The New haven Register recently published an “anti-Maturo” and “anti-East Haven” editorial in response to Mayor Maturo’s announcement that he will seek re-election. The biased, one-sided, anonymous editorial is proof that the Register will say and publish anything to help unseat Mayor Maturo; even resorting to an unfair and slanderous depiction of Maturo, East Haven and the residents of our great town.
 Without any actual proof, the Register falsely and irresponsibly claims Mayor Maturo’s first 10 years in office were marked by intimidation and intolerance and that the town is “corrupt” and “racist.”
The Register ignores that Mayor Maturo is a war veteran, a loving father and a decorated former firefighter – who most recently saved a man from drowning during Superstorm Sandy.
The Register ignores that, in his first 10 years in office, Mayor Maturo led East Haven off the state’s distressed municipality list, balanced 10 straight budgets, and gave East Haven one of the lowest tax rates in its modern history.
The Register ignores that Mayor Maturo came into office in 1997 on the heels of the Malik Jones tragedy, and that he sensitively and cautiously oversaw the town’s handling of the case, which was most recently decided in favor of the town.
While scandals involving bribery, larceny and other serious felonies have rocked other city halls across Connecticut, the Register has chosen to pursue a campaign of hate and criticism against Mayor Maturo and East Haven. Their editorial is proof that the Register has no interest in responsible journalism.
My message to the Register is simple: East Haven is not your punching bag. We have challenges, but they pale in comparison to the challenges facing other communities. Our 30,000 residents are good, hard-working people and our town is not “corrupt” or “racist” – despite what the Register may print.
Ben Mazzucco
East Haven
Ben Mazzucco is the East Haven Republican Party chairman.