With the mayoral election coming up this month, it’s important that citizens of Milford get to know the candidates, one of whom will eventually take over as mayor of the city.
Foran alumni Mrs. Kerri Rowland is the Democratic candidate for the election. Her residency in Milford has brought issues surrounding this town to her attention. She aims to lower taxes by improving the mall’s business, bringing in various customers from all around.
Besides this, she also hopes to improve Milford’s education and to preserve the environment and its coastal life.
Rowland has a background as goalie in ice hockey on a boys team. She also played goalie in field hockey and lacrosse and believes that there are similarities between running for a political position and playing on a competitive team that will make her more experienced and better prepared for the position of mayor.
In 2007, Rowland ran for mayor against Mr. Jim Richetelli. Having this background knowledge and experience allows her to understand what to expect in the race will make a victory more achievable, in her eyes.
Rowland divulges, “I ran for mayor in 2007…I ran because I felt like the voters deserved a choice, I ran very hard, I knocked on many doors and it was exhausting; and I lost. But, for the first time in a very long time, the Aldermen Board were all flipped to majorities of Democrats.”
Despite the benefits of being mayor, Rowland doesn’t run due to exterior motives. Her values are clear as her goal is for Milford to thrive. Her experience allows her to feel grounded as this isn’t her first race.
Rowland has been Registrar of Voters for almost nine years, and served on the Board of Aldermen prior to that, so she has had plenty of exposure to holding political office in Milford.
“That’s what true representative government is, that is what a mayor is supposed to do. A mayor is supposed to listen to the community, listen to the business community, and figure out what the best path is forward,” Rowland expresses.
She values engagement with the community as it brings citizen’s concerns to her attention. Once again, Rowland is taking to the streets of Milford and knocking on doors, hoping to connect with voters and understand the issues that they find important.
Developing a relationship with the people of Milford and youth in general is something that Rowland finds crucial to running a good race and later taking initiative as mayor and giving the people a voice in the way the city is being run.
On the opposing side, the Republican candidate Mr. Tony Giannattasio is a Foran alumni also running for the election.
“I was always interested in politics,” says Giannattasio.
Giannattasio has plenty of experience in city government. Giannattasio served on the Board of Alderman for 16 years. He has helped previous mayors including Ben Blake. Giannattasio is no stranger to the economic and business side of city government. He has been through 10 budget cycles. With his expertise in this topic he desires to coordinate events and occasions to bring more eyes to Milford.
When Giannattasio was a kid he attended Live Oaks kindergarten through eighth grade. Then he attended Foran High School and was the starting quarterback and played baseball.
He was also the vice president of sales. In 2007, Giannattasio ran for office under Richetelli. Giannattasio wants to help businesses succeed and wants more local businesses coming to Milford. Giannattasio wants Milford to be more popular. He wants more business in Milford and is working to attract and maintain businesses. Giannattasio stated “I want Milford to be a walking town”.
He wants to fix up the sidewalks and make new sidewalks. Giannattasio wants to build an outdoor part of the mall. “I want the community to come together,” states Giannattasio.
Giannattasio recognizes that education is the cornerstone of any thriving community. He played a pivotal role in saving Harborside Middle School, ensuring that the city’s youth has access to a quality education. His commitment extends past this specific accomplishment. He envisions future projects that include bringing college education closer and making it more accessible.
As a young adult Giannattasio’s life was not easy, he worked multiple jobs, he also has a family business.
“I was a shy kid, but I had to put myself out there,” Giannattasio says. That is exactly what he did, he worked as a busboy at many restaurants.
Giannattasio states, “Build your résumé not on paper but you.” Giannattasio does not care about the salary at all but he is very passionate.
It is important to engage in this election as it holds importance to Milford’s future. Rowland and Giannattasio have different stances on many topics, but in the end they are both running for mayor and it is up to the people to vote.
