East Haven Candidate Profile: Louis Pacelli Town Council

EAST HAVEN, CT — East Haven’s election season sure is heating up.

East Haven Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Louis Pacelli, 53, is running for Town Council, District 3.

Are you running for office in East Haven? Contact Ellyn Santiago at ellyn.santiago@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to East Haven Patch.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? *
This includes any relatives who work in the government you'd be representing.
No

Education: *

East Haven High School graduate 1983 South Central Community College, CPI Computer Operations

Occupation: *

Retired Town of East Haven, 26 years. Musician teaching guitar part time. Landscaping business

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: *

Board of Education, two terms 2013 - 2017; Town Council 2017 - current; Parks and Recreation Commission, 10 years; Cable Advisory commission, 8 years.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it. *

Taxes. We must have fiscal responsibility, transparency and honesty in government. I intend to work hard to make sure our budget is very prudent and diligent in making sure our money is spent wisely to keep our taxes stable. Services need to be improved by utilizing the services that we have in town making sure our roads are plowed, paved and maintained. Maintaining our parks and fields, keeping them up to par, which will increase property values. Maintaining our infrastructure. Education is very important as well and we must make sure we provide the best quality education for our students, who are the future of our community.

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

I am proactive and experienced and vote with my conscious always what’s best for taxpayers. Having served on the board of ed and town council I have worked for the town for 26 years and know how all departments function. I have the experience with town budgets. Having worked on the Board of Education budgets for two terms and the Town Council for one term I’ve been a successful businessman having a landscape business I’ve been proven to be a hard worker and problem solver I feel this makes me stand out with my opponents seeking office. The Sperry Lane project - a developers trying to put 500 units of housing and change the zoning. I’ve been outspoken against this since 2015 I voted against the sale of the DC Moore property where my opponents voted for it when there was strong opposition from the residents in that district. I have spoken up at town council meetings regarding fiscal responsibility and education and I’ve been very prudent and diligent and working for the betterment of our town community. I am for charter revision and term limits I am for town referendum when town property is being sold it should be up to the people when town owned property is being sold.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Some of the other issues we need to have a plan for Charter revision .Our blight commission must be better enforced in our community .work to to bring in more business to the foxon corridor as well as other district s.We need to have better communication and transparency with our residents when it comes to development of our neighborhoods. We need to work hard for fiscal responsibility and to improve the image of our town I love this town will always work hard for the taxpayers. I work for them.

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

I have worked very hard all my life and have had a successful music career as well as built a successful landscaping business I have been active in the knights of Columbus and achieved great success as Grand knight I have been proactive on the town council working with Democrat and Republicans to turn in 2 successful town budgets keeping taxes stable

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

From my father Arcangelo Pacelli always be positive and learn from mistakes and never give up

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a hard worker. I care about this community I was born and raised in East Haven and educated in the East Haven public school system. I’m a very spiritual person very active in my church and community and civic activities. I have volunteered and given a lot of time and service to my community. I was Grand Knight of the Knights Of Columbus our Lady of Pompeii Church Council 3300 I am a 4 th degree member of the Patrick Donlin assembly 2459 St. Mary’s Church New Haven and a member of the honor guard. I'm a minister of Eucharist and lecture and choir member at Our Lady of Pompeii Church. I’m a hard-working individual who cares about the people I serve. If I am reelected I will work for you the taxpayer of East Haven.