Norwalk town clerk’s fans kick off his re-election campaign

NORWALK, Conn. – Accolades for Norwalk’s town clerk were easy to come by Wednesday evening at the East Side Cafe, where Rick McQuaid officially kicked off his re-election campaign.

As McQuaid’s nearly 7-year-old son ran about, more than 50 people — mostly active Republican and many family friends  — chatted on the second floor and waited to hear what McQuaid had to say.

The event comes just two weeks after the criminal investigation of a town clerk’s office employee became public. Details of the active investigation are scarce, but McQuaid said there are “thousands” of dollars missing. Mayor Richard Moccia and others have acknowledged that McQuaid is not the suspect, and that he uncovered the problem. McQuaid said he had discovered bookkeeping irregularities dating back to before he took office and immediately made them known to city officials, who contacted Norwalk Police.

McQuaid’s campaign manager, Steven Colarossi, made mention of the scandal as he introduced McQuaid.

“If you’ve been reading the sensationalized headlines in one of the local alleged newspapers you’ve seen that Rick McQuaid is actually doing a great job as town clerk,” he said. “As a taxpayer, I’m ecstatic. This gentleman, in less than a year in office, fixed some problems, found lots of sources of revenue and is doing a great job with a very dedicated staff. He’s not just a good guy we got elected two years ago, he’s an amazing manager.”

McQuaid thanked everyone for being there but ignored the issue.

“We’re looking forward to a great campaign,” he said. “Two years ago when we were doing this we weren’t sure what direction we were going in and how we were going to do it. I love the job of being your town clerk. … We’re going to work hard. We don’t know who we are going to be running against but it doesn’t really matter, we’re going to be town clerk for a long time.”

Board of Estimate and Taxation member Erik Anderson, a former Democrat who is now unaffiliated, said he came to support McQuaid because what goes around comes around.

“Ever since getting involved, Rick has supported me, helped me in any way that he could, in a non-partisan fashion,” he said. “It never mattered what party I was affiliated with, he would help me and answer questions in a completely non-partisan way. Which is why I am here.”

Anderson went on, mentioning former Town Clerk Andy Garfunkel. “Rick, I think, has done an amazing job as town clerk,” he said. “I love Andy, Andy is a good friend of mine and to see somebody step into the shoes that I thought really couldn’t be filled, and Rick doing such an amazing job at it, that I am here to support him.”

Many others lauded McQuaid’s way with children.

East Side Cafe owner Carol Gavrielidis said McQuaid, a former Naramake Elementary School interventions specialist, taught her children to swim; Tierney MacDonald, 19, of Stratford, a family friend, said McQuaid “supports young folks” and is “dedicated and hard working.”

Colarossi’s ex-wife, Mary Jo Giardani, sat at a table with her daughters, 14-year-old Kana and 15-year-old Liza Colarossi,  and praised McQuaid.

“He was an incredible influence in their life in a positive way,” she said. “He taught them respect. He taught them manners and how to be kind to others and was really a great role model, and I think he does a great job as city clerk.”

Yes, she’s mother of the campaign manager’s children, but she doesn’t go to many political events.

“I’m a busy working mom,” she said. “My time with my family is important. He’s the only candidate that I am supporting.”

Also attending were Republicans Sarah Mann, Rich Bonenfant, Fred Wilms, John Tobin, Erin (Halsey) Herring, Joanne Romano, Gail Lavielle and Victor Cavallo.

“For a town clerk’s race I’m happy with the turnout,” Colarossi said. “Everyone who is here knows how hard he has been working.”

Correction made, 4:30 a.m.