Milford Candidate Profile: Jay Zammiello For Board of Aldermen

MILFORD, CT — Milford's election season is heating up and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to get their name on the ballot for the city's municipal election. One of those contested races is the race for the Board of Aldermen.

Milford Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Jay Zammiello is running for election to the Board of Aldermen and is running as a Democrat in the first-district.

Are you running for office in Milford? Contact Brian McCready at brian.mccready@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Milford Patch.

Family: *

My wife Jennifer and I have been married for 18 years and we have two children, Olivia and Callie.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? *

No

Education: *

Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Fairfield University. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University at Buffalo.

Occupation: *

I have worked in business operations and facilities for more than 20 years in the non-profit and hospitality industries.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: *

Alderman 1st District

Campaign Website: *

www.milforddemocrats.com

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

There are many important issues, but most important to me and I think most residents is maintaining the city's trend in keeping property taxes at or below the prior year, while improving infrastructure and adding to the community through projects such as the Eisenhower Park splash pad and dog park.

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

The critical difference today is my opponents’ eagerness to develop away the natural landscape of Milford. If you were look at the 1st District on map you might think its enormity could almost absorb the other 4 districts combined in land mass. This open space is dominated by the natural landscape including trees, water ways, and hiking trails. There are plenty of opportunities for development within Milford, but our natural space should not be among them. I will fight to maintain the natural landscape and open spaces of Milford.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Now that the city has secured a moratorium on affordable housing, it's critical to continue the effort against over-development, while remaining open for new business and industry. Protecting open space and coastline resources is essential in keeping Milford a desirable destination for long term opportunity to both individuals and businesses.

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

Municipal governments manage community property resources and provide services to the benefit of each taxpayer. The challenge is to ensure this is accomplished in an efficient and cost effective manner. My unique experience blending hospitality services, non-profit business operations management, and property and facilities, coupled with an education that includes an MBA in Finance and a B.A. in Political Science are a great match in achieving these goals.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Be honest, be sincere, be yourself.

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

I take great pride in being a problem-solver who is willing to listen to every point of view on any particular issue and am unafraid to find an outside-the-box solution. Feel free to contact me with any issue or concern you may have and I will do my best to find a resolution.