Candidate Bio: Jon Pulino (R) for Board of Assessment Appeals

Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates. 
See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html
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Republican Candidate for Board of Assessment Appeals

Jon Pulino

Mr. Pulino has served one term on the Middletown Board of Assessment Appeals and currently sits on the town's Zoning Board of Appeals committee as well as Chairperson the Cable Advisory Board.  

Occupation: Currently teachers English Literature at Maloney High School in Meriden, Connecticut where besides teaching five daily classes, he has been elected building representative for the Meriden Federatrion of Teachers four years in a row.  Mr. Pulino holds the following educational credentials: English certification state of Connecticut (015); Certified Media Specialist (062); Educational Leadership Certification/6th year degree (Graduated Summer 2013). Besides teaching full time in Meriden, Mr. Pulino has worked for the Wesleyan Upward Bound Program in Middletown and the New Britian Rock Cats organization, a double AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.  Currently Mr. Pulino has been appointed to the school's Odysseyware task force, a program that enables the students to make up high school credits on-line, while staying in school.  Mr. Pulino has also been a member of a NEASC site visit in 2011 and currently serves at the pleasure of principal on Maloney's follow up NEASC committee within in the Maloney building.

Education- Mr. Pulino holds a Bachelors of Science in Communication and Bachelors of Arts Degree in English from Eastern Connecticut State University (1994/1995). He also holds a Masters in Educational Technology from Central Connecticut State University (2007) as well as 30 credits past his Masters.  His earlier education includes earning an Associate Degree from Middlesex Community College in 1992 and a member of Xavier High School's class of 1989.

Political Offices Held: Chairperson of the Middlesex Cable Advisory Board (2009-Present); Zoning Board of Appeals (2009-Present), and worked on the (elected) Board or Assessment Appeals for the 2007-2009 term.

Civic Organizations: Italian American Civic Organization (2005-Present); Washington Lodge No. 70 Windsor, and American Federation of Teachers.

Volunteer: Comcast Cable - Host of “The Edge”: a political satire program that deals with local political issues since 1998 and co-host of “The Variety Hour” with Billy Wilson since 2007. Mr. Pulino has also coached track for 4 years at Maloney High School while working on student started clubs such as the Comic Book Club.

http://www.middletownctgop.com/

Candidate Bio: Deborah Kleckowski (R) Common Council

Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates.  See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Republican Incumbent Candidate for Common Council
Deborah Kleckowski

I am a native of Middletown and a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School.  My parents are Beverly Talbot (Dionne) and Daniel Kleckowski.  I have two younger siblings Gailyn and Brenda.  I am currently an Adjunct Instructor at Middlesex Community College. I am seeking a second term as a member of the Common Council and it will be an honor to serve on the Council and represent the citizens of Middletown for a second term.
My professional career has been dedicated to advocacy and to the betterment of communities. I have also been a member of service organizations. I am committed to the taxpayers of the City of Middletown to pursue ideas and to implement policies that are beneficial to the community today and tomorrow. Long-term planning is the key to sustainable economic success and to ensure an exceptional quality of life in Middletown and for its residents.
I serve on the following Council committees: 

• Citizen’s Advisory Committee
• Public Safety
• Personnel Review
• Insurance and Claims

Issues: It is a priority to ensure the safety of the residents of Middletown, especially our children.  I initiated an emergency access road, which is currently under construction, at Middletown High School.
Taxes and the economy are in the forefront of issues of urgency. It is essential that the City develop long range plans to address attrition and how to continue to incorporate technology into the application of services. Incorporating technology will improve services; provide residents the opportunity to conduct business outside the traditional business hours and save the taxpayers money. I also want to continue to grow the business community and to ensure Middletown is a business friendly community.

Previous Experience:  I served on the Planning and Zoning Commission. I made the recommendation to hold a planning meeting and a zoning meeting to provide better service to the public and to more efficiently address both planning and zoning issues.
I have worked on mayoral, gubernatorial, state representative and Secretary of the State campaigns. I was appointed to serve on commissions including the New Britain Youth Services Commission and the New Britain Health Commission and served as Chairman.

