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NORWALK, Conn. David Watts has a new habit: He stops at a Wall Street office in the afternoon to make phone calls before going for a long walk.
Watts is a Democrat running to represent District A on the Common Council. Like other Democrats, he is using the recently opened campaign headquarters of Andy Garfunkel for Mayor at 42 Wall St. to call voters.
"It's a great space, and it's right in the heart of my district," Watts said.
Art Scialabba, head of the Republican Town Committee, said his party will also open a headquarters for Moccia for Mayor: "details to follow."
Zach Dendras is running Garfunkel's headquarters. He said Democrats began moving into the office in mid-August but just recently "got things together." Many candidates are using the office's telephones in the evening. Watts and Sal Liccione, supporter and friend, come in the afternoon.
Liccione says it's great that his party chose such a visible location for a headquarters. Last year, Democrats chose Van Zant Street as the location for Himes for Congress. Dendras says this spot is inviting and makes it easy for volunteers.
That includes Mabel Dudeney, "the best volunteer in Norwalk for the Himes campaign," according to Dendras. She stopped by Tuesday to make phone calls on behalf of Garfunkel. Dudeney, a retired real estate agent, has used Garfunkel's father as her attorney. "He's a nice lad, Andy," she said. "We need a change."
Liccione and Watts made phone calls to District A members before going out to canvass on Camp Street on Tuesday. Watts told people on the other end that he wants to increase the Grand List to keep taxes low.
"No. 1, we need to send a message that Norwalk wants to compete with Stamford to attract businesses to town," he said.
Watts, who has never run before, is looking to fill the seat being vacated by Democrat David Jaeger, who is now running for town clerk. He is pleased the headquarters is in District A, on Wall Street, where he'd like to see empty store fronts become thriving businesses. "It's symbolic to what my campaign represents."
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