Inauguration Ceremony

You are cordially invited to the swearing-in ceremony for:

Mayor-Elect Daniel T. Drew
Common Council
City Treasurer
Planning & Zoning
Board of Education
Board of Assessment Appeals

Tuesday, November 15th , 2011 at 7 pm

Woodrow Wilson Middle School, 370 Hunting Hill Avenue, Middletown CT 06457

Reception to follow in the Cafeteria. Light refreshments will be served.

The Public is Invited and Encouraged to Attend

Candidate Profile: Tina Mazzota Raffa for Treasurer (I)(D)

Candidate profiles: as a courtesy The Middletown Eye will publish candidate profiles unedited in the order received.

My name is (Josephine) Tina Mazzotta Raffa and I am a Petitioning
Democratic candidate for City Treasurer. I am a lifelong resident of
Middletown and care about my community. I have 20 years of banking
experience and am currently employed at Liberty Bank. I am concerned
about the financial future of the City of Middletown. With the
Democratic controlled Common Council taking money from the City's Fund
Balance, almost 6.5 million dollars in the last few years, I am greatly
concerned. With a $130 million dollar budget and less than $11 million in
reserves, we have almost one month operating money remaining. This is of
great concern to me. The Democratic controlled Common Council has spent
our savings unwisely. I will be an advocate for proper spending. I
have been very active in my community as a soccer coach, CCD instructor at
St. Sebastian's Church, the Mayor's Ball Committeees and my four
children's PTOs, sports programs and fundraising activities. I am the
co-owner of Watch Hill Signs and Graphics, a small business Middletown
with my husband Luigi Raffa. We have four wonderful children, Stefano,
Luigi, Luca and Carmelo Raffa. It is very important to me that Middletown
thrives for my family and yours.

Please vote for me on November 8th. I promise to put Middletown over
politics and look out for the financial future of our community.

Thank you.

J. Tina Mazzotta Raffa

Citizen Endorses Jon Pulino (R) Treasurer

Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter in order to highly recommend that the voters elect Jonathan to the office of city treasurer on November 8, 2011. As a school teacher, Jonathan Pulino is required to make tough and crucial decisions everyday that impact the future of many Maloney High School students and staff. Jonathan is consistently early for work and leaves the building very late in the day while taking pride in his work. Besides being an amazing and creative teacher that can motivate students to write about classic topics such as The Pearl, The Odyssey and Beowulf, Jonathan has become a very holistic problem solver. I have seen Jonathan calm a classroom down by using non-verbal communication techniques that bring down disruptions while bringing the level of production using a Collins Style method high. Another key component of Jonathan is his ability to be cool under pressure during fire and lock down drills, this is something is usually overlooked during teacher interviews, but could result in a teacher making a bad decision because they weren’t trained correctly. This isn't the case with Jonathan, who seems to know the safety manual backwards and forward.
It should also be noted that Jonathan Pulino is the current class advisor for Maloney's Senior Class (2012) and has done an incredible job at balancing the $23,000 budget that was raised by the students. Although the figure is not as big a city budget, the concept is the same: follow the money and keep track of the funds. If a discrepancy is found, the proper protocol at MHS is to alert the appropriate administrator. This is something that Jonathan would do very well as city treasurer, he would not be afraid to blow the whistle on any wrong doing that is going on and will do what's right.

Respectfully,
Kate Dubois
Middletown Resident

Ryan Kennedy Endorses Jon Pulino (R) for Treasurer

From Ryan Carlson Kennedy, Middletown Board of Education, Voteryan06@yahoo.com

October 15, 2011

I have been asked to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of Jonathan Pulino, and I am pleased to do so. I have known Mr. Pulino for more than six years and feel comfortable offering a personal and professional reference. Jon is a very bright, capable, and dedicated educator. He is calm, good-natured, and a loving father of two. He is also, without question, conscientious, self-motivated, and honest.

Jon has worked as a public school teacher since 1999, beginning at Pulaski Middle School in New Britain, Connecticut. He is currently employed with the Meriden Public Schools. Throughout his 12 years of teaching Jon has continued to further his education by completing his 062 and 015 state certificates. In short, by any measure he is a model educator and citizen who will reflect well upon any organization with which he might be associated.

Jon is also very well rounded. He is currently serving as Chairman of the Cable Advisory Board while continuing to host a monthly public access show titled “The Edge”. As is reflected in his professional resume, Jon has been and remains active in his community in both elected and appointed capacities. I trust you will agree that his many accomplishments in this area demonstrate two things: First, that he takes a genuine interest in the serious matters associated with civic affairs; secondly, that he has earned the respect and admiration of the opinion leaders of his community. Taken together, I believe this speaks very well of Jon’s professional potential and places him head-and-shoulders above most of his peers.

If I may be of further service to you or wish to speak to me about this recommendation I encourage you to speak to me directly. Otherwise, I urge you to give Mr. Pulino the highest possible consideration for the office of city treasurer.

Very truly yours,

Ryan Kennedy
Middletown Board of Education

Candidate Profile: Quentin Phipps (D) City Treasurer

Quentin “Q” Phipps is running to serve Middletown as City Treasurer. A lifelong resident of Middletown, Quentin is the son of Ms. Queen E. Williams. He currently resides on Andrew Street, where he bought his first home in 2005.

After graduating from the Middletown Public School system, Quentin attended Bryant University of Smithfield, Rhode Island. While at Bryant, Q was involved with a number of university organizations; including serving as President of the Student Senate, Treasurer of the INROADS Student Association, and as a resident assistant. For his service at Bryant, he earned the Martin Luther King Junior Leadership Award and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Shortly after his graduation from Bryant, Quentin continued working in the banking sector. In less than two years, he earned a banking center manager position where he has worked in numerous cities and towns in Hartford and Middlesex counties.

