tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post7169948061715325796..comments2023-06-30T07:39:20.662-04:00Comments on BRISTOLTODAY.COM: Ward: 'They shoot mad dogs'Steve Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06316108296993240817noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-80445912345097832222008-11-06T15:41:00.000-05:002008-11-06T15:41:00.000-05:00It's funny Steve how these guys think that anyone ...It's funny Steve how these guys think that anyone who gives facts or tells the truth(unlike them) is biased. What jokes they are and they think people outside of their little teeny weeny circle can't see thru them. :o)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-71802056668199322342008-11-03T16:21:00.000-05:002008-11-03T16:21:00.000-05:00cockayne doesn't have much to be proud of - provin...cockayne doesn't have much to be proud of - proving to be a bigger loser than I thought that he was - and THAT WAS BIG.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-10353300256938538642008-11-03T12:12:00.000-05:002008-11-03T12:12:00.000-05:00Just to clarify, I called Cockayne "Mad Dog" in a ...Just to clarify, I called Cockayne "Mad Dog" in a post months ago because of the way he was always stirring things up.<BR/>He renewed the name recently when he told me, "Mad Dog is back."<BR/>I don't know if he's proud of it per se, however. He told me he wished I had left that line out of the story.Steve Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316108296993240817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-91925858918043270122008-11-03T11:58:00.000-05:002008-11-03T11:58:00.000-05:0010:43am - haven't heard cockayne refute the "mad-d...10:43am - haven't heard cockayne refute the "mad-dog" name so his ego must drive him to be proud of it - easily gratified I guess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-67399463910428482302008-11-03T10:43:00.000-05:002008-11-03T10:43:00.000-05:00Poster 9:48Cockayne isn't the self proclamed "mad ...Poster 9:48<BR/><BR/>Cockayne isn't the self proclamed "mad dog"! Steve Collins gave all the councilmen nicknames! Therefor the name came directly from Collins, not Cockayne!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-51798093705257269102008-11-03T09:48:00.000-05:002008-11-03T09:48:00.000-05:00"The main reason for negative comments about Ken C..."The main reason for negative comments about Ken Cockayne..."<BR/><BR/>IS Ken Cockayne himself....self-proclaimed "Mad Dog." Someone who hasn't got enough guts or fortitude to stand up and face the opposition man to man. Someone who's easily led. His mad dog routine of running directly to the media and lashing out every time he's had a thought is getting old.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-83056170213336197652008-11-03T09:24:00.000-05:002008-11-03T09:24:00.000-05:008:33am - don't break your arm reaching to pat your...8:33am - don't break your arm reaching to pat yourself on the back Mr. Cockayne.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-60389988347175647202008-11-03T08:33:00.000-05:002008-11-03T08:33:00.000-05:00It's too bad that people don't have to own up to w...It's too bad that people don't have to own up to what they say on this blog. Put your name after what you say...this is free country. Unfortunately, unions and their sympathizers will continue to harass and try to intimidate people whenever they can. The main reason for negative comments about Ken Cockayne is that he doesn't (and won't) tow the union line. Ken is his own man...keeps his own counsel and the status quo politicos just don't like that...and they don't get it becasuse they're not accustomed to anyone who will stand up to them and do what's right for all the people, not just a select few.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-26241831534659432442008-11-02T10:46:00.000-05:002008-11-02T10:46:00.000-05:00the rabid pack of cockayne, minor, johnson, yarde ...the rabid pack of cockayne, minor, johnson, yarde and schaffrick are barking up the wrong tree.<BR/>VOTE NO COO!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-74765602099839021562008-11-02T07:48:00.000-05:002008-11-02T07:48:00.000-05:002:18 - and we have the right to speak our mind als...2:18 - and we have the right to speak our mind also so get off your soap box and stop taking everything personal - if it is about you, suck it up and move on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-50372392805350933212008-11-01T16:43:00.000-04:002008-11-01T16:43:00.000-04:00Kenny, maybe Stortz wasn't so bad after all.Kenny, maybe Stortz wasn't so bad after all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-44230575468532665002008-11-01T14:18:00.000-04:002008-11-01T14:18:00.000-04:00Doing it sounds good, and may be."However, did we,...Doing it sounds good, and may be.