Mayor Mark Lauretti told a crowd of Shelton business-leaders Thursday that the city was in good financial health and was moving forward despite a rough economy.
His remarks were made during a State-of-the-City-type speech during a business forum at Brownson Country Club Thursday evening.
The event was sponsored by the Shelton Economic Development Commission, the City of Shelton and the Shelton Economic Development Corporation.
James Ryan, the Economic Development Corporation director, gave an update on the city’s downtown redevelopment efforts.
Lauretti spoke of the city’s plans for the future.
Lauretti used his speech to also thank the corporate community for their role in the city’s success.
Calling Shelton businesses “a tremendous asset,” Lauretti said: “There’s at least one government that appreciates and garners your involvement and your support in our community.”
He also spoke about his philosophy on running Shelton. Click play to see most of Lauretti’s speech.
“It’s very popular for political people to say we’re going to run [the government] as a business,” Lauretti said during his remarks, noting that it can’t be entirely that way.
“This is really a public service business we’re in, when you’re running a city, a state, or a country,” Lauretti said. “There are many things you do as business people that get you right to the bottom line. But in government, you’re dealing with people’s lives and it can’t always be about the bottom line.”
David R. Fusco, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, gave a keynote speech at the event, talking about healthcare reform and insurance companies’ role in it.
