Mandell Seeks Democratic Nomination for 136th District

After five years as a member of the Representative Town Meeting, Westporter Matthew Mandell is now considering a run for the 136th District in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

"I think Westport needs good representation in Hartford and the representation that I've offered my constituents here in Westport as an RTM member is a great example for what I can do for all of Westport in Hartford," he said.

Mandell joins a group of about seven Westporters interested in the position. Four Democrats, only two of whom have publicly announced interest, and three Republicans are vying for the post. In addition to Mandell, RTM Deputy Moderator Jonathan Steinberg is seeking the Democratic nomination.

Both will be interviewed by a search committee of the Democratic Town Committee. Mandell said his interview is today. DTC chairman Jim Ezzes declined to give the names of the other two Democrats who will be interviewing with teh committee. The search committee will then make a recommendation to the full DTC, which will vote in mid-May on whom the committee should give the nomination to before the state convention on May 21, Ezzes said.

For Republicans interested in the position, the Westport Republican Town Committee holds a caucus that is open to any registered Republican in town. Those who attend the caucus, scheduled for May 25, will be able to vote for any interested candidates and whomever receives the most votes will earn the Republican nomination, according to RTC chairman Bob Zappi. Those seeking the Republican nomination include RTM member Steve Rubin and Westporters Allen Levy and Nitzy Cohen.

Mandell, who represents District 1 on the RTM, serves as chairman of the RTM Planning and Zoning Committee and serves on four other RTM committees, including Information Technology, Public Works, Rules and Long Range Planning. 

While many might know Mandell for keeping a close eye on town planning and zoning issues, his Web site states he is best known as the leader of the grassroots fight to save the Partrick Wetlands from over development. The 55.9-acre property is located between Partrick Road and Newtown Turnpike in Westport.

As an advocate of environmental protection and as director of the Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund, Mandell worked with Westporters concerned about the fate of the property that at one time could have been home to more than 70 units of housing. The advocacy culminated in conservation in 2007 with 22 acres protected from development and a deal of 13 homes to be built on the balance of the property.

The process involved in protecting the property taught Mandell how to work with all types of groups and people, which he said gives him good experience for taking on a larger constituency.

As for the issues, Mandell said if elected his first order of business would be to work on making state laws regarding affordable housing more realistic for communities such as Westport.

The law currently states that 10 percent of each municipality's housing stock should be affordable, which can be challenging for communities such as Westport that are reaching build out.

"That's impossible to achieve and attempting to get there could be disastrous for the town," Mandell said. "Personally, I think it should be more of a regional aspect. There are sections of Bridgeport that are ripe for development and efforts could be better spent there than trying to shoehorn extra development into Westport."

If elected, Mandell said his other primary objectives would be to address transportation issues, continue to advocate for environmental protection and to find a way to control state spending.

Mandell said he's had an interest in politics since he was a boy. At 8 years old, he passed out campaign literature for Bobby Kennedy. He has collected political buttons ever since.

Mandell grew up in the Bronx, N.Y. He attended the Bronx High School of Science. After he graduated, he attended Boston University where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications. He then moved on to earn a masters degree in fine arts in film at New York University.

He has a professional background in computer programming, writing, film-making and building Web sites. He resides in Westport with his wife and two children. He also serves as a trustee of Earthplace.

For more information, visit Mandell's Web site by clicking here.