Education: Eastern Connecticut State University-Bachelor of Sociology and Applied Social Relations. Central Connecticut State University-Advanced Certificate in Business Management. Wesleyan University-Master of Arts in Liberal Science

Please contact me if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance.
http://www.middletownctgop.com/ 

Candidate Bio: Linda Szynkowicz (R) Board of Education

Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates. 
See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html
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Republican Candidate for Board of Education
Linda Szynkowicz

I am running for the Board of Education in the City of Middletown because I believe I can help make changes that will save the tax payers money without sacrificing the education of our children. I would bring a new perspective and fresh ideas to the Board of Education.

Husband: Vincent P. Szynkowicz (Elevator Mechanic)

Daughter: Andrea Juliana Nease - Attending Dartmouth in Hanover, NH.

Current Occupation: Professional Mystery Shopper (18 years), Security Auditor (14 years) and Entrepreneur

Author of the book series: “Police on Patrol” Interviewed over 3000 police and law enforcement officers across the country

Former Radio Host: “Police on Patrol” (7 ½ years)

Former Cable TV Host: “Public Safety on Patrol” (7 years)

http://www.middletownctgop.com/

Letter to the Editor: BOE Should be Board that Drives Middletown by Brian Kaskel BOE Candidate

The essay reflects views and opinions not necessarily shared by the Insider staff, and is published as a courtesy to readers.
Brian Kaskel (R) is running for election to the  Board of Education.
His bio can be read here:http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/09/candidates-bio-brian-kaskel-r-for-board.html
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To the Editor:
The election season is coming to an end and I now have a chance to look back at my experience. It was just over four months ago, that I started having conversations with a fellow running mate about what it would mean to run for the Board of Education.  
I said to her, while standing at the grocery store, “I am not a politician.” I was just a very active and involved parent. I thought about it for a few days and weeks and decided that that was exactly what the board of education needed — less politics and more action. 
So I sent in my letter of intent, went through the interview process, received the Republican Town Committee’s nomination, and thus began Brian Kaskel for Board of Education 2013. I went into the process with a strict “NO POLITICS” stance, and very quickly had my ideals challenged.  

Whether it was my fellow Republicans, the Democrats across the aisle, Independents, parents, teachers, community members, current board of education members or even other like-minded board of education members from other parts of Connecticut; it seemed everywhere I turned there were nuances of politics.  

The Board of Education is the real deal in Middletown politics, and if I wanted a chance to have my ideas (my platform, if you will), taken seriously I need to have my voice heard.
Now, I still believe that politics, or at the very least, the politics we see at the city level, have absolutely no place in education.  

Please do not get me wrong, I do believe that the current board of education here in Middletown shares that sentiment. The children of Middletown are the most important asset we have as a community, and we cannot gamble their future by playing “politics as usual.”  
I have always been very inspired by the current board’s willingness to work together to make some very tough decisions — but there have been times where there were some party line divisions on some very key issues. When elected, I will practice what I preach, and stand up for what I believe in, I will negotiate in good faith, and I hope to have the support of my colleagues to do so as well.

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to speak to some high school students in their U.S. Government class, and that is where it all hit home.  
These young people have valid ideas about some very real issues, and they need a venue to be heard. Parents and their children need to feel empowered to have their voices heard. This classroom, which was a tiny sample of the entire student population, had many concerns that many of us had no idea even existed.   

In my opinion, there is a fundamental disconnect between the Middletown School District and the City of Middletown itself. As a parent, I feel that the Board of Education is a merely cog in the wheel that is Middletown. We need to be the engine that drives Middletown.  

Ultimately this does come down to money, and let me take my “battle stance” here. I DO NOT want to raise taxes on the citizens of Middletown. I do not want to continue to tax and spend. I do not want to kick the can down road and let future administrations and future generations figure out how to pay for it after we are long gone.  

I want to have a balanced budget and live within our means. Our children's futures cannot afford to be determined today based on our unwarranted habit of writing out checks and spending money we don’t have (I know very political sounding wasn’t it?).  

Bottom line, in order to deal with the unfunded state mandates, the Board of Education needs to be given more city dollars to accomplish its goals. How do we do this without raising taxes, you ask? Simple — reallocate existing funds. Take a hard look at how and where the money is being spent — and be ready to say “no” and make tough decisions.  

Priority should be placed on Public Safety and Education, period. Downtown revitalization and tourism is wonderful as it entices people to come from surrounding areas to have dinner and enjoy what Middletown has to offer.  However, it’s Public Safety and Education that will get people to move to Middletown and stay for the long term.

