Letter from Art Mocabee, chairman of the Bristol Republicans:
The Bristol Mayoral election is about to occur and we as voters must go to the polls to choose who we think is best qualified to lead our city for the next two years.
As the minority party in Bristol, we have enjoyed the view from inside for the first time in 14 years. Having access to the Mayors office is far different than one council seat and having both a council seat and the Mayors office has been enlightening.
Ken Johnson, the Republican candidate for Mayor has run a respectable visionary campaign, committing to moving Bristol in a positive direction with rapid development of the Mall site, a thorough airing of the school issues we face and an aggressive marketing approach to develop the Southwest Industrial Park. In addition, he sees the need to increase the resources Bristol must have to improve public safety and to protect our open space.
To accomplish these goals, many city contracts will come into play. Mr. Johnson, during one of the recent debates, expressed his personal feeling that the process can always be improved. There is no debate that when the contract awarding the sale of properties owned by the City to a Plainville Realty company was announced to the community that there was outrage. Mr. Johnson is right, but his comments only touched the tip of the iceberg.
Bristol employees and Bristol employers make up the hard working Bristol families who pay taxes and deserve to be the first for consideration when it comes to providing their talent and trade to our community. Bristol contractors bring pride to building our community that no outsider can do. Even after the outrage expressed by the community, the Real Estate Committee, headed by Frank Nicastro, still ignored that outrage and gave Bristol business away to an outside firm. Yes, the policies set forth in the purchasing manual were followed, but based on this past winter’s community-wide outrage, something is wrong with the way we do business. It can be improved and Mr. Johnson knows it, Mr. Ward denies it.
In addition to the real estate fiasco, the company selected to do our re-valuation was $72,000 higher then the next bidder. Also, a local construction company lost a bid because he was higher by pennies per $100 of contract specifications.
Mr. Ward, you are satisfied with the status quo, Mr. Johnson is not, especially when it comes to local contractors and services that involve re-evaluation of our homes for tax purposes. After 14 years, why have you not addressed this flaw in our system? Bristol businesses that are qualified and meet all bid specifications technically and financially need to have the first option on city business. It is as simple as that!
But let’s also talk about the mother lode of all contract fiascos: the purchase by the City of the Downtown Mall. This contract was negotiated and entered into behind closed doors, in secret, at one or more meetings held at a local Forestville restaurant. Mr. Ward you were present. along with other members of the City Council and various support staff including the former mayor’s secretary who took notes. Mayor Stortz has the pictures and probably the notes.
Mr. Ward, if you think that the public doesn’t care about how you participated in these secret meetings, then come out and explain why it was okay to have those meetings in secret! You were involved and often took credit as the Deputy Mayor. Is this what we can expect from you? With all the contracts this city is about to enter, you have only demonstrated that you are capable of dealing behind closed doors out of sight from the public, whose trust is the mortar of public service. You were the proclaimed Deputy Mayor that spent 5.2 million taxpayer dollars without public input and that administration was thrown out of public office. Why should we expect anything different from you in the future? Or will you flip flop on this issue as well?
Mr. Ward, you and your party controlled every vote over the last 14 years. Whatever it is that you say needs to be done now begs the question: Why hasn’t it been done over the last 14 years? A wholesale change is needed in our City government.
In addition to your failure to negotiate the City’s business in the open, why don’t you step up to the plate and explain why it was okay for you to participate in the “scripted” meeting when the Blight Ordinance was adopted? Now you feel, by way of your supporter’s recent FOI complaint, that the process is flawed. Maybe the answer is that if it serves your needs it is okay, but when you don’t support another council member’s idea it is wrong. This is hardly the mark of a leader.
Speaking of scripts, Mr. Nicastro has stated that he could never support a mayor who did not support a member of his own party. Everyone in town knows that you, Mr. Ward, had one of your supporters initiate the Freedom of Information action against fellow Democrat Ellen Zoppo. Come on Frank, you cannot have it both ways. By your logic you will not support your candidate for Mayor.
It is too bad that Art Ward and the current members of the City Council would rather cloud the issues than discuss them. Ken Johnson is a breath of fresh air, not a member of the old boy network, which has run the City for the last 14 years. It is time to change the makeup of the City Council and to choose a leader who has a new vision and will lead Bristol to becoming the regional urban center Bristol can be. The question we all need to ask ourselves is “Who can lead us more intelligently and openly as Bristol passes through the cross roads we are about to enter?” That person is Ken Johnson.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
30 comments:
For those wondering about the revaluation firm hiring, here's what I wrote back on January 11, 2006:
By STEVE COLLINS
The Bristol Press
BRISTOL – Rather than risk handing the city’s revaluation effort over to a small Rhode Island firm, city councilors this week agreed to hire a Massachusetts-based appraisal firm that cost $70,000 more.
