Keep Social Security office in Bristol open, pols say

Connecticut’s two senators and Bristol’s congressman told the Social Security Administration this week they oppose the closure of the agency’s office on North Main Street.

In an Oct. 17 joint letter, the three men said they “have yet to see how the cost savings associated with the closing of this office justify the potential hardship on Bristol area senior citizens and people with disabilities.”

The letter, signed by U.S. Rep. John Larson and U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, asked agency Commissioner Carolyn Colvin to meet with them soon to explore the rationale for the decision to shutter the office in January.

They said they also want to discuss options for ensuring that city residents will still be able to have in-person contact with Social Security staff.

“We stand united with Bristol Mayor Art Ward and the greater Bristol community” in strongly opposing the closure, the letter said.

Ward said he is grateful for the “immediate response to this most crucial issue. It is imperative that our residents maintain full, unobstructed and/or uninhibited, access to their Social Security benefits.”

Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Wyman, Blumenthal eyeball Bristol

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

Blumenthal "listening tour" skips Bristol

For two weeks, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is touring the state on what he calls a "Listening Tour" to hear what his constituents have to say about, well, anything.
The tour takes him from Stamford to Hartford, from Groton to Winsted, from Torrington to Meriden, and more.
But in all that time, Blumenthal has no plans to listen to the concerns of the Mum City.
Of course, Bristol residents are free to show up at any of his stops. And Lord knows nobody can hit all of Connecticut's 169 towns and cities in two weeks, or even two months, but isn't Bristol worth making time for?
Maybe Blumenthal needs to see Fury's rap video about how great Bristol is.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Blumenthal still way up in polls

With the conventions over and a freshly minted apology, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal appears to have weathered the storm created by a New York Times story that pointed out occasions when Blumenthal falsely claimed to have served in the Marines in Vietnam.
Polling done on May 19 and 20 for the candidate finds him still well ahead and still well liked in Connecticut.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

O'Brien: Blumenthal 'has some work to do'

Though Democratic U.S. Senate contender Richard Blumenthal "has some work to do" to rebuild the public's trust, he can wrestle GOP Senate nominee Linda McMahon to the ground, state Rep. Tim O'Brien, a New Britain Democrat, said.
"I hope people will reject the kind of Wall Street, insider politics" that led the Republicans to tap McMahon, an inexperienced multimillionaire, as their nominee, he said.
He said Democats can win with Blumenthal by making the case that they are fighting for average, working people while the GOP is counting on winning with a candidate who can "dump tens of millions of dollars to buy an election."
O'Brien said Blumenthal still has the support of veterans who remember how much he's done for them over the years.
He also hailed the party's gubernatorial choice because Malloy will push for property tax reform and a more fair system of school funding.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Blumenthal tumbles in the polls

A new poll taken last night shows Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal with a 48-45 lead over Republican Linda McMahon. That's 10 points worse than he did two weeks ago.
He leads Rob Simmons by 11 points now compared to a 23 point margin two weeks ago in the Rasmussen survey.
Since the poll was done Tuesday evening, the difference is almost entirely due to the breaking news about Blumenthal's failure to stick to the truth on his military service record.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Bristol Democrats stand with Blumenthal

In a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall jammed with reporters and television cameras waiting to hear what Richard Blumenthal would say about a flap that threatened to dismember his U.S. Senate campaign, two Bristol Democrats calmly waited beside the stage.

“We’re here to support Blumenthal,” said Elliott Nelson, the Democratic Party chair in Bristol.

He said that Blumenthal has always been there for Bristol “so we’re here to show our support for him.”

At his side was Jim Brown, a U.S. Air Force veteran who lost his kneecap in the service.

Brown, whose family has a long record in the military, said he’s seen Blumenthal speak at many veterans events over the course of years.

“He never, ever misspoke,” Brown said, and always described his six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve accurately.

Given the attorney general’s strong stance in favor of helping veterans more, Brown said, he has no doubt of Blumenthal’s integrity.

“He’s a veteran in my mind,” Brown said.

He said that Blumenthal, under fire for claiming on a few occasions to have served in Vietnam, “probably made a mistake” in choosing his words.

But, Brown said, Blumenthal never intended to mislead anyone.

