Oz Griebel runs the MetroHartford Alliance and ran for governor in 2010. Now, he's considering a run for Hartford's city council.
"I am considering a run, but considering is the operative word," Griebel said.
Griebel said he has to make sure the race makes sense professionally, personally, and politically. If he decides to run, it would be for two reasons. First, to get a higher profile for certain issues that come out of his background in business.
"Questions around the right way to address the ever-nagging property tax question, the relationship the city has with the CRDA, with the governor's office, the issues that are particular and peculiar to given neighborhoods," Griebel said. The CRDA is the Capital Region Development Authority.
Second, Griebel said he wants to be personally engaged.
"It's a little bit like walking the talk," he said. "I'm a big believer that you want to attract people with relevant experience and background to these races. The more people who run, I think, the better the city is."
Ken Lerman is the head of the city's Republican town committee. He knows that the city's political makeup means that Democrats are virtually guaranteed six of the nine council seats. But because of state minority representation rules, that leaves three seats up for grabs. They're currently held by members of the Working Families Party.
"With candidates like Oz Griebel, we really could take the minority position on the council and a have a great seat at the table," Lerman said.
Griebel says he'll make his decision early this year.
