This administration let the past three and a half years pass without any concern or effort given in the area of economic development. In a time when it was needed most. Simply put, they dropped the ball, and this "part time" band-aid is a little to little, a little too late. That said, good luck young man, you'll need it.

Wonderful news for our town! Alex will do a fantastic job. Maybe he can help the East Haven Arts Commission in organizing events for the town. We can use the support when we create events to promote the Arts! We could be hosting many more family Art functions with support. EHAC will continue to bring the very best Art programs to East Haven. September 24, 2011 at the Hagaman Memorial Library "Meet the Artist" is our up coming event. Alex, please join us! We have a very good program being organized and I know you will bring your new ideas forward!
Hope to see you soon and Congratulations! Cathy, your " favorite" Art teacher

I wish Alex luck--it's a pretty hefty job considering the daunting task ahead of him.

Does the grad student have extensive negotiation, sales, real estate skills?

Thank you Mayor Capone for selecting this fine young man for this position. Once again you step above the rhetoric to help East Haven become all that it can be. Alex will do a great job and East Haven will benefit from your unselfish guidance as you continue to lead East Haven away from the old "Staven Image".

The longest journey starts with a single step, let’s see what happens and be positive for this young man’s success, for his achievements will be to our towns benefit.
Richard no need to "hit" you, we all live in East Haven and I'm sure we all have the best interest of this town in our hearts. Don't we?

Im glad this position has been filled and look forward to having a nice long chat with Alex at the Fall Festival to enlighten him as to what issues current business owners in town are dealing with

I wish this young man the very best. I just have one question, does anyone wear a tie anymore?

Great job Mayor Capone! NOT. Hiring a 25 year old student who has zero experience doesn't sound like a great idea especially in the economy we are in. Alex what is your plan to attract new businesses to East Haven? Have you ever brokered a business deal? What do you know about commercial/residential development and re-development? Can anyone tell me what makes Alex qualified for this position because from this article and his interview it definitely is not clear? Don't expect much, you get what you pay for. More wasted tax dollars.

http://easthavenvine.blogspot.com/2011/08/is-capone-and-ruocco-serious-capones.html

I had reserved an opinion on this young man, but Dan's blog listed his qualifacation, and i don't see that he is qualified to fill this position, so he must be a friend of the dynamic 3'o,--- April, Paul, or Ralph. as i see it this administration has rewrote the the playing rule's for nepotism. they are the best and gene leads them

Like Ted I was going to reserve my opinion until I the opportunity to meet Alex, but I have to say, reading his resume I'm not very hooeful. I don't judge people on their age, but he really just does not have the experience to do this job, not to mention the fact that he doesn't write a very good resume. I'm not so sure he will be taken seriously and if he isn't, nothing will get accomplished.

Everyone, just read these negative comments, these are the same people that cried last week about a possible negative pole that they accused Mayor April of taking. Imagine our town being run by a leader with these sick people behind him. She could have hired Donald Trump and your group of six would still have nothing put contempt in your comments, this site has become your crying towel and everyone is sick of it. But keep it up; it makes for all the more reason not to vote for your man.
You can’t wait for this young man to prove himself; you followers and your comment leader should be ashamed of yourselves. You attack this young man coming out of the gate, how sad you negative commenter’s all are, way too much time on your hands, and no sense in your heads.

Good morning Gene. I know this is not the proper comment area, but I see that since you are up & about you can look into why at 2:45 yesterday afternoon not one sole was working at the Maple St bridge project. It was a great day and I was wondering why. Can you check with Ralph or James on why on such a great weather day, no one was working. I will be off line for 2 days and I will check back when I return. Thanks Gene.

....."soon concrete will be poured.....this bridge will be finished, sooner rather than later...." Santa's coming too.....REAL SOON! Better yet.....THE ELECTION is coming even sooner.....YEAH! See ya.

Gene save your breath, these same people that are condemning this young man today, last week were preaching tolerance for another young man? First off industry leaders involved in the selection committee found him to be the best candidate for the job! Secondly the nerve of Ted Musco to denounce town employees, when he had his crony job at the ice rink, he was taking tax payer money to nap on the zamboni. Then when Ralph went in and said the rink was going to be cleaned and painted Ted went out on comp.WE SHOULD REALLY TAKE HIS OPINION ON OTHERS!!!!! As for the other person that is so quick to judge other people, this young man could walk on water and he would condemn him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you everyone for your kind comments and support. Thank you Fred Musante for writing a nice article, and I am looking forward to working with the Patch.

My experience at Platinum Associates Asset Management and Real estate development, where valuing and developing residential, commercial and industrial projects were a daily occurrence. I have experience.

Please bring your questions and concerns to the Fall Festival. I will be elated to discuss our plan of developing East Haven Economically.

Yeah Ruocco, save your breath. Frank is right. You offered up Donald Trump and he offered up Christ. Seems you and Frank have a better idea about what we need than the mayor has. Maybe one of you to could throw your hat in the ring! You both however, and as usual are skirting the real point and the issue at hand. The fact is that Capone's administration has done nothing by way of economic development and must not take it seriously. A part time fix using someone who is a novice at best, is not enough. Get it? They are falling short of their responsibility, get it? They are a failure, get it? So boy's hop back on your clown car and ride on outta town......get it?

I haven't seen any resume so I won't comment. However, as a 12 year resident of the Foxon area, I know exactly what the town needs and look forward to meeting Alex at the fall festival with my ideas. I'm sure the facebook page will be flooded with suggestions. He has his work cut out for him in Foxon.

I didn't think an Economic Development position should be so focused on setting up a booth at the Fall Festival for a meet and greet. I can understand the point about meeting people, and hopefully getting some ideas, but why isn't someone outout there now, DEVELOPING relationships w/businesses, getting a handle on 78 OPEN STORE FRONTS, using the miniscule results of the survey's sent to business owners. Obviously someone has no contacts and doesn't appear to be hitting the ground running.

Is that crickets I hear??...It's been four hours and not one word of retort. Maybe because when they are pressed to explain themselves they can't. Time to bring in one of your alter egos to further muddy the waters.

"Imagine our town being run by a leader with these sick people behind him."
Gene Ruocco
7:57am on Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Now look around and see how are town is being run down
by the "sick" people behind him.

Frank your personnal slander of me has gone to far, if you bring up my name in relation to the 20 years i worked at the ice rink, I will personally sue you for slander, your daugther was in office for 1 year before I was forced to retire with a knee injury that could not be repair due to health problems, you have no idea of what I did at the ice rink, all you have is a big mouth like your buddy Gene, if you want to discuss this with me i'll be at the next Town Council meeting, better yet I'll come look for you