When the attorney general arrived, Brown sat in a chair at the end of the stage wearing his leather Disabled Veterans cap. Nelson had a better view.

Blumenthal gave no ground in his remarks, insisting that he had merely misspoken a few times out of hundreds of speeches he’s given urging better treatment for veterans.

He said he regretted the mistake, but deliberately stopped short of apologizing. Blumenthal said the errors were “absolutely unintentional.

Blumenthal criticized the New York Times story that sparked the frenzy for skipping past the six years he put into the Reserves, denigrating service in the reserves and levying the “completely untrue” charge that he pulled in favors to get into the Marines.

In fact, Blumenthal said, he called a Marine Corps recruiter in the nation’s capital to sign up and soon found himself on a midnight bus to Paris Island for boot camp – a long way from the White House job he held beforehand.

At the end, Nelson and Brown managed to shake the attorney general's hand before proclaiming that Blumenthal had successfully fended off the challenge to his campaign.

“He just made a mistake,” Brown said. “Everybody does.”


Update: Here's another story with local reaction to the Blumenthal saga.******* 
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Ward: Blumenthal told the truth around me

Bristol's mayor, Democrat Art Ward, knows what it was like to serve as a U.S. Marine in the jungles of Vietnam.
As a young man, he went to war there, coming home with a Purple Heart and the medals to prove his valor.
He's been involved in Bristol's thriving veterans community ever since, playing a key part in erecting one of the first Vietnam War memorials in the country.
But in his two decades in politics, during which he's shared the stage with Attorney General Richard Blumenthal many times, Ward said he's never heard Blumenthal claim to have served in Vietnam.
“He’s never given me the idea that he served in Vietnam. I always thought he was pretty public with the fact that he was in the Reserves,” Ward said this morning.
Ward said the first time he can explicitly remember talking with Blumenthal about their respective service in the Marines was back in 1998, when a replica of the Vietnam War memorial wall came to Bristol.
Blumenthal told a story then about serving as a corporal in the Reserves. Ward ended his active duty as a sergeant so he joked with Blumenthal about having once outranked him.
In the many years since, Ward said, he's heard Blumenthal speak at numerous veterans-related functions.
"He's never alluded to serving in Vietnam" at any of them, Ward said.
Ward said that the issue has not been the focus of any conversations over the years, but the two have talked about the Marines a number of times.
Ward said he's sure he would have noted if Blumenthal claimed to have been in Vietnam because it "a very sensitive subject" among veterans who have been in harm's way.
He said that given the raw emotions involved for those who were in combat, he would have paid attention had Blumenthal changed his story at any of those appearances.
Ward said that he's shocked that Blumenthal misrepresented his service at any public appearance, but added that perhaps there's a missing context the video or news story in The New York Times.
In any case, he said, Blumenthal has been straightforward to him.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

McMahon nailed Blumenthal?

On her website, Republican Senate hopeful Linda McMahon explicitly takes credit for the New York Times story zinging Richard Blumenthal:

McMahon Strikes Blumenthal In NYT Article

I suppose all those millions managed to turn up the video of Blumenthal talking to veterans, but who knows? In any case, it's remarkable that her campaign immediately credited itself for the story.
Even so, I can't help thinking it helps Rob Simmons more, given that he's an authentic Vietnam veteran who generally seems to understate what he did over there.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

New York Times: Blumenthal a liar

In a story that can't be good for Richard Blumenthal's U.S. Senate campaign, the New York Times is reporting the Democratic hopeful has repeatedly misrepresented his military service by lying about having served in Vietnam.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Alpert says he'll keep walking toward a Democratic primary

Merrick Alpert, the long-shot Democratic challenger who took aim at U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd last year, didn’t skip a step on his trudge through Connecticut Wednesday.

In the midst of his 90-mile “Hurting in Connecticut” walk from Enfield to New Haven, Alpert soldiered on along Riverside Avenue Wednesday as if the campaign hadn’t flipped on its head overnight.

Dodd’s decision not to seek a sixth term as senator and state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s announcement that he would jump into the race didn’t rattle Alpert.

“The players may change but the issues don’t,” said the Mystic businessman whose bid to snatch Democratic backing from the embattled Dodd helped undermine the senator’s support within the party.

Though polls show Blumenthal is the most popular politician in the state, Alpert said he’s going to stay in the fray.

