It's quite something here tonight.
The mayor just nominated Sean Dunn to replace Ken Johnson, the GOP's mayoral candidate, on the Water Board.
City Councilor Craig Minor said he understood Johnson wanted another term on the volunteer panel. He said he would back Johnson.
City Councilor Kevin McCauley agreed.
But the council voted to appoint Dunn with only Minor and McCauley, both Democrats, backing Johnson.
Johnson suddenly leaped to his feet.
"I'm outta here," he exclaimed loudly, then shoved the council chamber door open with a resounding bang.
And he was gone.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
40 comments:
Grace under pressure, such fine qualities in a prospective mayor.
Why does Ken Johnson care anyhow? From what I understand he was absent from Water Board meetings most of the time and by rules would have been kicked off.
Mayor Stortz said after the meeting that Johnson's reaction indicates that "he must not think he can win the election."
It is odd that Johnson would get so upset over the appointment, since a mayor would have plenty of other things to do. It's one of the few major boards that doesn't automatically include the mayor.
There was clearly something more going on than meets the eye. I'm eager to find out what it was.
Would seem that Johnson's focus would be his mayoral quest rather than seeking the Water Board appointment, which he would have to relinquish if he won the mayor's seat.
Seems pretty much of a "I want it all or else" attitude; not traits of someone that I want occupying the mayor's seat.
Yeah Johnson is real Mayor material! Can't have it his way so he storms out - reminds me of the hissy-fit Zoppo. Guess his hanging out with her long enough is wearin off on him.
T. Burns
What's he going to do when a company tells him they are moving out of town, or when a union rejects his negotiation proposals?
All this drama over a Water Board seat?
This guy is way in over his head.
He had very extenuating circumstances and the mayor knew it, but still didn't want Johnson on. Obviously there is a personality conflict between the two. The Republicans were clearly on edge last night. They clearly believe they can win elections by getting visibly angry although I'm trying to figure out what that strategy is. I think it only hurts their cause, because it shows they can't control their tempers and anyone who watches these council meetings knows you need to keep a cool head.
WHOA!! WHAT KIND OF THE ATTITUDE WAS KEN JOHNSON ? HE WOULD NOT WINNING THE MAYOR'S JOB IF HE ACTS LIKE THAT.
Steve - I'd like to hear Ken's take on the situation. Why was he so angry and why did he storm out with such drama?
Congratulations, Ken. you and Stortz just clinched the election for Art Ward. I hope you boys are happy.
Was it as bad as it is portrayed in print? I mean can't a human being show a little emotion? I doubt he really slammed the door. I don't believe it.
I wouldn't hang around watching those pompous asses faking to be good representatives either.
And Ken Cockayne and Joe Gelardino call the Bristol Democrats "disfunctional". I looked it up in the dictionary and the definition was "Bristol GOP".
No, Art Mocabee, Gary Schafrick and Ken Johnson just clinched the election.
They did not want Stortz at ANY cost!
Art Ward is a very happy man today. Heck, even that Kilby guy, who seemed to have no prayer, might have a chance after the Republicans seem to be self-destructing (not Rimcoski, but he might be victimized anyway by the others if they stay in the race).
Ken Johnson should step aside and let Rimcoski run in his place.
Mike Werner, where art thou?
Several people who claim they were there deny that Johnson "stormed out."
But if anything, I understated the vehemence with which Johnson leaped up and stormed out.
In 14 years of attending City Council meetings, I've never a a louder sound in the chambers than Johnson smashing through the door on the way out. I assume the television cameras caught at least the sound. Watch the end of the meeting tonight if you don't believe me.
Or ask anyone who was there.
I was there too, and it was so loud the councilmembers were stunned. They didn't say anything for a few moments. That should show up on the replay.
Of course the Republicans deny it.
Steve, I would really like to see a statement from Ken himself instead of hearing everyone elses take on the situation.
