Showing posts with label McCauley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label McCauley. Show all posts
August 13, 2014
Don't count Rydingsward out for good
May 22, 2014
Democrats endorse McCauley for registrar
April 17, 2014
McCauley eyeing race for registrar
January 25, 2011
Cockayne, McCauley differ on potential conflict of interest
I forgot to mention this after the City Council meeting this month, but, hey, better late than never, right?
At the end of the meeting, councilors were preparing to go into executive session to discuss some boring topics and get an update on contract negotiations with the police and fire unions.
Democratic city Councilor Kevin McCauley, a firefighter, said he would not participate in the session about the fire pact because it posed a conflict of interest.
Republican Ken Cockayne asked if McCauley planned to be involved in the closed-door talk about the police contract since it shared many of the same issues and terms.
McCauley said he would because it did not pose a conflict.
Cockayne said he disagreed, clearly stating that in his view, McCauley had a conflict.
But McCauley brushed aside the concern and did, in fact, participate in the executive session about the police contract.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
At the end of the meeting, councilors were preparing to go into executive session to discuss some boring topics and get an update on contract negotiations with the police and fire unions.
Democratic city Councilor Kevin McCauley, a firefighter, said he would not participate in the session about the fire pact because it posed a conflict of interest.
Republican Ken Cockayne asked if McCauley planned to be involved in the closed-door talk about the police contract since it shared many of the same issues and terms.
McCauley said he would because it did not pose a conflict.
Cockayne said he disagreed, clearly stating that in his view, McCauley had a conflict.
But McCauley brushed aside the concern and did, in fact, participate in the executive session about the police contract.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 8, 2010
McCauley explains his position on proposed union pact
Statement read by city Councilor Kevin McCauley at tonight's City Council session about the proposed deal with Local 233:
As many know, I took considerable heat on my position last week to postpone the vote on this Tentative Agreement for one week. After having a week to review the documents that contain some major changes in the contract, I am more than happy to state that I believe we made the right decision.
Last week, we were given the Comparison Document two days before the special meeting. Upon reviewing it, I knew, in my experience as both a union member and a City Council member, that this document would require more than 48 hours of consideration and analysis before I felt comfortable to render a decision on the ratification of it.
The two-page Comparison Document is extremely complex. It includes highly technical and specialized legal and tax language, the implications of which would take time to fully consider.
This is a very difficult contract and tough to comprehend, both from a management standpoint and I am sure from a member’s standpoint. I think that Local 233's membership, along with the skillful negotiating of their leadership, should be commended for the fact that they are willing to take a reduction in pay, give back vacation days when it comes to doing their retirement calculation, not demand any code increases, nor take any step increases. But most of all, the major change with regard to the pension policy in agreeing to pay for a portion of their own post-employment healthcare benefits deserves our gratitude.
In fact, this pension policy change gives the City of Bristol the precedent and ability to negotiate with all other City unions and secure the same concessions. Essentially, Local 233 has now provided the City with the key to open the door to fully implementing a GASB 45 plan.
The Tentative Agreement also establishes a City pension “prerogative” that is not subject to grievance or arbitration procedure, and may set precedents that will give the City an upper hand in securing similar concessions in future negotiations with other City unions.
I want to thank the membership of 233 and their leadership for their efforts during the negotiations, and the efforts by the City negotiating team. By working together, the City and 233 clearly did a good job in saving taxpayer dollars in the future by giving unprecedented concessions and not demanding anything in return from the City.
The Tentative Agreement was approved by Local 233 membership and represents the will of the majority of Local 233’s members, and I will vote to ratify it because of their vote, and because of the benefits it provides to the City.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
As many know, I took considerable heat on my position last week to postpone the vote on this Tentative Agreement for one week. After having a week to review the documents that contain some major changes in the contract, I am more than happy to state that I believe we made the right decision.
Last week, we were given the Comparison Document two days before the special meeting. Upon reviewing it, I knew, in my experience as both a union member and a City Council member, that this document would require more than 48 hours of consideration and analysis before I felt comfortable to render a decision on the ratification of it.
The two-page Comparison Document is extremely complex. It includes highly technical and specialized legal and tax language, the implications of which would take time to fully consider.
This is a very difficult contract and tough to comprehend, both from a management standpoint and I am sure from a member’s standpoint. I think that Local 233's membership, along with the skillful negotiating of their leadership, should be commended for the fact that they are willing to take a reduction in pay, give back vacation days when it comes to doing their retirement calculation, not demand any code increases, nor take any step increases. But most of all, the major change with regard to the pension policy in agreeing to pay for a portion of their own post-employment healthcare benefits deserves our gratitude.
