December 8, 2010

Political power plays at City Hall? Maybe.

As you might expect, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes power politicking going on at City Hall while officials wait to find out if Mayor Art Ward will return.
City Councilor Kate Matthews, who was designated as the next acting mayor by Ward, said tonight that she is determined “to stay above the fray.”
“There is no need for the machinations that have gone on this week,” Matthews said.
Matthews, a first-term Democrat, said her thoughts and prayers are with Ward and his family. She said she hopes he makes “a speedy recovery” and returns to work.
While everyone waits, she said, there’s no reason to shift gears at City Hall.
“The city is going to run itself,” Matthews said, if its department heads and staff are simply allowed to do their jobs.
“There is no reason for any acting mayor to assume the mantle of the office” rather than simply doing what’s necessary to keep the city moving in the direction Ward sought, she said.
She said that Ward’s last official act as mayor before his collapse Saturday was to confirm the agenda and appointment list for the Dec. 14 council meeting.
That included who should be the acting mayor.
Matthews said that Ward’s agenda and appointments “should be carried out.”
“They are the clearest manifestations of the intentions of the mayor,” Matthews said.
But it isn’t at all clear that city Councilor Ken Cockayne, the acting mayor, agrees. And as the acting mayor, he has assumed all of the power that a mayor has under the charter – including the right to name the acting mayor.
There is, in short, nothing to prevent him from chucking Ward’s list and staying on as mayor until Ward returns.
There’s suddenly some high drama involved in what’s going on in the mayor’s office even though the mayor himself remains in the intensive care unit at Bristol Hospital, presumably unaware of all of it.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

55 comments:

Odin said...

Ken's not smart enough to orchestrate this, and even if he was, he couldn't begin to pull it off. This has Ed Krawiecki's fingerprints all over it.

Anonymous said...

"until Ward returns"

shouldn't that be:

"if and until Ward returns"

--stretch

Anonymous said...

The democrates are being petty and frankly disgusting to even turn this tragedy into a political games.

I hope Cockaynes sticks it to them just because of their insensitivity to the graveness of this crisis. They'd stick to him given the chance.

Anonymous said...

Hey Odin- who's really raising the questions at this time that the whole City is in prayer? It is the folks that wish to play politics and care nothing about the family. Don't know who you are anymore than you do me but I'll tell you this I am praying and wish you would too.

Anonymous said...

Cockayne is the one being petty and frankly disgusting. He isn't smart enough so it's definitely Krawiecki holding Mad Dog's lead.

Stretch,

Positive thoughts only here...Ward WILL return.

Anonymous said...

Instead of the name calling and political crap how about we just pray for Art? Can't we just agree on that?
Please try to remember that this is about a person with loved ones fighting for his life. How we as the public act is a reflection on our character and shows the world what kind of city Bristol is.

Anonymous said...

"The city is going to run itself"

-That says a lot. Apprently it's been running it self into the ground, perhaps not as hard as the rest of the state, but enough.

-This is also good because Kate Matthews is a naive ding-bat.

Anonymous said...

"This should not be political" said Cocayne. He has made it political by not agreeing or even questioning what's on the agenda that the mayor himself put together before his hospitalization. He clearly is not going to follow his own request of not making it political because, as usual, if a republican is acting mayor, then the republicans feel the agenda does not apply to them. However, if the shoe was on the other foot, I would bet my bottom dollar that Cocayne would be hollering to the rafters that he should be the next acting mayor becuase it was on the agenda. Let's not kid ourselves.

I agree with Matthews. The agenda has been set and the next acting mayor listed on the agenda should be Matthews.

I also agree with poster 11:08. This has our corporation counsel's fingerprints all over it. That's why democratic mayors should NOT appoint republican lawyers to head corporation counsel. It can't help but get political. It's a no brainer. I believe an independent person or body outside the city should be appointed to decide who should be acting mayor instead of our corporation council who clearly has his own agenda.

We are all praying for our mayor and his family, but that does not mean these important issues should not be addressed. We cannot and must not bury our heads in the sand. Logical heads must prevail and the only logic we will be able to find will be from outside sources.

Anonymous said...

I think this republirat is trying to make the Democrats look bad but as you can see he is the derelict that is playing politics. Keaweicki isn't he a republirat?

Anonymous said...

