CHRISTINA STRAIN The rewards of being a city rep
In the last election Stamford had in November, I ran on the Democratic ticket for a seat in District 7 (Glenbrook) on the Board Of Representatives.
Not having any political experience, I successfully won my seat over the Democratic City Committee (DCC) endorsed incumbent (and member of the DCC).
Having been a representative since November, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I thoroughly enjoy helping people, and navigating around city government to help my fellow constituents has been challenging and rewarding as I find my way.
In the three short months that I have been in this position representing my constituents in Glenbrook, I have successfully helped my neighbors who have reached out from my help with regard to things that needed attention in our little corner of Stamford.
Having said that, I take issue with Mr. Carl Weinberg’s assessment of me and my fellow Democrats who are running for a seat on the DCC at the election slated for March 5.
I am not running to fulfill someone else’s agenda — I am running because Stamford has been my home for my entire life. I have lived in Glenbrook for 33 years and raised my children in the house that I’ve owned since 1992. My children are grown and are now professionals in their chosen fields.
I am running for a seat on the DCC because I believe in the power of community. The Democratic party needs to focus more on harnessing this energy. Stamford is a dynamic place where people live, work, send their children to school and retire.
The community has real needs and one of those needs is a community center. There is money out there to revitalize the Glenbrook Community Center which we should be advocating for. All neighborhoods in Stamford deserve a place where people can access social services, day care, afterschool programming, AA meetings and more. If we fail to support our communities, our neighborhoods that make Stamford great begin to disappear. Let’s make sure we support all neighborhoods in Stamford in every way that we can.
With regard to Mr. Weinberg’s op-ed in this past Sunday’s Advocate, I reference that he referred to me and some of my fellow Stamford Democrats as pigs. Being referred to as a pig on the farm is insulting. Mr. Weinberg’s audacity is astounding and despicable. I have met Mr. Weinberg once very briefly at a Democratic party function. We shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and went our separate ways. I know nothing about the man and he knows nothing about me.
My fellow Board Of Representatives members are some of the smartest and most passionate people I have ever met, and surrounding myself with them only makes me want to strive even harder to do the very best that I can for our city, government and citizens collectively.
As Howard Schultz once said, “when you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.”