A long-time Democratic Party activist, Terry Parker, is taking aim at capturing one of two open City Council seats in this fall’s municipal election.
“From the time I was in high school, I’ve wanted to serve the city,” said the 53-year-old file room manager for the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Both of the 3rd District’s incumbents, Democrats Frank Nicastro and Craig Minor, have said they won’t seek another term. That leaves the race wide open for the first time in years.
One other Democrat is in the race already, 29-year-old lawyer Kate Matthews. The Republicans have one contender as well, Derek Czenczelewski, a political newcomer.
But other candidates are expected to enter the contest before the July 27 nominating conventions for both parties, perhaps setting up primary fights for the part-time, $10,000-a-year jobs.
Parker sia the economy is clearly the biggest issue facing the district.
He said that more needs to be done to figure out how to take advantage of the soon-to-be-completed Route 72 extension, to use it to help downtown and to bring growth along its length.
That’s something, Parker said, the city should do in party by soliciting ideas from residents.
“I’m going to be the guy who says, ‘OK, what does everybody else think?’” Park said, rather than trying to impose his own policies.
Parker said the city should hold more public hearings so that it can actively solicit suggestions from residents.
Parker said he thinks that Mayor Art Ward “has done a very fine job of trying to direct this community in a very tough time” and he plans to help the mayor succeed.
He said that residents do have to understand the city can’t do everything, particularly in hard times.
“We’re not Santa Claus,” Parker said.
Parker said he would like to see more happening in Forestville’s center. “It’s silly not to see what we can do to make that a more viable area,” he said.
He said he’s ready to go along with both of the new schools sought by the Board of Education, especially the one proposed for the former Crowley site on Pine Street.
Parker graduated from Bristol Central High School in 1974 and earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy and government from Eastern Connecticut State University.
He has worked for the state government for 26 years, half of them at the DEP, where he in charge of the department’s records.
Married to the former Susie Pierce of Bristol for 25 years, they have one daughter, Amanda, who is a student at Boston University.
Parker has been a Democratic Town Committee member for 31 years and has played a role in many political campaigns beginning with former state Sen. Steve Casey’s 1978 run.
Parker has talked about running for office on occasion, but has only run once, in an unsuccessful Board of Education bid in 1991’s chaotic race to serve on the first elected school board.
The 3rd District spans the southern third of Bristol. It is one of three council districts in town, each with two representatives. They serve two-year terms. The election is Nov. 3.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
28 comments:
God help us.
Twice
God help us....ditto
Terry has been active for many years for many activities, politics and community-wise, for many years and has earned the opportunity to seek elective office - either support his efforts or have someone else of Terry's calibre step forward - probably not going to happen.
State employee, wife works for city.
Does it get any better than that?
ANOTHER UNION MAN TRYING TO RUIN WHATS LEFT TO BRISTOL. LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC WE NEED EDUCATED POLITIANS. NOT MORE OF THE SAME. KEN C NEEDS REAL HELP NOT MORE UNION BOYS.
KEN C HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE BIG RUN FOR MAYOR AND THIS IS THE ONLY CHANCE TO SAVE BRISTOL.BELEIVE ME HES GOT THE BACKING. DO IT KEN
Lets get the public to give us input. That way when we raise the taxes it will look like we are doing what we want.
Just another union hack for the Dem. ticket.
7:43: Sorry sweetie, but we need grownups, not overgrown children running the show.
I do not want to see Parker as a councilman: but I do not live in that district.
Those that do should make sure that there is legitimate competition, especially the Republicans.
Otherwise, don't complain.
7:40 & 7:43 (which is probably the same person)
IN THE WORLD OF THE INTERNET, WHEN YOU TYPE IN ALL CAPS THAT MEANS YOU ARE YELLING AT PEOPLE!!!!!!!!
Looks like Ward is lining up all his YES men!
Ward was a state employee, his wife works for the city, his kid works for the city ---does it get any better then this?
calm down 7:40, you are going to burst a blood vessel - I wonder what your reaction would be to something important?
WHEN YOU WRITE IN ALL CAPS YOUR MAKING A POINT YES ANOTHER UNION BOY RUNNING FOR OFFICE. PETOSA IS TRYING TO SDAVE HIS JOB.
Bristol has big problems with this union Time to rebel.
No wonder the union wont help us they all proteck them selves by getting into office .
Terry is actually a bright person. The problem he has is that too many ignorant people can't get past his slight speech impetiment.
Terry cares dearly for this City and has some great ideas. If he were in my district I would give him my vote.
I don't believe Parker is a very bright person nor an attractive candidate. He conveys a distasteful persona. What would be really interesting is to hear what the Filing Manager's subordinates (the drawers and folders in the filing cabinets) have to say about him.
What this really reflects is the lack of credible citizens that actually care to throw their hats in the ring of local politics, or even serve at all. It's sad at almost all levels really, but at this time and this level it's embarassing and a shame.
@ Concerned Conservative
I don't know if I'd say that there's no "credible citizens" willing to throw their hat in the ring. Just look at Parker's opponent, Katie Matthews. She's an attorney at a well-regarded firm in Hartford, and seems like quite an intelligent woman.
It'd be great if more people would get involved, but I don't think it necessarily means that the people already involved aren't "credible."
concerned conservative, if you have all of the negative opinions, how about getting your dead ass off your lofty perch and contribute something yourself or are you above being a part of the solution rather than a negative ass.
Too educated? try some common sense and concern for your city or kiss-off.
Terry Parker is a good man. He is thoughtful and intelligent. He has an unfortunate speech impediment, but if you listen carefully, you know that he has some good ideas and loves this city. It is reprehensible to criticize this man for his speech difficulties when he is STRIVING to overcome them because he wants to make a difference in this town. Is it easy for him? Probably not. Does he know that people assume he's unintelligent because he has a lazy tongue? Probably. Does he put himself out there anyway? Yes. Does he have the best interests of this city in his heart? Absolutely.
I doubt his detractors have the grit and determination to challenge themselves, the courage of their convictions, or the strength to hear the cruel words of others and still persevere.
So, go ahead and snicker, CC and others like you. Would you have the guts to do the same if you had to walk in his shoes? I doubt it.
Frankly, you sicken me. Why don't you go kick a puppy dog or knock down an old guy with a cane while you're on a roll.
If you must criticize, make your relevant comments about his credentials and his ideas.
That being said, I frankly doubt that I will vote for Mr. Parker. My concern is that he is a yes man, and will just rubber stamp the mayor's agenda.
We haven't heard much from the other candidates in that district, but what we can say about them is that they appear to be bright young people with an active interest in our community, and that neither of them is employed by the city, nor is married to a city employee. I think this sets them up to be more independent-minded from the get go.
Good luck to all of the candidates seeking election (and reelection) this November.
"He conveys a distasteful persona."
Boy, there's the pot calling the kettle black!!!
Nobody on here is making fun of Terry's talking, what are you talking about?
Where is Al Myers when we need him?
Too bad the nmayor did not follow up on the suggestion to solicit ideas from the public on ways to cut costs.
Maybe this mess could have been avoided.
最近仕事ばかりで毎日退屈してます。そろそろ恋人欲しいです☆もう夏だし海とか行きたいな♪ k.c.0720@docomo.ne.jp 連絡待ってるよ☆
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