The debate last night - hosted by the Plymouth Men's Club - was a resounding success. Genevieve demonstrated her grasp of the issues that Milford citizens care about. She was also the only candidate who could - and did - cite specific people and their specific concerns. Having met so many Milford citizens already, she knows what is on our minds and that knowledge was evident.

Thanks to everybody who has taken the time to speak with Genevieve at your homes. The people who participate in our democratic process really are the heart and soul of our city, and that came through last night. She has clearly been inspired by you.

What we saw last night was a candidate with a vision for our future. We need a leader who doesn't just try to get by, but who tries to get better. Genevieve will give us the city government we deserve and require. Don't let her opponent fool you - she can be the leader we need.

As she said in her closing remarks - "Stand with me now and on November 3rd, and I will stand up for you every day that I serve as your mayor."

Opening statement posted in the extended entry...

Good evening.

I’d like to begin by thanking The Plymouth Men’s Club for hosting this event, and Art Stowe for moderating. I’d also like to thank my opponents for coming tonight. Most importantly, though, I’d like to thank all of you who came out to choose your next mayor.

My name is Genevieve Salvatore, and I am your Democratic candidate.

I am excited for this debate because it is a crucial part of the democratic process. There is nothing more American than to question our own leaders. There is nothing more American than a healthy skepticism of politicians’ claims and the exercise of prudent judgment in electoral decisions.

Tonight, you have the opportunity to ask the tough questions that need to be answered.

Tonight, I intend to answer those questions, and I intend to tell you about the Milford that I believe we can be. I will not call other people names and I will not engage in any personal attacks on my opponents. I ask them to join me in that pledge.

Now, what you may have heard about me is true – my birth certificate does not come from Milford Hospital. Instead, like many of you, I chose to live in Milford. Of all the communities in the state, I came here to start my family. Because Milford is that special of a city.

As I have been walking door to door for the past few months, I have experienced first-hand what makes Milford great: Our people and our natural resources. Our wonderful location. Our Green. Our harbor and our history. Most of all: our people. I have been so impressed with the dedicated groups of citizens I’ve met since coming to Milford – the historical society, the great people at Bridges and Beth-El who care for our neighbors, and the everyday citizens. The people in this room tonight who care about the future of our city. Milford’s people really are the heart and soul of our city.

However, what makes Milford’s future look so promising has nothing to do with our current administration. For too long, we have not had the city government that such a great city deserves. We have not expected more from our leaders. As mayor, I will change that. It’s time we challenged our city government to live up to our own ideals.

As mayor, I will give you the government that you’ve been paying for.

Now is a time for real, visionary leadership. Let’s ask more of our city departments. Being a mayor is about more than ribbon-cutting. What we need is a strong, competent leader who will have the type of administration that we have been lacking for too long. I have a Master’s degree in public administration and a UCONN law degree. I have run my own business. And I have chaired the city’s Economic Development Commission, working to encourage our local businesses. I can be the leader we need.

Let me tell you some of the things I will do as Mayor:

I will implement a zero-based budgeting process. Each individual dollar will be tied to the specific goals of our departments. We will make sure each dollar is spent wisely and only when necessary. Just asking for an increase over last year’s funding isn’t a budgeting process, it’s a cop-out. I will expect more from department heads-just as we should.
I will protect and acquire open space. But I will also make sure we use our existing open spaces as effectively as possible.
I will preserve and protect our historic structures. The Cadley House would not have been torn down under my watch, and I will not allow similar catastrophes to rob us of our past.
I will begin the process of reassessing our residential properties. We are paying taxes on our houses based on their 2007 value, and that is absurd. I will bring our assessments in line with current economic realities, and I will make sure that commercial properties are paying their fair share.
Make no mistake – there is a lot of work to do and what I’ve mentioned now is only the tip of the iceberg. I want to roll up my sleeves and get to work, and I want you to help me.

Together, we can build a city government that is as trustworthy and reliable as the citizens it serves.

We can build this with a change in leadership. As we enter a new decade, I hope to be that new generation of leader that we need, and in that spirit tonight I humbly request your support.