Mike Rettger

Mike Rettger, Vice Chairman

Age: 68

Party affiliation: Democrat

Current job / employer: General Reinsurance Corporation (retired).

Prior experience in elected office: Pension Commission (three years); assistant Town Treasurer (four years); Insurance/Risk Management Committee (one year); Conservation Commission Open Space Ranger (more than 25 years).

Community involvement: Various board leadership positions with the Westmoreland Homeowners Association; treasurer of the Great Pond Club; board member of Ridgefield Little League; AARP TaxAide volunteer; co-chair of the Refugee Resettlement Committee-Ridgefield; and member of the WSHU Radio Community Advisory Board.

Top issue to address if elected: The Board of Finance faces the challenge each year of matching the demands of residents for town services with everyone's desire to see minimal, or even no, tax rate increase. One major emerging financial challenge will be finding room in the budget for the proposed public safety headquarters. My goal is to help realize this critical investment without causing a significant tax increase, which I think can be achieved.

Andrew Okrongly, Board Member

Age: 33

Party affiliation: Democrat

Current job / employer: Financial Professional, Commonfund.

Prior experience in elected office: N/A

Community involvement: Current volunteer member of the Ridgefield Arts Council and the Pension Commission.

Top issue to address if elected: A critical issue facing Ridgefield's Board of Finance is the need to preserve one of our town's most valuable assets, our school system, in a balanced and sustainable manner. As a parent of a young child and someone who intends to remain a long-term resident and taxpayer in Ridgefield, I have a very strong stake in achieving both of these objectives in collaboration with the Board of Education.

Robert Lavelle, Challenger

Age: 70

Party affiliation: Republican

Current job / employer: Retired IT professional.

Prior experience in elected office: Seven-year member of the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Community involvement: N/A

Top issue to address if elected: Financial oversight of the Water Pollution Control Authority upgrade to our wastewater facilities. The use of ARPA funds (to benefit) sewer users over septic users seems to be a point of contention among taxpayers. As well, bids are expiring, resulting in significant price increases, as we have seen.

Russ Porter, Challenger

Age: 50

Party affiliation: Republican

Current job / employer: CFO, Institute of Management Accountants.

Prior experience in elected office: Board of Education member, Pawling Central School District, Pawling, N.Y.

Community involvement: Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 431 (2013-2020); former president and current member of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Advisory Council.

Top issue to address if elected: I would like to improve the communication between the Board of Finance and the community outside of budget season. I'm also very focused on transparency, integrity and the balance of prudent, short-term spending and long-term investments against excessive property tax increases.