Well maybe if you all knew the situation you would understand why Ken would have been irritated. Due to the death of his father he was unable to attend a water board meeting. Yes he had missed a couple others due to family situations. I know for a fact that MR. Stortz had told Ken do not worry about missing the meetings, family comes first. Then Mr. Stortz single handed tried to have Ken removed behind his back, appointing people who did not even want to be appointed. All of these negative comments make me sick. Do you know Ken,do you know that our Mayor has been trying to sabotage him before he even decided to run for Mayor? Well I do know, I am not his family I am not on the Team Bristol First I am someone that is knowledgable when it comes to this situation and I am his friend. You all are wrong to jump the gun, how far can you all be pushed till you have reached your limit? Well I know Ken has a fuse that is not easily ignited so Stortz has really pushed him for him to display the behavior that he displayed last night.Too bad you all are so darn perfect and you think that the officials of this town are gods that are not allowed to show emotion... I feel sorry for all of you, I feel more sorry for Ken and Art Ward, they want to represent all of us in this town,, WHY nothing but a bunch of CHESHIRE CATS
I appreciate all of the comments that try to explain the situation that Ken found himself in last night and all of the support comments for Ken, but it is really important that Ken make a statement himself. It's nice to have people support and defend him, but it has come to the point where a potential Mayor needs to speak for himself. I'm disappointed that he hasn't done so yet, but I'll give him a little more time.
If all we have is newspaper articles, blogs and discussion forums to give us information to aide us in making a decision on who to vote for, then we aren't being truly informed.
Ken needs to make a statement himself. Ignoring it and hoping it doesn't go away makes the rumors stronger and the truth never comes out.
IT WAS A LONG NIGHT AND TOWARD THE END TEMPERS GET SHORT. KEN HAS BEEN WORKING 16 HRS PLUS PER DAY. SOMETIMES FRUSTRATION TAKES OVER ALL OF US. KEN IS A FINE INTELLIGENT GENTLEMAN WHO LET HIS FEELINGS TAKE OVER. WE'VE ALL DONE THIS ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, NOW LETS GET BACK TO THE IMPORTANT THINGS SUCH AS HOW DO WE SERVE THE CITY OF BRISTOL AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO IT. MIKE R
Well this event just about sums it all up for this election year. It looks as though we will have to address the issues in the next two years with Mayor Ward. What a complete and total loss of an opportunity. The stars were all aligned for the republicans to not only hold the mayor's seat but to take a number of council seats as well.
Think about it. 1. A fractious primary with still bitter feelings on the democratic side. They can say that they are all kissing and making up but you can tell by the never ending slamming on this Blog that the divisions are still in place. 2. Beyond the divided democrats that voted in the primary lies a majority of registered dems that did not vote and were looking forward to the general election to express their dissatisfaction with a party the cares more about the "party" than the voters. 3. A watershed issue in the form of the BOE proposal that is flawed at best. They could leverage that issue into a huge asset all by itself. 4. And last but not least, a Democratic mayoral candidate who's record of accomplishment after 14 years on the council is hardly discernable from the council members in their first term. Not to mention the fact that he was a major player in the Couture/Diamantis administration disaster of 2003 - 2005.
I have to agree with Mayor Stortz. Either Ken feels he can't win or he doesn't really want to win. It takes a whole lot more than orange polo shirts and catchy slogans to run a city with $164+ million budget. The idea that $95,000 a year for this CEO role is sufficient is laughable. Maybe Ken figured that out and is looking for a theatrical way out by putting on a show and killing his chances. Sorry Daddy Warbucks we need serious candidates to tackle a serious agenda.
It's disappointing, but it looks like apathy will end up the winner again.
Unfortunately, stress, exhaustion and tension seem to go hand-in-hand with any leadership role. We need a mayor who can not only handle the pressure, but can do it with class. Someone who won't "take his ball and go home when the game doesn't go his way."
Expect to hear Ken Johnson's side a little later today here at the Bristol Blog. Right now, the candidate's wolfing down a cheeseburger and thinking about what to say.
Simply put, the attendance rule is not a mayoral decision, but a city regulation and the city has benefitted for having it.
The mayor cannot ignore it, he can reappoint if desired.
Seems like Kenny missed meetings way before his father became terminal, and actuallly the last meeting he missed was not because of his father.
