Patch Candidate Profile: Heather Dunn 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:

Heather Dunn

What office are you seeking?

Common Council Representative District D

What town do you live in?

Norwalk

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:

Independent

Occupation:

Special Education Teacher

Family:

My husband is a writer who loves playing guitar in his band. I have both a son and a daughter who graduated from Norwalk High School. My son is an artist and my daughter is working on her doctorate in neuropsychology.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My sister is an economic advisor at the Federal Reserve Board in DC.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I am currently a Common Council representative for District D, and the Council Minority Party Leader (Independent).

Why are you seeking this office?

I think there is a lot to be done to improve the quality of life for the residents of Norwalk. I want the opportunity to continue putting in the work needed to make that happen. I enjoy working on macro issues (making ordinances more enforceable), and also being able to problem-solve and address concerns of our individual neighbors.

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

The most pressing issues facing my constituents surround quality of life. As a city, we need the means to create, and maintain safe, healthy, and affordable neighborhoods.

We have very distinct communities within the city, each with distinctive assets and needs. Determining what our constituents' priorities are is not one size fits all, and making sure that there is real planning and oversight is always my priority focus.

Competing interests require weighing the different needs and potential impacts, asking questions and making tough decisions.

Decisions like which roads get repaved first, which park gets added pickleball courts, how to address blighted properties, the impact of lack of parking on residents, how a tax increase will affect residents... all require us, as representatives, to listen before actually voting.

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

I am an Independent, and the only person currently holding office that is not a member of the Democratic Party. As an activist for over 30 years, I was always unaffiliated while fighting quality of life issues for our city. I am not comfortable owing my allegiance to any party, but being an Independent allows me the freedom to be collaborative with both major parties in the most meaningful way. I am also able to equally represent the concerns of our unaffiliated constituents, and those that align with other minority political parties. My position on any issue is only influence by the needs of my constituents and I am free to vote that way.

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

I am very concerned about public health and safety. As a disaster responder and recovery supervisor for the Red Cross (CT/RI), I continue to follow up with families after a fire. I work to make sure they are on a good path to recovery and connect them with local tools for support. Being on the Council has been invaluable for those I have worked to support in Norwalk.

I am concerned about the illegal over occupancy of homes that often do not have working smoke alarms, safe ways to get out, or enough parking on our streets so they are navigable by emergency vehicles.

I also think that it is important to plan for easily accessible/walkable areas for shopping and recreation in every neighborhood. I encourage the city support more small local businesses with a focus on diversity.

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

I currently sit on every committee on the council, so I get to see how decisions in one department impact other departmental activities and the overall budget. Reading, evaluating and engaging with every agenda item for every committee is a lot, but I have loved doing it. I often get the opportunity to add an alternative viewpoint to discussions.

I also love being able to help problem solve with my neighbors. When issues arise I enjoy connecting them with pathways to resolutions. Even if I disagree with their position or request, I always explain why I feel that way, and share what research I have done that led me to the decision. I am always open and curious about considering other perspectives along the way.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress from NY, said "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair," and my mother (Ellen Sealy Dunn) said it is important to also stand up for those who don't have chairs.