Buscetto Announces Candidacy For New London Mayor

Before a crowd at the Garde Arts Center, City Councilor Michael Buscetto III announced Thursday that he will run for mayor of New London.

Buscetto began his speech by saying he has had conversations with numerous residents and came to the conclusion that the city is like an airplane “on the runway about to take off from the city of Potential” and land in "the city of Prosperity." The problem, Buscetto said, is that the plane is pilotless and there has been frustration at the delayed departure.

“After awhile, all you see on this plane are fingers pointing at one another,” he said. “And while we’re on the ground, all the other cities are flying.”

Buscetto said the mayor of New London, which will be strengthened position assuming the existing city manager’s duties after the November election, needs to have a background in economic development. He presented pictures of the former Edgerton School, a Cedar Grove Avenue elementary school that has stood abandoned for almost five years with promises of development stalled. Buscetto said may also close soon, and that the city needs to begin planning for its redevelopment now.

“We can no longer wait for people to come to us, and as mayor I will go to them,” he said.

Buscetto’s speech focused on the need for educational improvement and increased business opportunities in the city, and he said the two were ultimately linked together. He said the schools’ curriculum needs to encourage students to follow their passions and provide work opportunities, while also building respect and curbing unacceptable behavior such as teenage pregnancy. He said he hopes his own three children will stay and work in New London.

“There are many businesses here tonight who will be called upon to help, whether it’s two hours a week or a permanent job,” he said. “We need to get out children in the workforce.”

Buscetto joked that he wasn’t providing food at the event because he wanted to attract a crowd of supporters rather than people interested in free grinders, and also encouraged people to visit local restaurants. He said the new mayor will need to make “tough decisions and hold people accountable” on issues ranging from public safety to parking.

“I tell you tonight, I will not overpromise but I will overperform,” he said.

Buscetto, 39, is a real estate developer who has been a city councilor since 2007. He graduated from Quinnipiac University in 1993 with a bachelor of science degree in management. Buscetto was rewarded in 2009 with the Revitalization Leader of the Year award from the Southeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce as well as the Citizen of the Year award from the Elks Club. He is a member of St. Joseph Church, a board member and former president of the local Little League, and a volunteer coach in basketball, softball, and baseball. He has also overseen , an annual fundraiser held at for New London causes.

Buscetto is the second Democrat to announce that he is running for mayor, and a primary may choose which candidate will appear on the November ballot. , a lawyer who moved to New London last summer, announced his intention to run last month. Rob Pero, a Republican, is expected to formally announce his candidacy on Tuesday. 

Chuck Appleby, Jr., head of the local carpenters’ union, said the next mayor needs to have goals and capitalize on the strengths of New London to attract businesses.

“He’s honest. He’s an extremely hard worker. He’s pretty much achieved every goal he’s ever set since he was a kid, whether it was in athletics or in business,” Appleby said of Buscetto.

Jay Wheeler, chairman of the Neighborhood Alliance, said Buscetto cares for the community and has proven himself as a leader.

“He has a strong vision for New London,” said Wheeler. “He can walk the walk and not just talk the talk.”

“He’s had a very successful real estate company in one of the worst real estate times in our history,” said former city councilor Reid Burdick. “The man’s got some talent."