Maturo: 'I Think I Can Win, I Think I Will Win'

Joe Maturo looked back fondly and seemingly proudly at his 10 years of sitting in the town's top elected seat. The Republican talked about the surpluses he ran every year as mayor from 1997-2007, when he lost to newcomer Democrat April Capone.

"We left them over four and half million dollars," Maturo told the Republican Town Committee Monday night as he emphatically declared he would run again for mayor -- and win. Another Republican, former Board of Ed Chair John Finkle, made the same declaration last December. But this time the candidate (Maturo) boasted of besting both the Democrat and his potential primary opponent. (Click "view gallery" under the picture on the upper righthand side of this story to watch the video.)

"I was quiet for three years. It wasn't my time. I sat back," Maturo said. "John's (Finkle) a great guy ... but I think I can win and I think I will win. But I need your support."

The committee sat quietly inside the Senior Center as Maturo extolled his record and grieved the blame he's gotten from the Democratic administration since he's left Town Hall.

"I'm sick and tired of hearing Mayor Joe Maturo is to blame for what happens in East Haven over the last three years," he said.

Maturo paced back and forth in front of the room fervently delivering his campaign spiel, eliciting a polite applause when he was done.

Republican opponent Finkle said he wasn't surprised by the announcement. Maturo flirted with the idea of recapturing his lost seat late last year, but until Monday night was tight-lipped about how serious he was.

"It's good that he finally put it to bed," said Finkle. "It's been hanging out there for you know, eight months."

Asked if he'd primary Maturo if Maturo got the party endorsement, Finkle said, "If he so chooses to primary me." Nominating conventions for both parties will be in July.

Maturo said he himself would likely get the party nod so it would be up to Finkle to push a primary.

Republican Party Chair Lou Crisci said he knew Maturo was interested in running but was not sure if he would.

"I knew it was a possibility. I just didn't know if and when," said Crisci. Asked which candidate he supports, he said Finkle. While he was on Maturo's team before he said he's now with Finkle.

"And I don't plan on wavering from that at this point," said Crisci.

He said it's premature to say the party foundation has cracked. "You can't say there's a division until the party splits. There's just two candidates," Crisci said.

Meanwhile, Maturo said he's been getting into shape for the race, quite literally. He said he quit his 30-year, three-pack-a-day cigarette habit and at the same time strapped on a pair of running shoes. Maturo said he ran the Hartford ING marathon last October and did the 26.2 miles in four hours, 40 minutes.

"And I'm still running," he said with a smirk. "I think it was a great 10 years (as mayor). We had the town in a great position."

Asked how he would have handled the police chief situation, he said not how Capone did. Capone put Chief Leonard Gallo on administrative leave in April 2010 in the midst of the ongoing Department of Justice civil and, later it was revealed, also criminal investigation of the police department on allegations of racial profiling and police brutality. Inspector Gaetano Nappi was named acting chief.

Maturo, who appointed Gallo chief, said he would have waited until two reports on the police department were issued before making a decision. "I'd have to look at all the facts. I didn't think there was enough there ...  I wouldn't have done it as she (Mayor Capone) did it," said Maturo.

One report, from the Police Executive Research Forum, was released last Friday. Among many other notes, it strongly recommended "resolving" the police chief situation. The other report would result from the federal criminal probe that is underway. Currently, cops are testifying before a grand jury.

Capone could not be reached for comment Monday evening, but Democratic Town Committee Chair Gene Ruocco could be.

"The people of East Haven are fully aware of the great successes of the past three years. This is a desperate attempt of the old gang to get back on the gravy train they had going while the town deteriorated," said Ruocco. "East Haven wants to keep moving ahead not backwards. And the voters will show that in November." (Click here and here and here and here and here to read Ruocco's columns on the district improvements made since Capone took office.)

A nascent under-ticket

Crisci said he's gotten several new names to run for Town Council, Board of Ed and Board of Finance. One is Sal Maltese.

"I think I'm at a good place in my life where I can be of a benefit to the town," said Maltese, 67, who's eyeing a 2nd District Council seat. "Whether right or wrong, I feel I can put insight into the town about why we're raising taxes. It seem like with this administration we just give money away."

Maltese runs the South Shore Laundromat on Hemingway Avenue.

According to Crisci, Richard Anania of the Town Council, Tom Hennessey of the Board of Ed, and Charles "Doc" Schlegel of the Board of Finance are running for reelection. Crisci said he "suspected" the other elected Republican officials would also go for another term but hasn't yet heard definitively. And he said Beth Purcell, who unsuccessfully pursued a seat on the Board of Finance in 2009, will try again this November.