The one making it political is Ken. He's the one who is constantly running to the Press. Also, remember that Kate did not seek out the Press. The Press sought to get Kate's opinion. Ken has and always will be a grandstander. That, to me, is a sign of insecurity. I agree with Kate that the city basically can run itself unless there is some pressing matter that must be attended to. Ken needs to be replaced in December with Kate who is level headed and calm and is intelligent and articulate and doesn't feel the need to run to the Press to give the impression that she is on top of things.

Anonymous said...

Leave it to these republican jerks to take advantage of a tragedy! The blog rats are at it as usual!

Anonymous said...

There will always be politics at play at city hall. I think we can all wait a little longer giving the Mayor time to heal and hopefully recover.
Please join me in prayers for his recovery and family. It is a far better use of your mouths for now.

Anonymous said...

Who cares if there is a list of who is supposed to be Mayor! WHAH! This is no time to be playing Mayor! We have a Mayor and he is laid up at the moment..The Mayor "in charge" until the elected mayor is back is Ken...period! The City voters don't need to guess who is going to be Mayor every month. Ken just happened to be the next guy in line.

Anonymous said...

Scuttlebutt in City Hall is that Ken is already making noves as if he was elected(annointed).

Quite different from the public persona he trys to portray.

Scary!!!

Anonymous said...

It won't be Kate..

I can't wait for Ward to get better and find out how his fellow Dumbocrats have been acting this week.

The worst person in the world to be acting Mayor is the inexperienced Kate Matthews and the most Senior Councilman Kevin McCauley is on workman;'s comp at the firehouse so if he can't work at the firehouse house how can he work at city hall?

I think its time for a charter revision commission to sort this all out when Mayor Ward returns so this type of policitcal game doesn't happen again.

What I find interesting is that if dumb dumb Kate were the acting Mayor now and Ward's appointment list had Ken Cockayne as the acting Mayor for January would they (the dumbocrats) hand it over to Ken?

I think not - so stop lying to the City of Bristol when you say this is not political.

Anonymous said...

Good assessment by Matthews. Ken should honor the mayor's list and stick to the agenda. Anything else is a power play by him, not the Dems.

Anonymous said...

How is Cockayne being petty? He has stayed out of the media and has only given statements in support of Ward getting well and returning to work. You guys always accuse him of grandstanding and headline grabbing. Here he is handling a terrible situation with nothing but class and dignity and you are accusing him baselessly. What a crackpot you are!

Anonymous said...

Kens smart enough to do the job. Its the unions that are starting the shit when people see taxes go up again they will finished. The midgets following WARD around like PETOSA and THE OTHER LOSER NELSON will be finished.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Councilwoman Matthews,"The city is going to run itself" so for the time being why does everyone take a step backwards and agree to work together for the citizens of Bristol and show people what kind of community Bristol really is.

Anonymous said...

The city can't run itself, that is why we elect a mayor. If the condition of the mayor is not known by the next council meeting, then the plans should be made to put whatever legal contingency plan is on the books. As much as everyone wishes the mayor a full and speedy recovery, the needs of the city as well as legal considerations such as a special election still go on.

Anonymous said...

"The city is going to run itself"
-Kate Matthews

The fact that Ms. Matthews said this makes me question my support for her. It demonstrates a clear lack of leadership and understanding of the council and mayor's role. If it were true, we wouldn't need a mayor or council! Ms. Matthews is clearly not ready to lead.

Hoping for a full and speedy recovery, Mayor Ward.

Anonymous said...

Wow is all I can say about the behavior on this blog.

Instead of the name calling and political crap how about we just pray for Art? Can't we just agree on that?
Please try to remember that this is about a person with loved ones fighting for his life. How we as the public act is a reflection on our character and shows the world what kind of city Bristol is.

Anonymous said...

6:17 The democrats ? Looks to me like the republicans and their lawyer are the ones turning this tragedy into a fiasco. Seems like they can't earn anything and they want to lie and connive their way into running everything.

Anonymous said...

"Who cares if there is a list of who is supposed to be Mayor! WHAH!"

Who cares??? The citizens of the City of Bristol do! This plan was made for just this kind of emergency. Ken needs to go with the plan.

Anonymous said...

Ken stayed out of the media??? Just last month he was demanding Divenere's head on a plate and calling the Hartford Courant to make sure his name was on the front page. It was a headline grabbing, grandstanding, totally manipulative move.

"Here he is handling a terrible situation with nothing but class and dignity." CLASS? DIGNITY? A man who calls himself "mad dog?" Word is that he's already planning to toss the Mayor's plan to pass the Mayor's title on and annoint himself "King Ken."

