If you need a ride to the polls on November the 5th give us a call

It's your town - get informed, get involved and VOTE Tuesday November 5, 2013

 

 

Friday Evening Sign Rally – RAIN OR SHINE (Looks to be more SHINE than rain)

Friday November 1 at 5PM

At the corner of Main and Center Streets. 

Join us to rally for the Democratic Candidates.

Please make every effort to attend! Bring your signs from your yards if you can (we will have some on hand).

Zandri leads in donations

This is very defining in the amount of support I am receiving in my run for the seat of Mayor in Wallingford – thank you all for your commitment of time, money and personal effort. Please see the full story in the Record Journal - Zandri leads in donations

Five days remain to Election Day and we will be pushing every single day to get out that vote.

The goal is 50.1% voter participation – 25,100 residents were registered to vote in town according to the recent article in the Record Journal and that is pretty much par for the course so the effort now is to get at least 12,575 out to the polls.

It’s your town – get informed, get involved and VOTE November 5th.

Let’s roll.

Time for a change - Eric Cotton’s PERSPECTIVE piece in the Record Journal

Nothing more needs to be said on this – I cannot improve on it.

Time for a change - Eric Cotton’s PERSPECTIVE piece in the Record Journal

Wallingford in a changing universe

As published in the Record Journal (page D03) on Sunday October 20, 2013 – by Jason Zandri

The one constant in the universe is change. The greatest danger a business, a municipality or an individual can succumb to is an irrational fear of the unknown.

The CEO of Borders Books embraced technology use as well as the changes in the business landscape of the corporation he led. What he lacked was the true understanding of the depth of the change. Believing that loss leaders like the Nook and Kindle readers, the hardware of his competitors which lose money on every sale, should be something his company should avoid, he made a bet on what he knew best – his historical customer base and what he believed they wanted. They would always want to hold a real book in their hand.

His knowledge and understanding of his customer base and decades of experience would help him and Borders Books weather their financial storm.

Today that corporation is gone because it resisted the direction of their market; they were unable to see the full scope of the future of their venerable business, and the choice of losing money on devices for sales of e-books was not prudent in the short term. Yet that lesson is a core teaching in business and economics – “give away the razor, sell the blades.”

There are times in all our lives when we become so set on how we’ve always done things that we believe there is no better way to do anything and that we have perfected our craft.

Then something in the landscape shifts and all things are not equal. The shift has already occurred in Wallingford’s landscape and as we continue to do the same things we’ve always done, they are becoming increasingly less effective.

Change is inevitable, predictable and beneficial – it is a wave that you can choose to ride on or be drowned under but it is a force that cannot be ignored because it brings the future, a future that will not just happen but one that we will create.

Wallingford has the ability to do more, with less, even in “these trying times,” as that statement ends up being relative; it just depends on how you want to go about it.

Are times today worse than they were in 2007 when things were still booming? I suppose if you are just looking at the early and mid-2000s.

There are times in our country’s history that make the boom of the early and mid-2000s look paltry just as there were times in the 30s that make today look like paradise.

We can better leverage technology to complete more tasks and move projects along; this has the effect to allow us to get started on the next task sooner.

We can offer more services that offset some costs – by going to e-payments and e-billing as options for those that want them, we save postage and handling costs and paperwork becomes reduced.

The less paperwork that people in the offices need to handle, the more they are freed to do other things; this becomes an increase in service for things that must be done manually.

Proper planning for future expenditures via cost analysis allows Wallingford to project what should be deferred for “down the road” as costs look to decline (certain hardware and some technology) and where costs will increase like labor-based jobs such as road paving that also have a petroleum cost in the materials used – both of which increase year over year making it more prudent to review the cost of doing that work now rather than later.

Being more open and providing more access into how and what local government is doing and making residents better aware of what is going on and letting them feel like they can be part of the process fosters and grows that sense of collectiveness and ownership.

This is our hometown; let’s create Wallingford’s future together.

Jason Zandri is the Democratic challenger for mayor of Wallingford.

Thank you regarding tonight's fundraiser at the Portuguese American Club / LAST EVENT is NEXT Sunday 10/27

Thank you everyone who attended tonight's fundraiser at the Portuguese American Club. It was a great event and it was effectively "sold out" with the room filled to capacity (A little over 100 people).

