{news} Stamford mayoral debate

Wed Oct 26 19:08:31 EDT 2005

This article only scratches the surface of what happened last night.  The 
incumbent mayor, Dannel Malloy (D), was clearly on the defensive about 
eminent domain, campaign finance, and other issues.  The most dramatic 
moment came after Darek explained why we need energy conservation and energy 
independence to relieve the heavy burden on the power grid in this part of 
CT.  Just as he finished, the room went dark for a few seconds.  It seemed 
like a blackout, but was probably caused by someone leaning on a light 
switch.  No, we did not engineer this!

The Advocate

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-debate4oct26,0,4294413.story

Malloy, Munger go on attack at debate

By Doug Dalena
Staff Writer

October 26, 2005

STAMFORD -- The three mayoral candidates sparred over development, public 
safety, ethics and experience during a debate last night at the University 
of Connecticut's city campus.

The debate between Green Party candidate Darek Shapiro, Republican 
Christopher Munger and Democratic Mayor Dannel Malloy included contentious 
exchanges between Malloy and Munger that sparked applause and boos from both 
men's supporters, who dominated the 300-person audience.

In the most heated exchange, Munger repeated his charge that Malloy promotes 
a "pay to play" system because so much of his campaign money has come from 
real estate interests. Malloy accused Munger of smear tactics.

"Here we come at a desperate time for a desperate candidate who will say 
anything and do anything to get elected," Malloy said after telling the 
audience a Republican chief state's attorney had fully exonerated him of the 
same charges.

Malloy repeatedly criticized Munger for his lack of municipal government 
experience. Saying a mayor had to "know how to read a budget," he accused 
Munger of criticizing municipal employees and painting a bleak picture of 
Stamford's bright future. He seized on errors in Munger's previous 
statements about road paving and school construction.

Munger rebutted both accusations, saying that he was criticizing Malloy's 
performance and that he wants to make the city's future brighter.

Shapiro mostly stayed out of the battle.

After introducing themselves in three-minute speeches, the candidates 
answered questions from a three-person panel for about 80 minutes, then 
closed with three-minute speeches.

The Chamber of Commerce, The Advocate, News 12 Connecticut and WSTC/WNLK 
co-sponsored the debate.

Shapiro said he had ideas for improving the city beyond his signature issue 
of energy-efficiency. Most people, he said, don't think the city is going in 
the right direction on energy, housing, taxes and transportation.

Munger led off by acknowledging his lack of political experience.

"What I do bring is 40 years of public service and leadership experience," 
he said, returning to his frequent charge that Malloy is neglecting the city 
to run for governor. "I promise that I will serve this city for a full four 
years. I have no aspirations of a higher political office."

Munger said he would retain and improve Stamford's quality of life, increase 
"smart growth," promote campaign finance reform and two-term limits for 
mayors, and thoroughly plan maintenance of roads and other infrastructure.

In addition to being one of the 10 safest cities for three straight years, 
Malloy said, Stamford has been ranked among the top 30 cities for 
entrepreneurs, one of the most livable cities, one of the 100 best cities 
for youth and the "second smartest" city.

"What the next four years should be about is what the last four years have 
been about," he said.

Malloy said the city is "poised for greatness" with him at the helm, 
pointing to rebuilt infrastructure, including school improvements and a new 
$105 million sewage plant.

Shapiro and Munger sounded alarm bells over eminent domain powers.

"They give the place character," Shapiro said of churches and small 
buildings holding ground among massive developments.

"I'm very afraid of eminent domain," Munger said, warning that the power 
should be used only for a "very serious purpose."

Malloy agreed eminent domain should be used "only for extraordinary 
purposes," but argued that cities should not have their hands tied. Citing 
the UBS headquarters in Stamford, he said using the power could help bring 
thousands of jobs to the city.

A question about disaster preparedness allowed Munger to repeat his call 
that the city is not ready to respond to acts of terror or large-scale 
school violence such as the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in 
Colorado.

"I don't think we're ready for a mass disaster in this city," Munger said. 
"Matter of fact, I know we're not."

Police don't have enough disaster training and the schools do not have 
comprehensive emergency plans, he said.

Malloy rattled off a list of the city's accomplishments in public safety. 
They included the low crime rate, more than 200 police officers receiving 
training in various aspects of emergency response, awards for Stamford's 
maintenance of its hurricane barrier, and dealing with 9/11, anthrax scares 
and nor'easters.

Shapiro called for emergency sirens throughout the city in case television 
and radio transmissions did not work.

On transportation, Malloy lambasted the state government for failing to 
address the issue adequately in Fairfield County. He boasted of getting $335 
million in federal money for transportation projects in Stamford, including 
the Urban Transitway in the South End.

Shapiro said he would increase train ridership by raising the cost for 
nonresident commuters to park in the city.

Munger said little about his plans for transportation, but accused Malloy of 
passing the buck to Gov. M. Jodi Rell. "To blame her, I think, is 
electioneering for governor," he said.

Asked directly about his ability to run Stamford if re-elected and campaign 
throughout the state for governor, Malloy said even during his statewide 
campaign, he has had several accomplishments as mayor -- chiefly negotiating 
a deal to bring the Royal Bank of Scotland here.

"I was raised in a society where it was not thought ill of someone that they 
aspired to greater things," Malloy said.

After Shapiro criticized the RBS deal because "nobody asked you (residents) 
if you wanted it," Malloy called it "some of the greatest news to ever come 
to Stamford."

Malloy also strongly rebutted a charge from Munger that the city's 22 
percent commercial vacancy rate would increase residential taxes.

"Commercial values have gone up more rapidly in Stamford than anywhere 
else," Malloy said, citing a report from the administration of "Gov. Rowland 
and Gov. Rell."

Malloy said his administration had tripled senior tax relief and is poised 
to increase it further. Munger said the high cost of housing and looming tax 
revaluation would force many seniors to sell their homes. Shapiro repeated 
his proposal to add a tax break for energy efficiency.

In response to a question about the city's greatest achievement, Munger 
cited attracting UBS headquarters during Mayor Stanley Esposito's 
administration. Shapiro pointed to a strong Environmental Protection Board. 
Malloy highlighted the reduction in crime during his administration and the 
addition of access to universal preschool.