The move met with opposition from Republican Councilor Mike Rimcoski, who provided the sole vote against hiring Vision Appraisal Technology for $798,000 to conduct the massive revaluation due in 2007.
“They weren’t the low bidder,” Rimcoski said.
City Assessor Rich Lasky said that the low bidder, Appraisal Resource Co. of East Greenwich, R.I., has no experience working in Connecticut and lacked software that could be easily integrated with the city’s computers.
He said that Appraisal Resource has “good people” but its software is “kind of weak.”
Rimcoski said that he would have preferred to save the money and hire the Rhode Island firm.
He pointed out that if every Connecticut town rejects Appraisal Resource because it’s not already working in the Nutmeg State, it will never catch a break.
“They can really never get in if we keep saying no,” Rimcoski said.
Lasky said that Vision Appraisal Technology has some big pluses going for it.
One of them is that it has extensive experience in the state, handling nearly half of the revaluation contracts in Connecticut’s 169 towns.
It also has “really good software” that will mesh with what the city has, including the ability to convert sketches done for the last major revaluation, done by Cole-Layer-Trumbull, which now goes by the name CLT Tyler.
CLT Tyler was the high bidder among the five firms that sought the city’s contract. It wanted $1.06 million to do the work.
Rimcoski said he was surprised at the wide range of bids the city received.
Vision Appraisal Technology will inspect property in town to figure out how much every building, store, factory and more is worth in Bristol as of Oct. 1, 2007.
The state-mandated goal of regular revaluations is to keep property values closer in line with the real estate market so that property taxes remain reasonably fair.
Maybe Mocabee wasn't at that meeting either, but didn't his partner, Krawiecki, say that the city could not break the rules when it came to contracts?
Just wondering.
Bristol likes status quo. So, despite the fact that everyone seems to agree that Art Ward is the No. 1 choice to have a beer with, and probably not the No. 1 choice to run the city, he is most likely going to win based on his win at all costs mentality. Being mayor is all that matters to him. It will be interesting when he has to make a decision not to the liking of the thugs supporting him. His only goal has ever been to be popular. Come budget time, that might not be so easy anymore.
"There is no debate that when the contract awarding the sale of properties owned by the City to a Plainville Realty company was announced to the community that there was outrage."
No, there was a lot of WHINING by lazy real estate agents who were asleep at the wheel. The contract was granted after more than the usual amount of publicity BECAUSE of that whining, and it was granted to the company that made the best proposal. If the city council had awarded it to a homie with an inferior proposal, THAT would have been something to get outraged about! Sorry Mockie, your man Ken really stepped on it this time.
Yah, sure, run the city like a business, but give the contract to your neighbor, even though he is more expensive, didn't express interest, or gave to your campaign.
How much has Johnson given the Republicans over the years?
"This contract was negotiated and entered into behind closed doors, in secret, at one or more meetings held at a local Forestville restaurant."
"Negotiated" and "entered into" implies that the seller was at this secret meeting too. Is that what you are saying, Mr. Mocabee? Because this is coming pretty close to libel since you are accusing public officials of committing an illegal act.
Mocabee needs to go away and once Johnson is voted out we will rid the gnat!
Johnson is not ready for Bristol and we do not need Johnson.
Voting for Ward and proud of it.
Yes, the policies set forth in the purchasing manual were followed, but based on this past winter’s community-wide outrage, something is wrong with the way we do business. It can be improved and Mr. Johnson knows it, Mr. Ward denies it.
WELL THEN PROVE IT! SURE SOUNDS LIKE THE SHADOW OF STORTZ.
Prove it Mocabee/Johnson or shut up.
If I were Johnson, I would be very leary about having moccabee endorsing me.
moccabee has always been an unsuccessful "wannabee" whose transparency has always been evident to the voters. He lost every election that he ever ran in except for republican town chairman, which no one else wants.
Mr. Mocabee just sealed Mr. Johnson's coffin. Instead of sticking to the issues, he reached very far to blame Art Ward for anything he possibly could.
I don't want Mr. Mocabee in the Mayor's Office.
Mr. Mocabee just reiterated yet again how weak Mr. Johnson's qualifications really are. His "good ole boy" rehetoric, innuendo and Ward-bashing is the best that he can offer. I'll take experienced leadership over a "breath of fresh air" anytime. Vote for Art Ward!
