Thazhampallath Declares Candidacy For Mayor, Ford Declares for Council

Geen Thazhampallath, Middletown's Parking Director, and president of the UPSEU, the union of mid-level managers in the city, has filed papers declaring himself a Democratic candidate for mayor, challenging the only other declared candidate Mary Bartolotta.

Thazhampallath says he's looking forward to a sprited campaign that will remain positive and be focused on the issues.

"I have a lot of respect for Mary (Bartolotta)," Thazhampallath said.  "Anyone who steps into public service deserves all the respect they can get."

Thazhampallath said that a creating a caring, collaborative government is at the forefront of his goals.

Thazhampallath addressing the Board
of Education (file photo).

"Equity, fairness and openess have been absent from government, especially lately," Thazhampallath said.  "I'm hoping to see it get back there, bringing competence and collaboration to government, and opening it up to opposing viewpoints."

Thazhampallath said he is not unaware of his stance as the first person of color ever to be running for the mayor's office in Middletown. 

"I want government to be inclusive, and to invite those who have felt left out to have a voice," he said.

"I don't think the changes we've seen in the Democratic Town Committee, the coup that took place in January 2018, was incosequential," he said.  "We aren't looking for small changes.  We're looking for big changes in city government, and this election is the chance to make that change.  As a city hall insider, I understand we need a change in culture, and that change has to be made in and up, and it's not an easy task, but I feel I'm up to it."


In other news, Board of Education member Ed Ford has declared his candidacy for Common Council, running as a Republican.  Ford was elected to the BOE in 2017, and has served 18 months of his four-year term on the Board of Education.  Ford announced his candidacy in a video released on social media this week.