Patch Candidate Profile: David Eldridge, Shelton Mayor

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

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

Democrat David Eldridge, 61, is a Shelton resident running for mayor.

Education

Shelton High School Graduate. Five years in the US Marine Corps. Wentworth Institute of Technology graduate.

What is your occupation?

31 years on Shelton Police Department. 18 years Sikorsky Aircraft. Operated 2 small family businesses.

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

I have three daughters Emily, Megan and Giovanna. I have an Australian Shepherd named Lucy.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

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

Yes, I was twice elected to the Shelton Board of Aldermen representing the downtown neighborhoods.

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 am ready to lead day one placing service over self. I will keep taxes low and predictable for our seniors, families and businesses. I will support well planned development and make sure our residents get the best deal, not our mayor or favored developers. I will never act as a real estate developer while mayor.

When you choose public service you have to give up things that conflict with your role. The fact that our residents have to fight off our own mayor is unconscionable. I believe I am uniquely qualified to tackle public safety and protect our neighborhoods. I will start by correcting the dysfunction in our police department which detracts from our ability to attract officers and implement effective policing strategies detour crime.

I will pursue partnerships and grant funding to support improvements to our schools, infrastructure and services. We leave too much on the table. I will redirect wasteful spending and stop the incitement of lawsuits that are costing the taxpayers millions. Those dollars are better spent improving our community. I want to work tirelessly on behalf of our residents.

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

The cost of living. I intend to keep taxes low and predictable. I plan to support appropriate and well planned development. I plan to work closely with our business community to continue to grow jobs and grow our grand list. I will level the playing field for businesses and investors so we get the best deal for Shelton residents and not the best deal for the mayor and his friends.

Specifically for our seniors, we need to make sure we have affordable places for them to live so they can stay in the community. I will also seek to implement a senior tax abatement program as allowed under CT law. Shelton is one of a small number of communities that doesn’t have such a program.

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

I place service over self. I have my entire life through my military service, as a police officer, as a community and civic volunteer and as a neighborhood advocate. This mayor looks for how he can benefit.

I will work tirelessly 365 days a year for our residents

I come into the position with much more experience than this mayor started with. I am ready to lead day one.

I will work with people. I want to hear from residents. I believe in putting the best ideas and solutions forward.

I seek to earn votes and will consider it a privilege to lead our city.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The current office holder consolidates power, does not seek transparency and enriches himself and his favored developers whenever possible. He is not honest with residents and hides the current state of our finances from a sub standard bond rating, to a low general fund balance, to tricks and gimmicks in the budget. He kicks the can down the road and does not address problems that are coming home to roost. He doesn’t seek the best ideas. It is his way. He attacks anyone that has a difference of opinion. His vindictiveness and schemes are costing our taxpayers millions in settlements. The bus company, unsettled union contracts, inappropriate police firings all will result in big payouts. Those dollars could have gone to our residents, our seniors, our schools or toward our dilapidated infrastructure.

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

Public safety must be addressed. We are seeing an uptick in criminal activity in our neighborhoods, on our roadways and business corridors. We are also seeing cyber crimes and identity theft. We need to implement strategies and initiatives to curtail this activity. We need a well functioning police department to do so and a mayor willing to work with people.

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

I worked as a police officer in Shelton for 31 years. I know every neighborhood in the city. I understand union negotiations having sat on the union Executive Board. I understand contracts and the grievance process. I am very knowledgeable about department budgets and the city budget process. I was twice elected to the Shelton Board of Aldermen for downtown. I have run two small businesses and I work for a major aerospace company.

All of these roles have contributed to my business operations knowledge. In addition, I have a track record of successfully advocating for neighborhood improvements and actively opposing bad development. I care about our resident’s quality of life and I listen.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To never be afraid to stand up for what is right.

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

That I will keep taxes low. Voters are not giving that up. But I will serve them and not myself. My door will be open to our residents, our businesses and our community groups. I will work across the aisle to achieve the best solutions for our city.