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Gingrich socked with 'most severe penalty' as Speaker by ethics panel

2011-12-06T16:07:00.001-05:00

With former House Speaker Newt Gingrich rocketing to the top of the polls in the Republican presidential race, it may be a good time to look back on a story that consumed the area's GOP congresswoman for a couple of years during his tenure as a congressional leader.

Here is a story that ran in The Bristol Press and New Britain Herald when U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson, a New Britain Republican, got the House to sanction and fine Gingrich over an ethics violation:

January 21,1997

By STEVECOLLINS

After a pleafrom Rep. Nancy Johnson to put aside ''the crippling partisanship and animositythat has surrounded us,'' the House Tuesday overwhelmingly backed her ethicscommittee's reprimand and $300,000 fine for Speaker Newt Gingrich.

''It is themost severe penalty ever against a sitting speaker,'' said Johnson. ''It isalso appropriate. No one is above the rules of the House of Representatives.''

Her colleaguesvoted 395-28 to sanction Gingrich for his admitted ethical lapses. But the movewon't force the speaker to give up his post.

The bipartisandecision Tuesday capped a two-year battle over Gingrich's conduct that oftendissolved into political feuding of startling dimensions - includingbare-knuckled battles in Johnson's northwestern Connecticut district.

Johnson, a NewBritain Republican, called on lawmakers ''to learn and grow from this solemnoccasion'' and ''end the partisan rancor that has come to surround this caseand this House.''

Though othercharges against Gingrich remain on the ethics committee's agenda, Johnson willno longer have to deal with them. She finished up her service on the panelTuesday.

Johnson saidher panel ''found that Rep. Gingrich brought discredit to the House by failingto get appropriate legal advice to ensure that his actions would be incompliance with tax law and to oversee the development of his letters to thecommittee to insure they were accurate in every respect.''

''Each memberof Congress, especially those in positions of leadership, shoulders theresponsibility of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety,'' she said.''Rep. Gingrich failed to exercise the discipline and caution of his office andso is subject to penalty today.''

Johnsonpointed out that the ethics panel has never before reprimanded a member formaking false statement to it unless it found an intent to mislead. In Gingrich'scase, it stopped just short of saying he knowingly lied.

Monetarysanctions have never before been slapped on a member who was not personallyenriched by his actions, said Johnson, adding that no findings indicatedGingrich made any money from his political dealings.

Johnson saidher committee never lost sight of the need for ''full and complete disclosureof every fact in this case and a bipartisan recommendation. We accomplishedboth, even though it would have been easy for Republicans or Democrats to walkaway from the process at many stages. We didn't because we believe in thisinstitution and in the ethics process.''

The ethicscommittee ''was forced to conduct its work against a harsh backdrop ofpolitical warfare,'' said Johnson.

''It's thefirst time ever that members of the ethics committee have been the target ofcoordinated partisan assaults in their districts. Coordinated politicalpressure on members of the ethics committee by other members is not onlydestructive of the ethics oversight process but it is beneath the dignity ofthis great institution and those who serve here,'' Johnson said.

Johnson hascome under withering criticism from two potential opponents in 1998 for herhandling of the case. They say she delayed proceedings and sought to helpGingrich survive the probe.

But Johnsonhas frequently praised her committee's work and taken credit for pushing thecase to completion despite the atmospherics surrounding it.

Johnson calledon legislators before Tuesday's vote to reject ''the partisanship and animositythat has so deeply permeated the work of the House'' and back the ethics recommendation.

''We cannotafford the harsh partisanship that has become too much a part of our lives,''Johnson said.

Johnson,elected in 1982, represents the sixth district, which includes Bristol, NewBritain, Torrington, the Litchfield hills and the Farmington River valley.

Here's an earlier story that lays it out a little more:

January 17,1997

By STEVECOLLINS

Thesurprisingly cohesive House Ethics Committee displayed on national television Fridayagreed on a deal with Speaker Newt Gingrich that will almost certainly lead tohis reprimand and a $300,000 penalty.

The sanction,considered harsh by lawmakers, will allow Gingrich to remain as the topcongressional leader for another term if the rest of the House endorses itTuesday.

U.S. Rep.Nancy Johnson, the New Britain Republican who heads the ethics panel, saidthere had been ``some serious misunderstandings'' before the hearing but hereight-member panel came together for its finale.

``The speakerof the House must be held to the highest ethical standards,'' said astern-looking Johnson. ``No one is above the rules of the House.''

The ethicspanel voted 7-1 to recommend the reprimand and fine to their colleagues. Theonly dissenter, Republican Lamar Smith of Texas, was a last-minute addition tothe committee who likened the speaker's conduct to running a yellow light.

Gingrichadmitted he created tax-exempt foundations to fund programs aimed at advancinghis political agenda. He also confessed to providing ``inaccurate, incompleteand unreliable'' information about his activities to the ethics committee.

Johnson saidshe found it ``deeply disturbing'' that Gingrich's extensive letters to hercommittee contained ``glaring, even stark, contradictions of fact.''

The speaker'slawyer, Randy Evans, blamed Gingrich's busy schedule and his other attorneysfor the errors. But Johnson said she is stunned the speaker exercised ``such acasual degree of oversight.''

Specialcounsel James Cole said the bipartisan, four-member investigatory subcommitteebelieved the proper penalty for Gingrich's conduct fell somewhere between areprimand and censure. A censure would force the speaker from his powerfulperch.

It opted tosupport a reprimand with the additional requirement of $300,000 reimbursementfrom Gingrich to cover a portion of the tab for the costly ethicsinvestigation. Cole said misinformation from the speaker delayed the probe andadded to its expense.

Cole saidGingrich ``should make sure he pays it in an ethical manner. It is up to him todo it in the right way.'' He said if the speaker fails to raise the cashproperly ``there's a chance of being back here.''

Johnson calledthe penalty ``tough and unprecedented compared with past cases.''

``We have comeup with a fair result and a fair resolution of the matter,'' said Cole. He saidif proof exists that Gingrich lied, he would urge censure or more.

Summarizingthe panel's findings, Cole said, ``Over a number of years and in a number ofsituations, Mr. Gingrich showed a disregard and lack of respect for thestandards of conduct that applied to his activities.''

Cole said thatwhile ``bells and whistles'' of warning were going off, ``Mr. Gingrich ran avery lot of yellow lights, some orange lights.''

Rep. SteveSchiff, a New Mexico Republican, said the subcommittee succeeded in ignoring``the political currents swimming around us.'' He said the ``reprimand plus''penalty is appropriate.

But Schiffadded that Gingrich's friends will think the panel's recommendation undulyharsh and the speaker's foes won't be satisfied unless the Georgia Republican``is drawn and quartered after being boiled in oil.''

The six-hourhearing featured lengthy statements by Cole and lawyers for Gingrich presentingtheir respective takes on the case, then short comments by members of thepanel, then a period of questions and answers. After retreating behind closeddoors briefly, the panel voted on sanctions late Friday.

It representsthe culmination of a case filed in Sept. 1994 and in the hands of a specialcounsel for more than a year. In the past month, the ethics committee almostsplintered, with its members holding competing press conferences and duelingalmost daily about the proper procedures to follow.

Johnson, whohad come under harsh criticism, diplomatically called it ``a difficultenvironment.''

``We've hadour storms,'' said Rep. Ben Cardin of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on thepanel since a Washington congressman resigned this week amidst allegations heturned over an illegally obtained tape recording of a cellular phoneconversation to two newspapers.

Rep. PorterGoss, the Florida Republican who led the investigatory subcommittee, praisedJohnson for her ``extraordinary perseverance, patient and commitment'' inbringing the ethics panel through its troubles.

Schiffcomplimented Johnson simply ``for getting us here.''

Rep. NancyPelosi, a California Democrat, criticized Johnson and the GOP for preventing afull hearing where Cole could present witnesses and explain the case in detail.But she also thanked Johnson for the cooperative spirit on display Friday.

Johnsonappeared relieved to have the hearing behind her. Her service on the ethicspanel ends Tuesday.

Another story, focused on Johnson:

January 10,1997

By STEVECOLLINS

In her twodecades of political life, U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson has never attracted the kindof attention she's getting these days.

And she surelywishes it wasn't so.

Two potentialrivals for the New Britain Republican's congressional seat are already on theattack - and Democrats across the country have Johnson in their crosshairs.

Plainvilleprofessor Charlotte Koskoff, who nearly upset Johnson at the polls last year,called her leadership of the badly split House Ethics Committee ``very, verysad.''

``She's reallyblown it,'' said Bristol businessman Jim Griffin, who lost to Johnson in 1988but hopes for a rematch in 1998.

Johnson hasguided the ethics panel the past two years as it maneuvered through a politicalminefield to issue rulings on a series of complaints about House Speaker NewtGingrich's conduct.

Most weresettled unanimously behind closed doors after much wrangling, which Johnsoninsists is evidence of her strong, fair leadership.

But one lastcomplaint remains - and history may hinge on it.

The pace ofthe assault against Gingrich has quickened as the stakes have risen. Now thepartisan rancor that has long infected the House has publicly riven Johnson's10-member committee as well.

Paul Gigot, aconservative commentator for The Wall Street Journal, called it ``a publicblood feud.''

``What youhave is total, global, nuclear war. It's impossible to overestimate thepoisonous air in the Ethics Committee,'' Gigot said.

At least threeDemocrats among the five serving on Johnson's ethics panel have sharplycriticized her in recent days.

Rep. JimMcDermott of Washington said Johnson's willingness to buckle to Gingrich'sneeds indicate she is ``throwing herself on a hand grenade for the speaker.''

Rep. NancyPelosi of California charged Johnson with abusing her power when she canceled aweek-long hearing into the case after Democrats griped about details.

Rep. BenCardin of Maryland joined Pelosi in telling Johnson he was ``particularlytroubled'' by her abrupt decision to cancel the hearings.

Whatever themerits of the Democrats' arguments, Johnson has certainly failed to keep hercommittee from falling apart. Its five Democrats and five GOP members have beendueling in public for days now.

JournalistJohn Barry, who wrote the definitive book on the downfall of former DemocraticSpeaker Jim Wright, once described the ethics panel as possessing ``vastpower.''

It serves, hesaid, as ``investigator, grand jury, prosecutor, jury, judge and appealscourt.''

With the kindof clout, Johnson's committee holds Gingrich's political fate in its grasp.

Soon, probablynext Sunday, the panel will recommend a penalty for the misconduct the speaker admits he engaged in. There may a publichearing Friday and perhaps Saturday.

It is likelythe committee will urge a reprimand that would let Gingrich retain hisposition. But it can urge censure or ouster and thereby toss Gingrich from thenation's third highest political office.

Griffin saidthe ethics hearing on Gingrich this week and the subsequent decision onsanctions ``may be Nancy's last chance to salvage respectability for herchairmanship, but I don't think she's up to the task.''

He said heexpects ``a grotesque finale'' to a case Johnson has mishandled from the start.

``There willbe no redemption for her,'' said Griffin, ``because she's made up her mind. Youhave to be an idiot or Nancy Johnson to believe what Newt is saying.''

Koskoff saidJohnson has been on ``the wrong side'' of the Gingrich case all along and won'tswitch now.

She said herformer foe's refusal to extend the ethics committee's deadline despite arequest from most of its members and the special counsel it hired is ``franklyunfathomable. It's all mind-boggling.''

Johnson hasperhaps shown too much haste.

But she onlyagreed to stay on the panel into the new year, when her term expired, becauseDemocrats agreed the matter would be over by Jan. 21. At that point, Johnsoncould finally quit.

Any delay andthe case could go on forever, as Republican ethics panel member David Hobson ofOhio said.

What happensnext in the tangled matter is, of course, impossible to predict.

Johnson couldyet shock everyone with her ruling on Gingrich. Or perhaps she can breakthrough the political fog and convince the mainstream of America that achastened Gingrich deserves no more than a reprimand.

But one thingis sure: that Johnson will be mighty happy to leave the ethics committeebehind.

She said thereare plenty of more pressing issues her constituents would like to have herworking on, from tax policy to health care. The Gingrich case is, for her, justa terrible distraction.

Johnson hasrepresented northwestern Connecticut's sixth district since 1982. The districtincludes Bristol, New Britain, Torrington, the Litchfield hills and theFarmington River valley.

Photos from Bristol's Inauguration

2011-11-15T19:34:00.001-05:00

Alford: 'Bristol is a special place'

2011-11-15T18:40:00.001-05:00

Note from former Republican mayoral candidate Mary Alford:

Election 2011 is over and thecitizens of Bristolhave decided who their city leaders will be for the next two years.

First, I would like to congratulateMayor Ward on his re-election and thank Gary Lawton and Jason Flores for theirparticipation.

Congratulations to all who havebeen elected or re-elected to serve the City of Bristol.

To my campaign team, my family andfriends and my “family” on the Bristol Republican Towncommittee, thank you for all you have done to support me. You’re the best!

This was a longer campaign for methan the on in 2009 and it has afforded me the privilege to get to know evenmore of our citizens. What a pleasure that has been for me. Bristol is a special place because of all ofyou. Thank you for being welcoming and friendly, for your thoughts andquestions and ideas.

For those of you who cast yourvotes for me, thank you seems an inadequate response but it’s the one we’regiven to use so - Thank You! Your faith in me will not be forgotten.

I am looking forward to the futureof Bristol andwill continue to serve, not only on the Transportation Commission, but whereverand whenever I can. We have much to look forward to here and there is much workto be done but, as always, Bristolwill be showing the rest how it’s done.

Thank you all, once again.

Sincerely,

Mary Alford

Election Night photos in Bristol

2011-11-09T00:13:00.001-05:00

Checking the count at the American Legion polling place, just after the polls closed Tuesday.

Mayor Art Ward waiting for results, at a time when it appeared he might lose.

Mayor Art Ward watching results come in at the Polish Club.

Republican Mary Alford gives Mayor Art Ward a congratulatory hug.

Mayor Art Ward and Republican challenger Mary Alford, who nearly beat him and led the GOP to its most successful municipal election win in years.

Problems at the polls?

2011-11-07T23:04:00.000-05:00

Are you having a problem at your polling place? You can keep your neighbors and key public officials informed about voting irregularities by publicly documenting them in real time here with SeeClickFix, CTNewsJunkie and the Bristol Blog. The map below is designed to help you report problems experienced during voting. It is not a way to report life-threatening emergencies — just problems casting your ballot. Click on “Report an Issue” and drag the marker to the rough location of your polling place in your town, and then click “Report Here” to fill out the form. The address does not need to be exact, but be sure to list the name of your polling place in your report.

Do not include your personal information in your report unless you are OK with that information being published on the Internet and visible to readers here.

For information on Connecticut’s voting identification requirements, click here.

Click here for the Voter’s Bill of Rights.

For Spanish language forms and voting requirements for people with disabilities,click here.

Remember, if for some reason your name was omitted from the list of registered voters in your town, request a provisional ballot and vote before you leave your polling place.

If you would like to contact the Secretary of the State Denise Merrill’s office directly about your problem, you can call 860-509-6100 or email them here. The Secretary’s office will be monitoring issues reported here. If you feel you have spoken to everyone available at your polling place and still need to file a formal complaint, notify the moderator at your polling place, and then call Elections Enforcement at 866-733-2463 (Press 5). The U.S. Dept. of Justice can be reached at 1-800-253-3931.

