Trumbull Candidate Profile: Fred Garrity Jr. For P&Z

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

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

Fred Garrity Jr. is running for Planning and Zoning Commission as a Democrat. He is a communications and HR consultant.

Are you running for office in Trumbull? Contact Rich Scinto at rich.scinto@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Trumbull Patch.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Trumbull Planning and Zoning 2009-2019, current and previous Chairman

Two 5 yr Terms

Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency (6 towns) Chairman
2008-2010

Two 1 yr Terms

Metropolitan Planning Organization - representing our 10 area towns on
Federal Transportation Funding and Projects 2008-2010

Two 1 yr Terms

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

Current CT State Law that allows developers to build Affordable Housing in
local towns with very few barriers to prevent it, regardless of residential
location.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has to act as a guiding and supportive
arm of the future residential and commercial development of our Town by
enforcing guidelines and regulations, while also working with Economic
Development, our citizens, and applicants, to review and make changes to
support smart development in the right areas that enhances Trumbull's
Economic Growth while maintaining its character and way of life that
attracted people here in the first place.

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

The rules governing PZ commissioners and candidates is much stricter than
other positions to maintain neutrality and predisposition claims. I have a
clear record of making decisions based on what is best for the Town of
Trumbull, its citizens, and the applicants. All three must be equally weighed
with all decisions. Planning and Zoning should never be political, while
unfortunately decisions that are made become political issues for others.

The Republican candidates this election are clearly speaking out against
certain types of development. This shows that they are unprepared for the
position, because if elected they could not preside over any future PZ
applications on those topics, they would have to recuse themselves according
to the law, as they have already printed and made public their predisposition
to those types of developments and are no longer neutral commissioners. Their
campaign literature and social media postings have effectively disqualified
them from being able to be your representatives because of the disregard or
lack of understanding of the governing rules.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Understanding the Social Media impact on municipal proceedings and the
cognizance of living in an electronic information-misinformation age.

The balancing of PZ applications by reshaping or rejecting inconsistent
plans vs approval of positive development is evolving when social media
postings can both activate support or push back. The most important issue is
that the data being used to promote a point of view on social media may or
may not be completely accurate. People are continuously being misled by
online opinions with inaccurate information that is being presented as fact,
and it is hurting us all.

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

I have spent my 10 years working with the entire commission where the vast
majority of approvals are bipartisan

I have tried to explain in detail the complexities of each application so
that the audience in attendance and watching from home can follow the
process

I have successfully avoided the threats of Affordable Housing on multiple
occasions in areas of Trumbull where it would not fit, this was done by
working collaboratively with all parties

I lead the effort that increased parking requirements for our Commercial
developments

I voted against the language to allow apartments at the Mall. I wanted the
Mall to share more of their future plan and vision before approval

I voted for the changes that would allow a triple development on Rte 25 for
Age Restricted Senior Housing, Assisted Living and Dementia Care. A clear win
for Trumbull that is being used for political purposes

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Be nice to everyone.

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

I always try my best to do what's right for Trumbull. I spend many hours
volunteering and raising money, helping numerous charities in the area. All I
have is my integrity and my record of accomplishments and I am proud of both.
I humbly ask for your vote to represent you.