The below information is a part of the Eye's Elections 2011 series to provide information to voting citizens and does not represent any endorsement by the Middletown Eye or any of its authors.
Alex Levin is originally from New York City, but later moved to Miami, Florida, one of the most important political districts in the country. At a very young age, he started to attend city council meetings in the town of Bal Harbor and volunteered for local elections. Alex is currently a member of the Wesleyan University Class of 2012. An Economics and Political Science double-major, Alex has worked both in politics and in banking in Connecticut and New York. While in New York, Alex worked for a Private Banking and Investment team that manages over $2 billion and also worked on a structured solutions trading desk with a $5 million minimum trade.
While a freshman at Wesleyan University, Alex joined the Wesleyan College Republicans in 2008 to help campaign for Senator John McCain’s Presidential bid and because he believes that government is not always the answer to our nation’s problems. As President of the WCR, Alex made it his goal to make Wesleyan a more politically diverse community. While President, Alex grew the club to one of the largest College Republican chapters in Connecticut. In the spring of 2010, Alex was elected State Chairman of the Connecticut Union of College Republicans. While Chairman, Alex increased membership and participation in campaigns and other activities around the state to unseen levels and as a result, he was re-elected as Chairman in April 2011. In July 2011, Alex was elected National Treasurer of the College Republican National Committee where he helps to oversee the organization's spending and fundraising.
Although I am always happy to see young people running for office, I wonder if you might have included some reference to your plans after graduation seven months from now? Will you stay in Middletown to complete your elected term of two years?
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what we don't need; someone who is running as a partisan politician and without any stated qualifications for the position.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the article clearly explains Mr. Levin's interest in building the Republican Party, what is totally missing is any expression of interest in Middletown or public education in general. The entire profile does not even mention the word education, let alone set out anything he would try to do if elected to the Board. While being elected might puff up his resume, I don't see how there would any benefit to Middletown. As Tree Fanatic" points out, it would be nice if he at least committed to living in Middletown for the next two years.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine many promises a BOE candidate can make that are not dashed by the convoluted tangle of Federal and State mandates imposed on our school system. Credit Mr. Levin for not making any promises he cannot keep, and his impeccable credentials he can apply towards unraveling our school system's finances.
ReplyDeleteThe Levin family has a rich, multi-generational tie to Middletown and Wesleyan. Given the economy that has been handed to his generation, he may very well be in Middletown for several terms. I believe that Alex can add a poignant and relevant perspective to our youth, given that College Loan Debt has surpassed Credit Card Debt in the US. The next step after High School graduation is not quite the sure thing we thought it was a decade ago.
As a quick local civics note, every two years half the members of the BOE and P&Z are elected to four year terms.
What an odd candidate profile. This doesn't address anything about what Alex Mac Levin sees as important issues or what he will do as a member of the BoE. He must not think very much of Middletown voters if he doesn't even provide such basic information. Just seems like this office is a 'stepping stone.'
ReplyDeleteThose questioning Mr. Levin actions for running are some of the same people that voted for a Mr. Lesser not so long ago for state rep.
ReplyDeleteI wonder sometimes if these questions have more to do with party affiliation and not the individual.
I would bet my last dollar that Alex Mac Levin has more qualifications to run for the BOE, than Dan Drew has to run for Mayor.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 3:40 p.m. is making assumptions about past votes that he or she cannot (or should not) possibly know the details of.
ReplyDeleteMy question was utterly non-partisan: based on the Mr. Levin's own posting, there was no reference to any connection to Middletown other than his college education. The candidate should take responsibility for listing his/her credentials and background. Several other candidates still need to do the same. I will be basing my votes on what I see here, since I have not been able to attend any debates or "meet & greets" so far.