Connecticut native and Stamford Board of Representatives member Eileen M. Heaphy threw her hat into the mayoral ring Friday evening. She announced her intention to run at the Hibernian Hall, making her the first woman to officially announce her candidacy.
Heaphy was elected to the Board of Representatives in 2005 and reelected in 2009, at which point she was named Deputy Majority Leader by the Democratic Caucus. She is also currently Chair of the Legislative and Rules Committee.
Some of her favorite highlights, so far, have been community-oriented goals she has achieved.
"I led a bipartisan effort to create Stamford's first dog park, which was inaugurated by Mayor Malloy in 2009," Heaphy said in a rundown of her political resume, citing that she helped raise $28,000 in private funds for the project. "I successfully fought efforts to allow handguns in Stamford’s city parks."
Heaphy also said she's helped protect Stamford's neighborhoods from unnecessary development.
"On behalf of the Eastside Partnership, I worked with the Zoning Board to
change zoning regulations to limit paving over of residential front lawns
into parking lots, a trend which has damaged the residential character of
both East Side and West Side neighborhoods," Heaphy said.
Heaphy formed the Irish American Democrats in Connecticut in 2001 and has served or is currently serving on the following positions and board:
- Stamford Environmental Protection Board, 2001-2003
- Stamford Economic Development Commission, 2004-2005
- Stamford Chamber of Commerce and International Trade Council, current
- Board of Directors, Eastside Partnership, current
- Board of Directors, CTE (anti-poverty agency), 2010-2012, Stamford
- Cove Neighborhood Association
- Soundwaters
- Served as a volunteer and eventually as a district leader for every Stamford election since November 2000.
Heaphy is the single adoptive mother of her two daughters, daughters: Jacqueline, a chef in Baltimore, and Annie, married to Joshua Maldonado and
mother of Caleb and Gabrielle. She is also a resident of Heywood Heights Condominium in District 8 and a member of St. Maurice R.C. Parish in Glenbrook
