Candidate Bio: Angel Fernandez (R) for Planning & Zoning

Angel Fernandez (R) for Planning & Zoning

Candidate Bio Angel Fernandez (R) for Planning & Zoning:

I was born and raised in north end of Hartford and have been living in Middletown for the past 17 years.

I am married and have 3 sons. The oldest is currently serving in the Marine Corps. I was medically retired from the US Navy from injuries from the current war on terrorism after 16 years of service including reserve time.  My family stayed in Middletown while I was forward deployed in the Southwest Asia theater of Operation, since my wife's family lives here and the because of the educational system of the Middletown. I really enjoy the diversity and how the community works with each other. When I retired in 2007, I started consulting and that’s when I got involved with the Office of Emergency Management and George Dunn was the person who recruited me. At that moment I was in involved in fighting for benefits and treatment of Veterans. I was part of the Yellow Ribbon program for the Pennsylvania National Guard for almost two years until state funding ran out. I have been working directly with AMVETS as a National Warrior Transition Coordinator at a national level on the same issues and awareness for the veterans. As Deputy Director of the Office of Emergency Management, I have seen the inner workings of the city government and how budgets and other matters work. I feel more part of the community than ever since being deputy director of emergency management, because during the past few storms I got to interact with residents of Middletown and it feels wonderful when you see them either at grocery stores or church and they know you are there for them.

As the Deputy Director Of Emergency Management I run day to day operations and training of volunteer personnel, including the response to any emergency for the City of Middletown for any man-made or natural disaster. I work as a Logistical Officer with other state and federal agencies during a statewide declared state of emergency to include Middletown and surrounding communities.

I am an instructor for the US Navy Law Enforcement and Course Curriculum Developer and Anti-Terrorism for Mid-Atlantic region and Mediterranean Forces.

I have conducted research and development for the US Navy with Lockheed Martin and other government contract provider as a Subject matter Expert in Terrorism ideology and methods of operation.

I also own a small consulting firm employing military veterans.

I am and instructor of Firearms Safety and Range Officer, educating Law Enforcement and Civilians in firearms safety and develop stress induced training on how the body reacts to stress under certain extreme scenarios. l am called upon for my professional input from the Military and Law Enforcement on this subject.

I volunteer with the National Warrior Transition Coordinator AMVETS, working with Veterans from current and past wars in transitioning programs and workshops across the country.

Education
Middlesex Community College - Courses in Criminal Justice 
Central State of Connecticut - Courses in Public Safety Administration.
National Incident Command Management (FEMA) all Line officer courses for Emergency Management.
US Navy First Line Leadership Development Program.
US Navy Law Enforcement Certification.

More info on Middletown Republican candidates can be found at www.middletownctgop.com 

(Accepting ALL Candidate Bios! See format info here!) 

Snowmageddon Middletown 2015 Blizzard

Main St. Middletown, via  Westfield Fire Commissioner
 Matt Scarrozzo's fb page.

Well, it snowed last night in Middletown incase you didn't notice. Unofficial accounts average 30 inches. The municipal parking ban is still in effect. In a statement on his facebook page, Mayor Drew commented:  “Public works, the water department, parks department, and a dozen contractors have more than 50 vehicles on the road clearing snow, including three industrial snowblowers attached to our bucket loaders.”

“We were fortunate that the snow is dry and light and that has made it easier to clear from our roadways. We are much further along at this hour than we expected to be. However, there is still a lot of work left to do. I ask that you stay off the roads until public works has had an opportunity to clear them completely."

Futher information and future alerts can be found at: . At www.ctalert.gov.

Any questions for both Middletown and Portland residents can be directed to 911@MiddletownCT.gov or by calling the Central Communications Center during routine business hours Monday – Friday at (860) 638-3250.

Got snow pics from around town? Send them to us! Be safe! And hug a plow driver!

Navy Veteran Angel Fernadez Giving Incumbent a Run for His Money

Candidate Angel Fernandez for the 100th District

Unlike our incumbent state representative Matt Lesser, who seems “proud” of everything he touches, challenger Angel Fernandez, the first Hispanic to run in this district, is a humble man who considers it a privilege and an honor to engage in public service.

 Angel is a retired US Navy man, Master at Arms Second Class. Angel was part of an elite anti-terrorist team. He served in Desert Storm and was deployed four times to Iraq and Afghanistan. He served 19 years before being retired, due to injuries he received in combat. He takes seriously, his oath to “uphold and defend the Constitution against all enemies”, and as our representative in the General Assembly, will continue to fulfill that oath and protect the rights of all citizens.

Angel is active in our community. He is Deputy Director of Emergency Management in Middletown. He has served in this position for five years. He is also an active member of the PTA, serves on his child’s school advisory board and is the Executive Director of the 65th Infantry Historical Society.

Growing up in Hartford’s urban north end, Fernandez saw and experienced first-hand, the day to day struggles of low income and middle class families. He now works in a priority school district with at-risk children.