I'm stunned.....speechless. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Ken had a contract with the city of Bristol to look into overbilling by Northeast Utilities. Has that contract been completed?? Oh yeah, Ken is a person of integrity....rather than see the project through to completion he'd rather sell his share of the company, waswh his hands of the situation and dry them with the cities money! You ahve got to be kidding me! Sounds like Mocabee is running the show not Ken.
Ken the last person that you would want to advocate for you is Art Mocabee he makes me want to vote Democrat, He is so negative .
Art Ward hasn't thrown one single stone at Johnson, yet he and Mocabee and anyone else on the orange team seem to be throwing constant stones. They should be careful when they stand in their glass houses. This proves Art Ward's integrity, and the orange team's lack of integrity.
What is not surprising about Mocabee's letter is the finger pointing, straw grasping and desperation in each paragraph. He dragged in so many people that have nothing to do with this campaign. Another desperate act.
NOWHERE in Mocabee's letter does it state any attribute that Mr. Johnson has that would make him an attractive candidate for Mayor.
I have to laugh with his first paragraph As the minority party in Bristol, we have enjoyed the view from inside for the first time in 14 years. Having access to the Mayors office is far different than one council seat and having both a council seat and the Mayors office has been enlightening.
Interesting, because you weren't able to do a single thing for this town except stand back and allow the Mayor to keep us on hold for 2 years. Watching this was enlightening?
Johnson's campaign was far from respectable and visionary. It was a see-saw of good ideas, maybe good ideas, I don't know, temper tantrums and a call for time out's that were already in place.
Mocabee needs to get a grip and Johnson needs to find out how he can buy back into his company because Mocabee just made sure that he doesn't win the election in November.
Negative campaigning - typical desperate republican.
moccabee can double talk out of both sides of his mouth because he is two-faced - his and the fake one that he wants everyone to believe is his.
To Anon @ October 29, 2007 12:02 PM
I'm not so sure that Bristol will accept status quo anymore. For our sake I hope not. As far as Ward's supporters being "thugs" that may be a little strong but I would definitely say that they most certainly go on the attack (now watch them come after me) when their candidate takes any heat at all. At the end of the day Ward, while a nice guy and a respected veteran just doesn't have the chief executive skills that a city of 60,000 needs to take it into the future. Like it or not this is a good-ole-boy scenario. In fact, it is this insidious belief that just because a person spends 14 years on the city council they are then somehow entitled to become mayor as though it were a birthright. The DTC knew this and acted on it when they selected Zoppo. What they failed to consider was Ward's loyal base and just how weakly Ellen would perform with the average registered democrat.
The general election is a different game. While I agree with many that Johnson might be much better off without Art M in his corner he does have a chance to win this election. Despite some self inflicted wounds, Johnson has brought many key issues to light and of late has asked the hard questions of Ward and where Ward was the last 14 years. Especially during the Couture administration and most definitely on issues surrounding the purchase of the Mall and the BOE proposal. This is not mud slinging.
Sorry folks these are very fair questions that deserve answers. Instead Ward just remains silent while his supporters go on the offensive. Just look at the one of the last posters at 5:24 PM.
The amazing part is that they continue to try and bash Zoppo as though that will help them this time around.
There is just far too much at stake in this election and we cannot afford a mayor whose strategy to win the election is a say nothing, do nothing battle of attrition. Johnson may be a rookie and he may also have a bit of a temper but he does have a fresh approach with fresh ideas. I find less risk in that then two more years of going nowhere.
If you attended the debates or watch them this week on Nutmeg TV, you'll see that Ward has not only provided answers and insight into this campaign, he has demonstrated keen leadership skills and an understanding of the issues and needs of this community.
Again with the "good ole boys and status quo" rhetoric. This is the best that Johnson supporters have been able to come up with? Throw in the entitlement thing, murmur something about the Center Mall fiasco, a 10 year old DUI, and all of Bristol's woes being Mr. Ward's fault, and then say Mr. Johnson has "fresh ideas" (which have all been brought up before in different venues). Don't forget to downplay the temper tantrums, unenlightened comments, and flip-flopping on key issues...yep, that's quite a campaign platform. There's no need for Ward's "thugs" to go on the attack Mr. Disgusted because in the big scheme of things, your opinion is just not that important.
Question of Kenny Johnson: (Art M, please do not respond for him)
How did YOU get the contract to evict the Bugryns, without an RFP, or a bidding process?
And you whine when something is done ABOVE board?
