Norwalk Election: Nora Niedzielski-Eichner For Common Council

NORWALK, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in town will be on the ballot.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 2, Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on a few topics.

Democrat Nora Niedzielski-Eichner, 42, is running for the Norwalk Common Council.

Occupation: Lawyer

Experience: Norwalk Board of Ethics (2018-2021)

Family in government: My dad has been a dedicated public servant most of his career, and now in his "retirement" serves on a local board in Virginia.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

We must look to our future by investing in our children and preparing for extreme weather and rising seas. Our schools have made great strides in the last few years, and we need to continue investing, in collaboration with the school board, so that all our children gain the skills to succeed in a rapidly changing world and Norwalk can attract employers offering well-paying jobs.

This year’s flooding made clear that it's time to ramp up Norwalk’s climate resilience. We need a long-term plan to prioritize our efforts so that we’re ready for more water and doing our best to stop contributing to the climate crisis.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

One of my strengths is a deep interest in learning how other places have solved similar problems, and whether there are ways Norwalk can operate more effectively and efficiently. I’m always open to new approaches and genuinely want to hear ideas from people on how Norwalk can work better.

Accomplishments:

I would bring a number of valuable skills to the Common Council: I've drafted laws, including the revised Norwalk Code of Ethics and state laws in NY and CT, I have led committees of 20+ members to consensus on multi-year strategic plans, and I have successful advocated for multi-million dollar increases in state funding.

Other issues:

• Advocate to continue building a world-class education system in Norwalk.
• Build a new South Norwalk school.
• Collaborate with our Board of Education and Superintendent as they work to ensure all our students are challenged, supported, and inspired.
• Support Norwalk's small businesses and develop new economic opportunities.
• Push forward the modernization of Norwalk’s zoning regulations and seek other opportunities to streamline business regulations.
• Encourage innovative ideas for locally-driven economic growth.
• Create a sustainable Norwalk by prioritizing green initiatives to safeguard our City from the effects of climate change.
• Set realistic but challenging goals for reducing emissions and preparing for sea-level rise and extreme weather.
• Increase green spaces, tree cover, and bike lanes and sidewalks.
• Enhance the quality of life for all Norwalk residents.
• Advocate for a re-purposing of Manresa Island that benefits our residents.
• Incentivize housing that allows people who work here to afford to live here.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am a lawyer, a mom, and a passionate advocate for children and families. I served on the Norwalk Board of Ethics from 2018 to 2021. I have worked on national, state and local policy issues related to healthcare, education, afterschool programs, paid family leave, reproductive justice, and Manresa Island. I am a graduate of Yale Law School, Stanford University, and the University of Chicago.