Special thank you to Peter Gouveia for setting everything up and the folks at the Portuguese American Club for an awesome meal.

The next and final fundraiser is NEXT Sunday (eight days from now) on 10/27 at Zandri's Stillwood Inn - see you there.

Wallingford Headquartered International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers LOCAL 90 Endorses Jason Zandri for Mayor

Generational choice / Local Voter Turnout

Below is a letter to the editor published on October 11, 2013 in the Record Journal.

After that is the content from a blog post I published on Wallingford Politico titled “The most impactful voters are the ones that show up”.

Both indicate the importance of getting out the vote especially locally.

It’s your town – get informed, get involved and VOTE.


Editor: In 2012, Wallingford voters turned out and voted in the presidential election at an 83 percent rate. In 2011 for local elections it was only 39 percent. One of the differences nationally was that the younger age demographic increased in voting percentage. In 2011 local voters 18 to 25 came out at a 15.5 percent rate, age 26 to 35 17.5 percent, and age 36 to 45 came out at 30.5 percent for the election. In this election Wallingford faces a generational choice. We have a veteran mayor who has served since the days of Ronald Reagan. When the current mayor was elected computers were just beginning to be used by a wider populace, the Internet was an idea and cell phones were in their infancy. Wallingford has integrated as time has gone by but its leader remains rooted for better or worse in a previous time. His challenger comes from a generation that is comfortable with technology and quick to embrace its’ advantages.

This brings us back to voter participation. Will all of our registered voters (25,759) come out and make this a real choice? Will Wallingford’s younger demographic step up and voice its preference on how Wallingford meets the future? Can this election be the one when a new generation makes its choice for a generational change in leadership?

Laurence Morgenstein, Wallingford

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The most impactful voters are the ones that show up.

Different ages of people ask me why it seems (to them) that “the government” (and this could be federal, state or local depending on the conversation at the time) always seems to favor [THAT AGE GROUP] over theirs and the [GROUP] always seems to be an older age group.

The bottom line is – the squeaky wheels get the grease.

When you look at total number of registered voters, the older the bracket, the more they tend to be registered. At the same time too, when you look at the percentages of who turns out from those brackets, the older brackets turn out with a larger percentage as well.

The following is the information lifted from the last municipal election (2011) of a total of about 25,000 registered voters:

18-24 year olds – total registered 1,869 and of that 193 (10.5%) showed up to vote. You expect this bracket to be less in total number of voters as it contains only seven years of voters and all the others are ten but the 10.5 percentage across just those registered is very low.

25-34 year olds – total registered 3,051 and of that 456 (14.9%) showed up to vote. Nearly 50% more percentage wise on the turnout, nearly twice as many total registered and more than double the number in turnout which is all better than their counterparts in the 18 to 24 bracket but still low overall as you compare the older demographics.

35-44 year olds – total registered 3,433 and of that 913 (26.6%) showed up to vote. With nearly 3,500 registered voters, this block comes in with less than 1,000 total voters showing up to vote locally. When you consider this group (along with a portion of the prior demographic and the next) to be the main segment of the population that uses the largest portion of the municipal budget (education budget for those with children) you would hope to see higher turnout numbers.

45-54 year olds – total registered 5,167 and of that 1,995 (38.6%) showed up to vote. This group is the second largest in total number on the registration side but at just 38.6% in turnout (while better than their younger counterparts) they impact about the same as the 65 to 74 demographic but less so than the 55 to 64 group. With its sheer numbers matching, they could have more presence if they could move their turnout numbers higher.

55-64 year olds – total registered 5,211 and of that 2,350 (45.1%) showed up to vote. This group is the largest in total number on both the registration side and the turnout number. On the percentage side at 45.1% they turnout at the third highest percentage as well but because of their total numbers of registered, this group’s turnout numbers have the highest impact regarding total vote tally.

65-74 year olds – total registered 3,329 and of that 1,876 (56.3%) showed up to vote. This group is the third largest group with 3,329 registered. Their turnout percentages are very good locally at 56.3% which generated 1,876 voters at the polls. They are the second highest impacting group because of this.

75-84 year olds – total registered 1,958 and of that 1,146 (58.5%) showed up to vote. As people age onward and pass away it impacts the demographic. This group has the highest percentage of local voter turnout at 58.5% but as their total numbers dwindle their voter impact lessens. Despite the handicap, they are still a very impactful group.

