New Canaan resident Kimberly Norton is seeking the endorsement of the Republican Party for a seat on the elected Town Council.
We put some questions to Norton about her candidacy.
Our exchange follows.
New Canaanite: Tell us about yourself—how long have you lived in New Canaan, what have you been involved with here in town and what has led you to seek elected office?
Kimberly Norton is seeking the Republican Party endorsement for Town Council at the July 20 caucus. Contributed
Kimberly Norton: My husband, Bill, and I moved to New Canaan from New York City 12 years ago. We have four children—ages 12, 14, 18 and 21—who are being or have been superbly educated in the New Canaan Public Schools. My dad moved to New Canaan a few years ago and is active in senior groups. John Engel, other Town Council members and friends have encouraged me to run for Town Council. My local volunteer work includes chairing committees at South School, Saxe Middle School and New Canaan High School, including the Board of Ed representative. My recent volunteer work with St. Aloysius Church involved a nighttime homeless simulation for Confirmation students to learn what it’s like to have no home in the middle of February, as well as making over 100 sandwiches with my son for a local shelter. I revived “Slow Down in Our Town,” a grassroots public safety initiative focused on pedestrian and bike safety, and spearheaded the CT State Department of Transportation funding a driving simulator for New Canaan High School young drivers to learn the effects of texting and driving. I am also a SLOBs (Service League of Boys) mom where my three sons and I serve as the philanthropy liaison to the Rotary Club’s annual Lobsterfest. I support the arts too as part of the New England Academy of Dance, where I’ve volunteered for the past 10 years as a backstage mom and recently helped to arrange the Nutcracker Benefit Show for audiences from local communities.
What qualifies you for the office you are seeking?
I have a proven track record of getting things done in New Canaan, as well as municipal, state and federal agencies. Working as a forensic psychologist for the NYPD provided me with an understanding of public organizations from the inside. As a cofounder and proponent of An Act Concerning Student Data Privacy, Public Act 16-189, I know how to effect change on a state level. Beyond our state, I led efforts to get the EPA to set the first ever acceptable levels of PCB exposure for children in NYC public schools after airborne PCBs were found throughout older schools in the NYC system and I was instrumental in getting NYC’s School Construction Authority to remediate them. Besides understanding public institutions, I am an experienced small business owner of a private psychotherapy practice in New York City and understand the challenges our local businesses face. Lastly, I am a creator and wrote a book recently for young adults. As an author and producer of a print, digital and audio book, I have new and fresh ideas, and the fortitude and tenacity to implement them.
What is your vision for the elected body for which you are seeking GOP endorsement at the July 20 caucus?
In many ways, New Canaan is booming. Covid restrictions forced many local businesses onto the sidewalks over the past year, and it was great. We should do all that we can to support our downtown, including maintaining the enlarged outdoor areas that kept our businesses open and kept our community together. My favorite spots include meeting friends for coffee at Dolce Italian café, dining out on delicious farm-to-table meals at Elm Restaurant and enjoying the superb pizza and friendly “Made in New Canaan” service at Locali. As a New Canaan homeowner and mom, I want to strike the right balance of local policies to keep our town thriving—from holding the line on taxes to supporting our commuters, businesses, and public schools—so we can protect one of the best towns in America for living, working, and raising a family. And that is why I want to volunteer for the town council and share my vision for moving us onward out of this worldwide pandemic. You can follow my campaign here.
[Editor’s Note: Between June 28 and July 9, NewCanaanite.com is publishing Q&As with local Republicans seeking party endorsement for elected offices in contested races at the July 20 GOP caucus. We will publish letters of endorsement for the Republican caucus and Democratic endorsement meeting through July 9. Comments are disabled on this post.]