Meet the candidates for Ward 4 Aldermen; Lud Spinelli and Mandy Kilmartin
Our candidates were asked questions by the Shelton Herald, you can read their responses below.
Mandy Kilmartin (D)
Work - Director of Global Services for Planetree International
Political - Previously served four years on the Board of Education; former member of the BOE Finance and Policy committees
Community - Shelton resident for 18 years; spearheaded the 2020 SHS Graduation Committee during the pandemic; co-drafted and passed the BOE Student Representative policy; Vice President of the Lady Ds Scholarship Fund, aimed at helping Shelton's young women achieve their goals after graduation; former Booth Hill School PTO treasurer
Lud Spinelli (D)
Work - Recently retired CEO of Optimus Health Care
Political - Previously served as 3rd Ward Alderman and Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate
Community - Shelton resident for 39 years; founding member of the SEDC Citizens Advisory Committee; participated in the incorporation of Community Health Network of Connecticut and the Connecticut Primary Care Association; active in many area sports, education and civic organizations including the Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus and Boothe Memorial Railway Society
1. What are the major challenges facing the city now and in the coming years and how would you handle that challenge?
Major challenges facing the city are underfunding of the school budget, mayoral interference in municipal unions, overdevelopment and use of the PDD in R-1 zones, a deteriorating infrastructure, a poor budget process, and disregard for the City’s parking needs.
The Board of Alderman and Board of Education must work together to develop a real budget request. The city must end useless litigation instituted by the mayor against the police and municipal unions. Several Connecticut Board of Labor Relations decisions, and other court actions against the city, will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
There must be an audit of all bonding debt. Constructing a new sewage plant and upgrading our infrastructure must not be a burden to taxpayers.
2. What are your primary goals if elected?
My goals are as follows. BOA meetings should be moved to a later time so more residents could attend. Departments with a history of returning funds that have not been used should be investigated. The city as the operator of the School Bus Program should be re-examined. More open space is needed. The library should return to its former operating schedule.
