Vitaglione Hosting East Norwalk Meet-and-Greet Ahead of Mayoral Debate

NORWALK, Conn. — Unaffiliated mayoral candidate Erik Vitaglione will host a community meet-and-greet Monday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Harbor Harvest Market, 7 Cove Ave., in East Norwalk.

The informal event aims to give residents an opportunity to connect directly with Vitaglione, ask questions, and hear more about his vision for Norwalk’s future. The gathering comes two days before the city’s Oct. 15 mayoral debate, where Vitaglione will join the other candidates on stage for the first time this election season.

“I hope to connect directly with the people, hear what they need, and explain how I can be of service — while we grab a beverage at one of the hidden gems of East Norwalk, Harbor Harvest,” Vitaglione said. “Poetically enough, it’s the same place where the idea to get into politics clicked in 2023.”

Vitaglione, who qualified for the ballot by petition, said the idea to run for mayor began with a casual conversation that turned into a campaign plan.

“I was having coffee with my compadre Tony at the counter by the front door,” he said. “Over a dozen people strolled in, all of whom I knew in some way — bar life, real life, or neighbor life. I joked that I should run for mayor, which got overheard by a nearby group who turned out to be members of the RTC. They told me I should and how to. So I pulled that string, collected signatures, and have spent the past two years observing, assessing, and getting wise to the key issues that affect all of us.”

He said those issues include housing, transparency, and what he calls “collective engagement” between residents and City Hall.

Planned discussion topics include (but are not limited to) residential parking passes in East Norwalk as a test run; how to coalition-build and advocate for residents affected by rapid transit-oriented development; tenant rights and protections as renters become the majority of the population within the next two years; and potential methods to bolster code enforcement in order to “rehydrate a dry revenue stream” for the city.

“I invite all residents to attend, but understand if they can’t — if it gets inclement, though I do presume it will be mostly East Norwalk residents walking in the rain for fear of losing their parking spots,” Vitaglione said.