Sharon Wicks Dornfeld Running For Board Of Police Commissioners

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

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Democrat Sharon Wicks Dornfeld, 69, is running for Ridgefield Board of Police Commissioners.

Occupation: Attorney

Family: Husband Bill; two grown children; one delightful 4-year-old granddaughter. Both of our children were lucky enough to attend Ridgefield schools through graduation.

Experience: Currently: Parking Violations Appeals Hearing Officer. Justice of the Peace, and Member, Juvenile Review Board. I also serve as Town Meeting Moderator. Previously: Member, Elderly Tax Benefits Committee, and Ridgefield Alcohol and Drug Use Commission

Family in government: I represent the City of Danbury as an Assistant Corporation Counsel, an appointed position.

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

The police and fire departments both grew out of their current facilities long ago. The proposal to combine them in a new public safety building will require careful balancing of cost within budget constraints and utility. This will be a major investment. We need to ensure that any new building will anticipate future needs as well and that the expense of construction is justified by the value which accrues to the Town. Beyond that and traffic congestion and speeding are growing problems. Solving those problems is not simply a question of enforcement and will require collaboration with the State and our zoning authorities.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I have thirty years experience as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for Danbury which has provided me with a solid foundation in municipal law. I am also frequently appointed to serve as a Guardian ad litem for child victims of crimes as their cases make their way through the court system. That experience has afforded me a perspective through the victim’s eyes as well as appreciation for the devotion and compassion of the police officers involved in their cases.

Accomplishments:

I’ve enjoyed participating in a variety of Town and professional organizations over the years and have held leadership positions in many of them. It has been very gratifying to have my contributions recognized by those organizations and my peers. It has been even more gratifying to witness the success of the various projects and organizations to which I have contributed my efforts.

Other issues:

Commissioner Ralph Money and I share this platform:

Core value focus -- A police department strongly grounded in service, integrity, fairness, caring, justice, and accountability

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 people — through training, technology, equipment, and a new, and consolidated public safety facility for our Town’s Police and Fire Headquarters as well as our Emergency 911 Dispatch Center

Keep Ridgefield safe and caring.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

My husband and I moved here twice, for a total of nearly 40 years. Ridgefield is home and we plan to stay here always.

For more information about me and Ralph Money, the other Democratic candidate for Police Commission, and please visit our campaign website.