Norwalk Candidate Profile: Harry Rilling For Mayor

NORWALK, CT — Election day in Norwalk is drawing closer, and there are two candidates running for the city's mayoral post, Democratic incumbent Harry Rilling and Republican candidate Lisa Brinton.

To help residents make an informed decision on Nov. 5, Norwalk Patch asked the two candidates to answer questions about the issues in the city and their campaigns.

Rilling, 72, has been the Mayor of Norwalk since 2013. He has "a wonderful wife Lucia and a great family including his children Christine, Melanie, and Stephen and seven grandchildren."

He was born and raised in Norwalk, graduating from Norwalk High School in 1965. Additionally, he has a BS in Criminal Justice, Summa Cum Laude, from Iona College, and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of New Haven. Rilling is a graduate of the FBI Executive Development Course.

Rilling enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967, and was honorably discharged in 1971 with the rank of E-5. He joined the Norwalk Police Department in 1971 and rose to the rank of Chief in 1995, a position he held until his retirement in 2012. He served on the Norwalk Zoning Commission from 2012 until his election as Mayor in 2013. From 1996 to 2004, Rilling was an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Norwalk Community College. Rilling was an on-site assessor and team leader with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA); he is a past Chairman of the Mid-Fairfield Substance Abuse Coalition (MFSAC); past President of both the Fairfield County Chiefs of Police Association (FCCP) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association (CPCA); he is a Life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); and he is a Board member of the National Committee on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (a committee of the Drug Enforcement Administration). Rilling served as Norwalk's Police Union President in 1976.

His campaign website is www.RillingforMayor.com.

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

Keeping taxes down while providing excellent services for residents. Mayor Rilling has kept taxes & spending under control. Norwalk has one of the lowest mill rates in Connecticut among its peers. As a result, the city has strong cash reserves and superb credit ratings (Moody’s, S&P and Fitch ratings are all AAA). Norwalk has experienced grand list growth every year. Economic Development is underway across the city including the new SoNo Collection, Washington Street Improvements, new mixed-use developments such as Waypointe and hundreds of new businesses with good-paying jobs for residents. A recent $500 million SoNo Collection project has brought 1500 new jobs to Norwalk. Mayor Rilling has also supported school expansion and development through Capital Expenditures of $189 million. This is a historic investment in Norwalk schools, students, and families. Additionally, Rilling supported increases in operational spending to support school improvement and curriculum development. Norwalk public schools ranked #1 on the state education report card - ranking first among peer districts including Stamford according to the 2019 CT Accountability Report. Significantly outperforming the state average. If re-elected, Mayor Rilling plans to continue his focus on keeping taxes down while providing excellent services for residents.

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

Experience is a critical difference among the candidates in this election. Mayor Rilling has served as Mayor of Norwalk since 2013. He has dedicated his entire professional life to public service from the U.S. Navy to the Norwalk Police Department. Mayor Rilling has a record of steady, progressive leadership that has grown the grand list each year, ushered in unprecedented economic development, reduced crime in every neighborhood and improved Norwalk's schools to a #1 ranking in the state.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Mayor Rilling has kept taxes & spending under control. Norwalk has one of the lowest mill rates in Connecticut among its peers. As a result, the city has strong cash reserves and superb credit ratings (Moody’s, S&P and Fitch ratings are all AAA). Conservative spending has led to coming in under budget every year. This year six million in savings and six million in unanticipated additional revenue. All while lowering the mill rate, investing in city services and making historic investments in infrastructure and schools.

- Norwalk has experienced grand list growth every year. Economic Development is underway across the city including the new SoNo Collection, Washington Street Improvements, new mixed-use developments such as Waypointe and hundreds of new businesses with good-paying jobs for residents. A recent $500 million SoNo Collection project has brought 1500 new jobs to Norwalk.

- Crime is down in every neighborhood. Norwalk is as safe as it has ever been. Serious crimes are at a historic low down by over 1000 incidents per year and 911 response times have been improved by more than 40 percent (from 6 minutes to 3.5 minutes).

- Norwalk public schools are ranked #1 on the state education report card - ranking first among peer districts including Stamford according to the 2019 CT Accountability Report. Mayor Rilling made a historic investment of $189 million in Norwalk schools, students and families to improve our schools.

- Transparency in government: New technology and apps employed to make city hall more accessible to residents. From fixing potholes to the city budget every resident now has online access.

