First Selectman's Praise of Hovey Sparks Debate

First Selectman Steve Vavrek heaped praise upon State Rep. DebraLee Hovey (R-112th) in the Oct. 22 list serve he sent out from his office, with "Positives in Monroe" in the subject line.

Some Democrats, Hovey's opponent Michele Mount in particular, took exception, seeing it as a fellow Republican's plug for Hovey's campaign.

Town Councilwoman Dee Dee Martin, a Democrat, broached the subject at the council's meeting Monday night.

"It's very positive about things looking up for Monroe, but the last part of it, I consider it a glowing endorsement of a candidate and I don't think that's the place for it," Martin said. "I don't think your office should send out something endorsing a candidate."

But Vavrek defended it, saying if Mount is elected and does some of the things Hovey does, he would single her out for praise too.

"In my mind, I didn't do it as a political endorsement," he said. "It was to recognize someone doing well. I'm sorry you took it as an endorsement. I thought it was something we should all be proud of."

In the list serve, Vavrek wrote:

"As far as the picture on the State, as far as the First Selectman is concerned, with most of the depleted State revenues going to the Big Cities, many thanks must go to our current State Rep. Debralee Hovey. She, in the past 8 years, has consistently worked with this office no matter what party held this seat.

"During my tenure I can assure you we meet at least twice a month, in my office, where we address the many concerns of our community. There is also not a week that goes by we do not talk at least twice a week, either on the phone and at various town meetings and events. She meets with various Department Heads continuously to work through the tedious grant processes and other situations that arise that need help from Hartford.

"Plus in the past 2 years Debralee has secured, protected or advised our staff and has helped to bring over One Million grant Dollars in to Monroe."

Mount, Sredzinski weigh in

Mount, who is on the council, joined Martin in her criticism of the first selectman's list serve.

"You basically start by giving a testimonial," Mount said. "... I think you're stretching the line here."

"So if you win, you don't want me to recognize you?" Vavrek asked.

Vavrek contends all that he wrote is true and Mount argues that anyone who reads the list serve entry would agree it crosses the line into endorsing a candidate.

Mount also took exception to Vavrek's mentioning how Hovey worked with first selectmen for the past eight years, because the span also includes two other town leaders, Democrats, the late Thomas Buzi and Andrew Nunn.

"You speak for previous first selectmen," Mount charged.

Town Councilman JP Sredzinski, a Republican, first acknowledged that he is Hovey's co-campaign manager, before defending what Vavrek wrote.

"There was no endorsement," Sredzinski said. "It was just simple, factual information."

"Then why did we go back eight years?" Mount asked. "Just read it."

Sredzinski cut off debate, saying, "I don't like being interrupted and it's a waste of my time."