Below is an article originally written by blogger Robert Cyr at CT Latino News and published at:http://ctlatinoe news.com/blog/2013/09/06/middletown-candidate-seeks-to-expand-latino-political-influence/.
Read out previous post about Fernandez, who is volunteers Deputy Chief at the City's Emergency management department. Fernandez is a husband, father, veteran and small business owner of Eleven Charlie LLC, a company that recently donated over $10K worth of training to the City of Middletown. Fernandez is running as a Republican for a seat on the Common Council.
http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/06/citizen-angel-fernandez-donates.html
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Below is a video courtesy of guest blogger and videographer Palin Smith of Candidate (R) for Common Council Angel Fernandez. Read his previously submitted complete bio here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/09/candidate-bio-angel-fernandez-r-first.html
www.middletowngop.com
Read out previous post about Fernandez, who is volunteers Deputy Chief at the City's Emergency management department. Fernandez is a husband, father, veteran and small business owner of Eleven Charlie LLC, a company that recently donated over $10K worth of training to the City of Middletown. Fernandez is running as a Republican for a seat on the Common Council.
http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/06/citizen-angel-fernandez-donates.html
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As
the Latino population in Connecticut’s Middlesex County grows, so does
their political influence. Angel Fernandez, who is already a well-known
name in Middletown, Conn., political and public service circles, is a
prime example of this trend as he seeks a seat on the city’s Common
Council expanding the role Latinos play in the city.
According
to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the county’s Latino population
rose 9.79 percent between 2011 and 2012, and is now home to about 8,600
Latinos residents.
He’s
the first Latino to head the city’s emergency management operations and
has taught courses on terrorism response to Office of Emergency
Management staff.
Now
he is poised to possibly make history in Middletown again this
November. He is the first Hispanic running for the Common Council as a
Republican.
“I’ve
always been a Republican since the day I joined the military,”
Fernandez said of his decision to run for the GOP in a city where
Hispanics traditionally are Democrats. Even his family says he is the
unusual one, he said.
He
believes that the GOP better represents the needs of the U.S. military,
as well as better following the Constitution in the way they govern.
Fernandez
said entering local politics was a tough decision for him, but the
state’s new restrictive gun laws were enough to force his hand.
“I
just figured the only way to make changes is through the local politics
then go to state level to make the changes and to really listen to the
people and do what the people (voters) ask of you,” he said. “ Is not
the other way around, I see politicians who forget that the voters put
them in office to do the right thing for them and not what is beneficial
to you as a person”
He
added, “So, basically, I said my job is not done serving my country
now. It is my city and state that I have to go and serve.”
His
military career began in 1989, and he retired with an honorable medical
discharge due to injuries from the current war on terrorism.
He
served in Southern California as an aviation ordnanceman from 1989-91
and was in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He later served in the Army
from 1991 until 1995 as an infantry soldier. In 2000, he was called to
serve back in the Navy as a military police officer in an anti-terrorist
unit and did a short stint as protective service.
“I
was General Frank’s body guard during Sept 11, 2001, then I was working
with NATO Forces in Crete, Greece. I was in Little Creek, Va., and did
multiple tours in Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom,” he
said.
Fernandez
retired at Sub-base New London in 2007. He was awarded numerous
commendations and awards, including being the first US Navy Hispanic
inducted into the American Police Hall of Fame. He also received the J.
Edgar Hoover Award for training excellence of Law Enforcement Personnel
around the world.
Fernandez said his background influenced his decision to run for office.
“It’s
not just being a Latino but as an American, I have come from a poor
family that worked its way up to what I am now,” he said.. “I can relate
to everybody from all walks of life because I have been there.”
“The
Latino population is really growing in Middletown. In the past 17 years
I have been here I saw a increase the past 2 years which is great and
that’s one of the other reason I want to run for office so the city and
county can be part of the changes in our community.
Fernandez,
44, studied public safety administration and criminal Justice at
Central Connecticut State University after serving in the U.S. Navy from
1989 to 2007. He has three sons, including a platoon sergeant in the
U.S. Marine Corps serving overseas.
www.middletowngop.com
Second Amendment does not mean no restrictions on gun ownership. Just like free speech does not allow you to yell fire in a crowded movie theater.
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