85 and older – total registered 1,292 and of that 547 (42.3%) showed up to vote. At just a hair shy of 1,300 registered voters and 547 turning out, this group nearly singlehandedly outstrips the impact of the 5,000 registered voters in both the 18 to 24 and the 25 to 34 demographics combined as in both those groups only 649 people voted locally.  

It’s your town – get informed, get involved and VOTE

Wallingford mayoral candidates file financial reports / upcoming fundraisers

Thank you everyone that has supported the campaign to date – while the donations have exceeded my expectations I am still in need of more so if you can come to the dinner and lunch fundraisers and have something to eat (with the cost of your meals as a donation) I would greatly appreciate it. (More on that at the end of this post).

In one filing period the Republican machine raised 60 percent of the totals we have since the start of the campaign.

As reported in the Record Journal story by Andrew Ragali – back in July Mayor Dickinson hadn’t started fundraising. As of Thursday October 10th (three months later) he had contributions totaling $17,623. Mayor Dickinson spent $6,802.89 during the three month reporting period, leaving him with $10,820.11 on hand. Dickinson spent $216.44 out of his own pocket, and as of Thursday, he had outstanding expenses of $263.

By the July reporting period we had recorded $10,107.20 on hand. Over these past three months we have been able to bring in $12,025.22 in additional contributions thanks to your support. I have just about $3,000 of my own money into the campaign and I plan to continue to personally fund about 10 percent of all the expenses. In the past three months, the campaign has spent $9,281.97, leaving us with $12,850.45. (I presently have about $1,595.60 in outstanding expenses).

In total, our campaign has brought in $28,294.79 to date; that is only possible because of all of you. Thank you.

As I mentioned – as much as I hate to keep going on about it, we need more help.

If you can make an additional donation please do so:

Donations:    Jason Zandri for Mayor Committee
                         c/o 23 Cardinal Drive
                         Wallingford CT 06492

I would much prefer that you come and make a donation, have some food, and spend some time with friends so rather than just considering cutting a check please think about possibly attending one or both of the upcoming fundraisers:

DINNER FUNDRAISER at the Wallingford Portuguese Club

51 SOUTH COLONY ROAD WALLINGFORD
SATURDAY OCTOBER 19, 2013 at 7PM

Pork Loin, Baked Chicken, Seafood Rice, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Salad and Rolls
Dessert and Cash Bar

Dinner cost - $25.00 donation
Please make all checks out to “Jason Zandri for Mayor Committee”

 

 

 

 

LUNCH FUNDRAISER at the Zandri’s Stillwood Inn

1074 SOUTH COLONY ROAD WALLINGFORD
SUNDAY OCTOBER 27, 2013 at 12:30PM

Scheduled Special Guest

Third District Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro

Lunch cost - $25.00 donation
Please make all checks out to “Jason Zandri for Mayor Committee”

 

Once again – thank you for all the help and support; I am going to get this done and it will because of the support from all of you.

Thank you

 

More support and Letters to the Editor

Time for change
Editor: Wallingford needs a change. Jason Zandri is our man. He’s wise, intelligent, young, energetic, knowledgeable about issues, community- minded, a watchdog of the Town Council, a man of the people and for the people and, especially, a family man. Yes, Wallingford — Jason Zandri is our man for mayor, 2013.

Ben F. Klimczak, Yalesville

Wallingford taxes
Editor: I moved to Wallingford in 2007. My taxes were $3,860.00. They were $4,300 in 2011. Mayor Dickinson and the Republican block tout how they are holding the line on “expensive” employee salaries (you know, the people doing the actual work). They brag about 1.4 percent average annual salary increases over three to four years of a contract (after additionally paying arbitration costs because they don’t negotiate fairly). So tell me — why have my taxes gone up 12 percent in those same four years? Salaries are barely 5.5 percent of that. The other 6.5 percent? What are we spending it on?

