Democratic Pre-Primary Debate Tackles Issues

With only a few days remaining before Tuesday's Democratic primary, mayoral candidates Michael Buscetto III and Daryl Finizio went head to head Thursday in a debate at the .

The debate was co-hosted by the League of Women Voters of Southeastern Connecticut and , with questions presented by the sponsors as well as audience members.

“We’re in a critical point in our city’s history," said Finizio, who made the first opening statement. "We’re switching the form of government for the first time in a century. What kind of leadership do we seek?”

Buscetto agreed with Finizio in his opening statement about the thrill of the people getting to select their mayor for the first time.

“This is not an election for promises, it’s an election for production," Buscetto said.  “New London deserves better and New London will get better.”

The first question to begin the debate was about Police Chief Margaret Ackley’s reason for retirement. Ackley has and interfering with the operations, but Buscetto said her retirement agreement was negotiated in private with no implication that he was responsible for the chief's decision.

“The city manager and city attorney who negotiated the deal said my name was not brought up. That says it all,” Buscetto said.

Finizio said he supports Ackley.

“When a chief enforcement officer stands in public and says there have been unethical conducts, it’s serious and requires a full investigation,” he said.

According to Finizio, if elected mayor, he will seek to keep Ackley as police chief. 

“The only way this works in my opponents favor is if the 25-year police chief got up and lied. I don’t believe our chief would get up in public and lie,” he said.

Buscetto retaliated by discussing the meeting when the chief approached City Council.

“When the chief came to the City Council to make her accusations, she stated her reason for retirement was Buscetto, she may have misrepresented it,” he said.

The following question was directed at Finizio, challenging his recent move to New London, his decision to run for mayor, his switch in political parties from Republican to Democrat, and why should the people want an unpredictable mayor. According to Finizio, he is not unpredictable, but productive.

“I don’t feel that my change in partisanship deals with my passion,” he said.

Buscetto assured the audience that no one needs to worry about his stability in New London.

“I am proud to announce tonight that the unions, teachers and public works department,s chose to endorse me,” he said.  “A chief is only as good as his or her Indians.  I will not stand behind of you or in front of you, but beside you.  This is stability,” Buscetto said.

Finizio replied his opponent is supported by a political establishment.

“Why run when I’m so new?” Finizio asked the audience.  “I’ve done it before.”

The next question asked, “How would you connect Central Corridor railroad, pedestrians, art galleries, night life, and the farmers market?" Buscetto, said he thinks the city is doing that now.

“The farmers market flourishes every Friday, the corridor is easy, the nightlife restaurant scene is spectacular,” he said.  “In order to connect anything in New London, you need connections.  If you do not know New London, the people of New London, it will just be another five to 10 years of promises.”

Finizio took this question as an opportunity to mention a platform he created.

“I didn’t just say ‘here I am’ [when declaring mayoral candidacy], I also released a detailed platform,” Finizio said.  “If you review that and vote for me, you will see what I will get done.”

Buscetto chose to ask the audience if anyone has moved to New London or knew of someone who moved for the school system.  No hands were raised.  Instead, Buscetto then asked if anyone had relocated for other school systems, and several hands were raised.

“There are many promises, and no productivity,” he said.

The next question was in relation to how each candidate would bridge the gap between youth and community.

According to Finizio, the mayor needs to integrate themselves and have a personal connection in order to bridge the gap between the New London schools and the city.

“How many young people have come forward and active for this campaign?” Finizio asked.  “If we cannot activate the youth, we cannot activate the community.”

Buscetto addressed his participation as a youth basketball coach and being a mentor to a young student. 

“To be connected [with the youth] you have to be involved,” he said.  “They need to be respected and they need to respect our community.  New London kids, they don’t trust you right off the bat, they expect proven results.”

Finizio stated that he did not move to New London to run for mayor. 

“I am not an outsider applying for a job.  I am a New Londoner trying to be your mayor,” he said.

The next question: “As mayor, how will you broaden business downtown, on Colman Street, Hodges Square, and Montauk Avenue?"

Buscetto began his argument explaining his position as a business person himself.

“I understand small business I have the support of the business community. Business people have to trust you will not over-promise or over-perform.  It’s communication,” he said.

Finizio began his rebuttal explaining that while Buscetto has been in the City Council for four years, Hodges Square still looks the same.

“Our current leadership has not helped,” he said.  “It’s time to innovate dynamic leadership.  That’s the way we will bring attention.  Every person, every neighborhood should be valued the same.”