The National Association of Realtors says the second most important reason (after price) that people choose their homes is because of the schools. It is simple math. Improving the schools will make people want to live in Middletown. When Middletown becomes more desirable, home values go up, it is supply and demand. When home values go up, tax revenues increase.  
When tax revenues increase — money becomes available to work on the ancillary items that make a city like Middletown all it can be.  Start with the kids — it becomes contagious.
So, yes — spend more of the existing money on the schools today — create money for the city in the future. We need technology in the schools, we need more teachers and smaller class sizes, and we need to prioritize school health and safety.  

We need fair and equitable resources and programs from the top down.  The schools are doing wonderful things with what we have and are given — we can do so much better with more. Our teachers are being asked to prepare children for jobs that don’t even exist today, yet they have to do it with tools and resources that are long out of date.

Last is marketing. We already have a great product that people don’t know about. We’re losing families and money to magnet schools, based on promises and promotions — but many of those families come back because the grass is not always greener on the other side.  
The fact of the matter is we have more educational success stories and extracurricular accomplishments than most school systems in the area — but nobody knows because we don’t get the word out. In today’s world of social media, it is easy and inexpensive to show people how amazing we truly are.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the Middletown Federation of Teachers and the Middletown Federation of Para-Educators for publicly endorsing my candidacy and for putting their trust in me that I can make a difference. I also want to thank you, the readers, for allowing me to be on my “soap box.”  
If you want checks and balances in YOUR city, then please vote Row A. 

Candidate Bio: Bill Wilson (R) for BOE

Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates. 
See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html
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Republican Incumbent Candidate for Board of Education
William Wilson

Assessment Appeals Commissioner 2009 - 2011

Planning and Zoning Commissioner from 2001 - 2005
Personal Appeals Board for the City of Middletown 1995 - 1999
Cable Advisory Board from 1995 - Present
Member of Fellowship Church for the past 30 years
Host of the Cable Variety Hour Show
Self Employed website designer

Born and raised in Middletown 
Graduate of Middletown public schools
Attended University of Connecticut at Storrs.

Why I am running for Board of Education: 
I was an elected Planning and Zoning commissioner from 2001 to 2005 and Board of Assessment Appeals member from 2009 to 2011. I have sat on the Cable Advisory commission since 1995 and I am currently the vice chairman.  I am also the vice chairman of the Middletown Republican Town Committee.

I have chosen to run for the Board of Education because I believe there needs to be someone who listens to the taxpayers. I intend to bring accountability to the budgeting process. My goal is to see that we are using the taxpayers' money appropriately. I also want to focus on eliminating the threat of layoffs for the teachers and cancellation of student activities. I feel that I can bring fresh perspective and ideas to help make Middletown have a strong and effective Board of Education.

I hope you will join me in voting for the entire Row A team for a better Middletown

www.middletowngopct.com

Candidate Bio: Fred Carroll for Common Council (Realistic Balance)

Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates. See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html

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Fred Carrol for Common Council, Realistic Balance Party 

 

Hello Middletown Readers, I'm Fred Carroll and I'm running for a seat on the Middletown's Common Council on the Realistic Balance Party line; proceeding is a brief profile.
I was born in Queens, New York in 1953 within a one mile radius of two libraries,and a park which was chock full of chess tables and hand ball courts.

I would say that my political philosophy can be summed up by the line spoken by Cool Hand Luke,"Sometimes nothing is a pretty good hand." I have a gutter eye view of life in Middletown and"quality of life" issues would be my primary focus. I would presume to offer my own experience a la "Bums With Brooms" as a template for dealing with the ever growing problem of the irascible street life in Middletown.
"Give an (indigent)  man a broom and what he does or doesn't do with it, will tell you all you need to know about what to do with him."

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Fred Carroll

Candidate Bio: Robert Blanchard Planning & Zoning (D)

Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates. See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html

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Candidate Robert Blanchard for Planning & Zoning (D) 

 

Full name: Robert S. Blanchard, 25
Education: B.A. Syracuse University
Work: Executive Aide, Office of the Attorney General
Why do you want to hold public office in Middletown? Public service is an important part of who I am. Growing up, my parents always pressed service to your community (not necessarily through politics), upon my sister and me. Whether it came through coaching athletics, involvement in the local church or assisting with children’s camps and afterschool programs, I was always taught to give back any way that you could. I would be truly honored to serve the people of Middletown.

