Rilling nets union endorsement; Brinton seeks public input

NORWALK, Conn. — The latest in Norwalk election news, primarily concerning the 2019 Mayoral contest:

• Mayor Harry Rilling has been endorsed by the union that went on strike against Stop & Shop
• Mayoral challenger Lisa Brinton is holding community conversations.
• League schedules forums
  

Rilling endorsed by food workers

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), which has 8,022 members in Connecticut, on Thursday announced its endorsement of Rilling. The union’s members went on strike against Stop and Shop Super Markets earlier this year.

“We continue to be impressed by Harry’s passion for and dedication to public service,” UFCW Local 371 President Tom Wilkinson is quoted as saying.  “Harry understands how tough it can be to get by in Connecticut and what needs to be done to make the City of Norwalk a better place to live, work, and raise a family.  He’s the candidate we need to stand up for working families.”

He continued, “When our members went on strike for better health care and wages, Harry stood with us to support us in our fight. We are happy to stand with him now in his race for reelection as Mayor of Norwalk. His record speaks for itself.  Norwalk has added hundreds of good-paying jobs for its residents, schools are top-ranked, and the grand list has grown through economic development every single year.”

“I am so grateful to have the support of the United Food and Commercial Workers and its thousands of hard-working men and women – many of whom live here in Norwalk,” Rilling is quoted as saying. “I will continue to fight for all working families in our city and continue to create new good-paying jobs with good benefits for all Norwalk residents.”

Republican-endorsed unaffiliated candidate Lisa Brinton declined to comment.

Brinton to hold ‘Meet-Me-In-The-Middle Community Conversations’

Brinton plans to solicit voter opinion at two community conversations, one planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Brien McMahon High School and the other planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Norwalk High School.

“These conversations will give residents an opportunity to engage in a dialog with Lisa about the challenges facing us and the opportunities ahead of us,” a press release said. “She will present her platform for reform based on her assessment of Norwalk’s fiscal health and her ideas for change.”

League schedules candidate forums

Rilling and Brinton will come head to head on Oct. 21 in a League of Women Voters of Norwalk candidates forum.

One week later, Common Council and Board of Education candidates will do the same.

The annual LWV Mayoral forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct 21 in the City Hall community room. Audience members will be able to submit questions for the hour-long event.

The Council/BoE forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct 28 in City Hall. Council at large candidates will face a crowd at 7 p.m. and then there will be break out sessions in various City Hall locations, where in-district candidates, including the BoE candidates, will focus on topics in front of their voters.