For reasons I can't quite explain, Republicans in town are aflutter over a rumor that four busloads of United Auto Workers would be coming in from New Jersey Tuesday to help state Sen. Tom Colapietro at the polls.
Why the union would haul workers from the other side of New York City to Bristol is unexplained.
It turns out, though, that the talk is wrong.
Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat, said there is no truth to it.
"I honestly don't know where they came up with that union thing," Colapietro said this afternoon.
He said he even called the union to make sure it didn't have something planned that he didn't know about. It didn't.
So if there are union workers at the polls Tuesday, they'll likely be from Bristol or nearby, not from Jersey.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
65 comments:
chris Healey said it on WTIC this morning; I heard it myself.
Tom always hires outside help to support him on election day. 4 years ago a guy next to me was from Pittsburg PA and was holding a Colapietro sign. At the Debate Tuesday Night the people holding all those signs were from where Tom?
I can assure you the GOP will make a ton of noise if one Union worker is from out of state that is standing out at the polls - because most of the time the people that are working from out of state can careless about telling people they are from out of state because they like to gloat about all the money they are making to stand out there. So we will see... I hear there is going to be a ton of GOP people at the polls.
Tommy is full of it! It's a fact and he was called on it! This from the guy who's from Bristol and knows everyone....but no one wants to work for him!! Dont worry, Potosa will bring his thugs in!
What planet are you on Collins? The unions have been "hauling" "thugs" longer distances than this for the last century. You're really in na-na land. Whta I think is that byou're just a such a pro-union Democrat you can't accept the reality of how dispicable the union political machine is.
Great reporting Steve!
Collins: "So Mr. Colapietro, there is talk that you are bringing in union support from New Jersey to work the polls. Is this true?"
Colapietro: "No."
Collins: "Thanks".
Now that's a story!
Somebody is smoking some heavy duty rope.
Tom has no tugs only PETOSA NO 1 JERK.
You bet there's going to be a ton of GOP people at the polls, and we'll be voting for Jason Welch!
I have volunteered at the polls for the last few years and can confirm that for the two elections against Beverly Bobroske that the Beverly supporters were all local and when we talked to the Tom supporters they were more than comfortable informing us they were not. The people holding signs for Tom were not local and said they were from out of state.
One guy even asked Beverly Bobroske to vote for Tom as she walked by.
Everyone knows Tom brings these guys in, he's so proud of it. I hope there will be a lot of GOP people at the polls, and that they all have cameras. No one should be intimidated while walking into the voting place.
6:53 -- Actually, I said "Tom" not "Mr. Colapietro."
But otherwise, yeah, that's not far off.
I figured I'd give the story 3 minutes and that's what I gave it.
For those who think Tom's been less than truthful, prove it. I'd be happy to showcase the evidence.
Steve,
We will be happy to show you the camcordings we take on Tuesday showing all the thugs and voter intimidation or maybe you can just watch one of the news channels. Since they have already been notified and will have crews ready to go from a phone call!
I understand a non city employee was at the park dept today handing out Tommy paperwork today. Wonder if they'd let Jason paperwork handed out? Oh no....of course not...he's not a union lapdog!
Steve you will be happy to know that standing at the polls for Mrs. Bobroske in 2006, my Colapietro counterpart was a union hire from Michigan.
Chris Healy is a liar . He always lies because these republicans always make up stories when they can't win. Awwwww Just more desperate attempts from the lying republicans to try to discredit Tom Colapietro. They ought to look in the mirror to seee what sorry excuses of human beings they are. T,J. Barnes $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ is im charge. Go Tom "He's one of us" And are the two phony republicans willing to take the children off the benifet plans to? I wonder?
5:17 From which state are the GOP workers from? A lot are not from CT.We'll wait and see.
Isn't there a bald headed GOP union thug that hangs out with the big boys? Any body know his name so we can make fun of his shiny head? These guys should grow up.
9:27 just more of your lies ART. Can't tell the truth ?
11:05 That's a great. Thank you so much and where are you from? so we can see all the Welch non residents. What's in it for them ? Georgia , California, NEW JERSEY etc.
11:07 And lets see how many lap dogs for the Barnses are trying to ruin Tom's reputation? LOL you guys are desperate. And evil liars too.
