November 2013: SoundWaters hosts environmental debate with Stamford’s mayoral candidates

In the midst of a mayoral campaign crowded with debates on numerous topics, the environment took center stage as four Stamford candidates shared their vision and priorities in a debate hosted by SoundWaters, in partnership with UConn Stamford.

For 90 minutes, speaking before an auditorium filled with supporters and the general public concerned about the environment, the candidates fielded questions from SoundWaters Executive Director Leigh Shemitz. As Mayor, she asked, how would each of them implement strategies to address matters concerning Stamford’s water quality, parks, the waterfront, energy, neighborhood environmental issues, major storms and environmental education?

By hosting the debate and asking the candidates to carefully consider these issues, SoundWaters underscored the critical importance of a healthy environment for residents, businesses and the community.

The candidates, Michael Fedele, David Martin, Kathleen Murphy and unaffiliated John Zito, demonstrated that they have given thought to these issues. Ideas included establishing a special assistant to the mayor who oversees and integrates environmental standards, making the environment a priority across city boards, supporting bond issues if the return is right to invest in alternative energy sources, and weatherizing buildings. Other responses centered on infrastructure mandates such as improving storm water runoff, improving the sewage treatment plant (WPCA), ensuring that single-stream recycling takes place throughout the city, and providing access to the waterfront.

Based on the quality of their responses to the in-depth questions, it became clear that, while the candidates differed on their approaches to many of the issues, the environment nonetheless is a key priority for each of them.