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/

Letter to the Editor: John Milardo: Get Out and Vote!

Below is a essay by John Milardo. All opinions expressed are that of the author and not necessarily that of the Insider staff.
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 There are many political signs all over Middletown for Tuesday’s local election. I’ve seen candidates who are seeking political seats hoofing all over, knocking on doors, speaking to citizens, and handing out information. Just this past week, some Republican candidates canvassed our street and surrounding neighborhoods doing just that. 

For a point of information, candidates have every voters name and address, along with which Party they belong. For instance, my wife is a registered Democrat, and I’m Unaffiliated. It is no surprise when candidates knock on your door, and ask for your support. 

Today, I was surprised to hear Democrat Mayor Dan Drew, who is not being opposed, was going to houses in our neighborhood along with Councilmen Gerry Dailey, Grady Faulkner, and Councilwoman Mary Bartolotta. To my surprise, they walked past our house and our neighbors. Okay, you have a registered Democrat and an Unaffiliated voter living at our address, with two Republicans next to us, and you don’t stop in to ask for their support? 

At least speak to the Dem. You just walk right on by! Is it something I said? Gee whiz! I thought there was a big bipartisan effort going on in our City. Mayor Drew and Councilman Serra are always commenting on how great both parties get along on the Common Council floor. I guess the Democrats only want to speak to other Democrats and hear what’s on their minds — no one else counts! Bipartisanship begins and ends on the Council floor. I really wish they would have stopped by. I had a lot of questions to ask them about the bond issues on the ballot we will be voting on next week. 

“You ask what kind of questions?” Under the $15.2 million road bond, is a list of dollar amounts for work on each road to be performed. One of my questions would have been, “What kind of road work are you doing on Abbey Road for $6,050? Or, how about Avondale Court, $7,260? Are you fixing a curb, a sidewalk or catch basin only? When the City paved Sisk Street this year, the new asphalt driveway work at Councilman Tom Serra’s house cost more than both of the work on these streets put together.

All I keep on hearing is that Middletown has an open and transparent government now that the Democrats are in the Mayoral seat. Give the public ALL the information needed to make an educated decision on how to vote, not just some of it so you could sneak thing by us. 

Another question I had regarding the $15.2 million road bond is a mathematical one. If the road bond work as listed is going to cost the entire $15.2 million dollars, where is the funding coming from in the bond for “public works building and structure improvements”? There is nothing listed on the bond information. 

The other bond question to vote on is for the purchase of street lights from CL&P, so the City owns them outright. The best I could tell is that the bond is for $1.15 million dollars. That is for just the outright purchase of the light fixtures. Not included in the bond is yearly cost for the maintenance, equipment, employees, and dollars to upgrade the system. That will be an additional budget cost each and every year thereafter, if the bond is approved. 

One last question I would have asked is where is the funding coming from for the approximate $750,000 of new trucks and equipment for City departments? Has it been snuck into one of these bonds we are going to vote on? 

Bonding equipment over a 20-year period, when their life expectancy is half that is insane! You will be getting rid of these vehicles and equipment half way through paying for them, and purchasing new replacements. We will be doubling payments and the interest for something that has always been fiscally budgeted for, until now. That is of course if this issue is part of these bond questions. 

It would have been nice to ask Mr. Mayor and his fellow Democrats these questions, because I could not find the answer anywhere else. There is nothing on the City of Middletown website for the public to read regarding the upcoming vote on the bond question. Is that intentional? The bigger question is what do these bonds include that are not being mentioned on the ballot for this Tuesday? 

Get out and vote. Middletown is your town and it's your money they are spending

John Milardo, Middletown

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 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

Judge Rules in Third Party Ballot Case

Middlesex Superior Court Judge Julie Aurigemma has ruled that  the City of Middletown is to put Realistic Balance candidates, who had been removed from the ballot, back on. Candidates Fred Carrol & John Kilian were not removed, however all cross endorsed candidates were because of lack of signature. Stephen Smith, running solely on Realistic Balance, is also returned to the ballot. Judges across Connecticut had ruled similarilily, for example  in case of Westport & East Haven third party candidates.

Middletown has already mailed some absentee ballots without those candidates included, but ballots going to the polls for election day had been withheld from printing until the ruling.
Here is the judge's decision:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Decision_of_Kilian_v._Bettencourt.pdf
 

Candidate Bio: John Kilian for Mayor Realistic Balance Party of Middletown

  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 Bio: Mayoral Candidate John Kilian 
Realistic Balance Party of Middletown
Education: University of Notre Dame, United States Army Intelligence Center and School Advanced Individualized Training, CCSU BS Computer Science, CCSU BSED, United States Army Medic Advanced Individualized Training, Goodwin College AD Nursing, Army Medical Department Medical Information Officer training, U.S. Army Medical Captian's Career Course

Work:  Hartford Hospital Senior Distributed Systems Engineer, Army National Guard Nurse, USA Hockey Referee

Why do you want to hold public office in Middletown? I believe I can help our city to be a better place if my talents and energies are applied to shaping our future.

What experience do you bring to the table? My military and medical experience provide me with a perspective that could help guide our community to be more cohesive and healthy. Selfless service is a key ethical cornerstone of my approach to team building.

What do you think the town's most pressing issue is? The culture of immediate gratification threatens to erode the ground work that needs to be set for the next generation to thrive.

What do you love most about Middletown? It is a beautiful place with an awesome downtown. The river is on of my favorite places, too. I'd be more open to mud volleyball if they cranked down the music a few decibels. Who needs the hearing loss?

What do you like to do for fun? I like to tango, boating, and going for hikes in blizzard conditions in the Colorado back country.

How can residents keep up with you?  Cut down on the junk food and work out a few times a week.

Update: A open letter to Mayor Drew sent by John Kilian "Uniform Drug Use" 
October 18, 2013
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Mayor,
     I want to thank you for providing an open door to me to discuss matters I know we both consider vital to our community. Whatever frustration I may be experiencing with the City with respect to ballot access is balanced by the political equity you have shown to me and my party. You clearly are determined to fight for every vote in the City by tirelessly demonstrating consideration for everyone, to the extent that I feel grateful that my daughter is too young to vote. That cupcake scene is right up her alley.

   I have a fairly clear view of drug use by people in uniform, in general. The power of narcotics compromises the will power of even the most disciplined people. Drug use is a common occurrence in the military, especially among servicemembers returning from Afghanistan. When servicemembers are found to be using, it makes for a quick end to their career. However, the Army does provide its soldiers the opportunity to apply for rehab in an effort to remedy their addiction. Similar interventions for civil servants who would otherwise be kicked to the curb are in everyone's best interest.

Sincerely,

John Kilian, RN

BOE Candidate Forum Tonight!

Middletown Republicans Headquarters Open House

https://www.facebook.com/events/741852349164843/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

From the MRTC: Middletown Republican Candidates are hosting a Headquarters Open House. Free event with light refreshments served. Great opportunity for the public to ask questions of the candidates.  OCTOBER 11, 5-8 pm Pot luck! 790 Ridge Road Paid for by Middletown Republicans 2013, Ann Morse, Treasurer