In fact, this pension policy change gives the City of Bristol the precedent and ability to negotiate with all other City unions and secure the same concessions. Essentially, Local 233 has now provided the City with the key to open the door to fully implementing a GASB 45 plan.
The Tentative Agreement also establishes a City pension “prerogative” that is not subject to grievance or arbitration procedure, and may set precedents that will give the City an upper hand in securing similar concessions in future negotiations with other City unions.
I want to thank the membership of 233 and their leadership for their efforts during the negotiations, and the efforts by the City negotiating team. By working together, the City and 233 clearly did a good job in saving taxpayer dollars in the future by giving unprecedented concessions and not demanding anything in return from the City.
The Tentative Agreement was approved by Local 233 membership and represents the will of the majority of Local 233’s members, and I will vote to ratify it because of their vote, and because of the benefits it provides to the City.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 3, 2010
McCauley says he's baffled at how last night's meeting turned into a circus
City Councilor Kevin McCauley sent along his thoughts on what happened last night. Here they are:
I am baffled that a simple procedural matter turned into a circus. This was strictly about courtesy and respect for the city council, due process and, most importantly, our constituents. It was a simple request to postpone the discussion to ratify a contract by one week, which is within the September 14th deadline, to allow ample time to review all the associated information of the Tentative Agreement and to ensure all council members are in attendance.
At the time I met with the Mayor to request that he consider rescheduling this agenda item, we had not yet received all the pertinent information requested by council members. We were expected to take action without having all of the information to do so, nor ample time to review what we had received. We were also given conflicting answers as to the deadline date. I now understand that if no action is taken on this T.A. by September 14, 2010, it will automatically be ratified with the July 1, 2010 retroactive date taking effect.
There have been requests to the Mayor in the past to consider dates and time of meetings so that the full council can be in attendance. There was no reason why a week postponement or a time of 6pm could have been considered in light of the fact we were not supplied all of the information or that there were conflicts with council members on the date selected.
A quick time line of events is as follows:
Negotiations since January, 2010
T.A. signed August 2, 2010
Council notified August 21, 2010
Rec’d T.A. highlights of changes/additions August 31, 2010
Met with Mayor September 1, 2010
Rec’d cost share/co-pay comparisons September 2, 2010
Special city council meeting scheduled for September 2, 2010 @ 5 pm.
As far as the blindsiding, I am confused as to why, when I do give the Mayor a courtesy visit and explain the concern, even with 24-hour notice, that I am blindsiding him. He said he would “get back to me” and had ample time to do so, but instead chose to spend his time orchestrating the fiasco of last night.
The Mayor’s version of the events that unfolded in his office on September 1st is in conflict with what actually took place. That being said, I wish to reiterate that I also expressed to the Mayor at that meeting, as I did last night, that I was in favor of the T.A. based on what I had received thus far, but would support a postponement of the agenda item to further review new information provided and to ensure all council members are in attendance if the deadline date would allow. That has now been confirmed. *****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
I am baffled that a simple procedural matter turned into a circus. This was strictly about courtesy and respect for the city council, due process and, most importantly, our constituents. It was a simple request to postpone the discussion to ratify a contract by one week, which is within the September 14th deadline, to allow ample time to review all the associated information of the Tentative Agreement and to ensure all council members are in attendance.
At the time I met with the Mayor to request that he consider rescheduling this agenda item, we had not yet received all the pertinent information requested by council members. We were expected to take action without having all of the information to do so, nor ample time to review what we had received. We were also given conflicting answers as to the deadline date. I now understand that if no action is taken on this T.A. by September 14, 2010, it will automatically be ratified with the July 1, 2010 retroactive date taking effect.
There have been requests to the Mayor in the past to consider dates and time of meetings so that the full council can be in attendance. There was no reason why a week postponement or a time of 6pm could have been considered in light of the fact we were not supplied all of the information or that there were conflicts with council members on the date selected.
A quick time line of events is as follows:
Negotiations since January, 2010
T.A. signed August 2, 2010
Council notified August 21, 2010
Rec’d T.A. highlights of changes/additions August 31, 2010
Met with Mayor September 1, 2010
Rec’d cost share/co-pay comparisons September 2, 2010
Special city council meeting scheduled for September 2, 2010 @ 5 pm.
As far as the blindsiding, I am confused as to why, when I do give the Mayor a courtesy visit and explain the concern, even with 24-hour notice, that I am blindsiding him. He said he would “get back to me” and had ample time to do so, but instead chose to spend his time orchestrating the fiasco of last night.
