Candidate Profile: Adam Puccino, Groton Town Council

GROTON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Groton and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Groton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Groton resident X tells Patch why he should be elected to the Groton Town Council.

How old will you be as of Election Day?

58

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.grotondems.org

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

At-large

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democratic

Education.

HS to Armed forces

What is your occupation?

Home Improvement Contractor.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I am married to my bride of 37 years Melissa, we have 3 adult (married) children and 4 Grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes, I've been appointed and elected to the Groton RTM and I'm currently serving on the RTM.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I've got 25 years serving in the Armed Forces, (13 navy, 3 CTNG, 9 Coast Guard), another 8.5 year supporting the war fighter while working on the subase.

In the last 6 years I've been appointed and elected to the RTM, serving once again.
This time to the town of Groton my adopted home since 1994.

And if elected to the Town Council, it would be a continued dedication to service.
I feel being involved in your local government is the best way to insure that the goings on, on the national stage stay on the national stage.

We know our town we know what it needs and has enough of. Knowing this and applying it to the town budget, is how we keep our mil-rate as one of the lowest in SE Connecticut.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Infrastructure, and it's maintenance.

It's the basis that we build our community on.

I intend to identify the issues that our public works department needs support in, and champion those causes.

Clean running water, well maintained roads, well maintained electrical poles and lines, a functioning uncloged storm drain system. These things don't just happen we need to make sure they continue to happen as smoothly as humanly possible.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring a military understanding to matters that will effect our active and retired service members.
I was the MTC Chief Union Steward, at the Subase and that roll, thought me the value of the EVERYMAN ARCHETYPE.

It bodies, the average person focusing on reliability, humility, humanity, and community,
while maintaining uniqueness.

I intend to simplify the overly complicated issues, with a little decorum and common sense.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Decorum, Decorum, Decorum.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Union contract negotiations!

Where nobody gets all they want, but all get what they need.

If both parties in a contract signing, can walk away from the table not feeling taken advantaged of, it's a good day for both sides.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

A crusty old Seabee Master Chief (E-9) told me "Keep your mouth shut and listen, it's the best free education you can get."

He also, (on the occasion, when I was apologizing for calling him Chief E-7)

Said to me "Don't get wrapped up on titles kid, there not a measure of a man"

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Some people tend to think helping others is weak, or wasteful, and that they should or shouldn't have done something differently in their life.

I feel that helping folks get out from under, so they can be a more functional part of our community is a just cause.

Because, We all do better, when We all do better.