<BR/><BR/>"However, did we, have we heard the down side?<BR/><BR/>The cliche, "if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is". should be kept in mind until all the pros and cons are in.<BR/><BR/>And. Klocko is well known for doing what makes him look good, which may not be the best for Bristol at the time."<BR/><BR/>This is what these forums should be about. Make an effort to get good information, and discuss it in a reasonable manner. Zingers, personal attacks and whatever else you call some of these posts add nothing to the discussion, but to the extent that they bring out public opinion and misinformation that can be addressed, they do serve a purpose. Moreover, whether you agree with the poster or not, they have a right to speak their mind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-49282851475746710942008-11-01T12:47:00.000-04:002008-11-01T12:47:00.000-04:00Doing it sounds good, and may be.However, did we, ...Doing it sounds good, and may be.<BR/><BR/>However, did we, have we heard the down side?<BR/><BR/>The cliche, "if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is". should be kept in mind until all the pros and cons are in.<BR/><BR/>And. Klocko is well known for doing what makes him look good, which may not be the best for Bristol at the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-40724424343405439502008-11-01T11:53:00.000-04:002008-11-01T11:53:00.000-04:00I have no doubt that Klocko favors doing this as w...I have no doubt that Klocko favors doing this as well. I forgot that he's on the committee, too, so I guess that's at least two votes in favor.<BR/>Now I really have to finish writing about the chief operating officer before some editor starts breathing down my neck.<BR/>So I leave you with this thought: Register before you comment!Steve Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316108296993240817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-62021354740618305202008-11-01T11:39:00.000-04:002008-11-01T11:39:00.000-04:00"And if you seriously have to ask a political repo..."And if you seriously have to ask a political reporter who's already working on his day off on Saturday to finish stuff up before the election why he might not have time until after Election Day to delve further into this pension issue, you really need to look up."<BR/><BR/>Well, thank you for taking the time to write this. If you think Mr. Klocko's presentation was not strictly from the perspective of lowering the mill rate, you are the one that needs to "look up." This is the exclusive position that he has taken since this subject first came up. You should know, you wrote just about every piece on the subject(want me to look up the articles for you?) As far as Mr. Cockayne goes, it looks like he is just being used in a feeble attempt to sway pubic opinion . Poor guy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-60796951909641648132008-11-01T11:38:00.000-04:002008-11-01T11:38:00.000-04:00just thinking about this whole mess that cockayne ...just thinking about this whole mess that cockayne isn't happy about - did ward upset your apple cart when he stepped off as chairman because took away your planned opportunity to claim that serving as the chairperson, he would have had a conflict of interest because his wife works for the city?<BR/>Damn, guess ward couldn't win either way, could he poopsie?<BR/>suggest that you do your job and surprise all of us and do something positive for the city rather than laying on the floor, kicking your fight and having your temper tantrums.<BR/>Your act is becoming real stale ken..<BR/>wipe the spittle off your chin and smarten up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-38253221216298508502008-11-01T11:08:00.000-04:002008-11-01T11:08:00.000-04:0010:51 -Register!I didn't know there was anything w...10:51 -<BR/>Register!<BR/>I didn't know there was anything wrong with being "friendly to the unions."<BR/>And if you seriously have to ask a political reporter who's already working on his day off on Saturday to finish stuff up before the election why he might not have time until after Election Day to delve further into this pension issue, you really need to look up.<BR/>The city, by the way, doesn't have a position on this issue. It has a committee exploring the question in hopes of reaching some kind of policy.<BR/>Cockayne has a position, of course, but I'm pretty sure that he can't tell the mayor what to do (or at least, he can't get the mayor to do what he would like the mayor to do).<BR/>My impression is that Klocko's presentation the other day was supposed to be an opening round, not any sort of statement about what the city's stance would be. After talking to the mayor and councilors about this proposal for a long while, I don't think most of them have any real position on it at all yet because they want more information. Now they're starting to get it.<BR/>I'm sure that people who think Klocko was "far from complete, accurate or unbiased" are going to explain in detail whey believe that in the days and weeks ahead. I will be among those listening to what they have to say -- and will report it, as always, as fairly and accurately as I can.Steve Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316108296993240817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-71513769378588046242008-11-01T10:51:00.000-04:002008-11-01T10:51:00.000-04:00"I understand, by the way, that there are lawyers ..."I understand, by the way, that there are lawyers and other experts the unions have consulted who have a different take on things than the city's consultants. I hope that they'll get involved in the decision-making process so that they can help educate the community (and me) rather than sitting back and waiting to see if a decision they don't believe is proper gets made, and then suing to stop it."<BR/><BR/>This is why there are union representatives and what YOU say are people friendly to the unions (exactly which ones do you mean with that insinuation?)on the board. By the way nobody other than Mr. Klocko was allowed to speak at the first committee meeting and nobody but Mr. Klocko had any input into what information was presented (which was far from complete, accurate or unbiased toward the city's position.) If anyone from the unions was asked to contribute I am sure they could have obliged.<BR/>The rest of your comments are all speculation, why do you have to wait till after the election to ask a few simple questions? You might just find out the truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-67402759277993250502008-11-01T10:33:00.000-04:002008-11-01T10:33:00.000-04:00Steve, While this may be the best way to fund the ...Steve, <BR/><BR/>While this may be the best way to fund the need, it does not have to be done all at once.<BR/><BR/>When, and under who, did the city start funding for this?<BR/><BR/>Maybe if Klocko was more open and candid, there wouldn't be so much of a flack on this issue?<BR/><BR/>He should lay all of this out, AND answer ALL questions so that the public, as well as elected officials and unions have all the information.<BR/><BR/>If we do it, Klocko will be hero in the eyes of his fellow municipal finance officers. Is that his main driving force?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-38504303309481223442008-11-01T10:22:00.000-04:002008-11-01T10:22:00.000-04:00"unabashed honesty and his unwavering integrity." ..."unabashed honesty and his unwavering integrity." <BR/><BR/>You're kidding, right? If Ken had an ounce of integrity, he would have gone straight to the mayor's office and expressed his concerns in person instead of taking the sleazy low road, sneaking off and alerting the media with his ridiculous little "mad dog" attack. His behavior was unprofessional, undignified and cowardly. Mad dog needs a muzzle....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-53379710208905842782008-11-01T10:20:00.000-04:002008-11-01T10:20:00.000-04:0010:47 p.m. -First off, you should get a screen nam...10:47 p.m. -<BR/>First off, you should get a screen name!<BR/>As for the $1.3 million the city has already budgeted for this trust fund... As you aptly point out, it's been reported that they did begin setting aside money.<BR/>Why it's not in the trust fund yet, I'm not sure. I'm not an accountant and I don't have all the city's financial records at hand.<BR/>But I think that what's going on is that the city has put off bonding for so long that all of its extra money is tied up in lending itself cash to pay for projects. So the money earmarked for the new trust fund was tapped for something else with an IOU to pay it back when bonds are sold. At that point, the real funding for the projects would be in place and the cash eyed for the trust fund would actually be placed in it.<BR/>I could be entirely wrong, however. That's just an educated guess.<BR/>I'll ask Klocko about it after the election. He's the expert, not me.<BR/>The other point that's worth making is that $1.3 million is nice, but it's $70 million short of what the city needs for that trust fund right now.<BR/>Every year, it should be shelling out more than $8 million for post-employment benefits (mostly health care) in order to meet the current need and sock away money it knows it will have to pay in the future.<BR/>That means that if the city was being absolutely fiscally responsible, and had no other way to get the money, the property tax rate should be 2 mills higher. Good luck selling the voters on that.<BR/>Moreover, every year the city delays, that number it needs to fork over rises until it reaches absolutely staggering levels in 10 or 12 years. So the time to act is clearly now, particularly with the market generally down and likely over the long haul to grow.<BR/>There may be legal or technical reasons that the option of tapping into the excess pension cash won't work. But it's clearly crazy not to explore that option, since the only other ways to address the problem rationally are to raise taxes substantially or reduce the post-employment benefits sharply.<BR/>In the end, perhaps a combination of ideas will do the trick. Again, I have no clue.<BR/>I make no claim to any expertise in this area. All I can do is report what people with expertise and experience tell me.<BR/>I understand, by the way, that there are lawyers and other experts the unions have consulted who have a different take on things than the city's consultants. I hope that they'll get involved in the decision-making process so that they can help educate the community (and me) rather than sitting back and waiting to see if a decision they don't believe is proper gets made, and then suing to stop it.<BR/>This is a complex but crucial issue. Every voice should be heard. With this new committee in place, there's no excuse for failing to make sure that everybody puts their cards on the table so the community can do the right thing, whatever that is.Steve Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316108296993240817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-61788642164156826352008-11-01T06:48:00.000-04:002008-11-01T06:48:00.000-04:00Ken Cockayne, from all accounts, stands up for wha...Ken Cockayne, from all accounts, stands up for what he thinks is right. And this irritates the status quo politicians and their lackeys. It's always been like that...in Bristol and everywhere else in this country. Their are people, like Ken, who do the right thing all the time and their are peole who cowtow to others...<BR/>whether those others are friends, family, unions or special interests to whom some type of homage (or payment) is owned. Ken's not running for mayor...but if he does Bristol would be best served by his unabashed honesty and his unwavering integrity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-26163252347646716632008-10-31T23:58:00.000-04:002008-10-31T23:58:00.000-04:00Have to say Ken didn't display a whole lot of prof...Have to say Ken didn't display a whole lot of professionalism here.I'm relatively certain if their roles were reversed he would feel the same.This isn't the sort of behavior I expect from any elected official.FTR Ken,your first move should have been to visit the Mayor at his office and raise your concerns there,not with the media.It's the old Golden Rule Ken,"do unto others as you would have them do unto you."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-69536300956599518732008-10-31T22:47:00.000-04:002008-10-31T22:47:00.000-04:00Steve -Had some extra time on my hands, looked up ...Steve -<BR/>Had some extra time on my hands, looked up some of your work. care to comment on these quotes? How can they all be accurate?<BR/><BR/>March 7, 2008 Bristol Press<BR/><BR/>The city needs to sock away about $77 million to pay health benefits for its workers when they retire, said city Comptroller Glenn Klocko. It has only $1.1 million in the account so far and plans to add $200,000 more this year, a figure that’s slated to rise 25 percent annually for the next three decades, he said.<BR/><BR/>Bristol Press Jan. 7, 2008<BR/><BR/>This past year, the city created the mandated trust fund and put a starting payment of $1.1 million into the investment account.<BR/>But the most recent financial report, received at the end of December, calls for a trust fund 30 percent smaller than experts initially estimated.<BR/><BR/>Bristol Press Oct. 30,2008<BR/><BR/>"It has a trust fund established to cover that tab, but “the problem is we don’t have any funding” for it, Klocko said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811616037332448221.post-84107903494944859112008-10-31T22:27:00.000-04:002008-10-31T22:27:00.000-04:00Or how about....Ken the Crusader!or Killer Cockayn...Or how about....<BR/><BR/>Ken the Crusader!<BR/><BR/>or <BR/><BR/>Killer Cockayne!<BR/><BR/>or<BR/><BR/>Art Ward's Nemesis!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com