08/02/10 BREAKING NEWS: Hearst Newspapers Chooses Michael Fedele Over Greenwich Resident Tom Foley In The Republican Primary For Governor

Photo: Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele

Connecticut Post Says Fedele The Choice Among Republicans

Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele has the combination of government and business experience that, given the chance to serve in the No. 1 seat, would be good for the state of Connecticut.

The Connecticut Post endorses his candidacy in the Aug. 10 Republican three-way primary.

The 55-yearold Fedele brings 10 years of legislative experience, serving in the state House of Representatives from 1992 to 2002, and three years in his current position.

But Fedele is also a self-made businessman and understands that job creation is the top challenge to the state.

Fedele understands in no uncertain terms that improving the atmosphere in Connecticut for small business is essential to turning around the state's economy.

His stand against any new taxes speaks to his understanding of the situation.

We compliment him for his position.

Given his experience, Fedele is confident solutions to the state's problems of spending and borrowing can be resolved through good management, and not through new taxes.Though Fedele has been part of the Rell administration ... well, that in some respects sums it up.

It was indeed the Rell administration, and if anyone can name a Connecticut lieutenant governor who shaped policy from that office, we'd be curious to know who it was.

Fedele rightly says he can be held accountable only for those areas in which he had authority.

He's been an effective ambassador for the state, recruiting business and reaching out to the Henkel Corporation, manufacturer of Loctite adhesive products and successfully encouraging them to consolidate operations in Rocky Hill.

Fedele also figured in the move of Columbia Elevators from New York to Bridgeport.

We also applaud Oz Griebel, another candidate in the GOP primary, for his passion and clear commitment to improving the business climate in the state.

And Tom Foley brings a business background as well. But he also brings some unpleasant baggage to the race.

But Fedele earns our endorsement. We believe he's the best of the three choices to lead the state.

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08/01/10 CT PRIMARY CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: State Comptroller

Photo: Kevin Lembo On The Campaign trail

Lembo And Jarjura Battle In The Democratic State Comptroller Primary

A week from Tuesday, Aug. 10, registered Democrats will go to the polls to narrow the field in a number of contested races, but even after that, there are so many contenders in so many races that it's really hard to keep track.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first. Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

The battle to be comptroller, is very important given the state's nearly $3 billion deficit.

Many wonder why this seat is contested in such hard times. One would think that it would be more fun to be the money person when the state is flush rather than broke. But this hasn't deterred Democrats Kevin Lembo and Michael Jarjura from battling for the democratic nod.

The winner of that race will face Republican Jack Orchulli and Green candidate Colin Bennett.

Democrat Kevin Lembo, who served as assistant state comptroller to Nancy Wyman, is the party-endorsed candidate running against Michael Jarjura for the state comptroller seat.

Lembo is nationally recognized for his expertise in health care systems and consumer protection, according to his campaign website. He currently leads the Office of the Healthcare Advocate for the state. He lives in Guilford with his wife; they have three children.

Today the Harwinton Democratic Town Committee is hosting a meet and greet so voters can meet candidates. The event will be held at the Harwinton Senior Center, 209 Weingart Road, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Mr. Lembo has confirmed that he will attend.

Mike Jarjura is the mayor of Waterbury. He worked as a state representative in the 1990s and as an assistant attorney general. He has a B.S. in management from Post College and a J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law.

This weekenday, with Waterbury Mayor Jarjura was on the ropes after Lembo came out with three body blows.

First, a YouTube video surfaced of the Democrat speaking at a Tea Party rally.

"We needed a spark, and you're the spark that is going to be the change. So don't give up. Don't get discouraged because this country is worth fighting for and you're fighting for it," Jarjura said at the rally in Waterbury last September.

Jarjura, a Democrat, defended his attendance at the ultra-conservative rally.

Jarjura claimed he was there at the request of Waterbury citizens and he wasn't there to advocate for any political group," he said. "Every one is trying to do a 'gotcha' in these campaigns and manipulate things to something you don't even represent."

Lembo isn't buying it.

"It's an odd choice for a Democratic mayor to be attending a Tea Party rally," he told the press.

The second blow to Jarjura's campaign was the Waterbury teachers union endorsing Lembo, following the lead one week ago of the local police union.

