I attended Michael Passero's mayoral campaign policy platform kickoff last week in New London, in part out of fairness, because I've been a little harsh so far about his candidacy.

The mayoral race seems to be shaping up as a two-person contest, with no other contenders in sight, and I've been poking Passero a bit because he didn't seem to be responding very forthrightly to his opponent's pointed jabs.

After all, everyone stands to benefit from a good hearty debate as the city hones its new political system, readying for the second election of a full-time mayor.

Last week's event was billed as a transition for the Passero campaign, from a ground-laying, fundraising phase to engagement — a preview of the policy issues the city councilor intends to pursue as a contender for the city's Democratic endorsement.

I was also curious to check in on a campaign that Passero opponent Mayor Daryl Finizio, also seeking the Democratic endorsement, has snidely labeled the work of the city's "old guard" or, even nastier, the "good old boys."

I have to report that the old guard, as assembled in the downtown Copperwood Grill to hear from Passero, did not seem like an especially evil or scary group.

Indeed, a back room at the restaurant was filled with a hodgepodge of residents, pretty diverse — young and old, as many women as men, a real mixed bag — like the city.

From the questions they posed after Passero's talk, attendants seemed engaged in everything from the routine — new sidewalks, for instance — to the substantial — how to tackle community policing and race relations.

I came away from the event reassured that Passero seems ready to step into the ring for a fair fight.

City Democrats, it seems, will have some sharp policy differences to consider.

Finizio has a record of city management to defend. Passero says the city is woefully mismanaged, the product of unbridled cronyism. (It was curious to watch the cronyism grenade tossed from the camp of the old guard.)

The two candidates have different perspectives on the Renaissance City Development Association, as new proposals for Fort Trumbull development roll out.

Mayor Finizio has been bickering with association leaders, whom he helped install. Councilor Passero pledges to work closely with them.

Passero promises to work to cut spending and make the city live within its means. The mayor says significant new taxes are needed to improve the city's fortunes, a substantial part of his unusual campaign platform, a promise to again raise taxes.

Passero's event last week also provided a glimpse into the future, how his campaign style will unfold.

Call me a sucker, but I was struck by his sincerity when the candidate got a bit choked up talking about his years of service as a fireman on the streets of New London, the city where he grew up.

It did strike me his campaign seems one born more of duty than personal ambition. He seems a bit uncomfortable in the spotlight, not the most natural of politicians.

I especially liked his description of New London as a unique and an unusual place to live, a city about to hit its stride.

It was also heartening to hear him talk about the great strength of the city's diversity.

It may only be rhetoric, but it seems much more inspiring rhetoric than dividing the city into camps: the old guard and new guard.

Here's to a successful and united city that can emerge from the next vibrant election season.

This is the opinion of David Collins

d.collins@theday.com

Twitter: @DavidCollinsct