1st District forum, part 2

What we really need is to let the candidates ask each other questions, follow up on issues and sharpen the distinctions between them instead of encouraging them all to show to demonstrate their commitment to being nice to each other.
Anyway, now we have seven questions for each candidate. That means about 45 minutes or so to finish up here.
The mayoral debate is next.
"It's a great opportunity for people to experience democracy in action," Fortier said. "It's not fireworks."
That's true.
Q: City manager?
"It might be time for Bristol to have a city manager," Kilby said. The manager could oversee it while the mayor serves as its public face.
He misstated the population of Bristol, saying it has 68,000 people. It's actually less than 61,000.
Rimcoski said he "would have to be convinced" of the need. He said he would vote against it.
"I agree with Mike," Block said. He said he is undecided about it. Like Rimcoski, though, he is willing to look into it more.
"It's adding another layer of government I'm not convinced we need," Block said.

Q: Hoppers?
Rimcoski said the issue is settled. He said it will remain open space, protected. He said he would like to see it left alone for walking and nature. "Leave it alone," Rimcoski said.
Block said he agrees with Rimcoski. "Whatever open spaces we can get in Bristol, the better," Block said.
"I agree, for the first time, with both of them," Kilby said. "That is going to be open space."
"It's going to stay the way it is if not get bigger," Kilby said.

Q: Industrial park?
Block said it needs to be marketed by the BDA. There will be more traffic. Downtown revitalization will help. "We have a great future," he said, and businesses will see that.
Kilby said the park "was going to be there for Yarde Metals" but the company moved out. He said another large business is needed. He pointed out that the city lost Hartford Provisions.
He said the city has to reach out and show what it has to offer.
Rimcoski said that the city has to market it, with tax incentives.
"Quite honestly, I'm disappointed with the BDA." He said it dragged its feet and lost six months repairing ruined wetlands on the site.
"The BDA have to get off their duff and get moving on this," Rimcoski said. He said there are too many studies and too little action.
"Don't study it to death," he said.

Q: Gavlick site?
Kilby said the city has to be aggressive and find a large company to go in there.
Rimcoski said there's an environmental issue. "We've got a big problem there" and will need federal cleanup help. As is, he said, "We can't touch it."
Block said it does need a cleanup. But with downtown moving, it can be cleaned up and marketed.
"Bristol is going to be redone and revitalized," Block said.

Q: taxes?
Rimcoski said he'll ask the new administration to seek a zero or "minus three budget." He said the city has "to hold the line on taxes."
"One of our problems is that some of our departments are kingdoms in themselves," Rimcoski said. "The administration and the council needs to go in and take control."
He said that the city need to hold people more accountable when mistakes are made. He said there need to be more records.
Block said the mall site "should not cost us anything."
He said the 17-acre site "is going to add millions and millions of dollars to our tax base" and so is the industrial park. He said that the city has to provide for parks, safety, education and other quality of life issues or "we're dead."
"We have to walk that fine line" between keeping taxes down and providing for crucial services, Block said. "I think we can keep taxes to a livable level."
Kilby said, "Enough is enough of spending. Everything is going up except our paychecks. ... We have to be solid and firm" and allow "no extra spending."
By doing this, the city can hold down taxes, Kilby said.

Q: Boulevard School building?
Block said it will be "great for a performing arts center" that will bring people downtown. He said it can assist in boosting downtown. For the rest of the building, could rent out as offices or perhaps move City Hall there "which might be a good idea," though it may prove too costly.
Kilby said it might make a good City Hall "if it's feasible." He said he would like a performing arts center there if it's not turned into City Hall. He said the issue needs more study.
Rimcoski said he needs a lot more information before he would support making a theater there.
He said the mall site could be in competition with it. He said there are too many unanswered questions before he'll back a theater at the school.

Q: dealing with state?
Kilby said the biggest asset the city has is state Rep. Frank Nicastro. "He knows Gov. Rell. He knows all the representatives in Hartford."
Rimcoski said state Sen. Tom Colapietro and state Rep. Bill Hamzy are also there to help. Oddly, he failed to mention Ron Burns, the Republican state representative in his district.
He said that the casino cash could go down because Massachusetts is eyeing new casinos so the state may have less.
Rimcoski said he would work with state officials to "loosen the reins" on requirements that go along with state cash.
Block mentioned Burns and the rest. "I do believe that it's Bristol's turn," Block said. "We should make sure they're working to get us the money."

Once last question: investigate police command structure?
Rimcoski said the city needs an outside panel to deal with questions. He said the Police Board might be able to do the job. He said, too, that more management and recordkeeping is needed.
He said outside probes may be needed.
Block said it should be done, too. "It would even save face" for the police.
"We all know there are issues within the Police Department," Kilby said. He said it would open the door to "a more solid approach" for the department.

Kilby said he is running "for you" because "I want to be your voice at City Hall."
Rimcoski said most politicians talk about what they're going to do. He said that in the past two years, he helped resolve Kern Park, fixed the lockout method and more. The mall is finally going to come down, he said, and "major questions" about the school projects.
At City Hall, "we need accountability," Rimcoski said.
"I've had two good years," he said, adding that he doesn't know what Nov. 6 will bring.
"The stars are in line," Block said, and will spark "interest, vitality and pride" in city.
He said it's important to develop right -- and urged everyone to vote.

That makes it a wrap. Whew.
And I stayed awake.

PS: Is anybody alive out there?


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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com