Allan Appel Photo
The candidate and state Sen. Looney.
Brazi’s Restaurant felt like a love fest Sunday night as Wooster Square Alderman Michael Smart kicked off his campaign for city/town clerk.
A hundred people, including at least a dozen past and current aldermen, gathered at the Italian eatery on Long Wharf to gobble fried eggplant and to praise Smart as a legislator who has worked not only for his ward but for the entire city.
“I’m supporting Michael, and the food’s good,” said Douglass, pictured with Decola.
The five-term alderman is trying to unseat incumbent Ron Smith. Westville’s alderman Sergio Rodriguez previously announced his candidacy. (Click here for a story about Ron Smith’s reelection campaign.)
Among current and past aldermen attending and voicing support for Smart Sunday evening: the Hill’s Jackie James, Dwight’s Frank Douglass, Morris Cove’s Sal DeCola, The Annex’s Al Paolillo Jr., Beaver Hills’ Claudette Robinson-Thorpe and Brian Wingate, and Bishop Woods’ Mark Stopa.
Fair Haven’s Ernie Santiago said he was undecided and had come to listen. “I need to talk to him one on one,” he said.
Click here for a story of how Smart brought 60 supporters to the City/Town Clerk’s office in May to file papers to run for the part-time position, which pays an annual salary of $46,597. The office, which includes a full-time deputy clerk, handles land records, campaign filings, record-keeping for the Board of Aldermen, as well as authorizing and recording licensing that ranges from new enterprises to dog licenses. At that time Smart said he wanted to “diversify” the office and to institute evening hours.
At Sunday night’s kick-off Smart’s comments, following a half-hour of encomiums, were humble and brief: “I want to make sure the office serves the people. Make sure people understand what it does. I’m ready.”
Former mayoral contender Clifton Graves led a cheer: “Be smart, vote Smart.” He said Smart “represents what’s best in government, fairness and efficiency.”
State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney was the lead endorser. “Michael Smart has been an outstanding aldermen for ten years. He’s a friend. He’s a great advocate in his ward and has shown great courage,” Looney said. “Never allows himself to be pressured by the administration. He brings a sense of organization and energy to the city/town clerk.”
Looney also pointed out a theme sounded by others: That the Eighth Ward [Wooster Square] has a diversity that reflects the city, from those focused on historic preservation to those living in public housing. “He’s worked in harmony with all parts,” Looney said of Smart.
Paolillo, who served as master of ceremonies, highlighted the second theme: That Smart’s work on charter revision and before that on tax office problems has shown a dedication to serving not only the ward but citywide.
“He pays attention to constituent concerns.He’ll make a great citywide leader,” Paolillo said.
“Take a look around the room. This is what New Haven looks like. This is a testament to his hard work,” Paolillo said, meaning the faces white and black, older Italian residents of the square, newer arrivals, and business people.
Among the latter was Bootsie Consiglio, of the Wooster Street restaurant family. “What he’s done for the Eighth Ward and restaurant people, you can’t imagine. He’s brought us all together. He’s a wonderful man, and I’m campaigning [for him],” she said.