Florsheim to Push for Primary

Press release from Ben Florsheim.
-----------------
Following last Thursday’s meeting of the Middletown Democratic Town Committee, where Town Committee members voted 29-28 to endorse Mary Bartolotta for mayor, mayoral candidate Ben Florsheim said he would collect signatures to appear on the primary ballot and compete for the Democratic nomination on September 10.

“Council Member Bartolotta is a dedicated public servant whose leadership I admire, and I congratulate her on winning the party endorsement,” said Florsheim.

“But the fact of the matter is this: we walked into the room on Thursday with more supporters than any other candidate, and we walked out with more supporters than any other candidate. The only thing that changed on the second ballot was strategic voting by 19 delegates for one candidate and 10 delegates for another to put them over the top."

“That’s how party conventions work-- but it doesn’t change the fact that grassroots support for
our campaign is real, it’s strong, and it’s ready to take this campaign to the streets and finish
what we started: building a movement behind our positive vision and progressive ideas for
Middletown’s future."

“I have been honored and humbled by the number of people who have reached out to me with encouragement and asked me to stay in the race. Primaries are healthy for democracy and I am absolutely committed to running a clean, issues-oriented campaign and working with everyone to bring our party together in the fall, whatever the outcome.”

Volunteers will be circulating petitions to be signed by registered Democrats in Middletown ahead of the August 7 deadline. Those wishing to sign or assist with circulation should call, text, or email 860-250-4188 or bobbye@benflorsheim.com and a volunteer will arrange a time to drop off a petition.

Opinion: Boyce Boosts Bartolotta

Submitted by David Boyce. Boyce ran for a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2009.
----------------
I am a proud supporter of Mary Bartolotta to be the next Mayor of the City of Middletown. Mary, who has served on the city’s Common Council for the last 8 years, has been a steadfast supporter of equality for all. Mary has also been a huge supporter of education, public safety, green policies, unions, along with many other policies, contributing to the betterment of Middletown.

Mary does her homework. When it’s decision time, she makes those decisions with integrity, not with
what is politically expedient. Middletown residents benefit from Mary’s demonstrated leadership. Mary is honest, decisive, inspiring, focused, diligent, to name just a few of her qualities. She is ready to be the next Mayor of Middletown!

Middletown Republican Candidates for office in 2019

From the Chair of the Republican Town Committee, Bill Wilson
-------------
Mayor
Sebastian Giuliano

Treasurer 
Tami Kapacziewski

Common Council
Matt Scarrozzo
Tony Gennaro
Linda Salafia
Mike Marino
Ed Ford
Phil Pessina
Jon Pulino
Hope Kasper

Board of Education
Dina Ford
George Souto
Scott Wilcox
Laura Krayeski
Tami Kapacziewski

Planning and Zoning
Chris Sugar
Marcus Fazzino
Molly Salafia
James O'Connell

Planning and Zoning Alt.
John Sloan
Ken McClellan

Board of Assessment Appeals
Lesile Spatola
Vin Szynkowicz

Bartolotta Endorsed as Democratic Mayoral Candidate

Full disclosure, Ed McKeon was elected on the endorsed slate for Common Council.


In a contentious, hours-long meeting that included challenges to a slate of candidates, Common Council member Mary Bartolotta was elected as the mayoral candidate endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee.

Bartolotta won that endorsement by one vote over the candidate recommended by the Nomination Committee, Ben Florsheim.  Parking Director Gene Thazhampallath, who was also nominated from the floor came in a distant third in the first round of voting.

Declared democratic candidate, Bill Russo, did not appear at the meeting, nor was his name nominated.  Russo supporters on the DTC were noticeably absent from the meeting.

Russo declared that he will attempt a primary challenge by collecting signatures to get on the ballot.  Thazhampallath has also declared he will collect signatures.  And Florsheim is also considering a primary run.

In the first round of voting for endorsement, no candidate reached the simple majority of 29 votes.  Florsheim received 28.  Bartolotta received 19.  Thazhampallath received 10.

In the second round of voting, all of Thazhampallath's votes migrated to Bartolotta.

In other voting, the Common Council selected a slate in a vote that included a floor challenge from DTC member Pat Alston.  While Alston received many votes, she ultimately failed in her bid to be included on the endorsed slate.

