The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘What we need versus what we want’
Resident forms political party, runs for first selectman
PORTLAND — Saying he wants to “talk about what we need versus what we want,” a lifelong resident has launched an independent candidacy for first selectman. Shaun P. Manning said he had toyed with the idea of mounting a challenge for several years. With the state’s economy continuing to sputter, Manning said he decided that the time had come to go forward with the idea. And because he believes there is little to no difference between the two major political parties in town, Manning decided “What we needed was a new party.” So, he formed one: Back2Basics19. To do so, Manning needed to apply to the Secretary of the State’s office and present 25 signatures. And then he needed 24 signatures to become a candidate for first selectman, Town Clerk Ryan J. Curley said. Democratic First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield is seeking her ninth term as the town’s chief executive; Lambrose Lambinides, of the American Independent Party, is also seeking the seat. Manning, the youngest of seven children, works with two of his brothers as part of Manning Home Builders. He has not previously run for or been a member of the town government. In his campaign, Manning said he will focus on three basics: education, infrastructure and public safety. “Unless we get a plan for going forward, we are just going to stay
stagnant,” Manning said.
He said his goals are to answer the question of needs versus wants, to encourage more businesses to locate in town to lower property taxes on homeowners, and “to get more kids to stay in town.”
Manning said it is not just him that wants answers.
Every other year as Election Day approached, “people were coming to me,” pressing him to become a candidate, Manning said.
In particular, he said, he has heard from present and former town officials that there is not enough funding for capital items.
Those are generally the socalled onetime “big ticket items,” such as trucks or other equipment for the public works, fire and public safety departments.
He pointed to the town’s water and sewer programs, both of which carry large deficits.
“What do we need to put into water and sewer?” Manning said. “At some point you have to make a decision. We can’t keep not funding them. We have look down the road.”
Manning said he has or will meet with the superintendent of schools, the fire chief and the public works director to seek clearer answers to his primary question: “How can we achieve what we need to do?” (Public Works Director Robert J. Shea also is the fire chief )
Manning noted there are constraints, especially with state and federal mandates for education.
Further, Manning said, as he proceeds to ask questions, “If I’m wrong, then I want people to tell me that.”
“At least then we’ll have starting point,” he said. “We can’t have a plan without a starting point.”