Patch Candidate Profile: Steve Salerno, Southington Town Council

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

Southington resident Steve Salerno is running for the Southington Town Council as a Democrat.

The following is Salerno's questionnaire sent to Patch:

Name

Steve Salerno

How old will you be as of Election Day?

51

What city or town do you live in?

Southington

What office are you seeking?

Town Council

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education

Attended Central Connecticut University and CT Police Academy

What is your occupation?

Semi-Retired Police Officer

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

Married 20 years

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Appointed currently to Housing Commission

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?

To bring back common sense government to Southington. Putting people first and the town over party.

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

Tax increases and residential development.

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

We will put the town before our party and put people over politics. We listen.

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

4.25% tax increase in 2023. Another one is most likely on the way. They govern with special interests in mind and select party members with special interests, never putting the town first.

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

Public safety solutions that are common sense. Being a retired police sergeant, I am fully aware of how tired our patrol officers are. We need to get them the help they need. We will also strengthen our Ethics Code to prevent the abuses from happening before our eyes.

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

I am a problem solver. I ran my police union for 13 years. We had to solve problems and find solutions every day to an ever-changing town and profession. I am proud to say I did a good job.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Help the less fortunate and fight for the ones who can't.

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

I was an Executive Board Member of the Police Officers Association Of Connecticut and a K-9 handler for 16 years.