The state's judicial branch is eyeing the closure of the Bristol courthouse a few months earlier than it estimated as recently as Thanksgiving.
A letter to lawmakers today, available here, cites a plan to shutter the city courthouse by the end of the year, assuming lawmakers agree.
State Sen. Tom Colapietro told me he's still firmly opposed to having the courthouse shut down, a position shared by the city's entire legislative delegation.
Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat, said today that closing the courthouse would hike the costs for police and slice into the restaurant business downtown. He said taxpayers wouldn't save any money by shifting cases to New Britain.
Colapietro also said he's tired of the state always looking to Bristol to lose services in order to reduce costs. He mentioned the closing of the social services and unemployment offices as evidence.
To close the Bristol courthouse, state lawmakers would have to repeal a statute that mandates it stay open at least 40 weeks per year.
House Speaker Chris Donovan, a Meriden Democrat, said recently that it's something the legislature will have to consider as it searches for ways to reduce the budget. He said, though, that he recognizes there is a lot of opposition locally.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
22 comments:
Restaurants??? The only restaurants that will be effected will be those tomain wagons that park in front of the court house and city hall. No loss to the fine restaurant on the corner of Laurel and North Main.
Loss to the police by increaseing their costs? What to drive the low life to another court in New Briation. Easy...tack on the cost to the creeps fine or bail costs.
The Bristol PD will gain much needed space.
Close the court down now...get rid of the unsavory characters that hang around, especially if houseing becomes a component of the Depot Square.
There must be some union angle Tommy boi is working here.
Tom: the courthouse on North Main Street is Bristol's "bridge to nowhere" and a drain on the taxpayers. It SHOULD be closed. So rather than fight for pork, you should work quietly behind the scenes to cut a deal with the Governor and get something in exchange...like reopening the Social Security office.
Odin...great suggestion...just one thing wrong...it flies in the face of the union hacks tommy boi works for.
There will be extra costs to the city. This weekend there were 11prisoners held for court on Monday. How are we going to transport all of these prisoners to court? The city will have to purchase a large prisoner transport van (patty wagon), then officers will have to be assigned to drive the van to New Britain. This will not only have to be a weekend thing but an everyday thing as people are arrested and held fore court almost everyday.
One officer that is currently assigned to the court will have to drive back and forth to New Britain everyday, sometime twice a day if necessary. This will require a car, gas, maintainence, etc...
This move, although it will provide more room for the Police Dept. it will cost the city much more money in the long run. So, think about this carefully before you just say, lets get rid of the court.
Are these guys doing a movie? Dumb and dumber? Thats what they sound like!
Toms not sure what his job is dont exspect much. We need to get the crap out ofBristol. Let the new project start with out that shit hanging around. Do you want to go shopping and see the roach coach in front of your favorite store or restaurant. How about your friend who lives in the upscale condo. Give us a break Tom then you want union workers on the job for a project that would fail.But then again you really dont do anything good for the tax payers. YOU ARE FOR YOU. Make room for ellen or jerry or even EGO man Stortz.
7:56
Don't worry, Welsh will have it all under control.
Big deal! About the only economic impact this will have will be on the hot dog stand and "Centre (sic) Pizza".
Odin: I'm impressed by your comments...there's hope for you yet.
All: Don't be too hard on dummie-boy. He can't help it.
Ahhhh we all know that unless they suggest it it's no good . So nothing gets done with these useless clowns . Anti everything as usual. Move to Haiti!
Be polite, please. Be aware, too, that your words will mean more if you identify yourself. If you see a comment that should be killed, please tell me about it, including where I can find it in order to remove it. Do yourself a favor and remember that somebody can sue you, subpoena records from Google and find out who you are. So don't say something you wouldn't want to defend in court. HaHaHa
7:56 Please go you won't be missed.
Hey Steve how come you don't print the restaurants around here? Even these rats eat. Maybe they'll find out where they are.
Is your sweetheart Hamzy supporting the closing of the court house? LMAO
And you 7:56 are right y. You are crap so go.
How will Bristol make up for the lost revenue from the Courthouse closure???
Raise our taxes?
Those 11 guys in lockup ate McDonalds for Supper and Breakfast paid by the City of Bristol.I have a niece that works there and she told me.
Be polite, please. Be aware, too, that your words will mean more if you identify yourself. If you see a comment that should be killed, please tell me about it, including where I can find it in order to remove it. Do yourself a favor and remember that somebody can sue you, subpoena records from Google and find out who you are. So don't say something you wouldn't want to defend in court.
You can't be serious with these anti everything cockroaches! HaHaHaHa
Close the dam court house. Let the new guy build without all that crap hanging around. Let our leaders turn bristol around.
January 14, 2010 2:20 PM:
Go play in the traffic on I-84 on your way to Hartford next week.
5:13
Congratulations
You are probably one of the five that knows who he is.
Here come the big mouth useless cockroaches,. It's so old all you can't get elected jerks.Blah Blah Blah! Yeah you Geek !Whats the matter "geek" Can't take your ownn sick medicine?
5:13
So much for name recognition!
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