NL mayoral candidates split over qualifications

Passero, Vogel have differing ideas on who has best experience to manage the city, school district

New London — Democratic mayoral candidate Michael Passero has spent more than a year campaigning in an attempt to win over city voters.

Along the way, he has raised more than $74,000, picked up endorsements from local legislators, U. S. senators and labor unions, and held numerous community forums to highlight his platform.

Passero, 59, soundly defeated incumbent Democratic Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio in a Democratic primary that many thought would be closer than it was.

By contrast, Passero’s challenger, Republican Bill Vogel, admits that his campaign only really kicked into high gear after the primary, but promised two months of strong campaigning on the issues.

Vogel, 75, said he’s been going door to door and concentrating on social media and public access forums to highlight his views for the city.

“He made his decision a long time ago,” Vogel said of Passero. “I didn’t decide to run for mayor until July. That doesn’t take away the fact this is something I want and would be truly honored to be elected. I’d love to finish off my professional career by doing that successfully.”

Vogel, chairman of the New London Republican Town Committee and former chairman of the Ledyard

Republican Town Committee, is a retired Navy captain who went on to a career with Northeast Utilities.

He’s fond of informing voters that they have two good choices for mayor but says it is his professional experience that sets him apart.

“When we changed the charter to go from city manager to elected mayor, we took all of the responsibilities of a city manager and placed it in the hands of the mayor,” Vogel said. “Mike hasn’t ever managed anything. Mike could not be hired as a city manager back in the day. I probably could have been.”

Passero, 59, who grew up in New London and spent three decades as a career city firefighter, works as a labor attorney and has spent three terms on the city council.

He has made the hiring of professional management in the city, including a qualified chief administrative officer, one of the highlights of his campaign.

He points out, “I am not running for manager of the city.”

Passero commended Vogel on his service in the Navy but said it raises the question: “Does that translate into the ability to lead a municipal government?”

He said his experience in New London city government, along with participation in a list of boards and committees makes him the clear choice.

“You can’t command people like on a sub, not in this business. You have to build consensus and prove you have the experience and understanding of the issues to convince people you’re probably right,” Passero said.

Despite being what he described as a “political pariah” when Finizio supporters were elected to the council, Passero said, “I still managed to reach out and work with people — people who did not start out as my political allies.”

Passero said he’s also willing to listen to opposing opinions.

Passero, who is chairman of the School Building and Maintenance Committee, said he also is “uniquely positioned” to monitor the $200 million school construction project as the school district transitions into an all-magnet district.

Vogel has argued that the massive construction plan and the conversion into an all- magnet school district needs better transparency about costs and progress.

With just days to go before the Nov. 3 election, Passero said he was confident he and his campaign team had done a good job in reaching out to all city voters, including the large block of unaffiliated voters.

“I can’t think of anything we would have done differently,” Passero said. “I am very anxious, if I get elected, to get settled into the job and get to work. I’m ready to hit the ground running. I know the people, the process and am connected to the business community.”

Vogel also has campaigned on the need for better government transparency, better communication with the City Council and the hiring of qualified department heads to help run the city. He said he is counting on a good Republican turnout along with votes from the unaffiliated, Democrats and others.

As of Tuesday 14,784 people were registered to vote in New London: 7,173 Democrats, 1,320 Republicans, 6,127 unaffiliated and 164 registered with other parties.