Candidates for CT gov face off at forum

Gubernatorial candidates (L-R): Independent Tom Marsh, Republican Tom Foley, Republican R. Nelson ‘Oz’ Griebel, Democrat Ned Lamont, Democrat Dannel Malloy and Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele participate in a forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce Inc., Windham Region, at the Nathan Hale Inn and Conference Center at the University of Connecticut July 29. Roxanne Pandolfi Photo

With a format focusing on quick, straight answers, all six gubernatorial candidates Thursday  morning [July 29] told local voters their plans to address issues in eastern Connecticut and the state.

The discussion was part of a candidate forum sponsored by The Chamber of Commerce, Windham Region, at the Nathan Hale Inn and Conference Center at the University of Connecticut.

Taking party were Independent candidate Tom Marsh, Democrats Ned Lamont and Dannel Malloy, and Republicans Michael Fedele, Tom Foley and R. Nelson “Oz” Griebel.

While the issues were the crux of the debate, the candidates appeared frustrated at times by a format that focused on quick answers.

Chamber Executive Director Roger Adams said he liked the outcome.

The format allowed each candidate to be first to answer a question, with a one-minute time limit, and the others all had 30 seconds for rebuttal.

The candidates also were given five minutes each for their closing statement.

Adams explained the format saying, “If we let everyone do their stump speech at the beginning,” the debate would take too long.

He also said the Chamber told the candidates the topics for the forum in advance so they could prepare, although they were not told the exact questions.

The candidates found it challenging.

Fedele called the format “political speed dating.”

Once underway, the forum focused on ways to improve the state’s economy and reduce its budget deficit.

Who can handle it?

All six candidates agreed the next governor will have a difficult task.

All of the candidates said they could handle it, including Marsh, who said he believes the fact that he’s an independent candidate is an asset. “They’ve had the opportunity,” he said of his opponents, “and we are where we are.”

Marsh, who currently serves as first selectman in Chester and is a business owner, said he decided to run because he feels the state needs to streamline departments and processes.

Fedele, on the other hand, said his experience as the current lieutenant governor means he is the only candidate with “on-the-job training.”

Foley countered by saying that  Fedele’s “experience” includes supporting the state’s largest tax increase and initiatives that resulted in the loss of 100,000 jobs.

Griebel said he would bring a “competitive attitude” back to the state, to reduce costs and improve services.

Malloy said he could turn the state’s economy around by drawing on his experience with revitalizing Stamford, where he was mayor.

Lamont argued that Stamford spent more than it got in return. Lamont added that his experience as as a business owner would help him create more jobs.

The best way to retain jobs is to focus on the state’s strengths, especially its universities, he said, while also seeking to cut taxes and boost funding for small businesses.

Bringing business to Connecticut

Fedele said he wants to be an advocate for businesses that come to Connecticut.

Griebel also said he’d be an advocate and would work to recruit out-of-state companies.

Marsh said the biggest obstacle to economic development is inefficiency at the state level and he wants to make permitting and other processes simpler.

Foley said he wants to get control of the legislature and added the state needs to reduce its deficit to become more business friendly.

Malloy said he wants to reduce energy costs and to work more closely with universities.

He also said the deficit is a major problem for attracting jobs, and said the best way to solve the problem is to use accounting principals.

Holding the budget line

Griebel said he would not support any budget with a spending increase and would also stop funding for the state’s pension plans.

Foley said he wants to end “waste and duplication,” and said the state has not looked for ways to eliminate duplicated services.

Lamont also said he wants to make the state more efficient, and one way to do so would be to put effective business leaders in charge of state departments.

Marsh said he wants a wage freeze for state and municipal employees and noted his experience implementing a wage freeze as a first selectman.

Fedele said he wants the state to look for ways to get better returns on it investments and reexamine bonding practices, which Marsh also advocated.

Other comments during the forum touched on health care, local transportation, tourism and energy costs - all of which each of the candidates agreed are major factors in boosting the economy and creating jobs.

Posted July 30, 2010