By Brian McCready
Milford Bureau Chief
MILFORD — The Republican Party’s newest leader is a relative newcomer to the city, but one whom party officials say is the right man to help bring the GOP back to political dominance.
The Republican Town Committee unanimously selected Thomas Jagodzinski as its party chairman. He succeeds former ChairmanWin Smith Jr., who decided against seeking re-election after one term.
Jagodzinksi moved to Milford from Shelton four years ago with his wife, Connie, and their three children. During last fall’s election, he and his wife managed the Republican campaign headquarters. Prior to his retirement, Jagodzinski was a senior vice president and the chief technology officer for People’s Bank.
Jagodzinski also is a lecturer and Eucharistic minister at St. Ann Church, and a volunteer at the Hospital of Saint Raphael.
As soon as he moved to Milford, he quickly caught the bug to get involved in politics.
“I was retired and have the time to devote to politics and volunteerism,” Jagodzinski said.
Jagodzinski inherits a party that lost the majority on the boards of Aldermen, Education and Planning and Zoning for the first time since 1985, but Republicans continue their almost two-decade dominance of City Hall.
“I’m looking to bringing people together. There is a lot of talent on the town committee. We need to get people together,” Jagodzinski said.
He said the party is already interviewing candidates for the upcoming state elections, and he said the main issue is that residents of Connecticut pay the highest taxes in the country.
Concerning the next local election, Jagodzinski said the party will develop a clear message for each board.
He said the problem is both Republicans and Democrats say the same thing concerning being committed to lower taxes and maintaining current services.
“People need to know what will happen when they vote Republican,” Jagodzinski said.
Former Republican Town Chairman Jack Fowler said Jagodzinski is “very detail oriented,” and “very hard working.”
“There’s not a lot of glitz but we don’t need glitz,” Fowler said. “We need someone who sweats, pays attention to the details and has common sense and does a great job.”
Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr., a Republican, said he is excited about working with Jagodzinski. “He has a lot of new and fresh ideas. He’s very organized and a motivator,” Richetelli said.
Peter Vita, Joyce Charney and Scott Firmender were re-elected vice chairman, secretary and treasurer, respectively.

By Brian McCready
Milford Bureau Chief
MILFORD — State House Speaker James A. Amann, D-Milford, announced his exploratory campaign for the governorship Thursday night and received a hometown hero’s welcome from 300 supporters.
At the conclusion of Amann’s speech, the popular spiritual "This Little Light of Mine" blared over the loudspeaker, and the beginning of the lyrics were amended to "Amen Amann."
"Join me on this journey. Let’s have some fun and shake it up a bit," Amann told his supporters.
City Hall was overflowing with residents and officials, and a few even carried signs saying "Amann for Governor."
A handful of protesters against Amann’s candidacy gathered in front of City Hall. The protesters, who have dubbed themselves "Crush Amann," parked a hearse in front of City Hall carrying a sign saying Amann’s chances were "DOA."
City Clerk Alan Jepson, a former three-term Democratic mayor, recalled that when Amann first got involved in politics in 1983 he knew Amann was someone special. Jepson said he told Amann he may be able to do more on the state level by helping everyone.
"I called him ‘governor’ many years ago," Jepson said. "I predict he will become governor."
House Majority Leader Chris Donovan, D-Meriden, said he and Amann have teamed up the past three years to enact tangible improvements for residents. He said the duo worked to expand health care for youths and seniors and cut the state income tax, and Amann brought the Hollywood film industry to Connecticut. Donovan said the legislature has included funds for stem cell research and education initiatives.
Amann thanked his supporters, but singled out his family. He said his wife, Terri, is the "real speaker of the house," and as soon as he comes home he loses his power. He recalled how his wife has overcome numerous health battles, and has been "my rock."
"I have much more to give," Amann said. "I have the energy and passion to (make Connecticut even better.)"
While Amann was primarily surrounded by friends and family, Edward Anderson of New Haven was present with a few friends who protested Amann’s announcement. Anderson said he was representing the progressive part of the party who won’t support Amann because he voted against civil unions, and defied the party by supporting U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., who did not receive his party’s support.
"My dog has more of a chance of getting elected then Jim Amann," Anderson said.
Former National Basketball Association standout Charles Smith, who played for the New York Knicks, said he was proud to endorse Amann because of all he has done for after-school programs. "Jim’s done so much for kids," Smith said.
State Rep. Richard Roy, D-Milford, said with the tenor of today’s politics, it makes sense for a candidate to declare early.
"At least Jim’s one day ahead of everyone else," Roy said. "I look forward to helping him become the fourth Milford man to become governor." The others were Robert Treat, Jonathan Law and Charles H. Pond.
"It’s great to have a Milford boy grabbing for the brass ring," added Democratic Town Chairman Richard Smith.

The following editorial appeared Monday Jan. 21, 2008 on the editorial page of the New Haven Register. It is an editorial opinion and it was not written by the contributors to the All About Milford blog but is reprinted here as it involves a Milford issue.

Police board loses qualified member in partisan reprisal.
Milford’s Board of Police Commissioners has lost a good member thanks to what appears to have been political spite. On a party line vote, the Democrats who control the Board of Aldermen rejected the reappointment of Tony Candido, a member of the police board for six years. Candido is a Democrat who had been nominated for reappointment by Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr., a Republican. Candido was amply qualified for reappointment. Aside from his six years of service on the board, he is the chief marshal in charge of courthouse security for the Waterbury Judicial District. As chairman of the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities, he has devoted further hours to public service in Milford. Why did the Democrats reject a fellow party member’s appointment? Candido had supported the unsuccessful candidacy of his wife, a Republican, for election to the Board of Aldermen. Republicans have charged the Democrats blackballed him in retribution. The Democrats who voted against him offered no other explanation beyond suggesting he would have done better if he were a Republican and that he was not “reflective of what the Democratic Party is now.” If that means small-minded and partisan, Candido should be honored that his party rejected him.

State House Speaker James Amann, D-Milford, will formally announce he is forming an exploratory campaign for governor 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Milford City Hall on W. River Street.

The New Haven Register first reported last week that Amann had filed the necessary papers for an exploratory bid. Amann recently said he will use the next several months to determine if he is a viable candidate.