When you report an issue below, include your first name, polling place, and any or all of the following keywords in your report to be sure it gets through to the right people: voting vote “polling place” “election day” poll election ballot ballots “missing ballots” “missing ballot”

Thanks to Doug Hardy and Lon Seidman for sharing this tool with websites across Connecticut!

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Ward kept mum about costly education measure

2011-11-05T17:55:00.002-04:00

An email exchange obtained by The Bristol Press shows that Mayor Art Ward knew the citybudget adopted in June might shortchange education by $2.6 million yet he saidnothing about it to city councilors, the Board of Finance or the public.

Art Ward

Wardreceived an email from school Superintendent Philip Streifer a day before thecity’s adopted its spending plan on June 2 that warned him about proposedlegislation in Hartford that would reverse Bristol’s plan to slice educationspending from $102.6 million to $100 million.

Had the cityincluded the extra money in the budget, property taxes would have gone up byhalf a mill instead of remaining frozen at last year’s level.

Ward saidWednesday that he never meant to keep anything secret.

“Everythinghappened last minute,” the mayor said, and “I didn’t realize the impact ofthis.”

He said thathe didn’t tell anyone about it – not even state lawmakers who later approvedthe measure – because events were moving so fast that he simply never thoughtof it.

“It’s slam,slam, slam,” Ward said, and things sometimes fall through the cracks.

Ward saidthe proposal that would have forced Bristol to maintain education spendinglevels hadn’t yet passed and he wasn’t sure it ever would. He said the city hadto pass a budget on June 2 with no way to tell if it would be forced to paymore.

ButRepublican Mary Alford, who is seeking to unseat Ward in a three-way race nextTuesday, said Ward’s failure to share the information he knew was both “irresponsible”and demonstrated “a completely lack of leadership.”

“All he hadto say was the truth,” she said, but he didn’t do it. Click here for rest of story.

Lawton response to Ward and Alford

2011-11-05T17:48:00.004-04:00

Independent mayoral candidate Gary Lawton issued this press release today in response to Republican Mary Alford's plan for her first 100 days and the story in today's paper about Mayor Art Ward's knowledge of pending legislation that would force more education spending.

Gary Lawton

With the fact that Mayor Ward knew of the impending legislation, as did Mr. Striefer and our legislative representives only goes to prove that this was something both parties wanted to keep a zero increase in the mill rate. How many of us would have been happy if our taxes gone up especially during an election time. Mayor Ward has given 3 different statement, but never has said he is sorry for the problem, the best we got was "it is what it is", Is that really what a leader should say. Mayor Ward the people of Bristol deserve an apology and you and Mr. Striefer and our elected representative should all apologize for your lack of consideration and honesty on this issue. Let's face it you knew, Mr. Striefer knew and so did our elected representatives that serve us here in Bristol. The real leader would say he made the mistake and take it, you and the others have not.

Mrs. Alfords doctrine is hard to comprehend. First she has said we have the best police department is the state but in her doctrine questions it by saying it troubles her .Her party has people on the council they too should have been speaking out agianst the short staffing of the police department, does the Republican party have so little concern for the saftey of its residenst here in Bristol, that the Republican city council people just let it go, or kept its head in the sand. She would like to see the flood control commission meet, butshe fails to say while she will meet with state and federal officials, there our towns that also are on the rivers, can they do the same thing to help us downstream, we can do alot but if we dont get those up river from us to cooperate it will be futile and we will still have problems.

Her marketing of Bristol gives nothing, I have given ideas and thoughts on how to do this, she has not and will rely on the way things are done now, which are at best slow, to market Bristol . I will as Mayor always propose proactive ways to market Bristol.

These are a few things I see wrong with Mrs. Alfords doctrine. It is time to get away from the tradional politics. I as Mayor will bring you a new energy and outlook that I see sorely missing from our current leaders. I will not let our " heads operate in the sand" any longer. I will think outside of the box and make sure it goes the way it should. I will take politics out of the way buiseness is done in our city hall. It is time to take our government back for the people and I am going to do that as your Mayor.

Alford details her plans for first 100 days

2011-11-03T12:26:00.001-04:00

Republican mayoral candidate Mary Alford release this press release this morning:

Alford Releasesthe “Alford Doctrine.”

(Bristol) Mary Alford, theRepublican nominee for Mayor of the City of Bristol, today released a document sheentitled the “Alford Doctrine.” Thepackage lists the projects and the goals for the first 100 days of heradministration.

“I believethat the voters of Bristol, who will be going to the polls on Election Day needto know what my priorities are and what I hope to accomplish in my administration,”Alford added, “No Mayoral candidate in recent memory has issued such a documentand I believe it’s time that the voters know that the next Mayor won’t bewinging it.”

Among thetop priorities will be public safety, flood control, blight and fiscal responsibility. “All these issues are aimed at one goal –improving the quality of life in Bristoland reducing the tax obligation that we annually pass on to the tax payers of Bristol,” Alford said.

“Governmenthas the attitude in these tough economic times that they can spend our way outof this recession – it hasn’t worked,” Alford continued, “ The only thing thathas happened is more people are out of work and the cost of government hasincreased.”

Alfordinsisted, “My administration will change that trend. I will roll up my sleevesand I expect out Department Heads to do the same thing and find areas ofgovernment where we can streamline and not reduce services to the people of Bristol.” Alford added, “This will require creativityand I believe that the more we open our ears and listen to the people of Bristol, the more we willfind common ground.”

“Thisdocument represents my goals for the first 100 days of my administration,”Alford concluded, “there is much work that needs to be done and these bulletpoints are just the beginning of changing the status quo in Bristol.”

The AlfordDoctrine

Goals setforth by Bristol Republican Mary Alford for her first 100 days in office asMayor of the City of Bristol.

Public Safety: I am extremelyconcerned about the staffing levels of the Bristol Police Department. I believe that we are woefully understaffedand I find the fact that we only have 9 Police Officers on third shifttroubling.

My first priority as Mayor will be tosit down with Chief Osanitch and the Bristol Police Commission to determinewhat our needs are and bring the staffing levels up to par.

Flood Control: I will not wait untilthe next hurricane or tropical storm to seek funding for flood control in ourcommunity. These areas: the center ofForestville, Frederick Street, Rockwell Park area, Broad Street among othershave heard the promises of many administrations and those promises have born nofruit.

In my administration, the FloodControl Commission will return to monthly meetings. I will also be sitting down with our stateand federal legislative delegations to make sure we receive any and all fundingavailable to Bristolto fix this problem once and for all. Inaddition, I will direct our grant writer to apply for all available grantsregardless of dollar amount.

The time for doing nothing withregards to the flooding that has plagued Bristolresidents has ended.

Blight: It is amazing to me that we still have to talk about thisissue campaign after campaign. The issue of blight has escalated, partly due tothe number of foreclosed homes in Bristol. Neighborhoods are being ripped apart by blightedproperties which is lowering property values and driving up taxes.

I will unleash our BuildingDepartment and allow them to do their job to rein in absentee landlords whocreate so many of these problems. Unfortunately, in today’s economy, many Banks and finance companies havebecome absentee landlords themselves.

As an example of blighted property, Iwill direct the Building Department to notify the owners of the abandoned Pat’sIGA on Divinity Street to either clean up their property, tear it down or priceit too sell. Allowing this property tocontinue to deteriorate in plain view adds another eyesore to the West End and it’s a problem that could have been fixed ifwe had real leadership at City Hall.

Downtown Redevelopment: This is an easy solution – stay out of the way andlet Renaissance Downtowns do their job while City Hall does its job bystreamlining the bureaucratic processes to assist those efforts. The proposal recently approved by the BristolCity Council and the BDDC will be a boon for Bristol.

Since the purchase of the Mallproperty in 2004, the residents of Bristolhave been waiting with interest to see this property developed. I intend to lift the thumb and allow them toget this project underway.

I am especially excited to see thenumber of young Bristolresidents participating in the new group, “Bristol Rising.” I encourage all Bristol residents to jointhis group, ask questions, make suggestions and volunteer your time. Come down toCity Hall, pick up your orange shirt and become part of this nationallyrecognized trend. Bristol is leading the way with respect tocommunity involvement in its downtown redevelopment and I intend to be itsbiggest cheerleader.

Marketing Bristol: With the recent completion of Route72 and the new plans for our downtown property, now is the time that we fostera real working partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and learn to use thetools they already employ to market our community.

One quick suggestion is now thatRoute 72 is complete the time has come to consider to once again allow onstreet parking in the center of Forestville. This will enable more businesses to prosperand grow and return the Village of Forestville to itssmall community roots. The Center of Forestville can once again become aquaint community and our job is to facilitate that development along with theForestville Village Association and the BDA.

With the closing of three Bristol schools we nowhave the opportunity to solicit Request for Qualifications (RFQ’S) fromdevelopers and private enterprise to put these properties back on the tax rollsand help lower your property tax burden.

No more $70,000 studies with noresultant actions being taken – the time for action is now and I will ask theCity Council to issue these RFQ’s within my first 100 days.

Mass Transportation: I have saidit before and it bears repeating, Bristolresidents view our roads as parking lots with houses on them. The number of cars and trucks on our roadshas swelled to record numbers. The number one solution to this problem is lightrail.

Unlike the current Mayor, I will bean advocate for Bristolon this issue. I won’t turn my back onthe taxpayers as a favor to another Mayor, Governor or Congressman. I will put the needs of our community first.

My first priority is to use theMayor’s Office to help stop the funding of the New Britain to Hartford bus way. This 1 billion dollar boondoggle, stronglysupported by our Mayor, needs to be halted……. immediately.

Studies have shown that the mostprosperous communities all have rail as their anchor mode of mass transit,supplemented by buses. Property values increase and economies grow. Now, that’s a “jobs bill” I’m in favor of. Itworks.

Open Government: In my travels aroundtown during this campaign I have heard a chorus of complaints from Bristol voters that theyfeel their voices aren’t heard. Theyfeel that they voice their opinions on an issue and then the politicians dowhatever they please.

No more!

I intend to hold monthly office hoursaround town. I will institute a “Mayoron the Street” program so you can come and meet your Mayor. In addition, I will also block two hours eachThursday from 3pm to 5pm where you can come to City Halland meet me in my office, no appointment necessary.

We may not always agree and citygovernment may not be the entity to solve your problem. I and City Hall staffwill do our best to see to it that you do get to the right place to addressyour concern. In the end you will know that I listened to your concerns. Youdeserve a government that is more open to you.

In addition to the above concerns Ihave also heard that many Bristolresidents are upset over what they call secrecy in government at CityHall. They feel that the left handdoesn’t know what the right hand is doing.

My administration will no longer benegotiating budget cuts and consolidations in private. I intend to create a Mayor’s Task force onEducation spending that will have members of the Board of Education, Board ofFinance, City Council and PTO’s. We willopen these sessions up to the public and let you offer suggestions to helpreduce education spending and put more money in the classrooms where itbelongs. We will then take these suggestions to the Board of Educationmeetings. At the end of the day, if you, the parents who are the “consumers” ofeducation, hold them accountable, we may just be able to make a real differencefor our children.

The days of parents and studentscoming to beg for funding are over and I will stand with you to hold the Boardof Education accountable for the way they spend every dollar.

Youth: Have you noticed the apathy ofsome of our young people in regards to government and voting? We had thatpointed out to us loud and clear this year. We need to develop a comprehensiveplan to offer our youth opportunities to learn how their city works andopportunities to serve.

The solution to this problem is notgoing to be easy, but I’m not going to talk about it any longer – I’m going totake action.

I intend to work with Citydepartments and the unions about creating a High School Internship Program atCity Hall that will help our children learn valuable skills and instill in themthat government is important and service even more so.

It’s all going to be turned over tothem some day. They need the knowledge and skills to do that today, nottomorrow, and I believe it is our responsibility to teach them.

General Government: Within the first 100 days, I intend to ask each of ourdepartment heads to provide me a list of capital needs. We won’t be hiring a consultant to do acapital needs assessment, instead, we will use the talent we have right here inBristol. I also intend to ask the employees of eachdepartment to make suggestions to my office directly as to the equipment theyneed to help them do their jobs.

For example – why do the employees ofthe Park Department mow our lawns with 20” inch lawn mowers and not riding lawnmowers? These are some of the questionsthat need answers and if it’s equipment they need I will put forth a plan tothe City Council and Board of Finance.

As you can see, there is much work tobe done. I intend to hit the groundrunning. Now that you know some of mypriorities as Mayor, I hope you will weigh in and offer suggestions to not onlyhelp to identify problems but to solve them as well.

As Mayor, I will be the CEO of your city. You have the right toexpect open and honest government. Youhave the right to question your elected officials and you should demand that wesolve these problems and not let them linger administration to administration.

When you consider your vote Pleaseremember to “Make Mine Mary” and vote on November 8^th.

I look forward to becoming your Mayorand working for you.

Cool play to go see in New Britain

2011-10-27T10:49:00.000-04:00

Lawton and Alford battle over rapper's role

2011-10-24T09:43:00.002-04:00

Jason "Fury" Flores

When rapper Jason "Fury" Flores unexpectedly pulled the plug on his write-in mayoral campaign last week and endorsed Republican Mary Alford instead, he didn't vanish from the campaign.
Instead, independent mayoral candidate Gary Lawton lashed out at Alford for accepting the 25-year-old rapper's backing and offering to introduce him to Renaissance Downtowns officials whose plan Flores has called "racist."
Here is what Lawton posted on his campaign's Facebook page over the weekend:

Graff Lawton for MayorMr. Flores has endorsed Ms. Alford and apparently she has accepted the endorsement for she has not said otherwise publicly. Although I too at one time thought that Mr. Flores may help reach our young residents, I decided to end that because of Mr. Flores' actions at the Mum Parade calling after young girls, his music which objectives women in the most demeaning ways and uses one of the most vulgar words in our English language and his general disregard for any type of respect for the integrity of this election. Being unconventional is fine but he failed to prove that he even did the required paperwork to be a write-in candidate. I always told you i would admit a mistake and this was one, will Ms. Alford knowing what she knows continue to embrace Mr. Flores' endorsement? if she does, you need to question her judgement.
A separate entry reads:I will start: Ms. Alford, you agreed to introduce Jason Flores to downtown developers, does that mean if you are mayor you will appoint him to a board? If not, why would you offer this to him? If yes, is he the best person you could find to be on a board given how he gamed the election process for his own gain?

Here is Alford's response:
I initially reached out to Jason for a couple of reasons. First, to thank him for the nice things he said about me in the paper. We spoke about other things, like his music, which is not my cup of tea. I'm a blues/rock fan. He understands that his music isn't for everyone and he doesn't expect it to be nor does he get insulted when someone says that.I expressed my displeasure about his use of the word racist in reference to Renaissance Downtowns. I asked him if he had ever met any of them or had a conversation with them. When he said he had not I asked him if he would do me a favor and do that. I could have just "told" Jason what I thought he needed to do but, instead, I offered to go with him as a liaison of sorts.He readily agreed.Mr. Lawton made reference to being "rebuffed" by the RTC in 2009. I wonder if he also remembers that I reached out to him just a few months ago and spent several hours talking with him in his home to see if there was anything I could do to mend that rift, build a bridge, call it what you will. It didn't bear fruit but the attempt was made.Are Mr. Kriscenski and Mr. Lawton saying that it's acceptable to reach out to some and not others?

Isn't it aMayor's job to include as many of our citizens in government as possible, fromall quarters? To make all feel not only welcome to participate but encouragethem to do so?

