Patch Candidate Profile: Lisa Brinton For Norwalk Common Council, Board Of Education

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:

Lisa Brinton

What office are you seeking?

Common Council & Board of Education

What town do you live in?

Norwalk

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:

Independent Party

Occupation:

Retired AT&T corporate executive - 25 years and after school writing coach - 12 years.

Family:

I have two grown sons, Doug (28) and Robbie (26), Both were educated in Norwalk's public schools. Both are employed and living elsewhere - NYC and Sydney, Australia.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

No.

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running because Norwalk needs ideas, not party ideology to remain affordable. My priorities: 1) address density and quality of life issues, 2) diversify tax revenue from over reliance on residential property taxes, 3) address city hall operations and employee morale, and 4) push back on Hartford's density agenda adversely impacting our ability to fund our city's infrastructure, schools and daily operations.

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

Affordability. For as long as I can remember, both the council and BOE have played the annual ‘cat and mouse' budget game. More recently, both refuse to discuss the impact Hartford's density has had on city infrastructure and school enrollment. Housing and education are not SEPARATE issues, since property taxes from one funds the other. We need officials to be honest with residents and who aren't intimidated or beholding to party agendas. The imbalance of a 14-1 council and 9-0 BOE has been the death knell for transparency. Too many closed door discussions. No debate. No public awareness. Two things I would do: Begin discussions about diversifying tax revenue, including: a) reducing developer tax abatements for large fortress apartments, b) imposing vacancy taxes for blighted properties, c) enforcing blight fines, d) implementing parking permits, e) fighting for fairer state ECS funds for schools and f) working with state reps and Hartford for a portion of local sales taxes to ease the burden on the shrinking number of homeowners. We can’t keep giving property tax abatements (our primary source of income) to developers, while carrying a disproportionate amount of poverty for Fairfield County. We already have 14% deed restricted affordable housing (more than our neighbors)- not to mention multi-family homes not officially Double digit property tax increases and school budget deficits are homeowners' future without change. Secondly, we need to be more efficient as a city. This means examining overlapping department functions. Some need more staff. Others less. Studies have been conducted over the years - ending up on shelves. Transportation, Mobility & Parking, Public Works and the Parking Authority have overlapping functions. Three department/agencies oversee large developments: P&Z, the Redevelopment Agency and Housing Authority. The City & BOE don’t need separate purchasing, HR, finance, communications and IT departments.

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

I'm not partisan and not a member of the majority party. The imbalance of a 14-1 council and 9-0 Board of Ed has been the death knell for transparency and city affordability. Policy is decided behind closed doors. No debate. No discussion. Most times, no public awareness. We need check and balance.

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

Charter Revision: Since 2016 and three commissions, Norwalkers have asked for fairer representation for the 45% with no say – save 3 minute public comments at the podium. We’re one a handful of towns with NO minority party representation for our legislative branch, unlike Connecticut’s other 166 towns! The committee started with high hopes. Things unravelled when the lines were blurred over what constitutes democracy versus partisan election rules. Democracy is when power is vested with ALL the people, with a right to participate in decision making versus 'election rules' which can vary. Election rules include different ways of calculating votes and determining winners, like: proportional representation, first past the post, minority party representation or rank choice voting methods. Most democracies use proportional representation. Growing US extremism is the result blue versus red state gerrymandering, leaving half the electorate with no voice, and a ‘winner take all’ methodology. With only a handful of purple states, politicians on both sides continue to rewrite election laws to sure up power. They’re doing it in Norwalk.

Commission Chair, Tyler Fairbairn put forward a great recommendation that would have: 1) put representation closer to neighborhoods, 2) implemented minority party representation and, 3) created mayoral check and balance. It maintained council size, with three seats in each of the five districts; with a maximum two from one party. It eliminated At Large seats – who basically vote with the mayor. It was voted down. Single party absolute power is demoralizing, when reinforced with self-interest policy. I’m voting NO to charter revision.

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

A resident since 1998, I’ve long advocated for non-partisan, professional city government and giving voice to the residents, who have none, regardless of affiliation and ahead of special interests. After narrowly losing the 2019 mayoral race, I spear headed the return of the Independent Party ballot line, running independent/unaffiliated candidates, who prefer not to be labeled and/or cross endorsing moderate candidates from both major parties. The growing toxicity of the two-party system is killing us. I'm encouraged by the Democratic primary and efforts to loosen the grip of the few controlling our city. As a 25-year veteran of the corporate world, my expertise is financial and operational. I also have a Master's Degree in Public Policy & Administration. I’ve always been accessible and accountable, through constant communication and advocacy of Norwalk’s local issues, whether with the League of Women Voters, member of Norwalk Public Schools’ District Data Management Team, or Founder of Save Norwalk’s Neighborhoods. I want to balance housing and education policies, so long-time residents can STAY in Norwalk.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

While being treated for leukemia, many years ago at Norwalk Hospital, the visiting Jesuit priest quoted a proverb, "Life by the inch and life's a cinch. Life by the yard and life is hard." Breaking down overwhelming tasks, be they personal, professional or governmental, in a step by step fashion makes them more manageable and achievable and less overwhelming.

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

Norwalk has a long, rich history as a diverse and inclusive community. It’s reflected in local government representation, appointed boards and commissions and our schools. However, and likely due to national politics, political diversity has been lost and replaced by bullying, rubber-stamp voting and 'group think.' It’s not served Norwalk residents or students well. There is no check and balance on policies. This often results in well-heeled special interests benefiting, at the expense of the marginalized groups local or state government claims to support.