Patch Candidate Profile: Pierre Ratzki, RTM District 10

FAIRFIELD, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Fairfield will be on the ballot, including Board of Selectman, Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Fairfield Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Name

Pierre Ratzki

How old will you be as of Election Day?

36

What city or town do you live in?

Southport

What office are you seeking?

Representative Town Meeting

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

District 10

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

JD, Brooklyn Law School; BA, UC Santa Cruz

What is your occupation?

Attorney

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

Wife & two children (5 and 3)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Commissioner, Greater Bridgeport Transit

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 am running because I want to see Fairfield thrive as we watch our kids grow up.

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

The single most pressing issue our town faces is ensuring that our kids receive the best education they possibly can. Our schools should have the resources they need, and our educational professionals should receive fair compensation for the hard work they do. I oppose any cuts to our schools, especially when our buildings need upgrades - including better HVAC systems - and our kids are still recovering from the Covid setbacks.

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

I will bring a civil, positive, and proactive approach to my service on the RTM. I will work to make sure our legislative process is more transparent than ever, and will be accessible to everyone who has an issue they need addressed.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

One incumbent from the opposing party is running in District 10. The Republican RTM caucus, including the incumbent, has acted as a rubber stamp for First Selectwoman Kupchick's agenda. This includes supporting the wasteful charter reform effort, which was an attempted power grab. I would not act as a mere placeholder, but instead would consider all ideas and work to reach a consensus with my colleagues.

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

(1) Accessibility and mobility issues: Our sidewalks are in bad shape. In most places, there is no safe walking space at all. And where sidewalks do exist, they're usually in a state of disrepair, cracked and uneven. This poses a major problem for anyone with a stroller, wheelchair, crutches, or other mobility issues. Similarly, our bus stops usually have either no or inadequate weather cover; this is an issue I am working to address as a transit commissioner. We should also improve biking access and safety. (2) Traffic and speeding: First, if more people could walk, bus, and bike safely, this could help reduce the number of cars on the road. Second, we need to crack down on speeders and dangerous drivers who treat our neighborhood streets like a racetrack. This issue came to the fore of our local consciousness after two recent pedestrian deaths. Thanks to a new law, we now have more local control over our main roads, including Post Road. We should use this authority to implement safety improvements and empower stricter traffic enforcement.

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

As a transit commissioner, I have worked with my co-commissioners from both parties to improve our transit system and approve fair union contracts. I am proud of the work the transit system has done, especially in the face of Covid-related challenges. Also, in a past life, I was part of a group of reformers in local NYC politics that took on the party machine. Against entrenched opposition, we passed ethics reforms that made the local government more transparent, more accessible, and less susceptible to corruption. As RTM member, I would work to improve accountability in the same manner.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Never skip breakfast, and always stay hydrated!

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

I am excited to see what the future holds for our wonderful town. Our community can meet any challenge if we work together.