Jarjura's response: it's backlash from the tough contract negotiations between the city and the unions as a result of the tight economy.

Finally, Lembo launched a television advertisement attacking Jarjura for hiring former Gov. John Rowland, a Republican forced to resign by a corruption scandal.

"Jarjura hired Rowland to a $100,000 dollar a year job after he got out of prison -- calling him the best governor Connecticut has ever had," the 30-second advertisement says.

Jarjura backed the hiring of John Rowland, the disgraced former Republican governor, in an economic development job partly funded with city money.

Jarjura has responded with mailings touting his negative web site, called Lembo Lies, and filed a lawsuit attempting to block Lembo's ability to spend public financing money.

Jarjura's mailer to registered Democrats, accusing Lembo of being a secret conservative. The mailer directed Democrats to a web site created by Jarjura's campaign.

“Some of my opponents’ claims are just bizarre. But let me be clear – I have never ever lied to the people of Connecticut or distorted my record," Lembo said.

The Lembo campaign responded by saying that Jarjura is a cultural conservative who opposes abortion rights.

A Superior Court judge Tuesday rejected Michael Jarjura's effort to block Kevin Lembo from using public financing in their Democratic contest for state comptroller.

The terse order by Judge James T. Graham frees Lembo to begin spending the $375,000 awarded to him last week for his Aug. 10 primary with Jarjura, the mayor of Waterbury.

Jarjura, who also has received $375,000 in public financing.

This legal challenge is the second of two attempts by Jarjura to deny public financing to Lembo.

08/01/10 2010 ELECTIONS - CT CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: Secretary of the State (Jerry Farrell Jr, Gerry Garcia, Denise Merrill

Photo: Connecticut Republican Candidate Secretary Of State

Jerry Farrell Jr

Even the politically astute of Connecticut have got to be preparing scratch sheets to keep track of who is running for what this political season.

It is a tough job to try and keep track, but it is a job that needs to be done.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first. Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

Not sure who is running? Then go to the secretary of the state's website (ctgov.org will get you started) and find out the candidate's names, political parties and offices that they are seeking.

Speaking of the secretary of state, did you know that Gerry Garcia (yes, that's really his name) could get bumped in next week's primaries in his bid to be Connecticut's new secretary of the state?

The Democrat is vying for the seat against party endorsed candidate Denise Merrill in what will be a three-way race Nov. 2 pitting either Garcia or Merrill against Republican Jerry Farrell Jr. and Green Party contender S. Michael DeRosa.

It's an important job, overseeing the state's elections, so we'd all do ourselves a favor by brushing up on the candidates' qualifications and platforms so we can make informed decisions come November.

Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr, nominated at convention for Secretary of State, reiterated the calls for fiscal conservatism, even through the Secretary of State's office.

Farrell just qualified for public campaign financing.and submitted his paperwork to the State Elections Enforcement Commission in preparation of the November general election.

Farrell’s campaign raised over $75,000 from over 900 contributors who were limited to a maximum of $100 per person.

Once approved, Farrell will receive a grant of $750,000 to compete with a Democratic opponent who will receive the same grant.

Farrell and Democratic attorney general candidate George Jepsen are the only statewide candidates without a primary election to receive public funding.

07/30/10 Ned Lamont Stops By To Visit With The Towns Seniors

Image via Wikipedia

Ned Lamont, the candidate that is ahead in the polls for governor, leveled further charges of impropriety against former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy during an impromptu campaign stop at the Greenwich Senior Center.

Mr. Lamont, who is a Greenwich native, stood by his claim that Mr. Malloy routinely accepted political donations as Stamford mayor from people doing business with the city. Often these donors got no-bid contracts in Mr. Malloy's apparent pay to play schemes.

In Connecticut contractors are barred from making political contributions to candidates for state office under the state's election law. However, the ban does not apply in cities like Stamford.

Mr. Lamont told seniors,"Maybe what was going on in Stamford and some of our other cities was legal, but was it right? We just laid out the facts that people doing business with the city of Stamford made contributions to the mayor."

Both Mr. Lamont and Mr. Malloy heading into the Aug. 10 primary.

Lamont invoked the name of former Gov. John G. Rowland, who resigned and went to prison over a corruption scandal.....

