Patch Candidate Profile: Wendy Gannon Lionetti, Ridgefeld Town Clerk

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.

Town clerk Wendy Gannon Lionetti, 61, is running for re-election as a Republican. She's held that position for five years, after serving 16 years as assistant to the first selectman. She is married to native Ridgefielder Mark Lionetti, and the couple has three adult children and one grandchild.

Why are you seeking this office?

I truly enjoy serving my community in my job and I am most qualified for the position. I seek out better processes and improvements to better serve the public.

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

Maintaining the integrity of the election process. I and my staff take this aspect of our job very seriously and do everything necessary to ensure the voter’s rights are upheld and protected by adhering to the law.

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

Educating residents about the role of the town clerk: the “keeper of records”—land records, maps; keeper of the Town Seal; maintain and issue vital records (birth, marriage and death certificates); issue dog and sporting licenses, oversight and posting of board, commission and committee meeting agendas and minutes; as chief election official, working closely with Registrars of Voters, prepare all material for elections and referenda and issue absentee ballots; and maintain many other town documents such as liquor permits, trade names, veterans discharges (the “town librarian”)

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

Made land records dating back to mid-1800s accessible electronically; managed the office during Covid and the 2020 Presidential election.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My father would often say “Know when to stop”. This has served me throughout my life and career—listening to that inner voice and knowing when to stop. I must know when to stop speaking so I can truly listen to my counterpart. Knowing when to stop is hard because I want to serve and help all the time, but it is not always to others’ benefit and that’s when I must know when to hold back and let the other person step forward in order to grow. This has been important in my role as a manager.

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

I serve everyone that needs assistance and I try to treat others as I would like to be treated. I am open to constructive feedback to better our office.