10:15 And who is everyone ? Liars like you ? Not true nasty GOP liar,
Steve with all due respect, you are the reporter. For years now you have not been a guy who investigated anything. You can blame it on the parent comany or anyone else you'd like, but the reality is you have lost your edge. The job of a "reporter" is to seek out stories, do research or background and follow through on those leads. You just don't do it and that is our loss. This is the problem with all news outlets these days- take the easy way out, write a few lines, say you did the job and then walk away! Same goes for a lot of the old school politicians! It really is time for a change!
I can not believe the postings from the Welch camp. You claim to be for all these rights but are unwilling to allow them to someone because they are "UNION" workers. They have every right to be there just like when Welch went to Massachussets to help the tea party in the Senatorial election. Welch has spent so much money on his campaign, he even has TV commercials. Who is funding all of this?
7:52 I ain't worried about the "Ton" Of Welch people voting for Welch because only a few will be from this district and can't vote here at all. Who are you trying to kid?
9:27 Now that was a mudslinging campaign from T.J. Barne$$$ and company and you can bet as dirty as she got many of those relatives of her and Barnes are ashamed to have supported her. The more dirt and lies you weirdo's spread the deeper you dig your hole. I guess you'll never learn. Oh well !
10:15 More GOP lies? Are you talking about the dirtiest campaign ever run by you GOP losers?
I don't think Steve is as bad as the rest of the media is nationally, but they tend to go after anything republican and ignore the democrat issues. The media is an important leg to the democratic party. They should investigate thoroughly on both sides if it's newsworthy or not at all. Our media is such a joke here in the USA.
Steve,
So let me understand this. Reporters only investigate things they already know to be true? No wonder the Press is so hard hitting. If you can't see a pattern of at the very least a lack of integrity, you are crazy. A video, unsanctioned that attacks Welch and Colapietro has nothing to do with it?!? Mailers with the Bristol Police on it?!? Since when is that legal? I wonder if that puts the city at risk with the Hatch Act. The photo was taken during the day with the officer in uniform. Photos taken at the Boys and Girls Club for a mailer with a child on the mailer. Did they have permission from the child's parent? Is the Boys and Girls Club endorsing Colapietro?!? If so, my family and all of our donations are through with them.
A UAW worker leaks that he is getting people brought in from out of state, which he does every election, but Tom simply denies it and it is accepted.
Thanks for nothing Steve.
Steve - why don't you actually go to the polls and start talking to people that are standing outside holding signs and ask them where they work...
No union thugs? Why would they send any from NJ? We already have plenty in CT already.
The entire Democrat coalition from NJ, NY, CT and RI are union lackeys.
7:16 -- I'd rather devote my time to investigating the Mosback case, not whether some union guys are going to be at the polls.
But it doesn't matter anyway because this week I'll be lucky to get the routine political stories we need done at all. There's no time for investigating much of anything.
And 8:24 -- My role isn't to investigate the chatter among partisans from either side. Believe me, anyone reading here can see there are things that someone could look into with regard to Welch as well as Colapietro.
And none of you -- who are posting anyway -- have a clue what I wish there was time to look into.
Collins: "So Mr. Nixon, did you have any part in Watergate?"
Nixon: "No."
Collins: "Thanks."
No, I would have said "Mr. President."
I met the union people at the debate who were there to support Colapietro. They were all local.
This "union paranoia" is a ploy by the Welch campaign.
Take a look at the two candidates in this race.
Welch is new to Bristol. If you look at his campaign contributions (get them at the Bristol Town Clerk's office) his contributors are mostly from out of State. He is a stranger to our community, and much of his campaign has been financed by strangers to our community. That makes me uneasy.
Colapietro is a Bristol guy, and I am proud to say that I (another Bristol resident) contributed to his campaign and will support him on Tuesday. Tom has significant support here in town. Go Tom!!!
Is recruiting some one from outside the district to campaign any different than recruiting someone to run that just came in from out side the district much different?
I have no doubt that the AFL-CIO bussed in people from out-of-state. Ignoring the fact that this is a common practice of unions is ignoring reality.
I would much rather listen to a Union member who is usually a worker than listen to someone who whines that they will suffer if they tax people making $250,000 plus. Try living on $30000 and see what suffering really is.
Please learn to stand behind what you post and put your name.
Art M. is Chris Healys THUG in Bristol.