No class. No dignity. NO KING KEN.

Anonymous said...

Art is a great guy wish him well but hes no leader. Hes controlled by the unions and the tax payers suffer every day. Watch this years budget and watch gop take control in November. Nice guys must go real leadership is needed from whatever party. The truth hurts I understand so lets hear what you have to say.

Anonymous said...

yes, Ken happened to be in place when the mayor became ill, but that doesn't mean he should stay there. The mayor already had a list in place to replace Ken on Tuesday and that plan should be stuck with. It is playing politics all the way if Ken balks at the idea of replacing him with Kate and if Ed supports Ken's position. If you can't see that, then you're blind and YES, we still have a mayor and I'm sure he will be back to his duties very soon.

Anonymous said...

Ken is all about Ken. If the shoe was on the other foot and Kate was the one who had been in place in November and he was scheduled to be next in line in December, he would make darn sure that he would be acting mayor in December. There would be no questioning of the legality of an agenda already planned out by our recovering mayor who I am sure will be back shortly.

After Ward is back, this issue needs to be thoroughly addressed so if, God forbid, this unfortunate circumstance happens again, there won't be any question as to what the procedures are because they will be written out for everyone to see and understand.

Anonymous said...

Art is great guy and he's a great leader too. Whether or not he's "controlled" by the union depends on which way his critics' wind is blowing. One day he's the union's worst enemy, the next, he's controlled by them. It's all political bullcrap...and that's the truth!

Wishing Art a speedy recovery. We need him back at the helm!

Anonymous said...

The unions are hiding the truth about wards health so they can keep power and hold off the lay offs.

A Friend said...

I'm sure the unions don't know anything more about Ward's health than the rest of us, and I'm also sure some information will be forthcoming when his family is ready to share it. Hopefully, it will be good news.

I'll ask in the most polite way that you please stop the speculation and conjecture.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

9:05 You must be smoking some real good rope.

Anonymous said...

Remember all this when
Cockayne wants to run for mayor.
Just think how power hungry he will be then.

Hmm? said...

So, if Kate takes the reins in December and the mayor doesn't come back soon and there is no Ward authored January agenda, then Kate is the acting mayor for the foreseeable future. Correct?

I would guess that the concept of acting mayor once activated due to an unfortunate situation such as this was not meant to be a game of musical chairs.

Odin said...

The councilmen (and woman) serve as acting mayor in an established rotation. Just go back six months to see who the next acting mayor will be after Kate.

Anonymous said...

ELLIOT NELSON is squirming around the hospital starting rumors. To keep voters from the truth.

Anonymous said...

Those who think that the only issue right now is the mayor's medical condition fail to realize that the legal and political issues caused by his current absence can be addressed without any disrespect to the mayor or his family. Yes, it's a tragic event but please understand that although he has family and many close friends who are worried and grieving, many of us are not emotionally attached to his plight in the same way although we wish him well. Therefore, we would like the city government to start the process of making the plans necessary to put a elected mayor back in charge. If the process is stopped because the mayor has improved or fully recovered, then don't implement the plan. I do think this is not the time for people who disagree with mayor's performance to comment on it. That is disrespectful.

Anonymous said...

6:03 PM

Let's not jump the gun here. It hasn't even been a week since the mayor's accident and it sounds like his condition is improving. There is a contingency plan in effect, so there's really no need to rush...unless you're a politician looking to become mayor that is...

Anonymous said...

6:03

The city government does not take steps, the people do. It is called recall.

Do YOU want to start the process?

Anonymous said...

No one is jumping the gun. I hope the mayor's condition is improving, but no one has said why it is improving. From what I understand, if there is a vacancy in the mayor's office, a special election must be held on Feb 8th. The longer this uncertainty plays out, the less time the voters will have to evaluate any candidates before that election, if indeed one is required. This is a significant consideration. I know all those who are close to the mayor want the rest of us to feel the same way and let all other concerns be suspended, but this is a democracy and it must be protected to the best of our ability even in a tragic event. The picture of Jackie Kennedy, her cloths splattered with her husband's brains and blood, standing next to LBJ as he was sworn in on Air Force One while her husband's body laid in the cargo section, should be an example for all of us that no person is bigger than the protection of democracy on any level. I am not running for anything, don't want the job, don't want a pay cut, but this is a city, not a family, and it needs to start acting like one soon.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with 6:23. those who want cockayne in power are using the mayor's condition as a guise to stop people from acting or even speaking against cockayne and what is going on. that is truly disgusting. We all wish the mayor well, but taking care of the city and its citizens must go on. it is obvious that the head of corp. counsel needs to be step down since he is no long an objective or effective advocate for the city. he and elliot are the keel on cocayne's boat.

