Associated Press, November 3, 2005

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The top Republican in the state House of Representatives is taking issue with New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and his use of heavy equipment.

House Minority Leader Robert Ward, R-North Branford, questioned Wednesday whether DeStefano - a Democratic candidate for governor - was in violation of state construction safety laws when he drove a piece of construction equipment during a demolition ceremony on Monday at the New Haven Coliseum.

Ward has asked the state public safety commissioner, chief state's attorney and attorney general to investigate.

"Unless I am mistaken, and the mayor has qualified for a crane operator's license, he appears to be in violation of our laws," Ward said in a letter to the law enforcement officials.

Ward, who said he saw DeStefano operating the heavy equipment in a television news report, cited the state law that requires all operators of such equipment to be licensed. Violators are subject to a $1,000 maximum fine, Ward said.

DeStefano said Ward's call for an investigation shows that Gov. M. Jodi Rell and other Republicans see him as a threat in 2006. He said they should instead be paying attention to Connecticut's transportation problems and soaring college tuition rates.

"This is the team, this is our Republican team, this is what they're worried about on behalf of Connecticut's families today," he said. "And frankly, it does just show how out of touch Jodi and her party have become."

But DeStefano had a few laughs over Ward's concerns. He pointed to his recent honorary membership with the International Union of Operating Engineers and said he believes he was permitted to drive the equipment, which he described as "a big yellow piece of equipment with a claw." DeStefano said an operating engineer stood by him while he helped to tear away part of the coliseum.

DeStefano had scheduled a news conference to respond to Ward's accusations at the coliseum site, which he jokingly referred to as "the scene of the crime."