| The old Bristol Press building |
April 30, 2013
Old Press building sold... sort of
April 29, 2013
Czenczelewski to seek second term
It is with excitement and optimism that I, on this 29th day of April 2013, announce my intention to seek a second term on the City Council, representing the 3rd District of the great city of Bristol. Helping me make this decision, and with this challenge, are a number of people I would like to thank up front: My fiancée Sarah, with whom I built a house here in Bristol and look to spend the rest of my life. My parents, Bruno and Maureen, who have encouraged me to pursue each and every aspiration I’ve ever had. My sister Breanna, and the rest of my family, who have supported me and can still say I make them proud. I’d also like to thank the Republican Town Committee for giving me the opportunity, and my fellow councilors, who have truly been my four other “amigos.” And finally, the two very intelligent, well-respected, and hard-working individuals who will help lead my campaign: Mary Alford and Peter DelMastro.
Before taking office in November 2011, I pledged that if elected I would represent the citizens of Bristol to the best of my abilities and uphold the values and guidelines of our City Charter. The wishes of the citizens were very clear in 2011: cut spending, make our government more efficient, stop with the massive and often unpredictable tax increases, and do something to attract more business.
18 months later, I can confidently say this Council has worked towards accomplishing these wishes. But make no mistake, we still have a ways to go.
I voted against raising taxes, wasteful spending, and sub-par contracts. But I wasn’t just a no-vote. I proposed numerous cuts, pushed for restructuring and more efficiency, questioned our current fee structures and supported measures to better market our City’s countless assets and opportunities. In addition, I scheduled a series of monthly informational town hall meetings to better keep the public informed of what is going on in our City.
Within my committee assignments, I’ve been a voice for the disabled citizens of Bristol, ensuring their needs are met. I’ve worked with board members, City staff, and State officials to finish the Pine Lake handicapped-accessible fishing pier and parking lot project. This project will be completed by early summer, 2013.
I’ve also outlined a vision for the future of Bristol through the implementation of recommendations from the myriad past completed studies. Those recommendations include the implementation of a multi-family homebuyers program to increase private ownership in our multifamily homes, increased West End foot patrols, and better connectivity between our gateways and downtown. Understanding that the City taxpayers are spent, I’ve worked with our State legislators to identify other potential funding sources for community improvements such as streetscaping and multimodal safety improvements, environmental cleanup and redevelopment, economic development, and the creation of new recreational space.
All in all, I’ve learned a lot in my first term, primarily from asking a lot of questions that hadn’t been posed in the past. Because of this, I’ve also rattled a few cages. But those reactions only further reinforce the voter’s feelings that this City has gotten by on the status quo for far too long. Although the many political roadblocks that exist to protect the status quo can be incredibly frustrating, they have made me that much more driven to ensure the will of the people is enacted. With the experience I’ve garnered in my first term, I’m confident we will be able to further break these barriers down and rid the City of its pessimistic attitude in my second term.
In short, my fellow councilors and I have gotten our feet wet, and have set the stage for brighter days ahead. If given the opportunity to serve a second term, I will continue fighting for the taxpayers and representing the citizens of Bristol. I will continue to be accessible to anyone, anytime. But most importantly, I will continue providing a unique, independent perspective from a young professional demographic that is essential to the City’s revitalization. Together, we can, and will make Bristol a better place to live, learn, work, and play.
Municipal candidates for 2013 election
April 26, 2013
Shopping carts at City Hall
What makes them especially interesting, though, is that they are from Walmart.April 25, 2013
Newcomer eyes council seat in 1st District
April 24, 2013
Cockayne takes a blow to the nose
April 23, 2013
Anti-gun legislators 'a bunch of cowards'
One of Bristol's representatives on the state Democratic Committee, Joella Bouchard Mudry, this week called lawmakers who voted against the gun bill "a bunch of cowards" and declared she would not work for their reelection.April 22, 2013
Fuller lays out case for Memorial Boulevard School sale
April 10, 2013
Cockayne calls on Malloy to save gun makers
Press release from GOP mayoral hopeful Ken Cockayne:
City Councilman and Republican Mayoral candidate Ken
Cockayne today sent a letter to Governor Dannel Malloy urging him and the
office of Economic and Community Development to reach out to the Gun
manufactures in Connecticut and urge them to stay in Connecticut.
