Norwich Bulletin: Campaign leads DeStefano to Norwich, Montville

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Norwich Bulletin: Campaign leads DeStefano to Norwich, Montville

The Norwich Bulletin June 13, 2006

by Ray Hackett

Norwich - John DeStefano, Democratic gubernatorial candidate and New Haven Mayor, toured eastern Connecticut Monday, seeking to solidify his support in the region as he prepares for an Aug. 8 primary showdown with Democratic rival, Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy.

"You can't get elected governor without Eastern Connecticut, so I just keep coming back," DeStefano said after stops in Willimantic, Norwich and Montville.

Eastern Connecticut delegates to the state Democratic convention last month were critical of DeStefano's efforts to win the party's endorsement, which Malloy won by four votes.

DeStefano holds an 11-point advantage over Malloy among likely Democratic primary voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released last week. Both candidates, however, lag well behind Republican incumbent Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who holds a 40-plus point lead over both men.

DeStefano and Malloy are scheduled to face off in a July 18 debate at the Garde Arts Center in New London. In the meantime, both continue to criss-cross the state to meet with supporters and voters wherever they can.

DeStefano began his daylong visit to the region with a tour of a Willimantic health clinic with Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, and Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams, D-Brooklyn. He then appeared on the Stu Bryer Show on radio station WICH, fielding questions from listeners, including one that wanted his opinion on a new Rhode Island law mandating pet owners spay and neuter their cats.

"I must confess I haven't given that one much thought," he said to the caller.

Other issues such as eminent domain, the Mashantucket Pequot/Mohegan slot fund and urban crime were discussed during his 45-minute visit to the show.

After the radio program, DeStefano was joined by former Congressman Sam Gejdenson and Montville Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz for several campaign stops in Montville, where he talked with supporters about the future of the region, and the potential problems it could face in terms of housing and transportation.

"You get this sense that Eastern Connecticut is about to explode in a very positive way," DeStefano said after a visit to the Thomas G. Faria Corp. "There's a lot happening here, but the question is, 'What's the framework of how it's going to happen?'"

DeStefano said it is critical the state work with regional leaders in managing the growth that will come from large developments projects planned for the region.

"I like the guy, and I like what I've seen so far," said Bill Allen, a general contractor in Montville who threw his support behind DeStefano a year ago.