Patch Candidate Profile: JoAnn Angelico-Stetson , Berlin Mayor

BERLIN, CT — Berlin Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Berlin resident JoAnn Angelico-Stetson is running for Berlin mayor as a Democrat.

The following is Angelico-Stetson's questionnaire sent to Patch:

Name

JoAnn Angelico-Stetson

How old will you be as of Election Day?

62 years old

What city or town do you live in?

Berlin

What office are you seeking?

Mayor

Please give us your party affiliation

Democratic

Education

Central Connecticut State University

What is your occupation?

Paralegal - 44 years

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I have three adult children and three grandchildren. My daughter, Marisa, is a high school counselor in Meriden. She and her husband, Bryan, also an educator, are expecting their first child. My son, Vincent, is an IT asset disposition coordinator. He and his wife Beth, an engineer, have twin 5-year-old sons, and a 4-year-old daughter. My son, Dylan, is in the film and production industry in Brooklyn, NY and is an aspiring screenwriter.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I was elected and served on the Berlin Board of Education from November 24, 2014 to November 18, 2017. I was appointed to the Economic Development Commission and served as a commissioner from February 1, 2014 to November 20, 2017. I was elected to the Berlin Town Council and served two terms from November 21, 2017 to November 12, 2021 and served as minority leader in my second term. I also represent the 6th District on the Democratic State Central Committee and am a Justice of the Peace.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I consider myself a public servant and have been an advocate since my youth. I’ve served on the Board of Education, Economic Development Commission and as a two-term Town Councilor and minority leader, in addition to participating on panels addressing various social justice issues. I am seeking this office because I believe Berlin residents want new leadership for a variety of reasons: lack of transparency, lack of inclusivity, and a failure to prioritize funding for education and our seniors. The will of the voters has been ignored at referendums. We need a leader who will honor outcomes, which also speaks to having respect for parents, educators and residents. The integrity of parents, educators and supporters of the VNA have been questioned by the current administration. Berlin needs a Mayor who doesn’t berate but rather can relate, to those questioning decisions and choices made by Town Hall.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Capital planning. We know that capital planning addresses a lot of critical issues: infrastructure investment, transportation improvements, public facility upgrades i.e., parks, pools, community centers, cultural centers, etc. These amenities make for a vibrant community and our town more attractive to maintaining current homeowners and attracting prospective residents. The first thing I would do is encourage respectful discourse with the Board of Finance and work together to establish a well-thought-out capital plan. We need to determine our goals and objectives, work with departments to identify and prioritize capital needs, work with stakeholders to identify potential sources of funding and foster a culture of continuous improvement in the process.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The current Mayor’s approach to governance concerns me. He has ignored the will of the voters and is often times adversarial in his communications and dealings with residents. I want residents to feel that they have a voice and are being valued and heard. My leadership style is collaborative. I will involve stakeholders, citizens, community organizations, and of course, government agencies so that we can work together to find solutions. It’s a fact that collaborators establish environments that set a tone for shared ideas and perspectives which result in positive outcomes for all! I don’t profess to be an expert on everything and will defer to those who have more knowledge and experience with specific issues or topics outside of my wheelhouse. I am always eager to have constructive, respectful conversations for the greater good.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

There is a lack of transparency. Transparency is the cornerstone of good leadership and essential in building trust. Berlin residents are provided with limited or inaccurate information and often feel like they are kept in the dark. For example, the current Mayor keeps pressing that he’s kept taxes from increasing – not so great when, in fact, we are deficit spending. The incumbent has failed to recognize that proper school funding is crucial – instead, he ignores the results of referendums and the will of the voters and goes so far as to admonish parents advocating on behalf of their children. He has failed to understand how devalued our seniors feel by not prioritizing the need for a new senior center.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

We need to improve and plan amenities. The closing of the East Berlin Pool due to underfunding and understaffing was extremely upsetting to residents. A senior/community center addresses the needs of younger residents and seniors, and cultural centers that cater to our middle and high school population, as well as younger children and families.

Begin to work to remove the moratorium on cannabis, which is a major revenue generator.

We have got to get cracking on the senior/community center issue.

We must be vigilant about supporting individuals running for elected positions, boards and commissions who advocate for others and are inclusive.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I don’t think there’s any “one” accomplishment. My experience and previous service to this Town qualify me. I consider my advocacy as a member of the Board of Education (I was a vocal proponent of funding ESS which services our most at-risk students, and a member of a PAC that was successful in campaigning to maintain the BOE’s non-partisan status), the Economic Development Commission (an advisory commission on which I was supportive of bringing businesses and projects into town including TOD). My service as a two-term Town Councilor and minority leader allowed me to hone in on the most prevalent issues affecting our community. Professionally, I have been in the practice of law as a legal administrator and paralegal for 44 years. I have dealt with many legal issues and worked with a diverse group of clients and colleagues from various educational and socioeconomic backgrounds over the course of my career and have done so respectfully and thoughtfully.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

When I was entering high school my mom told me to join every club and council I possibly could – be involved, be active, be vocal. So I did. I was President of the Student Council and accomplished a few “firsts” that I’m proud of to this day. That was the catalyst to realizing the impact of contribution and activism.

My dad taught me to not take any crap from anyone, and that if I didn’t like something, change it.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My position with respect to any issue is collaboration and inclusivity. I am committed to fostering an open, transparent and accountable government that places the interests of our community at the forefront.