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Putting Community Before Partisan Politics

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      • LETTER TO RESIDENTS
      • CANDIDATES
      • WHAT WE STAND FOR
      • ENDORSEMENTS
      • NEWS
      • VOLUNTEERS
      • LAWN SIGN?
      • CONTACT US
      • Paid for by Envision
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    Putting Community Before Partisan Politics

      DONATE
      • HOME
      • LETTER TO RESIDENTS
      • CANDIDATES
      • WHAT WE STAND FOR
      • ENDORSEMENTS
      • NEWS
      • VOLUNTEERS
      • LAWN SIGN?
      • CONTACT US
      • Paid for by Envision
      • Facebook
      • …  
        • HOME
        • LETTER TO RESIDENTS
        • CANDIDATES
        • WHAT WE STAND FOR
        • ENDORSEMENTS
        • NEWS
        • VOLUNTEERS
        • LAWN SIGN?
        • CONTACT US
        • Paid for by Envision
        • Facebook
      • HOME
      • LETTER TO RESIDENTS
      • CANDIDATES
      • WHAT WE STAND FOR
      • ENDORSEMENTS
      • NEWS
      • VOLUNTEERS
      • LAWN SIGN?
      • CONTACT US
      • Paid for by Envision
      • Facebook
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        • Running for the Shelton Board of Aldermen as a bi-partisan team to put our community before partisan politics.

        • WHY VOTE FOR ENVISION SHELTON?

          We're on a mission to serve you.   

          Dear Shelton Residents,

           

          Envision Shelton is a bi-partisan group made up of dedicated Shelton residents fighting to put our community ahead of special interests and partisan politics. Last year, we organized as one community focused group, putting our political affiliations aside for the common good of our great city, and together we successfully defeated a Charter Revision that was simply bad for Shelton.

           

          Defeating the charter revision was only the first step in the right direction and there is still a lot more work that needs to be done. The City of Shelton needs a fresh direction with new leaders who aren’t afraid to bring new ideas to the table to solve old problems. Envision Shelton is dedicated to collaboratively work with anyone willing to improve the quality of life of our residents, regardless of whoever occupies the Mayor’s seat.


          As a result, Envision Shelton is proud to officially endorse a bi-partisan group of motivated, committed, and honest candidates running for the Board of Aldermen in the upcoming election on November 2nd, 2021. All of our endorsed candidates share our vision for Fiscal Responsibility, Support for our First Responders, Smart Development, Quality Education, and Transparency.

           

          Over the next several months, Envision Shelton endorsed candidates and volunteers will be going door to door, making phone calls, writing letters, holding community events, and efficiently updating you on social media and other platforms. Our goals are to listen and learn how our candidates can best serve you, while providing a plan to build the future of our great city together.

           

          We hope you will join us to envision Shelton’s future together. Thank you all for your time and continued support!!

           

           

        • Who We Are

          We're a bi-partisan team on a mission to serve you, the Shelton Taxpayer.

          David Gidwani

          Envision Shelton Republican, Ward 1

          David Gidwani has been a resident of Shelton for more than 20 years and is currently seeking re-election to the Board of Aldermen for what would be his 3rd term. He is passionate about community service and helping others, having a proven track record of helping residents across Shelton with constituent services and navigating City Hall. He is an advocate for clean and transparent government, keeping taxes low, and for fair funding for education. He was essential to the “Vote No on Charter'' campaign during last year’s general election, having the courage to be the only Alderman to publicly speak out against the proposal. A registered Republican, David is proud to be running as part of the bi-partisan Envision Shelton team. He believes strongly in the principle of putting the people of Shelton first, before partisan politics.

           

          David resides in Shelton’s 1st Ward with his wife of 23 years and his two teenage children, one who currently attends Shelton Public Schools and another who is a recent graduate of Shelton High School. Outside of Public Service, David has served on the Board of Directors for the Sikorsky Credit Union.


           

          “I always want to be there for the people of Shelton, which is why I chose to run in the first place. I’m not doing this for recognition. I am doing this to help others.”

          Michele Bialek

          Envision Shelton Democrat, Ward 2

          Michele Bialek is a third generation Sheltonite and 2nd Ward Aldermanic candidate. She and her husband Fred love their Coram Gardens neighborhood, where they are raising their 6 children. Michele was a successful small business owner in the heart of the downtown area for over 10 years, where she developed a deep relationship with the community in her beloved city. Michele’s vision for Shelton is one of cooperative governance, honorable and respectful growth, and care for all of its residents - especially those who cannot speak for themselves. She believes we can achieve this vision by building innovative industry partnerships to support continued grand list growth and taking advantage of infrastructure opportunities.

           

          Michele believes that Shelton is poised to become a vibrant center for Agro and Cultural Tourism. As a representative on the Board of Aldermen, Michele will fairly and honorably represent the residents of Ward 2 and will take the time to truly understand their needs and ideas. She will bring a cooperative, inspired, and productive energy to the Aldermanic table, and will work towards realizing her vision of a Vibrant and celebrated Shelton.

           

          Michele was an active member in the chamber for 12 years, was a founding member of the Mary Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund (an annual high school arts scholarship), was the co-founder of Soupstock Music Food and Arts Festival, and is a member of the Shelton Farmer's Market Association, She joined the Shelton Public School Community Committee in 2018 and has been a mentor for two years.

           

          “We live on one of the most beautiful and historic waterways in the country. Let’s work together to celebrate our beautiful city’s storied history, while embracing the possibilities for our future growth.”

           

          Matt McGee

          Envision Shelton Democrat, Ward 3

          Matt McGee is a lifelong resident of Shelton, a graduate of Shelton Public Schools, and is currently a full time commuter student at Southern Connecticut State University studying Political Science. He is passionate about strengthening our community and is running to represent you as your Alderman from the 3rd Ward. He has been very successful as a community organizer, co-founding organizations such as SHS Students For Change and Envision Shelton-- the latter being the bi-partisan group that led the "Vote No on Charter'' campaign during last year's general election. Matt has served as Envision Shelton's Treasurer before moving into his current position as Field Director, and is immensely proud of the work Envision Shelton has done to bring people together around shared interests and common goals. He plans to use the skills and experiences he acquired while organizing these groups when serving on the Board of Aldermen.

           

          In his free time, Matt is an AmeriCorps Volunteer at the East End NRZ Pop Up Market & Café, working to end the issue of food insecurity that plagues Bridgeport's East End community.

           

          “Being a community leader is about bringing people together to achieve common goals. Together, we can keep taxes low, fairly fund education, and open up City Hall to truly be the people’s hall once again.”

           

          Chris Jones

          Envision Shelton Republican, Ward 3

          Chris Jones is a 3rd generation Sheltonite with deep roots in Community involvement and is running for 3rd Ward Alderman. Chris, his wife Joanne, and their two children, Gabriella and Brady, reside in the Long Hill neighborhood.

           

          Chris is a US Army Veteran and has owned and operated All Premier Hardwood Flooring for over 20 years. He is a valued member of Shelton's Sutter - Terlizzi Post 16 American Legion and has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley for over 40 years where he serves as the President of their Alumni Association. Additionally, Chris is a Veteran member of the Echo Hose H & L Co #1 and serves as one of their Trustees. He has served on the Board of Aldermen and the Planning & Zoning Commission in the past, giving him extensive experience combing through Shelton’s budget and development proposals.

           

          Chris is a registered Republican running as an Envision Shelton candidate because he believes in working with people who produce results and have the City's best interests at heart.

           

          “Let’s restore Shelton to be a place where you are proud to be from, and to bring our pride to a higher level.”

           

          Mandy Kilmartin

          Envision Shelton Democrat, Ward 4

          After 4 years of service on the Shelton Board of Education, Mandy Kilmartin has recognized that to affect meaningful and positive change in the community, change must first come to the leadership at City Hall. Fed up with the current “us vs. them” approach to governance, Mandy is running for 4th Ward Alderman to represent the un-heard and underrepresented voices of Shelton residents and families. Mandy is a tireless advocate for transparent and collaborative communication. Some of her most recent accomplishments on the BOE include spearheading the widely praised 2020 SHS Graduation Committee and helping to draft- and pass- the new Student Representative policy.

           

          Mandy’s firm commitment to putting people ahead of party has led her to become a founding member of the bi-partisan Envision Shelton coalition, where her work on Envision Shelton’s “Vote NO on Charter” campaign last year was key to the successful defeat of the Charter Revision proposal. She also serves as a member of the BOE Finance and Policy Committees.

           

          Outside of her community work, Mandy works as an Associate Director for Planetree International, where she coaches healthcare leaders and providers on the implementation of person-centered practices, both across the U.S. and around the world. She is a former Booth Hill School PTO Treasurer, a busy Lacrosse Mom in the Spring, a Football Mom in the fall, and has lived in Shelton with her husband Doug and their two children for 15 years.

           

          "By working across the aisle, towards a shared community vision, we can build a stronger Shelton that works for all."

          Michelle Laubin

          Envision Shelton Democrat, Ward 4

          Michelle Laubin has been a resident of Shelton since 2006, a member of the Board of Apportionment & Taxation since 2018, and is now seeking to represent the 4th Ward on the Board of Aldermen.

           

          Michelle is a graduate of Wells College and Northeastern University School of Law, and has practiced education law with the firm of Berchem Moses, P.C. in Milford, representing Connecticut school districts since 1996. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN), a member of the Shelton Democratic Town Committee (DTC), a member of the Shelton Racial Awareness and Cultural Education (RACE) Committee, and has recently expanded this work to the Valley NAACP Education Committee.

           

          In her role as a member of the Board of Apportionment & Taxation, Michelle has been an advocate for fair funding for education and city services, as well as fiscal responsibility and accountability. She believes that these goals are best achieved by striving for a bipartisan coalition of ideas, and working with Envision Shelton is an excellent way to achieve this ideal. She worked on the 2020 campaign to oppose the Charter Revision through the Shelton DTC, and believes strongly that the Board of A&T has an important role to play in the budget process and should be strengthened, not eliminated.

           

          “Imagine what we can do if we work together.”

        • What We Stand For

          Keep Taxes Low

          Envision Shelton believes the best way to achieve low taxes is through honest budgeting and bi-partisan collaboration throughout the building and implementation of our fiscal year budgets. City Hall must adhere to the City Charter, utilizing and strengthening the financial oversight of our bi-partisan Board of Apportionment and Taxation. We believe the City must also establish a true “rainy day” fund, to deposit and regulate the spending of fiscal year surpluses and manage economic recessions and/or unanticipated expenses.

           

          Finally, we believe in bringing in new auditor(s) on a periodic basis to keep fresh eyes on Shelton’s budgeting processes to ensure that our tax dollars are being used in the most efficient ways possible.

           

          Support Our First Responders

          First responders are on the frontlines of ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. Envision Shelton believes that the police department needs to be adequately funded, staffed with qualified personnel, and provided with the resources and equipment that allows them to perform to their highest potential.

          In addition, hiring and promoting should be based on merit, without back door deals or consideration of political leanings. Years of dysfunction at City Hall and the Police Department have led to an increase in crime and costly lawsuits at the taxpayers' expense. Envision Shelton believes that restoring professionalism at the police department and reviving a positive atmosphere is vital to ensuring public safety, trust, and the overall well being of our citizens.

          Community-Led Development

          Envision Shelton believes that smart development is not overdevelopment. Planning and Zoning plans should be cohesive and promote smart economic growth, while maintaining the stability and desirability of our neighborhoods and communities. We believe that Smart Development is the sustainable path to keeping taxes low.

           

           

          The recent uptick in the use of Planned Development Districts (“PDD’s” or "Spot Zoning") continues to be poorly thought out, threatening wildlife and surrounding neighborhoods. PDD usage should be rare and existing regulations should be consistently enforced. Additionally, zoning regulations and our master plan must be kept up to date with state standards, so as to control our own destiny when considering individual development projects.

           

          Envision Shelton believes that the City must approach Zoning as a binding commitment to ensuring property values and enhancing the desirability of our communities, all the while keeping our tax rate low and affordable.

           

           

           

          Support and Improve Education

          Envision Shelton believes that the school system must be sufficiently funded to provide students and staff the resources necessary for success in the 21st century. The Board of Education must operate independently, but collaboratively, with City Hall and with the intent to provide the financial, educational, and technical resources to support high-quality Pre-K - 12 instruction. BOE budgets must remain transparent and focused on the goal of meeting and exceeding general and special education services to all students. The Board of Education must also strive to provide a safe and supportive school environment that fosters high student achievement and prepares them for success after graduation.

