Stratford Democratic Party

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Our Candidates

Click on the link below for information on each candidate.

• Council Districts

	1st District Mary Young Qualifications for this Office: My education, experience, and service to local organizations qualify me. I have a Master’s Degree and worked as a Town Planner for corporations and municipalities. I serve on the Planning Commission, Housing Partnership, and the Greater Bridgeport Regional Council. I’m a member of Protect Your Environment, and Lordship Fathers Club. What do I hope to accomplish if elected: If elected, I will put my education and experience to work. I will apply my skills to stabilize taxes by promoting an aggressive economic development plan, return the Army Engine Plant to the tax rolls, restore essential services to residents, mitigate impacts from Airport expansion, resurrect Shakespeare Theater, reallocate resources at Short Beach, protect Lordship School, and preserve Long Beach West. My work will be transparent and responsive to the will of District 1 residents.
	2nd District Stephanie Philips Qualification for this office: Currently 2nd District Councilwoman, Chairperson of Ordinance Committee, Boothe Park Commission, Community Development Subcommittee. Previously served 4-years on Zoning Board of Appeals. A Stratford Business-owner “SoftLink Resources” for 19-years employing 3-people. Past Stratford Chamber Board President, volunteer for 6 local non-profit organizations, 30-year resident; B.S. Industrial Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University. What do you hope to accomplish if elected: Continue advocating economic and quality-of-life opportunities; insist on accountability checks & balances. Advance concerns of development, taxes, education, and services. I am persistent and will articulate or question unreasonable spiraling cost. I have viable ideas to reduce cost of employment, public services, and Legal burdens. I support funding for infrastructure (roads-sidewalks, bridges, school buildings). I oppose selling town assets, but will reduce cost instead. I will be responsive, astute, and make answerable decisions. Acknowledge accomplishment.
	4th District Jason Santi Qualification for this office: Fighting against plans to close Franklin School, supporting Honeyspot and Stratford High Renovations, attaining money for sidewalk replacements, supporting Johnson Field Renovations, securing money for Franklin School improvements, supporting tougher anti-blight measures and attaining more police patrols in our district. What do you hope to accomplish if elected: I will fight any and all attempts to close down Franklin School. I am opposed to the closing of this and any other schools in our district. I will continue to work with fellow Council Members and the Mayor to stabilize taxes as much as possible. I will also do what I can to bring back more public services and police patrols to our district. Most, above all, I will listen to your concerns!
	5th District Olivia Gombar Qualification for this office: I am a certified CT teacher. During my career I served on curriculum development committees and also as grade level chairwoman. I serve as District 5 Leader on the DTC. I was a member of SEMS as an EMT-I and also past president of the Volunteer Association. I teach CPR as an AHA instructor. I hold B.S., M.S. and 6th year equivalent degrees in education. I have lived in Stratford D-5 for 40 years. What do you hope to accomplish if elected: I will work to create a long-term and short-term financial plan. I will support the hiring of an economic director who pledges to develop stagnating past projects before they become obsolete and further devalued. I will support using an independent actuary business to provide expert assessments of financial security systems and asset and liability management. Past town management has not been responsible in these areas and the tax payer has had to shoulder the burden of higher taxes.
	6th District David Fuller Qualifications for this Office: I have worked in nonprofit and government sectors in the past and have served on the Town Council since January of this year. I am currently seeking a Masters in Communications at Fairfield University. These experiences facilitated me to address many social and political issues. What do you hope to accomplish if elected: If elected, I will contribute to reducing the waste in our town budget and restoring essential town services such as public works, public safety and education. Furthermore, we must control the ever increase property tax burden on taxpayers while also cutting back on the previously mentioned services Finally, I want to contribute to legislation that mandates more transparency and coherent reporting of town finances, deficits and structural flaws. These should promote economic growth in our community and help launch new businesses.
	7th District Maria Ferrera Qualifications for this Office: Working in the insurance industry for over 25 years, my clients rely on me to solve their problems. I provide leadership and direction, always listening to their needs and finding solutions. In 10 years on the library board, I have served the community through difficult times. What do you hope to accomplish if elected: I believe that we need to work together to solve the problems facing Stratford. I plan to follow Kim Meuse’s example of civility and concern for our neighborhood. Listening to residents is the best way to find solutions. Recently GBT tried to discontinue bus service on East Main and use Wilcoxson as a shortcut. I led the petition drive that stopped those changes. I will be a strong voice for the residents of the 7th District.
	9th District Robyn Greenspan Qualifications for this Office: On the Board of Assessment Appeals, helping provide taxpayer relief, and Economic Development Commission, building strategic growth, vision and implementation. As a journalist, I research and ask the right questions. My graduate education in counseling makes me a good listener. I manage people and teams at work solving problems and leading results. Those are the qualities I bring to represent the 9th District on the Town Council. What do you hope to accomplish if elected: I’ll work toward long-term solutions to stabilize property taxes now and ensure Stratford’s future. With a thorough line item audit of the budget, we can eliminate waste, inefficiency and unnecessary spending - sometimes through deep cuts or some skillful, surgical precision, but not at the expense of town services. I won’t vote for budgets that raise taxes; support bonding we can’t afford; or give unlimited license to free-spending politicians. I’ll advocate “honesty taxation” so you always know where your money goes before we ask for more.

• Board of Education

	J. Eric Lazaro Qualifications for this Office: I have been involved with the Stratford BOE for approximately 10 years. Previously I was an elected member from 2001-2005. Since my tenure, I continue to serve on the Long Range Committee, the Plant and Planning Committee, the Redistricting Committee, and the Honeyspot Renovation Project. I am a 15 year resident with children. B.A. in English, M.A. in Education. What do you hope to accomplish if elected? To ensure that the current system continues to progress forward with the emphasis on the student as education is a part of the key to success in every child. I envision building a solid educational foundation so that our children receive the best education as they will be the leaders tomorrow.
	Jancee Pust-Marcone Qualifications for this Office: I understand the importance of a strong public school system. I am a Nurse Manager with a Masters degree in nursing and have taught at the college level. My educational background, my work and life experience as a parent qualifies me to be a member of our Board of Education. How will you balance the need to educated Stratford’s children and the needs of Stratford’s taxpayers? I believe that we must work together to forge a strong curriculum in our schools and help to secure our children’s futures in a diverse world. The educational needs of our children must be balanced with the available funding provided by Stratford’s taxpayers. The monies provided to our school system must be wisely utilized. We do not have the luxury of annual budget increases without ensuring that we have evaluated all opportunities to reduce expenditures.
	Immacula Cann Qualifications for this Office: My name is Immacula Cann, Register-ed Nurse with a Masters Degree in Education, Board Certified in Psychiatric and Mental Health. 10 years teaching experience preparing adults for medical careers. 15 years professional experience working with regulatory and accreditation agencies, training, staff development and facility management. As a fiscally accountable nurse manager, my leadership experiences with non-profit organizations, state-licensed social service agencies, and sub-acute health care medical facilities have uniquely prepared me for this critical role. How will I balance the need to educate Stratford’s children with the needs of Stratford’s taxpayers? A nineteen year resident homeowner, I understand the burden of rising taxes and reduced services. Our school administration must be accountable for the funding which taxpayers have entrusted to them. A good school system, developing the taxpayers of tomorrow, should be an asset to residents of all generations. As a mother of four Stratford graduates, and grandmother of two who are currently enrolled in Stratford, I’ve had a high degree of involvement with our school system. All residents believe in the merits of public school education. We also require accountability in government operations. I will balance these two objectives.

• Planning Commission

• Zoning Commission

• Zoning Board of Appeals

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