This morning there were two men at the corner of Pine and Dailey and FOUR more at the central and highway (new intersection).
Six guys just in this little area?
They have to come from somewhere...I certainly didn't recognize any of them!
All holding Colapietro signs no less!
Hey Mr..Nasty since when is it illegal ? And are you crying and are you losing? And it's a good theing that the Democrats aren't as nit picky as you cry baby republicans are . Losers again. Why don't you run on what you haven't done rather advertiseng what Colapietro has done? Maybe because you haven't done anything? Same old mudslinging campaigns from you GOP.Try to discredit your opponents rather than tell why we should elect you. Hmmm sounds just like the Bonroske dirty campaign tactics,
6:51 I know the GOP "union hack's name. Want me to say it and be like them?
Last week I saw 4 people at Maple, Burlington Ave, and James P. Casey.
If Welch had 4 there, how many others has he hired?
I saw a bunch of Welch's sign holders in quite a few places. I didn't recognize any of them. I been here a long time and thought I would at least recognize any of them . Where did they come from?
What's the big deal?
I am an independant voting mostly Republican this race. But I have to say YOU ANTI-COLAPIETRO PEOPLE ARE NUTS!!!! I can already here it if your man loses. You will blame it on the out of state union thugs that Colapietro supposedly hired!! Jeez give it a break!!!
7:52 I recall that and the person that asked Beverly to vote for Tom was a LOCAL! It was a joke obviously and what does Bobroske have to do with any of this.
October 29, 2010 2:37 PM:
That's easy there's only one...in the whole world!
The guy you're talking about is just too damn dumb to know he's working for the party that's against the union agenda in which he's in favor of.
Maybe it's your job to explain it to him?
Steve:
With this latest "story" of yours, you prove that YOU are a political hack.
You dislike many local Republicans (albeit some Democrats too), you dislike Chris Healy and you dislike many local Republicans (one of which clearly is me).
FY!
6:08 Your probably the same person But maybe she did . The vote is private.
6:03 you are sooooo right. More people should see this blog.
I found out that the UAW "thug" that shines his head is Henry Raymond. The guy that likes to hang with big GOP boys.
1:20 - then Healy is in real trouble.
Saw Toms add in the BRISTOL PRESS looked like a add for hair pieces. Two people with wigs on. Tom must not have a mirror to see how ridiculous he looks.
6:11 I guess you could say the same about you , only the other way around. Lying namecalling GOP baby!
That was meant for the intelligent GOP 6:31 Sorry .
2:08 Where is Raymonds picture so we can say he's an advertisement for light bulbs. This is the mentality and issues T.J. wants to run his clean issue orientated campaign on? Babies. LMAO
October 30, 2010 7:21 PM aka Colapietro hack:
Who's "6:11"? Can you read?
October 30, 2010 7:21 PM aka Colapietro hack:
You're so dumb you can't even tell you're a hypocrite. Go away! Or go play Go-fish with Jean Latourneau at the union hall.
October 29, 2010 9:59 PM:
The GOP leaders like him. They like a lackey and getting their butts kissed.
Yeah I can read all your made up GOP lies. And they are getting boring!
What state do Welches come from? And do they drive their own cars ? And where are they all sleepimg? Now that the GOP lie is disspelled answer these questions. And are they goons ?
More GOP crying lies. {Yawn} Grow up !
Aren't we going to see more GOP lies? Bet we do.
6:31 What exactly is wrong with the unions? Is it that we band together to protect our jobs, fight for a living wage, health care for our families and yours. Is it because we were the only ones who fought to keep jobs at home while the corporations sent all our jobs away to countries where the slaves work fo pennies a day. Is it because we get together and stand up for the working man. You need to look at the history of labor to see what unions have made possible for the rest of the country. At least I am proud of my union affiliation and can put my name for all know who I am not afraid to hide my identity.
Jean:
You need to wake up from your day dream. It's not the history we're talking about. It's the fact that public labor unions are bankrupting us all. They protect bad employees and over-compensate virtually everyone.
The private sector unions do the same except the companies they backrupt either leave the state or go out of business. Private companies cannot simply raise taxes like government.
But the times when government could simply raise taxes to pay for public labor is over. Our state and federal government is so in debt we are in a fiscal crisis.
Again, what planet are you on?
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