Garfunkel Campaigner on Economy Proposal: Oops!

Update, 10:34 p.m., Thursday:

The most controversial proposal in Democratic mayoral candidate Andrew Garfunkel's recently announced economic revitalization program for Norwalk was not really the candidate's position, according to the campaign strategist who sent it out.

Francesca Capodilupo, who holds the job title "campaign strategist" in Garfunkel's campaign, indicated that she goofed in sending out a news release that stated Garfunkel wanted to "require" new businesses to participate in the city's summer youth employment programs.

Garfunkel wanted the news release to say "encourage" rather than "require," Capodilupo said.

In an email sent to Norwalk Patch at 5:07 p.m. Thursday, Capodilupo wrote:

"Before the release went out yesterday, Andy asked me to do a revision on it to read:

• "Strengthen our summer jobs program by reaching out to businesses and encourage each new business that comes into Norwalk to take part in youth employment programs.

"I made the change, and subsequently there were two versions of the release. One reading "requiring" and the correct one, reading 'encourage.' The above statement/point coincides with Andy's vision for Norwalk and his plans as outlined on our website www.GarfunkelForMayor.com."

Updated at 7:37 p.m., Wednesday:

Andrew Garfunkel, the Democratic candidate for mayor, wants to require each new business in Norwalk to take part in the city's summer youth employment programs.

The proposal is part of a five-point program put forward by Garfunkel on Wednesday to improve the city's economy.

A news release announcing his economic program made this the fifth point of a five-point plan: "Strengthen our summer jobs program by reaching out to businesses and requiring each new business that comes into Norwalk to take part in youth employment programs."

When asked about the proposal, Garfunkel's Republican opponent, Mayor Richard A. Moccia, said, "Tell me on what legal basis I could do that. So if a new restaurant comes in and employs four people, I've got to tell them, 'You've got to have a 14-year-old'? [...] If they don't want to do it, what do I do about that?"

Garfunkel's news release stated: "Norwalk needs to be ready to capitalize on opportunities for economic improvement and business growth. Of late, development and business initiatives have stalled, with no completion dates in sight. Each year, taxes have increased while Norwalk’s tax base remains stagnant."

The news release said Garfunkel's plan should help bring more development to Norwalk, and "get projects back on track to increase revenue and bring jobs" to the city.

“We need new strategies, aggressive plans and fresh ideas to turn the tide and bring development and growth to Norwalk,” Garfunkel said in a news release. "My plan is the only one on the table to increase revenue and create jobs in Norwalk.”

Five point program

Garfunkel describes the other four points of his jobs plan this way (each bullet point is quoted from the campaign news release):

• Appoint experts to land use and redevelopment agencies to find ways to jump-start major redevelopment projects.
• Identify prospective areas for redevelopment and spearhead a master plan for business development.
• Champion efforts to revitalize downtown through beautification, small business options and community planning.
• Vigorously pursue state and federal grants for SMART growth initiatives, housing infrastructure improvements and transportation.

"Plans, plans, plans, plans," Moccia said about Garfunkel's proposals as a whole. "We've still got a relatively low unemployment rate, and we've still got development going on in this town."

Editor's note: This article was updated at 7:37 p.m., Wednesday, largely to add Moccia's responses.