Democrat Ellen Zoppo-Sassu Running For Re-Election As Mayor Of Bristol

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

October 29, 2021

The first woman mayor in Bristol’s history, Ellen Zoppo-Sassu looks for re-election to continue her work for Bristol.

“The last four years have been really rewarding and I think it’s because of the personal contact you have with people,” Zoppo-Sassu said.

Zoppo-Sassu was first elected to the office of mayor in 2017. In that time her administration has combined departments, such as water and sewer, along with the parks, recreation, youth and community services department to maximize efficiency and city services.

“I think my leadership style is that of collaboration and ensuring the right people are in the right seats on the management team,” Zoppo-Sassu said.

Zoppo-Sassu has also made it her priority to address blighted housing in the city, and has concentrated efforts in leading a task force for a building plan to see the Memorial Boulevard School and its theater rebuilt. Zoppo-Sassu also stated Centre Square is almost fully committed to development due to the majority of its parcels having been sold and construction being planned.

For the future, Zoppo-Sassu said she would be turning her eye to the Route 72 corridor from Riverside Avenue and through to the West End, if she is elected.

“We are looking at a streetscape project. We are looking at improving the aesthetics of the eastern side of Riverside Avenue in conjunction with everything that’s going to be happening with the Sessions Building remediation and redevelopment,” she said. “As you move west toward Rockwell Park and Muzzy Field, that Route 72 at Route 69 intersection reconfiguration, which is set to begin in August of ’22, is also going to incorporate selective demolition of several buildings in that area, revamped parking and some streetscape improvement.”

Zoppo-Sassu also addressed the criticism of city spending, saying she did not believe Bristol had a spending problem.

“We spend exactly what we need to spend and we have embraced a philosophy of investment in Bristol,” Zoppo-Sassu said.

Among other issues, she said her administration will continue to look for solutions as police must retool to handle the state police accountability law, combat the opioid crisis, manage tenant and landlord challenges, oversee the investment of $28 million in American Rescue Plan funds and keep up pandemic-related needs.

Zoppo-Sassu has had a long history in politics. In 2001, she ran for City Council’s second district seat and served in that position for the following six years. In 2013, voters elected her to the third district council seat and during that time she served as the chair of the code enforcement committee.

She also has previously served as a director of communications with the Connecticut Pharmacists Association, served part-time as the Bristol Historical Society’s director of development and grants, was a development director for the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol as well as the New Britain Chamber of Commerce. From Providence College, she earned a political science degree and has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Connecticut focusing in local and urban government.

“I love being mayor because I know that at the local level I can affect somebody almost immediately,” the mayor said. “Whether it’s getting them a brand new trash barrel or helping somebody come through the food line today at 4 o’clock because they were missing something from their renter’s rebate paperwork and they were very panicked about it. We can solve problems. We solve problems every day.”