The endorsed Common Council slate, and slates for other commissions are as follows:

Common Council

Rob Blanchard
Chris Drake
Grady Faulkner
Vinnie Loffredo
Ed McKeon
Gene Nocera
Bobbye Peterson
Jeanette White

Board of Education

Deborah Cain
Rose-Daniels DeLita
Sanji Lawrence
Justin Taylor
Anita Dempsey-White

Treasurer

Steven Kovach

Planning and Zoning

Beth Emery
Catherine Johnson
Thom Pattavina
Rich Pelletier

Planning and Zoning Alternate

Kellin Atherton
Shanay Fulton

Board of Assessment Appeals

Kathy Adams
John Kilian

The Rockfall Foundation Offers New Environmental Education Grant

New Multi-year Grant to Supplement Existing Annual Program

The Rockfall Foundation has opened applications for its 2020 Annual Environmental Grant Program, available to non-profit organizations, municipalities, and schools, and has announced a new multi-year grant for schools. The 2020 Annual Environmental Grants are for projects that contribute to the general environmental education of the public, or promote responsible environmental planning, or contribute to the preservation of the Connecticut River watershed.

The new multi-year grant, Fostering Future Environmental Stewards, is available to schools seeking funding for preschool to 8^th grade environmental education programs. The new grant aims to support continuous environmental literacy for children that offer nature discovery and real-world, hands-on, place-based learning.

Both grant programs have a competitive application process and must benefit at least one of the towns in the Lower Connecticut River Valley, which includes Middlesex County as well as Lyme and Old Lyme.  Applications are due by November 7.  All interested applicants are encouraged to attend an informational workshop on September 10, 5 to 6:30pm, at The Rockfall Foundation, 27 Washington Street, Middletown.  Application and guidelines for the 2020 Annual Environmental Grant are available at www.rockfallfoundation.org/grants/annual. Information for Fostering Future Environmental Stewards is available at www.rockfallfoundation.org/grants/ffes.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Founded in 1935 by Middletown philanthropist Clarence S. Wadsworth, The Rockfall Foundation is one of Connecticut’s oldest environmental organizations. The Foundation supports environmental education, conservation and planning initiatives in the Lower Connecticut River Valley through public programs and grants. The Rockfall Foundation has awarded over a half million dollars since the inception of its grant program in 1972. In addition, the Foundation operates the historic deKoven House Community Center, which offers meeting rooms and office space for non-profit organizations.

For additional information about The Rockfall Foundation and the grant programs, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.rockfallfoundation.org or call 860-347-0340.

Today at Wesleyan: Bread and Puppet Theater

Bread and Puppet Theater: The Diagonal Life Circus
Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 7pm
Fayerweather Beckham Hall, 55 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown, Connecticut
FREE!

The Connecticut premiere of The Diagonal Life Circus is funny and moving—a colorful, tonally and formally diverse tumult of short acts on the urgent themes of the day, powered by a riotous brass band. Before the evening performance, there will be a free conversation with the company at 12:10pm in Ring Family Performing Arts Hall.

Click here to read more about these events on the Center for the Arts website.

Panciera Endorses Thazhampallath

On Thursday, July 18, the Middletown Democratic town committee will endorse one of the five candidates currently seeking the party’s support in the mayoral election. After reading the positions of the five, and evaluating their backgrounds, I have reached the conclusion that Geen Thazhampallath would be the best choice.

My decision was based on the following criteria: character, competency, and a comprehensive plan that will most effectively deal with the issues the town has to face. Like all the candidates, Geen is a person of good character who shows respect for those who come in contact with him. What sets him apart is the variety of experiences in his background that have prepared him to be Mayor.

He is a graduate of Middletown High School, UCONN ( economics major) , and the UCONN law school. He has also served an elected position here in his hometown on the Middletown Board of Education from 1999 - 2003. Many of us have learned from past experience that a good working relationship between City Hall and the Board of Education cannot be taken for granted and I am confident Geen will bring those lessons learned to the Mayor’s Office.

