Meet the Candidates: Michael Leone for Fourth District RTM

Name: Michael Leone

Age: 32

Years of residence in Branford: 5

Party affiliation: Democrat

Position running for: RTM

Branford Patch: When you’re not sitting in committee and full meetings, what are you doing? i.e. work and fun?

Michael Leone: Work: I am an attorney at the law Firm of Susman, Duffy and Segaloff in New Haven Connecticut. Fun: In my free time I enjoy watching Football and Baseball. I also like to cook.

Branford Patch: How many years have you been a sitting member of Branford politics?
Michael Leone: I have been a member of the Branford DTC for approximately four years.

Branford Patch: How long have you been actively engaged in politics in general?
Michael Leone: I first became actively engaged in politics when I joined the Branford DTC approximately four years ago.

Branford Patch: What and when was your first foray into politics?
Michael Leone: My first actual foray into politics came when I joined the Branford DTC approximately four years ago. However my first real foray into politics came when I was elected captain of my college football team.

Branford Patch: What’s your 10-second elevator pitch for getting elected?
Michael Leone: I am running to infuse new ideas into the RTM as this is my first time seeking a spot on the RTM. I am a local attorney who moved to Branford five years ago with my wife and we live in Branford Hills. I attended Trinity College where I was the captain of the football team.  I volunteer my time mediating tax cases as a special master for the J.D. of New Haven Civil Court. I believe my experiences as a husband, athlete, attorney, and mediator will help bring both new ideas and leadership to the RTM.

Branford Patch: What’s one thing right about Branford politics?
Michael Leone: What’s right about Branford is the active interest and pride that so many people take in keeping Branford one of the preeminent towns in the state.  

Branford Patch: What’s one thing you’d like to see changed?
Michael Leone: I would like to see the discussion of town matters in Branford changed to focus on the specific matters being discussed. This will allow each mater to be analyzed on an individual basis before being addressed as a whole.

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?
Michael Leone: Unk DaRos has done an excellent job guiding Branford though an extremely difficult economic time, while at the same time improving the quality of town services.

While I have never meet Joy McConnell, I feel her idea to use volunteers for a “kids’ room” during public meetings is extremely interesting as I love ideas which help young families become more involved in town matters.

Branford Patch: What has been the most exciting national election you have every voted in? Local?
Michael Leone: The most exciting national election for me was the Bush/Gore election. I had a sense going in that the election was going to be close but I had no idea how close it would end up being.

The most exciting local election was Unk DaRos campaign for his fourth term as First Selectman when he decided to return to office after a four year hiatus. For me it was exciting because it was my first being actively involved with a campaign and everything was new to me.

Branford Patch: What’s one piece of advice you would give apathetic voters about the importance of casting his or her ballot?
Michael Leone: It sounds obvious but you have to remember your vote helps to shape the opinions of those in office. In short, your vote sends a message to those running, as does your failure to vote. What message do you want to send?

Branford Patch: What’s the one thing that you like best about Branford?
Michael Leone: What I like most about Branford is the pride people take in this town. I have lived in other communities, and it is refreshing to see the active interest the people of Branford take in their community.

Branford Patch: Why did you decide to run in this election?

Michael Leone: I decided to run because Sandra Reiners, a strong supporter and advocated for the fourth district, decided to step down to pursue other interests after a long tenure of service to the town. With this opening on the slate, I thought it would be a good time for me to step in and infuse new ideas and leadership to the RTM.

Meet Fifth District candidates Raymond J. Ingraham-R and Bill Severino-R tomorrow. Fifth District candidate Beth Bryan-Almeida-R did not fill out Q&A survey. 

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