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

CT Post Says Tom Foley "Brings Some Unpleasant Baggage To The Race"

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.

============================

Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to WestportRoundup@gmail.com

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.

08/01/10 Driver Suffers Chest Pains, Crashes Into Stone Wall

This Just In To The Westport Roundup Newsroom .....

Westport News - August 1, 2010

Driver Suffers Chest Pains, Crashes Into Stone Wall (Westport Now)

Mention WestportNow and get 10% discount R ex Marine Center 203-831-5236 203-604-1295 www.rexmarine.com Saturday, July 31, 2010 A male driver suffered chest pains before crashing his car into a fire hydrant and stone wall tonight in front of 69 Cross Highway, according to reports from the scene.

TakeCare and Connecticut Domestics Partner to Promote Nanny Personality and Risk Assessments (PR-inside)

TakeCare, a provider of online personality and risk assessments of Nannies, Au Pairs and Babysitters, and Connecticut Domestics, a full service nanny placement agency based in Westport, CT, have partnered to promote the use of NannyTest, an online personality and risk assessment test for child caregivers.

A Sound Brunch (Westport Patch)

Looking for a good brunch in Westport? Splash is the obvious go-to. It's got plentiful outdoor seating and the location at Inn at Longshore feels special.

Westport Firefighters Cover Bridgeport for Funerals (Westport Patch)

Eleven Westport Firefighters donated their time Friday so the Bridgeport Firefighters could attend the funerals ofA Lt.

Summer Staycation: Sherwood Island Nature Center (Ridgefield Patch)

Here's the scenario: your children get versed, first hand, in Nature's wonder by a charming and knowledgeable group, they have fun doing it, for free.

Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to WestportRoundup@gmail.com

CCLU Lawyer: P&Z Decorum Policy is "Problematic" (Westport Now)

Mention WestportNow and get 10% discount R ex Marine Center 203-831-5236 203-604-1295 www.rexmarine.com Saturday, July 31, 2010 CCLU Lawyer: P&Z Decorum Policy is "Problematic" By James Lomuscio The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission's new decorum policy banning signs and T-shirts expressing a view is "problematic" according to an attorney ...