Stratford Election 2023: Paul Aurelia Running For Town Council

STRATFORD, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Stratford with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 7 and cast their ballots for 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.

Paul Aurelia, 63, is running for Stratford Town Council as a Republican.

What office are you seeking?

10th District Town Council

Education.

MBA and MS in Labor Relations UNH, MS in Management Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2001 Graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico VA

What is your occupation?

Retired - 26 years Stratford Police Department Deputy Chief, 14 years Sikorsky Aircraft - Labor Relations/Security Manager

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

Married to my wife Terry for 41+ years. Two grown daughters.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Currently a Planning Commissioner - Town of Stratford

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 a life long resident of Stratford with a long history of service to my community. I have volunteered for years on various boards and committees including the Youth and Family Advisory Board, The Stratford Public Safety Committee, The Board of Directors of the Stratford Police Activities League and am currently an Associate Board Member on the Sikorsky Credit Union Board of Directors. I raised my family here in Town and I want to ensure that Stratford remains an efficiently governed and well managed community.

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

Maintaining a superior quality of life. I am a strong advocate of public safety as such I would work to ensure that our emergency service units are properly staffed, equipped and funded. I would also work to make sure that overall operations of the Town are run as efficiently as possible with the goal of keeping the property tax burden of residents as low as possible while delivering all of the other municipal services that we have come to expect, this would also allow seniors to age in their homes as much as is practical. Another important piece of keeping the taxes low includes an aggressive economic development program. I recognize that a quality public school system which provides superior outcomes for our students is critical and a reflection of the Town as a whole. Upon graduation from high school our students must be prepared to either move on to higher education or enter the workforce. No matter which position I have held throughout my career, I have always worked hard to get my job done. If I am fortunate enough to be elected in November, I am committed to improving Stratford.

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

I give credit to anyone trying to attain public office with the intent of improving their community. I believe that with my previous employment experience and my educational background I am uniquely qualified for the Town Council position. While with the Stratford Police Department I was promoted through and held many different ranks, ending up as the Deputy Chief of Police. In that position I had operational responsibility for around 100 law enforcement officers and handled most day to day administrative tasks in the Department. I was responsible for developing and managing an eight million dollar annual budget and regularly interacted with other Town Department heads including the Town Manager/Mayor on critical issues. While at Sikorsky Aircraft I had HR support responsibilities for about 600 employees in the Machine Shop and Assembly areas. I was responsible for conducting high level personnel and quality investigations and was co-located and worked with the Security Officers until my retirement.

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

I am not challenging an incumbent.

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

My intention is to become a tireless advocate for the residents of the 10th District in Stratford.

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

As I have previously stated my employment history and my educational background are well suited to the challenges that I would face if elected to the Stratford Town Council. I have always been held in high regard by my employers and my peers and I have a solid record of performance and accomplishment. I expect that my service on the Town Council would be no different.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To treat all people as you wish to be treated.

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

I chose to stay in Stratford and raise my family here. I want all other residents to have the same opportunities that I and my family have had and to feel as good about Stratford as I do. I am ready, willing and able to make that happen.