Lesser Tapped as Assistant Majority Leader

Rep. Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) has been appointed Assistant Majority Leader by Democratic leaders, incoming Speaker of the House J. Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden) and Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin).

Lesser, 29, was re-elected to his third term in November. This is the first time Rep. Lesser has been tapped to join Democratic leadership.

"I'm gratified by the appointment and look forward to working with our new leadership in the new year," Rep Lesser said.

"As Assistant Majority Leader, Matt will play a key role in moving our legislative agenda forward," said incoming Speaker of the House Sharkey. "Rep. Lesser's experience serving on a broad spectrum of committees makes him a great fit for this leadership position."

Video from two Mayoral Debates

Darrell Lucas has graciously provided The Eye video from the Mayoral debate that was on Tuesday October 25th at The Barns in the Wesleyan Hills neighborhood. The moderator was civic leader Richard Kamins, President of the Russell Library Board of Trustees.

And as promised after the play-by-play write-up of the Mayoral debate between Democratic challenger Dan Drew and Republican incumbent Sebastian Giuliano that was held at Wesleyan University on October 20th, 2011, here is the video that I was able to capture from that night.

This is not the entire debate, it's the first half or so.

These 5 videos are in a playlist series. To go to the next video, click on the "next" icon, this is in the lower left between the play/pause button and the volume button.

MAYORAL CANDIDATES VISIT WITH MXCC STUDENTS

The race for Middletown’s next mayor was up close and personal for Middlesex Community College students over the past few weeks. These students, who are taking the American Government course at MxCC, had exclusive visits to their classroom from two of the mayoral candidates, incumbent Mayor Sebastian Giuliano and challenger Middletown Councilman Dan Drew. During the meetings, candidates gave students an insider’s look at running a major political campaign, discussed issues facing the city, and answered students’ questions.

In addition to the 35 students, each meeting was attended by deans, faculty, and members of MILE (Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Education). Candidates were given one hour with the audience, and were able to structure the discussion any way they chose.

The visits were arranged by Tad Lincoln, assistant professor of economics and political science at MxCC. He often invites elected officials or members of past administrations to the classroom to give students a first-hand look at how government really operates.

“The lessons students learn during these visits with candidates are invaluable,” Lincoln said. “Politicians and candidates have information and first-hand accounts of how government works that can’t be taught any other way. I am impressed with how our students interact with all the officials, lobbyists, legislative aides and others who have come to campus over the years – and I think we are developing a reputation as an informed, engaged and challenging audience.”

Founded in 1966, Middlesex Community College (www.mxcc.commnet.edu) is an independent member of the Connecticut Community College System. The school offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs on its main 38-acre campus in Middletown, and at the Meriden Center in downtown Meriden. The college promotes understanding, learning, ethics, and self-discipline by encouraging critical thinking. Current enrollment exceeds 2,950 full and part-time students, and 1,600 continuing education students.

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Politics Roundup

Election Day is November 8^th – voting is an important civic duty. Below is a list of links to our past recent articles specifically related to the upcoming elections. This is to highlight recent election-related Eye posts to make them easier to find for readers who may have missed seeing them or for any voters wishing to obtain information about the candidates or issues. We encourage voters to educate themselves using all resources available. Links to all past Eye articles are always available on the right side of the page in the section called “Blog Archive” toward the bottom.

***New to the Eye*** To receive a daily e-mail digest of all the day's Eye headlines with the first paragraph of each article, and a link to the full story, simply enter your e-mail address into the box at the top right of the main page and click Submit. Try it out. And hey, if you don't like it, you can unsubscribe at any time.

Oct 22 - Councilman Reacts to Courant Cartoon

Oct 21 - Mayoral Debate Play-By-Play

Oct 21 - Wesleyan Hills Debate Tuesday Evening

Oct 21 - Candidate Profile: Joe Bibisi (R) For Common Council

Oct 21 - Candidate Profile: Ed McKeon (D) for Board of Education

Oct 20 - Suzio Endorses Giuliano For Mayor

Oct 20 - Mayoral Debate Tonight

Oct 20 - Candidate Profile: Ed Dypa (R) For Common Council

Oct 20 - Candidate Profile: Ron Borrelli Alternate P & Z

Oct 18 Letter In Support Of David Bauer

Oct 18 Letter in Support of Jon Pulino For Treasurer

Oct 18 (A Different) Letter In Support Of Jon Pulino For Treasurer

Oct 17 Mayoral Debate and Candidates Forum Scheduled This Week and Next

Oct 17 What Happens in College...Stays in College?

Oct 17 Ron Klattenberg - Candidate for Common Council – Statement

Oct 17 An Appeal To All Voters

Older article links can be found in last week's roundup: Politics: The Weekly Roundup of Articles

Politics: The Weekly Roundup of Articles

Every Monday between now and Election Day, November 8^th, the Eye will post a list of links to our past articles specifically related to the upcoming elections. This is to highlight recent election-related Eye posts to make them easier to find for readers who may have missed seeing them or for any voters wishing to obtain information about the candidates or issues. We encourage voters to educate themselves using all resources available. Links to all past Eye articles are always available on the right side of the page in the section called “Blog Archive” toward the bottom.

Oct 15 - An Expensive Mayoral Contest Funded by Out Of Town Donors

Oct 14 - Scarrozzo Commentary On Board Of Education Forum

Oct 14 - Special Voter Registration Session

Oct 14 - Treasurer Candidate Jon Pulino - Opinion Letter by Rebecca Tomaszewski

Oct 13 - A Lively Board of Education Candidates Forum

Oct 12 - Board of Assessment Appeals – James Streeto – Statement

Oct 11 - BOE - Gene Nocera - Statement

Oct 11 - BOE - Gene Nocera - Endorsement from CT Federation of School Administrators

Oct 9 - Common Council - Ed Dypa - Opinion Letter

Sep 29 - Mayoral Candidate Dan Drew – Endorsement from Building Trades Council

Sep 22 - City Treasurer Candidate - Jon Pulino – Letter to the Eye

Sep 22- Multiple Candidates – Endorsement from American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Two links below

1) http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2011/09/afscme-coucil-4-press-release.html

2) http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2011/09/afscme-local-endorses-mayor-other.html

Sep 21 - Common Council – Linda Salafia – Opinion Letter

Senator On Our Sidewalk

State Senator Len Suzio (R- Meriden) will hold a "Senator on Your Sidewalk" event from 4 – 6 PM on Thursday, September 15 outside of the Stop & Shop at 416 East Main Street, Middletown

Click here for his personal invitation video on YouTube

Republican Headquarters Grand Opening

YOU ARE INVITED!!

We’re Having a Party!!

Republican Headquarters is Holding Its’ Grand Opening Event!!

When: Wednesday September 14th Time: 6 to 8 PM 373 East Main Street Across from Stop & Shop

We’re Having a Potluck Supper, Silent Auction, and Loads of Fun!!

Special Guests!

Headquarters:

Mary Lou Barrett 860-573-9713

Robin Goss 860-344-9002

Headquarters is also collecting items for Catales and Food Pantry

9002 Paid for by the Middletown Republican Town Committee, Laura Gionfriddo, Treasurer

Too Dumb To Steal

Fred Carroll just may be the most accessible candidate for political office in Middletown these days. It's easy to find him in Klekolo World Coffee on Court Street, and he's usually ready for conversation. He is known for his cartoons, his advocacy of homelessness, and his loathing of litter. He created and for three years championed a program called Bums With Brooms, which he recently publicly announced his retirement from, for reasons he explains in this Patch article.

Fred has moved onto new endeavors, most notably running for a seat on the City of Middletown's Common Council with the Realistic Balance Party. He explained to me that “we have no budget and I won't be soliciting nor even accepting any campaign contributions, so I have to access all the free media possible if I want to have any chance of getting elected.” I asked Fred a few questions about his candidacy:

KS: Until recently, many people may not have even heard of the Realistic Balance Party. That combined with the fact that you don't look anything like a politician has me asking, do you honestly think that you have a “realistic” chance of getting elected, or is this just yet another, what's it called? “Issue Campaign”?

FC: No, I do not honestly think that I will get elected to the Common Council, but bear in mind that “long shots” do happen, both in sports and in politics. And as far as this being an “issue campaign”, I'd be nothing but flattered to have what I'm doing called an issue campaign as opposed to merely a vanity campaign.

KS: Speaking of vanity, are those women's pants you're wearing?

FC: Good eye Swartz, yes they are.

KS: What's up with that?

FC: To get the fit I like I have to get my pants from the women's department.

KS: Are you wearing any other articles of women's clothing besides pants?

FC: Nope, just the pants.

