John T Shaban Running For Redding First Selectman

REDDING, CT — The state Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Republican John T Shaban, 57, is running for Redding First Selectman in Redding.

Occupation: Attorney

Family:Sons - Jack 25, Henry 20, Danny 16 -- all of whom attended Redding Elementary School, John Read Middle School and Joel Barlow High School.

Experience: Connecticut General Assembly, State Representative, and 135th District - January 2011 to January 2017 (three terms). Judiciary Committee; Finance Committee; Environment Committee (Ranking Member 2013-2017); Chairman Redding Water Pollution Control Commission (2008-11); Vice Chair/Member Redding Zoning Commission (2006-11).

Family in government: Son - US Senate Intern (2017) (Commerce Committee – Democratic Caucus)

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

The single most pressing issue facing our Town is restarting the stalled clean up and redevelopment of the 60 acre Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill site in Georgetown. By doing so we can amplify our tax base, create a quaint mixed use town center, and also maintain our unique town character.

I will reengage the developers who, despite expressed interest in the project, have been ignored and/or had their phone calls go unanswered. I will resolve any remaining legal constraints personally and through my contacts in the environmental remediation and commercial construction industry, and will promote redevelopment through smaller steps. I will also shop the project to Connecticut's colleges and hospitals, who are all in an expansion mode.

As described below, I have the both the experience and the public/private relationships needed to move forward on the Georgetown rebuild, and and will replace the lackluster effort we have seen in years past with energy and action.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

My proven state and local experience and results is what differentiates me from the other candidate. I will bring my extensive and relevant experience, along with a new perspective and work ethic.

I am in a unique position to take the lead on this long-ignored Georgetown project, having the work experience and the relationships in Hartford and amongst commercial developers needed to move forward on the Georgetown rebuild.

I have served as/on:

• Connecticut State Representative, 135th (Redding, Easton, Weston) (2011-17)
• Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Environment Committee, and on the State’s brownfield redevelopment task force (2012-17)
• Redding Water Pollution Control Commission, Chairman (2008-11) overseeing the construction and operation of the plant as designed for the buildout
• Redding Zoning Commission Vice Chair/member (2006-11) working on the site plans and approvals for the Wire Mill rebuild and the Georgetown Streetscape plan
• Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (Board Member, and 2018) focusing on brownfield redevelopment
• Commercial Construction and Environmental lawyer with an ABA accredited Environmental Law Degree (1993 to present)

Accomplishments:

See above regarding my state and local experience (CT General Assembly, Redding Zoning etc.), and my experience as a Commercial Construction and Environmental lawyer with an ABA accredited Environmental Law Degree.

As your State Rep. I helped draft and secure legislation to: establish greater local control over cell tower placement (HB 6520); create the Small Business Express Program (PA 12-123); secure mandate relief for high-performing schools (PA 13-108); provide tax relief for families of fallen first responders (PA 13-204) (aka the "Russ Neary bill"); help unemployed veterans (PA 13-63); and expand early childhood education and reading initiatives (PA 14-39, 15-137).

As an environmental lawyer and House leader on the Environment Committee, I also helped draft and pass legislation to: secure more open space (PA 12-152); create the State's GMO labeling paradigm (PA 13-183); draft fracking waste controls (PA 14-200); require micro bead and pesticide phase outs (PA 15-5); launch the Long Island Sound Blue Plan (PA 15-66); and create several brownfield remediation programs (PA 14-88, 16-115).

I have received endorsements and awards for my service from, among others: the Connecticut Business and Industry Association; CT Relators; Stepping Stones Museum for Children; Assn of Retired Teachers of CT; State and local Police, and Fraternal Order of Police; Connecticut’s Independent Party; and the CT Small Business Association.

After I left office in 2017, I served on the Board of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, Best Buddies International, and several other charitable organizations.

I am thus in a position to manage (i) the Georgetown rebuild, (ii) our town projects and budgets, and and (iii) our relationship with Hartford which has been unproductive as of late.

Other issues:

I will promote the development of local “green energy” at our public facilities to help both the environment and our town budgets.

I also will take Eversource and Optimum to task before the CT DPUC and/or Siting Counsel by demanding that small towns be treated as a high priority on both service installation and storm responses. No longer will they be able to “get to us when they get to us.”

Finally, I will initiate and encourage positive discussions in our town about local and school issues. Leaders respect and listen to all viewpoints, and build teams and take action.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am a Redding father, 15-plus year youth football coach, and the long time board member/president of the youth football program and Barlow Football Boosters.

I believe in action, not labels. There is not a Republican way to pave a road, or a Democratic way to catch a dog. There is, however, a proven way to build a team, create a strategy, and move forward on projects and plans. My experience, personality and approach put me in the best position to manage the Georgetown rebuild, our town projects and budgets, and our relationship with Hartford. I will do so as John Shaban, Redding First Selectman – not a member of a political party, coalition or action group.

With balanced and focused leadership, we can restore the stability, and sustainability and civility that have made Redding one of Connecticut’s best small towns.