Shelton Mayor Will Be Honorary Starter for the 13th Annual Thanksgiving Day Road Race

Press release from Valley United Way

The Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day 5K Road Race Committee is pleased to announce that Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti had been selected as the Honorary Starter for the 13th Annual Thanksgiving Day Road Race to be held on November 27.

The Committee makes the award annually to an individual for their community work in Derby and Shelton. In making the announcement, the Race Committee noted that Lauretti’s support has been a critical reason for the race’s success from the very first year.

They said, “Without the support of the cities, this race would not be possible. The logistics are very tricky, but Mark has always offered his advice and support as this grew from a simple idea to a Thanksgiving tradition.”

On top of that, Mayor Lauretti also happens to be one of only 23 people who have run in every one of the previous 12 races and also brings along other members of his family to run! The Committee also noted that for many runners, he is their own benchmark for a successful race as they target him as their person to beat.

Mark A. Lauretti, has been mayor of Shelton since 1991 and has earned the trust and confidence of the people of Shelton. During Mayor Lauretti’s terms in office, Shelton has been proud to boast an unprecedented period of economic growth and earned national recognition for its boomtown image. Retail, corporate offices, industrial, and research and development firms continue to locate in Shelton providing a benchmark for economic development that has received statewide recognition.

Mayor Lauretti has focused his energy and commitment to improving the quality of life for the residents of Shelton. He has focused much of his energy on numerous city infrastructure projects and the rebirth of development in the downtown area. As a community leader, he manages a municipal budget exceeding one hundred ten million dollars.

One of the Mayor’s major concerns has also been conservation and the preservation of open space. He holds an undergraduate degree in pre-environmental zoology from Ohio University and a Masters degree in Science Education from Syracuse University. He has held positions as teacher, track and basketball coach at Shelton High School, Syracuse University and Central High School in Bridgeport. A natural athlete, in 1979 he played in a professional basketball league in Bologna, Italy.

Mayor Lauretti is the Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Bridgeport, Secretary/Treasurer of the Valley Council of Governments, Chairman of the VCOG Regional Roundtable, member of the Coastal Corridor Transportation Investment Area Board, President of the Board of Directors for the State Nutmeg Games, former member of the Board of Directors of Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA), an Executive Board Member of the Housatonic Council of Boy Scouts of America, Past President of the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, Member of the Fairfield County Sports Commission and Chairman of The Valley Transit District.

The proud father of four children, Alexa, Nicholas, Anthony and Joseph, Lauretti resides in Shelton with his wife, Anndee. Currently serving his twelfth consecutive term as Mayor of Shelton, he thrives on his hectic schedule and enjoys his service to the people of Shelton.

The race brings people from all over the country to the streets of Derby and Shelton and memorializes one of this country’s greatest naval heroes, Commodore Isaac Hull. Hull commanded the U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides) in the War of 1812 and grew up in Derby and Shelton. In the previous 12 years, the race has raised over $100,000 for the benefit of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

For more information about the race, visit the website.

Photo: Valley United Way

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