An NoN Voter Guide – Common Council District E

NORWALK, Conn. – NancyOnNorwalk has compiled candidate biographies by summarizing the information provided on their websites.

Here you will read about District E Common Council candidates.

Thomas Livingston, Democratic incumbent

• 34-year Norwalk resident.
• Former Common Council president.
• Land Use and Building Management Committee chair.
• Planning Committee member.
• Public Works Committee member.
• Ordinance Committee member.
• University of Connecticut School of Law adjunct, helping students develop counseling, negotiation, and other legal skills.
• Applied Biosystems (formerly Perkin-Elmer) former vice-president.
• Hamilton College and Cornell Law School graduate.
• Prides himself on his ability to work collaboratively to get things done.

 

Lisa Shanahan, Democratic incumbent

• Grew up in Norwalk.
• Attended the St. Joseph’s Parish, Rowayton Elementary, and Roton Middle schools.
• Since moving back to Connecticut as a full-time resident in 2007, volunteered in many different Norwalk schools, sports, and civic organizations.
• Shakespeare on the Sound board member.
• The Rowayton Library secretary and vice-president.
• The Rowayton Gardeners two-term vice-president, two-term treasurer /secretary.
• Norwalk Land Trust member.
• Norwalk conservation commission member.
• Holds a law degree from University of Pennsylvania.
• Joined international law firm McDermott Will & Emery’s Chicago office.  Moved to The Northern Trust Company in 1992 upon the birth of her first daughter.
• Dartmouth College Class of 1980 volunteer in many capacities since graduation.
• Looks forward to continued conversations with District E constituents “to learn more about how I can be of service to our District and to our City.”

 

 

Andrew Anello, Republican

• West Norwalk resident for 20 years.
• Husband and father of 3 children in public schools.
• Served on the Fox Run School Governance Council.
• Certified Financial Planner.
• Holds an MBA from University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s in music from Ithaca College.
• Clarinetist performing with area symphonies and bands.
• Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America.

Platform:

• “You have my commitment to listen-listen-listen.”
• Accessible and responsive Common Council.
• Oppose overdevelopment that threatens our quality of life.
• Improve our schools without overspending at the expense of other city services.
• Enhance our tree canopy, protect our harbor and water quality.
• Champion small businesses to bring jobs to help our economy strive post-pandemic.
• Strengthen quality of life ordinances; noise, blight, overcrowded apartments, parking.
• Protect our residents by supporting our police.

 

Heather Coats Schneider, Independents for Norwalk

• Nineteen-year Norwalk resident.
• Founder of Uptick Fitness health and exercise bootcamp.
• Former office supplies and pharmaceutical manufacturer’s representative.
• Mother of four children in Norwalk Public Schools.
• Holds a bachelor’s in  history from University of Georgia.
• Was instrumental in the total Rowayton cafeteria restoration, from the concept and bidding process through implementation.
• Roton Middle School PTA and student governance council member.
• Rowayton Elementary School PTA and student governance council member.

Platform:

• “Strong Norwalk schools benefit the property values of everyone in the community. Unfortunately, several of Norwalk’s school buildings have been completely neglected for decades. …If elected, I will support the Board of Education’s recommendations and their school funding efforts, desperately needed at the City level.”
• “District E needs safety improvements.”
• “We need transparency at City Hall that includes a balanced Common Council. I am open-minded and capable of working with motivated individuals to address issues like these and others important to our growing district.”