Angel is the owner of a small security consulting business.  Angel is aware of how the state’s current economic policies and taxes strangle small business, interfering with the development of new business and curtailing the growth of current business.

 As our representative, Angel Fernandez will work to reverse the 371 new taxes Gov. Malloy and the Democrats have imposed on us. Reaching across the aisle, he will keep the federal government out of local education, resist unfunded mandates, whether they are from the state or federal government, and work to implement sensible policies to help returning veterans reintegrate into our communities.

 On November 4^th, I'll cast my ballot for Angel Fernandez, a man who says what he means and means what he says; a true man of the people. I urge you to join me in doing so.

Middletown Veteran & Candidate Angel Fernandez Receives Award for Rescue Efforts

Angel Fernandez

Local veteran & Deputy Chief of Middletown's Emergency management Angel Fernandez reminisces as he marks the decade anniversary of his receiving a special award for going above the call of duty to serve the public. Fernandez, who is also the Deputy Director of the  National 65th Regiment Historical Society and former Amvet Warrior Transition Coordinator (a national position with a 1 year term), was honored for heroic actions which helped to save lives. Fernandez received this honor in 2004, and 10 years later, still recounts the day as one that made him want to better serve his community by running for public office.

Currently, Fernandez, a conservative Republican, is running for State Legislator in the 100th District, much of which is comprised of Middletown. Fernandez studied Public Safety Administration and Criminal Justice at Central Connecticut State University. Fernandez is a veteran, having served in combat during wartime.  Fernandez was enlisted in the U.S. Navy from  1989 to 2007. Upon retirement from the Navy in 2007, he received the J. Edgar Hoover award. Fernandez has young children in the Middletown public school system, and is the father of a soldier currently serving overseas.  

When asked for this article what he learned in his military career that will make him suitable as a state representative, Fernandez said:

Conceptualized over 4 years ago, 

The Five Conflict Memorial 

 Middletown was dedicated this past 

Memorial Day . Fernandez played a key role in 

working with local, state, & national

 Veterans' organizations to bring the project to fruition. 

Having himself served in combat, this project was

 particularly important for Fernandez.

“What I learned in the military is that you listen to your people and take care of them. Be honest during good and bad moments. Honesty will take you a long way. Lying will do nothing but diminish your character as a leader. That's my game plan as a legislator; to use my leadership skills to help people understand that I am living and sacrificing on a daily basis. I know what it is to struggle in our state's current economy. I can relate to any resident because that’s what I did whenever I went to foreign country; I trained to understand people of different cultures and diversities.”

Fernandez, founder/president of  Eleven Charlie LLC, a security training company,  previously captured the spirit of altruism & giving back to the community when he donated specialized disaster training to Middletown Emergency crews and police.

Read about this training project in our previous article here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/06/citizen-angel-fernandez-donates.html

More information about Fernandez & his campaign for the 100th District can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/angel.fernandez.5015983

The full article, published at Dolphin News, serving New London's Naval community, explaining Fernandez's heroism award is below:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By:JO3 Steven Feller
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=13403

West Hartford, Conn. - The last thing Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Angel Fernandez (PJ) expected to deal with as he drove down Interstate 84 on March 12 was a multi-vehicle accident, but that was exactly the hand life dealt him. Six weeks later, Fernandez was recognized by the West Hartford Police Department (WHPD) for his role in responding to the accident and rendering first aid to the victims.

In a ceremony at City Hall last Friday, Fernandez and seven other citizens, were awarded the WHPD Recognition Award, which is given to citizens and officers who go above and beyond the call of duty to assist the WHPD and the general public.

Fernandez said he had just left work and was on his way to a medical appointment when fate steered him in another direction."I was driving west on I-84 when an eastbound driver crossed the median and hit a vehicle," said Fernandez. "Nobody was stopping; so I turned around, turned my lights on, deployed flares and secured the scene."

After a passing motorist called 911, Fernandez was working solo for five minutes before two officers from the WHPD arrived on scene.

"When we (WHPD Officers James Mahon and Brian Wallace) arrived, we saw that Fernandez had shut down a traffic lane by himself...and that's not easy. We have trouble doing that with our cruisers," said Wallace.

While other emergency personnel were en route to the scene, Fernandez began first aid. One victim was lying in the middle of the road and the others were trapped in their vehicles.

"There were a lot of broken legs and head and chest injuries," said Fernandez. "As emergency personnel extracted the victims from their vehicles, I relayed information to the emergency personnel. I also talked with the victims, maintained their vital signs and helped get them stabilized."

Assistant Police Chief Robert McCue said it is difficult to measure the amount of lives saved by Fernandez' actions.

Are we Content? by Kaskel, BOE Budget Meeting Jan 7th

Kaskel was awarded the Parental
 Involvement Recognition Award.
The 2013 awards were presented by the
 State Education Resource Center.

