The Mayor's Wish List For 2012

2011 has been a trying year for Norwalk and it's mayor. Two severe storms paralyzed the city, a rattled its core. The Board of Education staved off major cuts, state aid was flat, unemployment remains high, and the homeless situation is bleak. weathered it all and won his re-election campaign. As the book gets ready to close on the past year, Moccia reflects on what was, and what he hopes will be in 2012.

"It was a difficult year," admitted Moccia, who is in his fourth term as mayor. "2012 could be tough as far as the budget goes. We have hope in town because we're moving forward and I think we're going to have more jobs and more progress. It might be on a smaller scale than I would like, unless the rest of the country picks up."

As Moccia looks ahead he admits he's concerned about the Wall Street project, the empty storefronts in South Norwalk, and crime in the city. During his re-election campaign, he pointed out that n for the year, but when it comes to gun shots ringing throughout the city more frequently, perception becomes reality.

"When you have shootings and it effects certain people, crime stats don't mean anything, I understand that," he said. "I'm hoping, depending on the budget, that we can add one or two more cops to the payroll. But we have made a lot of arrests and taken people off the streets. A lot of areas, especially in SoNo, they're going to have to help and work to take back the streets."

Moccia said some of the highlights for the city during the past year included the commitment by (WWE) to lease space in Norwalk for its new television studios, breaking ground for its new innovation center, and making the state playoffs in football for the first time in school history. However, he realizes there are almost 4,000 people out of work the city and that can overshadow some of the city's accomplishments.

"That's the struggle," he said. "I get phone calls from people that have issues and they ask if me if I can help them and where can they can go for social services. They ask, 'Mayor can you help me get a job?' I'm optimistic for Norwalk on a limited basis. But I think a lot is tied in with what's happening in Washington."

Besides more jobs in the New Year, Moccia has a few more things on his wish list.

"I want to be able to say citizens that I'm not going to reduce any services and not going to hit you with an outlandish tax increase," he said. "Yeah,  I'd like to have a major department store come in for one of the projects. But overall, I want to be able to maintain services, not hurt out seniors, young people, and the unemployed. I want a good quality of life without forcing people to pay a lot more taxes. That's my goal for Norwalk."