Letter and Wish List from Ken McClellan

written by Ken McClellan:

My congratulations to all the candidates and incumbents who will be serving in elected office for the next two years. I wish you all the best, and hope that you will take your responsibility seriously, with the best interests of all the citizens of Middletown as your primary goal. During the campaign, there was a lot said and promised about transparency, accountability and managing the budget. To that end, I humbly submit my wish list and suggestions for the newly elected officials. This list should be easy, since most candidates campaigned on the premise of supporting many of these issues.

My Wish List

Board of Education

Institute Performance Reviews with peer input for the Superintendent and Assistants. Performance reviews are done in the majority of private companies and for all federal employees. Peer reviews are used by a majority of private companies and are valuable tools in determining the actual performance of an individual.

Review the Superintendent's contract for renewal when it is not more than a year left on the contract. Use the Performance Review to determine if he should be renewed.

Stop mileage payments to all school employees. Require vouchers and itineraries for any mileage reimbursement. This is standard practice in most private companies.

Submit a line item budget to the Common Council. Stick to the budget.

Change independent auditors.

Justify requests for changes in the budget or line-item transfers.

Set up a complaint review with the school system for all employees.

Conduct reviews of complaints with the Superintendent

Comply with all state laws, city charter and current court and labor department rulings, immediately.

Comply with federal law regarding whistle-blower protection for employees who bring reports of wrong-doing.

Common Council

Demand a line item budget from the Board of Education.

Require justification for requests for changes in the budget or line-item transfers in the BoE budget.

Require BoE and the school administration to comply with state laws, the city charter and court and labor department rulings.

Consolidate Finance Offices of the Board of Education and the city.

Ensure that the Board of Education and School Administration comply with all state laws, city charter and current court and labor rulings, immediately.

Budgeting for street and other infrastructure maintenance and repairs, rather than borrowing to fund routine maintenance. Bonding increases the cost of maintenance by adding the interest to the cost. It give the false impression that the council is saving money, when you're actually spending more.

Build the Emergency fund to at least 2 months operating expenses, to keep our bonding interest rate low. Additionally, investment income can be included in the budget, to help keep taxes down.

Look for real savings to lower taxes. Don’t hide the spending and tell us that you’re saving money.

Planning and Zoning

Review and update the Plan of Conservation and Development.

Review and update city zoning code to support the Plan of Conservation and Development

Review and update the Commission By-laws to support the PCD and zoning code.

Mayor Drew

Conduct a search for a police chief and look at qualifications before recommending a candidate for approval by the Common Council.

I also have a few predictions on how this next administration will play out. I’ll hold on to those for now.

Again, congratulations and best wishes to all our newly elected officials.

Ken McClellan

Middletown, CT

Candidate Profile: P & Z Candidate Ken McClellan (R)

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.

Ken McClellan is currently serving as an Alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission and wants to become a full-time member of this important panel. His goal: update the Long Range Plan for Development of the City of Middletown.

McClellan believes in service to his community and nation. He came to Middletown after his first tour with the U.S. Army where he served as an Infantry Captain in Germany and stateside. After attending Temple University, he enlisted in the National Guard while working in the area of computers systems and software support for Fortune 500 companies. He earned a Master’s Degree in Computer Information Technology at Central Connecticut State University.

Upon graduation, McClellan entered active duty, again, and has served as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Personnel Officer, Operations 0fficer and Automation Management Officer. On leaving active duty, he briefly ran his own business in computer consulting, and joined Johnson & Higgins, a commercial insurance broker, as a software support specialist. McClellan worked for Computer Systems Corporation, as a Computer System Administrator at Pratt & Whitney in Middletown and is currently employed as a Project Manager at Aetna.

McClellan retired from the United States Army Reserve as Lt. Colonel, after serving as an advisor to the Iraqi Army, as part of the Multi-National Transitional Command.

He has served as member of the Middletown High School Building Committee, and the Inland Wetland Commission. His other activities include Vice-Commander of American Legion, Post 75, Middletown, past Committee Member and Merit Badge Counselor with Boy Scout Troop 10, and past Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 43 and Vice-Chairman of the Middletown Republican Town Committee. McClellan served also as Counselor with the Boy Scout Troop 10, and past Cub Master of Cub Scout Pack 43.

Ken lives in the Westfield section of town, with his wife Cheryl and son, Michael. His daughter 1st Lieutenant Meagan McClellan is serving as a Maintenance Officer, with the U.S. Army in Iraq.

McClellan’s issues: Planning and Zoning - update the Long Range Plan for development of the city of Middletown. Update the Planning and Zoning code to eliminate inconsistencies, make it clearer, and easier to understand.

Business: - I will work to encourage businesses to come to Middletown, to provide meaningful employment, to increase the tax base of the city, and to help lower property taxes.

http://middletownctgop.com/