To continue on with Buscetto’s argument, he brought up his work with Easy Street.

“Maybe while I was on Council, Hodges Square didn’t get fixed up. But the sidewalks did, the Parade did.  Many things are going well in New London. It’s not a pit,” he said.

The next question, directed at Finizio, asked why his platform calls for better training and clearer police communication, yet he is a supporter of the current police chief. Finizio said he believes Ackley is on the right track but is frustrated.

“Imagine if you had a good chief with a mayor who has worked on criminal justice issues in the city.  We will be able to build on public safety apparatus,” he said.

Buscetto stated again that a chief is only as good as her Indians.

“There was a no confidence vote taken by a unanimous margin,” he said.  “Instead now we have a large salary in addition to the chief’s 2,000 hours of work which is $200,000 to taxpayers.  I will continue to stand up and get resources,” he said.

Finizio added to his argument that if Buscetto wins, Ackley is gone.

“When you institute change, you will face resistance,” he said.

The next question asked Finizio how he would have voted on the question of selling a portion of , and why Buscetto had supported the measure. Buscetto said the cadets at the , who contribute to the city, needed to expand.

“Why would we not encourage them to expand?  If there’s any time for the people to decide on an issue, it’s Riverside Park,” he said.  “It’s three million for that property.”

Finizio said he would have opposed the sale of the park if he had been on the council.

“It’s a disastrous move.  It’s the largest last remaining open space selling to the federal government for $2.8 million,” he said.  “Forty years from now people will say ‘I can’t believe we sold that property.’  We’re selling it for peanuts.”

Buscetto then asked the question where the city would get money for the park.

“You would be paying,” he said.

The next question was directed to Finizio about his land value taxation.

“It moves the assessment of property worth to just the land,” Finizio said.

He said this would mean that any increase or decrease change in value would only be for the land, not the building, and that the revenue would be neutral.

“This would encourage private property owners to fix their property,” he said.  “The old plan was to knock it down.  It’s not as radical as bulldozers; we need to try different techniques.”

Buscetto replied to Finizio’s explanation by characterizing him as a new candidate with new taxes.

“Montauk, Pequot, Ocean, your taxes are going up,” he said.

Finizio added to his land value taxation plan that they would be able to pick a zone.

“It doesn’t raise anyone’s taxes.  Buscetto didn’t vote for it, and if elected I will do it,” he said. 

According to Finizio, he would generate a full time lobbyist to generate the program.

Buscetto was asked about the support he has received from several unions and whether voters should be worried that "unions would be in charge of the city." Buscetto said taxes have stabilized dramatically in the past four years.

“What you owe unions is leadership, not financial payback.  Neighborhoods want to enjoy New London, unions are part of that.  The mayor is only as good as his/her employees,” Buscetto said.

Finizio began his argument mentioning that his own parents are in unions, but no union should dictate city policy.

“This is not meant to demonize workers.  If elected, I will work fairly on all collective bargaining,” he said.

Buscetto retaliated against Finizio’s previous ideas for the city.

“Lobbyist, grant writer, these positions aren’t free.  That’s what mayors are for,” he said.  "We don’t need these positions.  If you need them, you are not qualified to be mayor.”

The audience then had a chance to come forward to the microphone to ask their questions. New London resident Garry Goodwin asked both mayoral candidates to speak more on youth programs.

“Return of youth programs, financial help for handicap, we’re treated as second citizens.  Will that change?” he asked.

Finizio backed up his proposal of a grant writer in order to provide more money for youth programs. He also said the city must decide whether to fix the or build a new one.

“The high school is and we’ll lose eight million dollars in federal aid,” he said.

Buscetto said the city needs to prioritize spending and spoke again of his involvement in the and Little League.

“All of these need to be made available whether you’re handicap or in good health, not denied,” he said.  “We either have a resume or real action. The government cannot pay for everything.  I will not advocate a lobbyist, that’s money from the people of New London.”

Finizio began to question Buscetto’s motives at this point in the debate.

“One city, one team; chief is only as good as their Indians; are we going to have a team or a dictator?" he asked. "Positions will bring in the money.  We need a leader to inject new life in the political system."

The next question was about Buscetto's proposal to turn a former East Lyme prison into a . According to Buscetto, the region needs to do their fair share to help the homeless of New London.