Cockayne’s letter comes after PTR Industries of Bristol wasthe first Gun Manufacture in Connecticut to announce it is leaving the state.
“At a time when municipalities as well as the state could use all the revenue
it can get, we should be doing everything in our power to not let these jobs
walk away from our state. Our
unemployment rate in Bristol is hovering at 9.3% and every business is sacred
to our local economy,” Cockayne wrote to the Governor.
“I am hopeful that the Governor and DECD have a plan to keep
gun manufactures in Connecticut and I am hopeful that they will be sharing that
plan with local officials,” Cockayne continued, “Our economy in Bristol and Connecticut
is sputtering and I hope no one in the Governor’s office or administration is
jumping for joy that these businesses and jobs are leaving the state.”
“if elected Mayor, I will be placing an emphasis on bringing
new jobs to Bristol and working closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the
marketing committee to make Bristol more attractive for businesses to locate
here,” Cockayne ended.
Effort to block Boulevard School sale
April 8, 2013
Two potential City Council candidates emerge
April 5, 2013
Martin to seek 2d term on City Council
 |
| City Councilor Henri Martin |
Henri is appreciative and thankful for the overwhelming
backing and support he has received during his first term from family, friends,
Republican town committee members, members of his church, community leaders,
and the citizens of Bristol.
In his first term, Henri said “because of the economic
situation, new leadership and fresh ideas concerning how city government
operated was needed on the Council”. Henri has encouraged creative
collaboration within city government to promote long term fiscal sustainability
and organizational transparency.
He believes with the experience he has gained, a second term
would provide him greater opportunity to effectuate his ideas. “The goal”,
Martin says, “is to make Bristol work better.
It’s imperative to address the challenging economic times we are in by
improving the delivery and quality of public services in cost-effective ways
that our citizens can afford.”
He will continue listening to citizen’s concerns, to be
their voice, and promote what he believes is the right course of action for
Bristol.
April 4, 2013
Cockayne takes aim at Wilson on school spending
April 3, 2013
Welch votes no on gun control compromise
Press release:
Harford, CT – State Senator Jason Welch (R-Bristol) released the following statement today re: SB 1106:An Act Concerning Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety.
“All of us were moved by this horror in Newtown, and this horror demands action with mental health access, action with hardening our schools, action in ending straw purchases and action in getting guns out of the hands of criminals, with the goal of preventing a madman from committing such a horror again.
 |
| State Sen. Jason Welch |
“But this bill falls short of that goal. It also comes with a loss of liberty. This country is about freedom. Whether you believe liberty to be granted through the divine or that it came to be following our natural law, with liberty comes great responsibility. Not all have lived up to that responsibility.
“But the irresponsibility of some ought not cause the loss of liberty of others.
“Evil is the common theme in these horrific mass shootings. I don’t see this bill getting to the heart of evil. I don’t see this bill convincing mass murderers to change their hearts and minds.
“I do applaud those who came up with some really good ideas. Things we ought to follow through on including: mental health first aid for district safe school climate coordinators and reconstituting the statewide gun trafficking task force to get illegal guns off the streets. But when I weigh what this country stands for I can’t support the loss of freedom in this bill, therefore I cannot support it at all.”
Larson aide wins public service award
I know Eva Bunnell. She's absolutely wonderful. So it's nice to see that she's getting some serious recognition for her sterling work with U.S. Rep. John Larson, where she played a critical role in the creation of the nation's first Youth Cabinet, something my son now serves on. Anyway, here's the press release:
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
EVA BUNNELL, FOUNDER OF FIRST IN NATION CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH CABINET, WINS MOAKLEY AWARD FOR CONSTITUENT SERVICE
(Washington) - Today Congressman John B. Larson announced that Eva Bunnell of his Hartford district office has won this year’s Congressman John Joseph Moakley Award for Exemplary Public Service. The award, presented once a year during Public Service Recognition Week, recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and achievements of one staff member of the New England Congressional delegation. Nominees are reviewed by a panel of New England Federal Executives and the Moakley family and are required to have shown strong innovative methods of thinking and effective work on behalf of their constituents, the people of New England and the nation. Eva is the first staff member of Connecticut’s House delegation to win the award.
