Sunday, September 1, 2019

What is With That Russo Truck?

From the Facebook page of Bill Russo for mayor
A new front in political advertising has arrived in our city, in the form of a large truck with a sign bearing the grinning visage of Bill Russo, Public Works director and candidate for mayor. The illuminated billboard cruises the streets, and is occasionally parked on Washington Street.

The DeMartino's also own VIP stores
In announcing the truck, Russo said, "Instead of renting space for a headquarters, the Bill Russo for Mayor and For All Middletown rolling headquarters will take our message to all areas of Middletown..."

The truck is owned by the Wallingford company DeMartino Fixtures, owned by Dominick DeMartino. DeMartino and his partner, Giuseppina DeMartino, are Durham residents who also own a billboard in Meriden and the Very Intimate Pleasures stores in Hartford, Orange, Manchester, and Southington.

Both are registered Republicans. Giuseppina has been generous to Donald Trump, donating $514 to his campaign in October of 2016.

DeMartino owns two properties on Main Street, the former Schlien's building adjacent to ION Restaurant, and the former Camp's building, just south of Washington Street (Middletown Press and Hartford Courant articles).

DeMartino has begun extensive renovations of the Camp building, and has similar big plans for the Schlien building.

The work requires building permits and before they can be used DeMartino must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for each. These permits are issued by the building division, which is part of the Public Works Department.

Domenick DeMartino has given the maximum permitted contribution ($1000) to Russo's campaign for mayor.





9 comments:

  1. 'Nuff said, I think.

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  2. So....pay to play IS alive and well in the Russo campaign. Accept maximum donations from contractors looking to do work in Middletown. Use a vehicle owned by said contractor that normally promotes an adult store business. Morals? Honesty? Until guilted into participation avoided debates which would clearly highlight the experience and dedication he claims to have. For the love of god Middletown, don’t let this guy within 10 feet of the Mayors office. Oh one last thing, the glow in the dark LED billboard is creepy.

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  3. Steve, you keep throwing the trump card out there. You claim to be a democrat yet only your distorted version of who/what a democrat candidate is. You, in my opinion, are an autocrat and though I respect your blog and the freedom of speech stop listening and start hearing other opinions and blocking out what you want not to hear.

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  4. This is just plain ridiculous. Russo is being supported by the current corrupt Mayor Drew. Is there anything else left to say? "Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are". I can't trust this man.

    -Paulino Randazzo

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  5. Why pay for a headquarters when you have the mayor's office to run your campaign? I hope that truck doesn't drive down Court Street and fall into that sink hole that has been there for a year!

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  6. Do tell, Todd, what is a Democrat? And, last time I knew, an autocrat had absolute power. The Middletown Eye has published every submitted opinion and article during this campaign, unless it contains ad hominem attacks. You're welcome to submit yours as well.

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  7. Middletown Eye reports #FakeNews fails to report the FACTS since it doesn't fit their narrative! Mr. DeMartino is registered as an Independent and look here... Middletown's Eye Blogger FAILED to report the generous donation Giuseppina made to Hillary Clinton for President. Why not include this in your article? #FactsMatter

    Contributor name Recipient State Receipt date Amount
    DEMARTINO, GIUSEPPINA HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT CT 03/30/2008 $250.00
    DEMARTINO, GIUSEPPINA HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT CT 02/08/2008 $250.00

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  8. This sheds new light on an experience I had in 2009. Mr. Russo complained at a public city hearing that you can't find a parking place when you come downtown to go to a stag party! I remember writing a friend who also attended the hearing, "Stag Party, WTF??"

    This as the city decided to repave Melilli Plaza for nearly a million dollars with no gain of parking places. What a circus. While the genuine need of replacing the municipal lot off court street went ignored and is now lost, taking businesses with it.

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  9. Anonymous @ 10:19AM. Thank you for this correction, your use of all caps and other random capitalizations were very helpful to understand where you are coming from. I have posted a correction. We will let readers decide if we have achieved the same status ("#FakeNews") that has been bestowed on CNN and the New York Times by Trump.

    ReplyDelete

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