Mallozzi: A Hands-On Executive With Local Business Experience

Last week one of the writers noted that all politics are local. While I always hesitate, in a discussion of Republican candidates, to cite a statement generally attributed to a famous Democrat politician (Tip O’Neill) – that is exactly the point in this election of our next local leader.

What New Canaan or any town like it needs is a leader whose experience is here – who knows first-hand the operational issues, economics issues, and “family” issues that face our town, its businesses and residents. Someone who also not only knows what projects the town needs, but which ones we can afford, when we can afford them and the order in which we should undertake them. Having read the candidates’ statements and reports of the first debate and having watched the second debate, it is clear to me that Rob Mallozzi is the clear-minded, operationally oriented First Selectman New Canaan needs.

While no one would take issue with Paul Giusti’s platitudes — good schools, better government and better town economics — that is exactly what they are. To me, the difference between these two candidates is the difference between a highly functioning hands-on operating executive with local business experience, his sleeves rolled up, wearing both a green eye shade and a hard hat — and someone who espouses the vague lofty themes of all politicians, but whose business experience is neither local nor easy to comprehend, and who seems to take credit whenever possible (like the proverbial rooster) for making the sun rise.

I freely admit to being biased. I have known and admired Rob for decades, and his father and uncle before that. But I think I have a sound foundation for my opinion. For years I have helped run one of the world’s most prominent international law firms and also sit on the board of one of the world’s most respected international manufacturing companies. I know what it takes to run a division or branch or country for very large complex businesses. I also think I know what it takes to run New Canaan — and that is Rob Mallozzi.