“Today I am proud to celebrate the work of Eva Bunnell, this year’s winner of the prestigious Congressman John Joseph Moakley Award for Exemplary Public Service,” said Congressman Larson. “For years her efforts and determination to help Connecticut’s children, families and most vulnerable populations have been an inspiration to all those fortunate enough to work with her. Eva has also worked to ensure better outcomes from federal spending and advocated for increased youth engagement in government, successfully coordinating efforts between state and federal agencies and establishing the first in the nation Congressional Youth Cabinet.”
“Congressman Joe Moakley was a powerful and effective figure in Congress, serving with some of our nation’s most storied leaders on issues of human rights, environment and housing. Above all, Congressman Moakley was known for never forgetting where he came from,” Larson continued. “The announcement of this award is a great honor for our office, and exemplifies everything Eva does for the people of Connecticut.”
Eva Bunnell began working for Congressman Larson in 2008, recently rising to her current role as Senior Policy Advisor in Hartford. Eva has worked on numerous projects in the first congressional district including legislation to help military families who have children with autism, efforts to increase positive outcomes from federal funding for children and families and the creation of the First Congressional Youth Cabinet. Eva currently resides in East Haddam.
Wright favors gun measure, Betts stands opposed
At least one
of Bristol’s four lawmakers plans to vote for the bipartisan gun control
measure before the General Assembly today.
 |
| Rep. Chris Wright |
State Rep.
Chris Wright, a Bristol Democrat, said he favors the proposal because he’s
convinced it will bring down the number of gun deaths in Connecticut without
intruding on the rights of law-abiding citizens.
Another
Bristol lawmaker, Republican Whit Betts, said he plans to vote against the
bill. He said it would further reduce gun owne
rs’ rights. He said it doesn’t address the root cause of the Sandy Hook Elementary School killings that left 20 students and six educators dead in Newtown on Dec. 14.
rs’ rights. He said it doesn’t address the root cause of the Sandy Hook Elementary School killings that left 20 students and six educators dead in Newtown on Dec. 14.
The other
two legislators from Bristol, Democratic state Rep. Frank Nicastro and
Republican state Sen. Jason Welch, haven’t yet said how they’ll vote. But both
generally favor the positions of gun advocates.
 |
| State Rep. Whit Betts |
He said he
watched one day as a 20-year-old was pronounced dead. Another time, he said, he
stood by as doctors told the mother of a 15-year-old that her son had died
after being gunned down at the end of his driveway.
“It’s such a
waste of life,” Wright said. “I’m tired of it and the people in my district
that I hear from are tired of it.”
Betts said, “My
heart goes out to those who’ve lost loved ones as a result of the senseless
tragedy at Sandy Hook. However, I don’t
think this proposed legislation could ever prevent another Sandy Hook tragedy."
“Unfortunately,
criminals and those wishing to do harm to others will find a way, regardless of
what legislation is adopted,” he said. “I believe we should be putting a
primary focus on addressing mental health, which is what I believe to be the
root cause of the terribly shooting tragedies.”
Wright said
he understands the measure agreed on by legislative leaders won’t bring an end
to the gun violence. But, he said, “it will bring the numbers down. And I think
that that is important.”
Betts said
his constituents oppose the measure because they believe it curtails their
constitutional right to bear arms.
Wright said
he doesn’t believe there is a Second Amendment issue involved.
He said the
provision in the Bill of Rights was designed to ensure the government had “an
armed, trained militia” ready in case it had to put down rebellions, not to
provide the people a right to arm themselves against the government itself, as
so many believe nowadays.
He said many
people have “a fundamental misunderstanding” of the nature of the Second
Amendment.
Wright said
the new provisions included in the measure “are not the most intrusive things
in the world.”
Requiring a
permit to purchase to buy ammunition is “a logical next step” that “makes it
just a little bit harder for the criminal” to get hold of bullets. Those who
have a permit already won’t have any trouble, he said.
“We’re not
confiscating anything,” Wright said.
The only
restriction is that gun owners won’t be able to buy more high capacity
magazines in the future.
Wright also
hailed the bill’s call for the creation of a dangerous offender registry in
Connecticut to make it easier for police to know who isn’t supposed to possess
a gun.
The guns of April - Updated
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