Shelton Candidate Profile: Virginia Harger For P&Z

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.

Virginia Harger is running for Planning and Zoning Commission as a Republican. She is retired and has experience in secondary education, communications, public relations, event planning, sales and office administration. She has been a P&Z member since 2005.

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 economy growing in Shelton to ensure the City stays affordable for residents and businesses, especially with the burden of new and increased state taxes.

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

In my opinion, there are no “critical” differences as the three Republican candidates for the PZC are long-time residents, have many years of experience in business and industry, have knowledge of the City's zoning regulations and a combined 23+ years experience as Planning & Zoning Commissioners.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Having been on the PZC since November, 2005, I have had a great deal of exposure to development proposals, new business ventures and land use issues. Knowing how past and present
development in the City evolved assists with making sure what is being done now or planned for the future is appropriate.

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

Until my 2015 retirement, my full-time positions in education, the business world and volunteering for a non-profit organization provided me with several opportunities to successfully manage and oversee personnel and projects.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

If you don't know the answer, know how to find the person who does.

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

My commitment to my home town is my driving force to obtain the best results for residents and businesses. Commitment also means regular attendance at meetings, being prepared for meetings by reviewing documents submitted with proposals, seeking out additional information when necessary and actively participating in
Commission meetings. My record of attendance at the 307 regular and special PZC meetings held since becoming a Commissioner in November, 2005, is 93%. That figure does not include my attendance at numerous other meetings held by the Commission’s Downtown Subcommittee and as the PZC representative to the Shelton Economic Development Commission, the former
Valley Council of Governments and the present Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments.