MONROE, CT — First Selectman Terry Rooney touted the work of his administration and shared highlights during a campaign speech at Osteria Romana on Main Street Tuesday night.
Rooney is vying to fend off challenger, Democrat Leon Ambrosey, in his bid for a second consecutive two-year-term.
“Politics is just about people,” Rooney said to supporters inside the restaurant’s packed dining room. “As I started writing political speeches I realized, this is fake. People are sick and tired of the fake political speeches. Aren’t we? Are we not sick and tired of the plastic politicians?”
“So I feel that I represent more of a real guy,” he continued. “Obviously, many in this room know what I’ve been through in my life and know what I experienced — and I had enough rough times to smooth me out to be here.”
“What I really want to talk about outside of what’s most important, which is people, is what we’ve done in Monroe,” Rooney said. “We’ve had a lot of accomplishments.”
The first selectman mentioned the completion of the new animal control facility, which was paid for with grant money, work being done at the new community center in the former St. Jude School building, and the new office space for the Monroe Technology Department there.
“We’ve funded education. Education is doing fantastic,” Rooney said. “Despite what they say, we funded it. We’ve had surpluses in both budget seasons, so obviously we’ve funded it well.”
During the process for the 2025-26 budget, the school board had requested a $4,303,370 or 6.02 percent increase, before Rooney reduced it by $1,850,000 to decrease the impact on taxpayers amid a state-mandated revaluation.
Though this fiscal year is not over yet, in past years the Board of Education has returned budget surpluses to the town.
“We passed two budgets the first time out,” the first selectman said.
“Our education just got ranked number 15 in Connecticut,” Rooney said. “I’m very proud of that. Are we not proud of being number 15 in Connecticut? And that’s a testament to Monroe and its education and the job that teachers do. They’ve all done a fantastic job to get us to that ranking.”
Monroe Public Schools was named 16th best in Connecticut, earning an A letter grade in a new ranking report released by Niche. After his rally, Rooney said 16th is correct and he made an honest mistake when he said it was 15th.
Rooney said his administration promoted public safety through its investment in local law enforcement and is currently addressing the problem of speeding on Monroe’s roads.
The first selectman also said he increased maintenance for town parks, even purchasing a field line painting robot.
“We’re paving our own roads,” Rooney said. “We bought a paver and a roller. We’ve never done that before.”
“We’ve done a great job,” he continued. “My administration worked very hard, but I couldn’t do it without the people around me. I really want to thank all of the people who are around me at Town Hall and all the volunteers that do what they do. I really appreciate all their help and all their work.”
Among the first selectman’s supporters Tuesday night was professional Ninja Warrior athlete Joe Moravsky, a.k.a The Weatherman, who said a few words about the Monroe Ninja Academy, a new gym he will open at 17 Enterprise Drive.
Bruno Maini, who is vice chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Nicole Lupo, a commission alternate, attended the dinner, along with Town Councilman Sean O’Rourke.
Joey Ambrosini of Monroe, an actor who has directed and produced independent films, and Maddex LaFountain, a Masuk High School senior who started a new Conservative Club at his school, were among Rooney’s younger supporters.
“The youth at Masuk reached out to me, because they’re starting to care,” Rooney said. “They’re starting to get involved. They’re starting to understand that the world needs to be run by common sense. Pretty simple. No nonsense. Just common sense. Let’s get back to common sense.”
LaFountain was invited to speak.
“In recent years, my generation has faced challenge after challenge, from disrupted education and social isolation during the Covid 19 pandemic to a turbulent economy and skyrocketing home prices, to a culture that often tells young people to stay quiet if they think differently,” LaFountain said.
“It can feel like we’ve been asked to handle a lot without being handed much,” he said. “In fact, for many of us these experiences have become a wake up call, a call to get involved, a call to stand for something, not just for ourselves but for our community.”
“That’s what inspired me to start a conservative club at my high school, not to stir division, but to create a space for discussion, for leadership and for action,” LaFountain said, “a place where young people can engage with the world around them, ask questions and develop a stronger understanding of the values that make this country worth believing in with values like liberty, responsibility, faith and opportunity.”
LaFountain said he supports Rooney for first selectman, because he “exemplifies what public service should look like, steady, value driven and focused on delivering real results to the people of Monroe.”
“Whether it’s supporting our schools, like showing up to my hockey games and the state championship, keeping our neighborhoods safe, and ensuring our community stays affordable for families, he shows up and follows through,” LaFountain said.
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