Who’s Your Horse? Plus: Why Council President Matters

If you’re a Republican who’s your candidate for governor? Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele? State Senator John McKinney?

If you’re a Democrat who’s your candidate? Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz? Outgoing Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy? Ned Lamont?

And if you’re not a donkey or elephant, let us know your preference. Jodi Rell’s decision to reject another term throws the 2010 guber wide open. Dem candidates will be digging in their heels that much harder now that Jodi said see ya.

And what GOP candidates will step up?

Statement of Governor M. Jodi Rell, November 9, 2009

Governor M. Jodi Rell today issued the following statement:

“Thank you for joining me this afternoon. I want to begin by thanking everyone who made our Day of Caring and Compassion this past Saturday such a success.

“In particular, I want to thank our firefighters, who opened 15 fire stations across the state to serve as collection centers. They did a fabulous job, as did Girl Scouts, volunteers from FoodShare and Connecticut Food Bank and many, many others.

“Thousands of pounds of nonperishable food were collected and a great many of our families who are struggling in this economy will be helped because of everyone’s caring and compassion. The generosity of the people of Connecticut never ceases to amaze me.

“Second, I would like to share with you the news that–after much soul-searching and discussion with my family–I have decided not to seek re-election next year.

“The past five years I have had the honor–the incredible honor–to serve as the 87th Governor of Connecticut.

“I came in at a troubling time in our state’s history. We had been through much and we needed a new start, a renewed sense of faith in public officials and a recommitment to integrity in our government. Working together, we steadied our state and we passed landmark ethics reform and campaign finance reform legislation. I am very, very proud of that.

“I am humbled by the memories of my first days in office as I held ‘open houses’ all across the state so that the people of Connecticut could meet their new Governor. I met thousands of people at those open houses–and I have met thousands more during the last five years. It’s the best part of my job–meeting and helping people.

“From the beginning, I have always sought to be a citizen-Governor. At one open house, after standing for hours, I finally kicked off my heels and stood in my stocking feet greeting people. I’ll never forget the woman who said, while looking at my feet, ‘That’s why we like you–you’re normal; you’re like us.’ That was the highest compliment she could have given me.

“I’ll also never forget the reaction of people as they see me waiting in line with them at the grocery story or running out of the dry cleaners or, yes, shopping at Marshall’s, my favorite store. They’ll often say, ‘It’s nice to know our Governor shops like we do.’ I do. I always have. And I always will.

“I have never lost sight, from the first day–July 1, 2004, up to today–that I hold the public’s trust and that my job is to listen, to act, to lead and to fight–for that hurried mom with toddlers in tow who is waiting in line with me at the grocery store, or the tired father I see at the dry cleaners.

“It’s not the pundits or the politicians who live and breathe for party politics and constant campaigning that drive me serve and to work hard. It’s the people of Connecticut … .

“The gay couple who hugged me at Stafford Motor Speedway after I signed the first-in-the-nation voluntarily passed civil unions bill.

“The thousands of people from all over the state who called or sent cards or prayed on my behalf as I faced and beat breast cancer.

“The mother and father whose hands I held at the funeral of their child who gave their life in military service overseas.

“The children, bursting with energy and optimism, as we opened a new charter school or put in a new computer lab in their library.

“The woman whose cheeks were wet from tears of appreciation and relief as she signed up for the Charter Oak program–she finally had health insurance coverage after years without it.

“The commuter who shook my hand and quietly thanked me for all my efforts in finally addressing our mass transit needs with hundreds of new and refurbished rail cars, updated rail stations, new buses and more frequent service.

“The college students who have seen their public colleges and universities literally transformed before their eyes–both in and out of the classroom. The quality of academics has never risen so dramatically as in recent years–and so have the number of new and improved buildings at every school in our system.

“The state troopers who are better-trained and better-equipped than ever before–and better-staffed than in years. And they are working with a new Department of Homeland Security that leads the nation in preparedness.

