On November 3 of this year, the city of Middletown will be home to the election of its next mayor. This upcoming election is the time to realize change where it is needed most. The city is in dire straits financially, its citizens are taxed more and more each year, and leaders thus far have not come up with any viable long-term solutions. As residents of the city for a good part of each year, Wesleyan students have a chance to make a difference in their academic hometown.
Republican Mayor Sebastian Giuliano was first elected in 2005, as a local lawyer with new ideas for a city that had previously been under Democratic leadership. The results of his four-year tenure, however, have shown his administration to be largely ineffective and apathetic about the issues that matter most. Some of these issues affect the Wesleyan community quite directly. Looking for more explanation as to why Wesleyan is so strapped for cash these days? The fact that Seb has cut all public funding to the Green Street Arts Center and left the school to finance it is not helping. The city should certainly not spend beyond its means – but under a Republican chief executive, “fiscal responsibility” has been nowhere to be found, as Seb’s budget proposals reflect each year. Don’t expect to get answers from him though – talking to Wesleyan is not something the Mayor’s office likes to do.
This November, Seb will hold the Republican spot on the mayoral ballot against a newcomer to city politics, Democratic candidate Dan Drew. Dan’s campaign platform already presents the thoughtful, fresh ideas that this city of unrealized potential has been lacking for too long. Dan has already begun work with the Wesleyan community, setting a precedent of a new neighborly rapport that will benefit everyone within the city limits.
When Election Day arrives, Wesleyan students will absolutely be heard, if we should choose to have a voice. As recently as last year, the numbers have shown that when we want a candidate in office, we get them there. In 2007, our votes put then-fellow student Matt Lesser into the city administration, and last year, the hard work of Wesleyan volunteers brought Matt to Hartford as a Democratic state representative for the historically Republican 100th district. As long as we are Wesleyan’s students, we are Middletown’s residents – and that combination is how our votes will make Dan Drew our next mayor.
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