Sapp sworn in as City Council member

Lyndsey Sapp, a mother of five studying for a real estate license, on Tuesday evening was sworn in as the new member of the Shelton City Council.

The council chose Sapp from four candidates following interviews at a work session May 14 at the Shelton Civic Center. The other candidates were Tiffany Anderson, Kathy McDowell and Dave Pierik.

Schmit’s resignation was announced at the April 2 council meeting, giving the city 90 days to find a replacement. The term expires at the end of 2025, so the seat will be up for grabs in the November 2025 election.

Following the candidate interviews and a closed executive session May 14, the council reconvened. Council member Sharon Schirman nominated Sapp, council member Miguel Gutierrez nominated Pierik and council member Melissa Stearns nominated Anderson.

On the first and only vote, Schirman, council members Tom Gilmore and George Blush, and Mayor Eric Onisko voted for Sapp.

Like all four candidates at the May 14 work session, Sapp was asked to name her strengths that would be an asset to the council.

“I like to stand up for and represent people who don’t necessarily have a voice, people with disabilities, who are fighting their own fight, and they can’t speak publicly,” she said.

Later, she added, “I have friends on both sides of the political spectrum. I’m very open to hearing people’s ideas and thoughts, and I’m very open to trying to compromise, so I don’t foresee a group of people I can’t handle.”

Sapp was asked to name the city’s highest priorities or issues, short-term and long-term.

“Obviously, housing is a major issue that I keep hearing every single week,” she said. Sapp said she recently went to school to study real estate and would make connections and reach out to Habitat for Humanity to help increase housing in the city, perhaps some small units.

“I also want to see some better mental care available for people in this community,” she said. “I’m not really seeing a lot of care available in the lower income. I want to bridge the gap and make that possible.” Sapp suggested a clinic could come out to Shelton once or twice a week.

Also, “I think public safety is something you guys have done a lot to improve and there’s still a little more to do,” she said.