By Bill Riccio, Jr.
Voice Editor

If anyone attended Sunday’s inaugural at West Haven High School expecting to hear something different from Mayor John Picard, they didn’t come away disappointed.

Picard decided to hit his political opponents during the centerpiece address of the city’s biennial inauguration ceremony. And, while it might have resounded with some in the room, it remains to be seen what impact it will have over the next two years.

Asking the assembled elected officials to do what is right, rather than what is politic, Picard took the opportunity of his third address to send notice he will continue to do what he thinks is best for the city, regardless of the diktats received from the party leadership.

The election in November has put supporters of Democratic Town Chairman Jim Morrissey in the majority of the City Council, and resulted in the granting of a raise for Tax Collector Francis Withington as the last gasp of the former council last week. Picard’s supporters believe these next two years can be difficult for the mayor because of the shift in power.

That didn’t stop Picard from putting his opponents on notice. Pointedly condemning what happened in the waning hours of the last term, Picard warned his audience the city will languish if things don’t change.

“West Haven is a great city with great people. But, we will never reach our full potential until we eradicate backroom politics and unethical behavior,” he said.

To make his point, Picard quoted German theologian Martin Luther.

“Cowardice,” he quoted, “asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it political?’ Vanity asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But, conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’

“And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor political, nor popular, but one must take it because one’s conscience tells one that it is right.”

He asked his audience to help him eradicate the political dealing that harms the city.

“West Haven needs you, the people of this great city, to demand what is right, to hold our city officials to a higher moral standard, to be informed and involved. Together we will continue West Haven’s Renaissance.”

He continued the mantra that has made him popular with the voters, and unpopular with the city’s political elite, Picard said his third term will be guided by the principle that earmarked his first two: doing what is right for the city.

Behind the scenes, Picard had already let it be known he was not happy with politics as usual. Traditionally, the Democratic Town Chairman emceed the day’s events. Town Chairman James Morrissey allegedly politicked against Picard and his team on several fronts during the last election, primarily making phone calls for A Better Future Party candidates as well as signing campaign cards supporting them.

Morrissey denies he signed the cards or made the calls, but has not called for an investigation into who used his name or signature without permission.

Popular emcee Tom “Tinker” Blake mastered the program in a break with tradition.

Prior to his remarks Picard took the oath of office for his third term from his wife, Tara, while those elected to other offices took their oaths in turn from various state officials.

But as is the case in these biennial rites, the mayor’s speech was the thing that set the tone.

Rehearsing the litany of problems he faced when he first took office in 2005, Picard reminded the audience what he and they were confronted with after that first inaugural.

“The first time I took before you …we faced a city on the brink of ruin. We were borrowing more money each year than our minimum payments; our deficit was over $14 million; our largest private employer was on the verge of closing its doors; we had trouble attracting top talent to fill key city positions; economic development projects were stalled and a city-wide marketing campaign was non-existent,” he told his listeners.

He then rehearsed his accomplishments.

“In four years we have reduced our debt to under $200 million. We have stopped borrowing money and have focused on alternative ways to fund city projects. We have reduced our deficit by nearly two-thirds. We have secured a partnership with Yale University that will ensure the former Bayer campus is economically viable for generations. We have demanded top talent to help lead our city government, and now, exceptional professionals from all over the state and country are seeking employment by our city,” he said.

He added the work done on the Lake Phipps Dam, site-selectors tours over the last three years and the Arts Center and Train Station as two future accomplishments to round out his statement.

Picard told his audience the relationships the city has forged and the accomplishments financially and fiscally that have been completed do not make the future certain for he city.

“While optimistic, the road ahead will not be easy,” he said. “These are difficult economic times, affecting both the public and private sectors. We will continue to choose the hard rights over easy wrongs.”

In late developments, the City Council elected Edward O’Brien (D-at large) to be chairman of the new council. He succeeds James O’Brien (D-6), who held the position for four years. The latter O’Brien has since become chief of the Center Fire District and gave up the reins.

The Board of Education will wait until Dec. 21 to elect its officers. In a move that irked some Democrats, including Morrissey’s heir-presumptive to the chairmanship Dorinda Borer, Picard canceled the meeting. He is attempting to gain support for his candidate for chairman

This prompted Borer to accuse the mayor of the very backroom politics he decried a day earlier.

“If you look at it,” said a supporter of Picard, “it was Dorinda and her deal with Jimmy Morrissey that began the backroom dealings. Isn’t she being a little disingenuous?”