Meet the Candidates Forum tonight at Third Congregational Church

The Westfield Residents Association invites you to this evening's Annual Meeting and Meet the Candidates Forum:

Where:   Fellowship Hall at the Third Congregational Church, 94 Miner Street, Middletown

When:    6:30pm - Annual Meeting and Guest Speakers from the Charter Revision Commission

               7:00pm - Meet the Candidates Forum
          
                       CT House District 33:  Rep. Joe Serra v. Linda Szynkowicz

             CT Senate District 9: Sen. Paul Doyle v. (Earle Roberts - appearance not confirmed)

             CT Senate District 13: Sen. Dante Bartolomeo v. Len Suzio

                       US House of Representatives: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro v. James Brown

This event is open to the general public. Questions can be directed to westfieldresidents@gmail.com

WRA Meet the Candidates Forum

The Westfield Residents Association invites all Middletown residents to its Annual Meeting and Meet the Candidates Forum this Monday, October 27, 2014. The event will be held in the Fellowship Hall at the Third Congregational Church on Miner Street in Middletown. There is no charge to attend.

The WRA will hold its Annual Meeting starting at 6:30pm. In addition to electing the 2014-15 Executive Committee, the organization will host special guest speakers Dr. David Larson and Robert Blanchard, members of the Charter Revision Commission. The following questions will be on the Nov. 4th ballot, and Larson and Blanchard will speak about the Commission's work and then answer audience questions:

1. Shall the Charter be amended to provide for a term of four years for the following elected officials of the City of Middletown: the Mayor, Common Council, Treasurer, Board of Assessment Appeals and Registrars of Voters?
2. Shall the Charter be amended to raise the bond limit for which the Common Council can approve spending without going to referendum to $1,000,000?3. Shall all other amendments to the Charter as approved by the Common Council from the Final Report of the Charter Revision Commission at its September 2, 2014 meeting be approved?

At approximately 7pm, the Meet the Candidates Forum will begin. The following candidates have been invited (candidates with * after their names have already confirmed their attendance):

US House of Representatives: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro* v. James Brown*

CT House District 100: Rep. Matt Lesser v. Angel Fernandez

CT House District 33:  Rep. Joe Serra* v. Linda Szynkowicz*

CT Senate District 13: Sen. Dante Bartolomeo* v. Len Suzio*

CT Senate District 9: Sen. Paul Doyle* unopposed

This is not a debate, but rather an opportunity for the candidates to speak briefly and then answer audience questions. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Here are the relevant details again:

WRA Annual Meeting and Meet the Candidates Forum

Monday, October 27th at 6:30pm

Fellowship Hall at Third Congregational Church

94 Miner Street, Middletown

6:30pm - Annual meeting, Guest Speakers from the Charter Revision Commission, and refreshments

7pm - "Meet the Candidates" Forum 

Questions can be directed to westfieldresidents@gmail.com

Politics Get Local

Update at 1:10pm:  My apologies for leaving out the 13th State Senate District candidates.


Former U.S. Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill coined the phrase, "all politics is local," referring to the connection between a politician's grasp of the issues and concerns of his or her constituents and said politician's success in office.  A diligent citizen could voice an opinion by calling each of the candidates, writing a letter or email, or even attending a campaign event.  But why not let the candidates come to you?

The Westfield Residents Association (WRA) is delighted to sponsor a Meet The Candidates Night this Monday, October 22nd, at 7:30pm at the Third Congregational Church on Miner Street.  Middletown voters will be casting ballots for a representative in the State House and Senate as well as a representative for the U.S. House and Senate.  Additionally, voters will decide on a $37M bond referendum to pay for construction costs associated with joining the Mattabesset regional sewer plant.

Everyone is welcome to attend: this is not a debate and there will be refreshments and Q&A time to allow you to present your concerns to your elected representatives and their challengers.  The following candidates have confirmed their attendance:

State House, 33rd       State Senate, 9th        State House, 100th               U.S. House, 3rd  
Joseph Serra (D)         Paul Doyle (D)          Matthew Lesser (D)             Rosa DeLauro (D) 
Callie Grippo (R)        Joe Dinunzio (R)       Deborah Kleckowski (R)    Wayne Winsley (R)

State Senate, 13th
Len Suzio (R)
Dante Bartolomeo (D)

Mayor Drew will also be present to speak on the bond referendum for the Mattabassett regionalization project as well as the $4.8M for the renovation of Eckersley Hall into a Senior Center.

There will be a brief WRA business meeting at 7pm to elect a new slate of officers for the WRA Executive Committee, and then Candidate introductions will begin at 7:30pm.

The Third Congregational Church is located at 94 Miner Street in Middletown, just down from the Fire Station on the corner of Miner Street and East Street (or 217).  The meeting will be held in the Fellowship Hall located next to the church.