As forJason's roll in all this, he told us very clearly at last week's BristolTaxpayers' Association event what he was trying to accomplish. He was trying tolight a fire under his generation, to shake the apathy loose that he wasseeing, to get us all to pay attention. Was I the only one who heard that?Whether or not you like his music or agree with his methods, that's leadership.That's brave.

Will JasonFlores have a place in an Alford administration? You bet, if he wants that andhis schedule allows. If he would like to get started in the process ofparticipating in and learning about how city government functions by serving ona commission I will be happy to recommend him for one. If that isn't possiblefor him, I hope he will get me a list of those he knows who do have that timeand the desire to learn and participate. I also hope he will agree to be MYliaison to them.

As far asthat goes, if I am elected in November, I would also be glad to put Mr.Lawton's name in for an appointment to a commission if he wants that. I'm notgoing to exclude him because we are both running for Mayor.

One of my"stock" phrases when I am having a conversation with a young personabout voting is "We are turning this whole shootin' match over to all ofyou. We need you to vote and participate, to learn how it all works."

However, I(we) need to do more than just "tell" our youth what they need orshould do, I (we) need to show them how it's done; teach them "how it allworks". We need to reach out tothem and make them welcome in government; their government.

To that end,if I am elected in November, I will be putting together a Youth in GovernmentTask Force and I would be honored if Jason would assist me in getting thateffort off the ground. He "speaks their language" and they respecthim. So do I. I will also involve educators, parents, Youth Services, The Boysand Girls Club and Chamber of Commerce and any other group or person(s) whowould like to be involved.

If possible,I would also like to implement an internship program at City Hall to give ouryouth the opportunity to experience firsthand the inner workings of all citydepartments, boards and commissions. The logistics will, of course, need to beworked out.

These arejust two of my youth initiatives. I'll bet that as our youth get involved, theywill have plenty of new and creative ideas for City Hall to consider.

Alford to council: Ditch mayor's raise

2011-10-09T09:57:00.001-04:00

Republican mayoral challenger Mary Alford just issued this press release:
Alford: Last Ditch Effort!
(Bristol)Mary Alford, the Republican nominee for Mayor of the City of Bristol is making a last ditch effort toencourage the City Council to vote to rescind the 1.8% raise that was approvedlast month for the position of Mayor. Ina 3-3 tie vote of the City Council, Mayor Ward voted to break the tie and castthe deciding vote to increase the salary for the Mayor’s position effectiveNovember 14, 2011.
Last Wednesday, Alford sent out a “robo-call” to registeredvoters in Bristolasking them to call their City Councilman and ask him to make the motion torescind this raise. Alford has beenencouraged by the responses she has received in her door to door campaign andshe hopes that the members of the City Council will heed the voter’sfrustration and do the right thing at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
“The rallying cry for the national and state Democraticparties is “shared sacrifice”, “Alford continued, “The only place “sharedsacrifice” isn’t happening is right here in the City of Bristol. Many of ourresidents are unemployed and trying to make ends meet and our local electedleaders are approving executive pay raises.”
Alford is concerned about the message this raise sends tothe people of Bristol.“If he deems it necessary, how will the Mayor be able to go to city employeesand ask them to freeze their wages or “give back” to the city while givinghimself a pay raise?,” Alford added, “Also, for the past two years, elderlyresidents of Bristol who are on social security have not received a cost ofliving adjustment, while gas, food and utility expenses have all increased.”
“How can you justify giving the Mayor of Bristol a raisewhen the citizens he represents are going without?” Alford asked.
Another concern for Ms. Alford is the misinformation beingcirculated regarding this raise. According to the agenda for the City Council meeting on Tuesday underitem 16 there is a notation regard clarifying the raise. “What people may notrealize is that this is a 1.8% raise in November 2011 and another 1.8% raise inNovember 2012. That’s a 3.6 percent raise over the next two years,” Alfordsaid.
“I think it is time that the voters of Bristol elect a Mayorthat not only knows how to sharpen a pencil when it comes to budgetary matters,but one who also knows how to use an eraser,” Alford concluded, “The old adageevery penny counts surely applies here and as your next Mayor I intend to countevery penny.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Downtown Bristol concept plan links

2011-10-08T15:33:00.000-04:00

Want to know more about the concept plan proposed for downtown by the Long Island-based Renaissance Downtowns? Here are some key links:
Final concept plan for Bristol's downtownHere is the plan, in its entirety.

Bristol RisingA social networking site created by Renaissance to crowdsource the development. Chock full of information.
News stories about Renaissance and its plansNews stories about Renaissance and its plans, in Bristol and beyond.
Renaissance Downtowns website for Bristol
Bristol Downtown Development Corp.Meeting minutes and agendas for BDDC meetings from 2007 to May 2011. I have no idea why it's not up to date.
Developer submissions for downtownMost of what Renaissance has in its concept plan it proposed right from the bat before its selection as Bristol's preferred developer for the downtown site.

Resolution councilors will consider Tuesday

Read exactly what city councilors are being asked to vote on.

Is the mayor going to give up his raise?

2011-10-06T16:38:00.001-04:00

At the end of a typically dull City Council agenda for Tuesday's meeting is this interesting little item:
16. To renew, reaffirm, clarify or take any other action regarding the motion from the September 13, 2011 City Council meeting approving a 1.8% salary increase effective November 14, 2011 and 1.8% increase effective November 7, 2012 for various elected officials.
It will certainly be interesting to see what that's all about.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Betts, Markley still fighting to block Busway

2011-10-06T16:33:00.003-04:00

New press release from state Sen. Joe Markley, a Southington Republican, and state Rep. Whit Betts, a Bristol Republican:

Betts& Markley – Final push to block funding for the busway

Hartford, CT– Fresh off a trip to Washington D.C., Senator Joe Markley (R-Southington) andRepresentative Whit Betts (R-Bristol) are rallying the troops to block fundingfor the New Britain to Hartford busway.

SenatorMarkley said, "This thing costs nearly $1,000 an inch fora roadway on land that's already graded. That's an incomprehensible number.It's like paying $50,000 for a toaster."

RepresentativeWhit Betts added, “"Using $600 million of taxpayer money topay for a 'new' controversial busway when a bus system already exists between New Britain and Hartfordis irresponsible and unacceptable. There are more urgent priorities - such asrepairing the roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Irene - that are ofgreater importance to CT taxpayers. Common sense screams out that this $60million a mile project should be put on hold."

Both visited with a senior member of U.S.Representative John Mica’s office on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.The meeting with the Republican Chair of the Transportation Committee’s staffwas positive and renewed the fight to stop funding for this $569 million buswayboondoggle.

"We were able to raise some questions withRep. Mica's staff about environmental issues with the busway, about how someexpenses aren't being included in the numbers presented in Washington," Senator Markley said.

Right now, Congress is reviewing the project, andthe Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is deciding whether to formallyapprove funding contracts for the project. The FTA deadline is November 7^th.

The busway is a prime example of government wasteand both legislators have called on the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) to fightagainst federal funding for the 9 mile project. Executive Vice President of the NTU has written a letter calling forcongress to ‘pause in the funding process.’ A portion of the attached letter is below:

Thus, in our opinion a prudent action would be a pause in the fundingprocess, pending timely and comprehensive additional review of the busway’sramifications. While the project’s advocates would question the feasibility ofsuch a pause or raise the prospect of harm from more delay, the potential risksto the taxpayers of Connecticutand the nation deserve further consideration.

Sincerely,

Pete Sepp/Executive Vice President National Taxpayers Union

Representative Betts and Senator Markley arecalling on opponents to voice their opinion by calling Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s office at 202-366-4000.

On the state level a hearing officer from theConnecticut Department of Energy and Environment (DEEP) is deciding whether awetlands permit will be granted to Connecticuttransportation officials. The decision –expected to take about two months – will then be referred to DEEP CommissionerDan Esty for final approval. Buswayconstruction can’t begin until the permit issue is decided.

Taxpayers union says hit brakes on Busway

2011-10-05T16:04:00.001-04:00

Letter issued by the National Taxpayers Union this week after its officials met with state Rep. Whit Betts, a Bristol Republican, and state Sen. Joe Markley, a Southington Republican. The pair talked to the organization during an anti-busway lobbying trip to the nation's capital:

Dear Senator Markley and Representative Betts:I am grateful for the opportunity to have met with you yesterday and to have discussed your reservations over a project to construct a busway from New Britain to Hartford. This undertaking, which involves federal as well as state tax dollars, would affect the National Taxpayers Union’s (NTU) 362,000 members nationwide and particularly its 4,600-plus members in Connecticut.As you know, NTU and its members seek infrastructure policies that emphasize serving the greatest number of consumers efficiently, involving the private sector to the maximum extent possible, reducing the risk of long-term taxpayer liabilities, allocating finite resources effectively, and exercising strenuous fiscal oversight. While such principles would seem obvious prerequisites to any capital project, in our 42-year institutional experience their application has been far from universal.In fact, academic analyses have identified disturbing patterns here and abroad in such projects that often lead to cost overruns. Last month, Veronique de Rugy and Matthew Mitchell of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University provided an excellent synopsis of such research in a working paper entitled, “Would More Infrastructure Spending Stimulate the Economy?”. Among the works they cited was a seminal 2002 review of 258 transportation projects worldwide, appearing in the Journal of the American Planning Association. This study determined that costs were underestimated in nearly 90 percent of the cases examined. The working paper by de Rugy and Mitchell also cast doubt on whether claims of massive “multiplier effects” from infrastructure stimulus – especially in countries with fiscal and economic profiles like that of the U.S. – are sufficiently reliable. Such a conclusion has direct bearing on contentions from busway proponents that the expenditure will deliver large windfalls to the state’s economy.This is but one reason why NTU has long asserted that public officials have a special obligation to carefully study the potential outcome of such programs. Connecticut’s tenuous financial situation, even after enactment of onerous tax increases on its citizens, is yet another recommendation for caution on many kinds of expenditures involving multi-year commitments. Finally, you have brought to our attention several details of the busway project that could be of concern to taxpayers, including: a cost estimate of nearly $600 million for a route spanning barely more than nine miles, controversy over its benefits to the economy and the surrounding communities, and questions about whether less expensive alternatives have been adequately explored.Regarding the latter point, some have suggested that passenger rail would be a more frugal approach to transit in the New Britain-Hartford area. To be clear, NTU is not taking a stance in favor of any particular option mentioned in the current public debate. We simply believe that all the foregoing circumstances merit greater deliberation, especially before significant federal taxpayer money begins to flow. This is a matter of urgency with the busway since, according to information you have supplied, major federal resources will begin to enter the picture four weeks from now.Thus, in our opinion a prudent action would be a pause in the funding process, pending timely and comprehensive additional review of the busway’s ramifications. While the project’s advocates would question the feasibility of such a pause or raise the prospect of harm from more delay, the potential risks to the taxpayers of Connecticut and the nation deserve further consideration.Sincerely,Pete SeppExecutive Vice President
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Alford calls on city to quit CCM

2011-10-02T11:05:00.002-04:00

Press release from Republican mayoral challenger Mary Alford, issued today:

Alford: Withdraw From CCM.

(Bristol)Mary Alford, the Republican nominee for Mayor of the City of Bristoltoday announced that she would give serious consideration to pulling Bristol out of the ConnecticutConference of Municipalities (CCM), a group whose purpose is to champion localissues.

Alford contends that the lobbyists who work for CCM droppedthe ball this legislative session relative to the extra money that the City of Bristol had to allocate tothe Board of Education this past week. “Someone was asleep at the switch and it cost Bristol taxpayers $2.5 million dollars theyweren’t counting on paying” Alford said.

The Republican Mayoral candidate is also dismayed at the“deafening silence” from CCM regarding Governor Malloy’s recent tax increases.“If the powers that be at CCM believe that these tax increases help Bristolfamilies get back on their feet, stop the foreclosures of their homes or helpattract and retain more businesses and jobs, than someone is sadly mistaken,”Alford said.

“As for the education issue, we pay this organization tonotify us of pending legislation that affects our community,” Alford asked,“Why didn’t CCM notify Bristoland other communities whose budgets would be affected, should it pass?

Alford also question why Mayor Ward didn’t notify the CityCouncil that this legislation was either pending or that it had passed? “Inearly June, the Mayor admits that he heard rumblings regarding this issue butheld the information close to his vest rather than sharing it with the CityCouncil,” Alford said.

“To witness parents and students begging local officials tofund their marching band or sports teams, makes me extremely angry at this process,“ Alford concluded, “and for the Mayor and Comptroller to be so blasé abouttaking the money out of the Rainy Day Fund makes me question, again, who isminding the store at City Hall?”

The City of Bristolpays over $41,000 annually to belong to CCM.

Busway foes heading to DC to make their case

2011-09-29T15:59:00.001-04:00

A last-ditch effort to convince congressional Republicans to block the proposed busway between Hartford and New Britain is about to get underway.
State Rep. Whit Betts, a Bristol Republican, said Thursday that several busway critics plan to head to Washington next week to lobby congressional decision-makers to put the $573 million project on hold.
"We will be making a lot of noise," Betts said.
Joining Betts on the journey are state Sen. Joe Markley, a Southington Republican, and Mike Nicastro, the head of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce, based in Bristol.
The state Department of Transportation is pushing the busway, with Gov. Dannel Malloy's support, to promote mass transit and alleviate congrestion on Interstate 84.
New Britain officials and developers argue that the busway will spur growth along its 9.4-mile path from Hartford's Union Station to downtown New Britain.
Betts said the arguments for the project are "obviously flawed" and the cost of the project is outrageous for any benefits it might bring.
Betts said Congress has until November 6 to raise objections to the project, which has the backing of federal regulators.
"We think once they've seen the facts, they will agree this project should not move forward," Betts said.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Downtown plan hearings slated soon

2011-09-28T11:28:00.001-04:00

Joint Press Release from City Hall and Renaissance Downtowns, just issued:

Since the execution of thePreferred Developer Agreement between Renaissance Downtowns and the City of Bristol in May of 2010,significant progress has been made in revitalizing Downtown Bristol. Cityofficials, along with Renaissance Downtowns, embarked upon a collaborative and comprehensive year-long planningprocess that included dozens of publicand community organization presentations, and countless planning workshops. Inaddition , the formation of the the nation’s first Crowdsourced Placemakingprocess, better known as Bristol Rising, has brought over 1,100 members of theBristol community together giving the public the opportunity to providevaluable input to the planning process. All of this work and community input(which continues each day) led to the April, 28, 2011 submission and presentation of the initialConcept Plan for downtown in a jointpublic meeting of the Bristol Downtown Development Corporation and the CityCouncil.

