Middletown State Rep. Quentin "Q" Williams killed in wrong-way crash on Rt 9

One of Middletown's bright lights has been extinguished. State Rep. Quentin Williams (formerly Phipps) was killed when his car was struck by a wrong-way driver as he returned from Gov. Lamont's Inaugural Ball. Williams and the wrong-way driver, Kimede Mustafaj of Manchester, were both pronounced dead on the scene. 

https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/middlesex-county/cromwell/wrong-way-crash-investigation-cromwell-route-9-connecticut/520-92dbf19a-8bc5-4fc1-a1fc-0ef3aa57384b

Per State Senator Matt Lesser, there will be a vigil for Quentin Williams Friday night on the South Green. 

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.

"Let's Get to Work"

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously elected Quentin Phipps as Chair tonight, ending a bitter partisan dispute over who should lead the Commission.

Commissioner Nick Fazzino opened the meeting with a statement on behalf of his fellow Republican commissioners. He started by saying that when the Democrats offered the Republicans the two positions of Secretary and representative to Midstate Regional Planning, while insisting on Democrats as Chair and Vice-chair, it was demeaning.

Fazzino continued, however, that Republicans took the charge for bipartisanship seriously, and he backed up that claim with the nomination of a Democrat for Chair of the Commission, "Therefore, at this time and in good faith and on behalf of the republican commissioners I would like to nominate Quentin Phipps for the chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission."

After being elected, Phipps graciously thanked his fellow commissioners and pledged to work with both parties on the Commission. And with the words in the title of this post, Quentin Phipps began his term as chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission.