Milford Candidate Profile: Joanne Lasse Rohrig For City Clerk

MILFORD, CT — Milford's election season is heating 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 office of City Clerk.

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.

Joanne Lasse Rohrig, 59, is running for re-election as City Clerk as a Republican.

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: *

4 children
Joseph Rohrig, 36 (Bianca, daughter-in-law)
Jared Rohrig, 36
Jeremy Rohrig, 34
Chelsea Casey, 29 (Logan Casey, son-in-law)
Jaxon Casey, 3 grandson

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

This includes any relatives who work in the government you'd be representing.

No

Education: *

Pumpkin Delight School
Jonathan Law High School
Stone School of Business

Occupation: *

Please include years of experience.

Milford City Clerk, Incumbent 5 1/2 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: *

Milford City Clerk
Milford Board of Education, Minority Leader

Campaign Website: *

https://www.milfordctgop.com/

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

Governmental transparency and open access to government continue to be a major issue facing Milford. Government should remain for the people and by the people.

Over the last five years, I have enhanced the connectivity to our citizens through open communication and community outreach. I will continue to enhance the office through technology, and communication vehicles. I initiated a community newsletter that now includes most city organizations and agencies.

My role as a chairperson and vice president of the Milford Oyster Festival, United Way Board of Directors and various community organizations highlights my clear dedication to the residents of Milford.

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

Experience and knowledge. The role of City Clerk is a dynamic position involving every citizen in Milford and beyond. For the past 5 1/2 years, I have learned and excelled on improving processes and visibility. I have lived in Milford for over 55 years and understand the history of Milford and know the nuances associated with this ever-changing city. I pride myself in participating in a statewide network of Town and City Clerks. I have led the improvement revolution in the office of the City Clerk. I am energized and want to continue to meet the needs of all citizens regardless of party affiliation or background. Over the past five plus years we have dramatically enhanced customer friendly processes.These processes include but are not limited to technological and internet enhancements coupled with in office enhanced protocols.The office of the City Clerk is a much improved more customer friendly office then it was five short years ago.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Experience, knowledge and vitality. I grew up in Milford and understand the many nuances of complex, yet compelling city. The job of City Clerk should be a non-partisan position since by nature it serves as the governmental liaison to all City, State and sometimes Federal agencies.
Having lived in Milford all my life, coupled with five plus years of on the job training has afforded me the opportunity to interact with the great citizenry of Milford.
I am involved in many statewide initiatives and continue to advocate for best practices.

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

The number one thing I would like to acknowledge is the accomplishments and upgrades I have made at every level in the City Clerk's office. My vision is to continue for our office to be a role model for other clerk offices throughout the State.

My background through my parent's restaurant has always instilled in me from a very young age that customer service is the number one priority. Even though the City Clerk's office may not be the place to get the information they are looking for, I always make it my business to steer them in the right direction to find the answers that are needed.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

My father always made his customers feel like family and treated them with respect. He always told me to treat your customers the way you would expect to be treated. This is a quality that I try to bring to our citizens each in every day in the City Clerk's office.

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

I love my job. I come to work each day with the opportunity to meet the greatest people in the world. The office of the city clerk, through my leadership, has evolved into the hub of information and data for our wonderful city. I do this because I care. I do this out of commitment to our citizens. I do this out of my love for Milford.