Michael Cicarella, Wallingford

Deferrals
Editor: Regarding the elderly tax deferral program and Republican commentary (R-J letters, 9-18) “Does somebody making $71,000 need tax relief ?” It depends on the individual. Someone at $55,000 may, and that person is currently excluded from the current program despite being more than 20 percent below median income. “If more people have property taxes deferred, the rest of us would have to make up the difference.” Overall, that isn’t true; in the short term, while there are more deferrals taking place than settlements, it is possible, but the entire point of “deferral” is that the town is made whole over time.

Charlotte Ayers, Wallingford



GOP spin machine
Editor: The Republican spin machine is at full RPM. A letter-writer (R-J, 9-18) indicated Jason Zandri wanted to “expand the elderly/ disabled tax deferral program to people with incomes up to $71,000. No reason, except that Durham and Guilford do it” — couldn’t be further from the truth as those towns were examples. The reasons are in his blog, “I don’t want to have anyone move from family and the town that they grew up in or have called home because they can no longer afford the taxes in Wallingford.” My vote on 11/5 goes to Zandri for Mayor.

Patricia F. Mills, Wallingford

More voter support via Letters to the Record Journal

Since the screen shot above is a little difficult to read here is the text of that letter from Christopher Regan:

October 8^th, 2013

Jason Zandri via jason@zandri.net

Subject: My original submission to the Record Journal / Op-ed (unedited)

Editor: Jason Zandri's campaign slogan "Moving Wallingford Forward" is exactly why I endorsing him for Mayor in this community. As a CEO with a national business headquartered in Wallingford and also as a resident I was stunned at the lack of any type of economic development incentives for business for when I moved my organization into town. Eight years later -- Wallingford hasn't advanced forward in any appreciable means as far as business owners are concerned.  We are not close to Wallingford Center, although we appreciate the work and support the efforts to beautify our town and make frequenting downtown businesses an enjoyable experience.

Jason has proven to me that he has fiscal responsibility, wants to take advantages of integrating modern day solutions to receive efficiency gains, gives full thought about impact to the community, and solicits opinions using tools that the modern day business executive has as its disposal (email, blogging, social media, etc.) in order to effectively communicate with the people he works for.  I like the fact that I can talk to him every day any day or read his views and opinions openly and honestly.

We recently became frustrated with the town's lack of response to a residential street issue.  We reached out to the Mayor's office, to the Town Council at large, and to the Department of public works.  The only response we received was when Jason came out, on a weekend and on his own time, with a video camera and documented our issue.  It was only until then that we then received a call from public works informing us to what was going to be done.

I applaud his work in the past, for the fireworks fund, and for this town's forward momentum.

Christopher J. Regan

President & CEO

Local 478 of the International Union of Operating Engineers endorses Jason Zandri for Mayor of Wallingford

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

I received a letter today from Local 478 of the International Union of Operating Engineers endorsing our campaign efforts for the seat of Mayor in Wallingford.

Speaking on behalf of the local, Business Manager Craig Getz wrote in the endorsement letter “I am writing on behalf of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 to inform you of our decision to endorse you for the office of Mayor of the Town of Wallingford.”

Craig added “Throughout your years as President of the Wallingford Fireworks Fund and as a member of the Wallingford Town Council, you have a proven track record of assessing the needs of the town, engaging the residents and leading viable discussions about the changes and improvements that need to take place.”

The endorsement continued “As an organization that respects the input of every member, we applaud you for the way that you reach out to the residents of Wallingford as you seek to insure that their voices remain an integral part of the town’s vision.”

The endorsement finishes with “Your commitment and passion for the Town of Wallingford is rivaled by few. Therefore, without qualification, we endorse your candidacy and promise to work diligently to see that the hard working families who reside in the Town of Wallingford benefit from your leadership as Mayor.”

The New Haven Building Trades Council today endorsed Jason Zandri for Mayor of Wallingford

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The New Haven Building Trades Council today endorsed Jason Zandri for Mayor of Wallingford.

The Council is working with its direct and affiliate members to get additional endorsements for Zandri’s campaign in Wallingford and to engage its membership to take an active participation in the campaign.

“At this point in time they have called me with their support and endorsement” Zandri said “and they are willing to engage with people and other resources to help the entire Wallingford Democrat ticket to have a successful run for this November 5th election.

Zandri continued “The campaign is honored and fortunate to receive this endorsement and we will continue our efforts to take all 13 seats across the Town Council and Board of Education as well as the office of Mayor in Wallingford. Franklin D. Roosevelt has been quoted to have said “Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting” and Democrats near and far hold that as a truth. We hope that ALL the registered voters in Wallingford understand how important all elections are, especially this one, which sets the tone for the cost of their local property taxes as well as dictates the services they will receive.”

Zandri finished with his common call to Wallingford voters “It’s your town; get informed, get involved and vote.”

The final two campaign fundraisers are set for Saturday October 19th and Sunday October 27th

Save the dates – the final two campaign fundraisers are set for Saturday October 19th and Sunday October 27th.

The Saturday October 19th event will be a dinner held at the Portuguese Club at 51 South Colony Road at 7PM.

The Sunday October 27th event will be a brunch held at the Stillwood Inn at 1074 South Colony Road at 10AM.

While we are still working our efforts of getting donations in through calls and emails to supporters, these social events are our best draws to make large headway into our mailer and newspaper advertising campaign expenses that we are budgeting to get the information out to the voters so that they understand more of what is going on in their town and allow them to make informed decisions on how they want to be governed for the next two years.

If you’re doing any planning and budgeting with respect to which social events you’re able to attend over the next few weeks please keep these dates in mind – we’d love to see you at one or both as your budget allows.

Thank you for all your support to date and over the next few weeks on the road to November 5th.

CANDIDATE MEET AND GREET – Wednesday August 28 – 7PM

CANDIDATE MEET AND GREET

Libero Pensiero Society
Wallingford Italian Club
91 Dudley Avenue
Wednesday August 28 – 7PM

Come down and meet your Democratic candidate for Mayor - Jason Zandri

Town Council and Board of Education members have been invited and may be in attendance.

Take this opportunity to get your thoughts out and ask questions of your candidates.

This is not a fundraiser; it is a free open event for one and all that want to learn more about what is going on in town, to share their own thoughts as well as to learn about the candidates.

 

 

Wallingford is your town.
Get informed.
Get involved.
Vote Democrat November 5^th

 

Join our FACEBOOK group:
Jason Zandri for Mayor of Wallingford
https://www.facebook.com/groups/zandriformayor  

 

Paid for by Jason Zandri for Mayor Committee, Nicole Consiglio, Treasurer - Approved by Jason Zandri, candidate for Mayor of Wallingford

A few photos from the July Fundraiser. Next and final formal fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday October 17th

We are in 3rd gear right now; we raised a really solid amount for two reporting periods but we’ll need more for all the direct mailers and media advertising that we have to undertake to push this race forward and get us to 4th gear and then overdrive.

While we may have small events that will be used to raise some small amounts of additional donations and funds for the overall effort, the last hurrah is going to be the final, formal fundraiser on Thursday October 17th at 6:30PM – there will be more on that soon but in the meantime block that night on your calendars.

The photos below are just a few from our July Fundraiser – I will add some more in a future post.

Speaking with Lieutenant Governor Nancy S. Wyman

 

With Lieutenant Governor Nancy S. Wyman and Wallingford Democratic Town Committee Chairman Vincent Avallone

 

With Lieutenant Governor Nancy S. Wyman and Connecticut State Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo

 

With Lieutenant Governor Nancy S. Wyman, Connecticut State Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo, Attorney and former Secretary of the State of Connecticut Susan Bysiewicz and Democratic Town Council Candidate Dana Camp

Dickinson-Zandri: contrast in candidates, campaigns

The “Contrast in candidates and campaigns: Dickinson-Zandri article” appeared on Sunday July 28, 2013.

The jump pages split the article – this link will take you to the story as it appeared on Page One.

This second link will take you to the story as it appeared on Page Four.

This is a very well written and rounded article by the Record Journal’s Andrew Ragali and Jeff Gebeau - it is a must read.

It’s your town – get informed and get involved. – VOTE Tuesday November 5, 2013.



The permalinks above no longer work for the original story as they expire after 30 days and the story was not carried online at MyRecordJournal.com so the text of the story is posted below for your review:

Contrast in candidates and campaigns: Dickinson-Zandri

Sunday July 28, 2013

By Andrew Ragali and Jeff Gebeau

Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD — Candidates from both parties have been endorsed for Town Council and Board of Education seats this month. Newcomers and veterans are vying for political relevance. Republicans will look to defend their majorities on the council and school board, while Democrats attempt to reclaim dominance in Wallingford.