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

Mayor Rilling has dedicated his life to public service in the U.S. Navy, as a police officer and Police Chief and as Mayor of Norwalk. Rilling has a record of progress for every resident in every neighborhood across the city. His record includes:

- Grand list growth every year.

- Economic Development across the city including the new SoNo Collection, Washington Street Improvements, new mixed-use developments such as Waypointe and hundreds of new businesses with good-paying jobs for residents.

- Millions of dollars in investment in the city

- Crime is down in every neighborhood. Norwalk is as safe as it has ever been. Serious crimes are at a historic low down by over 1000 incidents per year and 911 response times have been improved by more than 40% (from 6 minutes to 3.5 minutes).

- Norwalk public schools are ranked #1 on the state education report card - ranking first among peer districts including Stamford according to the 2019 CT Accountability Report. Mayor Rilling made a historic investment of $189 million in Norwalk schools, students and families to improve our schools.

- Transparency in government: New technology and apps employed to make city hall more accessible to residents. From fixing potholes to the city budget every resident now has online access.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Leadership is about making the right decision and the best decision before, sometimes, it becomes entirely popular. The most difficult thing is the decision to act. You should gather as much information as you can, listen to those impacted, consider the consequences and then make the best decision you can for the greatest number of people.

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

Harry W. Rilling was elected Mayor of the City of Norwalk on November 5, 2013 following a campaign that offered open and accessible government, financial responsibility, and responsiveness to the educational and structural priorities of the City.

The City of Norwalk, under Rilling’s steadfast leadership, has seen: record-level of funding for education services without major tax increases, a severe drop in violent crimes, and a significant commitment to community services. Norwalk is moving into the 21st century as a revitalized, modern city that is welcoming of all people.

Born and raised in Norwalk, Harry Rilling graduated from Norwalk High School in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967. During his military service, he was stationed at the government's largest communications facility in Isabella, Puerto Rico, where he served as a communications specialist with a Top Secret Special Category Security Clearance. In 1970, he was assigned as communication supervisor at the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy with the rank of E-5 in 1971.

In September of 1971, he joined the Norwalk Police Department where he began his career as a patrolman. He was promoted to the rank of Detective in 1976 and received assignments to the Burglary Squad and the Special Services (Narcotics) Division. In 1980 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and performed his duties as supervisor in both the Patrol and Communications Division.

As a Lieutenant from 1983 to 1987, he served as Commanding Officer in charge of recruitment and training, crime prevention, community relations, traffic, safety and collaborative planning. In 1987 he was promoted to Deputy Chief. As second in command of the Norwalk Police Department his area of responsibility was expanded to include Command of Field Operations, budget management, oversight of disciplinary review, Freedom of Information Act compliance and labor relations.

In May 1995, Mayor Rilling received his promotion to the rank of Chief of Police, where he served under three different mayors. Following his retirement in 2012, Mayor Rilling was appointed to the Norwalk Zoning Commission where he served until his election as Mayor.

Throughout his career in law enforcement, Mayor Rilling continually pursued educational opportunities in police related fields of study. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Iona College and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1989. In 1991, he as a Graduate Fellow he earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Labor Relations and Human Resource Management from the University of New Haven. He is also a graduate of the FBI Executive Development Course. From 1996 to 2004, he was an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Norwalk Community College.

In addition to his considerable duties as Chief, he also served on numerous boards and commissions locally and throughout the nation. Harry was an on-site assessor and team leader with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). He presided as Chairman of the Mid-Fairfield Substance Abuse Coalition (MFSAC). Harry is past President of both the Fairfield County Chiefs of Police Association (FCCP) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association (CPCA). Moreover, he was chosen by the CPCA to be Connecticut's representative to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Shortly after September 11, 2001, Harry was selected to teach a course developed by Michigan State University and the Department of Homeland Security titled "Leading From the Front - Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness for Law Enforcement Executives." For three years he taught this course in various cities around the country including Reno, Nevada; Boston, Mass; and Trenton, New Jersey. He is a Life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a Board member of the National Committee on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs a committee of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Respected by his peers, Harry was elected to serve as Police Union President in 1976.

On a personal level, Mayor Rilling is married to Lucía Rilling and has three children: Christine, Melanie and Stephen. He is a grandfather of seven. Mayor Rilling makes his home in Norwalk, loves to read and is an avid golfer.