Danbury Candidate Profile: Frank R. Salvatore For City Council

DANBURY, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Danbury and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Danbury Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Frank R. Salvatore, 53, is running for City Council-at-Large as a Democrat. He is an administrator of ancillary services/respiratory therapist, and holds an MBA. He lives in Danbury with his wife Sheryl and has a 28-year-old son, Matthew.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Lack of educational funding by our Mayor. I will press for innovative ways to ensure that the educational system moves from dead last in per pupil spending to a level commensurate with our standing as the 7th largest city in Connecticut.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have worked with many people in my professional and personal life who have like and different opinions than I. The key is to listen first and hear what people are saying before allowing your personal opinion take root. I have no issue speaking truth to power and will represent those who see fit to elect me on November 5th.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

I'm tired of the condition of the roads and the fact that you can set your clock to the fact that we see movement on paving when election season comes around. We have roads that are overused and I agree with Chris Setaro that a comprehensive traffic study must be done.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I've been a member of Water Witch Hose Co. #7 here in Danbury for 35 years and have worked with many administrations during my time there. I know the city hierarchy and have learned how to traverse city politics to ensure the fire house is able to serve the citizens in our capacity as a volunteer fire department. I run 12 departments within a hospital system that bills millions of dollars and has expenses to match. Financially, I understand budgeting which is something that will help every spring when the Mayor puts forth the new budget.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I've served the community for 35 years as a volunteer firefighter and am a member of St. Gregory the Great Parish. Danbury has been my life for 53 years and service to it is engrained into my being. I would like to serve my community in another role, and being a member of the City Council is how I'd like to further my service to Danbury.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Listen to others before you speak.