Reporter Jackie Majerus wrote this story:
The economy's downward spiral has claimed another casualty: Republican Joe Geladino's state senate campaign against veteran Democratic incumbent Tom Colapietro.
"I decided to let it go," said Geladino, who then vowed to "come back and run for council and this time work at it."
Geladino said he's had to focus on his business as a builder, which frequently takes him out of town, instead of the race in the 31st district, which includes Bristol, Plymouth, Plainville and part of Harwinton.
"The economy kind of pulled Joe out of it," said Republican Town Chairman T.J. Barnes.
Barnes said Geladino was often called to New London to work.
"His job got in the way," said Barnes. "He was never in Bristol."
Geladino, who builds homes to sell them and works for a bridge building company as well, said the tough economy and the crisis in the banking and insurance industry has hurt him.
"I have everything on hold. I'm renting houses that were supposed to be sold," said Geladino, who has added the job of landlord to his duties.
Geladino said he wasn't interested in campaigning if he couldn't make it a priority.
"I don't want to do things halfway," Geladino said. "I don't want to cheat the public."
Barnes said they discussed going for state campaign cash and running a campaign as best they could without the candidate around.
"That seemed very disingenuous, so we decided against it," Barnes said.
Barnes said it's possible the party will fill the vacancy on the ticket.
"There might be someone who steps up," said Barnes, adding that he wouldn't be surprised if the slot is filled – or left open – this close to the election.
"At this point, I don't have a definite yes or no," said Barnes.
The news caught Colapietro by surprise, who said the thought of running unopposed is "unbelievable."
"I just don't know what to say," said the Bristol Democrat. "I have never not had an opponent."
If Republicans can't fill the slot, Colapietro will still campaign, he said, but it won't be the same.
"I was looking forward to talking about issues," said Colapietro.
Geladino said he didn't want to comment on Colapietro or the senate race.
"If I was going to run, I would have a lot to say," said Geladino.
Barnes said it is "always an uphill battle" to completely fill the Republican slate, and although he said he's not thinking of city council races yet, Geladino is.
"I'll be back full strength then," Geladino said. "I'm not going to give up on Bristol."
Geladino said he would be "a bigger help to the people of Bristol" as a city councilor than he would be as a state senator.
He opposed the school project at the Scalia sand pit, Geladino said, and was proven right when planning commissioners recommended against it this week.
Geladino said the city can't keep raising taxes. He said local politicians are "spending all kinds of money like a bunch of drunken sailors."
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
68 comments:
Good riddance!
Never in Bristol! Never in Bristol! Never in Bristol!
Go Joe Go
Geladino For Mayor. With these clowns we have now, you might as well throw in the towel.
Won't be missed!
Joe you were. are a joke.
So is Barnes.
The local Republican party is a joke.
Can't even get a full slate 2 years running.
Won't be missed.
Now, how about Jerome?
Visconti, Geladino.
Who else is Mocabee going to come up with?
maybe minor, he seems to want to be more of a republican - well, today anyhow - who knows about tomorrow, he could switch again.
Maybe Ken Johnson will step up to the plate: he hasn't run for this office yet.
Didn't know he was ever in the race.
A true stealth candidate.
I guess Geladino don't like sailors!
Opposed or unopposed, it doesn't matter. Colapietro will always win, as long as he says and does everything the unions want. They make sure he wins, and they're the only reason he does win. It's a sad situation; we sure could use a change for the better.
Joe,
seems like you have all the Dems going crazy! Look at them all attacking! Keep them on the ropes Joe!!
Unfortunately, Geladino has become the republican poster boy.
Is that the best they can do?
Joe, run for mayor and maybe your buddy Artie will buy you off and give you a city job.
Just how long ago did Joey register as a republican?
(YAWN) Cry babies still crying. Doesn't that ever get old to even you? Or don't you do anything but go to a phsyciatrist to Keep you all from commiting suicide? Poor unhappy people.
Maybe we need a new Town Chairman!!!
Tom its not a wig its a weave
Joe is good at throwing in the towel!
Wow, what has become of the republican party in Bristol???
12:39
Do it quick Ward ain't gonna be mayor next time.
Yawn , when are you guys gonna have a real discussion ? Or maybe you can't . Same ol , Same ol
HAHA AT LEAST GELADINO KNEW WHEN TO QUIT. WHEN ARE YOU JERKS GONNA LEARN ? MY SPACE IS WAITING !
Now Tommy can spend his $100,000 of campaign finance taxpayer dollars on dinners and lunches for all of his political cronies and union hacks.
Another waste of taxpayer dollars.
sorry he duz not get the 100000 gs and has to account for it all.
6:36 you poor dumb sole. I guess you think you can convince your little group of whiners about campaign finance funds. You ought to learn the law before you lie er shoot your big mouth off.
If Tom had any decency he'd send that campaign money back to the state. It's ridiculous for him to have it.
September 26, 2008 6:36 PM;
Yeah but maybe the jerk-weed Bristol GOP shouldn't have opposed him from the beginning?
This guys OK, but this is just another embarassment and another blunder from the inept, naive and sometimes quite stupid GOP leaders in Bristol.
Who woke up the Colapietro haters ? Or maybe I should say the jealous nobodies?
Joe knew when to quit: but he wasn't smart enough to realize that he should not have run in the first place.
These same people that supported Merrick and Geladino for Council, supported Geladino and Jerome for legislature, are the same ones that did not want Stortz to run again.
The republican party is in shambles.
jerome doesn't have to drop out, no one knows that he is in.
Oh STortz knock it off, stop your crying. You earned the title of the Worst Mayor in Bristol History.
