Town Council Candidate Questionnaire, Answer #8

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As a service to our readers, we will be republishing the replies to our Town Council Candidate Questionnaire question by question, one each day until Election Day. This was the eighth and last query:

What do you like about Southington?

The replies, ordered by candidate last name, are as follows:

Paul Chaplinsky (R)

Southington is a highly engaged and caring community, rich in volunteerism and compassion. We have an excellent school system that delivers strong value for families, a vibrant business and industrial base that sustains local jobs and a healthy grand list, and a growing network of open space and active farms that preserve our town’s rural charm. From recreation to community service, Southington offers countless opportunities for people to connect, contribute, and thrive—and that’s what makes it such a special place to live.

Jennifer Clock (R)

Our small-town community feel. I am always impressed by how large the town is yet we are able to work to maintain that small town feel. Through our community organizations, town staff, first responders and many residents, we come together to support one another in times of need. We continue to carry on traditions like the Apple Harvest, Town Green Concerts, Drive in Movies, local food drives, holiday events and the list goes on and on. It takes a village to preserve this culture, and I’m proud of all the work our community does to continue it.

Michael DelSanto (R)

Without compare, Southington is the best town in the State of Connecticut. Its landscape, its parks, its businesses, and its industry all contribute to the town’s exceptional charm and character. Southington’s prime location features multiple exits off two major highways, making it easily accessible for residents, visitors, and businesses alike. This convenient access strengthens Southington’s reputation as a desirable place to live, work, and play. The town’s education system is exceptional, serving its students well and fostering a strong foundation for future success. Southington is also known for outstanding youth sports programs, which are second to none and provide valuable opportunities for young residents. Southington boasts a variety of unique attractions, including apple orchards, a ski area, and amusement parks. Residents and visitors can enjoy some of the best restaurants, as well as unique places to shop, further enhancing Southington’s appeal.

 

George Doherty (D)

Like many, I enjoy the parks in this town, and the schools are good, but I believe that Southington’s biggest competitive advantage is its location. Like 72% of the people who answered the SLR Community Survey from August, my wife and I moved to Southington because of its location. Also like many Southington residents, we both commute to work. With the vast majority of homes in Southington close to an entrance of I-84, Southington is a 30-40 minute commute to Hartford and New Haven, 45 minutes to Danbury, and for those that need to go into New York on occasion, we can be on the Metro-North platform in Bridgeport in about 50 minutes. Our town is 2 hours from both mid-town Manhattan and downtown Boston, and an hour from the Connecticut beaches.

Our location and convenient access to other parts of the state and northeast is part of why Southington has transitioned so effectively from an industrial town to a bedroom community. It is also a defendable competitive advantage the town has in attracting new residents and new businesses.

I believe Southington’s future will be very bright if we take advantage of our strengths.

Charles E. Green, Jr. (D)

My wife and I decided to establish roots in Southington because of its location and school system. At that time Southington was perfectly located as it pertained to our places of employment. The commute was no longer than 15 minutes in either direction, which was a win for both my wife and I. Also at that time, we had a young family, children in elementary school and we were pleased with the results of our research into the school system. The number of schools, their locations throughout the town and the faculty was positive when we were first looking for a place to live. I am of the firm opinion that these two factors are still important to potential residents, and we must continue to support our school system at all costs, and create and maintain a culture that is warm, embracing and welcoming.

Shawn Grindle (D)

It’s home. I love that for my two girls, it’s where their roots are growing. I love that tonight, as I walked into the crisp October air after a meeting, I could hear the SHS Marching Band practicing on the field. I love working at the Apple Harvest and seeing former students and their families, hearing how they’re doing and knowing I had a positive impact on them.

I love sitting in the air-conditioned comfort of the new library on a summer afternoon, digging into a new book. I love the blast of cold winter air when stepping onto Center Street after eating at one of our many restaurants. I love the crepes at Southington Coffee House and the humidity on the YMCA pool deck during swim lessons. I love the unions in town that form the backbone of our workforce. I love hearing kids yelling and laughing in the field before a drive-in movie, and I love when the lights dim before one of our amazing theatre shows, from elementary school performances all the way up to community theatre. I love the smell and vibe of Factory Square when I sit drinking my Americano from Perkatory.

I love the options for takeout, the breweries, and the ice cream shops. I love the feeling of helping Southington Community Services and Bread for Life. I love seeing coat drives, bottle drives, Backflips for Backpacks, and lemonade stands exceed their goals. I love all of my students even when they don’t stop talking when I am teaching! Most of all, I love the people here, people who, like me, proudly call Southington home.

Kristen Marie Guida (D)

I love Southington—it’s been my home for nearly my entire life. It’s a friendly, vibrant town with excellent schools, great local businesses, and community pride. From our beautiful neighborhoods to our local attractions, Southington embodies the perfect balance of small-town warmth and forward-thinking growth. I’m proud to call it home and would be honored to help it continue to thrive.

Jim Morelli (R)

Southington has been my lifelong home and the best thing about Southington is our residents. Whether new or old this town rallies around each other in ways that are indescribable. Generosity, caring, and mutual respect for one another is what makes our community so fantastic. Again, to me our number one asset is our residents!

Tony Morrison (R)

I love the Town for its diversity of experience. Just within our borders we have everything that makes life enjoyable - retail, restaurants, recreation (skiing, golf, swimming, amusement park), farms, orchards, wonderful views (Novick’s, Rogers Orchard), a beautiful lake with fishing and hiking, a senior center, three wonderful parks, outstanding community events (Drive-In movies, Music on the Green). We have housing available for all of us in a diverse economic community – from first time buyers to renters to mobile homes to government housing to senior developments to middle class and upscale housing. Our charities are superb and a tribute to the generous nature of our residents. Our schools are great, our Town Government is responsive and customer friendly. And we still retain the charming ambience of a New England Town where the downtown has a Town Green, a picture-perfect classic church with steeple and the Town Hall. Our finances are first-class, structured to meet any eventuality. Sometimes we forget we live in such a desirable place. It has not happened by accident of course. It needs constant work every day by our Town officials, our schools administration and our government bodies such as the Town Council. Choose wisely when you vote in November.

Chris Palmieri (D)

As I mentioned previously, I am a lifelong Southington resident. The thing I love most about our town is our sense of community. People truly care about each other and support each other in times of need.  That spirit of connection and mutual support makes Southington not just a place to live, but a place where people feel at home. I’m proud to be part of this community and want to help ensure it continues to thrive for everyone.

Joshua Serafino (R)

What I love most about Southington is that it’s home in every sense of the word. I grew up here, went through the school system, and now I’m raising my own family here. It’s a community where people still wave to each other, help their neighbors, and take pride in their town. I’ve built my business here and have seen firsthand how supportive Southington residents are. We have great schools, beautiful parks, and a strong local spirit that makes this town special. It’s a place that values family, hard work, and community, and that’s exactly why I’m proud to call it home.

David Zoni (D)

As the old saying goes, “Home is where the heart is.” My desire to give back to my community is rooted by what I’ve received, a sense of “home,” a feeling of belonging, and the comfort of knowing I live in a place that I can be proud of. I hope that everyone in this community can feel the same way, and I will continue to volunteer with them and for them.

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