Below is a commentary by former BOE Candidate Brian Kaskel which appeared originally on the Middletown Eye.  In the commentary, Kaskel clarifies that a growth in population would necessitate new teaching positions be added. The Board of Education public budget hearing has been moved to January 7th 2014. The proposed budget, listing 96 line items is available on the Board of Education's website.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(A commentary by Brian Kaskel)

This week’s Board of Education meeting proved that we are either content with the status quo, or as New Englanders, we are getting soft. Yes, there was two inches of snow on the ground, and yes there were twenty degree temperatures, but yes, there WAS a Middletown Board of Education meeting on December 10th. Besides myself, and those who were there as members of the media, and/or presenters from the BOE administration office, there was one member of the community in attendance. 

I will chalk this up to the “weather” and hope that we as citizens have not fallen into a coma of complacency. The unfortunate result of the low attendance – was that the general public was not informed about the Superintendent’s first draft budget proposal.

Let’s dive into Dr. Charles’ budget goal, and as this is my first attempt at a blog, please grant me a bit of reprieve, as you begin to understand my banter and slightly right leaning stance. First off, Dr. Charles is asking for what I feel to be a fair and modest increase in the Board Budget for next year. It is not pie-in-the-sky, nor will it meet all the needs we have as a district – but it will keep us going as is and begin to bridge the gap on the glaring deficiencies we are dealing with. 

Dr. Charles, will be asking the Board of Education, to approve her budget proposal that will end up in the hands of the Common Council. At this point, all numbers are subject to change, Dr. Charles is asking for an increase of almost $4.4 Million dollars, plus the lion share of the Alliance Grant due to the BOE from the State, that has to run through the City coffers. (More on that later) 

The increase suggested will total 5.81% over last year’s budget, yet it will only be enough to fund one new, full time teacher. It is designed to cover a 2% raise for teachers based on the current contract as well as adding additional support staff in areas such as nursing, custodial, substitutes, intervention, para-professionals, and special education. It includes, based on City recommendations, a preparation for an increase of 15% to the total insurance package (health, dental, life, workman’s comp). 

There were many areas Dr. Charles and her budget team were able to project a reduction in cost, due in large part to the board’s partnership with a resource and facility company by the name Sodexo. Key areas that are affected by this, is waste management, facilities, and maintenance. Other way’s the district will be saving money is the based on adjusted income levels due to last year’s position elimination and coming to the end of retirement pay-outs. 

As I alluded to above, the state of Connecticut issues an Alliance Grant to our district, and requires the money to be spent on the schools. However, this is not done without smoke and mirrors. The State also lets the City decide how this will be allocated to the school. They allow for a “Substantial Majority” to go to the schools directly and then will allow the City to use the difference to off-set or subsidize if you will, the city’s share of the Board of Education allocation. Middletown has decided that a “Substantial Majority” is to be considered 51% (I would hate to see a simple majority). So for example; the State issues roughly $2,000,000 to Middletown via the Alliance Grant. The City allows $1,020,000 to be used by the Board. The city uses the other $980,000 and towards money that they were already going to give to the board per state mandate. Essentially, we are allowing the city “rob from Peter to pay Paul.” 

If you continue to read my commentaries moving forward you will see my continued request for public and parent involvement with the Board of Education. On that vein, I encourage the public to attend the Board of Education Budget workshop on December 17th (7pm) to observe what I hope will be a “no stone unturned” attempt at squeezing every last dollar out of this budget.

  I have said it before, and I will say it again – it is time to have the city make some tough decisions. It is time for a reallocation of existing funds, to be funneled to the improvement of our schools. Time to put the schools as a focus in this town. Enough bowing down to promises of corporate tax bases, and focus on what makes a community stronger. The Schools. Assistant Superintendent Enza Macri summarized it best when she said, “we know what works when we can use laser-like concentration… we do not have the funds to spend on all schools the way we know we need to….” 

So, to my neighbors of Middletown, it is my suggestion that for now, we put our bi-partisan support behind the current BOE administration, until they give us a reason not to. I for one agree with the statements from newly elected board member, Vincent Loffredo when he suggests, “the Board needs more presence at the State level”. And later heard sentiments of agreement echoed by a few members of the board regarding Ed McKeon’s thoughts about the new common core legislation and the unfunded mandates that comes with it, reminding us, that “we shouldn’t make people in the reform industry rich, when we are facing tough times” 

Other Items of interest from the Board of Education Meeting 12/10/13:

• Issues pertaining to student’s concerns about the Middletown High School late bus are still being investigated
•  Family School Connection grant was adopted
•  Grant and Bonding was delayed for the Public Safety Initiative, until calendars and meetings can be lined up.
• The Middletown department of Emergency Management is in the beginning stages of planning a “Full Shooting Exercise” at a school location for this summer. This will incorporate, Local Police, Fire Department(s), Emergency Management, Health Care Workers, State and Federal response agencies. It will require the Board’s support, and such, the Board has requested more information at a later meeting.

Brian Kaskel, is a Middletown parent and former candidate for the Middletown Board of Education