Voter Registration Deadline Extended

10/30/2012 - Voter Registration Deadline postponed till November 1st at 8:00PM

In response to the dangerous weather impacting the state from Hurricane Sandy, Governor Dannel P. Malloy on Sunday evening signed an executive order extending the in-person voter registration deadline in Connecticut to Thursday, November 1, at 8 p.m. for those who intend to vote in the upcoming election.  The deadline had originally been scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, at 8 p.m.

 http://www.cityofmiddletown.com/controls/NewsFeed.aspx?FeedID=194

 

Have You Seen this Middletown Public Servant?

Sources have told the Insider staff that Democratic Deputy Registrar Voters Lisa Santangelo, and  Democratic Registrar Sandra Faraci , accompanied by personnel from the Common Council clerk's office have on multiple occasions been closing the doors at the Registrars' office during business hours and locking out their Republican counterparts.More disturbing is that by doing so they are locking out the public as well. By state law, the office is to remain open so that citizens may register to vote. Any variation of this practice must follow guidelines set forth by the State Elections Enforcement Commission which determines cases of voter suppression and other violations. Both parties have representatives appointed to the registrar to over see elections are run fairly. The Common Council Clerk office has no official business with the Office of Registrar.      Sources report that the Mayor's appointed Administrative Assistant Joseph Samolis, has advised City Hall staff to go against City Charter rules which title him "Administrative Assistant," and address him as "Chief of Staff." Not a huge deal? Well we all know where changing "job titles" has gotten us in the past when it comes time to determine salary!    Across town, the Board of Education Administration has permanently hired Josh Berger, son-in-law of Councilwoman Hope Kasper as an Business Administrator after she played a key role in selecting candidates for that position. Berger , who has a work history primarily in real estate, did not rank in the top 10 qualified candidates. He, unlike any other BOE administrator will have a benefits package normally reserved only for teachers.  More back ground on this and other nepotism here.         Meanwhile, stacks of papers are piled high on the Mayor's desk as he spends most of his days campaigning  for Democrats running for state offices, posing for photo ops at various events, mainly as part of the campaigning however, in Hartford lobbying, or and doing who knows what.... Drew can be found at work tops 2-3 days a week. The State Democratic Committee and Malloy machine pulled out all the stops to get Drew elected- spending almost $100,000.00.  With no doubt the help of Malloy's crew who wanted to desperately to put another Democratic mayor in a major CT city, Drew received more out of town donations from big Dem donors from around Connecticut such as the Young Democrats, the Working Families political action organization, and labor unions.       It appears now, Drew has to return the favor to his creators at the expense of the public; Little Dano is obligated to Big Dan to reciprocate the favors, thus taking time away from his duties at City Hall.      As of late, aside from a few Council meetings, Drew has not been pulling too many late night committee meetings either. Working from home? If the public is not allowed to contact this public servant at home or on the road, then we don't buy it and neither should tax payers! Mayor Drew  receives the full $87K tax payer funded salary no matter how often he chooses to grace City Hall with his presence. * UPDATE! Your tax dollars at work: Since the initial posting of this piece, the Insider found Drew! Today the Mess published a article that has Candidate for State Rep. Paul Doyle and Matt Lesser cruising down the River in canoes yesterday during work hours with non other than Dan Drew- The event complete with reporter along was under the guise of "helping" DEEP Commissioner Esty check out the biological foray, but appears more like blatant campaigning to us- Wonder why no other representatives or candidates were invited? Stay tuned for the Deputy chief Position Vote Tuesday- read background here

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Who is Really Running City Hall?

Who is really running City Hall? If you guessed old guard Councilman Tom Serra and big brother Rep. Joe Serra you are wrong! Although they still hold the reins tight for the in-debt  Water Department run under the leadership of Serra first cousin Director Guy Russo, it appears the grip on Mayor Drew's collar maybe loosening. Move over boys, a new person has taken the throne and SHE isn't going anywhere fast.And nope - not Nepotism Nelly Councilwoman Hope Kasper - , guess again...       A staff meeting took place on Tuesday September 11 which was meant to discuss issues with how the Registrar of Voters Office is running and its relationship with the Town Clerks Office. Several City employees have expressed concern to Mayor Drew and Administrative Assistant Joe Samolis regarding unprofessional behavior of Deputy Democratic Registrar of Voters appointee and former Democratic Town Chair Lisa Santangelo. Our sources say the only thing the meeting produced was that Lisa Santangelo played on her cell phone the entire meeting while the mayor was speaking to everyone.Before issues where even brought up about Santangelo's behavior and bullying, the Mayor Drew said "This wasn't going to be a meeting where everyone can pile blame on one person." Those  who had privately brought issues with Lisa Santangelo and her unprofessional, combative attitude were immediately shut down and essentially told nothing would be done. City employees have told us Santangelo has even taken a liking to wandering around the building into other offices that have no relationship with the Registrar's office, and  then offers unsolicited advice to employees and directors how to do their jobs- ie her way!

