Patch Candidate Profile: Ernie Ricco For Wilton Constable

WILTON, 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:
Ernie Ricco (Ernest George Ricco)

What office are you seeking?
Constable

What town do you live in?
Wilton

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Owner of Ricco Enterprises, a property management, construction, and operation company 37 years since 1988 ... Collegiate D1 FBS Football Coach 26 years coaching since 1999

Family:
Married to Brenda Scott Ricco, a Special Education Teacher, for 37 years since 1988 ... Have made Wilton our home since 1994 ... Have raised 6 children aged 34, 33, 32, 31, 21 and 20 all of whom were born and raised in Wilton, have graduated from the Wilton School system and have attended college with masters and law degrees ... Children contributing to society in Sports, Hotel, Legal, University, Criminal Justice fields.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes ... 1985 Stratford Town Councilman, 2017 to present Wilton Constable, numerous boards, commissions, committees, delegations

Why are you seeking this office?
Having served the community in elected and appointed Government Commissions, Boards, and Committees for over 40 years, I have been asked to serve a 5th term as Constable. I believe there is nothing more honorable than community service.

A graduate of Fairfield Prep, I was the first in my working-class family to graduate from college. At 22, I was elected Stratford Town Councilman, the youngest in Connecticut history. School Building, Tax, Finance, Claims, Budget, BOE Liaison, Ordinance/Law, Water Pollution Control, By-laws, Nominating, Campaign, Gubernatorial Delegate, State/National Senatorial Delegate, Government Liaison, Justice of the Peace, “Listen to Wilton” Platform and Connecticut State Platform are some prior Boards, Commissions and Committees served.

In 1988, I founded Ricco Enterprises, a property operation, construction & management firm, while simultaneously following my passion as a collegiate and high school football coach over the past 27 years. Wilton has been home since 1994, where my wife of 37 years, Brenda, and I raised 6 children ages 20 – 34, volunteering countless hours coaching thousands of children in various youth sports until all 6 graduated from Wilton High School.

Important Personal and Government pillars to me are Family, Quality of Life, Respect, Education, Integrity, Character, and Communication.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Quality of life with less stress and more opportunities in education, health and mutual respect with other. As actions speak louder than words, I intend to continue to strive to live my life with actions based upon my important Personal and Government pillars of Family, Quality of Life, Respect, Education, Integrity, Character, and Communication

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I will not begin to understand or speak for or about others but rather state that I do not seek higher office, clout or ego building. Having served the community in elected and appointed Government Commissions, Boards, and Committees for over 40 years, I have been asked to serve a 5th term as Constable. I believe there is nothing more honorable than community service.

A graduate of Fairfield Prep, I was the first in my working-class family to graduate from college. At 22, I was elected Stratford Town Councilman, the youngest in Connecticut history. School Building, Tax, Finance, Claims, Budget, BOE Liaison, Ordinance/Law, Water Pollution Control, By-laws, Nominating, Campaign, Gubernatorial Delegate, State/National Senatorial Delegate, Government Liaison, Justice of the Peace, “Listen to Wilton” Platform and Connecticut State Platform are some prior Boards, Commissions and Committees served.

In 1988, I founded Ricco Enterprises, a property operation, construction & management firm, while simultaneously following my passion as a collegiate and high school football coach over the past 27 years. Wilton has been home since 1994, where my wife of 37 years, Brenda, and I raised 6 children ages 20 – 34, volunteering countless hours coaching thousands of children in various youth sports until all 6 graduated from Wilton High School.

Important Personal and Government pillars to me are Family, Quality of Life, Respect, Education, Integrity, Character, and Communication.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Civility through Family, Quality of Life, Respect, Education, Integrity, Character, and Communication.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
With life, age, experience and proper discernment comes wisdom. I wish to embrace the past while striving to continue to learn into the future.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Advice: The best advice is "the 24 hour rule - always wait and think" ... The next best advice is "the best advice is no advice"

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I love sharing what I know and learning from others, especially the young adults and the wise seniors ... I love what I do ... being a husband, a father, a son, a brother ... I love my family, coaching, running a business, volunteering in community service ... being a friend ... Having served the community in elected and appointed Government Commissions, Boards, and Committees for over 40 years, I have been asked to serve a 5th term as Constable. I believe there is nothing more honorable than community service.

A graduate of Fairfield Prep, I was the first in my working-class family to graduate from college. At 22, I was elected Stratford Town Councilman, the youngest in Connecticut history. School Building, Tax, Finance, Claims, Budget, BOE Liaison, Ordinance/Law, Water Pollution Control, By-laws, Nominating, Campaign, Gubernatorial Delegate, State/National Senatorial Delegate, Government Liaison, Justice of the Peace, “Listen to Wilton” Platform and Connecticut State Platform are some prior Boards, Commissions and Committees served.

In 1988, I founded Ricco Enterprises, a property operation, construction & management firm, while simultaneously following my passion as a collegiate and high school football coach over the past 27 years. Wilton has been home since 1994, where my wife of 37 years, Brenda, and I raised 6 children ages 20 – 34, volunteering countless hours coaching thousands of children in various youth sports until all 6 graduated from Wilton High School.

Important Personal and Government pillars to me are Family, Quality of Life, Respect, Education, Integrity, Character, and Communication.