“And our veterans: I look in the proud eyes of our veterans–whom we will honor tomorrow and must honor every day–as they see the incredible changes we have made at the Veterans Home and Hospital in Rocky Hill. Enhanced programs and services and a brand new, state-of-the-art hospital to serve those who courageously served to protect our freedoms.

“Yes, I have been honored–truly honored–to meet these and the other amazing people of Connecticut. To listen to them, to laugh with them, to cry with them, to celebrate triumphs with them and to always remember that I work for them.

“I love being Governor and I love the people of Connecticut. The challenges of the job have been–and continue to be–many; the rewards incalculable.

“But at some point you know inside that it is time to begin a new chapter in life.

“It was 25 years ago this month that I was first elected to office. Ten years as a state Representative from Brookfield. Ten years as Lieutenant Governor. Five years thus far as Governor. It’s time.

“I want to thank my family and my staff–for everything. I am blessed.

“I want to thank the people of Connecticut for allowing me the honor of serving as their Governor. I want to thank them for their support and their understanding, for their prayers and their returned love.

“I need their continued support and understanding and their prayers for the next 14 months. I still have a lot of governing to do–a lot of difficult issues to face in these tough economic times.

“I will not be a candidate–but I am the Governor and the work continues. Thank you.”

Speaking of Elections …

Hey, an election for City Council president will take place in early December. Anyone want the job?

Well, only 20 candidates are eligible. The council president is chosen among legislative peers. The council president is first in line to replace a mayoral vacancy (not that Mayor Bill Finch is going anywhere). It’s how John Fabrizi became mayor following Joe Ganim’s resignation after his corruption conviction in 2003.

Joe will be out of the can soon.

Tom McCarthy currently has the job and so far it does not appear anyone’s mounting a serious challenge to Big Mac, although East End councilman Andre Baker has been poking around for support.

Past City Council presidents include former State Senator Ernie Newton who’s scheduled to get out of the joint in 2010, Lisa Parziale, Fabrizi and Andres Ayala who’s now a state representative.

Some of the best fights–and long nights–have occurred on the night of the council president selection. Republican Bill Seres squeezed past Democrat Gil Hernandez when Republican Nick Panuzio was mayor. Nick left office with 55 days to spare in 1975 for a job in the Ford White House leaving Seres in charge.

When Ernie Newton got the nod, Lenny Paoletta, Republican mayor from 1981-85, had hoped to elect a GOP member. Lenny didn’t have the votes so Lenny did the only sensible thing to do (or maybe not) and threw his GOP votes to Ernie in the hope it would pay off to get his initiatives through. Be careful what you wish for. One day Lenny leaves town for a few days and Ernie’s interpretation of the City Charter left him in charge. Yikes! Ernest strolls into the mayor’s office and says here I am, it’s Ernie, acting mayor. Well, Lenny’s staff threw a fit, yell, scream, this and that, and the City Attorney’s Office got involved. Ernie was persuaded–if not convinced–to leave the mayor’s office.

The night of Parziale’s election in 1985 was a beauty as well. Democrat Tom Bucci was mayor and had promised the slot to a young Chris Caruso in a deal with North End political leader Richard Pinto, Caruso’s political godfather, in exchange for mayoral support. Problem on the way to the vote: Bucci encountered a peer revolt against Caruso. He was short a vote. Ed Gomes, now a state senator, and Parziale, both had split support. After withering rounds of roll call votes, Gomes threw his votes to Parziale. Presto. Lisa becomes council president. Bucci’s relationship with Caruso would never be the same, irrespective of Bucci breaking arms and buying votes for jobs to get Caruso elected Democratic town chair a few months later. Caruso maintained he had a deal and Bucci didn’t do enough to deliver the City Council votes for president.

Looks like McCarthy has the votes, but a couple of his council peers, Bob Curwen and Carlos Silva, have mayoral ambitions so ya never know what can happen.