Patch Candidate Profile: Roger V. Autuori, RTM District 5

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

Roger V. Autuori

How old will you be as of Election Day?

71

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.fairfieldrtc.com2023-rtm-candidates

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield

What office are you seeking?

Representative Town Meeting

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

District Six (The ballot lists Autuori for District 5)

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

Graduate Fairfield Public Schools; University of New Haven, B.S. Degree Criminal Justice Administration

What is your occupation?

Retired Fairfield Republican Registrar of Voters, Former Political Media Consultant, Former Staff Writer, Editor for Bridgeport/Fairfield Newspapers, former Self Employed Mason. Former Fairfield Scale House operator.

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

An older brother and many cousins that live in town

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

One cousin who is an RTM member.

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

Two term Town Constable seeking a third term. Former Vice Chairman of the Fairfield Water Polution Control Authority, Elected to the Board of Assessment Appeals 2007; Served on RTM Late 80's early 90's. Assigned to Finance Committee and Legislation and Administration Committee.

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 again for the RTM in District Five (Warde High school) because the town's local legislature is no longer a representative body. RTM members never ask the voters what they think are Fairfield's issues and how the government should solve them. They act more like they are in Congress or the State legislature. I want to see residents involved in District meetings prior to RTM monthly meeting that do not occur now. Politicians from both parties in town have forgotten what the word "representative" means

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

the growing cost of government, I will not be a rubber stamp for any administration. I will ask questions on how the government operates and how the town spends the taxpayer's money. Right now, there is a half dozen electric cars sitting in the town hall parking lot because nobody has a plan on what town employee will use them or how they will be used. You would think this would have been decided before they signed the two-year lease. My years of experience with the town has shown me how the town operates and how it should operate.

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

I put the Town first not the administration or the Party. When I was first on the RTM, I moved that rental properties at the end of Hillandale Road, bought originally for a new firehouse project that was cancelled, be sold. I was told the RTM could not initiate such a move. Only the Selectmen could do it. I took it to the Board of Selectmen and got it passed.
Today those homes are owned by private families.

When the current administration decided to have a new charter that reduced and made the elected town constables, of which I am one of seven, subject to appointment by the Selectman, I fought that and campaigned with many others who had other concerns to defeat that charter revision.

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

The long-time majority members of the RTM have all failed the town. When the Democrats held the First Selectman's seat and the RTM majority, they remained silent, even trying to stop other town bodies, like the Board of Finance from looking into problems with the Department of Public Works. Now like Congress, they are pushing agendas that only benefit their donors and not the town.

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

Public safety/Animal Control, Mental health, Fire Protection, Management of Public Works, Town Financial Procedures, Board and Commission Appointments,

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

Fairfield RTC 2016 Gerald Malafronte Community Service award. I knew Gerry and worked with him during the second Durrell campaign. It was an honor to get this award.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Trust but verify and get it in writing.

>>>Here are his responses as it pertains to Constable:

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?

The seven elected Constables work closely with the Fairfield Probate Court serving respondents notices of court hearings for appointments of guardians and conservators. We make those visits to the respondents' homes and temporary residencies such as nursing homes. There was a move by some in the town government to reduce the number of constables to four and make them appointed positions. I fought against that move at the Charter Revision meetings. Luckily voters in town voted against the revised charter that was presented. I am running again to ensure that efforts to interfere with the office doesn't happen again.

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

The uncertainty, especially by senior citizens, of what is happening when I deliver the hearing notices. I always try to have a family member or a staff aide present when I give them the notice.

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

I think most of the Constables try to be pleasant, competent, and efficient in performing our duties. Public service is what we do. You are not going to get rich doing this job because technically we are outside vendors whose fees we collect from the petitioners are set by the state. No town funds are involved.

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

Because seven out of the eight candidates (most of whom are incumbents) of both Political Parties are elected we are all challenging each other to be reelected.

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

I've been elected twice before in 2019 and 2021 as Constable. If I could not handle this job, I would not have been nominated each time since.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Trust but verify and watch your back.

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

Most of the elected or appointed positions I held in town were not for pay. Serving the town is a way for me to give back for what I, a lifelong resident, got out of Fairfield.