About Andrea Gartner
Fearless Community Entrepreneur • Owner, PourMe Coffee & Wine Cafe • Principal, Gartner & Main
Civic Leader and Relentless Advocate for Downtown Danbury Revitalization & Development
What I Believe
I believe that we are supplied today with all of our tomorrows. We live in a world of abundance, filled with more than enough for everyone, yet we often find ourselves dealing in polarities and experiencing lack . What is needed, now more than ever, is balance. Balance comes from fearlessly giving as you’re guided and then receiving what you get with joy and gratitude. For me, a healthy and balanced lifestyle includes nourishment of the soul, self and others, right here in Downtown Danbury.
I believe that societal change must start at the community level. And on the community level, we must insist on decency, representation, kindness and fairness in all our dealings and when dealing with others. We need to cultivate and encourage the good when and where we have the opportunity. We don’t have to look or go far: opportunity to do good awaits us every day where we live, work and play.
A life-long Danbury resident, I’m on a mission to revitalize our urban core to create a rich, cultural, artistic, and prosperous downtown that draws residents and visitors of diverse ages, economic status, ethnicity, and interests.
I’m excited about the diversity in our town, from families who have been here for decades, to first generation residents like me, to millennials educated in local schools and universities who want to build a life here, in a place that feels right to them. I’ve been fortunate to have traveled extensively throughout the world and I place great value understanding and respecting different perspectives and on creating an environment in which people feel included, respected, and proud.
I believe that people and groups working together can accomplish what individuals would be unable to on their own. My volunteer work includes the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut’s vice president; member, board of directors, Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut; member, Regional Advisory Council Naugatuck Valley Community College; founding member of the Greater Danbury Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Council; Mayoral Appointee to the Danbury Main Street Partnership; member, Advisory Council Housatonic Habitat for Humanity; steering committee member for TEDxDanbury; and past Board Director, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation.
I believe that broad-based civic engagement makes for a healthier community. Where civic and non-profit organizations find challenges, I find energizing and inspiring opportunities. I am known for connecting varying organizations for a common goal, pulling seemingly disparate points of view together and creating unity, alliance building and vision. Politically, I am serving a second term as a member from Danbury’s 5th Ward on the Danbury Democratic Town Committee. I ran twice for an at-large City Council seat and, in 2015, was the highest vote-getting Democrat-at-large candidate. I plan to run again in November 2017.
My business and personal life are inextricably linked to the future of this community and I would have it no other way.
