The Great Debate, part 3

One thing I always forget to mention is that Republican Ken Johnson is an actor. He played the Cowardly Lion in one of the Bristol Community Theater's productions and another time, the only one I actually saw, he played Daddy Warbucks in "Annie."
Republican actors, naturally, have a pretty good track record in politics. Ronald Reagan became president. Sonny Bono, who was sort of an actor, somehow became a congressman.
The coin toss goes to Democratic mayoral candidate Art Ward, who is starting things off.
Ward begins by saying happy 59th birthday to moderator Tom Monahan.
"Much of what we say here this evening... will be repetition," Ward said, "so I've changed a few things."
Ward said fiscal responsibility and setting priorities is key. Controlling spending is key by figuring out which projects are of "the most vital priority for the community."
He said the mall, the new industrial park, education and park revitalization are his priorities.
Johnson's turn now.
He thanked Monahan for having a tinge of orange in his tie.
"Voter turnout in Bristol is in the toilet," Johnson said. He said he hears frustration from voters of all parties.
After 14 years, why no progress on mall, the industrial park and more, Johnson wondered.
Ward says it is his turn, but I say it's time for change, Johnson said.
Johnson said that Ward "put politics over people" and flipped on the former Roberts property by calling for a school on property eyed for recreation.
He asked Ward if he ever participated in scripted meetings. Ward did, actually, when the housing code was approved in 2005. I don't know if Ward will ever get the chance to admit that.
Now a question about reform.
Johnson said that he presented positions to charter panel and it's ready to investigate his proposals. "I'm absolutely thrilled and excited" that the proposed manager, appointed Board of Education and more are already on the agenda.
Ward said the mall is "17 acres of prime commercial property" and revitalization need to move forward. He said setting priorities is needed.
Question to Ward about fresh ideas.
Ward said that fresh "ideers" have been coming up for 14 years, including tearing down vacant eyesores, increasing Grand List, brought in more than 50 companies, renovated parks and pools and more.
Question for Johnson about serving in city government before.
Johnson said there has been discussion about experience versus new ideas. "We need both and I offer both," Johnson said. He said he's a lifelong resident, a UVA graduate, worked for CL&P for more than 20 years in managerial roles.
"Running things is what I enjoy," Johnson said. He said his utility experience is similiar to government because both are bureaucratic with centralized management.
Question re 72 and mall....
Ward said city needs public input, plans to review, need to improve safety so people want "to gravitate to."
Johnson said, "We need to proceed full speed ahead on both aspects of the projects."
He said he'll push the BDDC to get RFPs and to dust off the Route 72 corridor study from 2005 and get ready to spruce up Riverside Avenue. Also, Johnson said, need to address Federal Hill and West End to maximize downtown's attractiveness.
Ward said he agrees. He said the city needs to work with state to make Riverside Avenue "an attractive gateway."
Johnson said Ward wanted the BDDC to halt, but now he wants it to move ahead. Plus, he said, the FOIA complaint could block progress.
Next question is about bids, contracts and hiring.
Johnson said he is "not satisfied that all contracts are done propertly and completely above board." He said the public needs more assurance of honesty and integrity. He said there should be rules to make it easier for local businesses to win local contracts. Johnson said that boards need more diversity of opinion.
Ward said there is an ordinance addressing local bidding. Actually, that's not true. It's in the purchasing manual, a Board of Finance policy.
"I take exception to any allegations" that honesty did not prevail, Ward said.
Johnson said matters that are private and personal will stay that way, but it's a debate and people need to see the differences.
Ward said there was "no substantiation" and this is not the format for such a charge.
The FOIA complaint was to defend the people, Ward said.
New question about whether city run by inner circles and cliques.
Johnson said conduct in campaign will mirror what he does as mayor. To be honest, to act with integrity, to seek out diverse opinion and respect it, and to return civility to public discourse and debate.
Ward said the privilege of being reelected attests public's opinion of his honesty and integrity. He said he prides himself on constituent service.
"I am committed to honesty in politics," Johnson said. He said the FOI complaint "does not serve the best interests of the people" and was only intended "to poke a stick in the eye" of Ward's primary opponent.
Ward said Johnson says he's always right. He said councilors don't have time but he also wants them to be the Route 72 ombudsmen.
