New London - City Councilor Michael Buscetto III formally kicked off his campaign for mayor Thursday without the usual spread of food or drinks.

"I want you to go out and spend money in the City of New London,'' he told more than 200 supporters who crammed into the lobby of the Garde Arts Center.

He added that he had planned to hand out $5 vouchers that could have been redeemed at various restaurants in the city until he discovered that it violated elections laws.

"That's illegal," he said, laughing along with the crowd that included at least five former mayors of the city, a handful of former councilors, a former state senator and a couple of top officials from surrounding towns.

Buscetto, a two-term city councilor and a developer, promised to lead the city with a businessman's perspective, advocating for new business, job creation and improving the school system so students are prepared for either college or the workplace.

He compared the city to a plane filled with taxpayers waiting on the tarmac for a pilot to take them from the city of potential to the city of prosperity.

"Today it is time for New London to take off,'' he said. "That's why I'm running for mayor of New London."

Also vying for the four-year position, which will be the first elected mayor in the city in nine decades, is Daryl Finizio, a fellow Democrat, and City Councilor Rob Pero, a Republican.

Buscetto asked his supporters to vote for him if there is a primary for the Democratic Town Committee nomination.

"I need you to get out there and vote,'' he said.

k.edgecomb@theday.com