July 24, 2009

Reaching out to residents

Tapping new technology to keep residents better informed is one of the goals laid out by Republican mayoral hopeful John Gill.
“As mayor, I would implement the use of new technologies to effectively and efficiently communicate with the residents of Bristol,” Gill said.
“Imagine being able to pick up your mobile device or sign on to your computer and receive instantaneous alerts to traffic detours, road construction, or other events of importance to Bristol,” he said.

“Imagine receiving an email from the mayor at the end of each week detailing the past week’s events and highlighting the week ahead,” Gill said.

Mayor Art Ward, a Democrat seeking a second term, said that city leaders have been trying for years to find more ways to reach the public, including televising City Council meetings, upgrading the city’s website, producing public access television shows about municipal departments and the budget, and appearing on radio shows.

“We’ve been pretty open with the public,” Ward said.

The mayor said, though, that he’s always looking for ways to do better.

“We always strive for greater communication,” Ward said.

Gill, a 29-year-old attorney, said that it can be difficult for people to stay informed when times are so tough “and people are struggling to stay afloat.”

He said that using new technology to reach residents would make the city government more transparent and accountable.

“It can happen,” Gill said, “and it will happen if I am elected mayor.”

“The best part about the use of this new technology is it’s free,” Gill added.

Ward said he’s glad to have Gill in the race.

“That’s the basis for democracy,” the mayor said.

He said he’s never met Gill and hadn’t even heard of him until the attorney’s name was floated this week as a potential challenger.

Ward said he’s taking the challenge seriously.

“I’m going to campaign as I always do, fervently, with the intent of getting the message out to the voting public as to the direction we’d like to move forward to together.”

The Democrats formally endorse candidates Monday. There is no known opposition to Ward within the party.

Mayors serve two-year terms for $100,000 annually. The general election is November 3.


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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh - so Ward hasn't heard of Gill so therefore Gill isn't worth voting for? I think Gill brings new & fresh ideas to politics, something this city needs. Its been the old boys for so long and nothing has changed. Other towns have young Mayors and they are doing just fine. Ward needs to get off his high horse and stop thinking he is the only one who is capable of being Mayor of this town. I will be voting for Gill.

E.Z.

Anonymous said...

Bad picture...Isnt that illegal ?

Anonymous said...

Not to mention dangerous!

Anonymous said...

Mayor Art Ward, a Democrat seeking a second term, said that city leaders have been trying for years to find more ways to reach the public, including televising City Council meetings, upgrading the city’s website, producing public access television shows about municipal departments and the budget, and appearing on radio shows.

“We’ve been pretty open with the public,” Ward said.

TRYING FOR YEARS? C'MON AND YOU CAN'T COME UP WITH ANY SOLUTIONS? TIME FOR MUCH NEEDED CHANGE IN THIS TOWN. WARD'S MINDSET IS OLD AND ALL ABOUT HIM.

Anonymous said...

Johnny Boy will not find it as easy as he would like it to be.

But then, what does he know?

Anonymous said...

More then Ward, that is for sure.

Anonymous said...

Horrible picture!

Anonymous said...

EZ - This isn't about Ward being on a high hourse. The "old boys" have something that young mayors just don't have. Fresh sounds nice, but experience is key. We've got far too much to lose to gamble with "fresh." Bring your fresh ideas to a council meeting...

I will be voting for Ward.

Anonymous said...

Should that driver be checking for messages on her cell phone while driving? Maybe Mr. Gill's idea isn't so great?

Odin said...

It's not that Ward hasn't heard of the kid...NO ONE has heard of the kid. Youth is good, but you don't put youth in charge. First you let them learn a little bit about how to run A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CORPORATION by serving on the City Council, or the Public Works Board, or (dare I say it?) LIFE. Cromwell elected a 29 year old mayor who was new to town, had never been in politics before, and he's been a nightmare. This just proves how desperate the Republicans are to have a name, ANY name, on the ballot.

Anonymous said...

Ya know..the people bashing JOHN GILL are obviously affraid of him and most likely the deomcrat union hack type. Most of the people in Bristol welcome new people to the political scene if they are intelligent and motivated by what is best for Bristol as JOHN GILL is. Consider the Democrats...Ward...worst Mayor ever, after 14 years on the CC he has done nothing but attempt to buy his reelection with taxpayer dollars in the form of union contracts that are totally out of sync with todays economy. Look at the others...do you mean to tell me Block was "qualified" before he was elected or even Ken Cockayne. McCauley is a CITY EMPLOYEE and has no business serving on the City Council, let alone qualified. Lets see what qualified candidates the dems come up with on Monday. I hope they come up with candidates that truly represent tax payers and not the usual rubber stamp for the union hacks. So far it looks quite disturbing.

Anonymous said...

Odin:

Is that what mommy told you?

Anonymous said...

The city has made great strides in using technology and modern methods in informing people.

However, there is a cost associated with that, and, everyone does not go on the computer, or even have one.

People have to be willing to make an effort to be informed also.

Ideas are easy, lets talk about implementation.

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to figure out how he would be mayor, which is a full-time job, when he is a lawyer, especially a lawyer who works so far. Wilton is not exactly next door. Would he take a leave of absence from his job? Does he believe that being mayor is only a part-time job with his "administration" taking care of all the day-in-and-day-out duties and emergencies that pop up? I think he's in way over his head.

cseguin said...

@ Odin - Since when is a 29-year old a "kid?" Mr. Gill has been to law school, worked in private practice and worked in corporate America. It's not like he has a complete lack of experience. Looking at his education and background, he seems like an intelligent, motivated individual.

If someone has issues with Mr. Gill because of his platform, or because they support Mayor Ward, then I could understand that. But, calling a 29-year old a "kid," and holding his relative youth against him seems a bit unfair.

I'm not sure who I would vote for at this point, but I think we have to go a bit deeper than the ages of the candidates.

Anonymous said...

Gill will only be qualified for Mayor after he gets his first DUI!

Anonymous said...

Bring Bill Stortz back!

Anonymous said...

RYan Bingham is the Mayor of Torrington for two terms and he is much younger than JOhn Gill.

Mayor Bingham is doing a great job for Torrington. He is also keeping taxes down.

John will be a great Mayor, just give him a chance to express his views before you condem him.

Anonymous said...

It is not age, but experience, life experiences, municipal government experience, financial experience etc.etc.

Anonymous said...

Apparently teh republicans aren't aware of his views.

Anonymous said...

Bristol has some pretty cunning and strong-willed department heads, who have seen a lot of mayors come and go. Gill's youth and lack of government experience are not just perfectly valid factors in deciding if he is up to the task - they are the most important factors.

Anonymous said...

Stortz...your not coming back.

Buh-Bye

Anonymous said...

"Ya know..the people bashing JOHN GILL are obviously affraid of him"

More like afraid of all the damage he could do to our city if he somehow managed to become mayor.

save us said...

2:00 - yeah but bingham lived in torrington more than 3 years and probably attended a city meeting or two before deciding his future.

training said...

reving up that motor only to have the gears shoved into reverse.

Anonymous said...

Someone out there sure has a hate for Stortz.

Guess they didn't get that cushy city job?

Frankly, I think he was a good mayor, but why would he want to come back to such a contentious situation?

Anonymous said...

10:32

Maybe he isn't, but I sure wish he was!

Anonymous said...

And the condition that this town is now in was caused by the immense experience this mayor and council have. Excuses, excuses, excuses. We are loosing business, families and becoming demographically older. If this "experienced council and mayor" had the foresight to se that good times don't last forever, we wouldn't be in this position. Oh yah and great job Rosenthal has done promoting and marketing the city at his $96,000 a year salary.

Anonymous said...

Only Stortz wants himself to come back!!!!

He was the worst Mayor in Bristol's history, even worse than Frank Longo.

Anonymous said...

I would go with Gill over Ward, who kisses the union boys butts, and caters to his buddies. Look at Rosenthal - waste of taxp payer money and Ward votes to keep him.
In this recession the unions should not have gotten what they did, and some belt tighten at city hall should have been given. As long as Ward is in office it will be the same game. Time for new blood, new ideas, and a SOBER Mayor.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about the republicans, but I know that a lot of democrats would have supported bill

Anonymous said...

Gill Is an Attorney folks....I'm sure he can handle being Mayor of Bristol.

Wouldn't it be nice to have someone in the Mayor's Office tat knows something about the law?

Maybe we wouldn't have to pay so much money to outside Attornies.

Think about it!

Anonymous said...

Doesn't Obama like the word transparent also?

Anonymous said...

This "spoon feed the public" is consistent with Mr. Gill.
Apparently he hasn't been to any city meetings or activities, and would like to have everything brought to him.
Would he function that way as mayor, or would he get out into teh public and be available as most mayors have been, including Mr. Ward?

Communication is a two way street.

Anonymous said...

6:47

8:39

Didn't they get a warning from stortz about the likely impending financial situation?

Anonymous said...

AHH: Stortz - A legend in his own mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

"Gill Is an Attorney folks....I'm sure he can handle being Mayor of Bristol."

...but why stop there??? Why not governor? How about senator? Wait better yet...he can run for president! Ya, I can see it now... President Gill! Who needs experience when you're an ATTORNEY.

Get a grip.

Anonymous said...

What difference does it make?

Gill will be "guided" by Krawiecki.

Just as Ward is "guided" by Krawiecki.