member and past chair on both these bodies, I've been the steady force for fiscal accountability that unites us amid chaos. On the BET I served on the advisory committee for the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center from vision to victory—delivered on time and to spec—unlocking a beloved community lifeline that families cherish today, all while slashing waste that could have burdened us for years. Through economic storms, I've overhauled budgets, locked in priorities for top-tier education and resilient infrastructure, and forged tough calls that keep Greenwich thriving.

Community over politics demands action now: proven experience to halt the partisan slide and ignite real progress. That is what I will bring to the BET as an Independent.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
As an Independent candidate for the Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation, I’m often asked about the guiding principles that shape my approach to leadership. The best advice I ever received came from a mentor during my early years as an attorney, when I was navigating complex probate cases here in Greenwich: “Listen to understand, not to respond.”

Those words have stayed with me, shaping not only my 25 years of legal work, including my pro bono service for the Greenwich Probate Court, but also my commitment to serving this community with clarity and care.

In my work with the Probate Court, where I’ve helped vulnerable residents—widows and widowers, families in crisis, conservatorships for those who can no longer care for themselves, or representing the mentally challenged—I learned that real solutions start with truly hearing people’s needs. Whether it was assisting a senior to develop an estate plan or advocating for a disabled adult’s independence, listening deeply allowed me to cut through complexity and deliver results without agenda or bias. That same principle drives my campaign for the BET. Greenwich is at its best when we set aside partisan noise and focus on what unites us: keeping taxes affordable, investing wisely in our schools, and ensuring infrastructure like the recently opened Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center serves every resident.

The BET’s role is to safeguard our town’s fiscal health, but that starts with understanding the real challenges families face—rising costs, uneven school outcomes, and divisive rhetoric that stalls progress. Too often, I’ve seen party-driven decisions—like one side withdrawing from a key committee or the other side dismissing members as unimportant —undermine the collaboration Greenwich deserves. As an Independent, endorsed by the Independent Party of Connecticut, I’m free to listen without preconceived notions, to ask tough questions, and to prioritize our community’s needs over political scorekeeping.

“Listen to understand” means engaging with parents frustrated by special education gaps, seniors worried about tax hikes, and neighbors eager for transparent budgeting. It means bringing my experience from the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center committee and my pro bono work to restore collaboration and communication to the BET, where I’ll advocate for fiscal discipline that respects every dollar and every voice. And above all putting community over politics for the Greenwich we all love.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
As a long time Greenwich resident—I've sunk my roots here since grade school, graduated from Greenwich High, and built a law practice right in our town—I've always chosen community over politics. But the partisan poison that has taken over our local governance threatens everything we hold dear: affordable taxes, top-notch schools, and the green spaces that make Greenwich shine. That's why I'm running as your independent candidate for the Board of Estimate and Taxation. I am fiercely committed to slashing the gridlock and delivering urgent, unifying wins for every resident.

You deserve to know the fighter behind this fight: a solo attorney in estate, probate, and real estate law, with a doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology that sharpens my eye for detail and risk. My pro bono passion at the Greenwich Probate Court representing vulnerable families, proves I'm in it for people, not headlines. And on the Representative Town Meeting and BET, as past chair, I've rolled up my sleeves for you making tough decisions

As an independent, I'm unbound by party loyalty that's turned BET service "radioactive"—from the Republican Town Committee's dismissive jabs, like Michael Hahn's "dragging the women along" quip, to Democrats bailing on our Human Resources Committee, leaving us stalled on workforce fixes. I won't play those games; I'll bridge divides for Greenwich-first progress.

My positions? Laser-focused on what unites us: ironclad fiscal discipline to fund essentials without jacking up taxes on middle-class families and fixed-income seniors—no blank checks, just disciplined budgets that deliver bang for every buck. In education, our pride and peril, I'll restore nonpartisan dialog with the Board of Education, demand efficiencies amid shrinking enrollment and ballooning per-pupil costs, building on my push for $1 million in expert Special Ed overhauls to slash lawsuit payouts and spark real parent-teacher dialogue. For infrastructure, let's replicate Civic Center smarts: prioritize, execute flawlessly, avoid the "all-at-once" traps that explode expenses. Public safety gets unwavering backing—necessary resources for our heroes without waste. Our environment demands economically sensible sustainable safeguards for beaches and parks, leveraging my cleanup expertise to preserve our legacy debt-free.

This isn't about me—it's about igniting a BET that listens, acts, and triumphs for all Greenwich corners. Community over politics isn't a slogan; it's the urgent lifeline we need. I hope you will join me. Together, we reclaim our town's tomorrow.