My Left Nutmeg - Steve Fontana

Former State Rep. Steve Fontana to make major announcement on Monday!

saziz577 — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:37:37 GMT

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
For IMMEDIATE Release Contact: Steve Fontana
January 20, 2012 203.234.2240

FORMER STATE REP. STEVE FONTANA TO MAKE MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT

Monday, January 23rd@11:00 AM in Wallingford

Steve Fontana will make a major announcement on Monday, January 23, 201:00 a.m. on the steps of Wallingford Town Hall.
Fontana served as North Haven's State Representative from 1997 to 2011. He is also a former local official, having served as a Selectman in North Haven from 2007 to 2011.

WHAT: Steve Fontana to make major announcement
WHEN: Monday, January 23rd at 11:00 AM
WHERE: Wallingford Town Hall Steps
45 South Main Street
Wallingford, CT
###

Paid for by Fontana for State Senate, Sarah Aziz, Treasurer. Approved by Steve Fontana.

Kevin Kopetz declines to serve North Haven, takes his marbles and goes home

saziz577 — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:22:30 GMT

Well, well, well, it looks like Kevin Kopetz resigned from his newly elected position as Selectman of North Haven.

From today's New Haven register (pg 1B available to online subscribers):

NORTH HAVEN - Republican First Selectman Kevin J. Kopetz will not take the seat on the Board of Selectmen to which he was elected last week.
Kopetz made the announcement to the Republican Town Committee Tuesday night at GOP headquarters. Kopetz said he made the decision "for a number of reasons. I need to obtain, in fairness to my family, full-time employment. I didn't think I could do that encumbered by having a part-time job that required another commitment on my part. It's not fair to a future employer."
Kopetz added that he didn't think it would be fair to the town, the Republican Party or his family to hold the seat on the Board of Selectmen.

Local municipal ethics expert Rob Wechsler weighs in quoting "Nicky", a commentator on his North Haven blog:

A comment from Nicky, a regular contributor, alerted me to the article, so I will place his comment into this blog entry: "I see from the papers today that Mr Kopetz's 'deep concern' for the Town of North Haven seems to wane when there's no big paycheck involved!!! Maybe he's just afraid to be treated by the Democratic majority like the Republicans have treated them in the past? This scenario I do NOT think will occur because right now it appears that the incoming regime has a bit more class than the power drunk Republicans did. Time will tell, I think Janet, although not a smooth speaker, is sincere in her intentions, TIME WILL TELL!"
I agree with Nicky that, once again, Mr. Kopetz is putting his own interests ahead of the town's. It's not a part-time job he's turning down (he held other important town positions while he was fully employed), it's being in the position that McCarty's been in all these years of having no power.
And it wouldn't be as bad for Kopetz as it's been for McCarty because, as Nicky says, McCarty would have treated Kopetz with respect, while that "nice man" for years treated her rudely and with disdain.
No, it's all about power, and Kopetz doesn't want any part of serving North Haven without having power. It's not that Kopetz is a poor loser, it's that this is a game to him and he's lost. And when you lose, you go home. You don't stick around while the opposing team celebrates and moves on to the finals.
For McCarty it's truly been about serving North Haven, no matter what abuse is thrown your way. She has finally communicated this to North Haven citizens, and Mr. Kopetz has emphasized how different he is from Ms. McCarty.

The New Haven Register continues:

GOP Town Chairwoman Elinor C. Pedalino said some Republicans suspected that Kopetz would not take the position, but others were surprised by his announcement.
She said that there are some people interested in taking the third seat on the Board of Selectmen and the town committee will be working on making a recommendation for a replacement.

Rob Wechsler, outlines the procedure for replacing Kevin Kopetz as selectman. It looks like Janet and Steve can select a replacement:

Two Democrats can pick a replacement for a Republican selectman, but the replacement cannot be a Democrat. The replacement may be unaffiliated, a Republican, a Green, Libertarian, or whatever.
If the Republicans don't like the replacement, they have fifteen days to present a petition with about 600 names, requesting a special election for a replacement, who would, presumably, run against the replacement chosen by McCarty and Fontana.
Therefore, it would be best for McCarty and Fontana to select someone who is acceptable to the Republican Town Committee. But by resigning, Kopetz could have prevented his own party from having someone on the Board of Selectmen.

Kopetz lost the election and rather than continue serving the people of North Haven has opted to take his marbles and go home. Good riddance. I fully expect Janet and Steve to find a dedicated and principled non-Democrat to take his place.

In addition to searching for a new Selectman, Janet is currently focused on the transition process. Janet has appointed me to serve on her transition committee, headed by Michael Mele, to implement zero-based budgeting in our town. I'm currently working on this. If anyone has experience implementing zero-based budgeting in their municipality, please contact me at northhavendems@yahoo.com and maybe we can share ideas.

Janet McCarty fundraiser in North Haven, on Thur Aug 2!

saziz577 — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 03:27:21 GMT

As many of you know, Steve Fontana was chosen as Janet McCarty's running mate and is now a candidate for Second Selectman of North Haven.

This week, Steve sent out a letter inviting others to an upcoming fundraiser this Thursday. Here are the details:

If you plan to come, please R.S.V.P as soon as possible.

Read Steve's letter below the fold...

State Rep. Fontana chosen as McCarty's running mate in North Haven!

saziz577 — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:48:51 GMT

North Haven Democrats' Press Conference 7/17/07.
From left to right: Janet McCarty (Candidate for First Selectman), State Rep. Steve Fontana (Candidate for Selectman), Peter Criscuolo (North Haven DTC chair), Bill Gambardella (Candidate for Treasurer), and Bernie McLoughlin (Former candidate for Selectman).

I am happy to report that State Rep Steve Fontana announced his candidacy for Selectman of North Haven at the North Haven Democrat's press conference yesterday.

According to today's New Haven Register (pg 4B):

NORTH HAVEN — State Rep. Steve Fontana, the highest vote-getter in town except for U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, has been tapped to be the running mate of Democratic Selectwoman Janet McCarty.
McCarty, who is launching her fourth campaign for first selectman against Republican incumbent Kevin J. Kopetz, said Fontana, who has been in the House for 11 years, has credibility and trust among voters. “He has an incredible work ethic. He’s the dream candidate. He works really hard for North Haven already.” Fontana replaces Police Commissioner Bernard McLoughlin, who dropped out of the race due to personal commitments, but is now deputy campaign manager. Democratic Town Chairman Peter Criscuolo is replacing Fontana as campaign manager.

North Haven Republicans, of course, objected:

Upon hearing that Fontana was a candidate for selectman, Republican Town Chairwoman Elinor C. Pedalino questioned whether there would be conflicts with Fontana being a state representative and on the Board of Selectmen, if he were elected.
Fontana said there is no conflict and that other legislators have simultaneously served as selectmen in their communities. “This is hardly the kind of issue that matters to voters. People who are trying to pay their property taxes are concerned about traffic or how long the library or pool is open,” he said.

I am also happy to report that North Haven was among the four Connecticut towns that was selected by Money Magazine as one of the top 100 best cities to live in the United States. Currently, North Haven is ranked 86 out of 100...and this despite the corruption and dishonesty of local Republican leadership. If we're already ranked 86 out of 100, I have no doubt that under the honest and effective leadership of the McCarty-Fontana ticket, North Haven will be at the very top of the best cities list next year!