A December 3 letter, written by Board of Finance member Don Soucy, and provided by Mayor Art Ward:
Dear Mr. Mayor.
I hope all is well with you and you enjoyed your visit to the Breakfast with Santa at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Center this past Saturday. It was a record turnout and we will be able to help many more children in the Secret Santa Society. Thanks for being there.
As you know, the West Bristol K-8 School Building Committee needs two additional members and the current committee members do not wish to vote on a school site until we are at full strength. Therefore, the three (3) committee members (Chris Wilson, Ken Cockayne and I) who are responsible to submit names to you and the Council for appointment to the Building Committee have met and decided on two names for an up/down vote.
The committee of three met on Friday, November 30, 2007 at 8 AM in my office and we unanimously agreed to submit to the City Council the names of Ellen Zoppo and Ken Johnson. Ellen’s children attend Bingham School, is active in parent / teacher groups, is familiar with the West End and its socio-economic issues, is knowledgeable with code enforcement and served on various building committees, one of which is arguably the finest city owned structure built in many years, the Bristol Public Library addition and renovation.
Ken Johnson has a good deal of experience in areas that the current Building Committee would find very helpful. He is an engineer, has extensive experience in working with architects, utility companies and is familiar with energy efficient construction. His children attended Bristol Public Schools including Bingham and Ken’s parents were educators in West Hartford and Bristol.
Both Ken and Ellen have been contacted and both have indicated that if approved by the Council, they are willing to serve. The West Bristol K-8 School Building Committee is far more than choosing a site for construction, although we realize that this is the hot button issue for the moment. However, building committees are not for the moment but must have staying power. These two individuals will help insure that the process moves forward in an expeditious manner.
Art, thank you for your consideration in this matter and I do believe that the timing of this request will be sufficient so that approvals can be forthcoming at the December Council meeting. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Chris, Ken or me.
Sincerely,
Donald R. Soucy
Board of Finance
West Bristol K-8 School Building Committee
Cc:
Ken Cockayne, Councilman
Chris Wilson, BOE Commissioner
Ward, however, is backing two different people, about whom I'll write later.
Cockayne, meanwhile, called the mayor's office Monday morning to let Ward know that "he has removed Ellen's name from West End School Building Committee" and instead supports one of Ward's choices for that slot, according to phone message left for the mayor.
It is unclear whether Zoppo or Johnson is interested in the appointment. I'll send them each a note momentarily to ask.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
13 comments:
I would have preferred Mr. Ward have appointed Ellen Zoppo-Sassu and Ken Johnson.
When pigs fly maybe those 2 can serve on some committee, but the public is sick of them both!!
never going to happen, nor should it.
The 3 of them had a meeting at 8:00am? Was the public invited? Was this a legal meeting?
We do not need politicians using the kids as prt of the political game playing.
Put some basic citizens on the panel!
The last time I checked, Zoppo and Johnson are "basic" citizens. They live here, vote here, pay taxes, get things done, work here and are willing to continue to contribute to the community that they have served for many years.
Both Zoppo and Johnson have additional interests, some quite self serving.
There are many other people out there that are more open minded and have less baggage, and have no political agendas.
They are the ones that should be considered.
I agree. The people of Bristol spoke when they voted Zoppo out of the Primary - please see the writing on the wall Ellen - WE DON'T WANT YOU. We are however now dealing with you butt-attached lackeys Craig, Kevin and Clifford.
Are not integrity and committment things to be considered??
Has Johnson filed his campaign papers yet??
Bend over taxpayers ..... Ward is going Back to the heydays of graft and corruption ..... enjoy ....
Was there any follow up on the Rosenthal/Johnson flap regarding a possible improper agreement?
Did I miss where it might have been reported on?
Did Johnson ever comment as he said he would?
I think Ellen and Ken are trying to do eveything they can to stay in the political limelight. How about the everyday citizen of Bristol that attends meetings and has children in school. Why can't they get on the board, why Ellen?Please give us a break with Ellen, lets get some new blood on board, we've had enough of her.
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