"You look around the state of Connecticut, and you see what has happened with pay-to-play. We have to give the taxpayers confidence that their money is being well spent in an honest and transparent way. I think people know that I'll go up to Hartford with no strings attached."

Mr. Lamont arrived at the senior citizen center around noon and circulated from table to table as the seniors waited to get their lunch from the cafeteria.

"I may be the guy standing between you and your lunch," the former Greenwich selectman and Finance Board member said.

Mr. Lamont talked to the crowd about job creation and retention of a younger generation that is leaving the state for "greener pastures".

"I'd like to be able to say that our young people decided they want to return to Connecticut," the married father of three said.

Mr. Lamont sat at the piano and playing the song "Some Enchanted Evening" from the musical "South Pacific" as the seniors enjoined their lunches.

The seniors were also treated to George Gershwin's "Summertime."

PLEASE SEE:

07/30/10 CT POLITICAL UPDATE: Senior Citizens Mad At Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Malloy

PLEASE ALSO SEE:

07/30/10 Reader Submitted Comments: Former Stamford Mayor Malloy Is Far From Being The 'Clean Elections' Candidate

Related Articles In The Mainstream Media:

• Lamont Leads Malloy in Connecticut (politicalwire.com)
• Eddie Perez, Connecticut Mayor, Found Guilty On Charges Of Corruption, Bribery, Larceny By Extortion (huffingtonpost.com)
• Hartford mayor convicted of corruption (msnbc.msn.com)

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07/13/10 Connecticut Tea Party Favorite Rob Merkle Busted For Drug Possesion

United States Congressman Jim Himes' "So-Called" Conservative Congressional Opponent Is A Pot Head

This was not A teenage Indiscretion - Rob Merkle Was 32 When He Was Busted For Drugs

Where Is Hearst Newspaper Editor David McCumber?

Is He Out Getting High Like Rob Merkle?

The Greenwich Time Will Put Tom Foley's Domestic Abuse Arrest On The Front Page, But The Newspaper Appears To Be Protecting Tea party Pot Head Rob Merkle

Rob Merkle was high one day and called the fire department and said,

"Come quick my house is on fire!"

The Fireman asked "How do we get there?"

Merkle says "DUH, in a big red truck!"

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07/07/10 Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Malloy Slams Greenwich Resident Ned Lamont For Skipping New London Debate

The Chicken Man Is Afraid Of Getting Plucked:

Greenwich Millionaire Ned Lamont Is Running Scared

Dan Malloy, the endorsed Democratic candidate for Connecticut governor, is criticizing his primary opponent Ned Lamont for skipping a planned televised debate inNew London later this month.

The Day of New London, which traditionally co-sponsors the debate with WTNH-TV, announced Tuesday that Lamont is refusing to participate, forcing them to cancel the live event. The Republican candidates for governor will still face off on July 28.

Malloy and Lamont appeared together last month in their first TV debate. Malloy says he thinks Lamont won't participate in a second debate because a campaign focus group showed he did not perform well.

A spokeswoman confirmed Lamont is not participating, saying that he wants to talk directly to voters between now and the Aug. 10 primary. She says there was no focus group.

06/21/10 Old Greenwich Congressional Candidate Rick Torres Appeared On WSTC 1400 AM

Republican Rick Torres, who maybe your next congressman, appeared on the Lisa Wexler show.

It is the second appearnace Mr Torres has had on the show.

Lisa Wexler is the most popular radio host in Fairfield County.

http://livewithlisaradio.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=att_download&link_id=583&cf_id=58

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06/21/10 NEWS: Old Greenwich Congressman Jim Himes And The Fourth Congressional Race

Jim Himes Conservative Opponent Rick Torres Picks Up Key Endorsement For Fourth District Congressional Seat In CT

Greenwich Roundup: Peter Schiff Endorses Rick Torres for ... By GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com (Greenwich Roundup) Excerpts From Peter Schiff's Endorsement Of Rick Torres "It's not just about electing a Republican; it's about electing the right Republican. There are a lot of Republicans in Congress right now and most of them are part of the problem, ... Greenwich Roundup - http://greenwichroundup.blogspot.com/

Recent Web Pages Web Pages About Congressman

Jim Himes Conservative Opponent Rick Torres

Conservative Leader And Political Commentator Star Parker Endorses ... Rick Torres Continues ... "I am running for Congress to demonstrate that authentic American conservatism is the truest form of 'social-justice. ... www.topix.com/.../conservative-leader-and-political-comment...

