Dear Members of the Democratic Town Committee:
In a few short weeks, you will be choosing a candidate to carry the DEMOCRATIC banner for Mayor. I think that it is useful for all of us to reflect on the leadership of the current office holder and the problems he has caused...the divisiveness, the negativity, and the lack of positive action.
Most taxpayers have been extremely uncomfortable with his secretiveness and willingness to "bend" the truth.
I don't think that there is one amongst us who will suggest that this has been good for the City and people of Bristol.
While you should draw your own conclusions, it is difficult for me not to see the following:
1. Councilwoman Ellen Zoppo has been working and cooperating behind the scenes to pass the Agenda of William Stortz.
2. Councilwoman Zoppo actively sought to exclude the Democratic opponent from discussion and knowledge of the activity.
3. Ms. Zoppo helped pass a downtown plan that allows Stortz to needlessly duplicate $350,000 in expenses and that, since her success with Mr. Stortz,has shown no progress whatsoever.
It leaves open other questions:
- Since Ms. Zoppo has such a cozy relationship with Mayor Stortz, what other parts of the Stortz agenda has she helped?
- Since Ms. Zoppo has such a cozy relationship with Mr. Stortz, what deals has she struck with (OR what has she gotten in return from) this Mayor?
- Why would Ms. Zoppo be silent in her public criticisms and then work so hard behind the scenes to squelch the voice of opposition to Mayor Stortz?
The big question before those of us who want to see big changes from the way Mr. Stortz has conducted himself is: Can someone who has worked so hard behind the scenes for the Stortz regime be expected to conduct themselves in the way we expect a true Democrat to behave in the best interests of not only the party, but the City as a whole?
If you are uncomfortable with not only the way Bill Stortz has conducted himself, but with those who assisted in his "reign of error," then you will need to carefully consider choosing Bill Stortz's "legislative assistant" as his successor.
Please think about it and decide for yourself. But I am supporting the democratic candidate who has tried to bring decency and thoughtfulness to the city council while others remain silent. Art Ward is the person to Move Bristol ForWard.
Respectfully Yours,Carol Meisinger
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
15 comments:
Well said! The questions you raise, I myself have wondered about. Ms. Zoppo has been kissing the mayor's butt since he took office so she can remain on her committees and boards, this was her reward for going along with Stortz. Not working as a team, but giving in to Stortz to further her road own road to the mayorship. Ward had been taken off many of his boards and committees because he refused to give into the mayor - I say good for him! Ward is not afraid to stand up for the citizens of Bristol. When one caves in, behaves to a dictator and bows to ones needs, its called something else - something I will leave to your own words. Thank you for an insight letter.
Melissa Barents, Bristol
Hmmm, no Melissa Barents or anyone named Barents in the Bristol phone book. I would bet there is no one by that name on the voter list either. Looks like Art and his supporters feel the walls closing in and are pulling out all the stops to discredit Ellen Zoppo. This seems to be a common theme that they are developing as a campaign effort - Ellen Zoppo giving in to the mayor, helping the mayor, etc.
G-d forbid a politician actually try to work with the other party to try and get things done, I guess the right thing to do is oppose everything the mayor does, don't compromise on anything, and create gridlock without offering anything constructive. Who cares if the city suffers.
Just a heads up, maybe the woman is unlisted? I know my number is - I am not listed in the phone book, does that mean if I post my name you will say the same?
In regards to the 2nd post, now you know why most people don't include their names. I see you have a comment, yet you didn't post your name either!
Typical Zoppo team members - attack anyone for just making a comment/observation.
Working OPENLY with ALL ELECTED officials, for the benefit of all, should be the goal of our city government but it has been demonstrated that this is not the objective of the Stortz/Ellen administration.
Never once did Ellen speak up opposing anything Stortz did or said. She would sit and smile and support him no matter how terrible his decision were.
What is worse is that she sat back and let him take 2 years away from the citizens of this city - 2 years of no progress, halted projects and obstruction. She didn't speak up as a Sr. Councilmember should have. She didn't disagree with him, challenge his reasons or even vote against him.
