Meet Ronna Stuller, Green Party Candidate for New London City Council

Name: Ronna Stuller

Political Affiliation: Green

Running For: New London City Council

Age: 64

Education: Graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls. Attended University of Chicago, 1967-69. BGS in Early Childhood Education from ECSU, 1990.

Previous elected office(s) held and/or volunteer work:

New London Board of Education 2009-11
LEARN Board of Directors, 2009-11
The Friendship School Governing Board, 2009-11
Riverside Park Conservancy, co-founder and treasurer
Thames Valley Sustainable Connections, Board of Directors
Southeast CT Peace & Justice Network
Thames Hilltop Neighborhood Association
Thinking Green public access TV show, co-producer and host

Professional/Work Experience:

Currently retired, but was a preschool teacher in many settings for over 25 years. Thanks to my employment as a Head Start Home Visitor, I became well acquainted with all New London neighborhoods and their residents; as a result I think I can represent the interests and needs of New Londoners throughout the city, but especially in its more vulnerable areas.

Key issues you'd like to address if elected:

(1) Begin to reverse the residual effects of poor urban planning over the past 50 years: We can improve New London's economic base, quality of life, and educational offerings by reaffirming the importance of neighborhoods, local businesses and open space, and by reestablishing New London as a walkable city. We can start the process by prioritizing funds for basic infrastructure repair, and by initiating some of the low-cost high-impact recommendations that came out of the Creative Placemaking plan for Northeast New London.

(2) Reform taxation so that is more fair, effective and in line with our values: We should adjust how property taxes are calculated, placing greater emphasis on land and less on buildings, to encourage private investment, property rehabilitation, and denser development; negotiate PILOT agreements with wealthy nonprofits and the state to relieve the burden of hosting institutions that serve the entire region; and broaden our tax base by encouraging the creative reuse of empty buildings by reducing zoning's emphasis on regulation of uses.

(3) Address public safety from a preventive perspective: Invest in maintenance to enhance the city's condition and beauty; encourage community empowerment and social interaction; promote economic development to increase the population density and activity level, and create 24 hour presence downtown; concentrate police efforts on violent crime rather than nonviolent drug possession; establish foot patrols in every neighborhood, perhaps using postal routes to define areas.

(4) Bridge the gap between New London schools and the community at large: Our schools should all welcome community involvement, and students should benefit fully from our parks, historic sites, art institutions, and cultural centers. Proceeding with consolidation of some administrative functions could increase efficiency while reducing the traditional mistrust between city and school administration.