The Mayor’s version of the events that unfolded in his office on September 1st is in conflict with what actually took place. That being said, I wish to reiterate that I also expressed to the Mayor at that meeting, as I did last night, that I was in favor of the T.A. based on what I had received thus far, but would support a postponement of the agenda item to further review new information provided and to ensure all council members are in attendance if the deadline date would allow. That has now been confirmed. *****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
What actually happened at last night's City Council session
At the start of the session, city Councilor Kevin McCauley said he would ask for a postponement of the vote on the proposed contract for the union representing the city’s “inside workers.”
“This is about courtesy,” McCauley said
He said the mayor provided information about the proposed deal only two days before the special meeting even though he’d signed the tentative agreement on August 2.
Some councilors, McCauley said, “felt strongly they just didn’t have enough time” to go over the material before Thursday night’s session.
McCauley said he told the mayor on Wednesday that councilors wanted more time.
He also said that the special meeting was slated for a time when two councilors, David Mills and Cliff Block, were out of town. Block, in the end, returned from Vermont for the meeting but Mills could not make it.
McCauley said Mills specifically asked for a chance to be heard before the vote. He said he wanted to give Mills that opportunity and to provide the entire council “the time to read through this information” before making a decision.
“I am speaking for my colleagues,” McCauley said.
City Councilor Ken Cockayne said he agreed with McCauley. He said any other night this week or next would have been fine with everyone.
“I echo those sentiments,” added city Councilor Kate Matthews.
At that point, Mayor Art Ward said he asked the council in an email “a week ago” whether to hold the meeting on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Everyone said Thursday except for Mills, the mayor said.
“And me,” Block interjected.
Ward said he told Mills he would be happy to read a statement to the council if Mills wanted to write something up before he left.
Until 4:30 Wednesday, the mayor said, he thought things were fine.
Then McCauley came to the mayor’s office to speak to him.
According to Ward, the senior councilor told him, “I’m not here to piss you off. I’m just the messenger.”
He said that McCauley told him the council had reached a consensus to delay action on the proposed contract.
The mayor said he wondered “how did they get a consensus?” He said McCauley needs to explain how that could happen in the absence of a meeting.
Ward said there was no reason to delay because a decision was easy to make.
“It’s not rocket science,” the mayor said. He said that Local 233 is “trying to preserve jobs and work for the betterment of the city” by accepting a deal that is generous for taxpayers.
At that point, Cockayne leaped in.
Having tracked down Ward’s email on his Blackberry, he read the note the mayor originally sent to the council, which did not offer them a choice of days. It simply said the session would be held Thursday, Sept. 2.
Mills wrote back within hours to say he couldn’t make it that day, Cockayne said.
This past Monday, Cockayne said, he asked the mayor directly to make it possible for Mills to attend.
“Why can’t he have the opportunity to sit here like the rest of us?” Cockayne said.
McCauley told Ward that “I gave you the courtesy of walking into your office” to tell you what the council wanted rather than simply springing it on the mayor.
He said the two disagreed during their meeting and he walked out. The mayor argued immediately that in fact he had walked out on McCauley.
McCauley disputed it, then said, “I’m very disappointed in your leadership.”
He said he came to the mayor out of courtesy and respect.
“Next time you do that, it will be a first,” Ward fired back.
I need to interject here that, according to many people who attended, the council chambers were packed with union members and officials, many of them growing angry as the council argued.
McCauley referred to it during the meeting as “this dog and pony show that you created.”
Ward said he would file a Freedom of Information Act complaint against McCauley and the council for illegal collusion to reach a decision outside a public meeting.
“When I file the FOI complaint, we’ll deal with it,” Ward said.
“That’s your prerogative,” McCauley answered.
The council then voted to postponed the decision until next Wednesday.
On the tape, you can hear some people shouting but their words are unclear.
However, Cockayne and several others said that union leaders were yelling at McCauley such things as “you’re through” and “you’re all done.”
The mayor ignored it as he plowed into the next agenda item.
But Cockayne said there ought to be order in the room before proceeding and Ward called for quiet.
It’s not clear exactly what happened from the tape, but apparently McCauley got up to go into executive session on an unrelated issue before the council had officially adjourned from its public session.
Ward took note.
“Kevin, get back to your seat. We’re still in session,” Ward thundered.
And that was that.
After the meeting, however, McCauley and some union officials, including Mike Petosa, were going to toe to toe over the whole thing. A number of people told me they thought punches were going to fly because it got so heated.
But that didn’t happen.
Still, by all accounts, it was a brutal, ugly atmosphere.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Ward vs City Council - Campaign 2011 is underway....
Mayor Art Ward is not very happy.I caught up with him as City Hall opened this morning and found him still seething a bit over last night’s strange City Council session.
From the mayor’s perspective, members of the council have been “blindsiding and undermining” him instead of working with him to deliver the best possible government for the people of Bristol.
