March 3, 2008
To: Ethics Board, City of Bristol, Connecticut
Re: Ethics Ruling for Councilman Kevin McCauley, Councilman Frank Nicastro, Sr. and Mayor Art Ward.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am requesting an Ethics Ruling regarding the ability of the aforementioned individuals, to participate in votes regarding GASB45/OPEB. Simply put, an issue that is being considered is the transfer of money from an over funded pension fund to a new post employment benefits health fund for current and former city employees, as allowed for by IRS regulations. The transfer of these funds can save the tax payers of Bristol approximately two million dollars per year. I fear that there may be conflicts of interest for these individuals as they or their immediate family will be directly affected by the outcome of any decisions made regarding this issue.
In regards to Councilman Kevin McCauley:
As a firefighter he is currently in the Fire Fighters Pension and at retirement will receive a retirement pension as well as post employment health insurance from these funds. He is also a member of the local Firefighters Union.
In regards to Councilman Frank Nicastro:
As a retired Truant Officer and former Mayor he is currently receiving retirement benefits as well as post employment benefits of 10 years of health insurance from these funds.
In regards to Mayor Arthur Ward:
Mayor Ward’s wife is a former city employee, retired from the Bristol Board of Education, while his son is a Detective in the Bristol Police Department and a member of the Bristol Police Union. Both of these individuals will be affected by any decisions made on this issue as they will be beneficiaries of post retirement benefits from these funds.
In Sec. 2-129 Conflict of interests ( c ) it states,
“No official who has a financial or personal interest, either individually or as a member of a group that has a financial or personal interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or contract with the city, or decision of any board, body, or commission, or in the sale of real estate, material, supplies, or services to the city, on which he may be called to act upon in his official capacity, shall vote upon or otherwise participate in the transaction, contract or decision and shall excuse himself from the proceedings in accordance with Section 55 of Charter of the City of Bristol.”
I do not require confidentiality on this matter and will be happy to meet with your board to answer any questions you may have. Your prompt attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ken Cockayne
1st District Councilman
Click here for more about the GASB 45 fund
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
80 comments:
Sounds like Cockayne is getting his advice from Mocabe.
Should be interesting.
Its good advice regardless of who initiated it.
They are all too close to the unions to begin with.
This is a huge issue that really needs to be looked at closely, and there is no way they can be impartial considering their ties.
Good for Cockayne taking on the hard issues!
too bad cockayne didn't do his homework, mccauly won't benefit from this because he is still working and ward's wife is still a board of education employee so this won't affect her at all either.
watd's kid also has his own family so how does this help ward?
nicastro is the oly possible conflict because he IS a retired city employee.
ken must be worried about getting his votes together so he is running scared - gop wimp
KENNY DO YOUR HOMEWORK YOU ARE WAY AHEAD OF YOURSELF THE CITY IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO MAKING THIS HAPPEN
Hey Mocabe did Bobroske claim all her stuff ???
Cockayne needs to get his facts straight before he shoots off at the mouth. First, the mayor's wife is not retired, second, this is not the Fire Pension Fund or the Police Pension Fund, but the General Retirement Fund, and lastly, he is the councilman from District 2, not District 1. But then again, if something is being ghost-written by his pal Art Mocabee, then we could assume easy mistakes like this might be made.
KEN you have to ask one question .Dose this vote enhance any of the above mentioned people?The answer is no it dose not because all of their benifits are controlled by a contract.
Nicastro, McCauley and before them Zoppo always abstained on issues where there was a question of financial interest, as well as sought the advice of the Ethics Panel on their own. I am sure the former mayor and two term councilman McCauley appreciate having their freshman colleague remind them of their roles. He is really something else. The title is wearing him, he is not wearing the title.
I agree with the first poster. Mocabe is working Cockayne like a puppet! I thought you had a mind of your own, Ken! From what I've heard on the street, the police and fire depts have a pension separate from the general city pension which is what GASB45 is in reference to so I can't see where the conflict of interest lies. If there is one, I know that McCauley will do the right thing and recuse himself from any conflict of interest as he has consistently done in the past.
Being that both Nicastro and McCauley have served multiple terms, I know that they are well aware of the ethical standards that would apply. Seems to me Mr. Cocayne is already trying to campaign for the next time around. It's disappointing to see that Mr. Cockayne seems to have no faith in his colleague in the second district, which, by the way, Mr. Cockayne, when I voted in previous elections, you were one of the candidates that I was asked to vote for and I DON'T live in the first district.
