George Colli
For State Senate (CT-7)
Press Releases
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Media Contact Info
To contact George call 860-418-7812 or email at george@georgecolli@.com .
George will be getting the poll results in Suffield at 41 Huckleberry Hollow. He will than stop into the Suffield Democrats party at the Suffield Inn. From there he will go to the Enfield Democratic Headquarters on 95 High St in Enfield. The final stop will be Chicago Sam's on 95 Elm Street in Enfield for party.
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Chris Dodd comes to Enfield in support of George Colli
I am excited to announce that U.S. Senator Chris Dodd will be appearing with me this afternoon (October 17) at a rally at Democratic Headquarters at 3:00 pm on 95 High Street in Enfield. All are invited. A short rally will be followed by a walking tour of Thompsonville. It will conclude by 4:00 pm.
October 17,2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
George Colli
860-418-7812
www.georgecolli.com
U.S. Senator Chris Dodd will be coming to Enfield to support 7th Senate Democrat George Colli today at 3pm. The rally will be held at Enfield Democratic Headquarters on 95 High Street in the Thompsonville section of town. With the election just two and a half weeks away, Senator Dodd recognizes the need to elect Democrats throughout Connecticut and the nation. The rally will be followed by a walk through Thompsonville with George and State Representative candidates, various Town Officials and supporters.
"It 's a privilege to have Senator Dodd support my candidacy for State Senate," said Colli. "His commitment to getting all of us Democrats elected at every level of government, here in Connecticut and though out the country, in this critical election is so appreciated."Joined in welcoming Sen. Dodd by:
State Rep Kathy Tallarita
State Rep. Karen Jarmoc
State Rep. Peggy Sayers
State Rep. Candidate Matt Conway
State Rep. Candidate Annie Hornish
State Rep. Candidate Arlene Avery
First Selectman Steve Warwuck
First Selectman David Pinney
First Selectman James Hayden
Enfield DTC Chair Tony DiPace
Suffield DTC Chair Tom Frenaye
Somers DTC Chair Francis Devlin, Jr.
Windsor DTC Chair Leo Canty
Windsor Locks DTC Chair Ed Ferrari
East Granby DTC Chair Mike Malloy
Granby DTC Chair Margaret Chapple
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Colli Urges Investment in Light Rail
Colli Urges Investment in
Light Rail
Investment in Infrastructure Can Bring Transportation Relief to Region
(Suffield, September 19, 2008) Local businessman and 7th District State Senate Candidate George Colli says that it’s time to make the investment in light rail to connect area towns to Hartford and Springfield, something his opponent has voted against in the past.
In 1993, John Kissel opposed efforts by the state to acquire abandoned track for future light rail expansion, saying at a transportation committee hearing that the acquisition was “just a bad idea.”
“John Kissel was out of touch then and is out of touch now. Not only has he voted multiple times to raise the gasoline tax, he also opposed investing in light rail infrastructure that would dramatically reduce transportation costs for tens of thousands of his constituents,” Colli said.
Colli added that a bulk of the infrastructure is already in place.
“What we’ve lacked is the political will and long term vision from our State Senator to make it happen.”
Colli points to the success of the Shoreline East rail service that runs from New London to New Haven with connecting service to New York via Metro North. Ridership has grown significantly, and a new weekend schedule added nine trains on both Saturdays and Sundays. Colli says it’s time to apply the same model for North Central Connecticut.
“The tracks are there, some of it in use by Amtrak and some is abandoned and in need of repair. It’s time we get the key stakeholders at all levels of government together and begin the process of getting this rail service operating. This isn’t rocket science, it’s bringing forth leadership to get things done for the people of the 7th Senate District.”
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Connecticut AFL-CIO endorses George Colli for Senate
Connecticut AFL-CIO Endorses George Colli for State Senate
(Rocky Hill, CT) The Connecticut AFL-CIO has endorsed Democrat George Colli of Suffield as their choice for State Senator in the 7th District.
“Our endorsement is given to George Colli whom we believe will best represent the interests of working families,” said CT AFL-CIO President John Olsen. “An endorsement carries weight with union members because they know that the Connecticut AFL-CIO convention delegates carefully reviewed and debated the candidate records before voting.”
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the Connecticut AFL-CIO,” Colli said, “The AFL-CIO recognizes, as I do, that the people of the 7th District deserve effective representation that will work to address skyrocketing energy costs and find real solutions to our healthcare crisis.”
The Connecticut AFL-CIO represents over 210,000 union members throughout Connecticut.
The 7th Senate District consists of East Granby, Enfield, Somers, Suffield, Windsor Locks and portions of Granby and Windsor.
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George Colli Accepts Democratic Nomination - May 19,2008
George Colli addresses the delegates while Chairman Anthony DiPace looks on.
George Colli's Acceptance Speech
Thank you Chairman DiPace, Secretary Censki and Parliamentarian Schissel.
Thank you to all of the elected officials, to the Democratic Town Committee chairs and members for all of your support throughout this process. Your advice and guidance and most importantly your support have given me confidence and a platform to carry on through November.
