Debating A Debate: Carfora Declines To Spar With GOP Contender

East Haven CT

18 October, 2021

12:58 PM

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EAST HAVEN, CT — Declining to debate his opponent, the campaign of East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora, who is running for reelection, asked rhetorically: "Where has Sal Maltese been for the last two years?" The Carfora campaign is referring to the GOP contender in the race for mayor, Salvatore Maltese. In an email to Patch early Monday, Carfora's brother, campaign manager and spokesman, said the "mayor has no interest in a debate with Sal Maltese," citing Maltese's record of "not bothering to show up for the residents he represents." "Sal Maltese has run for mayor four times, once as a Democrat, once as an Independent, and twice as a Republican—and each time he lost," Al Carfora said. "He is a consistent no-show on the Town Council when he is supposed to be doing the people's business. But now, he wants a public forum to discuss his campaign. We have no desire to give Maltese a platform for debate." Patch reached out to Maltese to address Al Carfora's statements. "My campaign has reached out to Joe Carfora requesting a debate several times, he doesn't want to debate me because he's afraid of what the people will find out about him," Maltese responded in a reply to Patch requesting comment. "That is what happens when you aren't transparent, and you keep secrets from the taxpayers." (Maltese raised an issue that Patch will work to confirm, and if relevant, will report back.) A "no-show" Carfora said Maltese has "not shown up for much over the last two years," citing an approximate 50 percent attendance rate at meetings by the Republican Town Councilor. He also said that Maltese had "several no-shows at significant public hearings on critical issues facing East Haven." "Sal hasn't shown up for anything important in town. He didn't bother to show up for the airport master plan public hearings, and what's even more offensive is that he was a no show for arguably the most important issue in his district—the resident permit parking program," Carfora said. The program is a permit system for residents, initiated to solve the problem of beach parking that impacted residents for years. Implementation of the "highly successful program was spearheaded by Mayor Carfora along with 2nd district town council members Joe Deko and Joe Santino, both of whom are running for reelection on the mayor's team," Carfora said. Maltese conceded he's not been in attendance for a number of meetings and/or hearings. "I have missed meetings this term, some are due to a family medical issue. I am very thankful that we have put that behind us," he said adding that residents know he's "always here for them." "I have an open-door policy. I am lucky enough to run a business in my district and the taxpayers know that they are welcome to stop by anytime to speak with me in person, I am also available by phone or email," he said. And Maltese argued that Mayor Carfora has missed meetings as well. "If you want to talk about being absent, why don't we count how many Board of Finance and Town Council meetings, Mayor Carfora has attended since his election. I will always be the voice of the people. I have run as an Independent, a Democrat and a Republican, clearly I have the interests of the people in mind and not any self-serving political agenda. " But Carfora claims Maltese is "out of touch with everyday residents of East Haven." On the DC Moore project, Carfora said, "Sal didn't say a word for two years on one of the major safety issues at the school - mold, dampness, and drainage." "I taught at that school—it was closed for a reason, and Maltese now wants it developed as a recreational center. He must have forgotten how parents complained when their kids came home with wet clothes from just sitting on the floor during the school day. Does he not remember how teachers complained about chronic illness," he asked rhetorically. Carfora also pointed to the recent Town Council meeting where members were presented a comprehensive plan on the ice rink project and were asked to award the design contract. "Maltese was once again a no-show," Carfora said. "It was unanimously approved by the council but, due to another ghost performance, it wasn't approved by Sal. The vote was on a project with a generational impact on our recreational programs and hockey community, yet he doesn't show up to debate it. It's Sal's modus operandi, let's face it, he's lost touch, doesn't know the issues that impact our town, yet now he wants to debate. It's ridiculous. How about showing up for the taxpayers and voting for things when they matter?" Maltese admitted he did not attend that meeting but said that his "vote wasn't needed," as the measure was passed unanimously. And took the opportunity on this question to level an accusation that the Carfora administration intentionally did not previously provide ice rink information to GOP council members. "Quite frankly, I am disgusted by the lack of communication from Mayor Carfora on this project. We have asked about the ice rink every single meeting and got not one bit of information. This was kept from the Republican members of the Town Council on purpose," Maltese charged. "We should be working as a team for the betterment of East Haven, this should be a Town Council project, not an election ploy by Mayor Carfora." The Carfora campaign countered that in fact, his "leadership over the past two years during one of the most difficult times that East Haven has ever faced speaks for itself." "My record is clear and upfront. I'm out there every day, and will be during this campaign, speaking with the residents of East Haven about the issues that matter. That's what a mayor does, he shows up for everything. That's leadership."