Patch Candidate Profile: Cheryl Kemeny For Norwalk Common Council

NORWALK, 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:

Cheryl Kemeny

What office are you seeking?

Common Council District A

What town do you live in?

Norwalk

Party Affiliation:

Republican

Occupation:

Artistic Director/President of Crystal Theatre Inc

Family:

I am married to Mariner Pezza, an author and artist.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Justice of the Peace.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking office to represent the interests of my district and the City of Norwalk and to offer a reasonable alternative to our current one-party rule.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:

Large apartment complex density. Projects should be analyzed by Council members as to their effect on sewer usage, water usage and traffic addition as well as "affordability" which so far seems to be based on New York City income standards.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am more fiscally conservative and believe we should not spend money that we don't have.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Maintaining public access to our waterfront and eliminating "social promotion" in the public schools which is ruining opportunity for our students. Teachers spend an inordinate amount of time on "data" which reduces their actually teaching time. I am not running for the Board of Ed, but the Common Council does control the budget.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am a co-founder of non-profit (501 C-3) Crystal Theatre Inc., a performing arts school dedicated to developing well-rounded children, providing acting/singing opportunities for students aged 4--college-aged and to developing original musicals and plays. Crystal Theatre was founded in 1987 under the auspices of the Norwalk Recreation & Parks Department and is located in Ben Franklin Community Center. I have been the Artistic director and Board President since going federally non-profit in 1992. We are currently a Community Theatre as well, providing an artistic outlet for adults in our community. I have maintained the organization for 39 years without a deficit through my philosophy of not spending more than you take in.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Think before you speak" and "Love your neighbor as yourself".

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe in conserving and protecting the environment, beautifying our surroundings, and enhancing our quality of life through the promotion of and community involvement in the Arts. I believe in the "American Dream" (about which I have written and composed several musicals, all performed at Crystal Theatre) and that children should be well-educated, but not politically "indoctrinated". I believe --as our Founders did--that America can only survive by maintaining a moral and faithful populace that recognizes the divine spark that is in every person and so values each soul equally. I believe in the rule of law being upheld and that if there is an objection to a law, it should be remedied through legislation.