You are a disgrace not only to the City of Bristol but to humanity as well.
Do the world a favor and drop dead.
What does Stortz have to do with it? I'm sure he doesn't want Tom's job. But I might...
11:35 Who cares who you watch ?
11:35 Then run then. Only everybody will know who or what you are ! A coward with a big mouth (as long as he remains hidden)
9:51PM - Shame on you - maybe you didn't agree with Stortz's policies or political manners but your comments are completely out of place. At the very least, Bill volunteered his time and effort and subjected himself to irresponsible assessments from people like yourself - be a man/woman and come out from hiding on sites such as this if you are going to malign someone in this type of manner - what has been/is your involvement in the community?
Maybe your pea-brain needs more rest and you shouldn't be up as late as 9:15pm
"Do the world a favor and drop dead." posted by September 27, 2008 9:51 PM
You need some anger management classes and soon. I am not a big fan of Stortz but wishing him dead is a bit much.
The fact is that Joe volunteered when no one else would but realized it would not work. So rather than waste money (taxpayer money) he bowed out. Good for him and I wish him luck.
Now that Colapietro is not running against anyone lets see if he returns the money back to the state or spends it anyway.
As for the Bristol Republicans. It is a numbers game. There aren't as many republicans in Bristol as democrats. What are they outnumbered 10 to 1 so it is harder to get candidates to fill a slate. That's just the facts. At least some are trying instead of whinning.
It is people like Geladino that guarantee that democrats will get elected.
At any level.
If the republicans put Geladino on teh ticket I will probably change my party status from republican to democrat.
Why can't/don't the republicans come up with a real candidate?
Or is it their goal just to fill spots?
Or maybe people don't want to run with people like Geladino?
I give Geladino credit for trying. He showed that he has courage to stand up when many others just sit back and complain.
This is Colapietro's last term anyway. He isn't running again after this. Plans are for Kilbourne to take his spot after this coming term.
"These same people that supported Merrick and Geladino for Council, supported Geladino and Jerome for legislature, are the same ones that did not want Stortz to run again"
--Not entirely true, but then again the "town committee" supported these candidates.
--This is just another shining example of the shambles that the Republican Town Committee has become with the mix of the clueless newbies c/o Ken Johnson and the clueless oldies c/o Gary Schaffrick.
Yeh Joe, you would have a lot to say, but as usual, it wouldn't amount to anything.
Hey Joe, are you going to return all the money you raised?
2:22 Dream on !
1:18
I'm with you.
Maybe if we had an effective Republican Party, the democrats and Ward wouldn't be getting away with all the crap they are pulling.
6:55am - crap that the dems are pulling, how about the scam that you republicans are pulling on the voters - trying to pass yourselves off as being real, nominating people who ultimately don't/won't run and throwing inexperienced unknowns against incumbents? if I were ever naive enough to be a registered republican in Bristol, I would plead "ignorance" as a defense.
I think most of us Republican's have decided that there are more important things in life than trying to run for a position against huge odds in a town where party affiliation is the most important aspect as to whom most people vote.
We will hear it is all the Republican's fault, but the Democrats control both houses at the state and have for quite some time. In the end it just doesn't matter what we do and in light of what is going on in the world, I am like Joe I need to work!!!!
Seeing as most people in this state and City just want one party rule then I for one say let them have it!!! Besides if the citizens of the 31st want Tom Colapietro to be thier shining example of democracy then you are welcome to him. Glad Joe is not going to run and waste my money, just give them Tommy C, the best Bristol has to offer!!!! What a joke the whole system really is Democrat and Republican!!!
Well 1:20 If you really think there are more important things than your constituents then SHUT UP and crawl back into your hole in plain English.
1:20 Boo Hoo as usual you are crying instead of crowing !
LMAO in other wors 1:20 "I'm gonna take my bat and go home". (And cry )
I am not an elected official and guess what I am a member of the voting public also!! This economy is falling apart and most people care about their family first than politics second!! You sir should go and climb back in your hole if you think any different!!! I for one am sick of the whole system of blaming somebody and not once trying to fix the problem at hand!! I am a DAD first, AMERICAN second, and a republican third. HOW DARE CONGRESS TRY AND SPEND 700 BILLION OF MY DOLLARS to fix a problem they created!!!! Democrats and Republicans are both to blame and that is all I am trying to say!! This blog is a perfect example of what I am sick of when it comes to politics in this city, state, and country and I do not think I am alone in feeling that way!!!!!!
Kilbourne for senator? Well, it looks like the Republicans have a guaranteed win two years from now!!!
Go, 4:49! I'm with you.
4:49 That's because of piss poor management. That's how they dare!
Kilbourne for senator? Well, it looks like the Republicans have a guaranteed win two years from now!!!
September 29, 2008 5:44 PM
Republicans say that every two years. Yawn
1:20 and his cry babies are the joke !
the republicans will have a hard time guanteeing that there will be a republican party in Bristol in two years let alone thinking that they will be able to win an election - any election....
Geladino, you were a democrat until recently.
However, you are still acting like one.
Why don't you come up with some ideas as to how to save money?
Of course, other than hiring you.
4:49 You can't prove it by me !
Who is Mr. Kilbourne? Only one I know is a dem.
Geladino for COO COO
I wonder why Hamzy hasn't opted to run for the Senate?
Or did he think Geladino was the better choice?
Nice try TJ, but as bad a choice as he is, Geladino had NO intention on following through.
Economy excuse is BS!
Fact is, you just mislead the people into thinking the epublicans would challenge Colapietro
I'll bet Joe threw in the towel because they selected Visconti over him to run against Larson.
Thats OK Joe, there is always next time.
Post a Comment