Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro joined Genevieve Salvatore at an event yesterday in Point Beach. At the shorefront home of Bruce Barrett and Theresa Eke, Rosa spoke of the need for true leadership in local government.

The event had excellent turnout and the weather was absolutely perfect. It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Thanks to everybody who came out!

Some pictures:

More photos in the extended entry. Or, as always, you can check out our Flickr page.

9/2/09 - Aldi Foods opened a new market in Milford today. As chair of the Economic Development Commission, Genevieve stopped by the grand opening. She met Milford citizens who were lined up, waiting for the doors to open for the first time.

Genevieve also met Kenyatti Decker, Director of Operations for Aldi.

Milford's children - including my son, Geno - are going back to school this week. Just want to wish everybody luck on their first days back.

Have a safe and productive year!

-- Genevieve

Updated 9/1/09.

More information appeared in today's Connecticut Post article by Frank Juliano:

Linda Stock, the city's zoning code enforcement officer, notified Riggione [the owner] by letter in March of several violations on the property, and set a deadline for them to be corrected. But nothing appears to have been done, officials said.

Platt and other preservationists are still smarting over the loss in 2007 of the Merwin-Cadley House on Gulf Pond, and what they feel was a circumventing of regulations meant to protect historic structures. A developer claimed that the house, one of the oldest in Milford, was being "dismantled,'' not demolished, but few of the original elements were ultimately reused.

"This is happening again right before our eyes, and it is clearly an economic development issue,'' said Genevieve Salvatore, chairwoman of the city Economic Development Commission. "People are coming to Milford for its quaint New England charm, and we're letting it go by the board.''

Salvatore, the Democratic candidate for mayor, and an aide surveyed the property from an adjoining yard and took photos Thursday.
The issue is within the purview of her commission because of its impact on tourism and through its Neigborhood Preservation initiative, Salvatore said.

Lisa DiLullo, aide to Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr., said the mayor ordered a structural inspection of the house and no safety issues were found

Emphases added.

Original story continues below...
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Exciting news! Today, Genevieve's lawn signs arrived at headquarters. It may be a bit early - most people don't put up their signs before Labor Day, after all - but if you'd like to put one up in your yard, please email gen@salvatore09.com to have one delivered.

Better late than never!

We've uploaded Genevieve's "ViewPoints" piece from August 13th to the site. If you would like to read her article, entitled "The Pride and Benefits of an Organic Vegetable Garden," you can find it here.

This article ran in the Milford-Orange Bulletin

Genevieve addressed the crowd for a few minutes. CTBob was kind enough to take video of the event, which you can see here:

As chair of the Economic Development Commission, Genevieve worked with Susan Patrick to craft their proposed ordinance. Now, that ordinance will be considered alongside Mayor Richetelli's.

From the New Haven Register:

The Board of Aldermen is expected next month to consider a blight ordinance that would draw on the best points of two dueling proposals, the board’s chairman said.

One anti-blight proposal is from the Economic Development Commission; the other is from Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr.

Aldermanic Chairman Ben Blake, D-5, said the final result likely will involve components of both plans. “In the end, it will be a combination of both versions,” he said.

Before going to the full board, the proposals will be considered by the aldermen’s Ordinance Committee.

Blake said there are elements of both plans that he favors; for example, sending notification to social services departments each time a blighted property is reported, which is part of the EDC plan.

...

Economic Development Commission Chairwoman Genevieve Salvatore said one of the most critical aspects of the commission’s plan is a neighborhood preservation board.

“It’s really about maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods,” she said.

Salvatore added that it’s important to address blight early, before it’s a major issue.

Genevieve attended Milford's Oyster Festival yesterday, where she worked in the Democratic Party's tent for a few hours selling fried dough, clams, cheese steaks, and drinks. She then met up with City Clerk candidate and current State Representative Richard Roy to walk around the Green and greet vendors and festival attendees.

A special thanks to all of the wonderful people who offered us bottles of water - it was a hot day, but we all had a good time. Check out the pictures below:

Geno meets a U.S. Marine

Meet and Greet:

The Ticket:

After donating to Habitat for Humanity, Genevieve signs a board which will be used in construction of new homes:

More photos at our Flickr page.

There was a victory for Jonathan Law High School last night, when all of the Democrats on the Board of Alderman and one Republican voted to overrule the Mayor and the Board of Finance and move forward with a much-needed expansion of the school. This was the right managerial decision, and it was the right decision for the future of public education in Milford.

Excerpt from The Milford Mirror

Parents and other school supporters defended the bonding request, however, arguing that bids for the addition came in $1 million lower than expected, interest rates are low and they expect state reimbursement rates to be less favorable in coming years.

“The truth is that the responsible course is to move forward now,” said Democratic mayoral candidate Genevieve Salvatore. “It’s fiscally irresponsible to delay this further.”

Also, be sure to check out Genevieve's letter to the Editor in the print edition of this week's Mirror.