Shelton Candidate Profile: Paul Littlefield 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.

Cary Paul Littlefield, who goes by Paul is running for alderman as a Democrat.

Occupation: Church organist and choir director (20 years), former Benedictine monk (7 years), former computer programmer and database administrator (10 years)

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

Education. We need to prepare our children to be successful in life. No matter whose kids they are, they are all our kids. I believe it should be possible to fully fund the Shelton school system without having to raise taxes, by seeking greater efficiencies and transparency in the budgeting process. We especially need a more cordial relationship between City Hall and the Board of Education, so that we're not spending taxpayers' money on unnecessary legal fees.

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

I especially want to see a productive relationship between the city administration and the Board of Education. I also want to see Shelton made into a vibrant, thriving area. It would be nice to spruce up downtown, bringing in lots of small businesses to serve the residents. With enough parking, we could turn downtown into a magnet for people from other towns looking for a good restaurant, movie, etc.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Efficient spending, with measurable goals for progress in each city department; a transparent budget process, so that everyone in town knows where the money is coming from and where it's going; the expertise of the Board of Apportionment and Taxation should not be ignored. Developing a coherent vision for Shelton, with citizen input, so that we can effectively guide appropriate development. Shelton is a great place; let's make it even better.

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

I successfully managed a large market-research firm's data production, so that the clients could make effective, evidence-driven decisions. I can take a project, organize the logistics, and bring it to a successful outcome, as shown by my seven years as a Benedictine monk, where I ran more than one income-producing program. I have always been involved in activities that give back to the community in various ways.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Having your priorities clear makes everything else easy to manage.

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

If elected, I will do my very best to serve the voters of this city