Shelton Candidate Profile: Matt McGee For Alderman

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.

Matt McGee is running for Board of Aldermen in the 3rd Ward as a Democrat. He is currently a senior at Shelton High School.

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.

Our underfunded and unsupported education system.

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

Our education budget is underfunded by $3,000 per student compared to the state average. This is unsustainable. Further, there is a toxic relationship currently between the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Education, leading to multiple lawsuits costing taxpayers thousands of dollars and hurting our property values. As your Alderman my first priority will be to bring the BOA and the BOE together to put an end to the constant bickering and to allocate more funding to the education budget. By doing so we can decrease class sizes, eliminate ' pay to play', and invest in new technological resources for our students. We can do this without raising taxes. According to the 2018 audit there was $4 million in excess funds left over from various departments. With better budgeting and a realignment of Shelton's priorities we can strengthen our education system by using our tax dollars as efficiently as possible. In turn, this will show young couples looking for their first home that Shelton prioritizes the education of It's children, increasing property
values for all residents.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

As your Alderman I will fight to:

-Oppose high density developments that don't fit the area they're proposed
for

-Perform an operational audit on all city finances (this includes the
BOE)

-Publish all budget documents on the City of Shelton website

-Stabilize the tax rate

-Create a true "rainy day fund" with specific guidelines for
where and when the funds can be used

-Place solar panels on all public buildings

-Build a parking garage downtown and increase public parking

And much more!

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

For the past 13 years I have been a student of the Shelton Public Schools system. I am an honors student and a 'Student Ambassador', volunteering my time at numerous school events. I have first hand experience within the department which makes up about 60% of the entire city budget. I bring a unique perspective that no other candidate for Alderman has.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

If you're gonna do something, do it right. I'm running for Alderman to represent YOU, the people of Shelton's 3rd ward. If you ever need anything, please never hesitate to reach out. Call or text at 203-402-9503.

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

I thank you for your time and am grateful for your consideration.