          Transparency For All

          Envision Shelton believes transparency, communication, and accountability should be core values for every board and elected official in our city. Shelton must consistently and routinely update their website when new information is available. All boards and commissions should meet outside of regular business hours to allow greater resident participation. City Hall and major City Departments should maintain a social media presence to facilitate communication and make it easier for residents to remain current on important information. All approved fiscal year budgets and city audits from the past ten years should be published and freely available for residents to download and view on our city website. Our City Charter should be revised as necessary to represent the core values of Shelton residents and should be consistently followed by our elected officials. Finally, our Board of Ethics should be strengthened and promoted so that every resident has the ability to file an ethics complaint. The Board should meet regularly to review these complaints and the ethics policies that guide our city.

        • ENDORSEMENTS

          Past and Present Community Leaders Support Envision Shelton Candidates

          Former Alderman Jimmy Capra

          Envision Shelton Republican

          Former 4th Ward Alderman who loves Shelton and wants great public servants elected to office. The time for change is NOW. Jim believes in keeping taxes low and thoughtful economic development. He also is making sure voters are educated to vote in the right candidates for the future wellbeing of our city.

          Former BOE, A&T Chairman Mark Holden

          Envision Shelton Republican

          Mark is a former Vice Chairman of the Shelton Republican Town Committee, served 8 years on the Board of Education and 7 years as Chairman, along with 6 years on the Board of Apportionment and Taxation and 4 years as chairman. Under his leadership, the majority of Republicans consistently worked

          with the majority of Democrats.

           

          Furthermore, Mark has a long history of volunteerism in our community. Mark became a Jaycees nationally certified trainer for Team-building, Leadership, and Chapter Management. He served for 25 years on the Board of Directors of BHCare, the Birmingham Foundation and for 3 years he was Chairman of the nonprofit that ran the Umbrella Domestic Violence program.

        • NEWS

          Letter: Supports Eldridge, Envision Shelton aldermen candidates

          "The reality is that the Envision Shelton aldermanic slate of David Gidwani, Michele Bialek, Chris Jones, Matt McGee, Mandy Kilmartin and Michelle Laubin, along with mayoral candidate David Eldridge, is actually farther to the right than the Lauretti team politically. I strongly suggest that you give these public servants of Shelton your vote this Nov. 2."
          To the Editor:  To no one’s surprise, Mayor Mark Lauretti announced that he would be seeking a 16th term in the mayor’s office at City Hall this last Tuesday. What was surprising is that he is under the impression that our community simply needs him to continue doing what he has been doing for three decades. There was no foresight or bold plans for our future and he did not explain how he intends to address any number of problems that our city currently endures. In the article, he continues to tout his plans for development of office and retail space in order to grow the grand list. He even touted that 300 more jobs will be coming to Shelton.

          Letter: Envision Shelton aldermen candidates offer plans for low taxes with smart management

          "We currently live in a good city which could be so much better. Envision Shelton candidates for Alderman David Gidwani, Michele Bialek, Chris Jones, Matt McGee, Mandy Kilmartin and Michelle Laubin are committed to establishing a true rainy day fund to protect our general fund surpluses, demanding transparent breakdowns from all city services, to periodically hire new auditors to keep fresh eyes on our budget, and to always seek your input regarding the future of our city.
           
          Low taxes with smarter management that puts Shelton first. It can be done. Our Envision Shelton candidates ask for your vote on Nov. 2."
          To the Editor:  To no one’s surprise, Mayor Mark Lauretti announced that he would be seeking a 16th term in the mayor’s office at City Hall this last Tuesday. What was surprising is that he is under the impression that our community simply needs him to continue doing what he has been doing for three decades. There was no foresight or bold plans for our future and he did not explain how he intends to address any number of problems that our city currently endures. In the article, he continues to tout his plans for development of office and retail space in order to grow the grand list. He even touted that 300 more jobs will be coming to Shelton.

          Letter: Republican supports Jones, McGee in Ward 3

          "Our votes for the Envision Shelton team of Matt McGee and Chris Jones will ensure good management of city finances, better maintenance of city roads and parks, and balanced economic development that will keep your taxes low. Yes, it can be done in 2021."
        • VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

          We would love it if you can join us on this important project!

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        • Envision Shelton Fights for a Better Future

          We are a Political Action Committee committed to helping everyone in Shelton have their voice heard

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          Paid for by Envision Shelton, Laure Kovacs, Treasurer.

           

          Approved by Michele Bialek, David Gidwani, Chris Jones, Mandy Kilmartin, Michelle Laubin and Matt McGee.

           

           

           

        (C) 2020 Envision Shelton PAC.

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        Portraits used with permission.

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        Rev 5.4, 04/29/2021

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