Ken, it is a question of who is more vindictive, you or Art M?
Poor Kenny.
With Zoppo, Mocabee and Schafrick in his corner, how can he win?
But then, does he really want to?
He certainly is not his own man, being led around by that trio.
The question is: if he were to win, who would be mayor?
Mr. Mocabee -
When were Mayor Stortz negotiations with Ocean State to move out held public?
Where are the notes to those meetings?
Where are the pictures to those meetings?
Are you sure there aren't any photos of you out there????
I agree with disgusted dem...there are questions that need to be answered.
These are two quotes from Mr. Ward's website:
"City leaders who have stopped listening to us and stopped involving us in the future of our children and grandchildren's education."
"Projects that are so crucial to our quality of life that are halted by indecision and placed on the back burner while new large and costly projects continue to be proposed with no focus on prioritization"
He certainly did not adhere to these principles during his tenure as Deputy Major as it relates to the mall issue. I think you have to assess someone's actions in addition to their words. I would like Mr. Ward to explain his position/role at that time and what he would have done differently. The residents certainly were not in favor of purchasing the mall. We were not listened to then.
The best thing the republicans could do for their party is to get rid of Mocabee.
If it wasn't for Mocabee whispering in his ear, Johnson would have had a real chance at getting elected.
I agree that the coffin has been sealed.
"There's no need for Ward's "thugs" to go on the attack Mr. Disgusted because in the big scheme of things, your opinion is just not that important."
Anonymous Ward supporter, your comment just about sums up your candidate's attitude toward every taxpayer and voter in this city.
I'm just an average registered voter, Democrat by choice who pays taxes that fuel the city. At least you're honest and not hiding your disdain for the taxpayers and that my opinion means nothing to you and your candidate.
You may not like it but I'm just the tip of the iceberg. The electorate is done with politics as usual in Bristol. Change is in the air and the reality is that the Ward camp knows it. Just watch how vitriolic they get in the next 7 days.
Disgusted Democrat
If it wasn't for Johnson's public temper tantrum and his recent mudslinging efforts, I would agree with you. But the electorate isn't willing to put someone who has demonstrated such an adolescent behavior into office.
But let’s also talk about the mother lode of all contract fiascos: the purchase by the City of the Downtown Mall. This contract was negotiated and entered into behind closed doors, in secret, at one or more meetings held at a local Forestville restaurant.
All purchase and contract negotiations are held outside the public eye. You can't negotiate in public. Then the terms are released and the city council votes on it. That's just the way it is.
The negotiations with Ocean State were done behind closed doors and the City Council voted it down.
Anon @ October 30, 2007 1:42 PM
First, thanks for the civil response. Fair minded people can disagree and do it with class.
To your point all I can say is how is Ward any different than Johnson?
I was sitting in the crowd at the Polish Club two years ago when the landslide against Couture became apparent and I watched in disbelief as then Deputy Mayor Ward took the stage and made it very clear that he had no intention of working with or cooperating with Mayor-elect Stortz in any way or fashion. As a 12 year councilman at the time he should have kept his cool and spoke of how he and the newly elected council would work together to make things happen. Instead he vented his anger. He clearly kept that promise and because of his inaction and pouting he is as culpable for the last two years of stagnation as any of the elected officials. While I do not condone "scripting" (It sure looked like a script to me.) I can understand why Zoppo may have felt the need to do so since Ward was becoming a serious roadblock to progress in the city. As far as "mud-slinging" I just don't see it. Is Johnson asking hard questions that Ward may be hyper sensitive about? Yes, but instead of his supporters crying foul they should turn to their candidate and expect him to answer.
In the end I took all of that behavior into consideration and my opinion is that Johnson's little tantrum is far less of a concern than Ward's intransient approach to leadership. From the good number of voters I've spoken with I get the impression that they think the same. There's simply too much at stake. I guess we will see.
Disgusted Democrat
Change to republican or unaffiliated. Heck, start the Lincolnian Party if you want to, but stop trying to pose yourself as an expert.
I'm anything but an expert. I'm just a person with an opinion and all I did was state the truth. Must of struck a nerve.
One thing is clear, Ward supporters are so afraid of the truth that their exclusive method of response is to try and shout down any contrary opinions.
Sorry, a Democrat I will stay until we clean out the old guard and bring some intelligent thought to city hall. Art may very well win but he'll be shown the door in two years just as Couture was two years ago. Then you can form the Ward party. No wait, that's already been done.
Thanks Mocabee for giving me reasons NOT to vote for Johnson!!
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