Meet the Democrat: Louis A. Angelillo Jr.

"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 look at the Planning and Zoning Commission candidates. Be sure to look back at the Town Council, Board of Finance and Board of Education profiles featured during the past three weeks and stay informed.

Name: Louis A. Angelillo, Jr.
Age: 49
Party, Position Seeking: Democrat, Southington Planning & Zoning Commission

Family information:  I am proud of my family name and heritage and the fact that my great grandparents were one of the first families to settle here in the Town of Southington.  I have three grown children, Louis, Matthew and Emily Angelillo, all of whom I am also very proud of.  I recently got engaged to my fiancé, Deb Casale, and am looking forward to being a stepdad to her son, Anthony.

Occupation: I have 27 years of experience in four-slide production and am currently employed by Colonial Spring.

Political Experience: I am new to the political arena.

Other Experience: I am a six year veteran of the United States Marine Corps wherein I earned an honorable discharge and many awards, including medals for good conduct and navy achievement as well as a naval citation (Battle E). 

I have always been very involved with and committed to the community. I was very much involved in youth sports while my children were growing up and I have 20 years of experience coaching football, lacrosse and baseball and also spent several years refereeing football and lacrosse. 

I am an active member of several local clubs and organizations, including the Sons of Italy Club, where I have been a member for 30 years. I am currently the chairman of the board as well as chairman of the New Applicants Committee and a member of the Scholarship Committee; the Polish Falcon’s Nest #307; the Southington Elks Lodge #1669, where I am currently on the Veteran’s Appreciation Committee; and the American Legion Post #72, where I am also a member of the Legion Color Guard, the Sons of Legion and the Marine Corps League.

I also participate annually in community events such as the Polar Plunge and Relay for Life, where I have clocked over 185 miles in the last three years.

Why did you run for office?
I have a strong desire to broaden my involvement in the community and to use my best efforts to serve the people of Southington.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
As a Planning & Zoning Commissioner, I would be dedicated to developing the beautification of the Town of Southington and to helping the economic growth of the town while helping to manage the town’s development in an efficient and fair manner.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Southington today?
I feel that we need to take a look at the types of businesses that are prevalent in our Town vs. the types of businesses that are needed here and to address the issue of why small businesses are struggling to stay here. 

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
I have leadership skills and a lot of discipline from the Marine Corps that I could bring to the community, as well as interpersonal skills developed over the years while coaching, refereeing and actively serving on many club boards and committees. I also received certificates from CCSU Institute for Industrial and Engineering Technology for Statistical Process Control, Total Quality Control and Dimensioning and Tolerance, which I feel could be helpful if elected.