Mayoral debate rebuttals: Jarjura v. Theriault
Each candidate was allowed one round of 200 words for rebuttal.
Mayor Mike Jarjura - Democratic Incumbent Rebuttal M
More than 500 residents of Park Road, and the 20,000 people who visit
the Western Hills Golf Course every year would rightly take issue with Mr. Theriault's assertion that the paving of that major thoroughfare wasn't in their best interest.
But that's par for the course with the Independent Party, which has voted against most of the capital budgets in the last eight years, which included tens of millions in road paving.
My administration has done this work despite their stubborn opposition. My family and I proudly own businesses and properties in the City of Waterbury; we have for nearly a century.
The efforts of my partners in this area has, and continues to enhance the City of Waterbury's Grand List, adding new businesses, jobs and tax revenue that benefits all of us.
John E. Theriault - Independent Mayoral Candidate Rebuttal M
My opponent is urging voters to ignore my criticism of his failure to implement
an economic development plan. This is an insult to the intelligence of voters. His reference to economic programs "that got the City into so much trouble over 30 years" is an attempt to divert your attention from his lack of attention to your interests during the past eight years. His "all-is-well" attitude is chilling in view of the fact that more than twenty-five employers left Waterbury during his tenure - an exodus that cost 1,500 citizens their jobs.
There is no doubt my opponent is a good salesman. He has sold his "all-is-well" assessment of economic conditions to voters for many years. Reali-ty, however, has caught up with him. His assurances that Waterbury "stands ready" to take advantage of things when they get better is a luxury few voters are willing to entertain. His assessment is self-serving and his promises are hollow.
It's time for innovative leadership in City Hall. It is time to implement innovative economic development strategies that will get people back to work. I have the solutions and I am ready to implement them on your behalf.
