Star-Studded Event Revives Tradition

Milford, CT – June 18, 2009 - Democratic Town Chairman Richard Smith wasn't sure how long it had been since the Milford Democrats last held an awards dinner. He did remember, though, that he had won Young Democrat of the Year. The crowd laughed. "I don't know why that's funny," he said into the microphone, smiling.
	(l-r) Vito Casignoli, Richard Smith, Robert Berchem, and Michael Smith

The event at Aldario's marked a return to tradition for Milford's Democratic Party, and the well-attended dinner drew its share of powerful Democrats. State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo made an appearance, and former Speaker of the House, Milford resident, and gubernatorial candidate Jim Amann was the master of ceremonies for the night. Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and Mark Ojakian, Deputy Comptroller of the State of Connecticut (representing Nancy Wyman) were also in attendance.

State Representatives Paul Davis, Richard Roy, and Barbara Lambert were joined by State Senator Gayle Slossberg to present official citations to the award winners. Democratic Mayoral candidate Genevieve Salvatore was also in attendance and received a warm reception. Music was provided by Alderman Bob Nunno, bandleader at West Shore Middle School, and his brother, bassist Mike Nunno.

Michael Smith, a local party activist who recently battled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, was honored as the Young Democrat of the Year. Michael, diagnosed one year ago, is now cancer-free and planning to bike almost 300 miles to raise money for cancer research.

"Although we're calling it the Young Democrat award," Rich Smith said from the podium, "we had it engraved as a ‘Profile in Courage' award, because that's really what it is."

Vito Castignoli, longtime treasurer to Milford Democratic campaigns, was honored with a Lifetime Contribution Award. A tireless volunteer who never sought recognition for his work, it seemed an appropriate honor.

"The reward for a job well done is that you get to keep doing it." Castignoli said. "I hope I get to keep doing it for another twenty-seven years."

Finally, Attorney Robert Berchem was honored as the Democrat of the Year. Calling him a "Democrat's Democrat," Sen. Slossberg helped present the award. "If you're a Milford Democrat, there are certain people you have to go meet, that you have to go talk to. Bob Berchem is at the top of that list."

Rich Smith called the dinner a "success" and said he looked forward to doing it again next year.

Dear Neighbors,

I have decided to seek my Party’s nomination after long discussion with my family, friends and supporters because I see substantive opportunities to improve the way our city government functions, to break out of the business as usual cycle and introduce new, more efficient ways to manage our city government.

The private sector has been innovating, improving, and streamlining the way it does business for years; in a competitive environment you either improve or you go out of business. Unfortunately, the public sector is not subjected to the rules of competition and instead taxpayers are saddled with the cost of running an inefficient operation.

I believe that it doesn’t have to be that way.

Over the past eight years, the City’s budget has grown at an astronomic rate. Much of this, I believe, could have been avoided by more prudent and purposeful focus on driving cost of doing business down while at the same time improving services. The Kimball report provides an objective, unbiased assessment of the city’s operation. It supports my position that there are systemic problems with the current operation of city government. While it primarily focused on the permitting process, I believe its findings apply across city departments and operations.

We can do more and better, with less.

I don’t enter this race to criticize the current Mayor or his Party or to engage in partisan gamesmanship. I’m not a politician. Instead I enter this race as a concerned citizen, simply to provide the people of Milford a clear choice, to provide them options, and to offer them new and competitive ideas.

If I am to receive my Party’s nomination, I will work to draw clear and constructive distinctions between myself and the other three Republican candidates in this race. I look forward to opportunities ahead.

I hope you will join me.

Sincerely,

Genevieve Salvatore

The following is press release from the Milford Republican Town Committee.

Milford Republican Town Committee

Today Mayor Richetelli formally announced his intention to run for re-election to the press. He said,"After much contemplation, discussion with my family and listening to the people of Milford, I am announcing my intention to seek re-election as the Mayor of Milford. I humbly ask for the support of the people of Milford.

I love this community, and I have given it my heart and soul. I believe there is something special in Milford. I know we are headed in the right direction. We have put together good teams of people over the years, and have accomplished good things. I believe we need to continue the process.

This administration has been conservative, cautious, prudent and logical. We have positioned ourselves to fare well, even in this economic down-turn.

We need to continue that progress, and I feel I have more to give. I feel focused, energized and determined to do the best I can."

When Mayor Richetelli let the Republican Town Committee know about his decision to run, the news was greeted with an enthusiastic standing ovation. They're looking forward to this fall's election. Donations are running almost $30,000 ahead of the 2007 pace and a steady stream of new people are asking about joining the Town Committee. People are tired of politicians complaining about our city in hopes of political gain. Milford is a terrific city and Mayor Richetelli is largely responsible for its success.

Tom Jagodzinski
Milford Republican Town Committee
203-876-2749

It's a great day to be a Democrat. The budget has passed. It is good. It is fair.

Retiring City Clerk Alan Jepson said it was the first decrease in the tax rate that he has seen in his 45 years of public service. The tax rate will also be applied to most property owners’ 2007 property assessment, rather than 2008 property assessment, because the Aldermen decided to suspend the revaluation phase-in.

Read the whole article - New Haven Register.

Click image for graph.

Amann 2010 campaign needs help addressing envelopes and a little painting at HQ's. Tuesday the 12th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and Saturday the 16th from 9:00 - 11:00.

Amann 2010's Campaign Headquarters is located on 486 Bridgeport Avenue Unit 4 Milford, CT. 06460.

Directions: I 95 Exit 34 take left at the light and another quick left. The Campaign Headquarters is located next to the Devon Motel, which is across the street from McDonald's.

The Milford Democratic Town Committee has been lucky enough to hear presentations by three potential candidates for Governor. Susan Bysiewicz, Dan Malloy and Jim Amann. (Jim Amann is the only one to officially declare.)

Jim Amann spoke to the Committee late last year and received a rousing endorsement from those assembled. He had a fantastic opening at his headquarters in Devon one week ago. Even Mayor Richetelli was there. Always a good sport, Jim and his wife Terri took the time this week to attend a fundraiser (pizza) for Paul Tarbox for Orange First Selectman.

Susan Bysiewicz spoke to the DTC in February and got a standing ovation. Susan explained how Jodi Rell has essentially abdicated her power to her staff and spends most of her time away from the capital - at home. (This fact was mentioned by all three candidates.)

Dan Malloy gave a short speech and took a number questions at the DTC meeting last week. The theme of his talk seemed to center on transportation (I-95 and rail) and the deteriorating infrastructure of Connecticut.

When one reflects on where Connecticut stands now and where they could be, we can only come to one conclusion. Connecticut needs a Democratic Governor.

Remember: It is just like any other flu, more serious for children, seniors, and people with other health concerns. First go to your regular physician if you are ill, the emergency room is for emergencies.

Don't Panic.

Board of Aldermen Budget Hearing Schedule

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Finance Board Budget

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From UConn News

Since Barack Obama's landslide victory, Democrats have solidified their positions on Capitol Hill as well as in many cities across the country. It is obviously a good year to be a Democrat, but as Justin Rosen, CLAS '09 quips, “It's always a good year to be a Democrat.”

Undoubtedly it's a good year for Rosen, a CLAS political science major, who on January 5 became the youngest alderman of Milford, Conn., a city of more than 55,000 residents on the Long Island Sound.

At 21, Rosen was not intimidated by assuming the job of alderman. His predecessor, Barbara Lambert, ran a successful campaign for state representative, leaving her alderman position available. The Democratic Town Committee appointed Rosen to fill the seat.