O'Sullivan: We Can Do Better

Local attorney Jim O'Sullivan officially announced his candidacy for mayor in front of a crowd of 30 people at Sheila's Cafe and Bakery on Church Street Tuesday night.

O'Sullivan, a 58-year-old Republican, will seek the Republican nomination for mayor tonight at the GOP caucus. He will run against Democrat incumbent Bob Mezzo. 

The following is a verbatim transcript of what O'Sullivan said Tuesday. Also, watch two videos depicting some of what he said attached to this article. 

"Thank You all for coming.  My name is Jim O’Sullivan and I’m here to announce my candidacy for Mayor of the Borough of Naugatuck.  

For those who know little about me, I grew up in a section of Queens, NY called Ozone Park. I am married to a beautiful and supportive woman--Barbara, who has been my best friend and companion for 39 years. We have 3 incredible children all grown. They have made me one of the proudest fathers on earth with their accomplishments. Our oldest lives on Long Island with his wife, where they are personal trainers and parents to our two wonderful granddaughters, our middle son is in Bristol and is freelance media specialist, and our beautiful daughter works in cancer research and travels so much for work that I’m not sure if Naugatuck is her home or her vacation spot, sometimes I have to check her Facebook page to find out where she is.

Like most of you I come from a middle class background.  My mother was a registered nurse and my father, an immigrant, worked a printing press for Time/Life and then in Fleet Services for Pan Am Airlines. They taught me that working hard, being honest, and dedicating oneself to others gave meaning to one’s life.

I‘ve worked as a Correction Officer on Riker’s Island and a police officer on Long Island for 10 years. I’ve seen people at their worst and at their best. I’ve been kicked, punched and shot at. I witnessed things that others should never see and experienced things others should never experience. I have prayed as I performed first aid in the pouring rain on a severely injured young girl who had been hit by a car and known the satisfaction of seeing her walk. I’ve seen the miracle of birth. All of it provided me with a framework and wealth of experience. 

When an injury forced me to leave the Police Department I sought new ways to contribute to my community. I decided to study law beyond what I had learned in the police academy and was privileged to attend Quinnipiac University School of Law. I wasn’t your usual law student.  At that time, I was older than most in my class and my years on the police force had provided me with real life scenarios the likes of which many do not experience until they are out of school. Today, I am a practicing attorney in town with my own law firm right here on Church Street. 

Thirteen years ago Barbara and I got off Route 8 for the first time on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. It was right about this time of year, but I don’t recall it being as hot. Our first view was a beautiful town green surrounded by churches, schools, and town hall. We looked at a vibrant town that had a quiet beauty and New England charm, and we chose to live here.

Yet today I hear people talking about leaving. I hear people upset about rising taxes and the rising mill rate. I’m frustrated when this administration glosses over the impact that their new budget is going to bring. It’s not just about our homes; it’s about our cars; it’s about our businesses. At a time when we should be working together to bring businesses in, we are going to be driving them away.  Let me ask you this, how many of you would decide to buy a home here or start a business knowing that our mill rate is 44.8? We have seen a drastic increase in taxes, deteriorating roads, struggling businesses, loss of jobs and empty storefronts. We were promised Focused Leadership for Real Change. I know there’s been change, but I don’t have the slightest idea what they’ve been focused on, because it sure hasn’t been change for the better.

It is time for us as a community to stand together and elect leaders who will think outside the box. We have to have a real discussion about our spending. I think we all can agree that when your income goes down you have to cut your expenses, you can’t keep writing checks. Every family in Naugatuck knows that.

We need to encourage business owners to make a leap of faith, like Sheila & Victor have, they exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit on which we seek to build a better Naugatuck. We, as a community, must support them and help them thrive; because if they thrive, so will we. If they grow, others will come. That is why the current direction of tax and spend needs to change.

We need to take a serious look at the proposals that are due in to the NEDC in the next few weeks. A few years ago we had a grand vision for the downtown area. Whether you were for it or against it Renaissance Place was a goal that many people were passionate about. It lit a fire of anticipation in this town. Not a shovel was turned! We can rebuild that dream. We’ve done the studies. Perhaps we need to scale it down. Develop a plan, start small and build out. How much longer must visitors to our home be greeted by a vacant Parcel C? My father used to tell me…”Just do SOMETHING.” With strong leadership and teamwork we can make it happen.

We have to take a closer look at our school budget. Since we started calling Naugatuck our home we’ve seen two schools close and the budget increase. We’d like to think it is going for our students, but is it? The Board of Education keeps adding new administrative positions and leaving teachers and students without supplies and tools to help them succeed.  A significant number of students did not graduate high school in Naugatuck.  We can do better!

We should be working in a cohesive manner with our employee unions. I’ve been a civil servant. They know as well as we do that we need to work toward common goals. For many of them this is their home, too. They aren’t blind to the hole we’ve dug. They want change as bad as we do. Again, we need strong leadership for this.

We can do better…we will do better…and we will do so together. We can rebuild our vision and we can build a better Naugatuck.

I’m going to caution you now…They are going to tell you that I am inexperienced. They are going to tell you that I’m not cut out for the job. The resume they’ve seen is but a snippet. They think you get experience going to school and sitting in an office and sitting on committees. That doesn’t even scratch the surface. You’ve been where I’ve been. You’ve driven taxis, you’ve loaded planes, and you’ve mopped floors. Have they swept classroom floors? Have they worked two jobs to make ends meet? Eaten peanut butter sandwiches so their baby could have formula? I’ve been there, I’ve done that. I’ve known the hurt of unemployment and the fear that you might lose your house. It’s time for a reality check in town hall. The people want change and we need to give it to them.

Last Tuesday, we had a referendum. What could have brought about a spirited debate on finances in this town sadly turned into the attempted assassination of democracy. Some of our elected officials were telling us that the best way to voice our opinion was not to vote. I have to admit that I don’t recall ever having heard any leader in this great land telling people, “DON’T VOTE!” So to them, I say shame on you. Shame for trying to corrupt a privilege which we, as Americans, should hold onto dearly. Some of our elected and local officials told us they don’t believe in the referendum process. To them I say this: Another referendum is coming! You might call it an election but November 5th is going to be a referendum. It is going to be a referendum on the way you’ve done your job, it is going to be a referendum on the way you’ve served the people of Naugatuck. The people of Naugatuck are going to speak to you loudly and clearly that we have had enough. Do any of you think for one second that they will tell you then that the best way to voice our opinion is not to vote?

I don’t think so.

With your support we can return Naugatuck back to the people and begin to see a thriving downtown with open businesses and great schools, where we, our children, and their children can proudly call Naugatuck home. 

I’m excited for the future of Naugatuck.  Let’s take that first step forward together. 

Thank you all for coming."