Can Cockayne vote on this issue ethically and morally without looking compromised. He and his family sued the Bristol Police for harassment in either the late 1980's or early 1990's. I believe they lost. He obviously has an axe to grind with the PD. Let's talk about everything. Full disclosure.
Only if 10% of Bristol knew this!!! Sadly 0.0001% run the town. Imagine what would happen if the masses really understood and cared?????????
Sounds like Cockayne is getting his advice from the taxpayers of the city who hope that un-baised decisions are made on how their tax dollars are spent. Why burden the taxpayers in times like this when it appears it may not be necessary. Don't see "what should be interesting." Making the right decisions for the taxpayers???? Isn't that what these guys are elected for?
Kenny!KEEP FIGHTING FOR US THE TAXPAYERS WE LOVE YOU!!! It is obvious you have a GREAT ISSUE. You sure can tell when the unions get their noses out of joint...they can't read, they can't comprehend the issue and look to blame everyone they can for this problem they have created!
It would appear to me that with an issue as large as this, that clearity should be given as to who can vote on the propriety of the issue. However, there probably would not be as much of an issue if city employees were not allowed to be elected officials. This is the first place I have lived that actually allows that. I find that disturbing...sort of like the fox watching the chicken coupe.
Maybe I am not as clear on the issue as some are, so hopefully someone will clarify things.
I though that the issue was how to fully fund the benefit package, with the choices being taking it from the pension fund, or taking it from the taxpayers, year by year until the funding complete.
In either case, benefits received by recipients would not change, they would be the same as they are today, tomorrow and into the future until there is a vote to CHANGE benfits, not determine how they will be funded.
So there would be no impact on income or benfits. The only impact would be on taxes: if those involved would pay less, so would EVERYONE ELSE, including Cockayne. Unless of course he doesn't pay taxes now.
Can anyone clarify things for me?
cockayne is sure coming up as a real moccabee loser - dunce.
think of all the aliases he can use such as art cockayne, ken moccabee,
KUDOS TO KEN COCAYNE!
THE CITY OF BRISTOL OWES YOU ITS GRATITUDE
(Unfortunately I doubt you'll receive it from the majority, although you might still get re-elected...Keep up the good work).
Ken just let me know where to mail the campign contribution. I will support you 100%. You are the best. You are better then Norton, Werner, Stortz or any Republican councilman (forget the Dumb-o-crats).
Talk to you later (next time I bump into you again).
I'm totally high on Cockayne, and I never want to stop! No chance for an over-dose. Keep giving us what we need!!
kenny, kenny, kenny, kenny, kenny or is it moccabee, moccabee, moccabee, moccabee, moccabee - sounds so much the same - could they actually be twins? fraternal? they act like each other. identical? they act the same - is there a difference? so confusing, what is a poor confused,ill-advised gop groupie (small group of 2) maverick to do? oh me. oh my, maybe when i awake - poof - the reality will be gone and i can get back to my fairy tale life again.
talk about either thinking he is #1, cockayne signs the letter as a member of the council from the first district - rimcoski and block serve that district - cockayne is from the 2nd district - talk about being lost - maybe he was going to sign rimcoski's name to the letter but forgot? what/who a boo-boo? use your imagination
Cockayne has hit on something big here. I don't agree that taking on an issue like this is positioning himself for the next election. He is freezing himself out with the council members he called out even though he is right on with this issue.
Hopefully people will learn what he is trying to do with the pension issue. It is a no brainer and helps the taxpayers tremendously.
If people are really worried about poverty on the rise and rising mill rates, they will get behind him on this. Putting Ward, McCauley and Nicastro (all union supporters)on notice is the first step. This issue needs to be pressed, and with Ward controlling the agenda for the council, it "conveniently" may never come forward for a vote.
Great job Cockayne, even if you shoot from the hip a little too often. At least we know you are dong something.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tap excess pension fund cash, councilor says
The city should push forward quickly with plans to move excess pension fund money into a newly mandated trust account to pay for retirees’ health benefits, says freshman city Councilor Ken Cockayne.
“This fund is a huge issue,” Cockayne said, and crucially important if officials want to keep property taxes from rising in the years ahead.
“I’m worried about the taxpayers. That’s the bottom line,” he said.
