Reader Submitted Video: Local Middletown Republicans Release Slate for 2013 Election Cycle

 Incumbent councilwomen Linda Salafia, and Deborah Kleckowski were nominated by the party for the GOP Common Council slate. Nick Fazzino (former P&Z commissioner), Sebastian Giuliano (formed 3 term mayor) Sandra Driska-Russo, David Bauer (former councilman) and Ryan Kennedy (former BOE member) were all nominated to the GOP slate for common council. Incumbent councilmen Phil Pessina and Joe Bibisi were not re-nominated by the party. Driska-Russo recently retired as Town Clerk.

David Bauer was also nominated for Planning and Zoning joining Robert Simpson and Jeremy Clark. 

Linda Sienkiewicz, Brian Kaskel, Marie Norwood, and  William Wilson, were nominated to join incumbent Sheila Daniels for board of education as a candidate.

Jeremy Clark was nominated as P&Z alternate. David Greaves and Jon Pulino were nominated to for Board of Assessment Appeals. Ryan Kennedy is nominated for treasurer.

Phil Pessina and Joe Bibisi were both offered other seats on the slate; a spot on the PZ and the City Treasurer slot respectively. Former Councilman Earle Roberts also was declined a requested seat on the council seat. He was nominated from the floor for planning and zoning but declined the nomination. 

The Hartford Courant, Middletown Eye Blog, Middletown Press, and Middletown Patch blog all covered the event and provide their respective editorials.
Below is a video graciously sent in by reader Darrell Lucas who attended the Middletown Republican Town Committee meeting and interviewed some of the candidates chosen for the upcoming Municipal election by the Town Committee. The editing of this video was done by Lucas and posting is with his permission.

Guest Blog:" What does the Second Amendment Mean to Me?" Fred Carrol

 Guest blogger responds to our request for reader essays: 

"What does the 2nd Amendment mean to me?"

Other responses published this week:

Darrel Lucas: Video of former police office Thomas Sebold and Dispatcher Kurt Knapp http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/01/letter-to-editor-local-cops-discuss-2nd.html

Adam Peplau: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/01/letter-to-editor-reader-response-to.html

Former Mayor and veteran attorney Sebastian Giuliano:  http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/01/guest-blog-giuliano-discusses-2nd.html

 Thanks everyone for the submissions!

 Letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Middletown Insider staff, and are published as a courtesy.
 What The Second Amendment Means To Me by Fred Carroll Again,

"somebody has to say it".......I don't know the Second Amendment from the Second Coming, other than that both are hotly contested. "Well Fred, if you don't know nuthin' about it, then WHY, pray tell, do you presume to say "what it means to you"? Well, because I am fairly sure that I speak for many if not most when I claim to know virtually nuthin' about the Second or any other amendment.....or The Constitution. How do I feel about guns then, you might be curious.....well, I guess a gun is the right tool for some jobs.....

Fred Carrol

check out Carrol's last essay here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/01/guest-blog-fred-carrolcity-government.html

Letter to the Editor: Local Cops Discuss 2nd Amendment

Letter to the Middletown Insider Blog:
  Hello Middletown Insider friends,

I know you dont think highly of me but eh I thought I would share something with you. 

I shot a video this last Monday with Kurt Knapp and Tom Sebold where they talk about the issues surrounding new laws banning assault weapons.

Here is the link.  http://youtu.be/1zUS35hx5iA

I feel that your readers would appreciate this message.  If you embed the video as a post thats great.  If you dont that fine by me too.

Thanks,

Darrell Lucas

READER Solicited Essays: The CT Legislature is currently hearing testimony.  Please write to us at middletowninsider@gmail.com :

"What does the 2nd Amendment mean to you?"

*Thanks Darrell- Kurt Knapp is a retired Dispatcher & Aux. Police Officer and Thomas Sebold a retired Middletown Police Officer. We thank them both for their service and all involved with this video.

 Please find Darrel's video below: