Ridgefield Election 2021 Profile: Ralph Money

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The state Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Democrat Ralph Money, 61, is running for Ridgefield Board of Police Commissioners in Ridgefield.

Occupation: Investment Management For University Endowments, Foundations, Other Non-profits & Pensions.

Experience: Current member: Ridgefield Police Commission. Prior 10-year member: Fairfield Fire Commission. Prior trustee of the Fairfield Police & Fire Pension Board.

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

One critical area of public safety where the town has underinvested, quite frankly, is in our public safety facilities. There have been numerous plans for improving them for more than 20 years, but as they stand now, the fire and police headquarters are outdated, costly to maintain and no longer serve the needs of our Town. Moving forward the Town needs to take a strategic, long-term and practical approach for addressing this facilities shortfall. A new, and combined public safety facility needs to be driven forward. I feel strongly that there are both operational synergies and economic advantages of a combined headquarters for both our fire and police departments as well as for the emergency 911 Dispatch Center. The implementation of a new public safety facility needs to be done carefully and with a sharp eye on managing the costs involved in this important project. We need to balance smart budgeting with an eye on the future — a future that is defined by delivering the best services possible to Town residents and visitors and keeping Ridgefield both safe and caring.

Accomplishments:

I was appointed to the Police Commission in early 2021. I bring to the police commission a near lifetime commitment to public safety, experience in emergency management and a passion for community service. I also bring business experience to my commission work.
— American Red Cross executive and disaster relief administration leadership roles in Connecticut, San Francisco, Washington DC and Boston. Served and managed disaster relief operations on multiple local and national disasters.
— Fire Commissioner in Fairfield for 10 years with experience in strategic planning, budgeting, personnel and succession management.
— Trustee, Police & Fire Pension Board, provided investment leadership and disability and related pension benefits oversight.
— Business experience, education, and acumen have added important insights into the commission discussions, oversight, and planning responsibilities (work experience includes Commonfund (since 1999), and the American Red Cross and The Chase Manhattan Bank.

Other issues:

I will help drive and support policies to keep Ridgefield both safe and caring and make decisions through the lens of six core values.
— Core values: A Police Department that is strongly grounded in service, integrity, fairness, caring, justice, and accountability.
My Platform:
— Protect all our residents and visitors — especially our seniors, youth, and local businesses.
— Lead in community policing — and in caring and accountability.
— Invest in our officers — through training, technology, equipment, and and a new public safety facility.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

In addition to my platform and experience, I would like voters to know that I view myself as a lifetime learner and believe that we can learn so much by listening and observing before taking actions. Others tell me that I am a good listener, that I take things in, and pause to reflect — and only then ask good questions. I would be honored to have your support and vote on November 2nd to keep me on the Police Commission for a full term.