Meet the Candidates: John McNicholas for Ridgefield Police Commissioner

Editor's note: HamletHub believes in democracy and we recently invited all Town of Ridgefield candidates to answer five questions, giving residents an opportunity to learn more about their candidacy, Town involvement, and reasons for seeking office. If you will be on the ballot on November 5, we'd love to hear from you! Please see the information on the bottom of this post regarding this Q&A opportunity.

Meet John McNicholas, Candidate for Ridgefield Police Commissioner

What Office are you running for and Why?

I am running for the Board of Police Commissioners for a two-year seat.  I have more than 40 years of experience in Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice and I believe I can share my knowledge and experience with the Commission and ultimately to the people of Ridgefield. As a Police Officer in the Times Square section of Manhattan I experienced first hand the need and benefits of community relations, traffic control, understanding patterns of crime and the apprehension of suspects in street robberies, burglaries, narcotics enforcement, murder and prostitution. As a result of my experience, I was moved to Anti-Crime Plainclothes in which I developed expertise in the apprehension of illegal guns, stolen property and burglary.  I was promoted to Detective Investigator as a result of this expertise and worked cases with the United States Attorney's Office and the Manhattan and Brooklyn District Attorney Rackets Bureau. I retired from the New York City Police Department as a Detective Investigator assigned to the Special Investigations Division of the Detective Bureau. I successfully completed training in Homicide Investigation, Criminal Intelligence Analysis and Crime Scene Investigation. My knowledge and experience in all these areas will be a plus to the Commission, the Ridgefield Police Department and the Community.

In the private industry, I became Vice President of an International Investigative Firm until I opened my own Private Investigation business in Fairfield County.  In that position not only was I known for my extensive experience, but I also learned to manage budgets, manpower and research necessary in this ever-changing profession. I was the “Go to guy” in Fairfield County for all investigations from the Public Defenders Office as well as Private Counsel in Civil and Criminal matters.  In July 2009 I was appointed to the position of State Marshal by Governor Jodi Rell and remain in that position to this day.

What do you hope to accomplish if elected on November 5^th?

I believe three issues are important to address and accomplish a solution.

   1.) Help the Town develop a program, now and in the future, to furnish up to date training, (especially use of force) up to date equipment, radio and telephone communication and adequate facilities at headquarters for all officers and develop a fiscally sound manner to fund and continue the fine service provided to Ridgefield. We must also address the psychological needs of all officer sin this stressful profession

    2) The drug and opioid epidemic is devastating to our society.  I believe our officers should be well trained in the recognition of opioid use or signs and we should develop programs that will educate our children on how to make proper decisions to avoid addiction.

    3) Traffic, speed and more traffic are major problems and must be addressed.  Citizens' lives and successful business in town will be adversely affected should we not immediately deal with these problems.

Foot Patrol and better community relations with our business owners and our shut-in senior citizens must be a priority. Service to the Community is a Top Priority of Mine.

Tell me about your current involvement in Ridgefield

I remain an active member and officer of our local Knights of Columbus Council in Ridgefield offering works of faith, fraternity and charity to the less fortunate and aiding St. Marys Church in all their endeavors.  I have been a Knight of Columbus for more than 50 years, been elected Grand Knight four times, Financial Secretary three times and find it rewarding for me and those I help. I am a regular golfer at Dhly Ridge Golf Course and have spoken at the Ridgefield Men's Club about my Law Enforcement experience.  I have been a member of the Ridgefield Parking Authority, Chairman of the Charter Revision Commission, a member of the Ridgefield Republican Town Committee and am the First Alternate for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Biggest Crisis facing Ridgefield?

Although I don’t believe there is a crisis in Town, I do believe we must develop better financial planning for the future and not addressing government spending on an emergency basis as we do now.  I understand that money is tight in the State but we must budget better and plan for our town now and not the future.  Taxes are always difficult but can be stabilized if we move with caution and prepare for the future of Ridgefield.

Favorite Books?

1. Centennial by James Michener.  A truly exciting book about the development of the west and the travels of settlers from the east to the west.
2. Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton.  An incredible life long journey from near despair to total peace with God.

Name a person you look up to

My father John J. McNicholas, born to Irish Immigrants, orphaned as a young child. He was shipped to Ireland on the death of his mother and raised by his uncle until he was an adult. He returned to America before WWII never knowing his siblings or his father.  He was an infantryman in the 29^th Infantry landing in Normandy and walked his way through the Battle of St. Lo, through Holland, the Ardennes Forrest and the Battle of the Bulge.  He returned to America and married my mom raising four college-educated children on a New York City subway salary.

In his entire life I never heard him complain or say anything adverse about his life.  He loved it and enjoyed it. It was truly a miracle.

---

Rules for candidates who wish to participate in our Q&A:

*Please answer 5 of the 6 questions.

*You MUST answer #1

*Please include a photo with your answers

*Please email to Ridgefield@HamletHub.com 

We will publish your answers in Ridgefield HamletHub, on our social media pages, in our evening e-newsletter and Google News.

1. What office are you running for and why

2. What do you hope to accomplish should you be elected on November 5th?

3. Tell me about your current involvement in Ridgefield (include nonprofits)

4. Biggest crisis facing our Town?

5. Name a few of your favorite books

6. Name a person (dead or alive) who you look up to

 Learn more here.