Meet the Democrat: Anthony Casale

"Meet the Candidates" is a feature on Southington Patch designed to help you get to know your local candidates before you take to the polls this November. Each profile was submitted directly by the candidate.

Take a moment to review each profile so you can be informed and prepared when you go to the polls on Nov. 8.

This week, we begin looking at the Board of Finance candidates. Be sure to look back at the Town Council, which we featured last week, and stay informed.

Name: Anthony (Tony) Casale
Age: 47
Party, Position Seeking: Democrat, Southington Board of Finance

Family information: My family dates back over 100 years in Southington. My great grandparents lived on Water Street where they had a storefront and would sell items they grew in their yard. My grandfather, former Assistant Fire Chief Francis G. Casale, was so committed to this town that he ultimately gave his life in the line of duty 30 years ago this Nov. 22. My parents raised us here, and most of us still live within a mile of each other. I am married to my wonderful wife Karen and have three children and a grandchild.

Occupation: I am an HVAC/R Tech for the Southington School System and a Plant Technician for Universal Building Controls.

Political Experience: My political experience is of my own building through trials and tribulations of the Stonegate road sewer saga, I have learned many things about how town government works and I am eager to work from the inside.

Other Experience: I have spent the better part of the last 20 years working as a Maintenance Supervisor in various hospitals and nursing homes in the area, so I have had to deal with budgets and capital expenses and other financial items.

Why did you run for office?
I am running for office because I want to be a part of the team that gets this town back to where it should be in regards to transparent government; no more by passing boards and co-committees no more back room deals that the public has no say in.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
The primary focus of the Board of Finance should be to insure that fiscal responsibility for today and the future is in place. We here in Southington have a very diverse tax base and must consider how spending and taxes affect each citizen, not just now but 10 and 20 years from now.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?
The biggest issue facing Southington today, maintaining that fine line between what we have to spend and what we need to provide. It is going to be a difficult budget process next year, but I believe Team Southington is up to the challenge.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
I have found that I can speak publicly and get my point across. I am very much into researching things to the ‘nth degree and I do not stop until I know the answers.

Anything else you would like to share?
I would just like to add that I believe Southington is a wonderful town, a town that affords its citizens many community and cultural experiences. It would be an honor to serve the town and look forward to the upcoming election with great anticipation.