I'll have more on this sometime this week, but I figure any Bristol Blog reader would want to know that Republican mayoral hopeful Ken Johnson came out swinging at Tuesday's GASB 45 Committee meeting.
"The cold reality is that this committee is a charade," Johnson told the panel. "This GASB 45 Committee serves no purpose, has no authority to make any decisions at all, and is a fraud perpetrated on both taxpayers and city workers by our mayor."
"The mayor created this committee as a 'feel good' for city workers because he desperately wants you to like him. City workers, my message to each of you is this: the mayor is playing you for a stooge," Johnson said.
Johnson urged the city to take the step of using surplus pension money to fund health care benefits for retired workers -- which advocates say may save millions for taxpayers.
"Let's put this in context," Johnson said. "The economy is in the toilet. We are looking for ways to run the city without raising taxes. City and state workers across Connecticut are already being laid off."
"While our city struggles to make ends meet without implementing layoffs, the mayor puts out a memo to stop buying food for meetings. So while he polices the $5 box of Dunkin' Donuts, here's millions and millions in tax savings staring us in the eye."
"There's millions to be saved and it hurts no one," Johnson said.
He said that if the "donut mayor" would back it, the change could be made.
Mayor Art Ward was there, but I haven't yet had a chance to ask him what he thought. I will.
And I'll have more on the GASB 45 issue, too, as soon as I can.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
44 comments:
Ken Johnson - the best reason for a Democratic victory in November.
Does Ken Johnson have a clue?
saw johnson at the Home Show this weekend, why does he talk down to everyone?
Johnson calls this committee a charade, but isn't this committee headed by TJ Barnes, the Republican Town Chairman?
The Republican Town Chairman who came out in support of Johnson for Mayor.
Now I know why I have heard that the Republicans are looking for someone else to run for mayor. This from the people that know him best!
Johnson is the best thing that Ward has going for his reelection!
Johnson praised TJ Barnes for his "intestinal fortitude" for sticking with the chairmanship.
should have been thankful that barnes is still talking to him but who else to the republicans have - stortz?
Johnson is correct. Ward is once again Pandering to his union boys!
I was there last night and let me tell you, johnson wasn't swinging, he was flinging in the wind and totally missed his target - he looked foolish and desperate.
barnes showed his hand last night by letting johnson flip his lips, thought that barnes would have acted better in the situation.
To all the Union workers on here! Johnson is right - totally right! It's not all about you! You should be lucky everyone has jobs! Today! If your money can pay for medical cost - then use your own money! Stay away from hard earned city tax payer money to pay for health your health care.
After Seeing Johnson perform during and since the last election,I think I now have a better idea as to why he no longer works for CLP.
By the way, where are we with that study?
Maybe Stortz wasn't so bad after all!
go ken go - hartford, new york, jeersy, any place but here - might even try illinois - you might be able to buy a seat.
Poor Ken. Insults and criticism is the best he can do. No accomplishments of his own (where has he been?). Nothing new at all....just the same old swinging in the wind and more temper tantrums. I almost feel sorry for him!
3:32
Yea, he can use the money he got from Bristol.
I would then consider it worth it!
Steve , Johnson went over the 3 minutes with his posturing tues evening,Tommy Barnes Republican Townchairmen allowed it,to go on Bottom line ,well done boys.
What a travesty!
Bristol is tottering on the edge, and Ward doesn't seem to be able to cope.
Can't handle Johnson. fighting with BOF, putting off doing things.
Doesn't bode welll!
"Johnson went over the 3 minutes"
Now there's something I bet he doesn't hear often.
"Bristol is tottering at the edge"
Somebody's being just a tad bit overdramatic here, don't ya think? Calm down sweetie. Ward's coping just fine. I have a 5-year-old who could handle Johnson. Debate and discussion is how grown-ups handle their differences (no fighting or temper tantrums), and putting off doing things is sort of a necessity during a R-E-C-E-S-S-I-O-N.
We're boding just fine.
9:04
Artie should be looking at CUTTING costs, not deferring some necesary expenses.
Maybe your 5 year old can, but I doubt Artie can.
Artie is a one man show, and will be a one term mayor.
If Johnson had half a clue, he could be mayor.
Ward is bad, but Johnson is out of it!
Johnson, I'm starting to like your style. Keep it up and maybe I'll change my mind and vote for you.
Perhaps the Bristol GOP isn't the worthless bag of dung I thought it was (or at least Johnson and Cockayne aren't)?
Concerned Conservative...you sound just like the idiot in the white house. Stop with the derogatory devisive comments. If you can't make your point without gross imagines such as bags of dung...go back to charm school and learn how.
I agree with many,if not most of your posts, but you are over the top with your last one on this thread. Don't be so cheap. Keep you message creditable.
Ken Johnson you are an embarrassment to the Republican party of Bristol!!! When are you going to understand the citizens of Bristol do not agree with your views on the issues. We can only hope the republican party can find someone to run against you in a primary.
If Ken Johnson is the best candidate the republican party can come up with we are in serious trouble!!! The party should ask him to withdraw from his bid to be mayor.
This shows just how pathetic the republican party in Bristol has become. Where is the leadership??? Why does the republican town chairman allow Ken Johnson to run his mouth and embarrass the party like this??? I guess I should not be surprised Councilman Cockayne has also been given the same platform as Johnson.
When will the party distance themselves from the Ken & Ken nonsense??
9:22 ~
Everyone has an opinion about the City's financial situation. Opinions are like rectums...everyone has one and everyone thinks everyone elses' stinks...
If my 5-year-old could handle him (and behave more maturely to boot), I'm pretty sure Ward's got his number. Even if he doesn't...the voters do.
I'll take Artie's "one man show" over "amateur hour" anytime...
"Johnson Swinging"
Ran for Council, lost. Strike one
Ran for Mayor, lost. Strike two
Ran and supported the COO COO effort, lost. Strike three.
Johnson, you are out! Go back to the bench!
Concerned Conservative.
Talk is cheap. Why don't you join the BRTC and see if you can make a difference or do better since you seem to have all the answers.
It is easy to be the critic all the time when as in your case you don't really have to actually do anything.
Concerned Conservative.
Talk is cheap. Why don't you join the BRTC and see if you can make a difference or do better since you seem to have all the answers.
It is easy to be the critic all the time when as in your case you don't really have to actually do anything.
I've heard from many on the BRTC since Johnson's latest display this week and they are incredibly embarrassed by him...again.
4:46
But not Tom Barnes, the Republican Chair!
Johnson for mayor!
Typical Bristol republiKEN!!! Worthless!!
Give it up Johnson nobody cares about your opinion.
Johnson who?
Ken Johnson, our next mayor!
10:40 ~ What color is the sky in your world?
Real class Ken. Calling the mayor the "donut mayor."
How about leading by positive example? Exactly what are you offering that is going to make Bristol a better place to live?
Ken Johnson has not made a good impression the the BRTC. He really needs to take a lesson in listening for a change. Instead he talks at or down to people and well he just isn't that impressive. He seems to like the sound of his voice because he talks on and on and on. The problem is that if he can't even win this group over how is he going to win anyone else over.
And, no, Stortz is not the answer either.
I, and many many others, would take Stortz over Johnson any and every day.
This shows just how pathetic the REPUBLICAN'T party in Bristol really is. If the party had a clue they would tell Johnson not run for mayor.
11:45
You hit the nail on the head!
IF, IF, they had a clue, we could have a Republican Mayor and 3-4 Republican Councilmembers.
IF, IF, IF.
Does Johnson understand the process?
Why wasn't he at the GASB meeting?
At least Bill Stortz is a gentleman who will chat with you on an even level unlike Johnson, who thinks he is above everybody else.
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