Berlin Mayor Adam Salina Will Not Run For Re-Election

Berlin Mayor Adam Salina called a meeting this morning at Town Hall with town staff and staff from the Board of Education and the Superintendent. He hen told them that he would not seek his sixth term as Mayor of Berlin. 

"It has been an extremely difficult decision," Salina said. "There have been days when I thought I would run and there have been days when I thought I wouldn't run. When I told the town staff this morning it was hard to even get through the announcement. I wanted to tell them personally because I have a personal relationship with them and it has been wonderful to work with them all this time."

Salina said he thought about not running two years ago but there was too much uncertainty.

"I thought about it because my daughters were getting to the age where I wanted to spend more time with them," said Salina, who has served for 10 years as Berlin Mayor. "I wanted to see the high school project through and now with that financing in place I feel it's on good grounds. We have great leadership in Town Manager Denise McNair. I feel like we are in a good place and it's time for me to take a break."

The Berlin Democratic caucus will be Monday at 7 p.m. in Town council chambers. The party will announce its slate of candidates at that time. 

"I have never assumed that because of myself that we remained the majority party," Salina said. "I think we have a strong slate and I am confident we can keep majority of the Town Council. I would hate to see all the progress we have made be stalled or road blocked by the other party with an agenda. The high school, police department and downtown revitalization projects are well under way. They need to keep moving forward.

"I have had the honor of collaborating with outstanding volunteers who have worked tirelessly on the Town Council, Boards, Commissions and Civic Organizations. Berlin is fortunate to have many gifted individuals who are willing to volunteer their time. I thank them for their service." 

Salina is proud of the progress the town has seen in his 10 years as Mayor. 

"Berlin has accomplished a great deal over the last 10 years," he said. "Over 850 acres of open space have been acquired, investments made to Timberlin Golf Course, construction of Veterans' Park, road and bridge improvements, downtown revitalization and streetscape improvements, school upgrades, investments in education, and yes – we even changed our trash cans.  Berlin is also in the process of train station renovations, which tie in with the construction of a much-needed new police station. 

"The project of which I am most proud is the renovation of Berlin High School.  After many years of discussion and debate, we are finally moving forward with this much-needed project.  When completed, Berlin will boast a state of the art facility, which will meet the needs of our students for years to come.  This project is the culmination of efforts by the Board of Education, Town Staff, educators, parents, and most importantly, the Berlin voters who mandated that this project move forward.  With the recent announcement that all of the construction funding is in place, years of hard work are being rewarded with shovels in the ground and I leave comforted by the knowledge that this vital project is underway and will be completed."

Salina said this is just a break from politics.

"This is me taking a break," he said. "My wife asked me 'can you at least take off the next two years?' I can't see myself sitting on the sidelines for very long. I don't know that I would run for Mayor again or become a part of a commission or a board. There may be other opportunities in the future, you just never know. But for now, I'm taking a break."