February 4, 2010

Chamber disappointed in Press busway editorial

Statement from Mike Nicastro, head of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce:
As the executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce I have to state how disappointed the Chamber was this morning to see the Bristol Press editorial staff endorsing a Busway project that is out of control with costs and will provide no tangible benefit to Bristol or any of the communities that make up the Central Connecticut Chambers.  Since saving the Press and Herald from the “mouth” of bankruptcy the paper’s management has repeatedly told the Chamber that they were going to “completely change the newspaper” and that coverage of Bristol and the Bristol region would be better than ever.  Evidence of this change has been minimal at best.  The Busway issue provided maybe the greatest opportunity for a breakout from the status quo and leap into a new day.  The Press editorial board missed the opportunity.  They could have worked hand in hand with the two largest communities of Bristol and New Britain to push our federal leaders to adapt to the changing environment and work with us to evolve the limited and costly Busway project into transit solution that could service hundreds of thousands of residents providing a bidirectional rail solution to New York and Hartford with the potential in future to service Bradley International and Boston.  Instead they chose to protect that status quo.  Instead of demanding to know why this project is in reality a 60/40 (new federal money/state) split and not the 80/20 that we have been told all along that it was they stayed silent.  Instead of leading, they chose to follow.   If we are going to change the future of our region we need to be happily accused of being “dreamers” and we need to fight to reverse ridiculous bureaucracy that works to force through bad ideas simply because they’re “too far along.”   We have to work by the adage that “good enough is not good enough.”  This was the opportunity to make that statement and they just plain missed it.  
Michael D. Nicastro
President & Chief Executive Officer
Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce/
Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

this Nicastro wants to run the press he should buy it . Big mouth like his brother all talk no action

Concerned Constructive Conservative said...

Thank you Mike Nicastro. You're an asset to Bristol and the Chamber.

Tim Stewart: I hope your political career ends in New Britain. I'll never vote for you.

Anonymous said...

Whatch out, Nicastro may run for Governor!

Anonymous said...

Mike:

Bill Sarno and the Press Publisher and other Editors are fools.

The bus-way project should be stopped.

Anonymous said...

I guess you now know they consider this to be a New Bitain paper. Just change the name to the hearld and kill Bristol.

AnonymousWestconnStudent said...

so the press endorses the Busway and Mike Nicastro holds the paper's existence over its head?!

Screw him!

Anonymous said...

Another Nicastro trying to act smart.

Anonymous said...

It's about time a Chamber leader put it right out there! Thank you Mike.

Anonymous said...

The Bristol Press is giving too much press to this Nicastro. He does not represent Bristol. He is not an elected official and he is wrong in attacking the Bristol Press because they have a different opinion on the busway. He has his right to an opinion but no right to bully others you don't agree with him.

Anonymous said...

Mikes head is getting way to big. He and his brother are two of a kind. The mother put both of them on the short bus.

Anonymous said...

Mike Nicastro is right on with this issue. The total cost will be 500+ million dollars for 9 miles to Hartford. You have to be kidding me.

There are not nearly enough people in New Britain that work or want to go to Hartford on a bus.

This is truly an abomination and for this reason, and others like it, when I retire, it will not be in Connecticut.

One of the most progressive businesses in Bristol, Connectiut, the United States and the World states that a rail system is the way to go form NYC to Hartford and beyond. If you wish to argue with the successes of ESPN and what they believe, bring it on.

Finally, don't judge Mike Nicastro with the traits of his brother. There is no comparison.

Anonymous said...

The press should be reporting the news not giving an opinion one way or the other. Nicastro is proving to not think before he speaks. He has no biz telling the press they should be reporting with an opinion on anything.
That said, the bus line is of little value and hugely expensive. Most businesses have workers working from home now and will have more in the future.