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Mayor Mark Lauretti was honorary starter for the 2014 race
Mayor Lauretti
The 2014 Honorary Starter for the Commodore Hull
Thanksgiving Day 5K Road Race was no surprise to anyone who has
ever attended one of the races. In fact, for many runners, he is their
own benchmark for a successful race as they target him as their person
to beat. Of course that would be Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, who has
been mayor of Shelton for longer than the race has been in existence and
also happens to be one of only 23 21 people who have run in every one of
the races! The Committee makes the award annually to someone for their
community work in Derby and Shelton.
Click here to see the previous winners.
In making the announcement, the Race Committee noted
that Lauretti's support has been a critical reason for the race's
success from the very first year. They said, "Without the support of the
cities, this race would not be possible. The logistics are very tricky,
but Mark has always offered his advice and support as this grew from a
simple idea to a Thanksgiving tradition."
Mark A. Lauretti, Mayor of Shelton since 1991, has
earned the trust and confidence of the people of Shelton. During Mayor
Lauretti’s terms in office, Shelton has been proud to boast an
unprecedented period of economic growth and earned national recognition
for its boomtown image. Retail, corporate offices, industrial, and
research and development firms continue to locate in Shelton providing a
benchmark for economic development that has received statewide
recognition.
Mayor Lauretti has focused his energy and commitment to improving the
quality of life for the residents of Shelton. He has focused much of his
energy on numerous city infrastructure projects and the rebirth of
development in the downtown area. As a community leader, he manages a
municipal budget exceeding one hundred ten million dollars.
One of the Mayor’s major concerns has also been conservation and the
preservation of open space. He holds an undergraduate degree in
pre-environmental zoology from Ohio University and a Masters degree in
Science Education from Syracuse University.
He has held positions as teacher, track and basketball coach at Shelton
High School, Syracuse University and Central High School in Bridgeport.
A natural athlete, in 1979 he played in a professional basketball league
in Bologna, Italy.
Mayor Lauretti is the Chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Organization
in Bridgeport, Secretary/Treasurer of the Valley Council of Governments,
Chairman of the VCOG Regional Roundtable, member of the Coastal Corridor
Transportation Investment Area Board, President of the Board of
Directors for the State Nutmeg Games, former member of the Board of
Directors of Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA), an
Executive Board Member of the Housatonic Council of Boy Scouts of
America, Past President of the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in
Education Funding, Member of the Fairfield County Sports Commission and
Chairman of The Valley Transit District.
The proud father of four children, Alexa, Nicholas, Anthony and Joseph,
Lauretti resides in Shelton with his wife, Anndee. Currently serving his
twelfth consecutive term as Mayor of Shelton, he thrives on his hectic
schedule and enjoys his service to the people of Shelton.
As you can see from the pictures below, the Mayor has been an
integral part of the race from day 1, and the Race Committee is very
pleased to have him as the 2014 Honorary Starter.
Mark Through the Years
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