Incumbent Mayor Giuliano's Campaign Kick-Off Speech

Copy of the speech for those not in attendance, given by Mayor Sebastian Giuliano at the kick off event held at the Republican headquarters on Thursday July 21 where incumbent mayoral candidate Giuliano officially kicked off his campaign. The Middletown Republican Town Committee announces its 2011 candidates at its public meeting Monday July 25. Republican headquarters are located in the Hartford Courant building across from Stop and Shop.

Seb Giuliano Announcement Speech

Thursday, July 21, 2001

Thank you all for being here tonight as we continue our effort to build a better future for Middletown.

Six years ago, I asked the people of this City to take a chance at a different form of leadership – one that was based on plain talk, facts and a desire to throw out petty politics and backroom deal making.

We were a great city being held back by the selfishness of a few who see government as a means to an end, who view elective office as a free pass to impose their will on others without debate or public participation.

The people of Middletown took that chance in 2005 and, since that date, I have tried to bring a sense of responsibility, teamwork and honesty to City Hall. During that time, with the help of many in our administration, the business community, civic leaders and everyday citizens, we have put Middletown on a path to prosperity and kept it there.

While other cities and towns have struggled to pay their bills, make the needed investments in bricks and mortar of public works or provide an atmosphere for economic growth, we in Middletown are getting it done.

We have kept our word to provide quality education and we have insisted that our school system be accountable to the taxpayers.

We have made the major effort to re-open our waterfront, after years of frustration and disappointment, by securing our membership in the Mattabasset District. This will allow the city to provide better sewer services, close our own aging wastewater treatment plant and open the Connecticut River to a whole host of options.

Our downtown is thriving, because we work with our business leaders and investors. Middletown is a partner to the business community. We keep our streets safe, we respond to the needs of businesses by helping them overcome challenges instead of placing obstacles in their paths and we watch every dime we are given by the hard working people of this community.

We have kept our spending and taxes low and we have offered honest budgets that reflect our responsibilities and needs. Our friends on the other side insist on cutting corners and playing chicken with the people’s money. I won’t let them do that and your Republican Council members won’t either.

And when the opportunity came to offer our seniors the dignity of their own facility, we acted, and we will get the Eckersley-Hall Center completed with your help.

No one can do this alone. I have been blessed by a supportive family – my wife, Paula, my mother and my children – who have put up with more than most can imagine. They, along with countless aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, are part of who I am, but also what Middletown is all about.

We are a community of people who care deeply about our roots, our history and our shared desire to do better. This is our town, and we have worked diligently to reach that goal by being up front and honest about the many issues we face each day.

I know that there are some that don’t agree with everything we say or do, but they can’t say they don’t know where I stand and what our position is.

The alternative is clear – a return to the wasteful pettiness which has kept Middletown mired in endless, pointless and costly problems. We need to take advantage of our opportunities, not miss them because someone wants to score a political point.

That is why today I formally announce that I am seeking another term as Mayor of Middletown.

There are many tasks to complete – moving forward on the riverfront, rebuilding our roads, completing the senior center and attracting more businesses to our city.

People around our state are always talking about the “Middletown Miracle”. Every day people from other communities come here. They want to see for themselves how we all work together to provide an affordable quality of life.

I want to continue that effort but I need your help over these next weeks and months. I need your vote and I need a Republican Common Council. We cannot accomplish what we need to do to protect the taxpayers without common sense Republicans making the right decisions.

That is our task. That is our charge. We have much work to do.

I asked six years ago and my request is still the same:

“Are you with me?”

Thank you and God Bless you all.