Posted by Bob on January 30, 2009 under Daily Blogs | 
I was surprised recently when a voter asked me if I would run as a petitioning candidate if I did not win the Democratic Primary on March 9, 2009. Whether or not such question was based on a rumor or simple curiosity, I do not know.
What I can unequivocally say on the subject is this: I am running as a Democrat, and a Democrat only, to be the mayor of Naugatuck. I have no intention of running as a petitioning candidate, or as a candidate endorsed by another party. Naugatuck voters have a better chance of seeing me walk around town in a New York Yankees hat than having the chance to vote for me as anything other than a Democrat. For those of you who know me well, you can understand the significance of that statement.
In addition, I have pledged my support to elect a Democrat to the mayor’s office after the March 9, 2009, primary; whether or not that candidate is me or one of my opponents.
Rumors of my candidacy as a non-Democrat are curious to me for many reasons. I have been a Democrat since I registered to vote at the age of eighteen, and have supported Democratic candidates throughout the years. I have the utmost respect for Republicans, unaffiliated voters, and members of other political parties, and have worked across the aisle during my years on the Borough Board on initiatives important to Naugatuck; but I am proud to be a Democrat.
Unlike my opponent Kevin Knowles, I chose not to support Senator Lieberman’s 2006 independent candidacy for the Senate after Ned Lamont won the Democratic primary fair and square. See the following articles regarding the “Dems for Joe” movement: “A Reminder About the Dems for Joe” (www.spaceboy.net); and “Madfloridian’s Journal (www.democraticunderground.com). In my humble opinion, the purpose of a primary is to choose a candidate that will represent the party in the general election; not to give a candidate a second chance to get on the ballot for the general election.
Most significantly, a petition is being circulated on behalf of Kevin Knowles to qualify for the May 4, 2009, election ballot as a member of the Working Families Party. While I strongly support working families, I do so proudly as a Democrat. This leads to an important question: Is Kevin Knowles, as the endorsed candidate, attempting to secure a position on the ballot as a member of another party even if he loses the March 9, 2009, primary? If not, why is Mr. Knowles not content to run as a Democrat, and a Democrat only, as I have always done?
Naugatuck Democrats have a right to know a candidate’s loyalty to the Democratic Party; and a candidate’s respect for the Democratic primary process. I have just informed them of mine.
Posted by Bob on January 27, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
Our campaign has been notified that we have submitted the required amount of signatures necessary to force a Democratic primary on March 9, 2009. This was completed with several days to spare due to the dedication of so many volunteers from our campaign. Several people, far too many to mention, circulated petitions over the past week. There is no way we could have been so successful without a tremendous amount of help. Despite cold weather and limited daylight, each person in our campaign helped us achieve our goal.
In addition, we would like to thank the many Democrats who signed our petitions in support of the democratic process. We know we may have some work to do to earn your vote in the March 9, 2009, primary, but by signing the petition you are allowing 6100-plus Naugatuck Democrats to decide who will represent the party during the important election upcoming on May 4, 2009. Thank you to so many of you who opened your doors, spoke with myself and members of our campaign, and agreed to give voters a choice by signing our petitions.
All across the country, people are voicing their dissatisfaction with government and the political process by voting in record numbers. Now it is our turn, here in Naugatuck, to bring real change and focused leadership to Borough government. Getting on the ballot was the easy part, now our campaign is committed to meeting as many voters as possible and learning their individual concerns, ideas, hopes and dreams.
Together, we take a first step toward a better Naugatuck.
Posted by Bob on January 22, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
A campaign is only successful as the volunteers and supporters involved. Interested in volunteering for the Mezzo2009 campaign, please email me at bob@bobmezzo.com.
TEAM MEZZO2009 MISSION STATEMENT
· ALL OPINIONS ARE IMPORTANT
· EVERYONE DESERVES RESPECT
· WE, NOT I
· YES, WE CAN (We didn’t come up with it, but it seems to work pretty well.)
· VALUE PEOPLES’ TIME AND TALENT
· ALWAYS WORK LIKE YOU ARE 1,000 VOTES BEHIND
· NEVER QUESTION SOMEONE’S MOTIVES
· LEARN FROM MISTAKES
· HAVE FUN
· BELIEVE IN ONE ANOTHER
· TELL THE TRUTH, EVEN WHEN IT IS HARD
· IT’S ALL ABOUT A BETTER NAUGATUCK
· FOCUS
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs |
We are launching a petition drive to garner signatures in order to gain access to the ballot for the Democratic mayoral primary. If you are a registered Democrat and would like to sign the petition to show your support for the democratic process, please email me at bob@bobmezzo.com. We can come to your home or you can stop by the headquarters on 199 Church Street at a time that is convenient for you. Please indicate your preference. We appreciate your support.
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs |
Thank you to all who visited our new headquarters in honor of the Dr. Martin
You are never to young to do the right thing.
Luther King National Day of Service on Monday, January 19, 2009. We were extremely happy to meet so many great people, add new volunteers to the campaign and obtain much needed petition signatures.
Most importantly, we filled two large bins of food which will be donated to the Naugatuck Ecumenical Food Bank. During these difficult economic times and frigid Winter, it is critical that we reach-out to those less fortunate in their time of need. While our event was able to assist in a small way, the Food Bank has been a fixture in Naugatuck for many years. Numerous volunteers work extremely hard in a labor of love obtaining much needed donations from dedicated individuals, businesses and community
Feel free to visit our new headquarters at 199 Church Street.
groups. If you have a chance and are feeling generous, please call (203-723-1922) or visit the Food Bank at 75 Spring Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770, to see how you can lend a hand.