KS: On a more serious note, what are your campaign issues?

FC: Well, I'm arguably at least half an expert on what I call urban homelessness. And I think that I have some good ideas about how to deal with the indigents, transients, and idiots.

KS: You have a plan for dealing with, as you call them, idiots?

FC: I don't necessarily have a plan for anything. What I do have are some ideas, which I am certain might be valuable. I have a lot to say about any number of issues, and I will not be afraid to bring my ideas to the Council. Isn't this interview just for introductory purposes and not necessarily for spelling out all the details?

KS: No, I think that voters would like some details, but we can leave those for a later time if you prefer. So barring going into the details, let's get right to the point. Why should any Eye reader vote for you or even take your candidacy seriously?

FC: Well, during the time I've been in Middletown, which is some part of ten years now, I've always had people suggesting that I run for office. They would say things like, “Why don't you run for Mayor, Fred?” And I would always say “Because I'm an idiot, and you wouldn't want me as Mayor.” But people kept saying it, so...

KS: Then why are you running for Council and not Mayor?

FC: Well, we want to be at least slightly “realistic” here. And also I mad support the current Mayor Sebastian Giuliano.

KS: When you say 'mad' you mean 'very much', correct?

FC: You got it Swartz.

KS: My final question is, do you have a campaign slogan?

FC: Yes I do. My campaign slogan is “I'm too dumb to do any serious stealing.”

KS: Well, good luck with all that.

FC: Thanks.

READER OPINION: Chris Bourne's run for office

The below letter is OPINION / COMMENTARY that was written and submitted by CHRISTINE O'GRADY and represents only the views and opinions of Ms. O'Grady.

I have been a life-long resident of Middletown and although I am not part of the political framework in town, I do consider myself an active civic participant. I always vote, read the papers and try and listen with an open mind. So, I was perplexed to hear Chris Bourne wanted to be Mayor. I am curious about her plans for our fine city and what she would do different from the current Mayor. I am hoping this letter will prompt Ms. Bourne to inform the public of her intention if she were to be elected.

I was aware that Ms. Bourne was the city’s Treasurer for many years and that she lost her party’s endorsement to run for re-election. She then stated that she was considering running for another office. And, apparently after considering her options, decided that she would run for mayor; because she always wanted to be mayor.

Ms. Bourne is running in the Democratic primary but also as an Independent in the general election. This harkens back to Senator Lieberman’s tactics where at all costs you must take care of yourself and personal gain, regardless of you party’s support. It is just messy.

Based on what I have read, I have no idea what Ms. Bourne stands for, other than herself. I understand what Dan Drew stands for and what he wants to do for our City. And, although I don’t always agree with Mayor Giuliano’s decisions, I understand his perspective. Again, I just can’t find any information about what Ms. Bourne supports or opposes.

It appears to me that Ms. Bourne really has no intention of getting elected as Mayor. She simply wants to ruin it for those with whom she feels ire; the Democratic leadership. Shouldn’t her energy be focused on separating herself from the incumbent and not her own party?

Christine O’Grady

The above letter is OPINION / COMMENTARY that was written and submitted by CHRISTINE O'GRADY and represents only the views and opinions of Ms. O'Grady.

Bourne has Signatures to Challenge Drew in Primary

Chris Bourne, a longtime Democrat, who was dropped by the town committee as Treasurer, has gathered enough signatures for an official primary challenge for Democratic candidate for mayor. She will run in a primary against Democratic candidate Dan Drew.

The primary will be held Tuesday September 13.

Bourne also has enough signatures, on a separate petition, to run as an independent on the ballot if her primary challenge against Drew is unsuccessful.

Tonight (or Better Late Than Never)

"Meet and Greet"
Candidates for Statewide Elections
Representing
Middletown and Surrounding Communities
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
  7:00 PM
 Congregation Adath Israel
8 Broad Street
Middletown, CT
 Confirmed Candidates


House
District 32:
Rep  Jim O'Rourke (D)
Mrs. Christy Carpino (R)

District 33:
Rep Joseph Serra (D)

District 34:
Rep Gail K. Hamm (D)
Mr. Earl Roberts (R)

District 100:
Rep  Matthew Lesser (D)
Mr. John Szewczyk (R)

Senate
District 9:
Sen Paul Doyle (D)
Mr. Dominic Mazzicolli (R)

District 13:
Sen Thomas Gaffey (D)