Vote in special election February 22

#Middlebury #Egan #Pizzuto

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

Voters in the 71st Connecticut Assembly District, which comprises all of Middlebury and the Town Plot section of Waterbury, will go to the polls Tuesday, February 22, to choose a new state representative to fill the seat vacated by Tony D’Amelio. D’Amelio, who retired effective December 31, 2021, had served as a representative almost 25 years. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the lower level of Shepardson Community Center at 1172 Whittemore Road in Middlebury.

Those who prefer may vote absentee. Apply for an absentee ballot at middlebury-ct.org by clicking on Government, Town Clerk’s Office and then Elections/Referenda to get to the page with the application link. Town Clerk Brigitte Bessette said COVID-19 is no longer listed among the reasons for applying for an absentee ballot. Applicants may choose one of six other reasons for not being unable to vote in person. Bessette said filled and signed applications can be mailed, placed in the ballot box to the left of the side entrance to Town Hall, or brought inside to the town clerk’s office.

Voters will find two names on the ballot February 22 – Democrat John M. Egan and Republican William Pizzuto. Egan is a Town Plot resident; Pizzuto is a Middlebury resident.

John M. Egan

A press release for Egan said he grew up in Town Plot, where he raised his own family and continues to live. Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary nominated him at a January Democratic nominating convention. “Very few people know the 71st District like John Egan,” O’Leary said. “I am thrilled to see him step up in this important special election.”

Egan said, “I am humbled and honored to receive this endorsement. Over the next few weeks I look forward to listening to Waterbury and Middlebury voters and talking to families across the 71st district about the issues that matter to them most. I own a small business in the district and I have dedicated my life to this community.”

The press release said Egan plans to work extensively on continuing improvement of the Waterbury Branch Train Line. “Mayor O’Leary and the local delegation have done amazing work getting upgrades to our Waterbury Branch Line,” he said. “I am fully committed to hit the ground running in support of these efforts. This improved connectivity is a complete game changer for residents here in the 71st District.”

Egan has served on the Waterbury Democratic Town Committee for 31 years and on the Waterbury Zoning Commission since 2006, serving as its chairman the last 10 years. He recently retired as supervisor of the Waterbury Parks Department where he worked for 35 years. He has been a volunteer basketball coach at both Holy Cross High School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School since 1991.

Dr. William H. Pizzuto

In the Pizzuto press release, D’Amelio, who has backed Pizzuto after retiring to spend more time with family and running his restaurant, said of Pizzuto, “Billy embraced and has dedicated himself to public service, and he represents the values that are important to the 71st and the people of Waterbury and Middlebury. His compassion and commitment to others is unparalleled and I’m proud to support him.”

Dr. William “Bill” Pizzuto is retiring as director of the University of Connecticut’s Waterbury campus. He is on the advisory boards of Waterbury Hospital, Savings Bank of Danbury, Naugatuck Valley Community College, and the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board. His past service includes chairman of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce, City of Waterbury alderman, and service on many boards and commissions there.

Pizzuto said his primary focus will be making Connecticut a more affordable place to live and create jobs and confronting the crime crisis affecting so many Connecticut communities. He also hopes to participate in the conversation about delivering long term stability in state finances.

“I’m really eager to get out there and introduce myself to as many voters as possible ahead of Election Day and to hear what their concerns and ideas are,” he said.

“That so many people have reached out and are placing their faith in me to serve as their voice in Hartford is truly humbling, and if I’m fortunate enough to win election as their state representative … I’ll certainly cherish that awesome responsibility,” Pizzuto said.