Interview with Mayor Richard Moccia
Questions and Answers:
Q: Growing up what did you want to be?
A: Baseball player for New York Yankees.
Q: Who are your inspirations?
A: Former president Ronald Reagan and Jackie Robinson because of his courage.
Q: What makes being Mayor of Norwalk such an amazing job?
A: Getting to meet amazing people.
Q: What is your favorite genre of music? Favorite artist?
A: Doo wop, Jazz, Reggae, Bruce Springsteen.
Growing up as a young boy Richard Moccia had dreams of making it big and playing baseball for the New York Yankees. The determined boy from Stamford, CT later on became the mayor of Norwalk. After being elected mayor, Richard Moccia had many great plans for Norwalk. Mayor Moccia’s accomplishments have benefitted life in Norwalk, changing its culture, finding a new flood relief plan, new energy saving ideas, and even creating the Summer Youth Employment Program. This program employs hundreds of Norwalk’s youth. In addition to his many accomplishments Mayor Moccia hopes to make major improvements such as eliminating Norwalk’s gangs, and increasing the amount of parent participation in schools. Norwalk’s school system must improve on narrowing the achievement gap and increasing the communication with students' parents as well.
Besides being a business man, Richard Moccia also takes time to listen to music and relax. Some of his favorite genres are jazz, doo wop, and even some reggae. His favorite artist is Bruce Springsteen.
While being involved with the Summer Youth Employment Program Mayor Moccia gets to meet a lot of Norwalk’s youth. That’s why Mayor Moccia’s favorite thing about being mayor is being able to meet new, amazing people everyday. The biggest lesson that he’s learned while having the job of mayor is; you cannot make everyone happy, and if you are then you’re probably not doing your job right.
When Mayor Moccia was asked where he sees Norwalk in 20 years he replied, “Safe neighborhoods, larger train stations, and electric cars.” And school systems in 20 years? “Energy efficient, wifi networks and a better economy. Not every student having to come to school to learn, ways students can stay at home and still receive the proper education there.”
The last question asked of Mayor Moccia was in regards to Wright Tech’s closing. “Wright Tech was an old building and it wasn’t energy efficient. The cost per student was about $27,000.”
RANDOM FACT:
Eagles have enough strength to kill and fly away
with a young deer.
Mayor Moccia is very dedicated to his job as mayor and looks forward to
seeing Norwalk evolve into its full potential in the future!
