Middletown Candidate Profile: Philip Pessina For Common Council

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Middletown and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Philip J. Pessina, 72, is running for re-election to the Common Council as a Republican.

Are you running for office in Middletown? Contact Vinnie Salzo at vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Middletown Patch.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Seeking my 5th Term on the Council and within this time frame, served two years on Planning & Zoning as a Commissioner between my 3rd & 4th Council terms.

Occupation:

I am Retired from both the City of Middletown in 2006 after 33 ½ years of service with the Middletown Police Department, retiring as our City’s Deputy Chief of Police and I also recently retired from Southern Connecticut State University Police Department, where I served 10 years as the Deputy Chief of Police for the university.

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

As present member of our Economic Development Commission, I feel that our city’s continued Economic Growth is paramount to include, our Connecticut River Front Development, continued growth of our Main Street including a Public Private Partnership for a New Parking Garage (containing mixed use Retail & Office spaces) and the continued growth of our Grand List; additionally supporting Business and Manufacturing growth within our community.

In light of our state’s obsession with raising taxes, I will also continue to advocate for Tax Assistance for our Seniors, especially those that are on fixed income and those families who are amongst those living and trying to raise their children below the poverty line.

It is my belief that with a continuous Growth of our Tax Base and General Fund, it will lead to lower taxes for our residents and taxpayers.

As a current member of our Public Works Commission, along with my Fiduciary Responsibilities we on the council have, I will continue to support our city’s Infrastructure Improvements, as needed within both the Operating and Capital Budgets. It is this support that leads increased infrastructure longevity, replacement and purchasing of costly equipment; as well as establishing a plan for continued monetary growth of our Capital Budget.

As a current member of our Public Safety Commission, I will continue to support the growth of both our Police & Fire Departments Operating & Capitol Budgets, along with their continued philosophies respectfully to Community Policing, Fire Safety and EMS Support.

It is noteworthy that these Public Safety Departments, inclusive of Emergency Management continue to enjoy high public praise and support for their professional responses within the Emergency Response and Community Service spectrums!

List other issues that define your campaign:

As a Candidate for re-election to our City Council, I will continue to be a Community Politician, with a strong record of voting for ‘what’s best’ for our City of Middletown, within a conservative, fiscally bi-partisan responsible manner. I am a strong supporter of education and continue to advocate for the growth of our Educational Pathways for our community’s children and youth, all of which I have championed for, within a continuous, holistic and collaborative manner with our Superintendent and Board of Education.

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

Aside from my nearly 50 years of service to our Middletown Community, inclusive of community volunteerism and city government service, I have had the privilege and honor to have been selected to serve on several building committees, as noted:

• Vice Chair of our New Senior Community Center
• Chair of our Mattabasset Regionalization Force Main and Inter-Municipal Pump Station Treatment Plant,
• 21st Century Parks Bond Building Committee
• Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School Building Committee
• Firing Range Committee
• Veteran’s Park Renovations Committee

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Be Respectful and listen to all regardless of differing opinions and essentially agree to disagree and/or to find common ground to agree upon;

Make decisions that will benefit our community within a politically bipartisan manner.

In essence, your integrity, sincerity and professionalism are the hallmarks to always strive for in your life and to share these qualities with all those who cross our paths, for it is my belief that ‘when we work together in a non-political and Fiscally Responsible Manner, leads to positive growth of our community!

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

Previous to my City of Middletown elected positions, I cut my teeth on government and politics, as a former Vice Chair of Regional District#17 Board of Education serving the district for 4 years and serving the Town of Haddam as a Selectman for two years; both of which reported to Town Meetings. It was these constituent meetings, that developed my listening skills towards various issues which effected both the district and town and developed the important attribute of becoming a Community Politician!

“Middletown, It’s Where My Story Begins”

Born, Raised and Educated In!