Patch Candidate Profile: Sharlene McEvoy, Derby Mayor

DERBY, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Derby 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 Sharlene McEvoy, 73, is a Derby resident running unaffiliated for mayor.

Education

St. Mary's School Derby, St. Mary's High School New Haven, Albertus Magnus College B.A. Political Science, University of Connecticut School of Law J.D., Trinity College M.A. Political Science, University of California at Los Angeles, Ph.D Political Science Major Field: Public Administration.

What is your occupation?

Retired University Professor of Business Law Fairfield University, 36 years.

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

Cousins.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None currently.

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

I was appointed to service on the Valley Transit District Commission by Mayor Eugene Micci, 1973, served on the Valley Tercentenary Commission 300th anniversity of the city 1973-74 Charter Revision Commission 1976 and Justice of the Peace.

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 believe that given my educational background I have the skills to serve as mayor. My background in Public Administration gives me the expertise to operate a local government and my education as a lawyer helps me to understand the complex legal issues that municipalities face.

I have also been a long careful observer of the local political scene and have an understanding of the issues that face the city.

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

Our financial problems as a city. We have to get our financial house in order.

Here is what I intend to do: Find a skilled finance director and work closely with that person to identify the problems and solutions.

Second, examine each element of the city government to determine what economies can be realized and to eliminate wasteful spending. I will also look at what structural changes need to be made to make city agencies more efficient in delivering services to the taxpayers.

I will also take a 10% pay cut upon taking office and urge my appointees to follow suit, setting a tone of fiscal prudence.

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

I believe that my educational background is what sets me apart from the other candidates. The city of Derby is a multi-million dollar public corporation and needs to be run by a person who has the background to understand how local government works and also has some legal acumen. I do not believe that any other mayor has had a background in both areas.

Also, I must point out that all the other candidates served on the Board of Aldermen and Women and while one candidate is the current mayor, all bear some responsibility for the current problems. What solutions did they have to offer to solve the issues that face the city while serving in those roles?

I come to the office of mayor as an outsider. I bear none of the blame for what has occurred. I do promise to find solutions.

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

The current mayor has failed to communicate adequately with the citizens of Derby. It appears that issues that are brought to the attention of city hall go unheeded. The administration has not fostered a collaborative environment among members of the city boards that is essential to resolving issues.

The mayor has presided over financial disorder and therefore there are serious issues that face the next person who holds the office. The mayor has not been as available as he should be given the fact that the job is full time. That is why there will be no Chief of Staff in my administration.

I will make it clear that I am the CEO of the government and take full responsibility for decisions.

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

I have been addressing such issues as resolving the senior citizen center problem. The current building and parking situation is inadequate and dangerous. Since the merger with the Ansonia center fell through, another solution will have to be found.

I have also been talking about improving communications between city hall and the residents. I am also talking about improving the education for Derby students by partnering with other school districts to offer students a choice. I want students to be in a competitive environment to enhance their chances for success at the next level whether that is college or the workplace.

I propose going out to bid for legal services to get the best price for the work and making it clear that the corporation counsel is the lawyer for the people of Derby. I am proposing that the counsel I appoint will school the members of the boards about their duties under the city charter.

I want to improve the quality of life by seeking grants to acquire open space and plant trees to combat the effects of climate change. Most critical is streamlining city finances, to ride herd on spending so that taxpayers see good value for their money and to cut taxes once we get our financial house in order.

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

Before I retired I worked in higher education for 46 years. I taught returning veterans from the Vietnam War who were studying at community colleges to get started on their post war lives, some of whom returned with serious injuries. I taught students with disabilities students of varied backgrounds and nationalities. Some were privileged from wealthy families and some were the first to attend college. Some were recent immigrants. I know how to reach people, to communicate ideas and to persuade. These are effective tools for a mayor to have.

Also, when situations have arisen that affected my neighborhood, I have stepped forward using my legal expertise and by paying for experts to fight such issues as placing a 2 million gallon water tank on Telescope Mountain. Such a project would have disrupted the area with blasting and rock removal which would have caused considerable harm. I gathered names on petitions, argued against it at the public hearing, and hired an environmental lawyer and an expert to help derail the project.

When the state proposed to remove the Bluff Street bridge, a vital lifeline for access to the neighborhood, I again gathered signatures on petitions, hired a traffic engineer to prepare a report, and testified at a Public Information meeting held by the Connecticut DOT. I also did research on why the bridge was build in the late 1950s and prepared a brief arguing against its removal. I went to Newington to meet with the state officials to persuade them of the need for the bridge. Due to my advocacy and neighborhood support, the bridge is still there so my neighbors and I can benefit from it.

Over the years I have been active in fighting other disruptions like an auto emissions station and a rerouting of Route 8 which would have adversely affected my neighbors. When the state proposed an unsightly noise barrier along Route 8, I rallied the neighbors to oppose the eyesore. I have always been willing to fight for what I believe is right and I will continue my zealous advocacy as mayor.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My high school principal, Sister Cecelia Marie had a slogan, "Works works wonders" She was right. I have followed that advice and also what my parents taught me,"Do the right thing no matter how hard it is."

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

I will live up to the promises I am making to voters. I will conduct the office with honesty and integrity, which have been the values of my family, the McEvoys. I will tirelessly as mayor to give the people of Derby the quality of government they deserve.