Associated Press
, Published November 4 2005HARTFORD, Conn. -- A day after he was accused by a top state Republican leader of operating heavy equipment illegally, Democratic New Haven Mayor John DeStefano unveiled evidence of another politician behind the wheel of an earth mover: Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
DeStefano, who is vying for the Democratic nomination for governor, sent the photo of Rell to House Minority Leader Robert Ward, R-North Branford.
On Wednesday, Ward asked the state public safety commissioner, chief state's attorney and attorney general to investigate DeStefano's use of heavy machinery during a demolition ceremony at the New Haven Coliseum this week.
"I know how concerned you are with folks operating heavy machinery without proper training and licenses, so I thought you should be aware that this scandal has apparently widened," DeStefano wrote in a letter to Ward and released to the media.
Enclosed was a photo of Rell, grinning, sitting behind the wheel of what appears to be a forklift. DeStefano said the picture was taken at the grand opening of a warehouse in New Haven on June 2, 2002.
"This just shows that the governor is interested in lifting the state up as opposed to tearing it down," joked Rell spokesman Judd Everhart. Rell, he said, did not know about Ward's plans to call for an investigation.
Ward maintains that DeStefano should have had a license to operate the heavy machinery. Violators face a $1,000 maximum fine in Connecticut.
The chairman of the state Republicans chimed in Thursday, saying DeStefano's use of heavy equipment "demonstrates the callous nature of the mayor and his lack of regard for public safety."
Hamzy said DeStefano's humorous responses have also shown a lack of respect for state law.
"How does he propose enforcing a state law as governor when he can't even obey them himself," Hamzy asked.
DeStefano claims the spat over heavy equipment just shows that Republicans consider him to be a real threat in the 2006 gubernatorial race.