Patch Candidate Profile: Robert C. Melillo For Danbury City Council At-Large

DANBURY, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:
Robert C. Melillo

What office are you seeking?
Danbury City Council At-Large

What town do you live in?
Danbury

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Teacher

Family:
Yes, I am a proud husband and father of 2 daughters. My wife is Kim Melillo and our daughters are Tessa and Kaley.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No one in my family is employed in City or State Government. My wife and I are both employed by the Danbury Public School system.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes, I was an elected member of the Zoning Commission from 2005 - 2023, serving as chairman for 10 years. Prior to that I was a member and chairman of the Danbury Youth Commission.

Why are you seeking this office?
I am running for an at-large seat for the Danbury City Council because I want to give back to the community and I believe that I have a lot that I can offer. Public Service is a part of my life and something that I really believe in. I want to be a part of the solution and not just an observer. I believe that for our representative democracy to be successful we need to have citizens willing and committed to serving the public and I am willing to do just that. In the end I want to be able to say that I helped make things better for my children and the Danbury Community.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The population of Danbury has increased dramatically during my lifetime, but the sense and spirit of community has remained consistent. While Danbury is classified as a medium sized city, we have never embraced the urban environment of large cities and have strived to maintain more of a town or community feeling. On the Danbury website are notes that our city focuses on preserving and providing a superior quality of life for our residents and stakeholders. Maintaining and preserving the quality life in Danbury was the goal of the previous administrations that I was honored to be a part of while serving on Zoning. I believe that this issue is at the core of what most Danbury residents are looking for. Many people have chosen to relocate to Danbury and establish a way of life and raise a family here during the past 25 years. They chose to come to Danbury for a reason, and we need to make sure that the Danbury Community they chose to become a part of remains. I have heard many residents over the last couple of years express a concern for the direction that the city seemed to be moving and indicated they may need to relocate again before it was too late. Those feelings and observations are concerning to me, and we need to do everything we can do to keep our community and Danbury traditions and lifestyle intact.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The major difference between me and the other candidates seeking an at-large seat on the Danbury City Council is the years of experience as an elected official that I bring with me. I served 9 terms on the Danbury Zoning Commission, 5 terms as Chairman and 1 term as Vice Chair. As a member of the Zoning Commission, we always needed to try and project what the long-term results of decisions that we made would be as they would greatly impact the economic vitality of the city and/or the quality of life of the community. I also needed to pay close attention to information that was provided during public hearings as that information accompanied with information provided by professional city staff needed to be the foundation of any decision made and voted on. That is the same viewpoint that members of the City Council need to take while serving in that capacity. City Officials should always consider how the decisions they make will impact the community, not just today but also in the future and not make knee-jerk decisions. Elected Representatives are accountable to the citizens they are elected to represent and need to listen to them and consider their thoughts before acting on the business before them. In addition, thanks to the years that I served in City Government I am ready and able to fulfill my duties and tasks on day 1. I have a proven track record of service.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
The other issues that I intend to address are basic elements in the B.E.S.T. platform (Business, Education, Safety, Transportation). These are fundamental in helping to maintain the quality of life in Danbury. We need to make sure that Danbury continues to be a Business-friendly community that attracts new business while retaining existing businesses. The business community is essential to the economic vitality of our city as they should be the foundation of the Danbury tax base. To maintain our property tax rate that is lower than other cities and towns in Connecticut we need to have that revenue coming in from our commercial and industrial properties. Education is fundamental to every community and is sometimes the driving factor in determining where families with school age children reside. We need to support our educational system so we can attract and retain these families. Safety is also essential for any community. We need to support our Police and make sure that they have the funding and contract they need to fully serve and protect our community. We also need to support our Fire Department personnel who also help make us feel safe and secure by being ready to respond at moment’s notice. In short, all of our first responders need to be appreciated, supported, equipped, and funded. Finally, we need to address the transportation needs of our community. We are dependent on the area around us. Danbury residents need to be able to travel throughout the city and surrounding areas. I will support any plan that provides a logical and real solution that addresses the growing transportation issues that our city faces.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
One fundamental accomplishment that will help me handle the job as a city councilman is connected to professional life. As a certified teacher in the Danbury school system, I need to work with a diverse population of students. This gives me an insight into the demographics and the needs of Danbury Residents. My role as an NEA Danbury Executive Board member exposes me to situations where we need to recognize and address issues facing our teachers and students. In this capacity I have helped to bring to resolution items that have impacted our community and have earned the trust and respect of many of my colleagues. Finally, the years that I served as an elected member of the Zoning Commission and the faith entrusted to me by the Danbury community while serving is further evidence that I will be able to handle the job as a city councilman and an elected representative of the citizens of Danbury.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The best advice that anyone ever gave me is “Be Yourself.” Being yourself involves recognizing who you are. It’s about living honestly and confidently, even when it’s uncomfortable. People say, “doing the right thing is not always easy, but its always right”. When you live this way people should know what to expect from you and your reputation should be intact. If you pattern your entire life this way then people should respect you for being authentic. You should always be viewed as the same person, living an honest life that truly reflects who you are and what you value.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am a native Danburian and have deep roots being a member of the Tomaino Family and the Wanzer Family. I try to live my life as a respectful individual and have earned the respect from individuals who are members of both parties. I have a reputation of being able to work with people and always put forth what is in the best interests of others. This is reflected in the fact that I have been endorsed by the Independent Party of Danbury and have also NEA Danbury (the Danbury Teachers Union). If given the opportunity to serve in this capacity I will put the needs of the residents of Danbury first rather than just blindly follow and rubber stamp a political agenda. I humbly ask for your support and that when you go to the polls either on election day or during early voting you bubble in 5B and cast your vote for me.