Town Council
Our Candidates
Gail Budrejko
Gail was born and raised here in Newington. She is an advocate for preservation of open space. She was instrumental in efforts to protect Cedar Mountain and Mill Pond Park from development and in resuscitating the Land Acquisition Ordinance. Gail favors development that is mindful of both Newington’s vision and our capacity to accommodate growth. Gail has been a voice for Newington’s historical assets, particularly concerning development plans around Newington Junction.
Significant Community Service:
⭐️Town Council Liaison to Planning and Zoning, Conservation and Wetlands, Open Space, Economic Development and Environmental Quality Commissions
⭐️Active member of Annunciation Parish/St. Mary’s, Newington
⭐️Board of Directors Member, Intensive Education Academy, West Hartford
Professional Experiences:
Aetna; US Peace Corps; Catholic Relief Services (international); US Department of Commerce; Tabor House Residence for homeless men with AIDS; Sisters of St. Joseph Residential Care Community.
Dave Nagel
Dave has been a Newington resident for 40 years and has been married to his wife Jerilyn for 40 years as well. Dave received his Bachelor’s Degree English and Education from the University of Connecticut and his Master’s Degree English and Education from Central Connecticut State University!
Some Notable Accomplishments:
👉 Retired High School English Teacher
👉 Former High School and community Theater Director
👉 President and board member of 2 community theaters and The Connecticut Drama Association
👉 Member and Past President of the Newington Historical Society and Museum
👉 Former board member of Newington Lucy Robbins Welles Library
👉 Member of Newington Town Council 7 terms
👉 Former Minority Leader and Deputy Mayor of Newington Town Council
👉 Member of Newington Community Television (NCTV) including producing programs
👉 Recipient of the Connecticut Drama Association Lifetime Achievement Award
👉 Served on 18 different Newington town committees including Capital Region Council of Government
Michael Camillo
Michael runs his family owned business in Newington and has been a staple here since 1963.
Having volunteered on numerous town committees, such as, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Quality Commission, Secretary Vice Chairman and Chairman of TPZ, Mike is devoted to our town and has dedicated his life to making it a better place to work and live.
With decades of experience in town government, Michael is uniquely skilled to serve the residents of Newington and is excited to be running for re-election in November.
Tim Manke
Tim Manke is a proud father, husband, and grandfather and has lived in Newington all his life. He attended Newington schools and graduated from Newington High School. After high school he attended and graduated from the University of Connecticut. Tim has two children, Beth and Chris, who both live in Newington and three step children with a total of 10 grandchildren!
Tim has Served four terms on the Newington Town Council. Held the position of both Majority Leader and Minority Leader.
Accomplishments:
⭐️ Scoutmaster of Troop 347 since 1978 and an Eagle Scout.
⭐️ Long serving member of CERT (citizens emergency response team)
⭐️Member of the Newington Memorial Day Parade Committee
⭐️Volunteer with Human Services
⭐️Active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church serving as past President and currently on the church council.
⭐️Received Town of Newington Volunteer of the year award and the Service to Youth award
⭐️Has served on the Human Rights, Conservation and Wetlands Commission. Also a member of the Youth Adult Council.
⭐️Was active in Martin Kellogg Middle School drama club and built sets for a number of years
⭐️Active member of the Waterfall Committee
⭐️Part of the Save Mill Pond Park movement
⭐️Worked for the University of Connecticut Health Center for 36 years and now retired
⭐️Hobbies include reading US History, gardening, and refinishing furniture
John Donahue
.John has been a resident of Newington for 40 years and has been married to his lovely wife Linda for 38 years.
They have 2 Children - William and Gavin, both of whom are Eagle Scouts.
William is a Graduate of Newington High School, has his BS in Physics from UCONN and his PhD from LSU. He is Working at Memorial Sloan Kittering Hospital, in New York, as a Medical Physicist.
Gavin Graduated from Newington High School and has his BS in urban planning from UCONN. Gavin is currently working at Millstone 3 as an armed security guard.
Some Notable Accomplishments:
⭐️Served on the Town Ethics Committee
⭐️Currently the Chairman of the Mill Pond Pool Committee
⭐️Employed as a Certified Level 2 Information Technology (IT) Architect with kyndryl (a spinoff of IBM)
⭐️Member of the Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League (CCDL). Connecticut’s largest grassroots 2nd amendment group. Fight for you rights.
⭐️St. Mary School PTO President and ran the Church BINGO as Member in Charge for 8 years
⭐️Boy Scouts of America Cub Master Pack 345, Communications Chair, Summer Camp Chair, and Quartermaster Chair Troop 347
⭐️Martin Kellogg Theater -Worked with Sandy Pilz on many of the productions at MKMS as set builder and crew.
⭐️Newington Community Television (NCTV) - Current, President and have served in many other positions.
⭐️Newington High School Marching Band – President of Band Booster for 4 year, parents committee
⭐️UCONN Marching Band – Parents committee
Our Goals
1
Control taxes with your household in mind.
2
Support development that addresses Newington's needs and our plan of conservation and development.
3
Provide public safety with resources needed to keep our community safe.
4
Address Newington's most pressing infrastructure needs.
5
Work with Board of Education to achieve our unified goals.
6
Strongly support our seniors and veterans.