Q takes great pride in his involvement with numerous charitable and service organizations. He serves on the Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater Board of Directors, Mount Saint John's Board of Directors, Middlesex Substance Abuse Action Council Board of Directors and as an active member in Cross Street Zion A.M.E.Church, The Middletown Democratic Town Committee, Middletown Young Democrats, and with the Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE).

This is Quentin’s third opportunity to serve the City of Middletown. In 2007, Q filled a vacancy on the Planning & Zoning commission. In 2009, he was unanimously elected Chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission.

As chair Quentin lead efforts to update the plan of development, spearheaded efforts for river front development planning, managed a comprehensive review of the commission's bylaws, and provided numerous public workshops to foster open discussion between the commission and the greater community.

As city treasurer, Quentin will develop strategies to provide tax relief, invest in local businesses, and utilize best practices on fiscally responsible use of bonding. He is committed to providing financial leadership and working cooperatively with both parties as a compromising and independent voice.

Quentin's experience in banking, management, fund-raising, and business development will provide opportunities for smart economic development, sound fiscal policy implementation, and investment in Middletown's unique assets.

Candidate Profile: Jon Pulino for Treasurer (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.

Jon Pulino is seeking a first term as City Treasurer of Middletown, CT. Previously Mr. Pulino has served one term on the Middletown Board of Assessment Appeals and currently sits on the town's Zoning Board of Appeals committee as well as Chairperson the Cable Advisory Board.

Occupation: Currently teachers English Literature at Maloney High School in Meriden, Connecticut where besides teaching five daily classes, he has been elected building representative for the Meriden Board of teacher four years in a row. Mr. Pulino holds the following educational credentials: English certification state of Connecticut (015); Certified Media Specialist (062); Educational Leadership Certification/6th year degree (Scheduled Completion date Spring 2013). Besides teaching full time in Meriden, Mr. Pulino works for the Wesleyan Upward Bound Program in Middletown and the New Britian Rock Cats organization, a double AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

Education- Mr. Pulino holds a Bachelors of Science in Communication and Bachelors of Arts Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University (1994/1995). He also holds a Masters in Educational Technology from Central Connecticut State University (2007) as well as 30 credits past his Masters. His earlier education includes earning an Associate Degree from Middlesex Community College in 1992 and a member of Xavier High School's class of 1989.

Political Offices Held: Chairperson of the Middlesex Cable Advisory Board (2009-Present); Zoning Board of Appeals (2009-Present), and Board or Assessment Appeals 2007-2009.

Civic Organizations: Italian American Civic Organization (2005-Present); Washington Lodge No. 70 Windsor, and American Federation of Teachers.

Volunteer: Comcast Cable - Host of “The Edge”: a political satire program that deals with local political issues since 1998 and co-host of “The Variety Hour” with Billy Wilson since 2007.

Visit his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jon.pulino

Jon Pulino has previously sent letters to the media featured here:

http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2011/09/23/opinion/doc4e7ba8dde53e7321865668.txt

http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2011/09/letter-to-eye-jon-pulino-r-for.html

http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2011/09/letter-to-eye-by-jon-pulino-r-for.html

http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2011/10/08/opinion/doc4e8f7e0c7bcda190003716.txt

http://middletownctgop.com/

Treasurer Candidate Jon Pulino - Opinion Letter

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.

The below letter was submitted by Rebecca Tomaszewski, a member of the Middletown Republican Town Committee and a Middletown resident. She is a former student of Jon Pulino's and a Pulino supporter.

October 5, 2011

Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter of recommendation in favor of Mr. Jonathan Pulino, who is running for the office of city treasurer in Middletown. Jonathan is an English teacher at Maloney High School. He has been a teacher for the past twelve years. This year he teaches 10^th and 12^th grade and is liked by his students.

I have known Jonathan for five years and I can say that Mr. Pulino is a good teacher. He works hard to make sure that all his students are successful in his classes. His desire to help students during and after class never diminished in all the years I’ve known him. He talks to students on how to improve their performance in class and making parental contact to let them know that he cares for them, not only as students, but also as individuals. It is this type of leadership that needs to be transferred over to city hall; a creative person who is not afraid to lead while getting his hands dirty at the same time.

In school, Jonathan is a member of the school Culture and Leadership committee working on the self-evaluation for the NEAS&C visitation of March 2012. He was also a member of a visiting committee evaluating North Branford High School in November, 2010. As a member of the NEAS&C committee, Jonathan and his team were required to evaluate the school's budget and make recommendations based on a variety of factors which included student needs and the town's education budget. It is this type of skill that would make Jonathan asset as town treasurer.

Jonathan has a Master's in Education technology, Bachelors of Science in Communication, Bachelor of Arts in English, and is certified as a Library Media Specialist. He the class advisor for the 2012 graduating class, a position that requires him to evaluate vendor contracts and bond monies when dealing with larger sums of cash flow. The role of the lead class advisor is one that requires not only people and organization skills, but a position that requires the lead advisor to have a working knowledge of city budgets and public school law.

Besides being a school teacher Jonathan currently sits on the Zoning Board of Appeals and is the Chairman of the Cable Advisory Board. I was quite impressed with Jonathan due to his honesty at ZBA when dealing with a shed issue on his property; not only did he recuse himself from the vote, he walked out of the room in order for the ZBA committee to objectively deal with the issue. I don't see that from members of the Common Council.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Tomaszewski