Three months ago I submitted my name for consideration as a Republican Candidate for Mayor in this year’s municipal election. When I announced my intentions, the response I received from my fellow Republicans ranged from tepid to extremely enthusiastic. Nevertheless, I committed myself to bringing a positive message to the voters of Waterbury.
On May 19th, I was informed by Waterbury Republican Town Committee Chairman Bill Harris of the Mayor’s impending switch to the Republican Party. At that meeting I was asked to end my campaign for the mayor’s office and join my fellow Republicans in supporting Mayor Jarjura.
In politics, I have learned that one must be willing to put the best interests of the city and of the party before personal ambitions.
For this reason, I have consented to the request of the Town Committee, and am ending my current campaign for mayor. I step aside confident in the knowledge that I have given this campaign everything I could, and that the citizens of Waterbury have benefited from my involvement in the political process.
Throughout my adult life, my dedication to the City of Waterbury has been constant, and even though I am drawing my current political endeavor to a close, that dedication will not waver. I will continue to serve the community as best I can.
I have spent many years serving the citizens of Waterbury on a volunteer basis, as a member of Main Street Waterbury, as a member of the Knights of Columbus Sheridan Council #24, and through my service on several city boards and commissions, including the Environmental Control Commission, the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Truancy and Drop-Out Prevention, the 2010 Charter Revision Commission, and currently as a member of the Human Rights Commission.
Presently, I have been deep in thought about what today’s developments mean for my future in politics. At this time I am still consulting with my family and friends regarding my plans for this November. However, any decision about my political future will not dampen my desire to serve the city and citizens of Waterbury.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Stepping Down
With Mayor Jarjura's decision to switch his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican today, there has been a massive shift in the political landscape as we close in on the November 8 election. Below is a copy of my prepared remarks at this morning's press conference:
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Getting Sworn In
As I mentioned yesterday, I was sworn in as a member of the Human Rights Commission this afternoon.
The oath of office was administered by Deputy City Clerk Liz Ferrer, who is on the right of the attached picture. (Picture courtesy of Debi Schatzle-Baker)
I am looking forward to my first meeting as a Commission member tonight at 6:30 in the Mayor's Conference Room.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Human Rights Commission
This afternoon I was honored to receive a letter from the Mayor’s office appointing me to the Human Rights Commission, effective immediately. I will be sworn in to the Commission on Wednesday, March 2 at 1:30 PM in the City Clerk’s office.
As most of you know I have spent the past six years working for the best interests of the city. Between my work on the Environmental Control Commission, the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Truancy and Drop-Out Prevention, and the Charter Revision Commission of 2010, I have had a chance to work with many different areas of city government. Each project and commission that I have worked on has brought with it new challenges and new opportunities to learn. I know that my time on the Human Rights Commission will be no different.
I look forward to serving the citizens of Waterbury in this new capacity.
As most of you know I have spent the past six years working for the best interests of the city. Between my work on the Environmental Control Commission, the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Truancy and Drop-Out Prevention, and the Charter Revision Commission of 2010, I have had a chance to work with many different areas of city government. Each project and commission that I have worked on has brought with it new challenges and new opportunities to learn. I know that my time on the Human Rights Commission will be no different.
I look forward to serving the citizens of Waterbury in this new capacity.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Setting Up For The Campaign
Since I filed the paperwork forming my exploratory committee last friday, I've been keeping myself busy getting the word out that I am in the race.
So far I've set up my own webpage, my own Facebook page, and my own Twitter feed. Take your pick and follow along as the campaign gets rolling.
Website
Facebook
Twitter
So far I've set up my own webpage, my own Facebook page, and my own Twitter feed. Take your pick and follow along as the campaign gets rolling.
Website
Friday, February 25, 2011
Throwing My Hat Into The Ring
The 2011 election cycle promises to be one of the most interesting campaigns the city of Waterbury has seen in a long time. With 3 Democratic candidates already having declared their intentions to run for Mayor, there is sure to be an intense fight for the Democratic nomination.