Bristol needs to sock away at least $77 million during the next couple of decades to cover the health care costs that city workers are set to receive after they retire from government service. So far, it has a bit more than $1 million in the trust fund.
City Comptroller Glenn Klocko and members of the Board of Finance have already indicated they would like to pursue the possibility of dipping into pension trust funds that are flush with cash in order to pump some more money into the post-retirement benefits trust fund that new accounting standards mandate.
Cockayne said that city unions are fighting the idea even though the new fund will benefit the same people the pension funds do.
From Cockayne’s point of view, “union money is still being used for the union purposes” since the same people benefit either way.
Union officials have said they’re not necessarily opposed to the idea, but argue it has to be negotiated. They’d like to receive something in return for easing the burden on city finances.
Cockayne, a Republican who was elected in November, said that the unions are basically saying the city should have excessively funded trust funds for future pension payments while socking taxpayers to create a new fund.
“Why does the union have to always get something for doing something that’s right, for the taxpayers and city that is paying their pay?” Cockayne said.
He said he’s going to push hard on the issue despite the difficulty of opposing city unions.
“It might be an uphill battle since a few of the council members are union members,” Cockayne said.
The city’s pension funds have racked up more than $500 million – about twice what they need to pay out – by investing wisely in stocks, bonds, real estate and more since starting the funds back in 1978.
If the pension funds can also pay off the health care benefits, that’s a double savings for taxpayers that few if any communities in the country have the capacity to pull off.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Anon 6:48p.m. You are right! Finally someone looking out for the tax payers in this city!!
Cockayne is headline hunting again.
He benefits if they take it from the pension fund: can he vote?
Leave it to Cockayne and Mocabee to want to gamble with other peoples retirement money because they wouldn'nt dare use their own!
does cockayne or mockabee do any of their private insurance, retirement or health benefits business from the city of bristol or city of bristol employees? maybe time for FULL disclosure?
Today's Hartford Courant article explains it better (sorry steve). There is an actual quote from McCauley explaining that the Fire and Police pensions aren't involved in this issue. They are separately funded.
This was smart on Cockayne's part. There may be nothing substantial to the ethics issue, but by doing this, he has brought this issue to light.
Although it appears there will be no changes in benefits if this is done, it is really not so simple. The unions are making noise and demanding this be negotiated, particularly the Firefighters. This implies that they want changes in their favor, if the transfer is done. If this is negotiated, is where the conflict could arise.
Don't buy all the spin, that he is trying to play with other people's money. The city contributed to this fund too.
Laugh at and ridicule the rookie councilman all you want. He is not as naive as people think. This was genius!
Will McCauley admit to his mis-informed press release or will he ignore it and let people who don't understand the subject believe there is a real issue here?
It"s interesting that the Union position is that they want to negotiate this issue yet they are content not to negotiate the Proposed COLA increase? Shouldn't we be consistent?
Will McCauley admit to his mis-informed press release or will he ignore it and let people who don't understand the subject believe there is a real issue here?
I meant will Cockayne admit to the misinformation. Not McCauley. I keep confusing the two.
Steve,
Why didn't you ask Ward, Nicastro and McCauley to comment on this at the time that Cockayne contacted you just as the Courant did to get their comments instead of letting Cockayne make incorrect statements to confuse and cloud the issue? I personally have a real problem with things being said without getting the full story.
Clearly Mr. Cockayne is confused about what he is talking about not to mention the fact he doesn't even know what district he's in. I also find it disturbing that you will print anything he says without digging a little deeper to find out if what he is saying is actually accurate. You obviously have a bias in favor of Mr. Cockayne otherwise you would have tried to make sure that what Ken was saying was right on, which it obviously isn't.
Please, Steve, in the future just don't print everything Mr. Cockayne says as Gospel, because it's clear he is being influenced by Mr. Mocabee and is being used as Art's sounding piece. Mr. Cockayne is only making himself look foolish when he doesn't understand the issues fully. He should keep his mouth shut and listen more. Then he might actually learn something.
I didn't know the Courant wrote anything about this today so thanks for the heads-up. But in any case, I'm planning to write this for tomorrow. I already asked the entire council to comment on it.
As it is, I try to post things on this blog as they come in. I see a value in that. One of the few things I'm sure is good about this blog is that I don't have to sit on all sorts of things until I have time to write about them in any depth.
Yesterday, I didn't have time to deal with Ken's ethics filing so my choice was to ignore it until I had time or post it here so the most interested people would know as quickly as possible. That's what I chose to do, obviously, and that still strikes me as the right thing to do.
Apparently Mr. Cockayne never attended council meetings before he became elected otherwise he would not have any concerns regarding McCauley or Nicastro with regard to voting ethics. These two gentlemen have abstained from voting if there was any conflict of interest whether real or perceived. They have also approached the Ethics Comm. whenever they had a question with regard to voting on a certain item.
This is obviously a very premature election jab that should be dismissed as such. Ken, concentrate on topics that you actually have a clue about instead of trumping up something that is not an issue.
It is not up to the reporter to edit/correct press releases.
It is up to us as interested citizens to pay attention and follow up with questions, especially when we continually experience a "shooting from the hip", and efforts to sensationalize issues.
In this case, there are many questions to be asked, and you might be surprised with the answers.
I don't agree that "it is not up to the reporter to edit/correct press releases."
In fact, it is our job to write news stories that show the entire issue fairly, which can often make it obvious some politician was wrong about something or another.
But we're not going to do that with every press release!
As a member of the GOP I'm disappointed by Ken's actions regarding this issue. There is no doubt that one fund is over-funded while another appears to be under funded, but if we look to the business sector, there are numerous examples of employees or former employees loosing their pensions because someone experimented with fund reallocation.
It's unfortunate that challenges like this have the potential to impact the city bond rating, and tax rates, however robbing Peter to pay Paul has never been a real effective strategy. Let's treat the problem, not just the symptoms.
Ken is a disappointing example of a Bristol Republican. He is confrontational, conspiratorial, and is not remotely concerned with being a team player, or for that matter, a leader. He and Art then have the nerve to try to have the RTC members stir the pot by condoning Ken's actions.
So much for putting Bristol first.
Cockayne isn't just speaking/writing per orders from Mocabee. I happen to know first hand that Cockayne has a PR person doing his writing for him. It concerns me that he feels he needs a PR person to speak for him. That person needs and education in a few things as well - ethics rulings that are relevant to an issue, and what district Ken serves would be a good start.
To the poster from March 4, 2008 10:49 AM:
Speak for yourself, not the rest of the GOP!
I for one am very pleased with what Cockayne is doing. This was obviously a ploy to bring this issue out to the public and it is working brilliantly. When all the facts come out, the taxpayers in this town will be very happy.
McCauley is already spinning this and is giving misinformation. The Firefighters and the Police Pension will be affected by this, even if they are handled separately. The city has to develop this fund, according to state regulations to cover post retirement health insurance for their plans also.
Steve, please do an in depth story on this so everyone understands what is being considered. People keep throwing out talking points like "playing with other people's money" or "robbing Peter to pay Paul" that are completely inaccurate.
Who is Cockaynes PR person, Geladino?
geladino wouldn't lower himself to cockayne's level
Is it true that Mayor Ward is already checking Cockaynes campaign filings?
if i were ward, i would have checked them all already to prove how stupid moccabee's vendetta actually was - wouldn't the gop candidates be ticked if moccabee's actions put them all under the gun for the election commission - ward should do it just to spite moccabee.
I'm glad Geladino has one fan, other than himself.
WOW!
Will McCauley now come forth with a "no confidence" vote effort against Cockayne???
Oh my do you union hacks have a hair accross your butts! This issue has hit home...hard...about time you got kicked where you desreve to be kicked...in this day when the democrats have spent us into recession they have the nerve to ask the tax payer for more??? Go Ken...save us all from the union greed!
Who is giving Cockayne advice on Ethics, Ken Johnson?
Ken Cockayne is right on this issue.
So the Mayor's wife and McCauley are still working. This issue concerns future retiree benefits. I would hope they plan to retire someday.
You know what, why don't we just scrap this idea Cockayne has, and raise taxes to cover the fund. b/c weather you like it or not or for that matter understand it or not, the Federal Government is making us create the fund.
THe average person in Bristol could never understand this issue it's way over thier heads. Since they love the Democratic party so much in this town, let them do what they do best...raise taxes!, after all, that's what you voters want anyway b/c you re-elected the goons on the Board of education and tax and spend democrats like, Ward, Minor, Mccauley, Block, and Nicastro.
You deserve to pay every penny that you have too. As for the smart Bristolite, were moving out of town!
3:36.....take cockayne, schaffrick and moccabee with you - that way the city will score a grand slam!
have to give cockayne credit, he sure knows how to attract a crowd, his own crowd. thank goodness for that, at least we know where all the boobs are at one time
March 4, 2008 10:49 AM:
In regards to your post, it is a obviously a lie that you are a Republican, unless your name is Stortz.
IT IS NOT COCANES IDEA NEVER WAS NEVER COULD BE
Ken Cockayne is right on this issue.
No, he isn't. He's partially on. To be completely "right on" he would have to eliminate McCauley from the ethics request. General Pension doesn't involve Firemen or Policemen, so there goes the issue for Mayor's son. I't doesn't involve BOE people either, so he can take the Mrs. Ward issue off the table. All he has left is Frank, who was planning on abstaining anyway.
He get's an A+ for delegating the press release to someone else though. I'm sure he wouldn't have put the wrong district on the signator section of his letter.
BY THE WAY HOW DID GELADINO GET INTO THIS PICTURE I SAW HIM LAST WEEK HIS WORDS WERE GIVE THEM A CHANCE.WHEN THEY SCREW UP HE WILL BE BACK.
HOW IS THE DOUBLE DIPPER GOING TO HANDLE THE PRESSURE KEN COCKAYNE IS PUTTING ON? DOES ANYONE REALIZE THAT WHILE HE WAS IS OFFICE HE MANAGED TO GET HIS CHILDREN ON THE CITY PAYROLL? WHAT WILL HE RUN FOR NEXT? THE GOOD OLD BOY WHO THROWS PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOUSES AND THEN SAYS IT WAS TO HELP BRISTOL. IT'S COST BRISTOL 4-5 MILLION. WE'LL NEVER LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE THAT MONEY COME BACK.
Ken keep the presure on these guys they do not see how the rest of us have to live they think money is all for them.
Mr. Cockayne learn how to walk before you run,please be your own person.
speaking of geladino, isn't he on some board now?
Ken keep your eyes on frank he will cut your heart out. he will try and tell people how he had to do it.
IT SEEMS TO ME GELADINO IS PLEASED WITH THIS GROUP. THEY NEED TO WORK TOGETHER THAT IS WHAT HE WAS AFTER . SO LET IT BE.
This is working together????
Is this the same Geladino that has blighted property on Main Street?
No wonder he would be pleased with this group.
If I am following this correctly, we have a city official (board member) who has blighted property in Bristol.
What is wrong with this picture??
It is an "empty lot" with vehicles and junk, across the street from one of Bristol's nicest facilities, the Library.
Since no on lives there, why are there any vehicles at all?
hey, notice how quiet that cockayne has been since people found out what a dingbat he is?
Cockayne isn't backing down at all. Just wait for the next story.
Can't wait.
Keep bringing it out! The more it's brought out in the open and the more people understand what you are trying to do the more respect you will get.
Keep fighting the good fight and stand up for us taxpayers!
Cockayne.....moving Bristol forward!
Keep up the good work!
Hey Cockayne in your letter don't forget to emphasize Real Estate.
to march 4 since when do either side release they negotiating strategy ? I am not a name caller but maybe you should learn how negotiations go.
To March 2:36.....Bye....... At least one big mouth republican, who we don't know, won't be missed. Maybe someplace in a remote place will you poor soles be appreciated.
I lover all the City Employees bashing Ken on this blog...The union is a joke..Let them fix the mess that their members are in and leave the city out of it. Be lucky you even have a pension, most people dont anymore! Also,Ken is far from an Art puppet..HAHA very far! Thats the best comment I have ever heard.
The mess as you call it is only made by people like you . I guess the anaylogy would be like ghoust is approiate. All your good for is hauntings.
Is this issue on the table, or is Ken just roiling the citizenry?
He's roiling the citizenry. The only thing the city council has done so far is create the line item. They haven't even begun to talk about how to fund it. A lot of other people have been flapping their gums (I typed "bums" by mistake...freudian slip?) such as the Finance Director and some union folks, but not the city council.
12:33
Since Cockayne is new, might not it be Klocko that is yanking his chain and getting Cockayne to do his dirty work?
Ken, that is what you get for listening to your pension expert, Mr. Mocabee.
Post a Comment