Shelton Candidate Profile: Anthony F. Simonetti For BoA

SHELTON, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Shelton and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. The top of the ticket race is longtime Mayor Mark Lauretti versus Democratic challenger John Harmon, but there are also many other contested races for Board of Education, Board of Alderman and others.

Shelton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Anthony F. Simonetti is running for Board of Aldermen as a Republican. He is a retired healthcare administrator and substitute teacher at a local high school. His prior political experience includes time as chairman of the Board of Aldermen, the finance committee of the Board of Aldermen and time on the Shelton Republican Town Committee.

Are you running for office in Shelton? Contact Rich Scinto at rich.scinto@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Shelton Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Keeping the cost of government to a minimum and spending frugally in all departments, cooperating with Board of Education to assure it is funded appropriately. I will continue to monitor spending all city budgets and increase my presence and availability to the BoE financial dept to better understand their cost centers, needs and requirements for future funding.

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

I have 12+ years of experience in the position, am a native of Shelton and have management experience that coincides with and allows me to understand and appreciate the day to day operations of the city of Shelton.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Low Taxes, less government, careful spending, controlled steady growth of the tax base with businesses that enhance the city.

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

Working with other Boards and Commissions, new focus and great progress with the financial personnel at the Board of Education, favorable decisions on bringing new trash barrel and recycle service to Shelton, the promotion and funding of the first multipurpose artificial field at Finn Stadium, holding the line on taxes, 10 years of no tax increases and then only a very slight increase in 2019-20

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

To always listen first and ask questions before making any judgement(s) or decisions and do onto others as you would have them do onto you. Treat others fairly.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am very accessible and look at all sides of an issue before making a decision, I want to see more voters/citizens be involved and understand the day to day operations of the City of Shelton, I make decisions that are conservative but appreciate the Arts and programs that expand the educational experience in our schools.