Name: Michael T. Nardella
Age: 46
Years of residence in Branford: 46 (aside from the time I was in college at the University of Tampa)
Party affiliation: Republican
Position running for: Town Treasurer
Branford Patch: When you’re not sitting in committee and full meetings, what are you doing? i.e. work and fun?
Branford Patch: How many years have you been a sitting member of Branford politics?
Michael T. Nardella: I have been a member of the RTM since first being elected on Nov. 8, 2005 – six years.
Branford Patch: How long have you been actively engaged in politics in general?
Michael T. Nardella: Since volunteering during my high school years in the 80s and then in College.
Branford Patch: What and when was your first foray into politics?
Michael T. Nardella: When I ran for the RTM in 2005.
Branford Patch: What’s your 10-second elevator pitch for getting elected?
Michael T. Nardella: I am running for Treasurer because since the very start of my service on the RTM it was clear to me that monies were being paid outside of the line items appropriated in the annual budget. And as a result, at times, policy was being set or altered as a result of these payments. I would seek to end what has become standard-operating-procedure and make sure that payments are made in conjunction with that which the RTM approved in the annual budget.
Branford Patch: What’s one thing right about Branford politics?
Michael T. Nardella: For the most part, our politics are not “dirty” they are competitive – but that is to be expected.
Branford Patch: What’s one thing you’d like to see changed?
Michael T. Nardella: As stated above, I would like to see the annual budget followed as best as can be and once a town department is outside of their appropriated funds, a transfer request placed before a payment is approved.
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 T. Nardella: Unk – He is a very likable person. Joy – She is very intelligent.
Branford Patch: What has been the most exciting national and local elections you have every voted in?
Michael T. Nardella: The election of Ronald Reagan.
Branford Patch: What’s one piece of advice you would give apathetic voters about the importance of casting his or her ballot?
Michael T. Nardella: Local elections impact you the most – It is where the “rubber meets the road” – The elections, many times, are decided by very few votes – so your vote does count.
Branford Patch: What’s the one thing that you like best about Branford?
Michael T. Nardella: The people.
Branford Patch: Why did you decide to for re-election?
Michael T. Nardella: As mentioned above I have a strong desire to have a more transparent business process in the Treasurer’s office.
Check back tomorrow night to meet candidates for Tax Collector, Joanne P. Cleary-D and Jacey Wyatt-R.
Did you miss the stories on the candidates for selectman’s office? Check out the profiles below:
Candidacy Republican Democrat First Selectman (challenger) Selectman