6:00 P.M.    Picnic on the Green with complimentary food and beverage.  Entertainment by the Naugatuck Community Band, Naugatuck High School Chamber Singers and magic by “The Amazing Tyler”.  A bouncy house will be available for younger citizens.

7:30 P.M.    Program Begins:  Master of Ceremonies – Johnna Hunt and Michele Russell

-     Invocation – Pastor Robert Butkus, Christ the King Church

-     Pledge of Allegiance – Ally and Jay Mezzo

-     National Anthem – song by Lisa Antrum accompanied by the Naugatuck Community

Band

-     Recognition of Honored Guests – Johnna Hunt and Michele Russell

-     Honored Speakers

• State Representative David Labriola
• State Representative Rosa Rebimbas
• State Senator Joan Hartley
• State Senator Joseph Crisco
• State Treasure Denise Nappier
• State Comptroller Nancy Wyman
• Attorney General Richard Blumenthal
• United States Representative Rosa DeLauro

-     Introdution of Mayor-Elect and Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz – Mayor Joan B. Taf

-     Oath of Office – Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz

-     Inaugural Address – Mayor Bob Mezzo

-     Stars and Stripes Forever – Performed by Naugatuck Community Band

-     Benediction – Father Eureko – Our Lady of Fatima Church

Photo courtesy www.towngreens.com

Festivities will begin on the Green as we celebrate families in Naugatuck with a town-wide picnic beginning at 6:00 P.M.  The event will include complimentary hot dogs, popcorn, chips and soda.  A magician, clown and bouncy house will be available for young citizens.  In addition, musical entertainment will be provided by the Naugatuck Community Band and Naugatuck High School Chamber Singers.

We encourage all to attend and look forward to seeing you there.

Iwo Jima Flag Raising

The most dangerous thing I do every day is drive my minivan from our driveway onto the road.  For many of us we are able to perform such mundane tasks in our daily lives because of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have fought to protect the basic freedoms which we too often take for granted.

The first official event of our administration after the swearing-in ceremony will be to host a Wine and Cheese Fundraiser for the Naugatuck Veteran’s of Foreign War (VFW) Crusader Post 1946, on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M, at the Naugatuck VFW Hall, 239 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770. 

Until recently, hosting such an event at the VFW would have been unthinkable.  Severe water damage to the building had threatened to end the Veteran’s primary sources of income: the rental of the hall and bingo.  Faced with the prospect of closing the hall and ending an era, our Veterans fought back as they always have.

As a result of the generosity of many local individuals and businesses, our Veterans have received approximately ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($100,000.00) DOLLARS of in-kind contributions to restore the hall.  Former Mayor Timothy Barth, a military man and current manager at Imagineers, LLC, has led the effort to restore the building to its former glory.   While response has been tremendous, an additional TWENTY THOUSAND and 00/1000THS ($20,000.00) DOLLARS is needed to allow Veterans to complete the restoration of the hall and restore it to its former glory.

While we all face difficult economic times, we ask you to join us in pushing our Veteran’s efforts over the top.  Any contribution you are able to make, large or small, will allow our Veterans to complete the restoration of the VFW hall.  Your generoristy will be greatly appreciated by our Veterans and those who support them.  For those that contribute from TWO HUNDRED FIFTY and 00/100THS ($250.00) DOLLARS to FIVE HUNDRED and 00/100THS ($500.00) DOLLARS; from FIVE HUNDRED and 00/100THS ($500.00) DOLLARS to ONE THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($1,000.00) DOLLARS; and over ONE THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($1,000.00) DOLLARS, the name of the contributing individual and/or business will be permantely engraved at the entrance of the hall.

Please RSVP your attendance to the Wine and Cheese Fundraiser on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, from 6:00 P.M., to 8:00 P.M., by calling our dear friends, Michele and Paul Russell at 203-723-9781.  If you are unable to attend  the Wine and Cheese Fundraiser, but would still like to contribute, please  make your check payable to VFW Crusader Post Number 1946 and mail to VFW Crusader Post 1946 , 239 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770; or email us at bob@bobmezzo.com to arrange a convenient time and place to pick-up your contribution.

Each and every one of our Veterans has put their lives on hold and has been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.  Despite their devotion, our Veterans ask for nothing, not even our thanks, in return.  It is time we gave it to them.  Please join us in helping to finally make our Veteran’s dream of a newly restored VFW hall a reality.

There is no better a way to begin Memorial Day weekend.

In recognition of Earth Day, which falls on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, Mezzo2009 will be organizing a clean-up on Sunday, April 19, 2009, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. at Breen/Rotary Field.  We are actively recruiting volunteers to assist with cleaning debris from the hill behind the backstops and along the riverbank.

We encourage people of all ages to share a few hours of their weekend supporting a good cause.  The event should be a great opportunity for children to learn the importance of protecting our parks and natural resources, and the damage caused by not properly disposing of trash.  Supervision will be provided to ensure that any children joining us will be safe and out of harm’s way.

Jim and Sue Goggin have graciously offered their home (87 Moonlight Circle, Naugatuck, CT) for a cookout after the clean-up.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served.

Bags and gloves will be provided to all those who attend.  Special thanks to Recycling Coordinator Sheila Baummer for her assistance in organizing.

Anyone interested in volunteering, please email our campaign at bob@bobmezzo.com, or call 203-729-6271.

]]> http://www.bobmezzo.com/2009/04/07/earth-day-clean-up-sunday-april-19-2009/feed/ 0 http://www.bobmezzo.com/2009/03/03/pre-primary-rally/ http://www.bobmezzo.com/2009/03/03/pre-primary-rally/#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:43:42 +0000 Bob http://www.bobmezzo.com/?p=556 Our campaign will have a pre-primary rally this Sunday, March 8, 2009, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, at the                O Cantinho Restaurant.  The rally will kick-off preparations for what is undoubtedly going to be a long but exciting primary day on Monday March 9, 2009.  Complimentary appetizers and beverages will be provided.

O Cantinho is located on the first floor of the Portuguese Club located at 110 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, CT.  For those who have not had the opportunity to visit O Cantinho, it is a fantastic addition to one of Naugatuck’s finest and most community-oriented clubs.

Please join Team Mezzo and our effort to bring real change to Naugatuck government.  If you are interested in volunteering on primary day, please email our campaign at bob@bobmezzo.com or call 203-729-6271.

Later this week, there will be a debate on Thursday, February 26, 2009, at City Hill Middle School.  The debate is being coordinated to benefit the parent school groups of City Hill and Hillside Middle School.  It will begin at 7:00 PM, and be moderated by Board of Education Member David Heller, Esq.  Some of the questions will be drafted by students.  More details regarding the format will follow. 

During these critical times, it is important that voters know where candidates stand on the issues.  This coming week will provide this opportunity.  Thanks to all who are responsible for organizing the upcoming debates. 

As always, Scott Dudas and the entire Giuseppe’s staff did an outstanding job accomodating so many people in a standing-room-only crowd.  The food and hospitality was what we have come to expect from Giuseppe’s, which has been contributing to the Naugatuck community for nineteen years.  In addition to supporting numerous community groups and youth sports teams over the years, Giuseppe’s serves delicious pizza and other outstanding dishes at more than reasonable prices.

Our campaign sincerely enjoys meeting and working with people who are new to the political process.  If you were unable to attend but interested in learning more about our campaign or the many volunteer opportunities, please feel free to call (203-729-6271) or email (bob@bobmezzo.com) us at your convenience. 

We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

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).

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.

In the coming weeks, I look forward to working with all of you in preparation for the upcoming Democratic Primary, on March 9, 2009.

Thank you again for your support.