Stratford Election 2023: Paula Sweeley Running For Zoning Board Of Appeals

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.

Paula Sweeley is running for election to the Zoning Board of Appeals as a Democrat.

What office are you seeking?

Zone 1 Zoning Board of Appeals

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

Land Zone 1 (combines Stratford Council Zones 1 & 2 )

Education.

Undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary, a master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport, and her Sixth-Year Certificate in Education from Southern Connecticut State University.

What is your occupation?

Retired from 39 years career in teaching

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

Single with extensive family... brother, cousins, many friends.

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?

To serve and increase involvement in my local government

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

We need a sense of being informed on issues and being able to communicate with our local government. There is a great need to have our thoughts and opinions count in governmental decisions.

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

The other candidate has not made public his ideas.

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

Previous incumbent passed on.

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

Protection of Stratford's dwindling green spaces and preserving the quality of neighborhoods while dealing with the need for affordable housing.

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

Successfully helped advocate for preserving mature trees and establishing a public pollinator garden.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen more than you speak

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

I would like to collaborate with others to the best of my ability to help our community thrive in what are very challenging times.