Following the Submission,all City Boards and Departments were given a 60 day period to review and submitcomments regarding the concept plan. In addition, Renaissance and its communitypartner, Bristol Rising continued to garner feedback from the community at largeon Concept Plan recommendations while implementing near-term initiatives suchas the highly successful Pop-Up Piazza Festival which drew over 15,000attendees. Comments from the City Agencies and Departments as well as communitycomments were reviewed with the Renaissance team and revisions to the plan arebeing made for the final plan submission at months end.
Following the submission,the BDDC and City Council will hold public meetings where they will vote on theConcept Plan for downtown. Those meetings are scheduled for October 6, 2011 at 6:30 p.m., in the second floor Staff Lounge atCity Hall and October 11, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.in the Council Chambers on the first floor in City Hall. It is important to recognize that a vote toapprove the Concept Plan simply means that the Public/Private Partnership agreeon the general mix of uses (residential, retail & commercial etc.) for theDepot Square Site. This allows Renaissance to work with financial institutionsand other development partners on implementation of the revitalization efforts.However, Renaissance will still be required to adhere to standard policies andprocedures for the development including approvals by all necessary land
use boards. For the mostpart, the proposed uses for the downtown area are already permitted undercurrent zoning regulations including the Depot Square parcel. Depot Square is theonly land in the downtown that Renaissance has development rights to and theremaining parcels located downtown that Renaissance has led a collaborativevisioning process for still remain under private ownership. Private owners areunder no obligation to implement the Renaissance Plan on their propertieshowever the Renaissance team has worked with approximately 100 property ownersto ensure the Concept Plan for downtown is as comprehensive as possible. It isthis comprehensive process that has led to Renaissance receiving letters ofintent to open businesses downtown from retail users in excess of 50,000 squarefeet of space including a National Dinner Theatre company which fits thedesires of Bristol Rising members to see a dinner theatre as well as a smallmovie theatre option in Downtown. In addition, Renaissance has been indiscussions with several office users and most importantly has been workingwith the Bristol Rising members to address the need for new walkable housingoptions throughout downtown. In fact, over 40% of the Bristol Rising membershave expressed interest in a vibrant Downtown living option.
Once the Final Concept Plan isapproved Renaissance can begin preparing for phase one of construction. Asnoted, the initial phase will be subject to the same approval process that theCity already has in place for new construction. The agreement betweenRenaissance and the City calls for Renaissance to only purchase portions of theDepot Squaresite as these portions are ready to be built, while the remainder of theproperty will continue to be owned by the City of Bristol. As the project progresses ,we willhave further information relative to items such as project financing andinfrastructure funding prior to construction commencing.
Renaissance Downtowns takes pridein the level of public participation that has occurred, and will continue tooccur in this process. For more information, please visit the Renaissanceoffice on the first floor of City Hall at 111 North Main Street, call 860-582-0030or log on to bristolrising.com.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Fury Seeks To Be Bristol's First Royal Mayor

2011-09-25T18:05:00.005-04:00

Jason Flores

BRISTOL – Witha crown on his head and a flowing gold robe, Rapper Jason “Fury” Floresstood regally on a white carriage pulled by a horse during today’s Mum Parade todeclare his intention to launch a write-in campaign for mayor.

“I will be amerciful king,” he declared to the crowds. “Vote for me and I will spare yourlives.”
Flores, 25, said he plans to become Bristol’s “first royal mayor” and aims tospur interest in the race if nothing more.

Flores joinsa three-way contest that already features Democratic Mayor Art Ward, Republicanchallenger Mary Alford and independent hopeful Gary Lawton.

As hetraveled along North Main Street at the end of the parade, someone yelled tohim, “Can you give us no taxes?"

Flores answeredinstantly.

“I willspare your lives. That is all,” Flores said.

Both Alfordand Lawton, who marched near Flores in the parade, said he adds an element offun – and that’s not a bad thing.

“Is he notthe most fun?” said Alford, who added, “I waited all day to curtsy to the king.”

NickValenta, a Bristol resident, said that Flores would get his vote in theNovember 8 election.

“He’s donesomething different,” Valenta said. “It’s time for an alternative.”

Floresdeclared last January he would run against Ward for mayor because the incumbenthad failed to cut down a hickory tree near his mother’s house that dropped nutsthat damaged her car.

He has anincreasingly successful career as a rapper, playing concerts across thecountry, and gaining renown in his own hometown for a song he did called “BristolState of Mind” – a local version of the hit song about New York by Jay-Z andAlicia Keys. It has attracted tens of thousands of viewers on YouTube.

Flores saidhe decided to put on the king outfit for the parade because he needed “to dosomething that would get people to pay attention.”
He said that even if his campaign does nothing more than to get voters to givethe mayoral race some serious attention, it would be worth it. The electionmatters, he said, and people ought to get out and vote.

“That’s whyyou have to bring in the king,” Flores said.

Along theparade route, Flores created quite a stir, coming near the tail end of the longparade when viewers lining the road were growing weary of beauty queens,marching bands and floats.

He got biglaughs from the crowd when he promised them merely to let them live if theyvoted for him, which has to rank among the most unusual platforms a candidatehas ever adopted.

Flores said,though, that he plans to issue a more complete platform this week.

Could Bristol wind up in the 5th?

2011-09-23T09:56:00.000-04:00

Though the redistricting commission won't finish its work for weeks, there is a growing sense in political circles that when it's done, Bristol will wind up in a different congressional district.
State Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola, Jr is only one of a number of political figures who have told me to expect that Bristol will land in the 5th District, which is probably the only way it could lose U.S. Rep. John Larson as its congressman.The thinking is that Larson, an East Hartford Democrat, is so safe in the 1st District that a Democrat-dominated legislature and a Democratic governor will help nudge the district lines to give Larson a few more Republicans and shift some Democrats into the more closely contested 5th.Bristol is likely to the place those Democrats come from, if only because it's already surrounded by 5th District towns, with the exception of Southington, which may also find itself in the 5th.

U.S. Rep. John Larson

What would it matter?Well, Larson is a powerful figure in the Congress, a top ranking Democrat who has an outside shot of becoming speaker of the House whenever the political tides shift back in the Democrats' direction. That's a whole lot of clout -- and where there's clout, there's money. He'd likely have more heft in helping Bristol get flood control cash or a train line or other federal goodie than a newcomer in the 5th from either party.The 5th District, though, offers a lot more drama.With U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy giving up the seat to run for U.S. Senate, both parties are eyeing the district as a real battleground.The state House speaker, Chris Donovan, is campaigning hard to replace Murphy. I've already run into him several times in recent weeks in New Britain.The Republicans have a slew of potential candidates itching for the opportunity to be the GOP standard bearer next year. I have no clue which of them has the best shot.But I do know that where they draw the district line is going to have a real impact on Bristol.The new districts take effect with the 2012 race and will remain in place for at least a decade. That's a long time in politics.A decade ago, U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson, a New Britain Republican, represented Bristol in the 6th District. Then Connecticut lost a district and Bristol wound up with Larson while Johnson landed in the ultra-competitive 5th District. She held on until Murphy knocked her out in 2006, a really bad year for moderate Republicans.There's not much anybody in Bristol can do about district lines. It's always a game played at a much higher level.But don't be surprised if the city finds itself in the middle of a hotly contested congressional contest next year.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Could Bristol police have stopped Komisarjevsky?

2011-09-22T08:37:00.002-04:00

Joshua Komisarjevsky

As alleged killer Joshua Komisarjevsky gets his day in court -- with all the sickening details of that awful day in Cheshire again rehashed -- I can't help wondering if Bristol police and prosecutors could have prevented the murders had they taken seriously an apparent statutory rape a decade ago.Komisarjevsky almost certainly had sex with a 15-year-old Bristol girl before his 2002 arrest for burglary in Bristol -- and police knew it at the time. They chose to do nothing about the abuse of a 15-year-old girl by a 21-year-old man.Had they charged him, Komisarjevsky might not have gotten out of prison in 2007 and certainly would have landed on the sex offender list and perhaps been watched a little closer. We'll never know.I don't blame police for what happened to the Petit family. That was the work of twisted, evil men,But had Bristol public safety officials taken an apparent statutory rape more seriously, the Petit family might well be alive today. It's hard to escape that reality.Here are links to my 2007 blog posts detailing what we know on this issue:
Allleged Cheshire killer a child molester? (July 30, 2007)
Suspected killer's daughter born in Bristol (July 27, 2007)
Alleged killer has a daughter? (July 25, 2007)*****
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Wyman, Blumenthal eyeball Bristol

2011-09-01T07:40:00.000-04:00

Two of the state’s most prominent politicians came to Bristol on Wednesday to see for themselves the damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene.
Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal each vowed to seek help for battered Bristol.
Blumenthal said he will be “fighting for Connecticut, fighting for Bristol” to make sure the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides the assistance and funding necessary to deal with the devastation caused by the storm.
Several FEMA officials have been in town this week to assess damages and advise the city on how best to seek reimbursement.
City officials said they anticipate that a large amount of federal money will ultimately flow to Bristol but only after a staggering amount of paperwork is completed. Click here to read the whole story.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Farrell Avenue collapse could cost $2 million

2011-09-01T06:32:00.002-04:00

At the height of Sunday’s storm, a big chunk of Farrell Avenue collapsed into a ravine, causing about 50 feet of the roadway to vanish down the hill.
City officials are still trying to figure out what happened and how to fix it, but they are already sure that repairing the damage will cost $2 million or more.
Standing on the edge of the precipice with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal Wednesday, Mayor Art Ward said, "That’s what you call a sinkhole."
"That’s what you call a disaster," Blumenthal responded.
He said that a picture of the collapsed roadway will be "exhibit A" in making the case for federal aid.
"This speaks volumes about the force and the fury of the storm," Blumenthal said. See the whole story.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

City to hold 9-11 tribute

2011-08-30T16:23:00.002-04:00

Statement from Mayor Art Ward's office:

On Sunday,September 11^that 7 PM, theCity of Bristol will conduct a 10^th Anniversary Memorial Tribute inhonor of the 9/11 tragedy.

The eventwill be hosted in one of Bristol’smost beautiful landmarks, St. Joseph Church,located on historic Federal Hill. Come and be inspired by a non-denominationalevening filled with music, song and secular readings culminating in a poignantcandlelight ceremony involving the entire audience.

Mayor Wardstated, “This will truly be an awe inspiring and memorable gathering, offeringeach one of us an opportunity to reflect on the effect this tragedy has had onfamily, friends and country. Plan to attend and become part of yet another pageadded to our City’s impressive memorial history. “

Councilors decide today on McDonald's land swap

2011-08-30T12:24:00.000-04:00

Citycouncilors may decide today whether to move ahead with a proposed land swapwith McDonald’s.

They’re alsoslated to consider whether to sell 1/6 of an acre to the owner of the Dunkin’ Donuts property that would add 30 feet of space along its entire border withthe city-owned former mall site.

The councilmeets at 5 p.m. today to consider both issues, mostly behind closed doors inexecutive session.

Thoughdetails of the proposed deal with McDonald’s are hard to come by, it appearsthe city intends to swap about an acre of land next door to Dunkin’ Donuts inreturn for gaining possession of the property where the fast food restaurant istoday.

McDonald’swould own the newly exchanged parcel just as it owns the one it has now.

What isn’tclear is whether all the legal hurdles will be overcome in time for the meetingtoday.

The city’sattorney, Edward Krawiecki, Jr, said legal issues are “percolating fast andfuriously” in preparation for the session, but Mayor Art Ward said they may notall be resolved in time.

Oncecomplete, the deal would leave a bit more than 15 acres in the hands of LongIsland-based developer Renaissance Downtowns for its planned revitalization ofthe city center property.

The landsale to add some space to the Dunkin’ Donuts property appears to have support,but councilors are unsure about the price.

An initialassessment of $20,000 to $25,000 as a sale price didn’t factor in the addedvalue to the property owner, George Varnavelias. So councilors are likely toseek more money.

GaryConstant, his attorney, said the extra land “would enhance the planningpossibilities” for the site in the future.

Ryan Porter,project manager for Renaissance, said the extra land adds “far more options”for the Dunkin’ Donuts site in the years ahead.

CityCouncilor Ken Cockayne called it “a huge value” for the property.

The 30-footbuffer the city is willing to sell, he said, “in my eyes is like gold.”

But TimFurey, the attorney for Bill and Janet Ghio, who own the doughnut shop and havea long-term lease for the site, said they recently poured a lot of money intorenovations so the additional land is unlikely to spur major changes any timesoon.

“That shipkind of sailed when the renovations were done,” Furey said.

Flooding woes not political issue, Werner says

2011-08-30T11:11:00.000-04:00

Former Mayor Mike Werner sent me a note about the flooding problem. Here's what he had to say:

Politics really doesn't play a role in this. There was a study done back when I was Mayor on the entire watershed. I forgot who did it. It was started before me. I do remember being briefed on it. Nothing has changed since then; there's no need for a new study. No one wants to say it, but the problems are too numerous and too costly to address, so they look for another study to tell them the same thing, but it will take everyone's mind off the problem until the next flood.

Back in the 80's, the Wetlands agency set strict standards for new development, so the fear of any new runoff is unfounded. They have a zero runnoff policy. I know because I lost two building lots a few years ago when I subdivided a piece of land on Miller Road. I had to use the extra land to design an underground detention sytem to keep any additional water from running into the little brook on the property. The upshot is that there really has been no new runoff to any of the waterways in Bristol for several years, at least not as a result of any legal development.

The problems with our waterways are just too expensive to fix, because you have to fix everything to have an impact. A fix in one area creates a problem in another. To really fix the problem, you'll have to purchase hundreds of privately owned properties. Some of the things property owners were allowed to do back in the 50's and 60's would never be allowed today, and they'd have to be remedied at great cost. Just look at Frederick Street. No natural brook takes ninety degree turns the way it does behing the body shop and on toward Theiss Steel. But to fix it, you'd have to buy that property, and several others, and make the brook straight. Now you create a problem for someone downstream, and you have to fix his problem, and so on. This is just one example of many. There are similar problems with every waterway in town and they all interconnect. Unless you start at the Pequabuck and work your way through every stream that empties into it, you will cause more problems than you started with. I don't know what the legal liability would be if the City created a flooding problem for someone who never had one before, but I'd guess it would be significant. They could end up buying dozens of homes and businesses just by the law of unitended consequences.

All along Mine Brook there are areas where homeowners or businesses filled in parts of the brook to keep it from flooding their back yard or to give themselves more property. I was a kid when St Gregory Church was built. Their parking lot added a lot of water to Mine Brook where we used to fish. St Paul's High School, built many years later added even more. As a result of this and other things, the bridge on Rt 6 by Dunkin Donuts, which used to be adequate, is undersized. Again, most of this was done decades ago. The same can be said for the brook that flows down from Terryville (can't think of the name now) along Rt 6 and into the Pequabuck down by the intersection of Clarke Ave and Rt 72. That brook has a few ninety degree turns that aren't natural. You also have problems with the brook that flows down from Withces Rock Road down Peck Ln and under Divinity Street. That has a host of problems. The brook that runs down from East Rd to Union Street also is a problem. And on and on. Almost every stream in town has been tampered with over the years by abutting property owners. These brooks and streams all flow into the Pequabuck. If you make them all flow better, the Pequabuck will get more water faster and will flood more readily. How do you deal with the inadequate bridge in Forestville? You have to buy Nuchies and that whole block, and build a proper bridge. Again, all along the Pequabuck are buildings that were built too close, property owners who filled in parts of the river and made it flow in an unnatural way, etc. And much of this was done before you or I were born. A lot of it was done in the 1800's. To correct it would cost tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars. Also, if we get our watershed to run smoothly, what problems will we create for the people of Plainville?

It would be nice to say that there is an easy solution to this. There is a solution, but the cost is prohibitive. The city really took some serious steps years ago (after I left office, I can't take any credit) to alleviate runoff. The Planning Board and Wetlands Agency take this stuff seriously. Unfortunately, the city learned too late, so they have to do the best they can with what they have. People who live or run businesses in flood prone areas just have to realize that they will get flooded from time to time.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Community tackles hurricane cleanup

2011-08-30T09:04:00.001-04:00

Tulip Street during the storm
Photo by Ken Cockayne, used with permission

The mess created by Tropical Storm Irene is going to take many days to clean up.
When the gushing water that flowed through low-lying sections of town Sunday dried up, it left behind a sea of sand, piles of debris and one wrecked building that city officials ordered demolished within 48 hours.
Mayor Art Ward said there’s “a little despair” among some drenched homeowners and soaked businesses, “but everybody’s got that can-do attitude” required to tackle the massive cleanup.
“We’ll do what we have to do and put the community back together again,” Ward said Monday. Click here for the rest of the story.

