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New London Democratic Rivals Talk Taxes in Mayoral Primary

Daryl Justin Finizio and Michael Passero on the stage at New London High School.

Finizio supporters before the debate.

Tax hikes, crime, and union contracts provoked the most controversy at the only debate between the two Democratic rivals to become New London mayor.  

Incumbent Daryl Justin Finizio is facing a strong challenge from city councilman Michael Passero. Passero, a city firefighter, is the endorsed Democratic candidate, with Finizio having to petition to get onto the primary ballot.

During the debate, sponsored by The Day, and moderated by editorial page editor Paul Choiniere, Finizio was questioned about his decision to raise taxes during his four-year term. "The taxes had to come because the city had gone through years of reoccurring deficit spending, and because we hadn’t raised the taxes in six years," he said. "So we faced a painful, sudden correction."

But his challenger said he doesn’t believe voters are getting value for money. "He came into office, he believed we were not paying enough," Passero told the crowd of about 300 at New London High School. "And he made sure in the course of four years that we’re all paying a whole hell of a lot more. And I ask you really, what are we getting for it?"

Finizio was elected after the city changed its charter, getting rid of a city manager and installing a strong mayor. But Passero said Finizio's decision to slim down the city's payroll meant there were unintended consequences.

"We did not envision when we changed this form of government that the professional career employees of the city would be sacrificed in a purge that’s worthy of a third world nation," Passero said. "That’s what happened here." 

Passero supporters came in coordinated yellow t-shirts

The mayor touted his record on public safety, saying crime has been cut in half. "We've done it while retraining our officers for appropriate civil rights interactions with the public, we've done it while piloting body camera programs....and we've done it with full respect for the people that we serve," Finizio  said.

But Finizio took particular heat for his handling of the city's police department. Last year, he suspended Police Chief Margaret Ackley on paid administrative leave, as she was investigated over allegations of misconduct. After ten months, Ackley was exonerated by a report produced for the city council.

During the debate, Passero accused Finizio of failing to use money the council had set aside to hire more police officers.

"The morale in that department has been terrible -- you've read about it in the paper for three years, four years. I want to see more respect, not only for our police officers, but for our entire city workforce," Passero said. 

On economic development, Finizio cited his support for the siting of the national Coast Guard Museum in New London. "That development project in downtown is going to be the single biggest boost to our city center that we've ever seen," he said. "Connected to the other historic sites around our port, it could be a main tourist attraction and economic driver for the entire port of New London." 

New London High School, where the debate was held, is slated for renovation under a new all-magnet school plan.

Passero also welcomed the museum, but said it's not enough. "It will not be the silver bullet. I do not want that jewel hanging on a corpse," he said.

Passero took the mayor to task for criticizing the former New London Development Corporation. "That is an important agency in this city," he said. "The wound of Kelo was healing... the development corporation is your tool to help get things done. We've lost four years, because he has spent four years dragging them down."

New London voted in a referendum last year to become the first community to move to an all-magnet school district, something Finizio cited as his biggest achievement in office. "It's the single greatest thing that's happened in this city for a long time, and it's going to transform New London for the better," he told the crowd.

As a councilor, Passero also voted for the magnet school plan, but he warned that it's not without its downside. "The people in this city should have known, that project.... is going to double our debt service over the course of the next ten years," he said.

Months before the school referendum, Finizio had become so controversial that he took himself out of the running for re-election, saying that he wanted people to focus on the issue on its merits. But last fall, he changed his mind and rejoined the race.

Finizio said he wants to finish the job he started. “My administration balanced three budgets in a row, preserved our credit rating, cut crime in half, developed a plan to move our schools forward with a $200 million investment, and enacted a fund balance replacement plan," he said.

The winner of September’s primary will face Republican Bill Vogel in November.

Asked if they would offer to support each other in the general election, Finizio said unequivocally, yes. Passero said he hasn’t yet decided if he’ll run as an independent if he’s unsuccessful in the primary.

Harriet Jones is Managing Editor for Connecticut Public Radio, overseeing the coverage of daily stories from our busy newsroom.

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