Stefenhagen Named to Vacant Council Seat

Real estate broker and property manager Gordon Stefenhagen, who narrowly missed being elected to the Norwalk City Council last April, has been appointed to a vacant council seat.

In a 4-0 vote Tuesday, the council selected Stefenhagen, 50, to fill out the term of former Councilwoman Grace M. Napolitano, who was elected to the state Assembly in November.

Stefenhagen, who was chosen from among 10 residents who applied for the position, will serve until April, 1994. He said he will run for the council seat at that time.

Last April, Stefenhagen, was a close runner-up in an election to fill the seat vacated by long-time Councilman Bob White, who suffered a stroke. He trailed the winner, Judith Brennan, by 169 votes.

“He has proven acceptability to the community,” Brennan said, after voting for Stefenhagen on Tuesday. “He proved that in the last election.”

Stefenhagen said he is concerned about environmental issues in the city, including water quality, and the sharp increase in graffiti.

His goals as councilman include increasing the city’s tax base by bringing more businesses to the city, enlarging the water conservation and earthquake preparedness programs, and forming a business advisory committee to review concerns expressed by business owners.

“Being new to the council, I don’t think I can accomplish all my goals. I’m still just getting my feet wet,” Stefenhagen said.

Stefenhagen, who is a bachelor and a nine-year Norwalk resident, is president of the Community Coordinating Council, a director of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of Friends of the Norwalk Library.

Napolitano, first elected to the council in 1986, left last month to take her 58th Assembly District seat. By state law, the council had 30 days to appoint a replacement or hold a special election, which could cost at least $50,000, City Clerk Rosemary Shannon said.

Napolitano’s husband, Frank, a retired businessman, applied for the council position. He said he hoped to finish his wife’s term but would not seek election on his own.