The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Sebastian N. Giuliano
MIDDLETOWN — Lifelong resident and Common Council Minority Leader Sebastian N. Giuliano, a Republican, said Middletown is his “passion.”
His extensive experience leading the city from 200511 as mayor will make it easy to slide into the city’s top job if elected Nov. 5, Giuliano has said.
The former threeterm mayor, 67, announced his candidacy in midMay. In 2011, he lost to Democratic Mayor Dan Drew, who is not seeking reelection.
At the candidate’s forum Oct. 29 at Keigwin Middle School, Giuliano said he would address the physical layout of schools and make a security plan to ensure the safety of city youth.
“You’ve got to stop the threat before it gets to the doors, because once it’s in the building, your not going to stop it before it does damage,” he said.
Giuliano pointed out that when he was mayor he introduced the youth and government ordinance that allows every board and commission in the city to have a seated youth member. “That was unique in Connecticut — I don’t think any other city or town has anything like that,” he said.
Candidates also were asked what they would do to ensure all Middletown students obtain an equitable education.
“Money buys you more opportunities — no question about that,” Giuliano said. “The likelihood that we are going to be able to redistribute wealth … is pretty slim. What you need to do is encourage people in spite of that — that’s another challenge to overcome.”
The councilman said he has extensive knowledge of the inner workings of government.
“I’ve seen the way the city operates. I know it from all sides. I know the way things have to be done — not just what has to be done, but how you get it done,” he said in his introductory remarks, according to the Board of Education’s live video of the event.
“Being able to shepherd these things through is going to be crucial,” he said during an early October candidates’ forum, pointing to redevelopment of the city’s riverfront and the building of the new middle school.
“We get one chance to do it right, because a whole generation of students are going to depend on what we do,” Giuliano told those gathered.
“I know the job, the learning curve is nonexistent, and I’ll hit the ground running,” he said. “This was the year. And now with six years on the council under my belt, I think I’m even better prepared than I ever was,” Guiliano said.
For information, visit giuliano2019.com.
Editor’s note: Freelancer Michelle France contributed to this article.