Letter to the Editor: Ben Florsheim, Chair of Wesleyan College Democrats

Ben Florsheim, Public Figure

You are within your rights to make wild, baseless accusations and live your life in an alternative reality of paranoia and ignorance. You are not, however, entitled to use my image on your website in association with this behavior. Take it down immediately.

Sincerely,

Ben Florsheim

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

The Insider never labeled Florsheim's picture, however, he has chosen to identify himself in the post previously published here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/09/whats-up-did-anybody-in-2011-vote-2x-in.html .

Florsheim is president of the Wesleyan College Democrats, a Middletown Democrat Town Committee elected member, and the vice president of the National College Democrats. He worked on the Gov. Malloy campaign and aided MDTC in providing buses and pizza to bring students to the polls. Florsheim helped to register over 400 students last election.

Florsheim made false accusations towards former Mayor Sebastian Giuliano,  and then P.Z. Candidate Molly Salafia, Registrar Janice Giofriddo in an SEEC (State Elections Enforcement Commission) complaint filed by a fellow College Democrat. All allegations were dismissed, and in fact the SEEC ruled all were actually PROMOTING voting in their actions in which the complaint was based on. 
Several letters of protest from Florsheim and other  Wesleyan students seem to have aided in the retraction of the appointment of Giuliano to SEEC chair last year. The full ruling, which is also publicly available on the SEEC website can be read here:http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/06/state-elections-commission-throws-out.html 

Had they not been, each could have faced up to 5 years in prison with a minimum mandatory 1 year served for the felonies..... Florsheim circulated

Get Shorty 3 to Film in Middletown starring Lisa Santangelo

Local Middletown resident to star in blockbuster movie!

Middletown- Jersey Films and director Brian Sonnenfeld have announced that the newest chapter in the Elmore Leonard Chilli Palmer series will be lensing in Middletown, CT.  According to the town’s current mayor and Chinese ambassador Dan Drew, the film will star local starlet Lisa “ME” Santangelo in the lead role of ex-shylock turned Hollywood producer.

      “We are going for a different vibe,” Drew said bluntly as he adjusted the pencils on his desk. “John’s (Travolta) version of Chilli was great in ‘Get Shorty’ and ‘Be Cool’, but now with Lisa cast in the role we are going for the gut.”  Drew then revealed the film will called ‘Got Trouble’ and will be based on Santangelo’s real life antics of causing trouble around town most notably in the Registrar of Voter’s office.

http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/02/was-it-retaliation.html
Find out more about Santangelo's past career moves.

            “I think it’s remarkable casting,” added Benjamin Florsheim, Wesleyan class of 2014, DTC member, and definitely a public figure. “Lisa’s ability to piss off everyone in town is incredible. She is like a bull in a china (pun intended, Dan!) shop and has made enemies with everybody in her way. She also bullies her way onto committees all over town and doesn’t have the decency to show up unless there is something in it for her.”   When asked to press further about Santangelo’s reputed antics with regard to any other wrong doings, the Wesleyan student said with a wink: “Trouble is coming on Monday!”

Lisa Santangelo is the Democratic Registrar of Voters and formerly the chair of the Middletown Democratic Town Committee and campaign manager. She is wife of Councilman Bob Santangelo.

Local Republican Ladies to Challenge Reps. Serra & Lesser & other Fireworks

Local Callie Grippo (R), candidate for the 33rd
District to challenge Joe Serra (D)

Energy was high last night at the Middletown Republican Town Committee last night.

Councilmember Phil Pessina gave a enthusiastic speech endorsing Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski who has put her hat in the ring to challenge State House Representative Matt Lesser (D) for the 100th District in this fall's election. Not present, but equally impassioned local woman & previous local BOE candidate for the 2011 November elections, Callie Grippo will challenge long time living relic State House Representative Joe Serra (D) for his seat in the 33rd district. Like Red Rosa, the Insider thinks that Serra has been in office far too long, and pretty soon will be declared furniture at the capitol unless he breathes some life into his elected position. Use it or loose it, so fellas, prepare to loose it.

It seemed the ladies of the MRTC have a newly ignited fire in their bellies that was also evident when it came time for Janice Giofriddo to defend her seat as Republican Registrar of Voters against challenger and former Councilmember David Bauer. Bauer gave a speech making it clear he felt whom ever was to hold the position should be able to justly defend the law regarding voting and cited an incident that happened this past fall where Rep. Lesser and Rep. Serra, along with Councilman Tom Serra physically took from the office unfinished drafts of voting districts and altered them without input from the opposing party. Bauer indicated new laws allowing same day registration who bring particular challenges to the office of Registrar and he was up to the task of those challenges. Gionfriddo, who defended the original districting that would save tax payers money which the Democrats felt was irrelevant, before the Common Council after the map incident had occurred, gave a statement saying she was up to the task of working with the newly appointed Democratic registrar and whatever challenges that that might bring. Giofriddo stated that the mood in the office had changed, and the new regime had brought very hostile and partisan views into what by law is supposed operate as  a politically neutral office, but she would not back down in following the oath she took 14 years ago when she became Registrar for the Republicans. Voting was done by paper ballot, and Gionfriddo kept her seat 34-9. Bauer congratulated Gionfriddo on her win and pledged his support.

By the power of Bauer

Tensions at the meeting once again surfaces when Juan Montalvo asked Councilmembers Phil Pessina and Joe Bibisi to explain their reasoning for not supporting the draft of the City of Middletown Budget that they, and Republican Councilmembers Deborah Klekowski and Linda Salafia had drafted, signed, and presented as an alternative to the Common Council at the public budget hearing May 2. Earlier Bauer referenced his confusion over the dissent of the two councilmen against their own budget. The alternate budget that would have not increased taxes, was defeated 10 to 2 with Pessina and Bibisi ultimately voting against their own suggested amendments & for Mayor Drew & the Democrats' tax increase. Councilman Pessina gave an impassioned speech that he felt increased funding for the BOE even though they have no provided a line-item budget as promised was important for impoverished children to get proper educations. Montalvo pointed out that BOE funding, was only a small portion of the budget, and why had the councilman not asked for a motion to  amend and discuss on the matter instead of simply voting down the budget that the Republican caucus had crafted. Council member Bibisi did not comment. Former Councilman Earle Roberts also commented on his strong disapproval over the tax increase and dissent of the two councilmen. Roberts was the last Republican council member to draft an amended budget to challenge the proposed budget by the democratic majority. 

Wayne Winsley (R), candidate to take on
 Rosa DeLauro for Congress

Before the close of the meeting, Wayne Winsley introduced himself as the Republican selected to be the candidate for the 3rd Congressional Seat. He is taking on long time incumbent Red Rosa DeLauro in the 2012 fall election. http://waynewinsleyforcongress.com/

Link to the article about Kleckowski & Grippo challenging  Serra and Lesser can be found on the Patch here: http://middletown-ct.patch.com/articles/city-republicans-women-to-vie-for-house-seats#video-10029383

Below is more information regarding credentials of Candidate Deborah Kleckowski:

Real Wesleyan Grad & local Deborah Kleckowski,
candidate for the 33rd District,
challenges Matt Lesser (D) (attended Wes, did not graduate)

Nomination for State Representative      May 22, 2012

Deborah Kleckowski

Objective:  Build Prosperity

 Key issues:  Employment/Economy:  Implement Cap on the Gas Tax.  Fully fund PILOT (Payment in lieu of taxes) for Middletown due to number of state facilities. Halt projects such as the New Britain Bus Way(cost prohibitive and addition of state employees-bus drivers), eliminate 15 million to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in tax credits, promote private purchases of hospitals such as UConn Hospital vs. State Funding (Hartford Hospital was interested in the purchase of UConn Hospital), Eliminate State funding of projects such as the First Five i.e. Jackson Labs, eliminate increase of taxes on business which discourage users such as Hotel tax increase, nail salons, hair salons and massage.  Decrease spending, merge departments and eliminate commissions. And repeal Executive Order of forced unionization of Childcare workers and Personal Aides.

Education:  Repeal of Dream Act which allows illegal residents to attend colleges and pay the “in-state” tuition, revise state statute that requires municipalities fund the Board of Education at no less than the year prior, implement new law which allows for the Boards of Education to be a separate taxing district, re-instate first generation/low income educational programs.  Ensure seclusion rooms are safe for students and staff.

Public Safety:  Reinstate the death penalty, fully fund Emergency Management throughout the state (up to date safety gear and training), Repeal Transvestite/Transsexual bathroom bill.

Elections:  Eliminate same day election registration.

Government Transparency:  No votes after midnight and public hearing should be held at night not during the day to allow the public to attend and not special interests groups.

Personal/Family:   Raised in Middletown, attended Middletown schools, two younger sisters, married

with two children.

Past Experience:   Chair-New Britain Health Commission, member Youth Service Commission, Deputy Finance Director for a state-wide campaign. Middletown:   P&Z   Alternate and Regular member, Common Council 2009-current

Highlights:  Updated By-laws for P&Z, Brought to the forefront labor disputes between 466-BOE. Fought for an won sick days and pay for ill city employee denied by BOE Business Manager, initiated sick bank policy for City, strongly encouraged the resignation of the former school superintendent, secured bench at Price Choppers for Senior Citizens and other residents who take the bus, initiated: purchase of communication devices in helmets for City Fire, traffic study on Tyron Street, and South Main and Highland traffic study to curtail accidents/deaths.  Ardent supporter of Veterans, Public Safety, Education and the Arts.

Education:  Graduate of Eastern CT ST University-BA, Certificate of Management and Advance

Management Central CT ST University and Graduate of Wesleyan University, MALS

Employment:      Adjunct Instructor Middlesex Community College, Director Middlesex Community                                              College-College Career Pathways program (Tech Prep), Meriden Schools Vocational Facilitator, Interim Director/Associate Director Wesleyan University Upward Bound/ConnCap program.