{news} Darek Shapiro in Stamford Times

[David Bedell]

THE STAMFORD TIMES

Green Party candidate enters mayoral race

By A.J. O'CONNELL
Staff Writer

A fourth candidate entered Stamford's mayoral race this week, quietly 
announcing his intention to run on Thursday, July 21. The announcement comes 
in the wake of the buzz caused by Tuesday's GOP convention and Democrat 
announcements.

Darek Shapiro, 52, a local architect and outspoken proponent of clean 
energy, is petitioning the state to run as the Green Party's candidate. He 
will be championing environmental issues such as energy conservation, 
affordable housing for middle class citizens and an increased emphasis on 
mass transportation within the city of Stamford.

"Very simply, the major issues are not being addressed," he said.

Shapiro acknowledges his issues are not hot ones for a local campaign--for 
the most part, the other candidates are talking about the tax rate, their 
track records and the city's schools.

"I'm trying to create a green movement in this city," he said.

The city's environmental record has only come up in this campaign when Mayor 
Malloy touted the city's dedication to the acquisition of open space, green 
energy and pointed to the 2005 Climate Champion that the city received from 
global warming agency Clean Air-Cool Planet in June.

Shapiro blasted the mayor on Thursday, saying that while there is a 
dedication to the environment in the city, it doesn't come from Malloy but 
from some of the people who work for him.

"What he calls a great environmental track record is the fact that an intern 
did a study on where energy could be saved in the city," he said. "The mayor 
got an award for what the intern did."

As a mayoral candidate, Shapiro said he will endorse creating more jobs and 
housing for middle class citizens in Stamford, both of which are 
disappearing from the city.

He is also endorsing lower energy costs and suggests the city look into a 
study being done with environmental agency, Energy Star. The study uses 
energy management techniques and equipment to reduce the amount of 
electricity or fuel used to power a building. According to Shapiro, the 
study has reduced the energy use of buildings by five to 25 percent.

He also cited the need for new power lines and cleaner energy, such as the 
solar energy.

"The incentives (to use clean energy) are here already," said Shapiro, who 
said the Connecticut Clean Energy fund has offered to play half the cost for 
grid-tied solar panels that can be used to power buildings.

Shapiro also wants to clear up the transportation problem which has plagued 
southern Connecticut. He supports cleanly-fueled public transportation and 
what he calls intramodal transportation, a system that would allow 
bicyclists to get special cars that would allow them to bring their bikes on 
the train.

The Green Party courted Shapiro, a former Democrat, to represent them in 
this year's race as the first member of their party to run for Stamford 
mayor. Shapiro readily accepted, officially joining the Green Party on Wed., 
July 20.

"It's a question of where you can do the most good," he said. "The Democrats 
already have a capable candidate. I just think I can do a better job."

According to David Bedell, secretary of the Green Party of Fairfield County, 
Shapiro is now in the process of collecting 183 signatures on a petition 
that will allow him to get on the ballot. This petition must be filed with 
Donna Loglisci, the town and city clerk, by Aug. 10, according to the 
Secretary of the State's Office in Hartford.

Shapiro joins two other political newcomers in challenging the current 
mayor, Dannel Malloy, for the office he's held for 10 years. Malloy, a 
Democrat, was already running against Republican Chris Munger and 
unaffiliated candidate Achille Fiore.

It is the first time he has run against more than one opponent. During the 
last election, Malloy ran for office unopposed.

Malloy, who is also seeking to run for governor, has said he welcomed all 
opponents to the race and is looking forward to debating them on any of the 
issues.

Shapiro, a native of New York City, has worked in Stamford for the past six 
years. He currently lives in North Stamford with his wife Crystal.

Like Malloy's two other challengers, Shapiro has never run for office before 
and freely admits it will be difficult for him to win. His primary goal, 
however, is not to win but to gain attention for the issues he represents.

"Most people would agree that I don't have much of a chance but I'm not just 
running to win, I'm running to tell people about the real issues," he said.