Politics & Government

Candidate Profiles: Democrats For City Council

Survey responses from those running for office

We sent out a series of questions to the candidates running for office this election, and these were the responses we received. The responses from the Republican slate for City Council will post at 1:30 p.m., while the Green Party and unaffiliated candidate responses will go up on Wednesday.

 

Marie Friess-McSparran

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Age: 49
Address: 281 Elm Street
Hometown: Pittsfield, MA
Employment: Community activist
Education: University of Connecticut, School of Agriculture Master Gardener, Principles & Practices of Real Estate, has held State of CT Real Estate License, Principles & Practices of Economic Development.
Incumbent: No

Previous elected experience: No
Civic experience: President of the New London Irish Parade, Inc., secretary of the Economic Development Commission, founder/chair of the Upper Elm Street Neighborhood Group, former secretary of the New London Neighborhood Alliance, former member of the Beautification Committee, spearheaded the campaign for K9s fundraiser, New London Academy Graduate, New London Citizens Police Academy graduate.
Top issue: Clean, safe city. Public safety- police, fire and public works staffing levels need to meet the needs of the community.
Second issue: Economic development- In order to strengthen New London’s public safety, we need to increase it’s funding by increasing economic development. A clean safe city is what it citizens want to enjoy.
Third issue: Promote New London- capitalize on New London’s positives!!!

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Wade Hyslop

Age: 66

Address: 14 Penny Lane

Hometown: New London

Employment: Pastor, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church

Education: Master of Ministry

Incumbent: Yes

Previous Elected Experience: City Council, State Representative (39th District) and New London Board of Education

Civic Experience: NAACP, Jepthat Lodge of Masons (PHA), American Legion, Kente Cultural Center

Top Issues: Economic development

Second issue: Education

Third issue: Public safety

 

John J. Maynard:

Age: 46

Address: 123 Ashcraft Road

Hometown: New London

Employment: Operating Engineering, Foxwoods Resort and Casino

Education: 79-80 New London High School; 80-81 Central High School, Bristol, Tenn. - GED

Incumbent: No

Previous elected experience: 2007-2008 City Council; deputy mayor 2008-2009

Civic experience: Co-founder of Citizens On Patrol; president of the New London Neighborhood Alliance; head of volunteers for the three-year project of rebuilding Ocean Beach boardwalk; annual Neighborhood Alliance fishing derby; Neighborhood Alliance Adopt A Family; assistant youth football coach in Waterford; three years as assistant baseball coach in New London; New London Neighborhood Alliance Children’s Halloween Parade on the Parade; Friends of Riverside

Top issue: New mayor form of government (I support Daryl J. Finizio)

Second issue: Public safety

Third issue: Equally education and economic development, which go hand in hand

 

Anthony Nolan

Age: Not provided

Address:  105 Blackhall St New London, Connecticut

Hometown:  Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Employment: City of New London Police Department

Education: Hartford Seminary Black Ministry Program graduate

Previous elected experience: Past member of the New London Board of Education

Civic experience: Board of Deacons of Shiloh Church, Member of the New London Youth Collaborative, Founder of ImPak'Uth (impact youth) Teen Social & Activity Group, co-founder of HYPE (Helping Youth Promote Excellence), baptism teacher at Shiloh Church.

Top issues: We have a democratic platform that the Democratic team is running with that we have determined to be some of the priorities in the city of New London. Besides the platform "Transparency, trust and putting the needs of residents first & foremost in the planning process by:

A. Diligently dissect the city’s budget starting by attempting to ascertain and eliminate any waste within the budget, scale back if and where possible. Correct the tax base by reevaluating economic development opportunities and implementing marketing tools to attract new business commerce and tax revenue to the city.  Evaluate how to and what other towns comparable to New London are doing to alleviate the large tax burden to the New London community.

B. A proactive and steadfast approach to implementing improved public service insuring productive and professional response to the community. Open forum communication by talking with those who live in the community/coming up with a recommended optional plan to continue and improve this.

C. Youth – Implement a plan for after school/evening program for youth activity/educational and recreation opportunities. This should be a shared responsibility by “parents of children” the city and the community.  Accomplishing this by implementing a proposal/collaborating existing programs/ Parks and Recreation Department and form a responsible community committee with persons in the community that have proven experience working with youth to create an evening program for middle and or high school age children in the evening hours.

 

Michael E. Passero

Age: 55

Address: 46 Admiral Drive

Hometown: New London

Employment: I am a firefighter and a labor attorney

Education: Not listed

Incumbent: I am a first term City Councilor seeking re-election. Before this, I wasn’t crazy enough to seek elected office

Civic involvement: I am on the following boards: Dr. Wies Scholarship Fund, New London Community Boating, New London Firefighters Burn Foundation, Shea Foundation

Top issue: We need to continue our emphasis on improving the two pillars of any successful city: the school system and the public safety departments.  Second issue: We need to redouble our focus on economic development to grow the city’s revenue base and relieve the burden on the residential property owner. The council must continue to promote the city’s most valuable and grossly underutilized asset, its magnificent harbor and waterfront. 

Third issue: we must place a higher priority on important quality of life improvements that are crucial to retaining and attracting people and families to our city, such as providing quality recreational venues and a walkable and bikeable city. All of these goals are achievable by working collaboratively with community partners and stakeholders to build consensus with the administration and city departments on strategies for success.

 

Donald Macrino is also running for City Council on the Democratic slate. We did not receive a response from him.


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