What experience do you bring to the table? 

My first job in high school was at a small, local business. It was a great experience, and I saw first-hand how involved the small business owners were in our community. Small business growth and development is critical to balancing our tax base and easing the strain off on Middletown residents, and local land-use matters have a direct impact on the ability of small business to grow and thrive.
I’ve dedicated my career to public service. For me, the rewarding part of my experience in public service involves interacting with constituents and trying to work within the laws, programs and regulations of the state/city to help those who may be seeking assistance or simply looking for someone to listen and then guide them in the right direction. I will bring this same accessibility and level of constituent service and energy to the people of Middletown if elected.  
What do you think the town’s most pressing issues are?
I’ve spent a great deal of time during this campaign speaking directly to the people of Middletown, learning what matter most to them and how they would like to see our community grow. When I talk to voters, much of what we discuss revolves around these three critical issues:

·      Continuing to diversify and revitalize our downtown.

·      Thorough and smart planning for our riverfront.

·      Ensuring that we are not developing for the sake of developing and instead working with what we have, rather than spending what we do not.

These three issues can have a significant and positive impact on the quality of life for residents in town.
We have done an excellent job at revitalizing our downtown. If you stroll down Main Street on a weekend night, our restaurants are thriving with folks from in and out of town. However, years ago that same street was full of families doing more than just dining.
Middletown was once home to department stores such as Bunce’s and Woolworth’s and was THE local place to shop. Now, we have let the malls in Meriden and Farmington take those nights and dollars away from us. We need attract more, diverse businesses and retail establishments to Main Street in order to help create jobs for local residents and grow our local economy.
Our riverfront represents one of the next big projects in Middletown. It is a beautiful area and very attractive for tourism. We can look at ways in which other communities have balanced economic growth with cultural opportunity. The two things that we need to keep in mind are making sure that the riverfront projects are financially sustainable and built on longevity. A thriving project that brings in new residents and creates a space for entertainment along the river would help support and compliment local businesses along Main Street and bring the city together for community events.
Lastly, as a community moving into the future, Middletown needs to be careful and strategic about how and where we develop. Middletown is lucky enough to have beautiful parks and open green space intertwined throughout its urban communities. We must ensure that we protect those.
We do not need to disturb the beauty of this quintessential New England town. Not only can we not afford to do it economically but also we cannot afford to do it environmentally. We need to continue work to fill the vacancies downtown and elsewhere as well as finding ways to reuse older manufacturing facilities. What was done with the Remington Rand factory is an excellent model for what we can do with other factories in town. Blighted or neglected areas can offer unique opportunities for remediation and redevelopment.
What do you love most above Middletown? 
What I love most about Middletown is how diverse the entire city is, yet it still has a tight-knit small-city neighborhood feel to it. It’s largely the reason I chose to make Middletown my new home.

What do you like to do for fun? 

I enjoy taking my rambunctious rescue dog, Winslow, to Veterans Memorial Park for some outdoor exercise. As a Philadelphia native, I also love to go to Neon Deli for the best Philly cheesesteak in Middletown (and all of Connecticut!). I try to get some exercise of my own by playing basketball at Moody Elementary School. I also enjoy kicking off Saturday mornings at Ford News Diner or O’Rourke’s.
How can resident keep up with you?
Middletown residents can always reach me on my cell phone, (860) 538-5425, or through email, robertspblanchard@gmail.com. If elected, I intend to be responsive and accessible to all residents in town.

Candidate Bios:Meet Team of GOP Planning & Zoning Candidates Clark, Simpson, & Szynkowicz

Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates. 

See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html
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Middletown Republicans Jeremy Clark, Rob Simpson and Vin Szynkowicz are running for the Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 5.  The GOP is on Row A.

www.middletownctgop.com

Jeremy Clark

Education: Middletown Public Schools, Riverside Academy (Grades 3-5)
Held leadership positions and participated in various activities while attending Middletown High School including Wesleyan University Upward Bound, Cross Country, Future Farmers of America and Wrestling
University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2010, Natural Resources; Bachelor of Science
Activities: Forest management on UConn Forest, UConn Timber Team
Following education, I was employed by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection as a durational forester managing state forest lands until April 2013.
I currently assist landowners throughout Connecticut with land/forest management planning and provide technical services as a licensed forester.  I am dedicated to promoting wise forest stewardship and conservation of open space for our future descendants to enjoy and benefit from.
I would be honored to serve the City of Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission with my skills and knowledge related to natural resource planning, while gaining experience in local government and town planning.
Professional Associations: Society of American Foresters, Connecticut Forest & Park Association

Rob Simpson

He is a recent Middletown resident, but a lifelong citizen of Connecticut, looking forward to serving as an advocate on behalf of issues that concern our residents, and help foster pro-growth and pro-employment conditions for Middletown.