To the delegates of the 7th Senate District. You are what make this process what it is. Your commitment to this process and knowing all you go through in fighting for this party on the national, state and local levels make this endorsement so special and appreciated.
A very special Thank you to Representative Karen Jarmoc, Eileen Moncrief, Joe Calsetta and Comptroller Wyman.
Madam Comptroller the leadership you have shown and the energy you bring to your office in infectious. To have you here tonight and standing up supporting me is something I will never forget. You are loved up in these parts and I really look forward to learning from you and doing everything we can to getting members of our party elected this Fall.
Selectman Joe Calsetta – you have been life long friends of my family. I know how hard you work for the citizens of Windsor Locks and I am going to count on you for your wisdom, your advice and your critsizm. I really want to work with you and Selectman Warwick as your senator.
Eileen Moncrief has known me since I first moved into this town. Her daughter Alison is one of my closest friends. We went through grade school together; we entered Suffield Academy on the same day for both high school and for our first jobs following College. I really appreciate you being here tonight and standing up for me.
Last, but certainly not least, Representative Karen Jarmoc. Your leadership in the House, you and your husband’s commitment to this community is a shining example to us all about what a legislator should and can be. Your support is what gave me the confidence to start the exploratory committee and I can’t wait to work with you in Hartford.
Before touching on the issues and the reasons why I would like to represent you as your next state Senator, I would like to take a minute or two to explain how it is I have gotten here.
In 1926, a group of Italian immigrants purchased this property to serve as a sanctuary from the days they spent working in the area mills and shops. It was here at Mt. Carmel that they would celebrate their culture, speak in their native tongues and break bread together sharing recipes handed down over generations. This Hall was the bridge that connected their Old-World Heritage to their New World dreams.
One of those 1st generation Italians was an Electrician from Windsor Locks –My great grandfather- George Tinker Colli.
He married an Irish school teacher, Mary Burke, from Enfield and built a home on Spring St in Windsor Locks where they raised their three children.
At the same time, he opened a shop – in the shadows of St. Patrick’s Church – on the corner of Pearl and High St in Thompsonville.
Their eldest would attend Windsor Locks public schools, graduate from Syracuse University and serve his country as a submariner in the South Pacific.
When my grandfather returned home, he opened a popular diner on the corner of Spring St and Rt 75 in Windsor Locks. His ambition led him into the real estate, banking and restaurants. He married an Irish Police Chief’s daughter from Windsor and raised four children in Windsor Locks.
His eldest, my father, shared their love of fishing and game. He would join the family businesses and marry the daughter of an Irish Doctor and Nurse.
My brother and I were raised on Holly Lane in Enfield and attended St. Martha’s school before moving to Suffield. We were taught the values of respect, charity and love of family. These were taught not through lectures, but by their examples every day.
I lived a happy and blessed childhood and had a wonderful opportunity to attend Suffield Academy on a Leader Scholarship. I went on to graduate from Providence College and received a degree in Political Science. Following college, I worked a year at Suffield Academy and the entered the family businesses. It was then that I purchased a home in Suffield, where I currently live with my brother – and current treasurer – Christopher.
Five generations of the Colli family have lived, worked, worshipped and grown alongside you, your families and your friends in the area. This upbringing affords me a unique perspective of the district and a deep rooted understanding of its people.
As your next State senator, I will bring an understanding of
Where we – as a community – have been.
How we – as a community have gotten here and
Where we, as a community must head in the future.
I will promise to listen to you, respond to you and fight for you!
I believe a leader with vision is needed to tackle the issues we are facing on both sides of the River.
A vision is needed to deal with the challenges of transportation and a first hand perspective is needed in understanding the rising cost of doing business in Connecticut. I know how hard it is in times like this to just keep the lights on for our employees. We must give small businesses the incentive to grow and their employees the opportunity for financial prosperity and reliable health care.
I have the focus, the energy and the ability to work together with our Democratic majority in the legislature to ensure these common sense principals become every day realities.
Through my work on the Advisory Committee on Capital Expenditures, I saw first hand the challenges municipalities face.
I know how important it is for the state to keep its promises and deliver the necessary and expected funds back to the towns.
Our local elected officials need - and its citizens should expect – a senator who will answer their call, respond to their needs and show up for more then just the occasional photo op every other fall.
Leadership takes more then just going on the record.
Leadership takes compromise, it takes guts and it takes communication with others to solve the problems we face today and the foresight of what we can be expecting to face tomorrow.
As your state Senator I will fight for that electrician and school teacher. That police officer and diner owner. That doctor and nurse. That realtor and homemaker and the retiree and college student. I will fight for them and give them a voice not only because they deserve it…but because their triumphs and their struggles are in my blood!
In conclusion, as I stand here today, just a stones throw from where my great grandfathers American dream began, I can only be left to imagine what he would think to hear his namesake HUMBLY and PROUDLY accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination to the CT State Senate.
Thank you so much for placing this trust in me.
I know the responsibility and honor are great.
I need the help of each and every one of you in making this grateful opportunity a reality. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS….
