Middletown Election 2021: Brian Gartner Running For Planning & Zoning Commission

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in Middletown with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for seats on the Board of Education and Planning and Zoning Commission.

Middletown Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Democrat Brian Gartner, 35, is running for Planning & Zoning Commission in Middletown.

Occupation: Project & Construction Management

Family: I am the father of three boys. Brian is 16, Dante is 14, and my youngest Julian is 13.

Experience: I currently serve as a member on five City Commissions/Committees and have served on six overall. I currently serve on the following: 1. Commission on Conservation & Agriculture 2. Inland/Wetlands and Watercourses Agency 3. Water Pollution Control Authority 4. Mattabassett Regionalization Building Committee 5. Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Racism

Family in government: My maternal grandmother served the City of Middletown on various commissions and committees under three different mayors.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

Development of the Riverfront.

I have personally seen how much Middletown has changed, and evolved over the course of the last 30 plus years. I believe we are at a pivotal moment in the history of Middletown. We are currently at the crossroads of several major projects including probably the biggest one of our generation which is reconnecting our residents with our greatest natural resource which is the Connecticut River. We are at a point where decisions we make now will undoubtedly impact future generations to come, just as past decisions have impacted each and every one of us. We have the chance to undue countless planning mistakes of the past, and create a cohesive, pedestrian friendly, green, vibrant, and economically successful City for all of our residents to enjoy.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

Middletown has been my home for my entire life. It has provided a home to over five generations of my family spanning over the last 110 years. I was born here, raised here, attended school here, and had my children here. There isn’t any other place in the world I would rather be. I have years worth of proven service on behalf of the City of Middletown and its residents. I am known for being a progressive who sets clear goals. I am also known as being someone who gets the job done. I have served as the Vice Chairman of the Middletown Commission on Conservation and Agriculture for the last five years, and I have been a member of that body, and its predecessor body for about a year prior. Both the IWWA & the CCA are advisory bodies to P&Z, and I personally believe seeking election to the P&Z is the next logical step to take.

Accomplishments:

Through my work alongside many talented others I have taken apart in the following.

1. Helped local agriculture.

2. Helped draft revised ordinances.

3. Helped draft a referendum which was successfully approved by the voters.

4. Helped to permanently preserve hundreds of acres of open space for generations to come.

5. Worked on management plans, and ideas to make Conservation land self sustainable.

6. Worked on plans to improve visibility, and access to multiple Conservation properties for the residents of Middletown to enjoy.

8. Took part in the building committee overseeing the construction of the Force Main, & Pump Station. The project was multi year, and the total expenditure was over fifty million dollars.

9. Took part in the decommissioning of the former WPCF, and turn its over to the PCD department for future economic development.

10. Helped take part in improving our sewer infrastructure.

11. Helped take part in improving our water infrastructure.

12. Helped in protecting environmentally sensitive areas including our wetlands and watercourses.

13. Assisted in Anti Racism efforts including police accountability.

14. Organized and personally led two Trails Day events on behalf of the CCA.

15. Co organized and co led two different environmental clean-up efforts at Veterans Memorial Park.

16. Held developers accountable.

Among countless other things…

Other issues:

Environment and social justice, equality, equity, affordable housing, transportation, and the implementation of green technology.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I would also like to reiterate my support for democratic issues and causes. I look forward to working with each and every one of you to continue to help better our City. If you have any questions, want to schedule a meeting, or just to chat, please don’t hesitate contact me via email or telephone.

Are you running for office in Middletown? Email vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile on Middletown Patch.