2021 Republican Municipal Candidates
At a meeting at the Shelton City Hall auditorium on
Monday evening, July 26, the following Shelton residents
were chosen by the Shelton Republican Town Committee
as the endorsed candidates in this year's
municipal election which will take place on
Tuesday, November 2:
Mayor
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Mark A. Lauretti
Mark A. Lauretti was first elected as Mayor in 1991 and is currently serving his fifteenth consecutive term. During his 30 years in office, Shelton has achieved unprecedented economic growth for which it has received national and statewide recognition. As mayor, he oversees a municipal budget exceeding $110 million dollars.
Mayor Lauretti’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Shelton is reflected in the numerous city infrastructure projects, the conservation and preservation of open space, and redevelopment in the downtown area that have occurred during his tenure.
Prior to being elected, Mayor Lauretti was a small business owner, teacher, and a coach for the track and basketball teams at Shelton High School, Syracuse University and Central High School in Bridgeport. An athlete himself, he played in a professional basketball league in Bologna, Italy after college.
Mayor Lauretti is the Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Bridgeport, Secretary/Treasurer of the Valley Council of Governments, Chairman of the VCOG Regional Roundtable, member of the Coastal Corridor Transportation Investment Area Board, President of the Board of Directors for the State Nutmeg Games, former member of the Board of Directors of Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA), an Executive Board member of the Housatonic Council of Boy Scouts of America, Past President of the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, member of the Fairfield County Sports Commission and Chairman of the Valley Transit District.
Mayor Lauretti holds an undergraduate degree in pre-environmental zoology from Ohio University and a Master’s degree in Science Education from Syracuse University. He and his wife have four children who all attended Shelton public schools.
City Treasurer
Raymond M. O'Leary
A Shelton resident for 40 years, Ray is married and has two daughters and five grandchildren. He has been the City of Shelton’s Treasurer since 2011. Now retired, Ray has 30 years experience as a management consultant in the financial industry and founded Growth Services Group, Inc. in 1985.
Ray served on the Shelton Board of Education for 11 years where he was its Chairman for four years and Vice Chairman and Chairman of its Finance Committee for seven years. He also served as a member of the City of Shelton’s Ethics Committee for one year.
It has been a pleasure and privilege for Ray to serve Shelton residents as a member of the Lauretti administration. His priority as Treasurer is, and always will be, continuing the administration’s positive track record of responsible growth, taxation and related spending.
Ward 1 Aldermen
Porter McKinnon
Porter has resided in Shelton since 1997 with his wife and three children. Even though he hasn’t lived here his whole life, he considers Shelton his hometown. Porter’s first two children graduated from Shelton High in 2017 and 2021, and his third child is a member of the class of 2025.
Professionally, Porter is the Vice President of Art & Print Production at Penny Publications. He served as President of the Shelton Quarterback Club at Shelton High School for six years, and when his children were younger, he was active as a coach with Shelton’s T-Ball, Youth Soccer, Flag Football, and American Youth Football programs. He was also a member of the Shelton-Derby Rotary Club for many years. Porter has volunteered thousands of hours to raise money for and to help Shelton citizens.
While Porter is a first-time municipal candidate, he has years of budgeting and planning experience from his professional career and volunteer activities. His tenure as Quarterback Club president has given him insight on Shelton’s Board of Education budget, and in that role he spoke out against “pay-to-play”. Porter intends to fight on behalf of Shelton families to remove “pay-to-play” from the BOE budget for as long as it takes to do so. Porter knows how to look at the big picture, how to pay close attention to every detail and, above all, how to spend smart. As an alderman, Porter’s focus will be to provide Shelton schools, students, teachers and all Shelton residents with continued growth, controlled spending, low taxes and a great education system.
Anthony F. Simonetti
Anthony has been a Shelton resident for 55 years. He attended Shelton elementary schools and received a B.S. degree from the University of Scranton. A licensed Connecticut Nursing Home Administrator, Anthony has 30+ years experience as an owner and manager of nursing homes in Shelton, Derby and Phoenix, Arizona. He also was employed by Sikorsky Aircraft in its Engineering Department and has experience as a restaurant manager.
Anthony is married and has two adult sons. He has been a Biddy basketball and Flag football coach, a SHS band parent, Youth Connection volunteer and chairman of the Shelton Republican Town Committee since 2011. He is a founder of the Valley Shakespeare Festival, on the St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Shop’s Board of Directors, and a White Hills Fire Company #5 supporter.
A First Ward alderman since 1999, Anthony has focused on keeping taxes low, securing over 1,600 acres of open space, expanding the Riverwalk and creating the dog park. He chaired the building committee overseeing the $25M renovation of Shelton High School, and supported the $160M repair, replacement and refurbishing of Shelton public school properties. Anthony’s goal is to continue balanced growth and minimize city expenditures while providing services and recreational activities to residents.
Ward 2 Aldermen
Joanna Carloni
Joanna is a University of Connecticut graduate who received her law degree in 2012. Licensed to practice law in Connecticut, she has been employed since 2013 for the State of Connecticut as an Assistant Public Defender for Bridgeport geographical area #2. Joanna is responsible for providing legal defense services to indigent clients charged with crimes before judges at Bridgeport Superior Court.
In February, 2021, Joanna was appointed to the Board of Alderman to finish the term of the late Stan Kudej, and serves as Chair of the Board’s Finance Committee. Since being appointed as committee chair, Joanna has been vigilant in reviewing the spending of each city department to make sure each are staying within their approved budget.
Joanna understands the importance of a low and stable mill rate to keep Shelton affordable for residents and business owners. She will work with the appropriate City department to make sure that downtown redevelopment, blighted properties, safety issues and road repair are addressed. She supports balanced growth and appropriate development in the downtown area for it to be an affordable and attractive place to live, work and visit.
Another goal for Joanna is to not only maintain, but to expand upon the good working relationship the Boards of Aldermen and Education developed after the 2019 municipal election when several new Republican Board of Education candidates were elected. She feels it is the responsibility of both Boards to find consensus on smart, fiscally responsible spending to fulfill the needs of our school students.
Eric J. McPherson
Eric has been a Shelton resident for most of his life and was employed in the security and public safety fields for more than 25 years. He is very knowledgeable of the operations of our City’s government, having been elected in 1989 to the Board of Apportionment and Taxation and in 1991 to the Board of Aldermen where he served until 1999.
Eric returned to the Board of Aldermen in 2009 and has been re-elected six successive times. He is Vice President and Street Committee chairman for the Board, and a previous member of the Public Health and Safety Committee. In the mid-1990’s, Eric co-founded our City’s Office of Emergency Management.
Eric strongly supports a low mill rate and an administration that lives within its means and is accountable for its management of our City. He believes in balancing growth, development, and open space throughout the City. A solid supporter of Shelton’s police and emergency services, Eric has worked with police officials to increase public safety throughout the downtown residential and commercial areas.
He successfully led efforts to have Shelton’s anti-blight ordinance amended to force absentee landlords to clean up their property. As Street Committee chair, Eric worked with our Public Works Department to maintain and repair the City’s road system. With the assistance of State Rep. Jason Perillo, Eric is working to improve traffic signals on Howe and Coram Avenues.
Ward 3 Aldermen
John F. Anglace, Jr.
Born in Ansonia, raised in Derby, John and his family became Shelton residents in 1967. John graduated from Derby elementary and high schools, Bullard Havens Technical School and the University of Bridgeport with an Industrial Relations degree. A veteran with 11 years of Army active duty and Reserves service, John received an honorable discharge with the rank of Master Sergeant. John retired in 2001 from Pfizer Inc. after 28 years, holding positions as Worldwide Director of Employee and Labor Relations and Director of Retiree Relations.
Active in city government since becoming a resident, John served on the Board of Apportionment and Taxation for a number of years and was Shelton’s Welfare Department director in the 1980’s. He was first elected to the Board of Aldermen in 1991, has been re-elected as Third Ward alderman 12 times, and has served as Board President since 1995. John was a charter member of the city’s School Technology Committee and served on the committee for 12 years until its project to upgrade system-wide technology was completed.
John’s major accomplishments for the City since being elected to the Board are:
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no increase in the city mill rate in nine of the last 11 years and a decrease in two of the last 11 years;
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co-operative funding of technology, infrastructure, and STEM programs for the city’s public schools;
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a new city-owned school bus transportation system utilizing economical propane-fueled school buses;
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a new city-wide recycling/garbage program at no cost to taxpayers;
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acquisition of new fire apparatus and related fire safety equipment;
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an on-going program for city road reconstruction and resurfacing;
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construction of a new animal shelter;
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revision of Shelton’s City Charter.
John is a current or former member of the Shelton Senior Center, American Legion Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16, the Derby-Shelton Lions Club, and St. Margaret Mary Parish. He has been active for many years with Troop 3, Boy Scouts of America and has served BSA’s Housatonic Council in a number of capacities. John received the Housatonic Council’s “Good Scout” and “Silver Beaver” awards and was named as a National BSA James E. West Fellow. John was the Shelton Republican Town Committee’s 2003 recipient of its John Davis Lodge Award.
Cris Balamaci
Cris is a long-time Shelton resident who was born and raised in Fairfield County. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Physician Associate program, she was in the top 10% of the class. Cris is currently certified by the National Commission of Certified Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and holds an active PA medical license in Connecticut and New York. Cris is a U.S.A.F. veteran-commissioned officer who was affiliated with the Cape Canaveral Shuttle program as a team member of its Biomedical Corps. She is a member of the American Legion and the Western CT Military Officers Association.
Formerly a clinician in a private practice in Southern California, Cris was employed for 10 years as the vice president of risk management in the public sector for a major metropolitan New York healthcare corporation. She currently is the Assistant Vice President of Risk Management for the largest private-sector healthcare system in the state of New York (77,000 employees), responsible for its cost containment and risk mitigation programs. As a result of her stellar performance during the Covid pandemic, she received the 2020 All-Stars Risk and Insurance award.
The former chairman of the Board of Apportionment & Taxation, Cris was appointed to the Board of Aldermen in July, 2017 upon the resignation of Lynne Farrell, serving the remainder of her term. She was elected to a full term in November, 2017. Not only does Cris understand the challenges of setting a city budget and how financial stability for the City is the result of strong leadership, she feels her 20+ years in risk management/cost containment have given her the appropriate background and experience to help resolve issues on the Board level not only for residents of her Ward, but throughout the City.
Ward 4 Aldermen
Lorenzo Durante
Lorenzo and his family have resided in Shelton over 13 years. His three children currently attend Shelton schools where his wife is employed as a speech pathologist.
Lorenzo received a Business Administration degree from Eastern Connecticut State College and is a District Sales Manager for Grande Cheese Company, a large food manufacturer headquartered in Wisconsin. He is also in sales with a family business in West Haven, Durante’s Pasta, and is the former owner and manager of the La Sala banquet hall and catering facility in Derby.
A Shelton Parks & Recreation Commission member for the last six years, Lorenzo is a certified sports coach and has coached Shelton and Derby youth soccer. In 2011, he was a co-founder of "Valley Angels for Families", a non-profit organization supporting children with heart problems. He is a past President of the Valley Regional Lodge of the Order of Sons of Italy in America, Derby.
Bernard "Bernie" Simons
Bernie has resided in Shelton for over 30 years, is a Fourth Ward alderman, an insurance agent and a former commercial business banking officer. He served two terms on the Board of Education, was the Chair of the Board of Apportionment & Taxation and its Finance Committee, and is the current Chair of the Public Building Improvement Committee. If re-elected to the Board of Aldermen, Bernie would be the only Alderman in a number of years to have served on multiple boards for the City, giving him the unique perspective of how each City board operates on its own and in conjunction with other boards, which would be a benefit to taxpayers.
Bernie is especially proud of the Public Building Improvements Committee’s collaboration with the Board of Education on several school building projects, all of which came in on time and on budget: a new Sunnyside School roof, security enhancements at the elementary schools, and renovations to the Shelton High football field. Bernie and the Public Building Improvements Committee also oversaw the renovations to the Community Center swimming pool and repairs to the high school air conditioning system.
Board of Apportionment and Taxation
John Belden
John Belden is a 51-year Shelton resident and has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 31 years. They are the parents of four sons. John received his education in the Shelton public schools, at the University of Connecticut and at Southern Connecticut State University.
A 10-year member of the Board of Apportionment & Taxation and a 23-year member of the Shelton Biddy Basketball board, John has been employed for 25 years as a Communications Technician.
John feels elected officials in our City have done an excellent job of expanding the tax base – even with the current business climate and businesses in our State choosing to leave. John believes balanced development will be needed to maintain Shelton’s low mill rate to keep taxes affordable for all taxpayers.
John Boyko
John Boyko is a long-time Shelton resident and received his education in the Shelton public school system. He has an A.S. degree in applied science and management from Charter Oak State College and a B.S. degree in industrial technology and management from Central Connecticut State University.
John is a project manager for CPM Environmental, is a licensed master electrician and a commercial interior contractor. John was a member of the 1993 building committee which oversaw the installation of lighting upgrades for city schools and buildings, and the 2010 building committee for the renovation of the Shelton High School boiler room. A fiscal conservative, John believes in government operating within its means and strong oversight of expenditures by city departments.
Jay Francino-Quinn
John "Jay" Francino-Quinn is from West Haven, the father of four children and has been married to his wife, Ann-Marie, for 25 years. He and his family have been Shelton residents for almost 24 years.
A retired paramedic and Army veteran, Jay served for eight years as a radio teletype/satellite communications operator. His last duty station was on the DMZ in Korea. He is a member of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion. He is also an associate member of the Second Company, Governor’s Horse Guard in Newtown and chairperson of Native American Women Warriors.
Jay was president of the Ripton School PTA and spearheaded the construction of its handicapped accessible playground. He served on the Board of Education for eight years, and is a former member of the Shelton EMS Commission. Jay’s priorities while serving on the Board of Apportionment & Taxation is strict financial oversight of city departments during the budget process to maintain an affordable mill rate for all Shelton taxpayers.
Board of Education
Jim Feehan
Jim, President of New England Fire Equipment & Apparatus in North Haven, retired in 2014 after 28 years from the Stamford Fire Department with the rank of Fire Lieutenant. A native of Patchogue, New York, Jim and his family recently relocated to Shelton after residing in Stratford for 27 years.
A graduate of Norwich University with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, Jim is a U.S. Marine Corp veteran and a former member of both the Knights of Columbus and the Germania Schwaben Society. While a Stratford resident, Jim served as Chairman of Stratford’s Board of Education for four years, was Chairman of Stratford’s Town Council for 10 years and served for two years on Allied Signal’s U.S. Army regional advisory board. He is a former member of the Shriners Children Hospital’s Board of Directors, and Stratford's Veteran’s Museum Commission.
Drawing on the experience gained through his prior and various community service positions, Jim’s priority as a member of the Board of Education would be to ensure that our City’s silent majority (our school children) have a voice to advocate for their educational needs.
John Fitzgerald
John is a lifelong resident of Shelton where he attended elementary school. A graduate of St. Joseph High School and Worcester Poly Tech, he received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering Construction Management in 1979. Like his father and grandfather, John has always had a passion for building. He was formerly employed at P.J. Stella Construction in Massachusetts and was the co-owner of Erin Associates in Shelton.
John is the owner of JK Fitzgerald Construction Co. in Shelton where he has provided residents of Shelton and surrounding towns with some of the best built homes in the area, known for incredible curb appeal, energy efficiency and of the highest quality. John is also a landlord, property manager, provider of excavation services, general contracting and construction maintenance consulting services.
John has been a valuable member of the community volunteering many hours of his expertise and support services to Shelton. He was the vice chairman of the Shelton Housing Authority and supervised the rehabilitation of the Helen DeVaux senior apartments on Howe Avenue. He also served as construction supervisor/consultant for phase 1 of the senior housing complex at Sinsabaugh Heights off Meadow Street. John’s construction and building management background experience has also been utilized as a member of the building committees responsible for remodeling Shelton Intermediate School in the early 90’s and major renovation projects at Shelton High School, Mohegan, Elizabeth Shelton, Long Hill, Booth Hill and Perry Hill Schools.
As a member of the Board, John has served as Chairman of its Finance Committee, member of its Policy Committee, and Chairman of its re-established Buildings/Grounds and Transportation Committee. If re-elected, he looks to continue on in his work of supporting and securing the needs of the school systems buildings and grounds as well as working with bus transportation in the utilization and efficiency of the Transversa/Versatrans systems to be incorporated this school year. Furthermore, he will continue to assist the Finance Committee in all aspects of budgeting and expenditures.
Michael Mainiero
Michael has been a resident of Shelton for over 15 years, having moved here from Bridgeport with his parents when he was in middle school. He received a B.S., Business Administration degree from Nichols College and currently is a K-12 Account Manager at CDW, an international provider of IT solutions and services.
Michael’s interest to serve on the Board of Education is due to his receiving an excellent education as a Shelton public school student which has given him the opportunity for an improved quality of life. Michael wants to make sure those same opportunities will be available in the future for all Shelton students and their families.
James Orazietti
Jim, a long-time Shelton resident, and his wife, Sharon, are parents of a daughter, Kelly. Jim received his education in Shelton schools and at Central Connecticut State University. A retiree of Sikorsky Aircraft, Jim formerly served as assistant registrar of voters, Perry Hill School Building Committee vice chairman, and member of the Public Improvement Building Committee, Conservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. For several years Jim was also a coach for the Pop Warner football, Biddy basketball and girls’ recreational softball programs.
Jim served on the Board of Education during 2003-2011, was re-elected in 2019 and named Vice-Chair. For the past two years, Jim has focused on re-establishing effective and cooperative communication between the Board and City Hall, and implementing an accountability system for public school system employees. Jim joined with fellow Republican Board members to successfully obtain State of Connecticut reimbursements for school building projects, and prevented the elimination of 8th grade, freshman and JV sports proposed by the Democratic members of the Board.
Along with fellow Republican Board members, Jim made it a priority to direct funds towards classroom use and supported the City administration’s decision to institute a more efficient, system-wide school transportation program. Jim feels that one of the most important accomplishments he and fellow Republican board members achieved was to re-establish the use of city-appointed attorneys. This action not only returned the Board to compliance with the City charter, but also saved approximately $100,000 in legal service fees from what had been spent by the preceding Board during the previous two years.
Communication and accountability will continue to be Jim’s top priorities during his next term on the Board of Education in order to ensure an educational program of the highest standard for Shelton students.
Joseph Pagliaro, Jr.
Joe is a life-long resident of Shelton. He received his primary education in the Shelton public school system; is a graduate of St. Joseph High School and received a B.S. degree in political science, with a minor in History, from Sacred Heart University. After serving as an intern for an elected official from the area, Joe became a licensed Funeral Director and officially joined the family’s funeral business, the Riverview and Edward F Adzima Funeral Homes.
For over 35 years Joe has volunteered numerous hours for several Valley organizations -- including at a Board of Directors level -- for the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Parent Child Resource Center, Valley United Way, Birmingham Group, Valley Community Foundation, Griffin Hospital, Center Stage Theater, St. Joseph High School and St. Lawrence Church. After the loss of his father, Joseph helped establish the Joseph A. Pagliaro, Sr. Family Fund, a component fund of the Valley Community Foundation, and supports initiatives to help families with children in the Valley.
Joe formerly served on the Board of Education for eight years, and was Chairman for four years. If elected, Joe plans to study academic requirements to ensure that all students -- especially those who are gifted or who have special needs -- are provided with as many academic courses as possible for them to receive a quality education. As updated technology and classroom supplies are needed for all grades, Joe feels it is critical to work with the Superintendent to acquire necessary items. Joe also feels it is very important to tour City schools to verify each is being maintained, safe and meet sanitary requirements as required in the Covid-19 world we live in.
Finally, Joe will make it a priority to continue the cooperation and information sharing between the Boards of Aldermen and Education that was so successful during this last budget preparation season.
Dr. Darlisa Ritter
Dr. Ritter is seeking her second term on the Shelton Board of Education. She is a parent, attended Shelton public schools, beginning with Ferry School and graduating from Shelton High School, and a 40-year veteran Shelton teacher. She received five higher education degrees, culminating in doctorates in Educational Administration, Supervision and Leadership, and Human Resources.
Recognized and cited as an outstanding doctoral leader in Who's Who in University Students, she has achieved many national, state, and city accolades ranging from serving 17 years as a board member with three years as Chair of the State Department of Education's Celebration of Excellence program to simultaneously serving as Chair and member for the CT State Department, Bureau of Certification and Development and Accrediation Review Team for five years. She received prestigious recognition as a National Educator Awardee from the Milken Family Foundation, a G. E. Foundation Math Award, CT Academy of Schools Awards, a George Lucas Foundation Technology Award, a McDonald's National Award, and a Shelton Teacher of the Year Award.
Utilizing her extensive educational background and experience she serves on BOE Teaching and Learning, Policy, and Finance committees. She supports and contributes to the advancement of our students and school system, all the while keeping an eye on the needs of taxpayers. Dr. Ritter speaks from a place of concern, practicality, and common sense.
Carl Rizzo
Carl, a 50-year resident of Shelton, is married with two adult children who graduated from the same Shelton schools as their father. Carl has degrees in electrical engineering technology and information technology, and is employed as an ultrasound technical support instructor and technical liaison to Japan for FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas. Carl has been active in Shelton National Little League, serving as vice president for 20 years; as president of Shelton Travel Baseball for the past five years; and is also active in the Men’s League of St. Margaret Mary Church.
For the past two years on the Board of Education, Carl served as Vice Chair of both the Finance and Teaching and Learning Committees and headed a Technology work group. He is proud to have been a part of many of the accomplishments of the current Board over the last two years; at the top of that list are the reorganization of the Special Education department and the recovery of millions of dollars owed for many years to the City by the State for reimbursable capital improvement projects.
Carl’s involvement with Little League, Travel Baseball and the Men’s League have required a collaborative spirit and creative use of limited funding to succeed; disciplines he brought to the Board of Education when first elected in 2019 to help navigate Shelton’s school system through a significant upgrade in its technology, the selection of a new Superintendent and an unprecedented pandemic response.
Carl hopes to continue his work with the Board to effectively communicate the needs of Shelton's teachers and students to the Board of Alderman. In a second term he would like to see an increased focus on classroom sizes at all grade levels while continuing to make changes that will fully utilize and enhance the learning experience of students. Carl believes all these should be top priorities and can be achieved by maximizing the use of our state-of-the-art technology and by implementing the new curriculum that is currently being rolled out throughout the school district.
Amy Romano
Amy, a Connecticut native, has been a Shelton resident for over 17 years. She and her husband, Mark, are raising three sons; two are Shelton public school students, and their eldest is a college junior. An active volunteer for the past 15 years in Shelton schools, Amy is running for a second term on the Board of Education.
Amy is an Interior Design graduate of Paier College of Art and spent 10+ years managing large-scale, retail interior design projects across Fairfield and Westchester counties. She has spent the last two decades in the real estate, business development, and construction fields, responsible for managing multi-million dollar budgets and the use of public financing from the State of Connecticut. Amy and her husband own Romano Brothers Builders, which has successfully developed numerous single-family residences in Shelton and surrounding towns. She is a licensed real estate agent with Preston Gray Real Estate.
Amy is presently serving as Chair of the Board’s Teaching & Learning committee which is responsible for approving proposed changes to classroom curriculum based on the results of standardized tests. Recently, after an analysis of the elementary school curriculum and test results, Amy endorsed a proposal to purchase new course materials for use, beginning with the 2021-22 school year.
Earlier this year, as a member of the Board’s Finance Committee, Amy used her business experience to help forecast 2021-22 school system revenue and expenses to help prepare a balanced school budget. Amy also supported proposed cost-savings measures by consolidating services. If re-elected, Amy’s priority is to provide a school system that is adequately staffed and funded as well as fiscally responsible to taxpayers.
Kathy Yolish
Kathy has been a Shelton resident for more than 55 years and is proud it is where her family owned and operated businesses for many years. She and her husband, Norman, have been married for 46 years and have a 16-year-old Morkie named Kinzy Bean. A graduate of St. Joseph High School, Kathy received a B.A. from Sacred Heart University and an M.A. from Southern Connecticut State University.