At the same time, Mayor Stortz was trying to address problems on the Water Board, and even when there, Ken was no help, he was one of the "good old boys", or wanted to be.
Seems like that there has been significant improvement at the Water Department in the past year, but Stortz has too much class to gloat and make others look bad.
He seems to be satisfied in just getting the job done.
Too bad he is not running.
In all this back and forth today not one word about something positive and sincere, I'm talking about the T.E.A.M presenting Ellen Zoppo Sassu and Mayor Stortz with a Job well done. You all should look at your self and ask what you have accomplished.
What is your blog about anyway..?? get a life
Somehow I don't believe the person who wrote in as disgusted democrat is really a democrat. Many of the Republicans have been on here posing as democrats to imply we, the real democrats, are splintered. That's far from the truth. You can say what you like, but republicans perpetuating untruths can be seen from a mile away. As for Ken, he has had some very unfortunate circumstances occur in his life some of which cannot be elicited on this blog. Sometimes things do occur in people's lives that make it difficult for them to make meetings. I'm sure all of us have been there are one time or another. Let's cut the guy some slack.
Oddly, someone thanking two politicians for doing well doesn't strike me as newsworthy.
Anon @7:47 PM - I am most certainly and without question a Democrat. Wait let me check my voter registration card one more time....Yep it says Democrat! You either have a Polyanna view of the Democratic Party in this city or you are one of those die hard "the party first at all costs" democrats. That's your choice. I'll choose to deal with reality and recognize that it takes all of our citizens regardless of party affiliation to make things work. Not just some ideological party label on a voter registration card.
Another one who can't play in the sandbox?
the DTC doesn't take disgusted democrat seriously
To all those who think the Republicans are fractured and self destructing,,Guess what? They are more united than ever.
What has united them is thier hatred of Bill Stortz. He has screwed the party for many years and finally the Republicans said to Bill Stortz...Screw you.
To the poster that said "Bill Stortz has too much class to gloat" Please Bill Stortz has no class at all. Bill Stortz should stop posting for himself b/c if he thinks he has class than he is sicker than most people think he is.
Bill Stortz knew exactly why Ken Johnson missed the Water Board meetings, and quite frankly its not of anyone's business. He did tell Stortz b/c he had too in order to get reappointed to the Water Board.
Stortz knows the heartache he has had in his life, and a guy with class would have had some symphathy for Ken Johnson and his family.
The simple reason Ken Johnson wasn't reappointed to the Water Board was b/c Bill Stortz had a vendetta against Joel Wulff the longtime Chairman of the Board and a Republican (just another way Stortz screwed the Republicans) Ken Johnson didn't support Stortz in his vendetta.
Lenny Valentino was perhaps one of the best Superintendants the Water Department has ever had, and Stortz drove him nuts. For all you Democrats that think Stortz was justifed in his actions with Ken Johnson, than ask your Democratic Registrar of Voters Bob Badal, the new Chairman of the Water Board what he felt about Joel Wulff and Ken Johnson being replace. Stortz is driving him nuts too, with his paranoial and his anonymus complaints.
Its not just the water board but every department head in City Hall has had enough of Bill Stortz.
So please, take the politics out of this and look at the situation, if you don't know the whole story find out. Don't just listen to the so called elite of the party and that's both parties.
"the DTC doesn't take disgusted democrat seriously"
Oh my god, my life is over! In case you were sleeping during the primary the all knowing, all omniscient DTC managed to fall flat on their face and lose the primary after endorsing a candidate 40 to 18. Providing vivid proof that they are completely out of touch with the majority of registered Democrats. And god forbid that a Democrat like me say anything to the contrary or consider voting for someone from another party. Wake up; it's not about the party. The DTC is irrelevant. Art Ward proved it.
We have very serious issues involving multi-millions of dollars and the best you can do is "the DTC doesn't take disgusted democrat seriously." It's no wonder that voter frustration in this city is so high it's almost palpable.
I heard Dunn didn't even know he was going to be nominated or that he got nominated.
Way to go Stortz another foul ball.
