2023 Darien Election Profile: Jamie Zionic For P&Z Commission

DARIEN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 7 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Darien.

Patch reached out to candidates for local office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the town.

Name

Jamie Zionic

How old will you be as of Election Day?

52

What city or town do you live in?

Darien

What office are you seeking?

Member, Planning and Zoning Commission

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

BFA in Art and Art History with a focus on the history of architecture and urban planning

What is your occupation?

Before moving to Darien, I was a real estate agent and broker for over 10 years. I'm currently the Co-Founder of Project Buddy Up, a program to make Darien youth recreational activities accessible to any child that might otherwise choose not to participate.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I have 4 children, two attending Holmes Elementary School and two attending Middlesex Middle School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I strongly support the Town of Darien’s Plan of Conservation and Development and believes Planning and Zoning decisions should be based on the advisory documents created and adopted by Darien's government and community members.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Maintaining local control of Planning and Zoning decisions impacting conservation, development and infrastructure.

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

I've been involved in many town, school, and state educational committees and advisory groups, including the Strategic Planning Committee for Darien Public Schools, the Connecticut State Performance Planning Committee and Connecticut Annual Performance Report Committee. My volunteer work has informed my understanding of the impact of public planning to the Darien school system.

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

The flood mitigation work currently in progress is an area where multiple town boards have joined together to develop remediation plans for residents and businesses. I look forward to seeing this work continue.

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

I was a Chicago real estate agent and broker for over 10 years and previously focused my studies on the history of architecture and urban planning.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

You should think about moving to Darien, it's a great place to raise a family.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I look forward to working with the incumbent members of the Planning and Zoning Commission to guide the conservation and development of the community.