Chris Jones Kicks Off Mayoral Campaign

Chris Jones said he has done a lot of listening and research in the two years since his unsuccessful bid for mayor of Shelton in 2009. 

And, after spending months studying city documents and budgets, he said he’s ready to give it another go in the 2011 election. 

Jones, 44, kicked off his second mayoral campaign Wednesday at a fundraiser event at Downtown Danny O’s.

Jones, a Democrat, lost to Mayor Mark Lauretti — 6,105 to 4,641 — in 2009.

Lauretti, who has been in office since 1990, also plans to run again this year.

Jones said his campaign platform will be about public safety, infrastructure and government spending. 

I will, over the next four months, educate the people of Shelton on where money has been misspent, where money should have been spent and wasn’t spent,” Jones said. I hope to educate and enlighten people on the situation that’s going on here in Shelton.” 

In an interview before his public remarks, Jones cited some old legal fees he felt were improper, and said not enough money was being spent on public safety vehicles.

Jones had formed an exploratory committee in February, and filed his official paperwork at city hall last week. 

PHOTO: Jodie MozdzerThe Democratic Town Committee meets next month to officially endorse candidates. 

David Gioiello, the Democratic Town Committee chairman, said he supports Jones’ run for mayor. 

He loves this town, and he just wants to do good for the people,” Gioiello said.

Jones said his campaign would avoid personal attacks and focus on the issues. 

His major talking points were:

  • Infrastructure. Jones said the city needs to keep up with paving roads, and questioned whether $4 million in bonding for paving would actually be spent on the roads.
  • Spending. Jones said he plans to keep taxes low — or lower them. I’m going to keep your taxes low in the same way they’ve been kept low for the last 40 years,” Jones said. But I’m going to do it openly and honestly. Not in secret.”

Lauretti, a Republican, did not return calls for comment Wednesday and Thursday. 

Anthony Simonetti, the chairman of the Republican Town Committee, said Lauretti plans to run again. 

The mayor’s done a marvelous job for 20 years,” Simonetti said. I can’t see anyone else taking that spot.”

Simonetti declined to comment further on the campaign, or Jones’s bid for mayor. 

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