Question about education, which is odd because they really ought to stick with this whole issue.
Ward said that school funding "has always taken a priority" and it's been fully funded in recent years. He said that has to continue.
Johnson most per student funding is for places such as Hartford.
Another question, about what issues shoudl be addressed that public isn't aware of.
Ward said the public does have knowledge of issues, but park revitalization is "a broad, expansive project" that needs to keep going forward.
Johnson said the public "may not be fully aware of" Bristol's potential "to market and sell ourselves to the world."
He said we need to focus on attributes that will bring people to Bristol.
Johnson said he's thrilled that the Rockwell Park project is moving ahead. The credit belongs to Park Board "and probably to city Councilor Ellen Zoppo."
Question about appointments.
"The good old boy system has gotta go," Johnson said. He said he has regrets that the GOP couldn't convince a woman or a minority person to join the GOP ticket. He said that a diversity of opinion is needed.
Ward said that during last 7 or 8 years, there has been a concerted effort to bring more women onto city boards. He said he would like to see more young people.
Johnson said that he would reach out to everyone to express interest in how they'd like to serve city.
Another question, about measurable goals.
Johnson said he would finish all board appointments in first 100 days. He said he wants to send a message that "we're serious about taking action" instead of "politicians running in circles and nothing getting done."
He said he wants a youth advisory board to help the Board of Education. "We want input from the students," JOhnson said.
Ward said number one is to knock down mall and get RFPs from developers, to hear from public, to get working on industrial park and to devote more attention to cleaning up areas such as the West End.
Johnson said that Ward's strategy is to lie low and let the Democratic base put him in to mayor's chair.
Ward said he brought up issues to the charter panel.
Another failure to follow up. Question about improving efficiency.
"THere's always, always avenues that we can better ourselves in," Ward said.
He said the city can be more efficient in many departments.
Johnson said he would restart the efficiency committee that Mayor William Stortz killed off. He said professional manager is crucial for oversight of spending.
Ward said that Municipal Energy got $10K in March to help get back utility payments. The city hasn't seen anything for the money.
"This is politics over people," Johnson said. "This is the kind of thing we have to stop."
Johnson said there is no conflict involved.
He cited me to defend himself, oddly enough. Like that would help anyone!
Question about internal affairs position in police...
Ward said that majority of investigations come from citizens complaining about tickets or infractions, not questioning integrity of police. He said it's infrequent that serious questions arise.
Johnson said that he supports the position, too. He asked why it took nine months to get position in place, because Ward chairs the Salary Committee.
It took nine months, Ward said, because the police chief needed to make the evaluation of how to create position.
"Look up the record and see how many meetings were called during that nine month period," Johnson said.
Question about whether Bristol slipping...
Johnson said "we are at a very, very critical junction" and no longer a little town.
"It would be very easy for us to slide down that slippery slope" like New Britain, Waterbury, Meriden. "We must aggressively market the city of Bristol" and expand the tax base, Johnson said.
"Perception becomes reality," Ward said, which is why the mall and industrial park are so important. He said it brings jobs, place to shop and more "along with preserving our neighborhoods."
He said he wants to reimplement the "clean and green" policy of former Mayor Gerard Couture.
Johnson said he's glad to see Ward is finally taking a stance on issues.
Question about downtown policy...
Johnson said that what's important is restoring faith in the honesty and integrity of their government, and that it will listen to residents. "They don't believe that their political leaders are listening to them," he said.
Ward said part of the problem for two years "has been a fragmented administration" that made it so "very little has been accomplished."
In his first 12 years on the council, he said, were progressive and active.
THe last two years, however, "have been very frustrating," Ward said.
Johnson said that Ward feuded with the other Democrats. "This division that he speaks of is self-imposed," Johnson said. He said he's running with a unified team.
Ward said Republicans don't even have a complete slate.
Question about space issues...
Ward said the police department says it has inadequate space despite spending $4 million a decade ago. Now it's time to consider a police, fire safety complex in city, he said. Ideally, he said, should be able to combine the headquarters' buildings.
"This is a topic that's going to require creativity," Johnson said. "We're running out of space" at City Hall, the police, fire and more. Whatever is done must mesh together and fit the vision of downtown and the schools.
It's necessary to look at all of the issues together and decide what to do.




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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com