Rob graduated from Shelton High School in 2004 in the top 5 percent of his class. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Rob graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2008 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Political Science. During college, he interned for the House Republicans and worked as a consultant with the House Republican Campaign Committee in 2008 and 2012.
Rob works as a Legislative Aide for the House Republicans in the Connecticut General Assembly in Hartford. His previous employment has been on political campaigns on the local, state and federal level, specializing in grassroots activities and organization.

Vin Szynkowicz

Szynkowicz is in his 31st year as an elevator mechanic and a proud member of the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 91 and currently Chairman of our Executive Board.
As a member of Planning & Zoning, I will work toward the development of the City of Middletown, specifically to develop the Riverfront area as a showpiece and gathering place for all in our community to enjoy. I will work to bring new business to our city to provide jobs and increase our tax base.
Wife: Linda J. Szynkowicz, children: Nicole Cowie and Paul Szynkowicz

Letter to the Editor: Why I am Running for Common Council Seb Giuliano (R)

Letter to the Editor.All opinions of expressed in Letters to the Editor are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Insider staff.  Seb Giuliano's complete bio can be read here:

www.middletownctgopcom 
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Candidate for Common Council

Seb Giuliano

 Why I am running for Common Council

I have chosen to run for Common Council as it is the Legislative Branch of the City of Middletown. By its nature, it is the body that is best suited to take the "long view". Under the provisions of the City Charter, it has responsibility for the City's budgets, it approves borrowing (either directly or approving a referendum question to put before the voters), it has the authority to appropriate funds out of the City's cash reserves and it has the power to pass ordinances that have the force of law. The Common Council also approves all job descriptions, the Personnel Rules, the Affirmative Action Plan and must approve all labor contracts as well as any other contract to which the City is a party. Clearly, the Common Council is as important a branch of the City government as the Executive - different in function, but just as important.

My priorities, if elected, are to re-focus the Common Council on its core functions. Councilpersons are not "mini-Mayors"; they have no executive authority. The Council is responsible for determining which of the Mayor's proposals it will enact and/or fund and to what extent it will fund them, as well as what resources it will give to the Mayor for the proper exercise of the administrative duties vested in that office. The Common Council also has a role in ordaining a vision for the City's future; to effectively do so, it must abandon its current practice of lurching from one budget year to another and from one election cycle to the next. To that objective, I would implement a policy of 5-year budget projections, in which the future fiscal impact of a current proposal can be anticipated before it is adopted. Because borrowing and drawing down the City's cash reserves compromises the our future fiscal health, I would also implement, via Charter Revision (a process that is vested exclusively in the legislative branch) where necessary and appropriate, a requirement that appropriations and borrowing be approved by a 9-vote supermajority of the Common Council.

The great and famous Helen Keller, when asked what could be worse than being born blind, replied "To have sight, but no vision". I believe that our vision will determine what Middletown's future will be. Will we be a community where our young people will choose to make their lives? Will we be a community where our older citizens and retirees will be able to enjoy that which they have worked a lifetime to achieve? Or will our youth seek their fortunes somewhere else, as they will see no future for themselves here? Will our senior citizens move away from the City that has been their home and heritage for generations, because they can no longer afford to stay here? The decisions we make today will determine the answers to those questions. Those are among the most important questions the voters must consider when making their choices on November 5.


Vote ROW A
www.middletownctgop.com

Candidate Video by Palin Smith: Who is Angel R. Fernandez for Common Council?

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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Angel Fernandez Republican Candidate
 for Common Council Middletown

Middletown Candidate Seeks to Expand Latino Political Influence

By Robert Cyr

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.

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

Candidate Bio: Linda Salafia (R) Common Council

Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates. 
See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html
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Republican Incumbent Candidate for Common Council
Linda Salafia

For the past two years, I have worked tirelessly to try and bring financial stability to our City. I have endorsed efforts to lower taxes and balance the budget. Last fiscal year, I co-drafted a budget that if adopted would have saved the city money and still provided the vital services our citizens rely on. I have voted twice against budgets that would that significantly raised our taxes. I deeply care about the safety, well being, education, economic vitality, and financial stability of the residents of our city; that is why I am running for re-election to the Common Council.

