Selectman Vicino Running For State Representative

Selectman Thomas Vicino of Clinton, a Democrat, was nominated by his party as their candidate for the state representative seat for the 35th Assembly.

The 35th Assembly includes Clinton, Killingworth and Westbrook.

Jim Crawford (D), who currently holds the seat, which includes Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.

.

Vicino said he received "great support and backing" to take Crawford's seat at the Democratic convention.

As it stands, Vicino will be running against . Other candidates, such as one from the Green Party, may soon announce their run(s).

Vicino, who is in his second term on the Clinton Board of Selectmen, also served on the town's Planning & Zoning Commission and the Municipal Building Committee. He was on the committees overseeing the turf field and beach building, among others. He has been on the boards of both the Clinton and Westbrook Chambers of Commerce.

"My focus is on the economy and economic development," said Vicino.

He said that the state is beginning to show signs of future growth.

"We have great universities and hospitals - we need to expand and grow other areas such as manufacturing, construction, life sciences, green energy, health information technology, and small businesses," said Vicino.

A small business owner himself, Vicino owns Superior Auto of Westbrook which employs 10 people.

"I've been a small business owner for 28 years," he said. "I know about taxes and how to make payroll."

Vicino would like to focus on the state's tourism appeal and grow this $12 billion a year industry.

He'd also like to help set into motion the new $100 million state jobs bill. He is working now with the Middlesex Revitalization Committee, a group of 15 mayors and selectmen, who aid small business owners by providing low-interest loans.

"I'd like to help our veterans find jobs," said Vicino. "My goal is to get the money flowing from hand to hand and it starts with jobs."

Education reform is another big state topic, said Vicino. He'd like to look at teachers, students and schools and make sure everyone is on the right track, that there are pre-school programs in place for the little ones, and that teachers have the tools they need in their classrooms.

He reminds himself and others when talking about education and its funding that "everyone went to school and someone else paid for it."

There are many other topics Vicino is interested in such as coastal management plans and the regionalization of services among neighboring towns. He is working right now on plans for a regional animal shelter in Clinton.

"There's lots of work to do and I'm ready to work hard as the state representative like I have on the Board of Selectmen," noted Vicino, who said he never missed a vote or a meeting.

Vicino resides in Clinton and has two sons.

He gives a special thanks to Clinton First Selectman Willie Fritz and Selectman Dolly Mezzetti for their continued guidance, direction and support.