Kevin Lembo, Mike Jarjura vie for comptroller nomination

Written by Macklin Reid
Wednesday, 28 July 2010 13:01

Democratic primary voters on Aug. 10 will determine the Democratic nomination for state comptroller, an office that oversees many of the state’s accounting and financial functions, including the administration of employee benefits.

In the primary, Kevin Lembo, currently the state’s healthcare advocate and a former employee in the state comptroller’s office, faces Mike Jarjura, the mayor of Waterbury and a former state legislator.

Mr. Lembo won the endorsement at the Democratic State Convention in May, but Mr. Jarjura got enough votes to qualify for a primary, and petitioned for one.

There is a Democratic incumbent, Comptroller Nancy Wyman, but she is running for lieutenant governor rather than seeking another term as comptroller.

For the last five years Mr. Lembo has led Connecticut’s Office of the Healthcare Advocate, an independent state agency charged with assisting consumers with health care and health insurance. Before that he worked for six years in the office of the state comptroller.

Mr. Jarjura has been mayor of Waterbury for eight years, and before that served five terms in the legislature.

Asked why he’d be the better candidate for comptroller, Mr. Lembo described his work as a healthcare advocate.

“Under my leadership, the office helps 2,000-3,000 patients a year and put nearly $20 million back in the pockets of consumers,” he said. “I’ve built efficiency and accountability into our agency, and demanded it of others. And now I want to bring that same efficiency and accountability to the state comptroller’s office, where I have previously worked for over six years.”

“Through my work in both offices, I have found that if you treat people like people — with respect; do what you say you’re going to do, and tell them the truth; listen and act on their praise and their concerns; continually modify and improve your business practice; and, squeeze every nickel of your budget; then, and only then, can you provide a public service for people that they both value and support.

“As comptroller, I would like to work with the next governor on making government agencies more efficient, reducing the budget deficit by streamlining healthcare purchasing, and creating a long-term strategic plan for the state to avoid future budget crises.”

Asked why he’d be a better comptroller candidate, Mr. Jarjura discussed his fiscal reform efforts in eight years as mayor.

“When I became mayor of Waterbury in 2002, the city was faced with financial problems nearly identical to those crippling the State of Connecticut today,” he said. “While the state’s bond rating and other fiscal indicators continue to decline, Waterbury’s stability is increasing thanks to the reforms and honest budgeting implemented under my administration.

“Most recently, the City of Waterbury received three bond-rating upgrades as the state saw its credit rating downgraded. The city’s pension liabilities are nearly fully funded, as the State of Connecticut continues to avoid the hard choices and honest talk about the liabilities that will hamper future generations. The work I did to guarantee that pension funding will save Waterbury taxpayers $130 million over the next 30 years.

“For too long, state policy makers have avoided sounding the alarm bell,” he said. “The legislature and the governor’s office deferred expenses, only to find the bills coming due. In my career, I have never flinched from making the tough choices, which while not immediately popular, will serve the taxpayers of today and tomorrow for the benefit of our great State of Connecticut...

“As the chief fiscal officer, a comptroller has the obligation to warn the taxpayers when there is danger ahead and to do everything possible to make sure the state’s financial decisions are wise and sensible,” he said. “My record over 20 years in public and business life demonstrates that, with your support, I am up to that task.”

To see the complete statements made by the candidates at the request of Hersam Acorn, go to The Pilot’s Web site at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information on Kevin Lembo, go to kevinlembocom; and for Mike Jarjura, at mikejarjura.com.

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