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Email: Rilling poised to enter Norwalk mayoral race

Norwalk Police Chief 071112 135
Former Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling accepts applause in July at the inauguration of his successor, Chief Thomas Kulhawik.

NORWALK, Conn. – Former Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling has decided to run for mayor, an email sent to District B Democrats said Sunday.

The email, from SONO Alliance Chairwoman Corrine Weston, says Rilling will announce his intention next Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn on Main Avenue.

The former chief, who retired in June, has been expressing an interest in running for mayor for months. Rilling, who was appointed to the Zoning Commission by Republican incumbent Mayor Richard Moccia, switched his political party from unaffiliated to Democrat in October, shortly after he voted against allowing Spinnaker Partners LLC to move affordable housing out of its proposed development at 20 North Water St., a move Republicans supported.

The former chief had been a Democrat before leading the police department, but said last fall he changed his registration to unaffiliated so as not to politicize the chief’s position.

He will be the fourth Democrat trying to get his party’s nomination to run against Moccia this fall. Former Town Clerk Andy Garfunkel and Vinny Mangiacopra have already announced and Common Councilman Matt Miklave has formed an exploratory committee and has begun issuing statements.

It’s clear Rilling has support in District B. “We need someone with the management and personal skills to lead the city while championing our South Norwalk issues,” the SONO Alliance chairwoman’s email said.

It was signed by District B Democratic Committee Chairman Bob Burgess, Weston, Mimi Burgess and District B Democratic Committee Vice Chairman Joe Newell.

Comments

5 responses to “Email: Rilling poised to enter Norwalk mayoral race”

  1. Ken P Jr

    We just got rid of him, last thing we need is a former police chief as a Mayor, especially one from here.

  2. Harold

    This is just what Norwalk doesn’t need. Moccia realized that we as a city are fed up and his time was over here. RILLING IS MOCCIA. They are one in the same and we can’t allow either in office for another term.

  3. oldtimer

    I have known both for many years and they are very different. Rilling is very intelligent, has two masters degrees, earned while he was working full time, and has been a life-long democrat. Despite what his critics say, the crime rate under his term as chief declined and has never been lower. As a candidate, he will speak to the issues. Any debates will be very interesting, if Moccia will debate.

  4. Tim T

    Harold
    I agree

  5. Joe Espo

    Rilling arrested half of democrat base voters over the course of his 40+ years. Why would the dems put up a candidate who their voters associate with bail-bondsmen, lock-ups and courtrooms?

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