Allan Appel Photo
Grimaldi with the candidate’s wife Michelle and refreshments.
Lou Grimaldi had two choices to make: Which pastry to eat. And, for a change, which candidate to vote for.
That’s because Tuesday evening the creamy elongated desserts were being offered by Republican John Cirello at an event he organized to garner support from seniors at the staunchly Democratic treasure trove of votes, the Bella Vista senior housing complex.
Cirello, a 44-year-old attorney, is challenging Democratic State Rep. Robert Megna, who has held the 97th General Assembly District seat since 2000.
Cirello, who lives in Morris Cove at the southern end of the skinny, sprawling district and is active there in local projects like the Soap Box Derby, unsuccessfully took on Megna in 2006 as well. (Click here for an article about why Cirello’s running.).
Cirello is also endorsed by the Independent Party and appears on the ballot in both lines, as his son A.J. (pictured) demonstrated for the 30 seniors who gathered for the sweets, coffee, and political talk at Bella Vista’s Victoria Room.
Republican politicians in general are a rara avis at Bella Vista especially since Megna unseated Republican Chris DePino back in 2000.
Cirello had an in, though: He and his family are members of St. Francis Catholic Church on Ferry Street, which holds a mass on Saturdays at Bella Vista. The candidate and his family have been attending, and several seniors, such as Kathleen Connely (pictured), recognized Cirello.
So booking an event at Bella Vista was a natural. Cirello paid $150 dollars for the rental, which goes to the complex’s fund for Thanksgiving dinner, said Marissa DeStefano. She’s in charge of resident services for Carabetta Companies, the owners and managers of the senior complex.
No door-to-door soliciting is permitted at the development by anyone, Democrat or Republican. Bella Vista’s kitchen provided a 60-cup pot of java for Cirello’s event. Cirello brought the desserts — from Rocco’s Bakery across from the church on Ferry Street. The candidate put up flyers, and he arrived early to say hello to people he knew and to meet potential supporters.
They included Arlene Rosenthal and her son Simon, who were among the first in line when Cirello arrived en famille, all wearing jazzy red matching campaign shirts. She complimented the candidate that he looked like Rock Hudson, so he signed his campaign flyer to her and Simon “from Rock.”
The Rosenthals, like most Bella Vista residents, are Democrats. Simon wanted to know where Cirello stands on Social Security because “a lot of Republicans want to privatize it and put Medicare on a voucher.”
“Fortunately we’re not going to be grappling with those issues. It’s decided on the federal level,” Cirello responded.
Arlene Rosenthal accepted the answer and said she is open-minded about his candidacy.
“I differ with national Republicans on a lot of issues. I was cross endorsed by the Independent Party because my views are more in the middle,” Cirello added.
A 28-year-resident of Bella Vista, who preferred not to be identified except by the name “Al,” said that despite the Democratic leanings of most residents, it is not all that unusual to split the ballot and vote for a Republican.
Seven of Cirello’s signs were stolen off Townsend Ave. last week, and since replaced. “It’s flattering, someone must think I’m a threat,” he said.
He referenced Chris DePino, the last Republican to hold the 97th District seat. He said “there are quite a few independents and Republicans at Bella Vista.”
On upcoming election day, Al, who described himself as an independent, said he intendsd himself “to split,” that is, vote Democrat on the whole ticket, except for Cirello.
“I know Bob Megna, but we never see him except at election time and he sends us a newsletter now and then,” he added.
In his formal remarks, after being introduced by his campaign “manager,” his son A.J., Cirello made reference to the August 2013 fire at the complex that displaced many residents. “I know how some of you were a little disappointed in the response of your officials. Many of you know me. I’m going to promise you you won’t see me only on election day. We need a change in Hartford, and I could be that change,” he said.
Grimaldi, 81 years old, reviewed the large tray of cannoli, then tapped his belly, and declined to take any. As to candidates, he said he is a registered Republican, but remained undecided on who to vote for in the gentle Megna vs. Cirello battle.
Then Grimaldi went off to have a cup of coffee, but could be seen later eyeing the cannolis.