Steve Collins said...

6:22 -- I'm not the one who decides, of course, but I don't think you can argue there is a vacancy in the mayor's office as long as the mayor is alive. He may not be capable of doing much at the moment, but he's still the mayor. I don't think there's a vacancy unless the mayor resigns or dies.
That may be a flaw in the system, since it doesn't really make sense that someone could be permanently incapable of serving while retaining the office, but there's nothing in the charter or ordinances of the city that seems to deal with this sort of issue.
Let's hope Mayor Ward bounces back quickly and makes the whole discussion academic.

Anonymous said...

6:22

A special election, at a date to be determined, is necessary IF there is a vacancy PRIOR to Feb 8.

The R's want Mad Dog to stay as acting mayor so that IF there is a vacancy aftre Feb 8, he would be the de facto mayor until the Novemebr election.

I think that the city lawyer has the obligation to explain what the possible paths are AND the media has the same obligation to make ALL this available to the public.

Games are being played, games will be played. Only if te public is fully informed can they make judgement as to just who is really acting in the best interest of Bristol, and not for themselves!!!

Anonymous said...

From your lips to God's ear Steve!

Anonymous said...

Steve, I think you can argue that there is a vacancy in the mayor's office if a mayor is not aware that he is the mayor. Is that the case?, we don't know because we don't know much about his current condition. I am not a conspiracy nut so I don't think that anyone is purposely being optimistic for political gain, it might just be they are hoping for the best because that helps them keep going. However, I think the city has to expect the worst and hope for the best when it comes to the legal and political ramifications of the mayor's medical condition. I don't think that that the law regarding the vacancy of the mayor's office can be interpreted that it only is in the case of death or resignation. That would be too narrow an interpretation of the law. If I was acting mayor, I would tell the corporation counsel to look into the law and make an interpretation. Hopefully, tough choices won't have to be made, but there a times when leaders have to make tough choices for the good of the city, not one man. It is indeed is a heavy burden. I really do hope this conversation because moot.

Anonymous said...

If Ward missed the meeting because he was on vacation, would cockayne and krawiki change the appointments?

Looks like they are setting the stage for some big moves.

And it ain't good for Bristol!

Anonymous said...

Cockayne first

Republican party second

Anti-union attitude third

Ward and city yof Bristol LAST

Way to go Ken!

Anonymous said...

I have been an active Republican all my life, and I hate to admit that now I am ashamed of some of the local Republican, the way they they are acting during this sad and difficult time.

Anonymous said...

Just another example of the anti-woman attitude in Bristol.

Mathews has a year on the council, has an advanced degree, and selecte dby Mayor Wardto be Acting Mayor.

Now the republicans say NO.

Shows where they stand.

Anonymous said...

There is no anti-women attitude in Bristol. Women are given equal consideration in Bristol politics. The problem is not that Matthews is a woman but whether the acting mayor change is required. If it would have been a man the same debate would be going on. Let's not be distracted from the real problem which is:. The mayor is unable to currently perform his duties and we are getting no information on his condition and the city leaders need to make plans for a special election. If it is not needed by the mayor's recovery then that's good but right now, it's time to for the men and woman on the council to lead. Anything else is a dereliction of duty. As always, let's hope this pr5cess is stopped by a call from the mayor that he is able to resume his duty.

Anonymous said...

Art just wants a weak link so he looks good. PEOPLE realize he is cluess in this job.

Anonymous said...

5:21

Boy, are you clueless!

Or naive.

Or totally out of the loop!

Bristol is an anti-feminist town!

Amazed at the STUPIDITY said...

5:34 PM: Art is in the hospital in critical condition. What he and his family want right now is a positive outcome.

The only clueless thing here is you and your incredibly asssine comments

5:34 PM... YOU ARE the weakest link.

Anonymous said...

Note to Bristol Democrat wanna-be hacks:

Stop with the "I'm a Republican and I..." B-S. We all know it's you.

Anonymous said...

4:26 p.m.:

Ditto to the dittohead republicans pretending to be dems. do you really believe the dems have cornered the market on pretending to be someone they are not? Naive as usual.