Ward five resident announces bid for election to city council
NORWICH – Having been picked by the City of Norwich Common Council to fill the seat left vacant by retired Ward Five Alderman Paul Laughlin last month, Kecia Funaro-Burton is throwing her hat in the ring to appear on the general election ballot in November.
Funaro-Burton will be officially appointed to fill the rest of former Alderman Laughlin’s term by council members at their regular monthly meeting next Tuesday. However, with only five months of Laughlin’s four-year term remaining, Funaro-Burton said she hopes to fill her role in more of a long-term capacity come the start of a new term in January.
“I decided it’s something I want to continue,” said Funaro-Burton, also mentioning that she has already petitioned in the city’s fifth ward and submitted signatures to the Board of Elections. “My whole desire for getting involved has definitely been the importance of this community to me. It’s the place I grew up, the place I live, and the place I’m raising my family; so being able to give something back is important.”
While currently acting as interim director of the youth organization The Place in Norwich, Funaro-Burton carries a professional background in marketing, communications and public relations, having worked for large area corporations including NBT Bank, Preferred Mutual, and Chobani. She said she intends to utilize her skills to broaden the city’s appeal to potential businesses and hopefully fill vacant storefronts in the city’s commercial district.
“It’s important that we get some more industry in the city,” she added. “We have lost so much over the years and need to figure out ways to build it back up ... It’s definitely something I want to address by working with our mayor and the rest of the council to try to get some more industry and preserve the character of our downtown – all the great things that when you live here, you might lose sight of. We really do have a lot to offer.”
Though attracting business is one of the issues at the forefront, a bulk of Funaro-Burton’s campaign, she said, is on improving safety. She specially noted concerns of drug use in the city and increasing instances of theft.
“The way our community has changed, it has become extremely diverse, which I think is great,” she added. “But I think it’s also important to keep everyone safe ... I certainly know this community very well and I think there are a lot of things we need to be working on, and the safety and happiness of the people who live here are important.”
After her appointment, Funaro-Burton’s position on the city council will be effective through Jan. 1, 2016. Representatives of wards one, three, and five are all up for re-election this year, as is the position of city mayor.
Funaro-Burton will be officially appointed to fill the rest of former Alderman Laughlin’s term by council members at their regular monthly meeting next Tuesday. However, with only five months of Laughlin’s four-year term remaining, Funaro-Burton said she hopes to fill her role in more of a long-term capacity come the start of a new term in January.
“I decided it’s something I want to continue,” said Funaro-Burton, also mentioning that she has already petitioned in the city’s fifth ward and submitted signatures to the Board of Elections. “My whole desire for getting involved has definitely been the importance of this community to me. It’s the place I grew up, the place I live, and the place I’m raising my family; so being able to give something back is important.”
While currently acting as interim director of the youth organization The Place in Norwich, Funaro-Burton carries a professional background in marketing, communications and public relations, having worked for large area corporations including NBT Bank, Preferred Mutual, and Chobani. She said she intends to utilize her skills to broaden the city’s appeal to potential businesses and hopefully fill vacant storefronts in the city’s commercial district.
“It’s important that we get some more industry in the city,” she added. “We have lost so much over the years and need to figure out ways to build it back up ... It’s definitely something I want to address by working with our mayor and the rest of the council to try to get some more industry and preserve the character of our downtown – all the great things that when you live here, you might lose sight of. We really do have a lot to offer.”
Though attracting business is one of the issues at the forefront, a bulk of Funaro-Burton’s campaign, she said, is on improving safety. She specially noted concerns of drug use in the city and increasing instances of theft.
“The way our community has changed, it has become extremely diverse, which I think is great,” she added. “But I think it’s also important to keep everyone safe ... I certainly know this community very well and I think there are a lot of things we need to be working on, and the safety and happiness of the people who live here are important.”
After her appointment, Funaro-Burton’s position on the city council will be effective through Jan. 1, 2016. Representatives of wards one, three, and five are all up for re-election this year, as is the position of city mayor.
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