NORWALK, Conn. – A complaint about a Vinny Mangiacopra mailer is being called dirty campaigning by Councilman David Watts.
Schoolchildren give Mangiacopra a thumbs up in the photo that spans the 13-inch wide flier sent out by Mangiacopra’s campaign, Norwalk’s Future Now. Mangiacopra smiles at two young girls on the other side.
They are students of Mangiacopra’s wife, Kelsie Fedor, a Cranbury Elementary School teacher. A source reports that Deputy Superintendent Tony Daddona went to speak to Fedor about the use of the children in the photo. A visitor to the registrar’s office complained about the mailer, Republican Registrar Karen Doyle Lyons said Friday.
“One of the candidates in this race has run a nasty campaign,” Watts said. “This is part of their strategy. To me, instead of talking about the issues, the person behind this, and we know who the person is, are only emulating the same tactics of the administration.”
Mangiacopra said Cranbury’s principal approved the photos, and every one of the children had a release signed by their parents. The photo was taken during the summer, after a summer school session.
Superintendent Manny Rivera confirmed those details, but hinted that the approval may have fallen outside the school system’s policy.
“The Superintendent’s office was not aware that such activity had been authorized and Mr. Dadonna is reviewing the matter,” Rivera said in an email. “We do have a Board Policy that addresses the responsibilities of employees engaging in political activities (1311.1 a) and we will be sending out a clarifying communication to all principals.”
Mangiacopra said all of the bases were covered and it’s unfortunate it has become a political issue so close to Tuesday’s primary.
“I think it’s a political ploy by my opponents,” he said. “A few short days of a historic election gaining momentum, of clearly one where our campaign is picking up momentum each and every day.”
Mangiacopra said he is going to author an editorial talking about the future of education.
“Those are the things that I like to talk about,” he said. “I don’t like to talk about other people’s mail, especially when other people’s mail seems to be attacking me these days.”
Councilman Matt Miklave has sent out mailers urging a clean sweep of Norwalk’s Democratic leadership. Mangiacopra is Democratic District D chairman.
Watts said he wouldn’t name which of the other three mayoral candidates he feels is responsible for an attack on Mangiacopra.
Neither Harry Rilling nor Andy Garfunkel responded to a request for comment. Miklave said, “No comment.”
That unnamed candidate has also organized a campaign against Watts, Watts said. It’s nasty tactics over all, he said.
What’s been nasty?
“The dirty campaigning, anonymous bloggers, just a bunch of behind the scenes dirty techniques and standing with people who are known for dirty campaigns,” he said. “Norwalk rejected dirty campaigns last year when they sent out negative mailers on the state senate.
“People don’t like dirty campaigns, they don’t like negative campaigning, they want people to talk about the issues. Instead of talking about or debating what was on the flier, by saying ‘I disagree with this issue,’ and put forward their education plan, they want to attack the kids, the parents, the mailer. I think people don’t want to hear from them. They don’t want to hear this, they want to hear about what their plan is for the future.”
There have been other photos of candidates in classrooms, he said.
“The mayor has pizza parties with people’s kids,” he said. “If you’re going to be the mayor you have to deal with children. I think it’s more about their lack of ideas than to talk about what’s very important to Norwalk. … I applaud Vinny for at least highlighting education.”
Watts has not sent out a statement endorsing Mangiacopra but he is listed as a supporter on one of the fliers. This is no way to run an election, he said.
“People are tired of the same old divide and conquer tactics, that I’ve seen in the past few weeks alone,” he said. “Democrats need to understand that this is not the election, this is only the playoff. They need to keep in mind that instead of trashing other Democrats that there’s only a few more days left before the election. Keep it clean. Get over the primary. Let’s unite and put a good team together for the fall.”
Leave a Reply
You must Register or Login to post a comment.