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NORWALK, Conn. – Former Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling has received the endorsements of former Mayors Bill Collins and Alex Knopp, as Rilling campaigns for the Democratic nomination in his quest for the city’s top office.
Rilling officially launched his campaign for mayor last month and is running against fellow Democrats Andy Garfunkel, Vinny Mangiacopra and Matt Miklave. One will move on to face four-term incumbent Republican Mayor Richard Moccia.
"To bring serious progress to a city, the Mayor needs both managerial skill and long-range vision. Norwalk is finally in luck in finding a candidate like that," said Collins in a statement. Collins served two stints as mayor from 1977 to 1981 and 1983 to 1987. "Harry Rilling has mastered the messy work of running a big department, learned to gain wisdom from the shared experiences of his colleagues nationwide, and shown from his actions on the Zoning Commission that he can figure out what's coming over the next hill. He is ready to be mayor, and Norwalk is more than ready for his abilities."
Knopp, who preceded Moccia, said he enthusiastically supports the former police chief because of Rilling’s energy, managerial experience and “ability to rise above the partisan bickering and factional infighting” that he believes has hurt Norwalk.
"My work with Harry Rilling during my administration shows me that he is the right person to lead Norwalk away from the managerial indifference and partisan deadlock that is holding back Norwalk's progress,” Knopp said in a statement. “Harry is the best candidate to bring our city a more effective government and genuine civic pride."
Rilling thanked the former mayors for their support. "I'm very grateful to Mayor Collins and Mayor Knopp for their support because they have shown how a mayor with vision, a commitment to managerial excellence and a respect for the opinions of all residents can create a heritage of achievement in Norwalk's municipal government that lasts far beyond their terms in office."
He added, "I look forward to working closely with them in my campaign to become the next Mayor and to govern for the benefit of all residents of Norwalk."
Comments (19)
Rilling
No thank you ....You've done to much for Norwalk already we can't take anymore
"TOO" - more of an amount or degree of something than is desirable, necessary, or fitting.
NOT
"to" - preposition 1. (used for expressing motion or direction toward a point, person, place, or thing approached and reached, as opposed to from ): They came to the house ...
And that concludes our lesson for the day, children...
Thinking about how Norwalk was prosperous in Knopps time and then having him give Harry Rilling support ~
What a vote of confidence!
Harry Rilling is EXACTLY what Norwalk needs to succeed.
Don't underestimate Harry as a candidate. He is a smart guy who managed the police dept pretty well considering the limits he was working under in a Moccia administration. If he ends up as the candidate opposing Moccia, he knows a lot that Moccia will not want revealed, and he is a lot smarter than Moccia. Any debate between them should be hilarious. He will know exactly what buttons to push to make Moccia look like an idiot. Why do you suppose Moccia is, all of a sudden, supporting the idea of adding more police officers ?
Getting approval nod from those 2 has beens means absolutely nothing positive. What it does mean is Rilling will never win now Thankfully
getting the approval nod from Knopp and Collins says alot about how positive Harry Rilling would be in the mayor's office.
Rillingwould be worse than Moccia as mayor and that's saying something
Rilling is the perfect example of what Norwalk doesn't need.
I support Harry Rilling!
Timmy
I support you, Harry!!!
Victory, soon!!!
Timmy
Anyone who was half-awake with one eye open remembers how the NPD was ran under Mr. Rilling- POORLY.
I, for one.... remember!!
I, also, DO NOT want the same "Good Ole Boys Club" at city hall!
I want REAL change!!
So, Mr. Rilling if you "really" cared for Norwalk, then PLEASE stay outta politics, and stay on the golf course!!
Dwanna d'Allagino
You are so right
I would add that only a moron would support Harry Rilling and enters little Timmy
Dwanna d'Allagino
You are 100 percent correct.
Rilling is Moccia
and
Moccia is Rilling
Why would anyone vote for Rilling after seeing what a disaster the Norwalk Police Department is.
looks like Moccia will win another term if this keeps up.How can anyone run for mayor and not disclose what mistakes were made year after year under ones leadership?
bickering and factional infighting = people have had enough get use to it the only way Norwalk will ever run right is break this good ole boys club.
Seems the hour did a story a while back
http://www.thehour.com/news/norwalk/norwalk-law-department-given-authorization-to-settle-civil-rights-suit/article_b667105f-bcf0-5416-afe7-f1c85b84b135.html?_dc=421412765048.4443
I have a civil trial coming up soon ... guess who will have to testify ???? I am under a non-disclosure but if it comes up in a public trial well I can't really help that now.