Former Stately Floors building, during the flood
Photo by Ken Cockayne, used with permission.

Also see: The former Stately Floors building must be torn down. Below are a couple of pictures that Christopher MacNeill took of the place, used with permission.

Larson still seeks flood control money for Bristol

2011-08-30T08:52:00.001-04:00

U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose district includes Bristol, explains what happened to his effort to secure federal funding for a study of how best to deal with flooding in Bristol:

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

One in 10 still without power in Bristol

2011-08-29T10:04:00.002-04:00

BRISTOL -- More than 10 percent of the city's residents are still without electricity in the wake of Hurricane Irene.
Connecticut Light & Power reports this morning that almost 3,200 city residents are still experiencing an outage following the powerful hurricane.
At one point, almost a third of the city was without power so progress is clearly being made.
Mayor Art Ward said city crews and utility company employees have been working diligently to get things back to normal.
"They worked all night," the mayor said.
CL&P has estimated it may take a week to get all of its customers in Connecticut back to full service. But most residents in Bristol can expect to see their electricity back on much sooner.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

City vowed to help with flooding, but didn't

2011-08-29T09:10:00.001-04:00

Flooding at Rockwell Park.
Photo by Christopher MacNeill, used with permission.

BRISTOL – There’sa simple reason why there’s so much flooding along the Pequabuck River andCopper Mine Brook whenever a heavy rain hits: there’s no place for all thewater to go.

All of therain that falls on Bristol, much of Burlington and big parts of both Plymouthand Harwinton winds up pouring into those two relatively small streams.

Thanks tounchecked development over many years, which turned open space into pavement,the water that falls tends to flow downhill quickly into already strainedstreams that soon become raging torrents that flow down city streets andthrough residents’ basements.

It makes fora costly, discouraging mess every time it happens. This year, it also proveddeadly, with Hurricane Irene’s floodwaters carrying one man off to his doom.

But after aspate of four major floods between 2004 and 2007, the city vowed to takeaction.

Officialsdiscovered that the City Council was responsible for dealing with flooding inBristol and it moved to hold special sessions monthly to tackle the issue.

But aboutthe time Mayor Art Ward took office in 2007, the momentum stalled for the samereason government often drags to a halt: money. Click here for the rest of the story.

Also, the missing canoer has been found dead.

Canoe flips in Forestville, one or two missing

2011-08-28T15:59:00.000-04:00

Witnesses in Forestville say a canoe flipped and dumped two people into the water. They are missing.

More details soon.Update: Bristol, CT Fire Dept. page on Facebook has this: "Update-Rescue in progress in Forestville overtuned canoe 2 people swept away 1 person is ok the other is unaccounted for! Bristol Fire is on scene with Plainville fire just happend!"
New update: It appears only one man is missing.CJ Tyler of Bristol said he saw a canoe slam into the bridge beside Nuchies restaurant in Forestville, dumping the men inside into the raging waters. One apparently dragged himself out while the other is missing."It was crazy," Tyler said on his Facebook page.
*****Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Bristol Police: Stay home, everybody!

2011-08-28T14:43:00.001-04:00

Message from Bristol Police Department:

HURRICANE IRENE REMINDER - Please limit your travels throughout the city. Many intersections are closed, wires & trees down. Many dangerous spots throughout city. Avoid walking in damaged sections taking photos. Chippens Hill Middle School is the designated shelter. Do not drive through standing water. 911 - Emergencies only! Stay Safe.

Farrell Avenue, off Barlow Street
Photo by Michele Woike Zipke, used with permission

More Photos of Bristol Flooding

2011-08-28T14:11:00.001-04:00

Frederick Street bridge area
Photo by Craig Minor, used with permission.

Laura Minor just sent a brief report from Forestville:"The Copper Mine Brook has flooded and is covering Frederick and West Washington. Houses are ruined two blocks from us. There is no way to get from our side of town through to downtown Bristol easily. Forestviille Center is flooded also as is Mix St./Rte. 6. I've never seen anything like this. Water is rising and the wind is strong. We watched a big branch go down which luckily didn't hit anything."
Brenda Martin took photos all over town that really capture some of the flooding woes. Here they are:

Also see this video someone posted on YouTube:

Also see the previous links:FloodingMore flooding
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

More flooding in Bristol (updated)

2011-08-28T12:38:00.000-04:00

Middle Street at Riverside Avenue.
Photo by Vanessa Larence, used with permission.

BRISTOL -- Much of Bristol is underwater today.
From Muzzy Field to Forestville Center, the Pequabuck River has claimed a new, wider course that takes it down city streets, through buildings and beyond.
The rain falling from Hurricane Irene has swollen the river and inundated dozens of cars, partially destroyed the Stately Floors building at the end of Memorial Boulevard and soaked countless basements.
Copper Mine Brook and other tributaries are also overflowing their banks, creating torrents all over town.Police have closed a number of city streets, making it difficult to get around, and emergency crews are working in many locations to deal with downed wires, stranded residents and the chaos of a major storm.
Please check this link for pictures and video.

Here are some more photos by Vanessa Lawrence:

Flooded Farmington Avenue intersection near Staples.

Memorial Boulevard

Broad Street

TERRYVILLE -- Rising water has breached Preston Dam, as the picture below by Ryan Woike makes clear:

Here are some photos by Aaron Vontell of the area near the west end of Memorial Boulevard:

*****
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Hurricane causes major flooding in Bristol

2011-08-28T11:31:00.000-04:00

Video of flooding in Forestville Center by Alisha Lee Yard, who shared it on YouTube.

Photo in Forestville by Kim Keegan, used with permission.

To nobody's surprise, the heavy rains caused by Hurricane Irene have caused significant flooding in low-lying parts of Bristol.Memorial Boulevard "is like a river," said Henry Raymond, and the school playing field there reminds him of a lake.

Forestville Center.
Photo by Joe Mudry, used with permission.

East Main Street is under 4 feet of water. Police have ordered residents to evacuate.Stately Floors, which was getting hammered by water this morning, has partially collapsed. It sits astride the Pequabuck River on the western end of Memorial Boulevard.One fifth of the city's 29,439 customer of Connecticut Light & Power are without electricity this morning, according to the utility.Flooding is heavy in all of the areas of town that traditionally experience problems during heavy storms, including Forestville, the area from Brook Street north toward the Little League complex on Mix Street and along the Copper Mine Brook.But residents report they can still get around.Raymond managed to get out for breakfast at Crystal's, which he said he was glad to find open.

Water flowing through the parking lot at Staples on Route 6.
Photo by Ashley Elizabeth. Used with permission.

Sue Roesch said there are lots of branches and leaves down on Federal Hill, but the damage doesn't compare to Hurricane Bob two decades ago."This is pretty mild compared to that," Roesch said.Raymond took a tour of some of the troubled areas. Here are some photographs he took this morning:

The Stately Floors building at the western end of Memorial Boulevard.

A shed on Frederick Street.

Memorial Boulevard area.

The walkway at Napco on Riverside Avenue.

Forestville Center.

Car inundated on Frederick Street.

Forestville Center

Parking lot between Memorial Boulevard School and the parkway.

Tree down in Bristol. Photo by Jazzya Rivera, used with permission.

Here's a link to some more flooding video in Bristol.
Channel 3 days a dam in Terryville has been breached.
For more on the flooding, please see www.BristolPress.com
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Cockayne says 'completely unfair' ploy used by educators

2011-05-27T13:42:00.001-04:00

Here is a copy of a letter that city Councilor Ken Cockayne wrote today about the Westswoods Academy and the school budget:
Mr. Markowich,

Thank you for your letter. I can tell this is an issue that means a lot to you as it should. Westwoods Academy has done a great job with the students that attend there and it would be a shame if it were to close. I will do what I can to advocate for the program, but unfortunately that is all I can do. By state law we, as elected officials, have no authority over how the Board of Education allocates its funds. We approve a budget for the city as a whole. Once the funds are allocated to the Board of Education, they decide which items or programs get funded.

I fear that Westwoods Academy and the students there have become the "faces" attached to the budget process and the tough decisions we are facing this year and it is completely unfair and a ploy by the Board of Education and certain council members. I have made clear many times that cost savings can be found in other areas, including rescinding raises that were given to Board of Education Administration. I believe that would truly be putting the students first. Activism in this matter is excellent and I urge you to communicate with members of the Board of Education and to attend their meetings so that your voice is heard.

Sincerely,

Ken Cockayne

Charter Revision report is nearly done

2011-05-27T11:33:00.000-04:00

The Charter Revision Commission's report is nearly done. The draft report will be the subject of a public hearing at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council chambers, to be followed by a special meeting of the commission.
Click Here to see the Final Charter Revision report.

Click Here to see scanned copy of the affected Charter sections.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Streifer: School cuts will have "a dramatic and negative impact"

2011-05-27T11:25:00.001-04:00

Press Release – Bristol (CT) Superintendent of Schools
Philip A. Streifer, Ph.D.
May 27, 2011
This budget year is a difficult one for everyone in city/school governance and we recognize the need to make tough choices. The current fiscal pressures are not of our making, but of the national/global economic downturn and the State’s failure to meet its constitutional responsibility to properly fund public education. Until that issue is fully resolved, local officials must deal with the fallout.
While the Board of Education is constitutionally responsible for deciding what is actually funded and what is cut, the Board can only operate within the scope of funds provided by the State and City. The bottom line is that when funding is cut – programs must be reduced or eliminated. The scope of the cuts required by the Bristol Board of Finance is significant – requiring a reduction of $5,002,000 for 2011-2012. As a result of reducing the Board of Education’s base budget from $102.5M in 2010-2011 to $100M in 2011-2012, the School Budget begins 2012-2013 needing to eliminate an additional $2.5M at the minimum. Let me restate: The proposed budget takes the school current base of $102.5M and reduces it for 2012-2013 down to $100M. Reductions of this scope over the next two years will have a dramatic and negative impact on programs and students, and sets back the progress Bristol has made over the past several years in becoming the most successful urban district in Connecticut.
Members of the Board of Finance have made suggestions as to where they felt the Board of Education could reduce its budget. These proposed reductions do not add up to the $5M cut (falling a full $2M short) and they rely largely on salary/benefit givebacks which require negotiation and are not assured. In another example, it was cited that the Board of Education budget includes $200,000 for School Board members to attend a conference on the west coast. Bristol Board of Education members do not attend conferences out of state and when they do attend a rare conference locally, it is to learn about new Connecticut laws and policies needed to fulfill their responsibilities. A training program that some of our staff attends (which is on the west coast) is for a very successful program designed to help students not normally thinking about college to do so. It is called AVID – Advancement Via Individual Determination – and participation is required at this training session to provide a certified program. We paid for this from two sources, Title I Federal Dollars and current surplus dollars – the local cost of which is 10% of the $200,000 figure cited. Focusing public attention on Board of Education members for this issue, which is both inaccurate and which is a part of the Board of Education’s mission statement, is undeserved and unfair.
The major issues facing Bristol focus on whether they want their schools to remain the most successful urban district in Connecticut where all students receive a quality education. Taking $7,500,000 out of the school’s current budget over the next two years (which amounts to a 7.3% reduction) dramatically reduces our ability to provide students with the educational programs needed to prepare them for success in college or other post secondary education.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Letter: Resident calls for saving West Woods Academy

2011-05-26T19:24:00.000-04:00

To Mayor Art Ward, the Board of Finance, the School Board, and School Administrators:
The motto of West Woods Academy is "Everyone is the architect of his or her own fortune". If West Woods Academy is closed and the alternative education program is eliminated, there will be many unfortunate students for years to come.
The closure of West Woods would be a huge mistake affecting the entire Bristol community. I have two phrases to put to the board - 1) "Leave well enough alone" and 2) "If it isn't broke, don't fix it". In other words leave West Woods Academy alone; the Academy doesn't need to be fixed or terminated.
In 1980 Bristol educators saw the need for an alternative program for students who were failing or becoming frustrated with the large high school setting or even dropping out of high school. The idea of a small, personalized and structured program for struggling and unmotivated students has worked. In the Academy's 25 years, 56% have gone onto post secondary education, 11% to technical careers and 4% to the military. Two students have gone onto receive their MBA's and two received doctorates. This would not have happened in the traditional high school setting for these students.
I have my own personal reason to see West Woods continue now and in the future. I have a son at West Woods and it has been the best substance for his education. He is doing better, enjoys his classes, classmates and teachers and grasps his "real life" learning experiences.
If Mayor Art Ward and the Board of Finance, School Board and Administrators close the alternative education program, the 50 or so students at West Woods would either have to go back to Eastern or Central high school where they couldn't cope or would drop out of school. In my opinion the administration has no right to deny a student an education ever! The failure of these students would be completely on the conscience of Mayor Art Ward, the Board of Finance and School Administrators.
One final thought: a West Wood current student who was a chronic truant sums up his experiences; "In the past two and a half years since I came to West Woods Academy I find school fun and I actually want to be here every day. The teachers here are really nice and help me out a lot more. I came here because the regular high school wasn't working for me and I never wanted to be there. This will be my second year of perfect attendance and I look forward to school every day. They make me feel welcome. I improved so much I made up all my credits. This is the school for me."
I strongly urge Mayor Art Ward, Board of Finance and School Administrators to realize the value and worth of West Woods Academy and the alternative education program to its students, faculty and the City of Bristol. Keeping West Woods open will be beneficial to the students, their families and the entire Bristol community now and in the future.
Feel free to contact me on this very important issue. Thank you for your consideration.
Michael Markowich

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Councilors debate whether to bolster school funding

2011-05-25T21:17:00.000-04:00

Here are some emails that flew around today among city councilors and others:

From city Councilor Kevin Fuller to City Council and others:

Wed, May 25, 2011 at 11:20 AM

subject Budget Alternative

11:20 AM

As we move forward to adopt a budget I am troubled with one item I want to address to see if we can come to a resolve. The tension between the finance board and the Board of Ed is having a huge impact not only with its employee's but also with the students that we are educating to become successful adults. The rift is only going to hurt those students who's programs will be cut, it will not address any of the problems you may have with the Board of Ed. We need to look at the children and put our differences aside and not let them fall through the cracks of the economy. I suggest that we take 2.5 million from the rainy day fund to save Westwood academy and the other programs being cut because that money is their just for this type of situation, by doing this we can still keep a ZERO increase in the mill rate and it will be a win all around. But most of all it will be a win for the children that we are all responsible to give the best education possible and I for one do not want to let the children down. Thank you,

Kevin Fuller

From city Councilor Ken Cockayne

Wed, May 25, 2011 at 11:44 AM

subject Re: Budget Alternative

11:44 AM

Kevin,

I’m completely against this! If we deplete our "rainy day" fund to much it will have a direct impact on our city rating as well as future bonding we go out for. It is also Fund Balance policy not to be used for operating expense but for emergency or a one time use. Using this money will be go directly against that policy and will be used for operating expense.

In the past the BOE has received the following increases. 2007 - 5.06%, 2008 - 3.40%, 2009 - 6.09%, 2010 - 1.40%, 2011 - .29%. For 2012, the BOE has approx 2.5 million from Fed money that will also be used.

Also, as you know the City, nor the Council have any say as to what the BOE money is spent on or what they do with it. It is the BOE decision to cut the programs not the City of Bristol. At some point, the city leaders must say enough is enough!!!

Respectfully,

Ken Cockayne

From Fuller

Wed, May 25, 2011 at 12:01 PM

subject Re: Budget Alternative

12:01 PM (2 hours ago)

Ken, I do respect you position on this issue and agree we must be very tight with the budget, I also feel it is my responsibility to try to close this gap. I understand we cannot dictate how the money is spent but I feel the Boe Administration feels the same about their students. I am not sure that this would affect our rating and I feel this is a one time use and a emergency situation. I feel I need to stand up for our students and try to fund these programs. Thanks for you response Kevin

From city Councilor Cliff Block

Wed, May 25, 2011 at 12:46 PM

subject Re: Budget Alternative

12:46 PM

Ken,

When the City side of the budget takes a hit some roads don't get paved or maybe the streets are not plowed in a timely matter or we don't fill positons that open, but when you cut the BOE budget 2.5 million from the base of last year you hurt our childrens education which can not be made up at a later date, it's lost!!

So as a city leader Ken I would hope you would reconsider your stand on this issue and realize the cost to our childrens education and future.

Thanks,

Cliff Block

From city Comptroller Glenn Klocko

Wed, May 25, 2011 at 12:51 PM

subject Re: Budget Alternative

12:51 PM

Councilmen/Commissioners: I feel I must respond. It may be a long response, but necessary. The city has a formally adopted fund balance policy. It is in our budget document under "policy initiatives".

Now then, allow me to get to the point(s):

First and foremost, this suggestion by Mr. Fuller would be a use of fund balance for operational expenses at the BOE. Our various city opinion's that it is an appropriate use or it is not does not matter. What matters is the opinion of the three rating agencies, and they would say it is a use of fund balance for operational purposes...a no no. They would also say we are going against our own policy and nationally recommended practice, resulting in not so favorable comments to the market in two weeks. That has the likely affect to cost the city a lot of $$$ in terms of interest over the life of the 19 year $40 million bond issue coming up. Perhaps several hundred thousand dollars. This is our largest issuance ever, and not a time to change policy. The two new schools are in the issuance.

Here are several direct quotes from our 3 previous rating reports in 2009 (last time we went to market) and given to the market place about Bristol and its reserves:

Standard & Poor's: "S & P consider Bristol's financial management practices as "strong". The city's financial practices are strong, well embedded, and likely sustainable. Highlights include: Formal reserve policy that sets a floor for reserve balances and how fund balance can be used in budgeting" "In our opinion, Bristol's financial position is stable due, in part, to its demonstrated fiscal management. We believe the city's conservative budgeting, expenditure controls, and adherence to debt and fund balance policies have allowed management to maintain a stable financial position and strong reserves".

Standard and Poor's upgraded us in 2009.

Moody's Investors Services: "sound financial operations"..."conservative budgeting practices and adherence to prudent financial policies". Citing the following: "city's formal fund balance policy which calls for the maintenance of the Undesignated general fund balance at no less than 10% of budget." "Future rating reviews will incorporate the city's ability to maintain financial flexibility with reserves growing consistently with budgetary expansion through structurally-balanced operations."

Fitch Ratings: "Rating rationale - a history of healthy reserve levels and strong management practices underpin the city of Bristol's sound financial flexibility." "Best Financial Management practices - Maintaining a Rainy Day Fund is perhaps the most effective practice an issuer can use to enhance its credit rating"

Mr. Fuller, you were probably not aware of the above considering you're new(er) to the council. I would be happy to review the rating reports and recommended financial practices we have in place that maintains our strong credit rating at AA+. Triple A is the highest. The mayor, myself, my staff, and Jonathan, will be giving 3 credit rating presentations June 8th. Reserves will be a discussion by the agencies. Please understand we can not and should not ruin our solid financial reputation and rating with the analysts by giving the BOE our fund balance to satisfy their operational needs. That would not be defendable. 10 years ago we were using $3.6 million dollars to balance our budget. Today, the number is $750,000 with a goal of Zero. We told the rating agencies of our goal and they liked it very much. Going into a credit rating is like a gun fight...You got to consistently shoot straight to hit the target with them. Please continue to give me the ammunition to do so and not reverse 10 years of prior city accomplishments. Glenn

Kind regards, Glenn Klocko, Comptroller

From Fuller

Wed, May 25, 2011 at 1:16 PM

subject Re: Budget Alternative

1:16 PM

Glenn, Thank you for the information and the last thing I would want to happen is our credit rating to be blemished, With that said we need to put our heads together to solve this problem of not funding the Board of Ed, I was at westwoods acadamey and the students at that school have grown by leaps and bounds. If it is closed those students will not rejoin the high school they will drop out and I hope at least get a GED. Look at the graduation rate at that school and how many went on to college, It is our duty to not let these students down. When these students look back I don't want them to remember us as the Council that let them down. So I urge all members to look at all options to find a way to fund the Boe.

Once again Glenn that's for you information on the fund balance. Kevin

From Mayor Art Ward

Wed, May 25, 2011 at 1:22 PM

subject Re: Budget Alternative

1:22 PM

I will reiterate, at the initial presentation of the BOE budget request, it was stated by Dr. Streifer and Mr. O'Brien that the BOE could withstand one year of 0% increase but could not take 2 years of 0% - this is the year that the Board of Finance decided that the option would be exercised.

While I understand the significance of education, are you ready to incur the potential ravages of the impact of the lay-off of some of the parents of these same children?

The city has eliminated 40 positions through attrition and cannot absorb any more without the burden being sharedd, at least somewhat, by the BOE.

The options which they are employing are very disrespectful when they are suggesting to the parents that the city is to blame - the city/Board of Finance is being responsible with regard to the allocation of funds for ALL city services and the BOE needs to accept some of that responsibility.

Additionally, it would have been a lot easier to have addressed these issues during the budget process rather than after the Comptroller's office, all of the city departments and the Finance Board have rolled up their sleeves and sweated through hours and hours of meetings, only to be confronted with second-guessing of the outcome.

The Finance Board meetings were void of city council presence except on very rare and personal agenda motivated occasions.

Mayor Ward

From Klocko

Wed, May 25, 2011 at 1:27 PM

subject Re: Budget Alternative

1:27 PM

You are most welcome. I'm sure you didn't have my information available on fund balance useage to you in your decision process. I'm sure we can work together to resolve the Westwoods situation. However, in my professional opinion (again), the BOE has to assist us in creating savings and saving programs. The BOF chairman and others have recently identified many area's in the BOE budget that give the impression of 'desired but not needed'...for instance...they budget over $200k for conferences, I believe there is a line item for BOE members to attend a national conference out of state and possibly on the west coast. The BOF chairman's observations have a possibility of saving or transferring the savings to the tune of $1.2 million dollars. Of course, the lowest levels of employee are being threatened but not some of the higher levels...they remain in tact. Just some observations..hope it helps. GK

From Cockayne

Wed, May 25, 2011 at 1:34 PM

subject Re: Budget Alternative

1:34 PM

Cliff,

The BOE needs to be fiscally responsible. This year they passed a new contract for supervisors and administrators giving a 3yr contract, 1.9, 2.5 and 2.5. In this tough times, it does not sound to me as that is being fiscally responsible. A couple years ago the teachers understood the times and voted on what I believed to be an appropriate contract, so yes, they did what was best for the children.

Again, it is not the City who cuts programs, its the BOE! The City does not have an open checkbook that can be balanced on the taxpayers. It's the BOE who will cut the programs as some continue to take raises. I also understand the new contract has a provision for revoking the raises if necessary.....seems to me this is the time to do that. Was it done? If not, then why not?

Ken

Welch talks about union deal in GOP-produced video

2011-05-23T12:50:00.000-04:00

Here's a video of state Sen. Jason Welch, a Bristol Republican, talking about the deal that Gov. Dannel Malloy struck with state union negotiators recently:

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Watch documentary about Press online

2011-05-16T13:58:00.000-04:00

Want to watch the Emmy-awarding documentary that focused much attention on the near demise of The Bristol Press? It's online here.Warning: it contains a lot of me talking on camera.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Henri Martin leaps into City Council race

2011-05-16T12:13:00.000-04:00

Well, the city's election season is beginning to heat up.

With two mayoral contenders -- Democrat Art Ward and independent Gary Lawton -- already in the ring and two declared council hopefuls, the political playing field is starting to fill up.

The latest entrant jumped in over the weekend.

Here's the story:

A political newcomer with a long history of community service leaped into the contest for a City Council seat this weekend.

Henri Martin, a Republican, said that “to meet the challenges of the difficult economic situation we are going through requires new leadership on thecouncil and fresh ideas about how the city operates and is governed.”

Martin is seeking a seat in the 2^nd District, currently represented by Democrat Kevin McCauley and Republican Ken Cockayne. Cockayne is seeking reelection. McCauley’s plans are uncertain.

Martin declared his candidacy Saturday night to a crowd of friends and family at the Franco-American Club.

Pension money showdown looming

2011-05-16T11:01:00.000-04:00

A showdown over a proposed grab of excess pension cash could come as soon as May 24.
City councilors are considering whether to snatch surplus pension money from the trust funds that cover police and firefighters pensions in order cover the tab for public safety retirees’ health care costs.
The city comptroller’s office has estimated the move would save $1.1 million in the coming fiscal year, which starts July 1.
Finance officials said the only way to freeze property taxes this year is to tap the surplus money. Click here for the story.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Is boinking all you can do in Bristol?

2011-05-16T10:58:00.001-04:00

With a big new book about ESPN due to his the stores this month -- These Guys Have All the Fun, by Jim Miller -- a writer named Dan Fogarty decided it was a good time to take a jab at ... Bristol.
Fogarty, writing for sports grid, is disappointed the book is apparently not going to have a bunch of salacious stuff.And here's what he has to say: I, of course, care only about the rumored sexy times that occurred when the cameras were off. Unfortunately, he isn’t able to reveal anything from within the pages of the book – it’s been embargoed until its release by Miller and his publisher, Little Brown & Company.
Still, there was plenty of boinking, right?
Miller won’t comment. I say that, given the fact that ESPN is out in the middle of Bristol, Connecticut, and there isn’t much to do out there besides boink, one would think that boinking plays a prominent role in ESPN’s history (as it did when the Steve Phillips – Brooke Hundley affair came to light). Nope. That topic will not be discussed.
Now there is obviously more to do in Bristol than boink. But, you know, my old commonweath, the great state of Virginia, got a lot of tourism mileage out of its "Virginia Is For Lovers" campaign.Perhaps instead of trying to tout its schools, parks and prospects, Bristol should just seize the opportunity.How about a new "Bristol is For Boinking" tourism push? It could fill that new downtown hotel that Renaissance is thinking about.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Renaissance plans for downtown - the pictures

2011-05-12T13:30:00.000-04:00

Here are the concept plans submitted by the Long Island-based Renaissance Downtowns, the preferred developer for Bristol's city center. They aim to show the types of ideas the company is looking into. A final plan won't be done for another year.

Comments will be allowed again... but only for those who are registered

2011-05-12T13:27:00.000-04:00

Now that The Bristol Press has finally limited comments on its website to those who have registered, I'm going to reopen comments on this site -- but only to those who bother to register with Google or Open ID. You won't be able to make totally anonymous comments anymore and I will ban an user who flagrantly violates obvious standards of decency.The general rule for comments is this: be civil.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Cockayne seeks third term as city councilor

2011-05-11T14:20:00.000-04:00

Here is a written statement from city Councilor announcing his intention to see a third term on the City Council rather than run for mayor:
In a prepared statement, City Councilman Ken Cockayne said, a new election cycle is here and I want to take this opportunity to reflect upon the past few years and thank all of you for your support.
It is an honor to serve and represent you as your councilman. It has always been my passion to work as hard as I can for you and your family. I never forget that I am in office because you elected me and I thank you for your trust.
Over the last year, I had the privilege of serving as your acting mayor for 6 weeks. This experience has sharpened my awareness of the value of City government to the taxpayers and to the employees that make our City the great one that it is.
There are many new projects that are about to come on line in Bristol. The completion of Route 72, the two new schools and of course the long awaited redevelopment of our downtown.
I have been deeply involved in all of these projects and I feel that I can be a voice for the taxpayers as well as an advocate for our City as a result of my understanding of these new and exciting benefits to Bristol.
I have thought very long and hard about this next term. My confidence as an elected official has been buoyed by the support that has been expressed to me by my constituents. Yet we still face serious economic time ahead. Having weathered through some of these budgetary issues over the last two years, I have become more energized to serve Bristol and to seek your continued support to guide us through these times.
I believe that in these times, someone has to be ready to fight for you and your family and your hard earned money. I have done that and will continue to fight for you. In politics all too often, there is a disconnect between the voters and their representatives. I believe I have offered a voice to the taxpayers of Bristol and I would like to continue to do this.
Therefore, today, I formally announce my candidacy to seek a third term as City Councilman from the Second District. In the weeks to come, more individuals will join me on the Republican ticket, which is shaping up to be an exciting one. It has been my privilege to represent you and there is still much to be done. Together, we can work to make Bristol the City we all want it to be.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Lawton leaps into mayoral fray

2011-05-11T14:18:00.000-04:00

Here is the written announcement that independent mayoral contender Gary Lawton sent out:

Today I would like to announce that I will be running for Mayor of Bristol as an Independent Candidate.
The reason I am running is very simple to work on making our government smaller and work more efficiently. It has become to big and overstaffed and overpaid and it needs to stop. It needs to work more closely with its citizens and their ideas to get things done instead of just doing as it pleases.
The question on all of your minds now is, what I plan to do ? Well, let me tell you a few ways. The first thing is to start downsizing our city departments, merging departments that overlap for example combining the public works department and the parks department. We could centralize them in one building, get rid of excess equipment. We will offer early retirement to those eligible. We can rent some equipment on a as need basis , this way we would not have to pay for insurance or maintenance on this equipment. I will say up front I know this will meet with a lot of resistance. I will be told it can't be done or that it should not be done, but if Bristol is going to become leaner and reduce cost at the top then we must certainly try this.
I will also fight all attempts at moving the Senior Center from Stafford Ave to the Boulevard. The current Senior Center for some has become like a second home and who wants to be moved from their home. I also feel our seniors deserve more consideration to their concerns . City hall should be listening to them and not telling them what to do. They are not children. They are our greatest generation and should be treated with the respect and admiration they deserve. It also makes me wonder why we would renovate the Boulevard for them when it will probably cost more to do that when we could take that money and turn around and use it to upgrade the current Senior Center.
I will also work to form a committee of local small, medium and large business leaders to get their ideas on how we can bring other businesses to Bristol. I would ask them what is it that keeps them in Bristol or brought them to Bristol and why do they stay. I think this is a great way to stay in touch with the businesses, to quickly address any problems they have and also any ideas . Some of these businesses have been here 10, 20 30 years and some even longer they are a vital resource on how to bring more business here and we should use all avenues to do so. If we don't then we have our selves to blame.
Let us not forget the young people or Bristol either . They are our future here. All to often we dismiss the our youth and that is a mistake we must stop. We must use their youth, energy, ideas, whatever it takes to keep our youth and attract more to our city. They offer so much more than we can ever imagine and to not tap this, to not use this to bring Bristol forward just makes no sense. They can expose us to new types of music, art, recreational types of things that some of us may not even be aware of. They will also be vital in when the Boulevard shuts down because I see them as helping the city attract some sort of performing art type of center. I know Mr. Flores is a fairly well known rapper, would it not be great if he could turn some of the classrooms into recording studio's for other who want to record their own music or perhaps a movie, we could have a future Steven Spielberg or Will Smith? How exciting such a thing would be and why not Bristol?
You by now are saying what about taxes. I will be honest I am not going to promise something I can't keep, turns my stomach. I will promise this though I will work hard to keep our taxes down and if the prospect ever presents itself that they can be lowered and not hurt the quality of life here in Bristol I will work hard to do so. To promise that I will lower taxes right off the bat, well it's just wrong, no one can say that because you cannot know what the future holds, all you can do is plan for all things and hope the best happens. You have been a sold that bill of goods before and now we are going to pay for it, the question is when will we stop it?
Over the last few months I have started talking to the citizens of Bristol at the grocery store, getting gas, standing waiting for food and getting their thoughts, and any thing else they feel an elected official should know and I am hoping to talk to more and hope that you as citizens will talk to me when you see me, I encourage you to, I want you to. I want all of Bristol to remember that the Mayor and city councilors work for you the citizens of Bristol not the other way around. Thank you.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

One possible downtown, from Renaissance

2011-04-26T08:55:00.000-04:00

Renaissance Downtowns describes this as "a car-free piazza vision of the Bristol crowd" -- but it may not reflect the tentative plan the Long Island-based developers will unveil this week. Renaissance will reveal more at a 7 p.m. Thursday session of the City Council and Bristol Downtown Development Corp. at City Hall.

