About Paul Schmid

About Paul Schmid: I have lived in Westport since my family moved here in 1962. My family operates River Rock Farm, where we raise grass-fed Angus beef cattle. We have been certified organic for four years.

Shown here I am tagging new calf. My father purchased the herd in 1961 down in Maryland. Our herd does very well on grass. We raise calves to 24-28 months and sell their meat directly to the consumer, keeping only a few females to replace older cows that are culled each year. We make all our own feed, about 150 tons of haylage. Making enough ourselves is important because organic hay is expensive and hard to find.

My wife Tina and I have been married since 1972 and have two children. Celeste is married and herself a mother, and works as a nurse in San Francisco. Our son, Paul, lives in Washington DC and works for the senior Democratic Senator from Delaware, Tom Carper.

Meet my family: (L) to (R): myself, son Paul, wife Tina, son-in-law Cy, daughter Celeste, grand daughter Nora.

I am experienced in Westport government. I completed 5 1/2 years on the Finance Committee, serving as chair for three years. I am chair of the Tax Incentive Financing Committee. I presently serve on the Fire Station Committee and on the Water and Sewer Committee. I was a member of the 2006 committee which interviewed and recommended candidates for Westport High School principal. Back in 1973, before we started our family, I was a member of the Master Plan Committee. And I served on the Board of Selectmen.

Westport Board of Selectmen

2009 photo from left to right: Paul A. Schmid, III; Brian T. Valcourt, vice chairman;
Steven J. Ouellette, chairman; Craig J. Dutra, clerk; Gary Earl Mauk.

I make my decisions based on facts. I try to do what is best for the community. . . . Ask anyone who has served with me.

I am a moderate. I can and do work with everyone. I do not represent any one group. While on the Finance Committee and Board of Selectman, I encouraged every member around the table to speak their opinion. We made decisions, often hard ones, in public, in front of the television camera. We treated everyone who came before us with respect and courtesy. This is how I conduct myself as your State Representative.