3rd District finale

First off, someone commented that the "pie in the face" comments were encouraging the wrong sort of commentary.
So let's make it clear: I was joking.
Art Ward may deserve the pie he got Saturday -- it was for a good cause. But none of these guys deserve a pie.
On the other hand, if you were sitting here trying to remain awake as the politicians drone on, you'd figure that an occasional pie toss might liven things up.
Anyway, all the candidates agree we should clean up the city and enforce codes that crack down.
Bob Merrick is now warning that we have to be careful about targeting older residents whose homes may be suffering a bit of blight. He recommends volunteer efforts to spruce them up.
That's a great idea. I saw it working in New Britain this year and if it can work there, it can work out anyplace.
"We could involve more than just the city. We can restore pride in home ownership," Merrick said.

Now a quick break because of a camera tape swap.

Question: Should city be in real estate business?
Merrick says no way. He said the city has acquired many properties. "It's not helping the taxpayers of Bristol to acquire real estate and hold onto it."
He said the city should have plans to get it into its best use as quickly as possible.
"We need to rid the city's inventory of many of these properties," he said. He said some industrial sites have been for sale for years and the city should help.
Nicastro will jump on this.
"I wouldn't have bought the Centre Mall," he said. "When they bought the mall, they took that off the tax list."
He said the city has sold more than $700,000 in city property this year. Nicastro chairs the real estate committee that has been selling off surplus land and buildings.
In the past month alone, he said, the city has sold more than $300,000 in excess property.
"We are in the real estate business," Minor said, from schools to the mall. He said the city needs to think of it that way, including the industrial parks that created places for business to come.
"The city basically stepped in and bought a delinquent property" when it bought the mall, Minor said.
The city needs to be in the real estate business, he said.
Now for closing statements, which are usually a snooze.
Merrick is the first up. He tells his students they have a chance to become active, engaged citizens.
"We have so much to offer" here in Bristol, he said. "We need to step firmly into the 21st century."
Merrick said there ought to be an active calender on the city's website and get agendas, minutes and such. He said there could be a phone system, too, that could do much the same.
Minor said Bristol "is standing on the threshold of big changes" because of Route 72. The mall site will be transformed. There's never been a time when residents had such a need to take an active role in addressing the issues.
"I encourage all of you to read newspapers," he said, as well as attending meetings and making calls. "Big things are coming to Bristol and we want everyone to be a part of it."
Newspapers? Yes!
"I love this city," Nicastro said. "The more you put it down, the more people don't want to hear that."
He said outsiders talk up Bristol but some here are talking it down. He said he froze property taxes for five years by building up the economic base.
Nicastro said there are two or three major issues, Route 72, the mall and the schools, so he wants to stay.
"Regardless of how you cut the cake, you're going to have a freshman mayor" and a couple of freshman councilors, Nicastro said. "You need someone who's been there."
He said his experience can help make sure the mayor will have the help he needs "to move the city forward."
"Enough of this what's bad about Bristol," Nicastro said. Love it.
You have to admire his loyalty and love. You really do.



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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com