Who might replace Matthews?

2011-04-26T08:47:00.001-04:00

It only took a few minutes Monday for politicians to start wondering who should take the City Council seat that Kate Matthews had to give up.
The early betting was that Mayor Art Ward would probably pick Terry Parker, the Democratic candidate in 2009 who fell short on Election Day in the 3rd District.
Parker is a longtime party activist, a moderator at Greene-Hills School elections for years and a genial, decent fellow.
He also doesn't seem to be tied in to any particular faction within the party, which is sort of a rarity these days.
But there are some who want Ward to ask state Rep. Frank Nicastro to fill in the rest of Matthews' term, since he's steeped in the issues and won't have a learning curve.
On the other hand, Ward doesn't like him.
Among the other possibilities are John Lodovico, a downtown commissioner, and Craig Minor, a former councilor. Ward, however, was never too keen on Minor when they served together.
There is also some pressure, of course, to pick another woman since the alternative is to have an all-male council, which is hardly an advertisement for the new with-it Bristol that Renaissance and others are trying to promote.
In any case, Ward has to act soon. The charter only gives him two weeks to pick someone.
The council gets to vote, too.
The only legal requirement is that Ward has to pick a Democrat who lives in the district.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Matthews resigns from City Council

2011-04-26T08:40:00.000-04:00

First-term city Councilor Kate Matthews resigned unexpectedly Monday after doctors found a large tumor in her 4-year-old daughter’s abdomen.
Though Anna is expected to make a complete recovery, Matthews said she had to step down immediately in order to care for her daughter.
Matthews, a Democrat and the only woman on the council, said that Anna’s “upcoming treatments” and surgery “are my priorities at this time.”
Matthews, who has represented the 3rd District since 2009, notified city officials shortly before 4 p.m. that she could no longer serve.
In a written statement, she said that she hopes “whoever is chosen to fill the City Council vacancy through November enjoys the many rewards of public service as much as I have.”
Because the November 8 municipal election is less than nine months away, the city charter requires the mayor to appoint a replacement from the same party “with the approval of the City Council.” He has two weeks to act.
Mayor Art Ward said he wishes the best to Matthews and her family.
“Our prayers are with them,” he said, adding that he would do anything to assist her.
City Councilor Ken Cockayne, a second-term Republican, had planned to tell the Republican Town Committee Monday evening what he intended to do in this year’s campaign.
But, he said, given the “terrible news,” he opted to wait.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to her family,” Cockayne said. “Family has to come first.” Click here for the full story.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy seeks OK for $90 million for busway

2011-04-21T13:08:00.001-04:00

From the State Bond Commission agenda for next week:
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONSPECIAL TAX OBLIGATION BONDS ROADMAP FOR CONNECTICUT’S ECONOMIC FUTUREREQUESTED: 1)An Allocation and Bond Authorization (to agency) $89,740,0002)Approval to authorize the Secretary of the State Bond Commission to accept reports and statements on behalf of the Commission as required by the Act. FROM: Sec. 4 Acct. No. 13033-DOT57000-43115Total Earmarking $1,000,000,000Previous Allocations 708,767,695Balance Unallocated $ 291,232,305REASON FOR REQUEST: These funds are requested, pursuant to Section 13b-79p of the Connecticut General Statutes, to provide the balance of the state’s 20% share of funding to commence construction on the New Britain-Hartford Busway. The first of a series of construction contracts will be awarded and begin construction this summer. This project will create or retain 12,000 construction related jobs. Total Estimated Cost $572,690,000Less: Estimated Federal Funds 459,350,000 Previous State Funding 23,600,000Total, This Request $89,740,000
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

City plans to tap pension excess

2011-04-21T10:47:00.001-04:00

In the coming fiscal year, West Hartford plans to pump $11.7 million into accounts established to pay the pension costs of its municipal retirees.
That’s pretty typical for Connecticut cities and towns the size of Bristol.
But Bristol taxpayers don’t have to put a penny into pension trust funds this year – and haven’t for more than a decade.
The city is perhaps the only one in America that has so much money socked away in its pension trust funds that it can shift some if it into related trusts aimed at paying retirees’ health care costs, experts said. Click here for the full story.

With city pension trust funds at new heights – just a few dollars short of $600 million – officials are ready to resolve a longstanding controversy and tap into excess cash to cover costs for retiree health care.
That’s about $200 million more than experts say the city needs to pay off its anticipated obligation to current and future retirees.
City councilors said this week they want to shift some of that extra money – from accounts designated for police and fire retirees – into another trust fund to pay for health care for retired police and firefighters.
“It’s going to help the city,” said city Councilor David Mills, a first-term Republican.
The comptroller’s office estimates the move would save taxpayers $1.1 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1. Click here for the full story. [Please note that city Councilor Kevin Fuller told me this morning he is not necessarily going to vote to do this.]

Here is a PDF of city Comptroller Glenn Klocko's presentation about this issue a couple of years ago.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Downtown plans to be unveiled next week

2011-04-21T10:39:00.000-04:00

Renaissance Downtowns, the Long Island-based developer chosen to come up with a plan for the former mall site, will unveil its conceptual plan at a public meeting next week of the Bristol Downtown Development Corp. and the City Council.
The session is slated to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 28 in the council chambers at City Hall.
Here is a link to reporter Jackie Majerus' story previewing the development.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Wright leads Armenian genocide commemoration

2011-04-20T11:41:00.001-04:00

Press release from state Rep. Chris Wright, a Bristol Democrat:
REP. WRIGHT ANNOUNCES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE STATE CAPITOL SATURDAY
State Representative Christopher Wright (D-Bristol) is announcing the annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration is scheduled to be held at the State Capitol on Saturday, April 23, 2011.
Rep. Wright is Chairman of this year’s commemoration.
“The Connecticut General Assembly, in association with the Connecticut Armenian Community, invites everyone to join us in commemorating the 96th Anniversary of this horrific event,” Rep. Wright said. “Please join us in remembering this somber occasion and celebrating the triumph of those who survived.”
The first genocide of the twentieth century began on April 24, 1915 when the Turkish government began a campaign to annihilate its entire Armenian population. By 1923, over 1.5 million people had suffered and perished.
The keynote speaker is James Robert Russell, a scholar and professor in Ancient Near Eastern, Iranian and Armenian studies. He has published extensively in journals and has written several books. He is the Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies at the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University and sits on the Executive Committee of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies.
The events on Saturday, April 23, 2011, will begin with a flag raising ceremony outside the State Capitol at 11:00 am. At 11:30 am, the commemoration ceremony will be held in the House Chamber in the State Capitol building. After the ceremony, refreshments will be served in the Hall of the Flags, on the first floor of the State Capitol building.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Cockayne to announce plans soon

2011-04-20T10:55:00.000-04:00

City Councilor Ken Cockayne, a second-term Republican, may be running for mayor.
He wrote on his Facebook page this morning that "I should finalize a decision as to what I'm doing this election over the weekend. May announce next week! Then let the campaigning begin!!!!!!"

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

City seeking to sell Fall Mountain Road house

2011-04-20T10:51:00.000-04:00

Press release from Mayor Art Ward:

Bristol, CT, April 20, 2011, The City of Bristol, through the Real Estate Committee of the City Council, is seeking proposals for the sale of surplus property at 446 Fall Mountain Road. The property consists of a 2.0 acre parcel with a residential home, built in 1925 on the property. The property was acquired by the City through foreclosure in March 2011.

“The main intent of the Real Estate Committee is to get property back on the tax rolls, into the hands of private interests where it properly belongs”, said Councilman Kevin McCauley, chairman of the Real Estate Committee.

For further information, contact the City’s Purchasing Agent, Roger Rousseau, at (860) 584-6195, or by visiting the City’s website at http://www.bristolct.gov.

Schools face 'devastating' budget cut

2011-04-20T10:38:00.000-04:00

Determined to freeze property taxes this year, Board of Finance members are eyeing a $175 million spending plan that would allocate $2.5 million less for education than it got this year.
The move would “devastate education” and leave the school system unable to cope with the needs of a growing number of low-income students, said Tom O’Brien, a longtime Board of Education member.
Neither O’Brien nor other school officials could say Tuesday what cuts the proposed reduction would mean for the education system other than trimming the number of support personnel working with needy children.
While fiscal overseers said they don’t want to hurt education, they also declared strong support for freezing property taxes this year if it can possibly be done.
“We’re trying to be fair to everyone,” said Finance Chair Rich Miecznikowski. “The taxpayers are falling off the cliff right now.”
The finance board is pondering $4.3 million in cuts suggested by the comptroller’s office in order to reach a budget for coming fiscal year that would hike property taxes less than 1 percent.
But finance commissioners said they’d like to see more cuts in order to freeze, or even lower, the mill rate. Click here for the full story.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Tax collectors oppose measure to cut deals on back taxes

2011-04-19T16:50:00.000-04:00

A plan proposed by Bristol lawmakers to let municipalities negotiate back tax payments drew strong opposition from the state’s tax collectors.
Letting cities and towns negotiate tax payment amounts would give tax collectors “too much discretion” and serve no public purpose, according to legislative testimony by the Connecticut Association of Tax Collectors.
The group said the change sought by all of Bristol’s legislators – with backing from City Hall – “would greatly imperil the revenue stream upon which municipalities depend.” Click here for the full story.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Conservation program aims to help homeowners, kids

2011-04-19T16:47:00.000-04:00

The path to making America energy independent begins at home, officials said Tuesday.
During a visit Tuesday to the Bristol Boys and Girls Club, U.S. Rep. John Larson, an East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol, plugged a new partnership Tuesday between the club and Victory Energy Solutions of New Britain that aims to help homeowners conserve energy.
Larson called the partnership “a terrific idea” that can pay dividends for the children served by the club while helping wean the country off foreign oil.
The program allows homeowners to get an energy audit of their homes for $75, with two-thirds of the money going into the club’s coffers. During the audit, technicians will seal up drafty windows, install efficient light bulbs and more, officials said.
Mayor Art Ward said that he had Victory Energy come to his house and was happy to return from work one day to find a drafty window fixed, just one piece of the company’s work to save money for homeowners.
Michael Suchopar, the chief professional officer at the club, said this is probably the first partnership in the country between a boys club and an energy-saving group.
He said the alliance makes a lot of sense.
“We save money. We save energy. And we end up saving kids’ lives,” Suchopar said.
Ronald Araujo, who manages the conservation program for Northeast Utilities, said that for every dollar spent on conservation efforts, people get back about $4, one of the best deals around.
Raquel Kennedy, a Victory Energy representative, said the partnership offers a unique opportunity for her company, the club and homeowners.
The work done for homeowners is worth $800 or more, according to Victory, but is offered for $75 because the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund subsidizes it. It typically leads to savings of $400 or more annually, officials said.
To participate, contact Victory Energy at (877) 306-4483 or go online to www.victoryenergysolutions.com. Be sure to indicate that you want to benefit the club when you sign up. It is not necessary to live in Bristol to take advantage of the program.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Ward KO's claims committee

2011-04-14T08:28:00.000-04:00

After another tangle among councilors dealing with a damage claim by a city employee, Mayor Art Ward recently abolished the longstanding claims committee.
Ward said the panel isn’t needed because the city’s insurance carrier can sort out which claims should be paid.
City Councilor Kate Matthews, who has clashed with other members of the panel, praised the mayor’s decision to rely on insurance experts instead of having claims first go through a municipal committee.
Ward said the change won’t cost the city more money and will allow experts to deal with payment claims filed against the city.
Spurring the move was a controversy surrounding the payment of $627 to Noelle Bates, a legal secretary at City Hall whose car was damaged last fall in the parking garage.
Matthews said there were novel legal issues she wanted advice on before deciding the case that she could not get answers about because city attorneys, who work with Bates, stepped aside because of a potential conflict of interest. Click here for the full story.

Here's the full statement that Matthews sent me yesterday:
The point I tried to make at last night's meeting (without bringing the claimant into it) is that she presented a novel theory of law in addition to the standard claim brought pursuant to the highway defect statute; as well, there is a legitimate legal question as to whether the highway defect statute would even apply in this situation, giving that the incident occurred in a parking garage, and not on what would traditionally be considered a "highway" under the statute. These were legal questions that go to the heart of the City's potential lability for this claim. They were never addressed, because the City attorneys all recused themselves from this matter, and because the Chair of the Committee, Ken Cockayne, was not interested in obtaining legal advice.
Notably, we did obtain other expert advice regarding the alleged "defect" - from our City Engineer and Building Official - and it is my understanding that both opined that the parking garage was not "defective" or in violation of applicable code. No defect means no liability for the City.
Further, we also sought the advice of our City's insurance broker as to how we should proceed. We were notified by them, in writing, that this claim and all others should be turned over to our insurance carrier.
Despite the advice of our City Engineer and Building Official that there was no defect, and despite our insurance broker's advice that this claim be turned over to our carrier for their consideration, my fellow colleagues on the Council Matters Committee nevertheless voted to recommend payment of the claim.
I abstained from this vote because I know that we were not in a position to make an informed decision. I suggested that it be turned over to the carrier as recommended, but was overruled. My colleagues' decision to recommend payment of the claim was arbitrary.
Frankly, I am glad that the Council Matters Committe has been disbanded by the Mayor, and that future claims will go directly to our insurance carrier. This will provide consistency in our claims resolution process, and will better protect the City from liability.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Larson hails Obama 'for drawing a line in the sand'

2011-04-13T18:36:00.002-04:00

Press release from U.S. Rep. John Larson, an East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol:
LARSON STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT’S SPEECH
WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement today on President Obama’s speech on reducing our long-term deficit:
“President Obama went straight to the American public today with a plan to grow the economy, create jobs and get the deficit under control without putting the burden on the backs of seniors who depend on Medicare or live in nursing homes, or on workers who’ve lost their health care, or on our veterans or students and their families. They’ve all sacrificed enough already. That’s the key difference between our vision for the nation and the Republican’s: shared sacrifice and fairness.
“I applaud the President for drawing a line in the sand – with respect to our seniors and Medicare and Social Security, and for the basic fairness that all Americans deserve.”

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

$16 million in state aid for Bristol could vanish

2011-04-13T07:36:00.000-04:00

The alternative budget that Gov. Dannel Malloy is eyeing should state workers refuse concessions would leave cities and towns reeling.Bristol alone would lose $16 million in state aid for the coming fiscal year -- enough to devastate services and cripple education.Raising that much locally would require a property tax hike of nearly 4 mills, which nobody would try to do in an election year, so the only way to cope would be layoffs and axing services.Frankly, I'm not sure what Bristol would do. It's a scenario so dire that nobody's ever talked about how they'd deal with such a hit.Of course, the legislature might well refuse to go along with such a large cut.But lawmakers have shown time and again that they don't like to deal with fiscal realities. Malloy at least is looking at the ugly necessity of either slashing spending or raising taxes. He's not just punting.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Police need 'thorough review,' investigator says

2011-04-13T07:27:00.000-04:00

An investigator who’s been looking into problems at the city’s police department has urged officials to conduct a comprehensive management study of the entire force.

In a report completed recently about a detective’s mishandling of weapons seized for evidence, Lori Coppinger says the city “needs a thorough review of departmental policies.”

The report also says the city should “hire a professional company to do a comprehensive management study of the police department in its entirety.”

Mayor Art Ward said Tuesday that “a management study might be a consideration” for the department. Read the whole story.

Back again!

2011-04-13T07:23:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the long delay in posting. I got clobbered by mono, of all things, and have spent several weeks doing little more than sleeping.But this week I'm making a stab at doing my job again.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy to hear busway arguments on Monday

2011-03-20T10:06:00.000-04:00

NEW BRITAIN – In the little strip of woods behind Fairview Cemetery , remnants of the old Highland Route rail line remain.
Rusty tracks run through the trees, bent and broken in places, and a few poles that once held glass insulators for utility lines still poke through to the sky.
Scattered along the ground are mounds of busted railroad ties, smashed bottles, odd metal contraptions, headless plastic dolls and heaps of unidentifiable garbage.
It’s been a long time since a railroad engine roared through – 1954 to be exact – but the old right of way between downtown New Britain and Newington junction is mostly intact, a forgotten bit of history that’s now at the center of controversy.
That 4.4-mile stretch would make up nearly half of the proposed busway route between the Hardware City and Hartford’s Union Station, a section that can be used either for buses or trains but not both.
For many critics of the $573 million busway plan, gobbling up the rail right of way would make it nearly impossible to create a reasonable rail commute into Hartford from New Britain and points to the west, including Bristol.
The only serious alternative route would take the trains from downtown New Britain to the southeast into the junction in Berlin, where they could proceed north again over the major line that runs from New Haven north to Massachusetts and beyond. That’s miles out of the way.
But the train option hasn’t been fully studied, let alone approved, while the busway project is ready to roll.
This is just one of many issues that Gov. Dannel Malloy will have to weigh Monday when teams of busway backers and bashers make a pitch behind closed-doors in Hartford for about 90 minutes each.
Malloy said that after hearing from both sides, he’ll decide whether to press on with busway or hit the brakes on the 9.4-mile project. Click here for the full story.

And here's a little video that shows why it's a really good thing I never went into TV:

City Council ignores charter requirements on ethics

2011-03-17T09:18:00.002-04:00

When a city official has a conflict of interest, whether personal or financial, the city charter requires him to “excuse himself from the proceedings and refrain from voting’ or participating in discussion of the issue.
It also mandates that within seven days after citing his conflict, he “shall file written disclosure” of it with the city clerk.
Though the requirement has been part of the charter for years, City Clerk Therese Pac said nobody has ever filed any written disclosure.
“No one has ever done it,” said James Donovan, chairman of the city’s Ethics Board.
Another part of the charter’s conflict of interest section requires the City Council to “establish a policy for disclosure of financial or personal interests of elected and appointed officials and employees,” including a list of offices or positions that require disclosure of potential conflicts.
That, too, has never been done. Click here for the full story.

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Wright backs new healthcare partnership measure

2011-03-16T11:02:00.001-04:00

This is a press release from state Rep. Chris Wright, a Bristol Democrat:
REP. WRIGHT WELCOMES INSURANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP BILL
Bill Saves Money For Businesses, Municipalities And Increases Health Care Access And Affordability
State Representative Christopher Wright (D-Bristol) says municipalities like Bristol, small businesses and the state can achieve significant cost savings if the Healthcare Partnership bill approved by the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee becomes law.
HB 6308, An Act Establishing The Connecticut Healthcare Partnership, would allow nonstate public employers, municipal-related employers, small business employers and nonprofit employers to join the state employee health plan.
“If the bill becomes law, the measure will provide families and individual workers with the same quality healthcare that state employees have and at an affordable price,” Rep. Wright said. “Participation would be voluntary. Each municipality, small business or nonprofit employer will be able to consider joining the partnership to see if it benefits them and then act accordingly.”
Rep. Wright pointed out that the Healthcare Partnership bill is similar to a drug prescription pooling bill that became law last year and is being considered by several municipalities.
The Healthcare Partnership bill goes next to the Labor and Public Employees Committee for consideration.
Rep. Wright serves on the Housing, Environment and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees.

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Welch to hold town hall session Monday, March 21 in Bristol

2011-03-16T10:43:00.000-04:00

Here is a press release from state Sen. Jason Welch, a Bristol Republican:
State Senator Jason Welch will hold a Town Hall Meeting at Bristol’s Edgewood School on Monday, March 21 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. The school is located at 345 Mix Street.
“I look forward to seeing area residents on Monday, listening to their concerns and answering their questions,” Welch said. “The governor’s proposed budget eliminates the $500 property tax exemption that Bristol residents rely on year after year. His proposal increases income taxes, business taxes, gas taxes, and even taxes on haircuts and coupons. Its elimination of the state's Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment tax exemption program will result in Bristol taking a $2 million hit which could result in local tax hikes and hurt our ongoing efforts to retain and grow manufacturing jobs. The plan also calls for nearly $1 billion in additional spending when most families and businesses across our state are tightening their belts. Everyone deserves to have their voice heard on these issues.”
Welch held a Town Hall Meeting in Plainville earlier this month which drew approximately 50 residents.
Welch represents Bristol, Harwinton, Plainville and Plymouth. Visit Welch’s newly revamped website at www.senatorwelch.com . Comments and suggestions may be sent to jason.welch@cga.ct.gov

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Want to be a school board member?

2011-03-15T09:28:00.000-04:00

Today is the last day to apply to Mayor Art Ward if you have any interest in claiming a vacant seat on the Board of Education. An appointment must be made this month.*****Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

The governor comes to town

2011-03-15T08:45:00.002-04:00

I was surprised last night by two things: the fact that most of the big crowd who came to hear Gov. Dannel Malloy were from Bristol and that the governor generally received a polite listening. Considering how mad so many people are about proposed cuts and tax hikes, it was refreshing in a way to have the vast majority of those in attendance treat Malloy respectfully. There seemed to a feeling that whatever the flaws in his plan, he deserved some credit for at least confronting the fiscal realities, something that hasn't happened in years.On the other hand, it doesn't mean the legislature will go along with him.State Rep. Chris Wright, a Bristol Democrat, told me a story that pretty much illustrates the entire problem. He told me about a constituent who vehemently pleaded with him last fall to get in there and cut, cut, cut until state government reached a size we could live with. That same person contacted him recently to beg him not to allow the governor to slice away a program that mattered to him, Wright said. And that is the paradox of out times: Everyone wants to cut someone else's program. And nobody wants a tax hike.Yet something has to give, as Malloy made painfully clear.Anyway, here is a link to the story I wrote about what Malloy had to say and here is another link to a story by reporter Jackie Majerus about why some of those in attendance showed up.If I get a chance today, I'll go through my notes and post some of the other interesting moments from the town hall session. By the way, one other thing I thought was interesting: many Republicans came to hear Malloy. I noticed state Sen. Jason Welch, state Rep. Whit Betts, former Mayor William Stortz, city GOP leader TJ Barnes, city Councilor Ken Cockayne (who wheedled a photo of the governor with his son) and more. It was nice to see that a governor's town hall did not become a partisan event. I also liked that at least most of the questions were clearly not setups, which is something you have to give Malloy credit for. He's standing up and taking it.*****Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Renaissance pushes trains for downtown

2011-03-13T09:44:00.000-04:00

Bristol Rising, the social media force created by Renaissance Downtowns to help it plan the future of the downtown, is calling on residents to rally for rail when the governor comes to town Monday.
Supporters were asked recently to prove to Gov. Dannel Malloy “our enthusiasm for having the rail here in Bristol and in this region” by turning out for the governor’s 7 p.m. town hall meeting at Bristol Eastern High School.
The president of Renaissance, Don Monti, said Friday that “the Bristol Rising crowd” has thrown itself behind the commuter rail option pushed by the Bristol-based Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce and others.
His company, too, is eager to see rail service restored in Bristol because it is convinced the long-term economic competitiveness” of Central Connecticut depends in part on the growth that rail can provide. Click here for the full story.

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Football compromise is possible

2011-03-12T10:46:00.003-05:00

I don't care that much about the National Football League or whether it plays or doesn't play any games this coming season.But I do have a suggestion for resolving one of the key issues dividing the owners from the players.The owners want to extend the season from 16 to 18 games for the obvious reason that it would bring in more money. The players don't want more matches because it increases their chance for injuries -- and it just plain wears them out.So how about this: The season gets extended to 18 games but no player can participate in more than 16 of them. That brings in the extra money but keeps the players from getting the extra battering.It also, incidentally, gives more players a chance to show their stuff and provides a bit of rest in the course of the season for players who otherwise are out there constantly.I suppose that teams may need slightly bigger rosters as well, but that just means more members for the union.That's my idea. Go ahead and grab it, ESPN, and give people their football again this fall.*****Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

City worker snags extra federal cash

2011-03-12T09:47:00.000-05:00

Handed “a difficult and joyless project” six months ago to secure a longshot federal grant to cover expensive health care costs, a city worker managed to haul in not just the $68,000 sought but an extra $85,000 in additional cash.

City Comptroller Glenn Klocko said one of his assistants, Jodi McGrane, showed an unusual amount of persistence and innovation and worked hard to bring in the money. Klocko said McGrane was asked to try to secure reimbursements for health care costs through the Early Retiree Reimbursement Act.

“Jodi took on the challenge,” Klocko said, and pulled together all sorts of information from many sources to apply for the cash. Click here for the full story.

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Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

A deal with DiVenere is nearing completion

2011-03-11T07:28:00.000-05:00

The city is trying to work out a settlement with Police Chief John DiVenere, who's on paid administrative leave. You can read Lisa Backus' story here.
My guess is that the chief is gone within a week or two - paid off with a year's pay and a little more - and that the acting chief, Capt. Eric Osanitsch, gets the nod pretty quickly to take the reins. He seems to have the backing of the department and the politicians.
But I don't have a crystal ball.

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Malloy coming to Bristol Monday

2011-03-11T07:15:00.000-05:00

Gov. Dannel Malloy will bring his traveling show to Bristol on Monday for an hour long public hearing on his proposed budget cuts and tax hikes.
Originally slated for City Hall, the 7 p.m. session has been moved to the auditorium Bristol Eastern High School so more people can squeeze in. It will fill up fast even there if the governor's other meetings are any indication.
Malloy will likely talk for about 15 minutes, then field questions.
If you want to get in, get there early. If you want to ask the governor a question, well, good luck.
It's going to be a madhouse there.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Pro-busway group releases new video

2011-03-11T07:10:00.000-05:00

Here's a video released this week by the Regional Plan Association's Connecticut office touting the proposed busway between Hartford and New Britain:

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Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Bristol Blog is Back

2011-03-10T20:16:00.001-05:00

I stopped bothering the last few weeks for a few reasons. One is that it's harder to squeeze out any time to post anything in days that grow ever more crowded because of early deadlines and an increasingly hectic pace. Another is that I didn't have much to say. But mostly I got sick of the ignorant, racist, mind-boggling idiocy of so many of the comments posted to anything I wrote.
Farhad Manjoo over at Slate seems to have that almost exactly right, using words I probably shouldn't, so go read his column on internet comments.
Basically, I'm going to block all comments except for an occasional few that are emailed to me from someone whose identity I know. When I can link the comments to Facebook accounts, which I'm sure Blogger will do soon, I'll open them up again. But they'll never be anonymous again.
Reading some moron writing on the Press site tonight about the "jigaboos" on the UConn basketball team just confirmed to me that there is no other way. The only alternative is to let crazies run amuck.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Rail advocates speak out at state Capitol

2011-02-22T08:49:00.000-05:00

Here's a video that the state Senate Republicans made on Friday featuring a couple of commuter rail advocates who came to speak in favor of state Sen. Jason Welch's bill to shift state money to the proposed commuter rail line between Hartford and Waterbury instead of the busway pushed by the state Department of Transportation. Take a look.

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Malloy is key to busway's future

2011-02-17T06:38:00.001-05:00

The $45 million allocated in President Obama’s new budget for the proposed busway between Hartford and New Britain won’t make much difference in whether the plan moves forward.

The key decision-maker remains Gov. Dannel Malloy, who said as recently as Monday that he hasn’t made up his mind.

With the state Department of Transportation preparing to put parts of the project out to bid next month and a full funding agreement between the state and federal highway officials due soon, the momentum for the busway project could carry the day unless the governor opts to hit the brakes.

Whether that will happen remains a giant question mark. Click here for the full story.

Source of funding

Federal New Starts Funds -- $275.3 million

Federal Urbanized Area Funds - $18.2 million

Federal Fixed Guideway Modernization Funds - $21.2 million

Federal Bus Discretionary Funds - $25.9 million

Federal Flexible Highway Funds - $112.7 million

National Highway Funds - $6 million

State Transportation Fund - $113.3 million

Busway hearings

The Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce will hold two and possibly more informational sessions about the busway.

The sessions are slated to begin at 6 p.m. on both Monday, Feb. 28 and Wenesday, March 2 at the chamber office at 200 Main St. in Bristol.

The sessions are free and open to the public. Since space is limited, those who wish to attend should pre-register by calling (860) 584-4718 or at CentralCTChambers.org.

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Malloy: honest broker or wimp?

2011-02-17T06:35:00.000-05:00

For some, Gov. Dannel Malloy is coming through as promised with a tough budget that keeps municipalities happy and shares sacrifice widely.

For others, though, he’s a wimp.

One thing that’s for sure, though, is that his proposed spending plan shows at least one marked difference from those of his Republican predecessors: there is nothing in it about shutting down either the courthouse or the Bristol Technical Education Center.

It seeks to preserve existing levels of education aid, considered crucial to keeping property taxes in check, and generally holds the line on most state aid. Click here for the story.

Bristol government's Top 50 earners

2011-02-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

The ever-popular list of the city's top municipal wage earners is in the paper today. You can find it online here.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Courant says city workers shouldn't serve on City Council

2011-02-10T13:07:00.000-05:00

Figured many readers would be interested in the Courant's editorial today calling for an end to city workers serving on the City Council. It is based largely on reporter Don Stacom's scathing indictment of the city police department in this story last Sunday.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Joseph Mike, former insurance head, dead at 64

2011-02-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

A former state insurance commissioner from Bristol, Joseph Mike, died this week. George Gombossy has a nice tribute here.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com