Patch Candidate Profile: Gregory Burnett Sr., Norwalk Common Council

NORWALK, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Norwalk and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Norwalk Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Democrat Gregory Burnett Sr., 64, is a Norwalk resident running for the Common Council at Large.

Education

I have Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Sociology, and advanced certificate in Human Resources Studies.

What is your occupation?

I retired from the IBM Corporation after 35 years of service. I am currently the National Director of Engagement for the Encore Fellowship Program for the past 5 years.

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

I have two adult sons.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None.

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

I have been elected to and have served on the Common Council for three terms for a total of 6 years. My previous experience includes being an elected member of the Norwalk Board of Education where I served for 4 years; and appointments to the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) and the Board of Health.

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 thoroughly invested in our community of Norwalk as I have called this amazing city my home for almost 30 years and have actively been committed to serving each day to create a positive and impactful difference. I have a devotion to public serve and producing results for the people we serve.

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

The greatest challenge facing our community is addressing the various needs of our diverse community while being able to offer access to affordable/accessible housing for all. We need to embrace and value our cross culturalism by ensuring responsible growth and economic development that addresses the needs of all our residents. As a city with a vast ethnic mosaic, it is essential that we provide a divergent housing portfolio that is affordable, accessible and meets the needs of all residents regardless of their economic status. I will advocate for affordable housing opportunities and home ownership solutions.

We must provide a community that enables young people the affordability to live here as well as supporting our senior citizens with the ability to stay in their homes that they have invested in their whole lives. We have a great fortuity to enhance our intergenerational capacity and make Norwalk a welcoming and attractive city for all.

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

The major differences between myself and other candidates are my several years of experience in the professional and corporate environment along with my multitude of years of experience serving the public as an appointed and elected official. My years are comprised with over 35 years of technical and managerial experience in the corporate sector developing a skillset to appropriately develop budget decisions and create positive business solutions.

I was elected by the public vote to the Norwalk Board of Education where I successfully served a four-year term. I was appointed to the Norwalk Board of Health and to the Board of Estimate and Taxation where I presided as Chairperson. I currently serve as Chairperson of the Finance and Claims Committee and President of the Common Council. In each of these positions I collaborated closely with other Board members and the public to ensure that the community of Norwalk continued to grow and offer an attractive environment for all its residents that focused on positive economic, educational, and a healthy way of living.

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

The key goals that I will continue to focus on include providing affordable housing, support strategies that strive to design an equitable educational environment, creating infrastructure/mobility improvements, enhancing parks and green initiatives, and identifying and developing ways to create and maintain safer neighborhoods.

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

My greatest impact as an incumbent continues to be the relationships I have established in the community as an advocate for all residents of our city. As President of the Common Council and Chairperson of the Finance and Claims committee I have recommended and supported smart fiscal management based on data-driven information while maintaining the city's top tier AAA bond rating, passing a budget with minimal tax increases, and expanding tax relief for our senior residents. I have also personally and consistently volunteered at various events which enabled me to be a visible role model to all our community members in an informal setting.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice I have received consist of four points which are: 1) ask questions; 2) challenge the status quo; 3) stay true to one’s convictions; and 4) stay steadfast, it will not be easy however one must persevere through the storm.

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

I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the Norwalk Democratic Town Committee and the Working Families Party. This support confirms my unwavering commitment, common sense thinking, and razor-sharp focus to ensure that resides of Norwalk will have a community that they will be proud to call home. Running for public office is a challenge that takes energy, enthusiasm, and grit. I have embraced this challenge and I am excited to run for re-election for the Norwalk Common Council At-Large seat. I have greatly appreciated your endorsements in the past, and with your sustaining support I will be honored and humbled to serve our great city once again.