Stratford Election 2021: Harold Watson For Stratford Zoning Z3

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 Harold Watson, 68, is running for re-election to Stratford Zoning Z3 in Stratford.

Occupation: Retired Teacher And Technologist

Family: Widow

Experience: Chair of Stratford Planning

Family in government: No

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

Resiliency to global warming, educate our residents and strategically plan and fund responses, including local, and state and Federal grant initiatives.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I work hard at moving Stratford forward and have a decade of experience of supporting the protection and recovery of Long Island Sound. In addition I have six years on planning first as an alternate and then as an elected member and finally as the Chair. I also contributed affordable housing initiatives on Stratford's Housing Partnership as well as being a member overseeing the reorganization of both the Greenway and Complete Streets Committees.

Accomplishments:

I spent two decades working with major technology companies developing strategic messages worldwide. My company was known as a creative early-adopter using the very emerging technologies that these companies were introducing.

After this career, I became a NYC Teaching Fellow where I implemented new teaching methods in teaching English, and Public Speaking and Theatre.

Other issues:

The three big ones in Stratford:

Our very-local response to global warming.

Our ability to provide housing for all levels/needs.

our need to open up governance to the diversity that is Stratford

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I work hard to listen, be fair, and stay informed. It's a demanding job that I always try to remember I am fortunate that the voters of the 5th and 6th Districts have supported giving me this opportunity. I look at the long term impact of my decisions with this in mind.

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.