Meet the Republican: Stephanie A. Urillo

"Meet the Candidates" is a new feature on Southington Patch designed to help you get to know your local candidates before you take to the polls this November. Each profile was submitted directly by the candidate.

Take a moment to review each profile so you can be informed and prepared when you go to the polls on Nov. 8.

Name: Stephanie A. Urillo
Age: 55
Party, Position Seeking: Republican, Southington Town Council

Family information: Born & raised in Southington, the daughter of Anthony L. and Jennie M. Urillo. I returned to Southington and opened my dental practice as a new business entity. I have six brothers and sisters, three who still live in Southington and whose children attend Southington schools.

Occupation: Dentist

Political Experience: One term, Southington Town Council; member, Open Space Committee (initiated the Southington Community Garden); member, P&Z subcommittee on the Northwest Corridor, member, Southington-Plainville Regional Health district (subcommittee member: personnel & finance committees); recently appointed to the SEED (Southington Enterprise Zone & Economic Development) Committee.

Other Experience: Member of the tripartite American Dental Association, currently serving for the third time as Vice-President of the Dental Society of Greater Southington; liaison from the Connecticut State Dental Association to the dental students at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine; have been awarded membership in several dental honorary societies. I am a 15-year member of Elks #1669 in Southington and a past chaplain. I am a parishioner at Immaculate Conception parish where I have been serving as a lector for several years.

Why did you run for office?
Southington is a great place to live, work and to raise a family. I’d like to see that quality of life maintained in our great town.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
Economic development. For this reason, I am involved with the Northwest Corridor Development committee, which was the impetus behind the zoning change to industrial in the Northwest Corridor, and recently was appointed to the SEED Committee. Planning is key and the thought process must be proactive. 

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?
The economy and striving to balance these lean economic times with providing the high quality level of services to the residents of Southington without increasing the tax burden to the residents.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
As a business owner, one must have a long-term vision and plan to achieve that vision.  I have viewed Southington as a business in that sense and will continue to strive towards a long-term vision of economic, scholastic and service development utilizing measures already available as well as seeking whatever sources may be beneficial to optimize these developments.

Anything else you would like to share?
Southington’s motto is “The City of Progress.” I will continue to work to achieve and maintain that status, which benefits all the residents of our great town.