Patch Candidate Profile: Vincent Scicchitano, Norwalk Mayor

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.

Republican Vincent Scicchitano, 62, is a Norwalk resident running for mayor.

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

4th Congressional District

Education

Graduated from Norwalk public schools. Attended Porter & Chester automotive . Ct State emissions certification from Gateway Community College .

What is your occupation?

Owned and operated an auto repair business in Norwalk 43 years. Automotive Tech.

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

I am married 40 years, 3 children including boy and girl twins . My oldest boy Taylor 31 is a graduate of Rensselaer Poly Tech and is in marketing . My daughter Rachel 28 is a 1st grade teacher in Norwalk and holds her masters from Fairfield University . My son Brandon also 28 is a graduate of University of Louisville and will be operating my business after I retire or become Mayor.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

I served on the city of Norwalk Bike Walk Commission and am presently A justice of the peace .

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 seeking office to correct the lack of balance we now have in local government . I am running to represent the many Norwalkers that feel their concerns and voices are not heard . I am offering choice for the residents that feel their home , their city is not going in the direction that benefits them or their quality of life.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is overdevelopment that is effecting their quality of life. I will appoint zoning officials that listen to the residents first . I will push the common council to slow the growth and density until important services necessary for this growth can be reevaluated.

I will do what ever is necessary to bring our sewage treatment plant back into state and federal compliance so as not to make a bad situation worse. Dumping sewage into our harbor causing beach closers is not acceptable.

I will coordinate and commission a complete unbias , nonpolitical study to determine the best way to move forward and grow in not just density but grow to build a city that will prosper for the next 100 years. Growth that is in synchrony with all city services . Growth that is directed by the residents

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

The major difference between myself and my opponent is I am running for Mayor to represent all Norwalkers first, regardless of political party, I will be a voice of all residents if they voted for me or not . I will listen to residents first before making decisions that effect their quality of life . I will bring balance back to our community.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I would not say he failed our community . I would frame it differently . I would say the incumbent took the city in the direction that Hartford wanted it to go in rather than the the direction the residents wanted it to go. The incumbents vision of Norwalk of a big city is different than my vision of a more livable community that people want to make an investment in, put down roots and raise their families in.

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

Environmental issues.

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

I have operated a continuous 43 year successful business with many employees. I started the business with my own two hands . I have held multiple leadership roles with the Norwalk Seaport Association including president . I have been past president of The St Ann`s club raising money for charity and non profits . My business has raised money for local charities such as Volleyball Tournaments that required multiple city approvals. I served on the Bike Walk Commission . I am a past Maritime Aquarium board member. I have spent 43 years making payroll .I have built an investment portfolio through smart investments that show I am able to be responsible and will be responsible with taxpayer money .My greatest accomplishment is raising my three children to be an asset to this city.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Treat everyone with respect and always try to make someone's life better. We are put on this planet to take care of each other.

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

I am socially liberal. I believe one of the greatest parts of being an American is the ability to live your life in what ever way makes you happy. We should never have members of our society that are uncomfortable in their own skin, for any reason . As a society we should only be as happy as our least happy member .I am also fiscally conservative. I will treat your tax dollar like I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and busted my knuckles to earn it , because I have done exactly that. I believe in having the utmost responsibility with your tax dollar. I believe in having a smaller government and more freedoms for all .