But setting the stage for an intriguing fall is the mayoral race, in which incumbent Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. and Town Councilor Jason Zandri face off, campaigning with contrasting styles. The town committee caucuses on July 17 illustrated the differences between Zandri, a first-term councilor, and Dickinson, who is seeking his 16th term as mayor.

The Democratic Caucus was held in a small room above Cafe Ra on Center Street. Party members squeezed into the humid room, without air conditioning. Zandri spoke of his pledge to modernize town government while decreasing taxes.

The Republican Caucus was held in the spacious, air conditioned auditorium of Dag Hammarskjold Middle School. Candidates and party members were spread throughout the auditorium, as there was plenty of seating available. Dickinson decided to forgo a campaign speech, instead opting to spread his message by adapting a song originally sung by rock band Dropkick Murphys. His message was simple. His campaign will be simple, said Republican Town Committee Chairman Bob Prentice.

 

"What unites us is the great community we live in," Dickinson said that night.

While Zandri has been enthusiastically fundraising since January, Dickinson had yet to begin his efforts as of mid-July. At the time, he said he would begin the process in the coming weeks.

"It's putting the plans together," he said on July 11.

Dickinson said Thursday that a fundraiser is being planned for the near future. Prentice characterized Dickinson's campaign efforts as "normal fundraising," adding that the mayor is "very organized."

Most of his campaign contributions, said Dickinson, go to work done behind the scenes, putting together literature and mailings. Since January, Zandri reported campaign contributions of just over $21,100. Zandri has hired two political consulting firms; one to organize a walking route through neighborhoods to engage active voters face-to-face, the other to organize fundraisers.

Zandri said he has already begun his door-to-door campaigning, adding that support has been positive so far. It's an important phase of the campaign, he said. At the other end of the spectrum is Dickinson.

"I can't do a lot of door-to-door," he said, "but I try to do some."

Since January, Zandri has held three formal fundraisers; the most recent on Wednesday at his uncle's banquet hall, Zandri's Stillwood Inn.

On Friday, Zandri said he'd be surprised if Dickinson even held one fundraiser. "But if he does, he'll probably raise $10,000 in one night," Zandri said. "It is what it is."

That's the challenge of facing a 30-year incumbent, said Zandri. The mayor doesn't need to campaign heavily, because when he makes public appearances as the town's chief executive, "you're campaigning when you're not campaigning," Zandri said.

About 120 people attended Zandri's fundraiser on Wednesday, including Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and State Comptroller Kevin Lembo. The fundraiser brought in $3,210, Zandri said.

While Zandri hosted the fundraiser, support for other party candidates was also sought vigorously. Flat screen monitors throughout the banquet hall urged attendees to vote for Democratic Town Council and Board of Education candidates.

The event was more grandiose then the Democratic caucus, with an overflow crowd dining at tables sheathed with red, white and blue tablecloths. A stage at the far end of the room held an American flag and featured fluorescent tube lights-one blue and one red-that resembled columns on the stage's opposite ends.

While guests ate and enjoyed the atmosphere, Democratic Town Committee Chairman Vinnie Avallone interrupted to introduce Wyman, billed as the fundraisers special guest. Also in attendance were state Reps. Mary Mushinsky and Mary Fritz.

Wyman drew a contrast between the youthful energy projected by Zandri's candidacy and the entrenched, set-in-their- ways governance of Wallingford's Republican establishment.

"It's time for young leadership," she said. Wyman added that this was the year for change in Wallingford and stated, "I really believe Jason is that change."

Lembo told the audience that Zandri has "the right head and the right heart to run this town and do the right thing."

Echoing Wyman's appeal for change, Lembo encouraged local Democrats that Wallingford is "not stuck and not locked in time," but is "ready to take the next step," under Zandri's direction.

There's no need to take a next step, said Prentice on Thursday. Every election year, Prentice said residents back Dickinson because they don't feel change is necessary.

"Most people in town are happy," Prentice said.

It's Dickinson's experience that makes him so valuable, Prentice added.

"Age is what age is," said Dickinson. "If people are persuaded that that's a factor, then they vote accordingly."

