Can I Pick Another Color?

THE third largest city in a deep blue state my hometown of Stamford, Connecticut suffers a misfortune conspicuous in one-party rule: rampant corruption which leaves voters impotent and political machines in control of municipal governments.

The power is brokered by the likes of John Mallozzi, the former chairman of the Stamford Democratic Party.  Mallozzi was found guilty of voter fraud and forgery in 2022 catching 28 felony convictions for his effort to “subvert” the 2015 Stamford Mayoral elections. 

Though you could argue the bigger fraud came when Mallozzi was sentenced.

Found guilty of 28 felonies Mallozzi faced decades behind bars, a life sentence for the 72-year-old back room dealer.  At sentencing the prosecutor recommended “nothing less than five years” adding that anything less would be “woefully inadequate” and would “embolden” others to commit that same crime.

But the judge sentenced Mallozzi to just two-year’s probation, giving citing letters of recommendation for his leniency including one from Mallozzi’s grandsons who shared that they “love their Nonno.” 

And another from the mayor who benefitted from Mallozzi’s voter fraud!

That corruption conspires with the city’s demographics to leave Mallozzi and his Democrats to pick the city’s mayor. Another string the party can pull to garner power in the state’s capital.

Which explains the situation in Hartford.

Stamford’s current mayor is from that same system, a carpetbagger from Greenwich whose corruption was implied in my own dealings with her administration which refused to respond to a properly made demand under Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Law.

And I don’t think what I was investigating is all the mayor is hiding!

THE scheme though leaves Stamford's streets unsafe for pedestrians and a mayor who puts her own political interests ahead of the needs of her citizenry.

All while her party's machine considers her for another four-year appointment.    

But whether Caroline Simmons is reappointed or her ascension comes to an end for the people of Stamford the outcome is the same: another Democratic mayor who owes their allegiance to the corrupt processes of the party which allows their political advancements.

While robbing voters of options at the ballot box, which is not unique to Stamford.

Because of all the elections held in the United States last year more than 70% of them were uncontested, leaving most US cities to share Stamford’s lament.  In nearby Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mayor Joseph Ganim was convicted on 16 counts of corruption in 2003 and was sentenced to seven years in a federal penitentiary. 

But Ganim’s grip on the party would outlast his sentence and after his release in 2010 he would be re-elected Bridgeport's mayor in 2015, 2019 and in 2023.  Despite a 20-year tenure which to this day continues to choke the life out of the Nutmeg state’s largest city.

And it’s not just blue cities which suffer this fate, in red states Republican mayors running mostly unopposed have been convicted of corruption in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and West Virginia.

Just since 2020!

Back in Stamford I’ve been contemplating solutions including taking matters into my own hands, though the weight of that decision causes vacillations.

At risk is the tranquility of a semi-retired life, a saunter which would need to become a sprint were I to have any prospects of winning an election. 

Not to mention the pace of the four-years after that.

Band of Brothers

At my swearing in as board of education president I thanked my daughter Miranda and her friends for the inspiration for that service, though these days the kid’s not around enough to inspire more than a thought.  

Though she was thinking of me come tax day!

That my deeds might have impact on a community this size is inspiration enough to allow the contemplation, which can only last another 60 days until forms will need to be filed.

And if I do end up running it will be the brothers of my college fraternity who push my toes up to the line, providing inspiration to move on. Their promises of help alone are enough to make me believe my own hype. 

Plus the opportunity to teach these young men what only an older brother can; that our commitment to brotherhood and philanthropy is for life.

No matter how young you were when you made it.