Meet Hope Kasper: Democratic Common Councilor for Re-Election

Middletown Patch's meet-the-candidates series allows voters to learn a little bit about the men and women running for public office this November. 

Hope Petras Kasper is a Democrat running for re-election on Middletown's Common Council.

I have served the City of Middletown for 22 years working in the Planning and Zoning Department, Building Department and finishing my career with the police as Program Budget Analyst.

A graduate of the city’s public schools, I have raised my two children along with my husband Jack and are now proud grandparents of four grandchildren.

Prior to my service to the City of Middletown, I was an insurance agent working for the Robert B. Brainard Agency and Drummond Agency. After retirement from the City of Middletown, I became a union staff representative for Connecticut Independent Labor Union representing 22 locals including contract negotiation with municipalities.

I am a former member and officer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union. I have served on many Union committees including Employee Assistance Program and Negotiations. I also served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Municipal Employees Building Association.

I also served as the elected employee representative on the Middletown Retirement since 1989 and presently I am the Common Council member.

I have held public office since 2007 serving on the Finance and Government Operations Committee, Retirement Board, Public Safety Commission, Personnel Review Commission as well the Insurance and Claim Commission. I have also co-chaired the budget along with Councilman Grady Faulker to find a balance between city services and taxpayer dollars. I’d like to continue my work in these areas.

I’ve also served on the Middletown Conservation Commission, Treasurer and Community Member of the Valley View Children’s Center and two terms on the Middletown Assessment Board of Appeals.

The experience I bring to table is that prior to my employment with the city of Middletown, I worked as a licensed insurance agent which gives me valuable knowledge in making decisions in the area of insurance for the residents of the city. Being involved with the union and continuing to become a staff representative of 22 locals gives me the training and knowledge in regard to Municipal Employees Relations Act that is valuable in making decisions as a member of the Personnel Review Commission.

I think the most pressing issue for Middletown is to reduce property taxes. To accomplish this, we need sound planning of the riverfront to increase the city’s grand list thereby reducing property taxes.

I love Middletown most for its people, its city and country environments and its population not being too large.

For fun, I enjoy being at the beach, surfing on the waves, walking in the sand and looking for shells occasionally finding a ghost crab along with my four grandchildren. My family travels to the barrier islands on the Outer Banks of North Carolina each summer. 

Helping my grandsons with their exhibits at the Durham Fair is always fun while watching their faces to see if they won a ribbon. Gardening in my vegetable and flower gardens is always fun during the summer months.

Residents can reach me by e-mail, through the city of Middletown website and Facebook.

Other activities:

Assisted Girl Scouts with crafting

Arranged social activities for the teens of St. Coleman’s parish

Stage mother for the Jackie Lynn School of Dance and participant in the dance recitals

Here's how to write your own endorsement letter:

•  Elections 2013: Endorse Your Candidate on Patch

Other Candidate Bios

• Meet Paul Turenne, Democratic Candidate for Planning and Zoning
• Meet Brian Kaskel, Republican Candidate for Board of Education

• Meet Deb Kleckowski: Republican Candidate for Common Council