Goldwasser one of many on unemployment lines

Mickey Goldwasser, a familiar figure around town, is among the many middle class professionals who have landed on the unemployment lines due to the recession. I wrote about him here.

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

3rd District GOP still seeking candidates

Statement issued by the 3rd District's Republican committee late last night:

Although spring hasn’t arrived, Republicans in Bristol’s Third Council District are excited about this fall’s council race.  

“This fall’s race is going to be exciting in our district,” said Bob Casar, District Chairman, “like last year’s Presidential race, we’re faced with the unique situation where there is no incumbent running for office.”  Because of that, Casar said, the district has “seen an upswing in the number of people like Derek  who have expressed an interest in running for Council in the third district.” 

“Derek came to us about a month ago to discuss his candidacy.  Since then I know he’s worked hard to develop his platform and build a campaign team that he believes will help him win the party’s nomination, and, ultimately, the election in November,” Casar said. 

“At one point our list had seven names on it, and through the process some have dropped out or opted to take a role in helping others. It is refreshing to see candidates vying for the nomination who we believe would be an asset to the council,” said Mickey Goldwasser, another Third District Republican.  “There are many things about Derek’s platform that we support.”  “That said,” said Casar, “we are still encouraging anyone interested in running to step forward during the coming weeks.”

While the party will vote on nominations in May, the District has already begun the vetting process.  In the Third District all candidates will receive a questionnaire that they will need to discuss with the Vetting Committee, further, candidates will be interviewed as a group and individually by Town Committee members and will be asked to present a platform to the Committee. 

“Right now feelings of cynicism and mistrust are running pretty high in our society,” said Casar.  “We feel that we owe it to the voters to put forward candidates of high integrity and strong character.”  By doing that, Casar said he hopes the election will “focus on the issues that matter most to our neighbors, as opposed to devolving into partisan rants and name calling.”

Goldwasser said that the things he’s looking for in a candidate include “a solid, focused, common sense platform.”  Casar is looking for “some interest from non-traditional Republicans, whether as a candidate or volunteer.  Diversity is what makes organizations great – we need more young people to get involved in the process to help us build bench strength for the future; we need white collar and blue collar folks working together with Veteran’s, retirees and students.  We need to reflect the image of our community.” 

Finally, said Goldwasser, “we need individuals that will put the voters of Bristol first and have the ability to make a difference. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate the ability to develope a strong campaign organization, and have the passion and energy necessary to sustain themselves through a long campaign season.  They’re going to be asking a lot of us in the weeks and months to come.  By having them go through the vetting process now, we’re having them do some work up front to make sure they’re not only qualified but dedicated to putting in the hours to make it to November.” 

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

Riverside Avenue to get city's attention

The city is eyeing a facelift for Riverside Avenue, a key downtown gateway that could use a little help – or maybe a lot of help.
Mickey Goldwasser, a Bristol Development Authority commissioner, said that officials want to tie the soon-to-be-expanded Route 72 with the downtown mall property the city hopes to revitalize.
The goal is to make improvements that would enhance the road for people entering downtown, said Jonathan Rosenthal, the city’s economic development director.
The BDA has formed a working group to oversee efforts to improve Riverside Avenue, which includes the New England Carousel Museum and the former J.H. Sessions clock factory on the stretch between Middle and North Main streets.
City Councilor Craig Minor said the mid-1980s effort to bolster Forestville’s center is the model for what the city aims to do along Riverside Avenue.
In a Sept. 10 memorandum to the BDA, Minor laid out his vision for what can be done on Riverside Avenue.
He said that with the Route 72 extension slated to hook up with the eastern end of Riverside Avenue in 2009, “a significant increase in traffic will be directed” along the stretch leading into downtown
“The BDA should capitalize on this moment and create a plan similar to what was done in Forestville 20 years ago,” Minor said in his memo.
Among the idea that Minor suggested the city consider are:
* The realignment of Riverside Avenue, where appropriate, to create a more aesthetic approach to downtown;
* New sidewalks and curbs;
* The possible consolidation of many, small, adjacent business driveways to reduce curb cuts;
* Better landscaping;
* Adding signs and “street furniture.
Minor said a program like the one he envisions “requires the active involvement and participation” of many city departments, including the BDA, public works and planning.
During the Forestville project of the 1980s, Minor said, the city offered façade grants to help business owners improve the appearance of their building, added public parking lots and a traffic island.
It also added new walkways and curbs, he said. Some adjustments in traffic patterns were also made.
Goldwasser said that stepping up to help Riverside Avenue in the same way is an indication the city is trying to be “proactive” as Route 72 is extended from the end of the expressway in Plainville.


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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com