Stratford Election: Anthony Owusu Afriyie For Zoning Board Of Appeals

STRATFORD, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in Stratford with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for the position of mayor, along with seats on the Town Council, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning and more.

Stratford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Democrat Anthony Owusu Afriyie, 24, is running for Zoning Board of Appeals in Stratford.

Occupation: Resource Assistant

Experience: N/A

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

Coastal Resiliency. I seek to identify the Town’s vulnerability to coastal flooding including the consequences of floods; and striving to Identify strategies, actions, and projects that can be employed to minimize these consequences to create a more resilient Stratford. Also Environmental Justice We need to focus on equity and environmental justice to propel Stratford into modern-day methods.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

Being a young person I am full of passion, vigor, and I've been humbled by all my experiences to empathize and listen carefully. Studying about government and volunteering for my country has enabled me to have a broader perspective that can benefit Stratford and her citizens, and because I come to the table with an open mind.

Accomplishments:

In my past experiences, I have been utilized in a wide array of roles and often found myself working within teams of great people, to solve big problems whose scope exceeded personal gain. I pick up on things fast and I am always looking to hone and sharpen my craft. I pride myself on successful behaviors rather than successful traits or talent. Thus, if presented with this opportunity I’m ready to commit the time, energy, and effort to excel in whatever capacity this position entails. Most recently as my service year was coming to an end my team and I were sent to areas of the country hardest hit by the pandemic and natural disasters. Working alongside the National Guard, the Red Cross, and local health departments, I witnessed what we can achieve when we have a mission, when we share our expertise, and when we plan. I learned two important lessons from this experience. The first is that when you’re part of a team, your work isn’t just for you. You show up for your teammates, even on the days when you might not feel as inspired. Your success is shared with your team, and you feel a responsibility to the group as a whole to do your part. This sense of accountability to the team fuels everyone to perform at their best. The second is how much power a positive attitude has. Fostering a positive environment where individuals feel supported and where ones failure doesn’t destroy morale, yields more success Thus, I affirm I will always provide excellent soft and hard skills and work tirelessly and diligently to produce high-quality research, analyses, and and evidence-based recommendations to carry out my duties and responsibilities.

Other issues:

Stratford Housing Plan, HB 6107, Preservation, Safety, Responsible Growth, Environmental Justice, and Coastal Resiliency

What else would you like voters to know about you?

Anthony Afriyie was born and raised in the south-central Bronx and grew up in Stratford, CT. Educated in the Stratford public schools, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in philosophy from Western Connecticut State University. Having graduated during the pandemic, he serviced with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps impacting communities in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Missouri. Whether it was doing national service or interning for the Small Minority and Business Enterprise for the City of Bridgeport, the Secretary of the State of Connecticut Denise Merrill, U.S. Representative John Larson, or in The General Assembly in Hartford, Anthony has consistently found himself working within teams of great people, and to solve big problems whose scope exceeded personal gain. Anthony is working to be the candidate for Stratford’s Zone 3's Board of Zoning Appeals because zoning shapes our communities and our lives. It’s the invisible hand that molds the locale to fit its character. He seeks this office because he wants to be a problem solver and solution finder for his neighbors who are dissatisfied with the outcomes of their zoning situations.

Are you running for office in Stratford? Email vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile on Stratford Patch.