Theriault For Mayor?

Tonight I was at the regular meeting of the Waterbury Board of Aldermen, where I try and take the time to listen to the public speaking. I find this gives me an insight into what issues the citizens of Waterbury find important. It also allows me to keep tabs on what the other political parties are bringing up as "hot button" issues for the municipal election in November. Tonight, however, the public speaking portion of the Board of Aldermen meeting was unique.

The first speaker of the evening was Nick Coscia. Nick has made it a point in retirement to bring Waterbury politics to the citizens. He is a common sight at the Board of Aldermen meetings, has a regular show on the public access station, and is rarely seen without his video camera. Though I may not always agree with him, I respect his dedication to the city of Waterbury.

When Mr. Coscia got up to speak tonight he decided to open the meeting up with a bang. He commented that "the bases (were) loaded" tonight as all 3 mayoral candidates were in attendance. The 3 candidates were Mayor Jarjura, Alderman Vance, and Board of Education Commissioner John Theriault. As you know Alderman Vance is challenging Mayor Jarjura for the Democratic nomination, and Mayor Jarjura has been cross endorsed by the Republicans.

Mr. Coscia's comment caught several people in the room off guard, including Independent Alderman Frank Burgio who seemed (from where I was standing) to try and correct Mr. Coscia by telling him that there were only 2 candidates. At this point, however, Mr. Coscia reasserted his claim that there were 3 candidates, and again listed Mayor Jarjura, Alderman Vance, and Commissioner Theriault.

While I have no way of confirming Mr. Coscia's claim, there are two very interesting things to consider, which seem to support tonight's announcement. First, I had noticed Commissioner Theriault sitting in the back of the room at tonight's meeting. I found it unusual, because usually the Commissioner is busy with Board of Education meetings on Monday nights. Secondly, the Commissioner made no effort to correct Mr. Coscia's statement, and actually left shortly after the announcement was made.

We will have to wait and see if Mr. Coscia's statement tonight was correct or not, but for now it adds an interesting angle to what has already become a municipal race like no other.

The Campaign Gets Started

Now that the conventions are done, and everyone knows who is running for what on which ticket, the job of campaigning begins in earnest. Now it is time for us candidates to go out door knocking, shaking hands, meeting and listening to the citizens of Waterbury, and doing all we can to prove that we are the best people for the positions we are seeking. I hope to be able to show all of Waterbury that I will serve them well on the Board of Aldermen.

To get my message out, I have also started a Twitter account, and my own Facebook group.

For right now, I am heading back out to the Ponte Fest. Hopefully I'll see you there!

Why Am I Doing This?

In three months the citizens of Waterbury will be going to the polls to chose who will lead their City for the next two years. As you should be aware, my name will be on the Republican line this year, as I seek election to the Board of Aldermen. Often, when my friends and family hear about my decision to seek elected office, the number one question I am asked is why? Why am I taking on such a monumental task?

I know that I am taking an amazing chance by running for Board of Aldermen. I know that there is a chance that I could spend the next three months door knocking, working the crownd at events, hosting TV shows, poll standing...everything I can to get elected, only to find myself on the outside looking in on November 4. Despite these risks I am grateful for the opportunity to run, and am excited to get the campaign started.

So why run?

I am running because I feel that I can further help the City of Waterbury if I am fortunate enough to be elected to the Board of Aldermen. I want to see my hometown rise from the grip of the naysayers and doomsday prophets who feel that Waterbury’s best days are behind us. I want to be able to help silence all the critics who see a conspiracy behind every plan, impossibility behind every proposal.

The city of Waterbury is our city, and it will be as great as we make it. There are those who will do nothing but complain, those who will never present a viable proposal for the city, and those who will object to a plan without feeling the need to find an alternative solution. Those are the people that we must silence, the people that we must prove wrong with everything we say and do.

That is why I am before you tonight, to make the City of Waterbury, my hometown, as wonderful a city as possible. I want everyone to see in Waterbury what I have always seen, and I will work as hard as I can to realize that dream.

Hopefully you will share my vision and support me in November. I look forward to hearing from you.