The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Ganim, Lamont tangle
First Democratic gubernatorial debate sees both trading shots
NEW HAVEN — Joe Ganim and Ned Lamont on Thursday night finally exchanged visions for the state, and a series of personal barbs, in their first public encounter heading into the Democratic primary for governor next month.
During the showdown at The Shubert Theatre, Ganim claimed successes during his second tenure as Bridgeport mayor, vowing to become the voice of the cities if he wins the party nomination August 14. He tried to characterize the Greenwich businessman as a suburbanite and the heir of inherited wealth.
Lamont charged that Ganim has flat-funded education, raised taxes, neglected the city’s pension obligations and hinted that the mayor’s federal-corruption conviction should disqualify him for office
Ganim said that upon his return from prison, he thought he still had something positive to bring to the city. “In the past, there were things I certainly regret,” he said, stressing that he “pulled the city out of bankruptcy.” In fact, Bridgeport never slipped into bankruptcy at any time before of after Ganim’s first stint as mayor.
Ganim admitted the “mistakes” that led him to a criminal trial, where he was found guilty, which preceded his resignation and seven years in prison. “Every saint has a past and I hope that every sinner has a future,” Ganim said, paraphrasing scripture.
Ganim charged that back in 2006, around the time of Lamont’s successful primary against U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, Lamont laid off employees of his former cable-TV business.
“There’s not a word of truth in that,” Lamont replied. “You have to have a basic concept of the truth to convince people to vote for you.” He said that he sold off a division of his firm and the employees retained their jobs.
Lamont underscored his success as a businessman, his support from union leaders, and his ability to communicate with the corporate community that he hopes to expand in the state. Head of the state pension board in the early 1990s, Lamont recalled “shouting from the rafters” warnings that the public retirement plans were underfunded.
“I think it’s time for change in the way we do business,” Lamont said, questioning Ganim’s ability to manage his city’s retirement plans. “I managed a $20 billion pension fund.” He said Bridgeport’s pensions are in the same shape as the state’s.
“That’s the same kind of bad behavior that got us in trouble in Hartford,” Lamont said, during the hourlong debate sponsored by the Connecticut Realtors Association and News Channel 8.
Ganim indicated he succeeded in persuading state lawmakers to restructure Bridgeport’s pension obligations, saving $60 million. “We’re being creative and savings taxpayers’ money,” Ganim said, while the state is neglecting the extraordinary needs of inner-city school kids.
Both Lamont and Ganim promised to adhere to existing union contracts. Lamont said the existing gun laws are not strong enough to control so-called ghost guns, which are kits that people can assemble into assault-style weaponry.
“I’m going to do everything I can to make cities safer,” Lamont said.
Ganim recalled that he filed lawsuits against assault-style weapons, back during his first period as mayor.
Lamont said Republican candidates have been misleading voters with claims that they can cut taxes, which generate about half the state’s annual $20 billion budget.
The historic Shubert Theater, where major American plays including “Oklahoma” and “A Street Car Named Desire” have been staged, was about two-thirds full for the oneon-one debate, which brought out partisans on both sides, as well as Democrats getting their first look at their Aug. 14 choices. Despite requests to remain quiet, Ganim supporters continually shouted and clapped in support.