Neil M. O'Leary | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 46th Mayor of Waterbury, Connecticut | |
| In office December 1, 2011 – December 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Jarjura |
| Succeeded by | Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 10, 1958 (age 65) Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kathy O'Leary |
| Children | Patrick and Maggie |
| Alma mater | Dean College University of New Haven |
| Occupation | Mayor of Waterbury |
| Website | Office of the Mayor |
| [1][2] | |
Neil Michael O'Leary (born October 10, 1958) is an American politician and retired police chief who served as the 46th mayor of the City of Waterbury, Connecticut until 2023. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Chief of police[edit]
In 1980, O'Leary joined the Waterbury Police Department. In 2004, he became Waterbury Chief of Police. In the summer of 2009, O'Leary left his position in Waterbury to become the chief of police of Wolcott, Connecticut.[1]
Politics[edit]
In 2011, O'Leary stepped down as Wolcott Chief of Police to run for mayor of Waterbury. One of O'Leary's efforts bore fruit early on, with the opening of three new pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade primary schools, as well as the Waterbury Career Academy High School. In response to complaints about the condition of parks, O'Leary established a summer youth corps that helped perform routine maintenance in the City's parks. He also officially enrolled Waterbury in the national "Cities of Service" organization, which employs public service as a serious method to address critical local concerns. Employing a similar approach to blighted housing, O'Leary helped neighborhoods develop a comprehensive anti-blight program with reciprocal chores and responsibilities. He is collaborating with state and federal governments to reclaim abandoned industrial lands along the City's river-rail spine, the site of an alternate transportation riverfront greenway.[3] In March 2023, O'Leary announced he was not running for reelection as Mayor.[4][5][6]
Elections[edit]
2011[edit]
The mayoral elections were held on November 8, 2011, and O'Leary won with 45.97% of the votes, beating former mayor of Waterbury, Michael Jarjura.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Neil O'Leary | 7,648 | 45.97 | |
| Republican | Michael Jarjura | 5,881 | 35.35 | |
| Independent | Lawrence DePillo | 3,107 | 18.68 | |
| Turnout | 12,580 | 30.92 | ||
2013[edit]
On November 5, 2013, O'Leary was re-elected for a second term, defeating board of education commissioner Jason Van Stone and perennial Independent Party candidate Larry DePillo. The turnout for the election was 23%.[9]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Neil O'Leary | 8,323 | 66.16 | |
| Republican | Jason Van Stone | 2,428 | 19.30 | |
| Independent | Lawrence DePillo | 1,811 | 14.40 | |
| Turnout | 12,580 | 23 | ||
2015[edit]
On November 3, 2015, O'Leary was re-elected for a third term, soundly defeating all challengers. The voter turnout for the election was 21%.[12] As a result of a change to the city charter following the 2014 charter referendum, O'Leary became the first mayor of Waterbury to win a four-year term.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Neil O'Leary | 7,842 | 68.13 | |
| Republican | Jose Morales | 2,426 | 11.70 | |
| Independent | Lawrence DePillo | 1,811 | 18.03 | |
| Petitioning | Jimmie L. Griffin | 245 | 2.12 | |
| Turnout | 12,763 | 22.60 | ||
2019[edit]
Election day was Nov 5th, 2019. O'Leary won a fourth term for office, collecting a resounding 68.61% of the vote.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Neil O'Leary | 7,492 | 68.61 | |
| Republican | Ray Work | 2,169 | 19.86 | |
| Independent | Vernon R. Matthews Jr. | 636 | 5.82 | |
| Petitioning | Keisha M. Gilliams | 128 | 3.92 | |
| Write-in | Tyler M. McElrath | 128 | 1.79 | |
| Write-in | Roberta M. Crispino | 0 | 0 | |
| Turnout | 10,890 | 20.77 | ||
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Office of the Mayor - City of Waterbury, CT". City of Waterbury, Connecticut. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
- ^ "Neil O'Leary Plays The Palace". The Waterbury Observer. December 3, 2011. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
- ^ "Mayor O'Leary Biography" (PDF). City of Waterbury. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary Will Not Seek Another Term".
- ^ "Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary announces he will not seek re-election". March 23, 2023.
- ^ "Mayor Neil O'Leary Will Not Seek Re-Election in Waterbury". March 23, 2023.
- ^ The election turnout was estimated at 30.92%.
- ^ "2011 Municipal Election Results" (PDF). City of Waterbury, CT. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ 2013 Waterbury mayoral election turnout statistics, waterburyct.org; accessed May 5, 2014.
- ^ "2013 Municipal Election Results" (PDF). City of Waterbury, CT. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Public Reporting". Secretary of the State of Connecticut. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Official Municipal Election 2015" (PDF). www.waterburyct.org. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
- ^ "2015 Municipal Election Results" (PDF). City of Waterbury, CT. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "2019 Municipal Election Results" (PDF). City of Waterbury, CT. Retrieved December 15, 2023.