I ask voters to choose candidates that can provide checks and balances between our legislative and executive branches of our government. Please Vote for the WHOLE Republican ticket. VOTE ROW A! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was born in Biddeford, Maine, but grew up in Portland, CT in where my dad taught in the Portland Public School.

I am a graduate of Portland High School and of the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont where I earned a B.S. in education, elementary with a concentration in math.  I’ve also earned a Certificate in Accounting from the Morse School of Business

I’ve worked at local businesses since high school, including Wannerstrom’s in Portland, Mallove’s Jewelers in Middletown, the Institute of Living in Hartford as a Psychiatric Aide, as Bookkeeper for Insurance and Real Estate Center, Inc in Middletown.  I’ve worked for the City of Middletown in the Tax Collector’s and Purchasing Offices.  I’m retired from the City of Middletown, where I was the Payroll/Pension Supervisor in the Finance Office. In my retirement, I have become a small business owner; I started Traditions + Treasures Gift Shop a unique craft and gift line currently located at the Ivoryton Inn's Gift Shop in Essex.

Memberships:

AFSCME Local 466 member for over 25 years, 10 years as an officer, including Vice President

FCRV (Family Campers & RVer’s), since 1993 and past Secretary

Polish Falcons

Middletown Kiwanis current member

I have been married for 33 years to my husband Tom, and have one daughter Molly Salafia.

I have been endorsed by local Union 466 Council 4 AFSCME

www.middletownctgop.com

Candidate Bio: David Bauer (R) for Common Council

  Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates. 
See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html
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Candidate For Common Council David Bauer(R)
I was born, raised, and schooled in Middletown. As a three-term Common Councilman, I have served on most of the council committees and commissions.
Ask any municipal employee, and they will tell you that they run the city of Middletown, and they are correct. 

Your elected officials are your representatives, to direct and guide the employees who are running Middletown. The critical “check and balance” is between the mayor and the council, where the mayor manages the city workforce and the council should manage the future of city government. This relationship is mandated in Middletown's charter, where the council controls both the charter and the city's finances.

Every candidate pays lip service to “your tax bill” and city services, but the cost and delivery of municipal government cannot improve until the council dedicates itself to its mandated duty to articulate a financial future for Middletown.

If elected, my pledge is to make the council challenge the municipal workforce to have a public plan to deliver local services, at a cost we can afford. Such a financial blueprint is the first step in growing the city's grand list, and bringing good jobs back to Middletown.

Towards that goal, I ask for your support on Nov. 5.

www.middletownctgop.com

Candidate Bio: Nick Fazzino (R) for Common Council

Middletown Insider blog is accepting bios from all  municipal candidates. 
See criteria: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/08/request-for-candidate-bios-for-all.html
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Republican Incumbent Candidate for Common Council 
Nicholas Fazzino

I was born, raised, educated, and lifelong resident of Middletown. I’m married to my wife Josephine, and have 3 children Jennifer, Joseph, and Marcus. We love Middletown and wish to see Middletown remain a good place to live and raise a family.

I’m a graduate of Vinal Tech where I studied automotive and now have applied it to my career as a business owner Of MDC Statewide Appraisal Service based out of Middletown.

Being a business owner I know what budgeting is all about and it is my opinion the City Of Middletown need a lot attention in that area. At this time the spending and taxes are out of control. The city needs to live within its means and if elected I will be my goal to work hard to lower spending and entice business to Middletown to grow the grand  list and lower the tax burden on the citizens of Middletown.

I am currently Vice Chairman and am serving my 4th year as commissioner of the planning and zoning commission during these 4 years I have gained the experience what is need to continue the growth of Middletown. Prior to being elected to planning and zoning I also served on the inland wetland commission.

I am a member of the Italian Society of Middletown, IACO, Elks, and Polish Falcons.

I was also involved for many years with youth baseball programs a manager/coach and board member.

I’m asking for your support and vote on November 5th,2013 and I pledge to make the correct decisions to help each and every citizen of Middletown , get spending under control, hold or lower taxes.

Vote Row A for a better Midletown.
www.middletowngopct.com