Michael R. Duncan Running For Shelton Ward 3 Alderman

SHELTON, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Shelton will be on the ballot.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 2, Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in the city.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next couple of weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Democrat Michael R. Duncan, 38, is running for Ward 3 Alderman in Shelton.

Occupation:

Senior Manager, Edgewell Personal Care

Regional Leader, Primerica Financial Services

Real Estate, Investor & Entrepreneur

Experience: Commissioner and Water Pollution Commission Authority (WPCA)

Family in government: No

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

Keeping Taxes Low while improving resources to the people of Shelton including properly funding the Board of Education

Improvements to the city of Shelton can take place while keeping taxes low by applying and lobbying for both state/federal grants that are available to the people of Shelton. Working together, at all levels of government and regardless of party lines, to bring home tax dollars that have already been paid. Also, finding efficiencies within the current budget, and as the Board of Appropriations & Taxation has identified line items that have opportunities in spending. The hard-working people of Shelton deserve and need more funding!!!

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

What sets Michael apart from the group is his ability to build relationships, and get the job done while considering all variables and outcomes. He has a strong financial background, management and leadership skills.

Accomplishments:

Michael has served on several non-profit Board of Directors, helped with restructuring, streamlining processes, and finding efficiencies that delivered cost savings. He was awarded 'Young Professional of the Year' by the Valley United Way in 2019 for his service to the organization as Chair of the Governance, member of Finance, Allocations and Executive committees, and launching Young Professionals of Valley United Way.

Michael has managed and lead the planning of multi-million dollar budgets throughout his career. This has prepared him to manage and safeguard the tax payers dollars in the City of Shelton.

Other issues:

Bringing the people of Shelton together to talk and compromise. Like the nation, the city of Shelton is divided. We need to remember that we are all in this together and we all want the same things!

Keep Taxes Low. Everyone in Shelton wants to keep taxes low to ensure we can sustain and maintain a proper quality of life for all including our seniors.

Properly funding our schools. Our schools are not properly funded, and properly funding our schools will ensure that we have the proper resources to educate and develop our children.

Downtown Revitalization. The majority of Shelton residents are concerned about the development, parking and traffic. We need to listen to the people of Shelton and address the concerns of parking and traffic.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

Michael has been a resident of Shelton for 6 years and volunteered with many non-profits to make Shelton a better place! Michael currently works as a Senior Manager at Edgewell Personal Care, Financial Services Professional, and Real Estate investor and entrepreneur. He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Finance from Rutgers University and Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Mary's College of California. Michael played on the varsity football team at Rutgers University, Lackawanna College and Bucknell University.

He has dedicated himself to improving Shelton and the Valley by volunteering and serving as a Board Member on non-profit boards. Michael is a financial coach for the CT Association for Human Services (CAHS) where he helps individuals and families learn about financial literacy to become financially independent. He is on the Board of Directors for the CT United Way, Boys & Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut Cancer Foundation (CCF) and previously served on the Valley United Way. Michael is also a member of the Shelton High School Advisory Board and the NAACP Education Committee.

Recently appointed as a Commissioner on Shelton's Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA), Michael is working hard to ensure the city of Shelton's collection, transportation, and and disposal of contaminants does not affect the cleanliness or purity of any water.