A volunteer in the Shelton elementary schools, guest reader, J.A. volunteer, and author of educational articles for the quarterly issues of Shelton Life magazine, Kathy was also a member of the committee responsible for establishing the very successful Shelton dog park on Nell’s Rock Road that many residents and their canines have enjoyed since. She and Kinzy Bean are ambitious supporters of the Shelton Animal Shelter, and hold an annual fundraising event for its benefit. Kathy is a parishioner of St. Lawrence Church and volunteers there as a counter of its Sunday offertory collection.
Kathy retired from the Shelton public school system after a 35-year career during which time she taught grades 2, 3, 4 and 5. As a teacher, she received many grants and awards; most notable among them are the Weller Award of Excellence, the Walmart Valley Teacher of the Year award, and finalist as Shelton Teacher of the Year.
Kathy has been a Board of Education member for the last 12 years and its present Chairman. As Chair, she is a member of all Board committees: Policy (present Chair), Teaching & Learning (former Chair and Vice Chair), Finance, and Transportation/Buildings & Grounds. Kathy is also the Board liaison to the teacher and principal unions.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Peter Laskos
Peter has lived in Shelton for 24 years with his wife, Jeanet. They are the parents of two adult children who were both educated through Shelton’s public school system.
Peter has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Fairfield U/BEI and a MBA with a concentration in Industrial Engineering from UNH.
He has worked in the manufacturing/engineering field for more than 30 years, having previously worked at Kerite/Hubbell and BIC Consumer Products. His experiences include project management, team leadership, sales engineering, design, and international field service. Currently, Peter works as Engineering Manager at Moore Tool Company.
Ruth Parkins
Ruth has been a Shelton resident for over 40 years. She is employed by Shelton-based Iroquois Pipeline, where she manages the company’s public and government relations. Ruth received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Sacred Heart University and earned her Master’s in Business and Public Administration at the University of New Haven.
An active community leader, Ruth previously served on the Shelton Planning & Zoning Commission for 10 years and was its chairperson from 2009-2017. She currently serves as an Executive Board member of the Shelton Economic Development Corporation. Ruth has been the recipient of several prestigious community awards, including the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Gold Seal Award; the Shelton Economic Development Raymond P. Lavietes Award for Outstanding Leadership and Vision; and the Valley United Way Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award.
During her previous terms on the Commission, Ruth was committed to making sound decisions for balanced economic development to serve the best interests of Shelton residents. These sound decisions have attracted new residents and businesses, which have expanded Shelton’s tax base and allowed it to maintain a low mill rate. If elected, Ruth will continue to focus on balanced economic development that addresses the needs of our community, places importance on the preservation of open space, and results in a net positive tax gain to the City.
Planning and Zoning Commission Alternate
Dan Onofrio
Dan and his family have resided in Shelton for over 13 years. He is a graduate of St. Joseph High School, Trumbull; studied Computer Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology; and received a B.S., International Business degree from the University of New Haven.
President and CEO since 2018 of the 700-member Bridgeport Regional Business Council and its affiliated Bridgeport, Stratford and Trumbull Chambers of Commerce, Dan was first employed as General Manager of Business Systems Operations by Environmental Data Resources prior to being promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations.
As a member of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Dan co-founded the Young Emerging Professionals business networking group, is an advisor for the Valley Community Foundation, Derby, and a speaker at Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport. Dan is also a partner in Rita's Ice franchises in Connecticut.
Library Board
Steve Bellis
Steve has served on the Library Board for six years and has resided in Shelton with his wife and children for 35 years. Steve obtained his undergraduate degree from Boston University and Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University where he was selected to the Law Review. Steve is a partner at the Pellegrino Law Firm in New Haven where he leads its trial practice group, concentrating on personal injury cases and land use.
Steve is certified as an alternative dispute resolution arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association for commercial disputes, and has experience as a mediator or arbitrator on personal injury cases. He is admitted and qualified before the Supreme Court of the United States, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the United States District Court of Connecticut and the Connecticut State Court.
Steve is a member of local, state and national Bar Associations, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. He also serves as a Business Law instructor for the City of New Haven’s Small Business Academy.
Locally, Steve is Counsel for the Shelton Farmers Market. While serving on the Library Board Steve has used his financial expertise to properly invest its endowment to fund the recent and continuing upgrades to the Plumb Library’s building and for the acquisition of new technology equipment.