Maybe she did that to set him up to fail for her benefit, but it cost the citizens in this town 2 years. I blame her for that.
As a longtime Democrat whose first interest in politics dates back to Stevenson / Eisenhower in '56 , I am quite ashamed of what my beloved Party has become . In the public interest just admit you messed things up before Stortz got there and ( for the public good ) work WITH him and get Bristol back on track . Your pride may hurt , but Bristol will be better for it .
Just an elderly opinion .
Given the blatant favoritism that the Bristol Press has shown to Art Ward, it's no surprise that some people have a distorted impression of Ellen Zoppo's record. Let's set that record straight.
1. "Councilwoman Ellen Zoppo has been working and cooperating behind the scenes to pass the Agenda of William Stortz". All of the Democrats on the City Council except for Art Ward have accepted the fact that since Bristol has the "strong Mayor" form of government, we must work with him if we want to accomplish anything. The voters expect us to rise above partisan politics and will not accept finger pointing as an excuse for inaction.
2. "Councilwoman Zoppo actively sought to exclude the Democratic opponent from discussion and knowledge of the activity". It was Art Ward who chose to isolate himself from the rest of the Democrats on the City Council and has rebuffed our repeated attempts to bring him into the process.
3. "Ms. Zoppo helped pass a downtown plan that allows Stortz to needlessly duplicate $350,000 in expenses and that, since her success with Mr. Stortz, has shown no progress whatsoever." This complaint assumes that there was a viable alternative to creating a separate entity to dispose of the Centre Mall property. If there was, the Council would have supported it. By the way, Art Ward voted for this downtown plan.
Apparently the walls are closing in on Art Ward - this lady, Mrs. Meisinger, is married to the commander at the Legion and obviously an Artie supporter. I frankly would have more respect if Art just said what he wanted about her without using other people to do his dirty work.
And Craig Minor is nothing more then a pansy doing the dirty work for Zoppo. Get real people before Bristol suffers anymore. This whole council is a bunch of nothings.
I wonder why send an open letter to the Democratic Town Committee to a blog and not to the Town Committee. Any correspondence is brought up at each meeting. Perhaps the writer is unaware of the rules of the Democratic Parity. Perhaps she is not even a Democrat. Even so her opinion would be heard as we have an open party. I would assure her that the members of the Democratic Town Committee do not take their responsibilities lightly. Most of the members have know and worked with both of the candidates for over 16 years. They have seen how they work. Have experienced their ethics. But most of all I know of no one on the Town Committee who has been exposed to intimidation or retribution. All of the members take the responsibility of voting for who will be endorsed by the Party very seriously. We have seen the whole body of their work and experience not just a sound bight feed to them. They then make a decision on who they feel will be best for the office. Who will do a good job for the city and all the citizens of Bristol is the prime consideration. This letter contains misstatements of facts. Jilted perspectives and the campaign slogan of one candidate. It should be titled “AN OPEN LETTER TO THE BLOG FROM A ONE SIDED ONLY AND SAYS NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT MY CANDIDATES OPPOSITION AS OPPOSED TO SAYING WHAT MY CANDIDATE WILL DO”
Sure looks like a "Scripted" posts by Minor. 1. Craig could never come up with this on his own. 2. In many of the facts, Minor himself voted for, and he even sits on the BDA. Fact is Ellen goes on vacation and she leaves scripts behind for Minor to defend her? I am certain she brought her laptop with her.
Minor - what was your excuse for voting for the purchase of the Mall when Couture was in? Can one conclude by the script, if you don't "agree" with Zoppo therefore one isolates themselves from the process? Minor, try standing for your own two feet for a real change.
Mr. so called veteran- so are you saying if anyone speaks how they feel, and happen to be friends of Ward's they have no right to express how THEY feel? Last I checked this was a free country and the right to freedom of speech.
Shame on you for stating you are a veteran and belittle someone for using their freedom to speak!
Also a Veteran!
Amazing how Ellen takes credit for things she didn't do. Guess it really doesn't matter - she thinks the general publlic is stupid and not on to her. Think again!
Betty D.
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