Nick Simmons may claim he wants to represent the 36th District, but let’s be clear: his real focus is on Stamford, where he lives and where his sister, Caroline Simmons, is mayor. This isn’t just a coincidence. The two of them have worked together before to weaken local zoning laws to benefit Stamford and larger developments. Nick was instrumental in pushing legislation while in Hartford that sought to take away local control from towns like Greenwich and New Canaan. Ryan Fazio had to step in to repeal some of these disastrous measures, fighting tooth and nail to protect local zoning rights from being overrun by state-imposed mandates.
Simmons, with his deep ties to Stamford’s political machine, will undoubtedly continue to prioritize the city’s interests over the rest of the district. His campaign is funded heavily by developers who stand to gain from more relaxed zoning laws. Don’t be fooled—his election will mean more large-scale developments and less say for local communities. While Simmons pushes for state control, Ryan Fazio has stood strong in protecting our towns from out-of-control development schemes that would forever change the character of our neighborhoods.
Simmons’ track record shows that his loyalty lies with Stamford. He’ll continue to prioritize policies that benefit his home city, while Greenwich and New Canaan are left to deal with the consequences. We’ve seen this before, and we can’t afford to let it happen again. It’s time to put the district first, not Nick Simmons’ personal ambitions and political ties.
John McShea, Old Greenwich