He has experienced some of the challenges a town leader faces while serving as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Stratford. Before that experience, here in Middletown, he served as a mayor’s chief of staff, and is currently in his eighth year as the city’s director of parking. In addition, he has worked in the private sector at Aetna where he built a leadership program and served as an executive officer’s chief of staff. No other candidate can tap into this wide a background with all its multiple roles. His detailed plan for his first term makes some convincing arguments in areas such as economic development, environmental sustainability, and putting the public and service back in public service. I urge everyone to visit geen2019.com to learn more about Geen and his platform for change and accountability.

It has been my pleasure to know Geen as a student, a public official, a family man, and a born leader. I encourage the Democratic town committee of Middletown to put the strongest candidate on the ballot in November.

Harold Panciera

Friends of Russell Library Ends Year on High Note

Submitted by The Friends of Russell Library
---------
The Friends of Russell Library finished the 2019 fiscal year with much to celebrate at its Annual Meeting.  Held in the library’s Hubbard Room, Friends members reviewed the year’s activities, which support a variety of programs at the Russell Library. The evening’s highlight came when Friends President Howard Rulnick announced the Friends had received a $10,000 donation from the Peach Pit Foundation.

Founded in 2005, the foundation is a private grant-making organization whose mission is to “plant seeds of opportunity” in the local community. “We are excited by the possibilities this donation represents. The Peach Pit Foundation has given us the opportunity to further expand our efforts to support the Russell Library and the important programs it brings to the City of Middletown,” Rulnick said.

After the election of officers for 2020-2022 (Howard Rulnick, President; Barrie Robbins-Pianka, Vice-President; Joan Fung-Tomc, Secretary; and Sandy Becker, Treasurer), Chief Public Services Officer Mary Dattilo thanked members for their dedication and support.  She also reviewed Russell Library’s achievements in the past year and offered a peek at what’s ahead.

For more information or to join the Friends, please call 860.347.2528, email friendsatrussell@gmail.com, or stop by Russell Library’s Main Circulation Desk.

The Friends of Russell Library believes libraries play an essential part in creating and maintaining dynamic communities. Since its founding in 1983, the Friends has contributed more than $500,000, funding a wide range of educational and cultural programs.  Through monetary gifts, volunteerism and program support, and advocacy, it continually supports Russell Library’s objective: creating a community where learning, reading and imagination thrive through the free and open access to the information libraries provide. The Friends of Russell Library is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Florsheim Leads Candidates in Individual Donations

From a press release for the Ben Florsheim for Mayor campaign.  Full disclosure, Ed McKeon who reposted this press release has donated to the Florsheim campaign.


Democratic candidate for mayor Ben Florsheim announced today that his campaign has raised $18,112 with 189 individual donations. This figure places him ahead of other Democratic campaigns in grassroots financial contributions, and second in terms of cash on hand, despite being the last candidate to enter the race.

“I’m humbled by the outpouring of support for this campaign and thrilled by the fundraising success we’ve had during our first month in the race,” said Florsheim. “Ours was never going to be the big-money campaign, especially since we pledged to decline contributions from lobbyists and city contractors. But as we’ve seen time and time again: big money doesn’t win local elections. People do.

“I am deeply grateful to all of our donors, including friends, family, and progressive leaders nationwide, as well as elected officials from across Connecticut who I’ve had the opportunity to work with over the years. But, of course, what makes me proudest is that the plurality of our donors were people right here in Middletown, giving $5, $10, or $25-- because they believe, like I do, that our city has a bright future if we’re ready to work to make it so.

“As we head into next week’s convention, I couldn’t be more optimistic about the direction this campaign is taking. I’m excited to bring our vision and our movement to the Democratic Town Committee and to the voters of our city.”

CANDIDATE FUNDRAISING AT A GLANCE:

Ben Florsheim Entered race: 5/30
Total raised: $18,112
Cash on hand: $12,972
Number of individual donations: 189
Average individual donation: $92

Mary Bartolotta Entered race: 3/19
Total raised: $18,247
Cash on hand: $9,191
Number of individual donations: 169
Average individual donation: $95

Bill Russo Entered race: 4/24
Total raised: $48,570
Cash on hand: $38,629
Number of individual donations: 126
Average individual donation: $380

Geen Thazhampallath
Entered race: 4/3
Total raised: $12,530
Cash on hand: $8,835
Number of individual donations: 91
Average individual donation: $131

Opinion: Mary Bartolotta for Mayor

Submitted by John Kilian, Middletown Democrat.
The Eye welcomes all signed opinion pieces.
----------------
Mary Bartolotta has distinguished herself as a public servant for our city with her tireless and selfless service. She has used her position of trust to defend people who otherwise would have been defenseless and encouraged people in the right to not give up the fight. It should not come as a surprise that she is now the target for arrows thrown her way by those who, uncontested, promise more of the same, to the detriment of a city that needs reform in its municipal government.

