Patch Candidate Profile: William M. Aron For Stamford Board Of Representatives

STAMFORD, 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 the city.

Candidate's Name:
William M. Aron

What office are you seeking?
Board of Representatives - District 19

What town do you live in?
Stamford

Campaign Website
<>

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Retired Executive, Private Equity Partner, Non-Profit Leader

Family:
I have a wife Katherine Aron and a son Parker Aron

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
No

Why are you seeking this office?
As a Stamford native, I have seen many phases in Stamford’s development. From the great corporate headquarters build in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, to the downtown renaissance and now the residential apartment boom, all of these changes were exciting, transformative and shaped the City we live in today.

Yet, with each phase, comes a cautionary tale of overbuilding and overexuberance. We need to make sure our City leaders are asking the right questions, learning from our history and listening to all sides. It is not clear that this is happening.

Growth is good, but Stamford’s development must remain reflective of the City’s nature, thoughtful of the existing infrastructure and, most importantly, it must be for the benefit of all our citizens.

For North Stamford, in particular, this means protecting our zoning rights and making sure that development doesn’t go too far in changing the sanctuary we call home.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
As a candidate for Board of Representatives my platform is clear:

• I support intelligent, architecturally interesting, and fiscally responsible growth downtown; making sure there is a voice against over building and a straining of city’s limited resources.

• I will protect North Stamford zoning and making sure that neither the City nor the State encroaches on our property rights.

• I will seek to improve the roads and bridges in North Stamford with a focus on safety, including the installation of a caution signal at the intersection of Riverbank, Long Ridge and Old Long Ridge roads where a serious accident is almost sure to take place.

• I will work to streamline and improve the permitting process for residential homes so that young families can buy properties in North Stamford and make the needed renovations and upgrades without excess cost and time navigating the City bureaucracy.

• I will continue to push for improvements in our schools so that young families can move to and remain in Stamford, confident that their children will get the education they deserve.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Perspective. As I mentioned above, I was born and raised in Stamford and have seen many phases of its development - both good and bad. I am not wedded to any one ideology and don't believe any one party has the right or wrong answers. I believe in a plurality of views and active debate to get to sound policy decisions.

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

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have run a successful business with complicated operations, so I know how to manage complex organizations. Further, like many businesses where there are good times and bad, navigating change and handling crises is an important quality. It is for City leadership as well. Most importantly, however, my tenure as President of the Stamford Museum and Nature Center has taught me much about the needs and desires of the Stamford Community and its young families. I am proud to have to have built a solid foundation for the Institution, and its success today is testament to that.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Take all the advice you want, but ultimately the decisions you make must come from the heart.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Education - Princeton University / MBA Cornell Johnson School