Posted by Bob on under Events |
Jim & Sue Goggin are hosting a fundraiser to support the our campaign on Saturday, January 24, 2009, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The Goggin’s home is located at 87 Moonlight Circle, Naugatuck, CT 06770.
Anyone who has ever been to the Goggin’s can attest that you are guaranteed a good time, you will probably leave a little later than you anticipated, and everyone is sure to go home happy.
While this is a fundraising event, your “contribution” can be as simple as your attendance and friendship.
Driving directions: From RT. 8 South or North
Route 8 North: Take Exit 28. Turn slight left onto Union City Road. Turn right on Prospect Street, Rt. 68. Take a right onto Maple Hill Street. Make a left onto Inwood Drive and a right onto Evening Star Drive. Take a right onto Moonlight Circle.
From Route 8 South, Route 8 North: Take Exit 28. Turn right onto Union City Road. Turn left on Prospect Street, Rt. 68. Take a right onto Maple Hill Street. Make a left onto Inwood Drive and a right onto Evening Star Drive. Take a right onto Moonlight Circle.
The Goggin’s live at the end of Moonlight Circle (87 Moonlight Circle).
Posted by Bob on January 18, 2009 under Events |
“If you want to be important – wonderful. If you want to be recognized – wonderful. If you want to be great – wonderful. Buy, recognize that he who is greatest amount you shall be your servant. That’s a new definition of greatness.“ The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In 1994, Congress designated the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday a national day of community service further commemorating a man who lived his life in service to others. The celebration of Dr. King’s legacy is a recognition of a great man that gave himself to further all Americans so that we may all enjoy the blessing of liberty.
As many of you know, all around the nation there will be acts of service and commitment in honor of Dr. King’s vision. Here in Naugatuck we are seeking to do our part as well. On January 19, 2009, our campaign will be having a celebration of public service as we open our new headquarters at 199 Church Street, Downtown Naugatuck.
As a way of celebrating the holiday of community service, we are inviting all citizens of the Borough of Naugatuck to come down and join in the spirit of community service by bringing a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Naugatuck Ecumenical Food Bank. These items are in great need at this time.
It is the least we can and should do. As we face tough economic challenges, many in our community have found it more and more difficult to make ends meet. In times like this, it is essential that we come together as a community and help our neighbors. For we believe that when Naugatuck comes together, there is nothing we can not accomplish.
Mezzo2009 Headquarters - 199 Church Street
The grand opening will take place from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please feel free to stop by at any time during those hours and learn more about our campaign and meet some of the wonderful people volunteering their time and talents to make Naugatuck the best community it can be. Stop by for five minutes or five hours, and as always, kids are welcome. The event is open to all in our community. For more information, please email me (bob@bobmezzo.com) or Event Chairperson Charley Marenghi (naugyarts@sbcglobal.net).
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.“ The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Posted by Bob on January 17, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
As expected, the Naugatuck Democratic Town Committee endorsed my opponent, Kevin Knowles, as the endorsed candidate this afternoon. I wish Kevin good luck and good health in the upcoming primary.
While I have the utmost respect for members of the town committee, our campaign believes that this May’s election is too important for Naugatuck to deny approximately 6100 Democrats the opportunity to choose their nominee for Mayor. I have already filed the required correspondence with the Naugatuck Registrar of Voters to proceed with the primary.
In the coming days, our campaign will be obtaining signatures for the March 9, 2009, primary. If you are interested in signing the petition, please call me (203-720-0996) or email me (bob@bobmezzo.com), and one of our dedicated volunteers will deliver a petition to you for signing.
Congratulations to Kevin Knowles on his endorsement. While we will be opponents in the upcoming primary, Kevin is a good person and someone I am proud to call a friend.
Posted by Bob on January 14, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
Republican Town Committee members deviated from tradition and endorsed challenger Ron San Angelo over incumbent Mayor Mike Bronko on Monday night. Democratic Town Committee members will endorse their candidate on Saturday morning.
The reality of this year’s election, however, is that neither party will know who the eventual nominee is until after the March 9, 2009, primary. Unlike the presidential selection process, local and state parties endorse candidates before primaries rather than after.
Given the enormous challenges facing the Borough this year, this is the way it should be. All across the United States people are making statements through their votes that the status quo is no longer acceptable. Now it is Naugatuck’s turn to choose a leader qualified to change the way we do business in the Borough. While town committee members serve an important role in the process, these tumultuous times demand all voters have a say in choosing their respective party’s candidate for the May election.
Only voters affiliated with a political party can vote in that party’s primary. Unaffiliated voters can register with a party right up until the day before the March 9, 2009, primary. To register to vote or register with a party you may download the registration form here or do so by clicking the icon on the right side of this blog. Completed forms can be mailed to the Naugatuck Registrar of Voters at 229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770, or hand delivered directly to the registrar on the second floor of the town hall.
Unfortunately it is too late to switch from one party to another and still be eligible to vote in the other party’s primary on March 9, 2009.
Good luck and good health to all the candidates running for office in 2009.
Posted by Bob on January 12, 2009 under Daily Blogs |
Many a northeastern politician has made a career boasting that their town’s roads were always plowed during their respective time in office. The reality, however, is that there is no magic wand available to anyone that removes snow or makes roads safer for traveling.
Such work is done by hard-working individuals, at all hours of the day under difficult conditions. Naugatuck is fortunate to have an outstanding superintendent and crew of employees working for the street department. While it is easy to criticize in the midst of a bad storm, our roads are in better shape than most other towns.
Our campaign did a literature drop this past weekend. After hearing the forecast, most of us assumed that Sunday’s weather would make delivery impossible. Much to our pleasant surprise, most of the main roads were clear by morning, with the majority of secondary roads plowed by the afternoon.
Complaints being a dime a dozen these days, we should also be willing to acknowledge a job well done.
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