Wednesday, August 11, 2010

JARJURA TO SERVE OUT TERM

Waterbury Mayor Michael Jarjura told me on the radio this morning, that he will serve out his term. "Oh absolutely, absolutely," he answered, when I asked him it appeared he was trying to escape Waterbury, by seeking elective office this year. The Mayor flirted with running for governor, then Lt. governor, before getting trounced in Tuesday's Democratic primary for state comptroller, by convention endorsed candidate Kevin Lembo.
The mayor said he ran for state office because he is "fearful for the working people of this state." He sees a pending financial crisis, with the state facing a $3B deficit next year and he wanted to take a conservative, fiscal approach to fix the problem. The Mayor also called the proposed paid sick leave bill, supported by Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dan Malloy, anti-business.
As for reports Waterbury State's Attorney John Connelly may be under a grand jury investigation, that some are calling "explosive," Jarjura told me he was "saddened" by the story, but that is all he knows about it. He called Connelly an "extremely effective prosecutor in Waterbury for a very, very long time." He also said his administration has nothing to hide. He will open up the city's books to anyone. "In 10 years as mayor, there has not been a whisper of impropriety," he said.