Hector Arzeno

“Now that I am retired I’m doing the things I always wanted to do, but didn’t have the time,” he said.

Arzeno who speaks English and Spanish, volunteers as a tour guide at Greenwich High School where he said he escorts new families through the campus.

He said he also enjoys volunteering for the Town’s Conservation department monitoring program at the Mianus Pond Fish Ladder.

He is also a member of the RTM for District 8.

“The RTM should be non partisan,” he said, adding, “Members should put their political views aside.”

Last week Arzeno voted in favor of the SOMR for funding Greenwich Schools. He said he believed the town should use its rainy day fund so the district wouldn’t have to cut staff and teachers.

Describing himself as “a big defender of public schools,” particularly Greenwich High School, Arzeno said he knows that families move to town for the public schools.

“Yes, we can talk about how beautiful Greenwich is, and how close it is to New York City, but many move here, including myself, because of the school system,” he said. “It’s one of the best in the country, and certainly there is competition in Westchester County and Fairfield County.”

“Volunteering as tour guide at GHS allows me to hear the families coming of the city and other places who are relocating to the northeast. They are either working in New York City or maybe in Stamford. When they look for a place to live, they look for the school system. It’s one of the first things they do. When you listen to these parents, just as in the 1980s when I moved to Greenwich – the school system was certainly a priority.”

“The advantage of being a tour guide is I have listened to the comments of young mothers about infrastructure, buildings and teaching. We have tough competition with Darien, New Canaan and Westport.”

Arzeno said prior to registering in Town as a Democrat, he was unaffiliated.

“Once upon a time, in the 1980s, I was a registered Republican. I have voted for Republican candidates, but I have voted for Democratic candidates too,” he said. “As much as I voted for George HW Bush, I voted for Al Gore later on.”

Today, he said, “I am much closer to the views of the Democratic party then the Republican party.”

Arzeno, who will participate in the Citizen Election Program, noted that Mr. Arora has only held the office for a few months.

“I think that I have a very good chance because I have been involved with the town for many years,” Arzeno said, noting he has been a youth soccer coach, PTA member and volunteered in the GHS Science Dept making photocopies and serving as a school tour guide.

Also, he said, “I think that in the Presidential election you’ll probably have a big turnout and I hope to reach those voters.”

“I believe I know Greenwich, having lived here many years. My children grew up in Greenwich and people know me. I am just running on my background, experience and my value of service and pursuit of justice.”

“My goal is for people to look at me as a person, and ask, ‘How do I know you?’ ‘What have you done for Greenwich?’ ‘What do you know about Greenwich?’ That is what I am selling.”

“We’ll need to attract new businesses to Connecticut and we have a heck of a good opportunity,” he continued. “Many people and businesses are moving out of New York City. But we have budgetary issues and I hope to bring my economic and financial background to the job. I am running with my heart.”

“I will absolutely participate in a League of Women Voters debate,” he said, adding he anticipates the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath will impact the work of the State Representatives.

“All my thoughts are with the people who lost family in Connecticut and in the US. I will be working hard in Hartford to support the people who have been impacted by the pandemic. I hope we will recover quickly.”

Arzeno added that he hoped the schools budget will no be a campaign issue.

“The public school system is the backbone of Greenwich,” he said. “It’s something we have to protect, enhance and fight for. Fiscally I am very conservative, and certainly I will be the best one to fight for our dollars. We’re in a difficult situation. I think I can help in my community with my expertise in banking. We have complicated fiscal problems that we have to solve altogether.”

“If I am elected and go to Hartford I’ll work strongly for Greenwich’s needs.”

“I have the energy and I will certainly work hard. I have the time now that I am retired, and I am fully committed to work tirelessly and have all the backing of my family,” he added.

Arzeno praised both Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont for their leadership during the pandemic.

“I think I am optimistic on the recovery and final outcome of Covid-19. We cannot deny there will be impacts, but I personally believe that the 2008 financial crisis will probably have had a greater impact,” he said. “We’ll have to work hard.”