Rick Torres Receives Endorsement of Conservative Party ... Bridgeport News The Conservative Party of Connecticut has endorsed Bridgeport resident Rick Torres for U.S. Congress. Torres, who lives in Black Rock and. ... fwix.com/.../rick_torres_receives_endorsement_of_conservati...

Peter Schiff's Signature Count Continues - Worldnews.com On May 26th 2010, Republican Rick Torres received the endorsement of .... candidate running for Congress in Connecticut's 2nd District . ... article.wn.com/.../Peter_Schiffs_Signature_Count_Continues/

State candidates submit petitions for primaries The Republican ... ... and Bridgeport businessman Rick Torres all said they have turned in more ... rep-am.com/articles/2010/.../doc4c0ee1c64f819650510277.txt

Schiff's fate still uncertain, will know either Friday or Monday ... Mark Greenberg, who is running in the 5th, and Rob Merkle and Rick Torres, both running in the 4th, are likely to qualify, Harris said, though he notes that ... www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?p=2755876

Thomas Conine | Facebook Walt Disney World • John Tartaglio Motivational Speaker • Rick Torres for Congress • RelationshipHero.com • Hebert Jewelers ... en-pi.facebook.com/tommy.conine

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06/20/10 Greenwich TOPIX Website Posts About Fourth Congressional District Candidate Rick Torres

*LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Congressional Candidate Rick Torres Says Israel Is
Fighting for Its Survival*

http://www.topix.com/city/greenwich-ct/2010/06/letter-to-the-editor-congressional-candidate-rick-torres-says-israel-is-fighting-for-its-survival

*Peter Schiff Endorses Rick Torres for Congressional Run Against Greenwich
Resident Jim Himes*

http://www.topix.com/city/greenwich-ct/2010/06/peter-schiff-endorses-rick-torres-for-congressional-run-against-greenwich-resident-jim-himes

*Conservative Leader And Political Commentator Star Parker Endorses Rick
Torres*
http://www.topix.com/city/greenwich-ct/2010/06/conservative-leader-and-political-commentator-star-parker-endorses-rick-torres-2

*In 4th District Congressional Race, Rick Torres Goes Against The Grain*
http://www.topix.com/city/greenwich-ct/2010/06/in-4th-district-congressional-race-rick-torres-goes-against-the-grain

*Rick Torres Contrasts Himself From Others In The Primary That Will Decide
Who Will Take On Jim Himes*

http://www.topix.com/city/greenwich-ct/2010/06/rick-torres-contrasts-himself-from-others-in-the-primary-that-will-decide-who-will-take-on-jim-himes

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Republican Canidate Rick Torres Contrasts Himself From Competitors

Rick Torres, candidate in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional district, today highlighted what he believes to be the critical distinctions between him and his rivals in the race.

“While I believe anyone who runs for office to better our country deserves respect, only certain policies warrant support,” Torres said. “Labels are too often misleading, which is why policies matter.”

To illustrate, Torres points to a recent press release by rival Rob Merkle, who professes to be a fiscal conservative. In the release, Merkle claims to be a ‘”small business owner who strives to reduce the size, reach and burden of the federal government.”

“His policies do anything but reduce the size of government,” Torres notes. “He is merely another big-government Republican.”

Torres points to just two of the many big government solutions Merkle advocates:

1. In a poor attempt to 'help' the economy, Merkle praises the SBA loan program. “The Small Business Administration is a government agency which actually takes taxpayer monies and decides who to loan it to. It is another form of corporate welfare,” Torres says.

2. Another of Merkle’s poor attempts to revive the economy is virtually identical to the 'jobs plan' of Barack Obama. It is to “mandate” banks to make loans to small businesses. Torres points out that banks are private enterprises. “Government mandating banks to give loans to property owners resulted in the near collapse of our economy. Yet Merkle wants the government to repeat this same mistake and hopes for a different outcome.”

“These policies led to the budget deficits, tax increases and unemployment we have today. We cannot spend our way out of a recession or tax our way to prosperity. Clearly, a conservative should know this,” Torres asserted.

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