Actually, we believe "Disgusted Democrat" isn't really a democrat at all so, no, we will not take you seriously.
"Actually, we believe "Disgusted Democrat" isn't really a democrat at all so, no, we will not take you seriously."
Well whether you like it or not my led by the nose, by the DTC friend, I am a Democrat and a Democrat I will stay. You, on the other hand are everything that is wrong with our party. Your irrational, misguided "Party first at all costs" mentality accompanied by your "if you disagree with us we will not take you seriously" attitude promotes nothing more than mediocrity in government and raging voter apathy.
You are stuck with me and many more like me. Do you really think that your condescending posts will stop me from speaking my mind or from sharing with the majority of Democrats in this town? We want change and we are open to all candidates regardless of their party affiliation. You are stuck in the past. We won't go quietly into the night nor stand by silently while you and all your DTC friends make a disastrous mess of this city.
Dear Disgusted, You are an angry person and I feel sorry for you. I am not a Democrat who tows the party line. I laughed out loud when you made the comment about DTC people having the "party comes first" attitude. You couldn't be more far from the truth. The way I see it, the Republicans have a much stronger "our party comes first" attitude. I don't see the democrats running around in the same colored shirts and showing up together at every function even when they're not invited. We all want change, but I'm not going to vote for someone new just because they're new. That's the problem with this city. Many people believe that the latest and greatest is the way to go and I say that's not necessarily the way we should go. Each candidate should be looked at closely including how they behave when they're not prancing around in front of the cameras at council meetings, because what they do behind closed doors will be a good indicator of how they will behave once in office. If people are willing to get up at council meetings and mouth off with an attitude of disrespect for the process, then any promises they have made for change should be scrutinized, because, in my opinion, they're only up there to get elected and once elected, it's all for the party or themselves ... not the constituent. Why didn't they get involved months ago?
The mayor had been requesting since day one for the citizens of this city, if they were interested, to request to be placed on committees and boards. Don't tell me you want what's best for this city when you can't even take the time out to be part of a committee or even attend committee meetings.
Anyone can promise change, but when you're on the council, you're one of 6 people and finding common ground can be difficult. Don't be fooled by promises. Check out each individual person and question them as to how educated they really are about the issues. It's easy to sidestep the issues and make statements that have no substance to them. Remember, buyer beware or in this case ... voter beware!
Anon @ October 13, 2007 8:44 PM
"You are an angry person and I feel sorry for you."
Save your pity party for someone who needs it. You should feel sorry for this city. My responses here were to whoever it was from the DTC (or pretending to be part of the DTC) that dismissed my posts about being open minded and questioning the members of our own party. Instead of debating the issues they simply tried to dismiss me as they do anyone that has an opinion contrary to the "party." If you want to debate what's best for Bristol then let's debate but please stop with the disingenuous responses that I am "angry" and thus could not be credible. Whether or not I attend meetings or I am a volunteer is irrelevant. For all you know I could be sitting right next to you at a city council meeting. It doesn't matter. Attendance is not a requirement to have an opinion or to vote.
As far as the republicans are concerned all I can say is who cares? A two year old can figure out that Orange shirts are a gimmick. I suppose that slogans like "Moving forWARD" are not? Give me a break. They fielded a bunch of candidates. I as a voter want know more about them, what they stand for and how they might act in the future. The same goes for the new Democratic candidates. In fact it's my duty as a registered voter to do so. I hope you feel the same or are you praying that they bring back the party lever?
Enough said, I've wasted far too much time responding to posts that seek nothing more than to silence debate or contrary ideas. It's not about me and it sure isn't about the DTC or the Democratic Party. It's about the voters and taxpayers. Hopefully some day you and your DTC friends will reawaken to that concept. But, I doubt it.
Disgusted Democrat, I think I know you. Do you have a beard?
I wonder how Ken Johnson treats his employees? Maybe we should ask them. I know that he has a girl that works for him that was in the restaurant biz, does anyone know who she is? I would like to bend her ear!
Disgusted Democrat, I think I know you. Do you have blue eyes?
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