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| Ridgfield delegates: front row, from left - Susan Cocco,Rudy Marconi, Roger Garbow, Cindy Bruno. Back row - Grant Perry, Pam Hunter, Pat Baker, Reggie Hazel |
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| The victorious ticket: from left - Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, Lieut. Gov. candidate George Jepsen, gubernatorial candidate Bill Curry, Comptroller Nancy Wyman, Attonery General Dick Blumenthal. Treasurer Denise Nappier is hidden in this view. |
Hartford - July 13 - Ridgefield Democrats attending their state nominating convention were jubilant at the winning slate that was selected. They welcomed the issues that will be taken to the people of Connecticut as being on-target for the needs of Ridgefield. Susan Cocco, Democratic chair, said, “Gubernatorial candidate Bill Curry made it clear that he and George Jepsen will restore honest and effective government to Connecticut, and provide real leadership to reform property taxes and protect the environment.”
First Selectman Rudy Marconi, who has met numerous times with Curry to focus on the issues important to Ridgefield, said, “We’re all prepared to work hard to elect Bill Curry. He is committed to addressing the needs of towns like Ridgefield. Bill Curry is committed to fight the expansion of casino gaming in Connecticut. His election will help Ridgefield and our neighbors oppose the still very real threat of a casino being located on the Union Carbide property in Danbury. Bill and George Jepsen also believe that the State must pay its fair share and allow for property tax relief. They are committed to support education without placing stress on cities and towns. " Meeting at the convention with Cocco and Marconi, Bill Curry said, “"Hats off to the Ridgefield Democrats. They've shown technology leadership with a website that's admired statewide. And although they're a minority in their town, their political leadership in Fairfield County is testimony to their strength and leadership. George Jepsen and I appreciate their help in the campaign thus far, and are counting on them to deliver strong support right through Election Day 2002.”
[Left] Stephanie Sanchez, the Fourth District Congressional candidate, addresses the convention. In her role as co-chair of the Ct. Young Democrats, she pledged to work to get young voters more involved in the political process. She criticized incumbent Chris Shays for failing to pay attention to issues of importance to the 4th District, as he positioned himself on the national stage as a champion of campaign finance reform.
[Right] Stephanie met with Ridgefield's Rudy Marconi, who promised that local Democrats would work hard for her election.
In addition to nominating Bill Curry for Governor and George Jepsen for Lieut. Governor, the convention nominated the four incumbents for the under ticket - Susan Bysiewicz for Secretary of the State, Dick Blumenthal for Attorney General, Denise Nappier for Treasurer, and Nancy Wyman for Comptroller. A featured speaker at the convention was Stephanie Sanchez, Fourth District candidate for Congress. Cindy Bruno, Democratic Registrar of Voters, said, “Now that Ridgefield is in the 4th District, I’m looking forward to supporting Stephanie Sanchez. Her speech emphasizing getting young people more involved in government and public affairs really resonated with me.”
[Left] Ridgefield delegates Roger Garbow, Cindy Bruno, and Pat Baker enjoy the refreshments at the traditional Labor Breakfast on Saturday morning.
[Right] Delegates take their places at their town's area as the convention gets under way. (From left) Grant Perry, Pam Hunter, Pat Baker, Reggie Hazel, and Cindy Bruno.
Roger Garbow, attending his first convention, enjoyed the personal contact with the candidates. “Speaking one-to-one with Bill Curry, George Jepsen, and Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz reinforces my commitment to elect this outstanding slate of candidates,” he said. Reggie Hazel, also attending her first convention, noted, “It was great for our delegation of nine Ridgefielders to join 1,500 Democrats from across the state. Talking with other delegates makes it clear that the issues important to Ridgefielders are the same everywhere: property taxes, quality education, and health security. And it’s vital that Curry and Jepsen are committed to restoring ethics and accountability in government. We don’t want to see the State lose another $220 million to the next Enron.”
Pam Hunter, a professor of political science at UConn Stamford, said, “As a relative newcomer to Connecticut, I was very impressed with the quality of our candidates, their clear focus on issues important to me and my family, and the enthusiasm of the delegates to get this great slate elected in November.” Pat Baker, long active in open space and environmental issues, talked about the importance of changing the current administration - “Gov. Rowland has been a disaster for our state’s environment. His support for the cross-Sound cable, the high-voltage transmission line through the heart of Fairfield County - this shows a shameful disregard for the people and natural beauty of our state.”
[Left] The Ridgefield delegates applaud Attorney General Blumenthal. Dick is popular in Ridgefield, as he has helped First Selectman Marconi in numerous dealings with the State. (From left) Grant Perry, Pam Hunter, Pat Baker, Reggie Hazel, Susan Cocco, and Rudy Marconi.
[Right] The Attonery General promised the convention to continue his fight against corporate wrongdoers, and to give strong representation to the people, cities, and towns of Connecticut.
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Democratic Town Committee, Susan D. Cocco, Chairman
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