Gubernatorial Hopeful Dan Malloy Speaks to Sunrise Rotary

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Dan Malloy spoke to the Westport Sunrise Rotary Friday morning at Bobby Q's Barbeque & Grill.

After being introduced as the 14-year former mayor of Stamford who helped to reduce crime, implement early childhood education programs and open the city's first senior center, Malloy said, "We actually got through the introduction without saying I want to be governor, so I'll put that on the table."

Malloy said his commitment to government is related to the learning disabilities he grew up with.

Malloy said he had difficulty processing the written language or understanding math formulas. He also said he had trouble with coordination and couldn't tie his shoe or button his shirt until fifth grade. Diagnosed as "mentally retarded," Malloy said he was able to overcome his disabilities with the help of his mother, who never criticized him for what he couldn't do but rather focused on his talents.

In 1973, he entered Boston College, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, and remained there to attend law school before becoming a prosecutor and then seeking public office.

In Stamford, he worked to create the first Early Childhood Learning Center in the state to help pre-kindergarten students develop classroom skills and identify any potential learning disabilities earlier than the kindergarten level. The center, he said, has helped close the gap between students who had schooling before kindergarten and those who didn't have that option.

"It's very difficult to expect children will perform at the same level throughout school if they go into school at disparate levels," he said.

In a talk that wasn't supposed to center on his political aspirations at the nonpartisan Rotary meeting, the conversation couldn't end without some questions from the crowd asking how he would lead the state.

"If you become governor, you'll take on an economy in the state that will be a disaster," one Rotarian said, referring to the state's $6 billion budget deficit for the years 2010 and 2011. "So now you are governor, what do you do?"

Malloy said the state needs to "get out of the bond market" and stop borrowing money to pay for operations. He said he would take stock of the safety net and the cost to maintain it. He also said, if elected, he would look to create more jobs, find ways to lower the state's electricity rates and grow the economy.

For more information or to contact Malloy, click here.