“There were 700 homeless people in New London in 2010.  Seventy percent of these people are not from here,” he said.

“You’re a human being. You’re here, you want to stay.  The first time the East Lyme selectmen heard about it was from the paper," Finizio responded.  "We need to communicate with the region."

Buscetto continued with his argument by stating that the prison is not owned by East Lyme, but the state of Connecticut.

“What approach would [Finizio] take? What I see is nothing.  I don’t believe he’s going to address it,” Buscetto said.

Finizio was given a change to interject and explain that the city does need a regional approach.

“We need to create cooperative dialogue and create programs in our city for people to work. Not houses, but jobs,” he said. 

According to Buscetto New London needs help from their surrounding neighbors.

“I’m not generalizing.  I have a specific plan, Daryl does not,” he said.

An audience member asked both candidates about how they feel about tax-free 10-year deals for incoming companies.

“It can be a good tool and encourage businesses to hire the unemployed, the homeless,” Finizio said. 

Finizio said the city should focus on small business instead of large corporations who leave to go where work is cheaper. Buscetto countered by discussing Finizio’s land value tax plan.

“When you compete, separate self from competition. Business plan, viable, economic business, has to approve it.  It would be reduced but not free,” he said.

Finizio responded that the land value tax plan it is not a tax increase.

“Buscetto will say it over again until you believe it.  I am not out to increase your taxes,” he said.

Another audience member asked the question concerning Fort Trumbull. According to Buscetto, it would be great to directly negotiate with other developers.

“Everyone can see something I’ve done in the city,” he said.

Finizio said his vision for Fort Trumbull is for green technology to be integrated in the neighborhood.

“I believe it would be more marketable, provide for jobs and long term city resource means.  I believe that the only way to accomplish this is for the city to control and develop the project,” he said.  “If elected, I will use all my power of office, legal and political to abolish [the ] and reclaim the destiny of the peninsula for the people.”

Buscetto challenged Finizio’s statement by adding that the state of Connecticut holds the mortgage on the property.

“The state gave money to NLDC, not the City Council,” he said.

“It’s inconsistent for Buscetto to say he’ll talk to the government to get the prison for the homeless but not the government for Fort Trumbull,” Finizio replied.

Buscetto finished his argument asking what Finizio’s next move might be.

“When or if he loses the election, will he move again?” Buscetto asked.

The next audience question was about what qualities the mayor of New London should hold.

“It’s been about your positive sense of who we are.  Win or lose, I’m staying here.  I bought my first house here, I fell in love here,” Finizio said.

Buscetto said Finizio is someone who went to school for politics, studying political science.

“New London needs real leadership.  Volunteering, building communities, I’ve done it.  I didn’t do it elsewhere, I did it in New London,” he said.

Finizio rebutted and said there is nothing wrong with bringing new ideas to New London.

“This is my home.  This is a political office, a board of campaigns.  Why is it bad to have someone with skills in that area?  It's how we’ll get things done,” he said.

The final audience question asked each candidate to say what one thing they believe is working the best in New London.

“It’s the people.  Save , the , the , the people who volunteer every day. It’s working, it just needs improvement,” Buscetto said.  “New London doesn’t need dramatic change, it needs an adjustment.”

Finizio said this is one thing that they both agree upon.

“The people of New London are amazing.  The non-profits. We do need leadership to coordinate people rowing hard in different directions.  To bring the people of New London together, engage with all people, to be open and listen,” he said.

The Democratic mayoral candidates were then given two minutes for a closing statement, and since Finizio opened, Buscetto was the first to close.

“If we’re going to move the city forward, we need one city, one team,” he said.

Buscetto then continued to announce his chief of staff, Chris Soto.

“He’s a multi-talented young man.  I’ve worked with him the past nine months to see if we could work together for the next four years and I believe in him,” he said.  “How can you know so much of a city’s needs by only being here one year?”

Finizio congratulated Soto, but jokingly added he is glad Buscetto picked out his cabinet when the primary election has not taken place yet.

“I’m not from Mars, I’m just from Westerly,” he said. “I have family here.  My family started here in the 1940s.  Don’t tell me I don’t know New London.  I’m not out of the blue.  I’ve knocked on a couple thousand doors to talk to the people.  I want to be mayor for New London.  It’s tough to embrace someone new, but I think it’s what the city needs.  I will serve you, above all.”

The Democratic primary will take place on Tuesday. Registered Democrats may cast their vote between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. at polling places at , , and .