Patch Candidate Profile: Joe Shapiro​​, Ridgefield Board of Finance

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

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

Joe Shapiro, 71, is running for re-election to the Board of Finance in Ridgefield, as a Democrat.

Education.

A.B. in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis; and J.D. from New York University School of Law

What is your occupation?

Corporate executive and corporate lawyer, now retired

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

Family grew up in Ridgefield after moved to Ridgefield with my wife, 43 years ago

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

I am currently a member of the Ridgefield Board of Finance, seeking election to a 4-year term to that board

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 want to volunteer my time to the town, using my professional experience, and my familiarity with town government, and the values of this town.

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

For purposes of the Board of Finance, the issue is having elected officials who do a diligent and capable job of balancing the Ridgefield residents' needs and visions for our community with the fiscal responsibility we require to govern sustainably. I intend to continue to strive to do this, while paying attention to the big picture and the details of the town's and school system's budgets, and always listening to the voters. I have been inspired by our First Selectman, Rudy Marconi, as the Board of Finance plays its independent role in the fiscal health and community visions for our town.

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

Each candidate does an excellent job of setting out the candidate's vision for the role of Board of Finance member.

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

One particular aspiration of mine, if elected to a 4-year term, will be to get people of often disparate views and, at times, inconsistent visions for this town, to work together in a spirit of community service so that the pluralism of the town creates a civic energy to continue to make the town an ever more wonderful place to live.

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

As COO of a $2+ billion company, as well as in my roles as a leader of boards in corporate life, I always tried to create common and well-directed energy out of often different points of view to accomplish concrete things. I've done this here in Ridgefield since I retired and I'd like to continue to do that.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Put preconceived views about what should be done aside, and try hard to take a deep and unbiased view of the facts and evidence; then use that to make decisions based upon your values and the values of the stakeholders you'll be serving.

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

I believe that it's super IMPORTANT to VOTE in municipal elections!