Meet the Candidates: Clifford A. Merin for First-Time Position on Board of Assessment Appeals

Name: Clifford A. Merin           

Age: 26

Years of residence in Branford: Less than a year—although my family has been here for a few years.

Party affiliation: GOP

Position running for: Board of Assessment Appeals

Branford Patch: When you’re not sitting in committee and full meetings, what are you doing? i.e. work and fun?
Clifford A. Merin: I work for a commercial litigation firm in New Haven. I am a licensed attorney in New York State and am taking the Connecticut bar in February. For fun you can catch me on the golf course, riding my bike or cooking. I also am huge NBA fan.

Branford Patch: How many years have you been a sitting member of Branford politics?
Clifford A. Merin: I am not a sitting member, although I have been fully engaged and involved with the Branford RTC for less than a year.

Branford Patch: How long have you been actively engaged in politics in general?
Clifford A. Merin: About three years.

Branford Patch: What and when was your first foray into politics?
Clifford A. Merin: I was an executive board member of the New York Law School Republican Club (Graduated in 2010).

Branford Patch: What’s your 10-second elevator pitch for getting elected?
Clifford A. Merin: We need to transfer some of the burden from the individual taxpayer in Branford—we need to market the town to bring in more tax revenue from commercial properties and business entities. Ergo—if this goal can be achieved, it would seem only logical that taxes on homes would not continue to increase at the level we are currently seeing. 

Branford Patch: What’s one thing right about Branford politics?
Clifford A. Merin: Meetings are broadcasted on , so people in Branford can see and hear exactly what had been discussed, which issues were mostly heavily debated and the different viewpoints that were presented. 

Branford Patch: What’s one thing you’d like to see changed?
Clifford A. Merin: Better management of the town budget, particularly less spending.

Branford Patch: Regardless of your party affiliation, can you name one good thing about the current First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos and one good thing about his challenger, Joy McConnell?

Clifford A. Merin: Unk DaRos: He wears great ties. Joy McConnell: She wears great scarves—and, she thinks pragmatically and logically about how to better run the Town of Branford. She believes in spending less than is taken in and believes that Town Hall is a place for transparency. 

Branford Patch: What has been the most exciting national election you have every voted in? Local?
Clifford A. Merin: National and local: 2008.

Branford Patch: What’s one piece of advice you would give apathetic voters about the importance of casting his or her ballot?
Clifford A. Merin: On a local level, it is generally easier for one’s voice to be heard—and to have it make a real difference—versus than on a national level.

Branford Patch: Why did you decide to run in this election? 
Clifford A. Merin: I love this town and I want to see better managed and grow--and I want to be a part of that process.

Meet RTM First District candidates Margaret Bruno-D and Frank Twohill Jr.,-R tomorrow (First District candidate Jacey Wyatt was already profiled and Dorothy G. Maynard-D for First District did not fill out her Q&A.)

Did you miss the stories on the candidates for selectman’s office? Check out the profiles below: