With a lack luster performance by his candidates in the democratic primary, Mayor Eddie Perez may just have opened the pandora’s box of ethnic politics in Hartford.

How could Dan Malloy have done so poorly in the city? With all the delegates, most of the Democratic Town Committee, the endorsement of the Mayor and no large identifiable (other than Minnie’s district) faction for DeStefano, his well financed campaign should have picked up a few thousand plurality votes. Some let things slip, or, the blessing of his honor may not be all it is cracked up to be.

Now, we hear the names. I. Charles Matthews, John Motley, and, of course, Frank Barrows. Minnie Gonzales might even throw in her bonnet. All the Yankee magazine articles in the world make little difference in the streets of Frog Hollow, Clay Hill and other city neighborhoods if opportunity is sensed by ambitious men or vengeful women.

History shows that Hartford tires of mayors after a few terms. Despite all the hoopla and good work building the basis for the six pillars, even Mayor Mike faded away (politically). Does anyone remember the Hat Lady? How about ol’ George? Every one expects the person in the news to solve every problem over night and the more publicity one gets the more blame gets attached to them for high taxes, slow city service, weedy parks, poor school scores … the responsibilities of city government outstrip the resources to fulfill them.

Let’s look at the Mayor’s dilemma another way - a contest with a powerful candidate might be good for the city. Good elections often bring out new ideas, usually point out corrective short-comings and force incumbents to explain themselves and their hopes and dreams.

After all, elections are not coronations and, if we are a democracy, the voters deserve a real choice.

9/02/06

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Eddie Perez: Facing the end of his political career? Photo by the late, great India Blue.

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