Zandri prefaced his comments Wednesday night by stating that he felt heartened by the number of the people who attended the fundraiser, "on a Wednesday night in July." Zandri called the turnout a "testament of support," not only for his own candidacy, but that of other local Democrats seeking election.

As Zandri continued his speech, he remarked on the united purpose of state Democrats on all levels.

"This is a we-thing," he said.

Zandri invoked words from the nomination acceptance speech of Republican Councilman John LeTourneau, who called Wallingford an "oasis of stability." Zandri sought to turn the phrase around, saying the "oasis of stability is becoming a mirage."

The town's fading status as a haven of tranquility has arisen from a mentality among the Republican majority of "doing things how they always have been done," Zandri said. He cited the town's recent problems with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as examples where this deeply-rooted mindset became harmful to the town.

"It is an oasis," LeTourneau reiterated on Thursday, in response to Zandri's comments. "I used that term when I did because look at the towns around us ... we're in better shape than all of them."

LeTourneau said Wallingford's low electric costs and tax rates "are not something to make light of."

Campaigning as a team is nothing new, said Prentice and LeTourneau. Republicans employ the same practice, they said.

"We were the first ones to do that," LeTourneau said. Years ago, the "R-Team" was established by Republicans. Recently, the movement was revived, said LeTourneau, and helped Republicans gain the political majority currently held on the Town Council and Board of Education.

Zandri also reiterated his recurrent complaint about residents' over-taxation during the fundraiser. He said the majority of the municipal tax burden in Wallingford has moved away from the commercial and industrial sectors and has been shifted to residents.

"I think if you compare Wallingford with the surrounding area, we're comparable," Dickinson said. "We provide a full range of services. I don't believe taxes have gone up beyond what they've gone up in many surrounding communities.

"The question is do you find the quality of life in Wallingford good?" asked Dickinson.

Zandri candidate concluded his speech Wednesday night by expressing the desire to "keep people in Wallingford" and "bring in new businesses," which he said would also "bring in a new vitality and a new tax base."

Avallone said all of the campaigning Democrats burst out of the starting blocks in the week since the caucus. He said his candidates were hearing "nothing but encouraging words."

"If they're bursting off the starting blocks, then they have to go around the track a couple times to catch us," LeTourneau said.

Thanks to the 125+ people in attendance at the July Q3 fundraiser

I cannot express my thanks or gratitude to all the attendees enough; it was an awesome evening with Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman in attendance as our special guest.  

Connecticut State Comptroller Kevin Lembo also was there as was former Secretary of the State of Connecticut Susan Bysiewicz.

An additional thank you to 85th Assembly District State Representative Mary Mushinsky and 90th Assembly District State Representative Mary Fritz who both served as hosts to the event.

A representative from Congresswoman Rosa Delauro’s office also came in support of the event as the Congresswoman was out of the state.

A representative from Congressman Chris Murphy's office also contacted us regarding support for the campaign.

Former 87th Assembly District State Representative Steve Fontana was also in attendance.

The Democratic slate of candidates for Town Council as well as the Board of Education were all represented via attendance at the event as well.

In a few days I’ll have some candid photos online courtesy of Christy Mitchell Photography, our event photographer.

There’s also more news and information to come – stay tuned.

The Comerford Video – Follow up from the RJ story “Wallingford town official advised against showing video of environmental spill”

In a prior post I directed readers to the story regarding “Wallingford town official advised against showing video of environmental spill” via the Record Journal website. I also included the original O’Hare memo so you could see it for yourself.

Below is the four and a half minute video shot by resident William Comerford for your review.

O’Hare memo to wetlands commission Chairman James Vitali

You can read the story regarding “Wallingford town official advised against showing video of environmental spill” via the Record Journal post online. If you cannot access the article please let me know.

Beyond that, this link will allow you to read the O’Hare memo for yourself so that you can draw your own conclusions but the article written by Andrew Ragali of the Record Journal really says it all.

At the end of the day, if there really was “nothing to see” and we should all just “move along” then why NOT show the video? Show it, offer the same explanations as offered in the memo and then go about other business.

The reasons why are simple – there is more to scrutinize.

As quoted from the article “The town was asked by DEEP to stop storing catch basin materials at the facility in 2009, but the practice continued, according to DEEP. The town is required to file a compliance letter with DEEP in response to the June notice of violation”.

There is still more to these stories; stay tuned.