He said that Blumenthal is “a good fellow” and welcomed him to race.

“The more, the better,” he said. “I want a vigorous primary process.”

“People are really hungry for change,” Alpert said, and ready to back an outsider who will fight the “game show hosts” in Washington who just smile while ignoring the real problems facing middle class Americans in their haste to help Wall Street..

As he clomped through the ice along Bristol’s downtown streets, Alpert said he’s noticed a lot while walking through Connecticut.

Pointing to a closed shop, Alpert said he’s seen way too many little stores that haven’t been able to keep their doors open.

“Think of all the hopes and dreams and plans they had,” he said quietly. “It’s crushing.”

Alpert said that people are desperate for political leaders who will hear their concerns and push for programs and policies that will improve the lives of working Americans.

He said several times that he favors private sector job creation, clean government and pulling out of Afghanistan, a war he said is just too expensive.

“I want to invest in Connecticut, not Kabul,” Alpert said.

Touring the St. Vincent DePaul Mission’s homeless shelter on Jacobs Street, Merrick said leaders have “to bring focus on people who have lost jobs, lost homes and are hungry.”

Father Joseph DiSciacca, pastor of St. Joseph Church and president of the board for the mission, told Merrick everyone has recognize the problem.

“We help one another and that’s the way we get out of these difficult situations,” the pastor said.

Inside the shelter, Merrick stood speechless as he eyed the toys in one homeless family’s quarters. They were the same ones his two children have, he said.

“That’s a huge impact,” he said. Children shouldn’t have to grow up in such places, he added.

Even so, Merrick said he’s feels lifted up whenever he sees the volunteers and workers at the shelters, soup kitchens and other agencies that help those who are struggling.

Those are among the forgotten people he wants to represent in the nation’s capital, Alpert said.

“I walk the walk, not just talk the talk,” he said as he headed off toward the big hill on Wolcott Street, determined to put in another 7 miles before quitting for the day.

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

Bristol Dems happy with Blumenthal instead of Dodd

Bristol Democrats are happy that Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is ready to leap into the U.S. Senate race now that embattled incumbent Chris Dodd is giving up on reelection.

Blumenthal “will make an outstanding U.S. senator,” said state Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat. “He will do the state of Connecticut proud.”

The departure of Dodd from the race, which the senator plans to announce formally at noon at his East Haddam home, clears the way for Blumenthal to go after the seat he’s long sought.

City Councilor Kevin Fuller, a Democrat, said that Blumenthal’s “background and love for the state of Connecticut” will help him win “and bring respect back to the position.”

Mayor Art Ward said that Blumenthal’s entry into the contest “represents our greatest opportunity to forge ahead with positive representation in the United States Senate and will receive my absolute support.”

Fuller said, “It is time to make our Senate delegation positions of honor and respect, which I feel has been lost in the last few years.”

He said that Dodd made the right choice given “all the controversy surrounding him.”

Nicastro said that Dodd obviously “realized it was time to make the decision and he made it.”

He said that when he saw Dodd in Bristol on Monday, the senator “was not the vibrant man I remember from years ago. He looked very, very, very tired.”

Nicastro said that Blumenthal has the capacity to bring the state together, to attract voters from across the political spectrum.

“I believe you’re going to see everybody come together and get behind Dick Blumenthal,” Nicastro said.

Ward said Dodd “has always been a staunch supporter of and advocate for the city of Bristol, the state of Connecticut and the nation” that he has “served with distinction” for years.

Dodd’s “bipartisan approach to the issues has resulted in decision which will benefit future generations, both nationally and globally,” the mayor said.

Blumenthal told the Associated Press he would announce his candidacy at Democratic headquarters in Hartford right after Dodd addresses the press.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Blumenthal to run for Senate

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told the Associated Press this morning he will announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate at noon.*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Blumenthal surprised by Rell choice

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he is still digesting the news from Gov. Jodi Rell.
"It's certainly surprising and interesting," Blumenthal said as he waited to deliver the oath of office to releected Mayor Art Ward.
Blumenthal declined to say how Rell's decision might have an impact on his own future.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Blumenthal to intervene in JRC bankruptcy

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, with a keen sense of justice, is promising to try to block a Journal Register Co. request to the bankruptcy court to pay 31 of its key executives $1.7 million in bonuses for continuing to lay off employees and close newspapers, according to the New Haven Independent.

