Ridgefield Candidate Profile: John Katz For P&Z

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Ridgefield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

John Katz is running for the Planning and Zoning Commission as a Republican and has been on the commission for 40 years.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what i intend to do about it.

The increasing intolerance religious/ethnic and other differences within the community. This scourge needs be brought full out in the open as it occurs. I am part of Compassionate Ridgefield and support the Anti Defamation League as attempts to increase tolerance.

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

I believe strongly in the sanctity of residential zoning and the regulations which protect it, while

insuring support of our business zones to provide a robust town tax base.

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

I have been an elected and re-elected commissioner for over 40 years, so the voting public seems to think I'm doing ok for the community.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Walk softly and leave the damned stick at home.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Residential zoning needs to be protected while making room for the carefully vetted special permit application to allow relatively benign non-residential uses such as religious

or educational institutions to make application. I also believe we should shepard our business zones to help build a robust tax base going forward.