Jack Finn and Adam Heller.
Next month, Jack Finn will begin a ritual he’s undertaken every other year for 32 years — going door-to-door, talking to every resident of the city’s First Ward.
But this year it won’t be Jack Finn the candidate asking for another term on the Board of Alderman. Instead, he’ll be asking people support to Adam Heller to replace him, because Finn announced Monday he won’t run for re-election to the Shelton Board of Aldermen.
Finn is the lone Democrat on Shelton’s legislative body. A Vietnam veteran, Finn’s wife, Susan, passed away in 2013. In a heartfelt message posted on his Facebook page Monday, Finn remembered his cherished companion, clearly the greatest influence on his life.
“When I was first selected 32 years ago, I never realized how connected I would be to such a warm community of people,” Finn said Monday night at the Democratic Town Committee meeting where it endorsed candidates for the November election. “Many times I have been humbled by the kindness of their hearts.”
Click here to read Finn’s essay.
The Democrats Monday endorsed candidates for the Board of Aldermen, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Board of Education, the Board of Apportionment and Taxation and the Library Board at its meeting at the Shelton Community Center.
But it didn’t endorse anyone to face Republican Mayor Mark Lauretti, who is seeking a 14th term.
“Shelton is, as is several other Valley towns, as Republican as they come in this state,” said committee Chairman David Gioiello.
Democrats have a host of issues with Lauretti, but the party’s candidates have been unable to mount any serious challenge against him.
The people are happy with him, Gioiello said, mostly because taxes have remained low in Shelton.
“We all love low taxes,” Gioiello said. “That is the issue that continues to resonate with voters.”
Instead, the party will focus on winning seats on the Board of Aldermen.
“The aldermen have fiduciary responsibility — they set the budget,” Gioiello said. “If we can get some Democrats on there, maybe we can get some better discussions.”
They also would like to see more Democrats on the Planning and Zoning Commission, which approved a zone change this year for the controversial 120-acre “Shelter Ridge” development.
Republicans have 4-2 majority on the P&Z, with the Democrats represented by Elaine Matto and Jimmy Tickey.
Matto voted for the Shelter Ridge zone change, but her seat is not up for reelection this year. Tickey, who voted against the zone change, was nominated for another term Monday, along with challenger Ludwig Spinelli.
“We have two excellent candidates this year (for the Planning and Zoning Commission) and if we can get both elected, we will have a 3-3 split, which could make for some interesting discussions and less influence from the mayor on the commission,” Gioiello said.
The Democratic Town Committee endorsed the following candidates:
Mayor
None
Board of Aldermen
First Ward
Adam Heller
Second Ward
Kevin Kosty
Jason Jones
Third Ward
Pat Jeannette
Tim Bristol
Fourth Ward
None
Planning and Zoning Commission
James Tickey
Ludwig Spinelli
Planning and Zoning Alternate
Nancy Dickal
Board of Education
David Gioiello
Wayne Bragg
Kate Kutash
Amanda Kilmartin
Jose Goncalves
Board of Apportionment and Taxation
Joe Knapik
Steve Guralick
Michelle Laubin
Library Board
Louis J. Dagostine