Her defense of the Clerk of the Common Council, who has been put under extreme pressure by those who feel unrestrained by law and common sense, is a case in point, illustrating the benefit that would be felt by people whose integrity is being challenged by the current regime. We need a break with the past. We need a woman who is not going to let other women get pressured and marginalized. As our Mayor, the needed changes, allowing employees of our city to make constructive criticisms of the status quo without feeling the threat of reprisals, would come to fruition, and in short order. This is just a small sampling of why I am supporting Mary Bartolotta for Mayor and encourage my fellow Middletown residents to do the same.

Middletown WORKS turns ‘me first’ concept on its head

By Rebecca Lemanski, Director | Middletown WORKS
--------------------
What do flower pots and foster parents have to do with each other? Well apparently, when you bring together people from various backgrounds and diverse perspectives, unlikely things happen.

These unlikely combinations have been emerging as a result of our Community Cafés, which began in January 2019. During these events, community residents, staff from nonprofit agencies, business owners and parents gather together to talk, share food and participate in unique activities, such as  “table talks” and a “marketplace.”

During a marketplace, community members have an opportunity to state their name and make an offer, a request, a declaration or simply pass.

Members have offered things like clothing, art supplies and handmade slippers. Others have made requests such as, “If anyone is able to offer me a ride to the grocery store this Saturday, please let me know,” or “I’m looking for new flower pots — mine are broken,” or “We are looking for foster parents in the Middletown/Middlesex area, so if you know of anyone, please let me know!”

After sharing this story at a team meeting, one of our partners shouted, “from flower pots to foster parents!”

Our culture is highly individualized — placing a huge focus on self-expression and self-interest, with little regard for the collective whole.  Creating intentional space(s) where people can be themselves, and gather with others they may not normally see on a regular basis allows for these unlikely ideas to emerge.

How many times have you heard the phrase: “Just do you.” Middletown WORKS is working to change that.

We intentionally put relationships first. In the words of David Brooks, an op-ed columnist for The New York Times, “Culture changes when a small group of people, often on the margins of society, find a better way to live, and other people begin to copy them. We need to create hubs where these decentralized networks can come together for solidarity and support,” Feb. 18, “A Nation of Weavers”.

For just under a year, we have been working diligently to create hubs for people to come together to dialogue across differences, and connect with others in our neighborhood. Along with offering a monthly café, we have also been offering monthly conversation circles.  These are more intimate and take place on the third Thursday of the month from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Family Wellness Center, 635 Main St. We welcome all single parents and/or anyone who cares about single-parent families in Middletown to join us for conversation and light refreshments.

As Middletown WORKS expands, we are looking to grow not only good ideas, but also our social network. All individuals and businesses who would like to make a difference for Middletown’s single-parent families are invited.  Increasing the prosperity of Middletown’s single-parent families will take all of us coming working together.

We invite you to reach out and get involved by visiting us on Facebook, going to our website or joining us at our next Community Café, scheduled for Thursday, August 8, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. at Wesleyan University.  You might be pleasantly surprised by what you experience!

Films on Foss 2019 is Here!

Films on Foss kicks off it's 5th summer of offering free, family-friendly, outdoor movies on July 13th. Join us for... 

- Films on Foss: The Princess and the Frog (Free Event) on July 13,
- Films on Foss: Black Panther (Free Event) on July 27, and
- Films on Foss: The Goonies (Free Event) on August 10. 

Picnic starts at 7pm and movies at 8:30pm (or shortly after depending on the sunset).

This completely youth-developed and youth-led project by Middletown's Mayoral Youth Cabinet wouldn't be possible without the generosity of our community. A HUGE thanks to our lead sponsors Wesleyan University's College of Film, Middlesex United Way, and Eli Cannon's. 

For weather updates and cancelations be sure to visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.