New London Candidate Profile: Michael Passero for Mayor

NEW LONDON, CT —New London’s election season is down to the wire.

New London Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns. This is one of those candidate profiles.

Michael Passero, 63, is a Democrat running for reelection as mayor.

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:

Law degree from UConn Law class of 1992

Occupation:

Firefighter, Labor Attorney for 27 years, 4 years Mayor

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Mayor 4 years, 6 years on City Council

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

The need for development of our downtown and empty lots. We have recruited investment totaling $750 million that is currently in development or in the process of being approved. We were also able to redevelop Thames River public housing with financial assistance from the state of $2 million dollars. That parcel can now be transformed as part of the Pier redevelopment deal into tax paying private land which will help beautify our city while generating much needed revenue for the city's social services.

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

I have concrete plans to grow every part of the city, and have already implemented many such as numerous parks having been rebuilt like Veterans Memorial Field and the Bartlett Park basketball courts. My opponents only offer vague criticism with no vision of how to help New London grow. Our city needs concrete leadership and I am the only candidate actively leading the growth of our great city.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Fiscal Stability
Brought sound fiscal management to City Hall by increasing the Rainy Day Fund from $2M to $14M and saving taxpayers money by lowering the mill rate by 3.5 mills in 2019.

Economic Development
Jump started the city’s economy by attracting new investment totalling $742 million, nearly 3/4 of a billion dollars worth of construction that is completed or in progress increasing the grand list by 10%. and securing millions for our state pier to become a leader in the production of renewable wind power.

Quality of Life
Renovated our parks including the famed Bartlett basketball courts, Toby May and the historic Veterans Field, and Installed miles of new sidewalks and bike trails all while strengthening our Public Safety agencies and ensuring adequate funding to support the Magnet School expansion.

Social Services
Kept promise to serve all residents of New London by establishing a Director of Human Services to coordinate the network of nongovernmental organizations serving our community and directly assisting those dealing with opiate addiction or homelessness.

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

Under my leadership we jump started the city’s economy by attracting new investment totaling $742 million, nearly 3/4 of a billion dollars worth of construction that is completed or in progress increasing the grand list by 10%. and securing millions for our state pier to become a leader in the production of renewable wind power.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Lowell Weicker: "Never make a decision based on how it will effect your reelection chances"

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

I started my career working for the city as a life guard at Ocean Beach at age 17
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