When you add the Republican and Independent parties to the mix, there is a strong chance that the November election will be a four person contest, with the Democratic endorsed candidate on Row A, a Republican on Row B, an Independent candidate on Row C, and possibly a Petitioning Candidate on Row D. When a Mayoral field gets this crowded, anything can happen.
Some people look at this situation and assume that the Republican and Independent candidates will have little to no chance of accomplishing anything meaningful. I look at the political landscape, and I see a tremendous opportunity. I see an opportunity for the Republican Party in Waterbury to pick itself up off the mat and take a bold step into the future. I see an opportunity for the Republican Party to usher in a new era of leadership with new voices bringing Waterbury to the 21st century.
For us to capitalize on this opportunity, however, someone needs to be willing to step forward and brave the rough and tumble world of Waterbury politics. For this reason I have decided to form an exploratory committee to seek the Republican nomination for Mayor in the 2011 election.
I feel that I have the experience to be a formidable candidate in the upcoming campaign. While other candidates are talking about helping downtown, I’ve actually been working at it, having been a member of the Main Street Waterbury Design Committee for over five years. For over four years I served as a member of the Environmental Control Commission, discussing various ideas for improving the environmental health of the City. My years as a teacher at Wilby High School and Waterbury Adult Education have also shown how important our students’ education is to the future of Waterbury. Finally, as a member of the Charter Revision Commission in 2010, I’ve shown that I am willing to stand for what is in the best interests of the citizens of Waterbury and the city as a whole.
I have also been involved in many apolitical aspects of the community, having been a dues-paying member of the East Mountain Neighborhood Association since 2002, a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Church Choir since 2005, and a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Sheridan Council #24 since 2010.
When you consider my years of political experience and community service, I feel that I can make an impact in the future of Waterbury politics. I hope that you will feel the same way, and join me on the campaign trail this year. Together we can continue working for the betterment of our city.
When you add the Republican and Independent parties to the mix, there is a strong chance that the November election will be a four person contest, with the Democratic endorsed candidate on Row A, a Republican on Row B, an Independent candidate on Row C, and possibly a Petitioning Candidate on Row D. When a Mayoral field gets this crowded, anything can happen.
Some people look at this situation and assume that the Republican and Independent candidates will have little to no chance of accomplishing anything meaningful. I look at the political landscape, and I see a tremendous opportunity. I see an opportunity for the Republican Party in Waterbury to pick itself up off the mat and take a bold step into the future. I see an opportunity for the Republican Party to usher in a new era of leadership with new voices bringing Waterbury to the 21st century.
For us to capitalize on this opportunity, however, someone needs to be willing to step forward and brave the rough and tumble world of Waterbury politics. For this reason I have decided to form an exploratory committee to seek the Republican nomination for Mayor in the 2011 election.
I feel that I have the experience to be a formidable candidate in the upcoming campaign. While other candidates are talking about helping downtown, I’ve actually been working at it, having been a member of the Main Street Waterbury Design Committee for over five years. For over four years I served as a member of the Environmental Control Commission, discussing various ideas for improving the environmental health of the City. My years as a teacher at Wilby High School and Waterbury Adult Education have also shown how important our students’ education is to the future of Waterbury. Finally, as a member of the Charter Revision Commission in 2010, I’ve shown that I am willing to stand for what is in the best interests of the citizens of Waterbury and the city as a whole.
I have also been involved in many apolitical aspects of the community, having been a dues-paying member of the East Mountain Neighborhood Association since 2002, a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Church Choir since 2005, and a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Sheridan Council #24 since 2010.
When you consider my years of political experience and community service, I feel that I can make an impact in the future of Waterbury politics. I hope that you will feel the same way, and join me on the campaign trail this year. Together we can continue working for the betterment of our city.
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