Blumenthal told the online newspaper that the bonuses sought "seem unnecessary and excessive given the apparent financial failure of the company. It cerainly has the appearance of rewarding failure."

And, really, as a matter of public policy, wouldn't it make more sense to reward executives who find ways to keep newspapers -- or any other business -- open rather than shutting them down in the midst of the worst recession in decades? We desperately need both the jobs and the information that even JRC papers provide.

Go get 'em, Dick.

For more, see this.

And for a larger look at the newspaper situation in Connecticut, see this piece in Editor & Publisher.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Rell, Blumenthal agree on need to save the Press

Reporters Jackie Majerus and Adam Benson wrote this:

Two of Connecticut’s top elected officials, Gov. Jodi Rell and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, said they don’t want to see local newspapers close and promised to take part in a bipartisan effort to save them.

“That's something that we'd be more than willing to explore,” said Rell, a Republican.

“I’d be happy to take part,” said Blumenthal, the state’s top-ranking Democrat.

Rell and Blumenthal spoke in favor of local papers after hearing about the possible closing of The Bristol Press, The Herald in New Britain and 11 weekly papers in the state. Together, they employ about 100 people, mostly in Bristol and New Britain.

All the papers are owned by the Journal Register Co., a Yardley, Penn.-based chain that is struggling financially. The company said this month that if the papers aren’t sold by January 12, they will be closed.

Rell said she was “so saddened” by the news that the papers are in danger and that employees are facing the loss of their jobs.

“This is the worst financial turmoil I have ever seen, not only in our state but in our nation,” said Rell. “I've never seen it so dour and people are feeling it.”

But despite “some very difficult economic times,” Rell said, it is “very important” that local papers stay intact.

For Blumenthal, local papers help him learn what’s happening in towns across the state.

“That kind of closing would be a huge loss to me and learning about what’s happening in this community,” said Blumenthal.

Blumenthal said newspapers have a critical role.

“It’s really the oxygen of democracy. People take it for granted,” the attorney general said, until it’s gone and they can’t breathe.

Local papers provide vital news, said Blumenthal, about what is going on in the community, from zoning meetings to city council actions, as well as things like firehouse fundraisers, Parent Teacher Organization activities and school sports.

In addition, they provide a record of births, marriages and deaths.

“The newspaper is an information lifeline,” said Blumenthal. “It provides really an essential service.”

“There’s something about having that paper and being able to sit there with your cup of coffee or your tea and read through and find out not only the news but the real feel for a community,” said Rell.

“Any time you lose a news service, that's a service to the public,” said Rell, who said the closing of the newspapers would be “a real loss to the communities.”

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Blumenthal backs Nicastro's Social Security number protection measure

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's testimony before the General Law Committee, Tuesday, March 4, 2008:

I appreciate the opportunity to support House Bill 5658, An Act Concerning the Confidentiality of Social Security Numbers.
The proposal prohibits retailers and other businesses from requiring customers to disclose their Social Security numbers as a condition of any sale or purchase of a good or service.
Social Security numbers often are the gateway for identity theft. Federal law restricts government agency requests for such information but does not regulate how businesses require or use social security numbers. Yet, the likelihood of identity theft from Social Security numbers is just as great when such information is in the possession of private businesses as they are in the possession of governmental agencies.
Over the past two years it has become unfortunately all too common for a business data base to be compromised by hackers or identity thieves. In a number of these situations, consumers' Social Security numbers were part of the stolen information, causing significant financial problems for these consumers.
Often, Social Security information is unnecessary in order for the business to transact a sale or lease with a consumer. Yet, the businesses request the information and it becomes part of the data base of the business.
Five years ago, the General Assembly had the wisdom to restrict public display of Social Security numbers or use of such information as membership identification numbers. The proposal in this legislation simply extends that identity theft initiative to prohibit businesses from demanding Social Security numbers in return for the purchase or lease of goods or services. The committee may wish to provide an exception for legitimate business purposes such as extension of credit, where a Social Security number may be required to assure access to credit reports.
I urge the committee's favorable consideration of House Bill 5658.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com