Stamford 2023 Election Profile: Christina Strain For Board Of Reps.

STAMFORD, CT — Election Day on Nov. 7 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Stamford.

Patch reached out to candidates for local office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the city.

Name

Christina Strain

How old will you be as of Election Day?

61

What city or town do you live in?

Stamford

What office are you seeking?

Board of Representatives

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

District 7

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

Associate of Science Medical Assisting

What is your occupation?

Medical Assistant

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Married, 2 adult children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking to represent District 7 to make certain Stamford is affordable for all who wish to live in our city, to save and restore the historic Glenbrook Community Center, and to restore our schools so our students may thrive.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Making certain Stamford is affordable for all who wish to live in our city.

I think the City should shift focus to maintaining a percentage of deeply affordable housing units, and revisit the effectiveness of the BMR program in Stamford. There are more and more people who can no longer afford to live in homes their families have owned for generations. I would continue to support tax abatement programs for seniors to help alleviate this burden. In addition, given that our schools are funded by property taxes, we must ensure that developers are paying their fair share of property taxes and put an end to the tax deferments for special interests that result in financial responsibilities and obligations falling onto the backs of the already over-burdened Stamford residents who are seeing less and less municipal service while they pay more and more.

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

I truly believe that regardless of political ideals, the responsibility of a Representative is just that, to find a common ground in representing the will of the people they serve. I will show up and remain present at the the many meetings of the committees on which I will serve, as well as the full Board, so that I may ensure your voice, and concerns, are thoroughly represented to the city as a whole. I will also look at each matter on a case by case basis, and sincerely base my vote off of what is best for the residents of District 7, not what is pushed by special interests.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I am not running against an incumbent

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

It has been made clear that the residents of District 7 are overwhelmingly in favor of the property at 35 Crescent St being renewed and reinvigorated as the Glenbrook Community Center.

Numerous grants are available through the State of Connecticut, such as the ongoing 2021 CT Communities Challenge Grant - a program that has awarded millions of dollars to many municipalities over the last three years for improvements to infrastructure with a specific focus on community space. We must pursue these avenues in order to reopen the only community center on the East Side of Stamford. The residents of District 7, like many districts in Stamford, are in need of affordable preschool options for residents, meeting space for community programs, and a neighborhood haven for our youth - amongst the numerous other uses the GCC has provided for decades.

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

Living in Glenbrook for the past 33 years, it has given me a broad perspective of the challenges that we face every day so that I can be the voice of my neighbors and constituents as this city evolves in the 21st century.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Look at everything objectively with an open mind. And don’t forget to breathe!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Having knocked on so many doors in my district, I have enjoyed listening to the thoughts and concerns that my neighbors have regarding Glenbrook and Stamford as a whole.

If I am elected, I look forward to representing their voices and making a difference.