Mayor Jim Miron's Biography Jim Miron grew up in Stratford, the eldest of four children. He attended Stratford schools, graduating from Stratford High School. After high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Army, received specialized training as a paratrooper and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where he received numerous awards and distinctions. Jim also served in Korea with the Second Infantry Division, where he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and received numerous awards and distinctions.
After being honorably discharged from the Army, Jim went to college with help from the G.I. Bill and graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He was accepted into law school and graduated from Western New England College School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree. While in law school, Jim worked at the State Capitol in the executive branch and then served in the judicial branch as a Court Clerk at the Superior Court in Hartford and Bridgeport.
Jim is admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida and the United States Court of International Trade. In 1994, he started his own law firm in Stratford. As an attorney in private practice, he operated and managed his business in Stratford until being elected Mayor. As an attorney, he represented thousands of individuals, small businesses, major corporations and municipalities. He also served as an Assistant Town Attorney for Stratford from 1995-1997.
Jim has previously served as a Trustee for the Connecticut State University (Central Connecticut, Southern Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut and Western Connecticut State Universities); as an elected member of the Stratford Democratic Town Committee for over 10 years; as a Commissioner on the Stratford Historic District Commission for five years, serving as Chairman for a year and a half; and as a Commissioner on the 2002 Stratford Charter Revision Commission.
Jim Miron was elected Stratford’s first Mayor in a historic election held in November 2005.
As Mayor, Jim has earned bi-partisan praise for his ideals, strong leadership skills, fiscal responsibility and his ability to listen and understand the needs of those who have come to him for help.
Mayor Miron has made Stratford’s government more open and accessible to all residents and businesses through the implementation of open door meetings held three times per week; the broadcasting of Town meetings on cable channel 79; the implementation of an improved and more interactive website, including an online citizen and business service center; and the implementation of an enhanced Customer Service policy to ensure the approximately 500 Town employees perform all of the services residents deserve and expect.
A strong advocate for Stratford’s large senior community, Mayor Miron proposed enhancements to the town’s senior tax relief program, which were approved unanimously by the Town Council.
The Town of Stratford, under the direction of Mayor Miron, has instituted an alternative fuel and/or hybrid vehicle policy that ensures the Town becomes a leader in renewable energy use and responsible environmental policies.
Mayor Miron is helping to spearhead the Town’s Economic Development Department by creating a proactive, user-friendly business climate at Town Hall to assist the over 2,200 existing businesses in Town and to attract new businesses to Town.
As part of the strategy to better position and market the Town, a marketing campaign for the Town, complete with a new logo and town slogan, “Offering More From Forest to Shore”, highlights the strategic advantages of living, visiting and doing business in Stratford.
Mayor Miron has partnered with the United States Army, General Services Administration, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and the Connecticut federal delegation to market the Stratford Army Engine Plant that was recently auctioned by the federal government for redevelopment.
Mayor Miron is currently working in a bipartisan manner with the Town Council to redevelop the Shakespeare Theater; to resolve the Town’s dispute with neighboring Bridgeport regarding the Sikorsky Memorial Airport; and to preserve and protect Long Beach West for public access and environmental purposes.
Under Mayor Miron’s administration the Town has implemented sound fiscal management practices such as straightforward conservative budgeting with factual revenue and expenditure forecasts; the cessation of using unreserved fund balance that has led to an improved bond rating; a conservative fiscal plan to grow the unreserved fund balance; a plan to fully fund all outstanding obligations; a plan to lessen the debt service; a plan that maintains the Town’s aging infrastructure; and implementation of improved fiscal oversight policies.
Mayor Miron is also involved in regional and statewide issues that range from transportation to municipal solid waste and recycling to emergency management and planning to education issues.
In addition to his Town duties, Mayor Miron serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority’s (CRRA); as a member of the Greater Bridgeport and Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization; as a member of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Region 1 Emergency Planning Team; and as a member of the Steering Committee of Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding (CCJEF).
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