Genevieve and her family enjoyed some baseball yesterday, despite the rainy weather. The Salvatores attended a New Britain Rock Cats game against Maryland's Bowie Bay Sox. The New Britain Rock Cats, AA Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, have actively supported allergy awareness, and Sunday was a special game for everyone. As part of a special "Allergy Awareness Day," a designated food-free, specially-cleaned section of the stadium allowed children with severe allergies to attend the baseball game - some for the first time.

In recognition of her work with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), Genevieve - and her son Geno - got to throw out the first pitch(es).

Genevieve attended the Milford Rotary Lobster Bake this past Sunday and spent the day with some of Milford's elected officials. Genevieve was especially happy to meet with with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, our representative in Washington, as well as State Representatives Paul Davis and Barbara Lambert.

Everyone enjoyed the beautiful warm weather and some delicious lobster. We took some pictures to share with you, so check them out in the extended entry or go take a look at our Flickr page.

Today at 11 AM Genevieve and Jackie Clegg Dodd spoke about food allergy awareness at the Collected Stories Bookstore in downtown Milford. Both Genevieve and Jackie are active members of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) and Genevieve is the Chairperson of the Connecticut Walk for Food Allergy.

Genevieve and Jackie gave general background information about severe food allergies and anaphylaxis for people unfamiliar with the condition and then described their own personal experiences as mothers of children with serious nut, fruit, and egg allergies. They also discussed the changes they would like to see take place at public elementary schools to make them safe for children with severe allergies. Genevieve's son Geno, age 6, also spoke about his allergies to the crowd.

The informal event attracted people with a specific interest in food allergy awareness, members of the press, and passers-by alike. All had the opportunity to stay afterwards and mingle with Genevieve and Jackie while enjoying nut-free and gluten-free cookies.

By Frank Juliano
Staff Writer

MILFORD -- Local Democrats overwhelmingly chose Genevieve Salvatore, a lawyer and the chairman of the Economic Development Commission, to head their ticket Wednesday night.

Salvatore was greeted with a standing ovation and a sea of bobbing signs as she accepted the nomination to run for mayor. "I am excited to be a Democrat this year, when we finish what we started two years ago and take back City Hall,'' she said.

Without mentioning incumbent Republican James Richetelli by name, Salvatore said she would restore leadership to the mayor's office.

"This mayor has been in office for eight long years, and he's entrenched,'' the Democrat said. "He's lost the vision. It's time for a strong mayor who will make the tough decisions.''

Read the full article at The Connecticut Post

From the New Haven Register article by James Tinley:

MILFORD — Economic Development Commission Chairwoman Genevieve Salvatore easily secured her party’s mayoral nomination Wednesday at the Democratic Town Committee convention.

Salvatore, a local lawyer whose first foray into city politics was her appointment to the Economic Development Commission this year, secured the nomination by a vote of 81 to nine.

“I am taken aback and humbled by the support,” Salvatore said. “This year we are going to finish what we started two years ago. We are going to take back City Hall.”

[...]

July 15, 2009 - Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz sat down with Genevieve Salvatore today for a cup of coffee at Claire's Corner Copia in New Haven. They discussed why the time is right for a change in Milford, as well as the broader role of women in politics.

It was an enjoyable meeting and Genevieve was thrilled to get some advice from one of Connecticut's most successful Democratic women.

July 14, 2009

Friends,

The Milford Democratic Party will gather on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 PM at Milford City Hall to nominate its candidates for the coming elections.

Genevieve is counting on your support at the convention. Only members of the Democratic Town Committee can vote, but attendance is open to the public and we'd be glad to have you there. It should be a fun event and there is a party at Stonebridge immediately following ($20/person).

If you need assistance getting to the event or would like more information, please email us at gen@salvatore09.com.

Thanks for your support,

Team Salvatore

By Frank Juliano
STAFF WRITER
Updated: 06/29/2009 12:19:15 AM EDT
Connecticut Post

MILFORD -- The city may need a "blight czar'' to enforce the existing regulations covering decrepit and unsafe buildings, according to some officials.

All the necessary laws are already on the books, members of the Economic Development Commission said, but there does not appear to be one city official in charge of handling blight complaints.

"The definition of blight in the regulations is a little vague, and there isn't a specific person to see it through,'' commissioner Susan Patrick said.

Depending on the underlying issue, health sanitarians or housing inspectors, the zoning enforcement officer or building inspector may become involved in handling a blight complaint, officials said.

Chairwoman Genevieve Salvatore said a consultant's report on the city's land-use permit processes indicated a "systemic discoordination'' that may include the handling of blighted buildings.

Patrick cited as an example a long-abandoned Naugatuck Avenue retail building that she called "a thorn in my side for a long time.'' The boarded-up shopping plaza at 257 Naugatuck Ave. once included a Chinese restaurant. City land records show the owner as Titanium Properties LLC, which bought it from Ewa Duz several years ago.

Attempts to reach the business were unsuccessful.

At one time there was a committee specifically to handle blight, city Economic Development Director Robert Gregory said. That group was disbanded after it completed its task of overseeing the razing of more than 70 abandoned or structurally unsound homes in the Walnut Beach area, he said.

The condemnation and foreclosure of most of those buildings, owned by the late Hilda Bencivenga of Waterbury and her extended family, also involved the city attorney's office.

Commissioner Robert Stanton, citing the example of Stamford, said that city has a specific process for removing blighted buildings if owners won't repair them.

"Their law also designates the person who receives the complaints,'' he said.

Gregory said most complaints about blighted structures here are made to the mayor's office, and the staff contacts the appropriate city department.

New life served up for old Milford Diner
By Frank Juliano
STAFF WRITER
Updated: 06/24/2009 11:02:43 PM EDT
Connecticut Post

MILFORD -- The Milford Diner will remain in its downtown location for future use as a community room and information center, officials said Wednesday.

A new tax-exempt group will be established to lease and operate the facility, said Genevieve Salvatore, chairwoman of the Economic Development Commission. The 1940s-era diner will be cleaned and possibly even restored, depending on how much funding the new group is able to raise, she said.

Bill DaSilva, who owns the diner and the SBC Restaurant across the parking lot, confirmed that a deal is close to save and reuse the stainless steel, train car-style diner.

"I'm allowing them to come in at virtually zero rent for the first few years, so that they can make a go of it,'' he said.

Under the plan worked out between DaSilva and Susan Ashelford, an Economic Development Commission who also represents the Downtown Milford Business Association, no parking would be made available at the diner.

The information center and community room would have pedestrian access only, officials said, though visitors may find other parking spots in the area.

It is anticipated that many of the center's users will be visitors to Milford, most of whom arrive by boat at the nearby Lisman Landing and at private marinas.

Ashelford said old movies may be shown in the diner on occasional weekday evenings, for local residents and visitors.

Salvatore has offered her legal expertise in crafting an agreement between the community group and DaSilva. "I expect that we'll be able to make a formal announcement very soon,'' she said.

DaSilva, who lives in Milford, said he recognizes the diner's "intrinsic value,'' and sees the value in saving it.