Wilson:
Cockayne Cant Hide From Facts.
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Chris
Wilson responded to his opponent’s claims regarding a recent mailing that
appeared in Bristol mailboxes by saying, “I 100% stand behind the facts in the
mailing. As a candidate for Mayor, I will not stand by while my opponent
continues to promise Bristol voters programs that he can’t possibly pay for.”
Here are the facts…
FACT: Mr. Cockayne has had ample
opportunity and time to replace Bristol’s code enforcement officer and fight
blight, gangs, drugs, crime and help increase property values and tax revenue
but Mr. Cockayne failed to do so.
FACT:
Mr. Cockayne refuses to give Bristol voters any insights into how he
would pay for additional rebates regardless of whether the state or the city of
Bristol administers the program. In Mr. Cockayne’s
release, he points to Danbury as a model for his plan. What
we know is that many Danbury residents have seen their property taxes increase
by 30% or more over the past several years. We also know that the cost of the
Danbury plan has been estimated at roughly $600,000.00 a year. It stands to
reason that the cost in Bristol, a city roughly 25% smaller than Danbury, would
be roughly $450,000.00. “We need to know from where that money is coming,
because the state of Connecticut will not be paying for it. That leaves Bristol
taxpayers.” Wilson stated. As highlighted in the mailing, Mr. Wilson supports
efforts and would work with our state delegation to support tax rebates for
seniors, the disabled and other qualified recipients. “We all want to help our seniors. But first
I’d want a full understanding of how these proposals would be funded and their
impact on local property taxes. The city of Bristol doesn’t need gimmicks. We
need a solid fiscal policy. I’ve been
advocating for the implementation of Performance-Based Budgeting to set standards,
find efficiencies and control spending. PBB makes a lot more sense and can have
a positive impact on all of Bristol’s taxpayers. Mr. Cockayne might be ok with
using Bristol taxpayers as guinea pigs for his political ambitions, but I’m
not. I’m also not going to sit quietly by and avoid unpleasant conversations
because my opponent doesn’t like discussing the facts.” Wilson added.
FACT:
Chris Wilson returned $4,800,000.00 in Board of Education funds to
Bristol taxpayers.
FACT:
Chris Wilson recovered $4,000,000.00 from school renovation projects.
FACT:
Chris Wilson helped complete 2 school renovation projects $18,000,000.00
under budget.
“It’s a shame that Mr. Cockayne wont
show people his math. The question remains, how will Mr. Cockayne pay for his
proposals? We all know the state can’t afford his promises. That means Bristol
tax-payers will need to foot-the-bill.” Wilson stated.
The above version was updated at 3:40 P.M. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. Below is the original version, published three hours earlier:
Wilson: Cockayne Can't Hide From Facts.
For Immediate Release
Democratic
Mayoral Candidate Chris Wilson responded to his opponent’s claims
regarding recent mailing that appeared
in Bristol mailboxes by saying, “I 100% stand behind the facts in the mailing.
As a candidate for Mayor, I will not stand by while my opponent continues to
promise Bristol voters programs that he can’t possibly pay for.”
Here
are the facts…
FACT:
Mr. Cockayne has had ample opportunity and time to replace Bristol’s code enforcement
officer and fight blight, gangs, drugs, crime and help increase property values
and tax revenue. During his tenure on
the council the blight issue has worsened.
FACT:
One of Mr. Cockayne’s recent proposals would force Bristol seniors to work 100
hours before they could get benefits that are already on the books in Bristol. Moreover, Mr. Cockayne refuses to give Bristol
voters any insights into how he would pay for this program. Additionally, Mr. Cockayne points to communities like Danbury
and Manchester as models for his senior forced labor plan. Mr. Cockayne disingenuously states “If these proposals can work there (Danbury &
Manchester CT), than why they can’t work here in the City of Bristol.” The truth, the plan Mr. Cockayne is referring
to hasn’t been fully implemented in Danbury so we have no idea what impact they
would have on local taxes, spending and debt.
As stated in the mailing, Mr.
FACT: Chris Wilson opposes any effort that makes it
harder for Bristol seniors to get the benefits they’ve worked for their whole
life.
FACT: Chris Wilson helped return$4,800,000.00 in Board of Education
funds to Bristol taxpayers.
FACT: Chris Wilson helped recover $4,000,000.00
from school renovation projects.
FACT: Chris Wilson helped complete 2 school
renovation projects $18,000,000.00 under budget.
“It’s
a shame that Mr. Cockayne won't show
people his math. The question remains,
how will Mr. Cockayne pay for his proposals?
We all know the state can’t afford his promises. That means Bristol tax-payers will need to
foot-the-bill.” Wilson stated.
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