Republican Alderman Toohey Leaves The Republican Ticket

When Greg Smith had to step down from the Board of Aldermen in 2001 to fulfill a military obligation overseas, he asked his friend Judy Toohey to finish his term.

Toohey went on to win four terms of her own from the 2nd District, but she announced Monday that she would not seek re-election after all.

The local Republican Party turned back to Smith, who said that he will run in her place in November.

"I love it and I am leaving hoping to come back someday or to serve the city in another capacity," Toohey said. "But I want to spend more time with my family. I hope that Jim Richetelli is re-elected and that he finds a place for me where I can help the city and have more time with my family."

The lineup change is the third since the GOP held its nominating convention in July. Since then, John Fowler and Joanne Rohrig have been replaced as Board of Education candidates by James Tranquilli Jr. and Mark Stapleton, respectively. Fowler said that he was nominated as a "placeholder" with the understanding that he would step aside when another candidate came forward. Rohrig, the school board's minority leader, dropped out after her son, Jared, an Orange police officer, was arrested on sexual assault charges that allegedly took place in the family's home. Stapleton has served on the school board previously.

Republican Town Committee Chairman Tom Jagodzinski said he was pleased that Smith is interested in running again. "I'm sorry that Jude will not be running, but Greg Smith is an excellent candidate with an outstanding record of service to our country and our city. Milford is lucky to have an individual with his credentials who is willing to serve our city again," the chairman said.

Smith, who said that he is not at liberty to discuss his military assignments or duties, was called out of the country by the U.S. Navy, in which he served, in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Since his return to Milford he has served as commander of the VFW post here and is now a state official in that organization. He said that he has also been focusing on his family, including his wife, Christine, and son, Matt, who graduated from Jonathan Law High School in June. The Smiths are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this year.

"In 2005 I retired from 22 years of service in both the United States Navy and Army. My wife saw me through six deployments. I am home for good now," the aldermanic candidate said. "For the last several years, I have worked to implement disabled building access projects for veterans, volunteered at the West Haven VA Hospital, sent over 600 care packages to our local troops overseas, and raised funds to help their families here in Milford.

"I am honored that Judy Toohey has asked to pass the torch back to me," Smith said. "I am looking forward to working with Bob Joy to serve our neighbors and friends in Milford's 2nd District as their aldermen. I know Bob and I will make a great team. Along with Mayor Richetelli, we will return the 2nd District to the responsible hands of neighbors they can count on to keep our community safe by listening to the real concerns of our police officers and firefighters. We will ensure that our veterans and seniors are respected, and that our children are provided with the best education the citizens of Milford can afford."

ORIGINAL CT POST STORY

Milford Republicans & Democrats Get Their Feathers Ruffled

This was a strong week of supportive articles for the Frank campaign, the most impressive being the one published today in the New Haven Register. Frank challenged the Register when they omitted his name, and like good quality journalism ought to be they responded with a new article acknowledging Rocco Frank as the front runner.

Frank who announced last august that he was running for state rep. is to date the only party endorsed candidate on the ballot. While both parties on the other hand are dealing with some major problems including their own strife in jockeying for their own party endorsements.

While their time is rapidly running out, and their candidates thus far appear to be very colorful, from Former Miss Connecticut, to local elected volunteers on the city council, Frank is marching toward community unity, and actively spending his days talking to local business owners, and encouraging the town youth to vote.

On the other hand the parties are demonstrating what appears to be concern over a three way race. According to today's Register article some feathers have been ruffled! The article states that no "final decision has been made. Smith said Frank has advocated for some “strange things” and he would think voters might have serious reservations about voting for him.

Republican Town Chairman Tom Jagodinski said Aldermanic Minority Leader Vincent Ditchkus Jr., R-3, and Alderwoman Judith Toohey, R-2, are interested in the seat, as are a few other unnamed candidates.

Jagodinski claimed even should Frank somehow win, he’d have a tough time working in Hartford and getting anything accomplished."

Frank has simply responded to this claim by saying, the parties are using the classic fear tactic of "the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know. I understand that change is a scary thing, but if we dare not try something new than the inhabitants of our town will continue to get the same old thing."

Frank trusts the intelligence of the very smart people of Milford to decide what they want for themselves, he has full faith and confidence in their ability to make a great decision on their own. Frank has called the remarks of the party bosses and or potential candidates as disappointing and expressive of their "ruffled feathers," perhaps "they think they own the parties, and elected positions are only exclusively reserved for their club members."

"In either case we will wait and see, and the voters will prevail with their choice of a candidate. I believe the voters will act as they always do and vote independently."