He said he was concerned that city Councilor Kevin McCauley came to him the day before the council meeting to tell him that he was “a messenger” for the council and that a consensus existed among councilors to put off a decision on the proposed contract for Local 233 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Ward said he’s not sure how McCauley knew that a consensus existed. He said he’s thinking of submitting a Freedom of Information request to obtain any emails that passed among the council on the issue.
Given that a consensus actually existed at the meeting to oppose Ward, the mayor said it was “pretty obvious it was pre-arranged.”
Ward said he doesn’t understand why councilors made such a fuss that one member of the council, David Mills, could not make the meeting.
He said he told Mills he would be happy to read the councilor’s comments into the record in either executive session or in public.
Ward said the city has to act soon because the contract is “time-sensitive.”
If the city fails to act on it by Wednesday, Sept. 8, he said, it automatically takes effect.
The contract, whose terms are pretty tough on the union, were “bargained in good faith,” Ward said, and it’s wrong “to play politics” with City Hall’s workers.
“I consider this to be a fantastic contract for the city,” Ward said. He said the negotiators for the union “stepped up to the plate” and did what was best for the community.
“To go through these unnecessary political hoops is not, I think, justified,” Ward said.
The mayor said he is “really concerned about the approach” taken by councilors, particularly McCauley, who has largely shunned Ward since a September 2007 primary in which Ward defeated Ellen Zoppo to capture the Democratic Party’s mayoral backing.
Ward said McCauley has been in his office only four times since he took office in 2007.
He said McCauley, the most senior councilor, never tells him what’s going on. “I mostly learn after the fact or at the time of” what McCaulely is up to, Ward said.
Though Ward placed McCauley in charge of some key city committees, it’s not clear that the veteran councilor’s positions are secure anymore.
“You can only extend your hand so long,” Ward said.
He added that some councilors who sided with Zoppo “have gotten over it” and talk with him regularly.
City Councilor Cliff Block said recently he figures it’s better to work with Ward than to fight with him because it’s the only way he can get things done.
Ward said he’ll clear whatever hurdles the council erects and do what’s necessary to guide the city through tough economic times.
Ward also handed me a copy of a four-page outline of all the changes made to the Local 233 contract in the draft deal. I’ll post them soon.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
January 20, 2010
Mayor to councilors: Use your own money
There aren’t a whole lot of people eager to read through the Government Accounting Standard Board’s volume on Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Post-Employment Benefits Other than Pensions.
But two of them are city councilors.
Two Democrats – Kevin McCauley and Kate Matthews – have requested that Mayor Art Ward order the $20.50 books for them to plow through in a bid to better understand the issues involved in the proposal to shift some of the city’s excess pension funds into a fund that aims to pay for post-employment health care for city workers.
Ward told the Press that $20 a copy “may not sound like much,” but expenses add up. He said the city has to pare spending everywhere it can.
For the whole story, follow this link.
PS: To answer a comment on the story, Ward did not tell me about all of this. I'm quite sure he would have much preferred that nobody knew any of this. I learned about it elsewhere.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
January 6, 2010
McCauley recovering from broken ankle
City Councilor Kevin McCauley is getting ready for surgery on Thursday to repair the ankle he broke the other day while on duty as a city firefighter rushing to fight a house fire. Read all about it here.
*******Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
January 4, 2010
McCauley injured in line of duty
City Councilor Kevin McCauley, a Bristol firefighter, apparently shattered his ankle on a fire call over the weekend, according to a couple of colleagues.
McCauley slipped on some black ice while responding to a Middle Street fire call, they said, and went down with all of his gear on.
Mayor Art Ward told the crowd at tonight's downtown hearing that McCauley was on a call and broke his ankle.
He's said to be in real pain and facing some pretty serious reconstruction surgery.
I'll try to talk to McCauley Tuesday to get the real story. Let's hope he's back on his feet soon.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
McCauley slipped on some black ice while responding to a Middle Street fire call, they said, and went down with all of his gear on.
Mayor Art Ward told the crowd at tonight's downtown hearing that McCauley was on a call and broke his ankle.
He's said to be in real pain and facing some pretty serious reconstruction surgery.
I'll try to talk to McCauley Tuesday to get the real story. Let's hope he's back on his feet soon.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 20, 2009
City Council debate, part 4 (District 2)
The candidates are Democrats Allen Marko, Kevin McCauley and Republicans Ken Cockayne and Richard Scarola.
The questions, written by the chamber, are standard....
Route 72 question....
Cockayne said the project has "been going on, I believe, longer than I've been alive."
He said the road will provide easier access to downtown. "This is going to be a great thing for Bristol," he said.
McCauley said one of the principal hindrances to development has been the lack of highway access. Now it's time to coordinate between the chamber and BDA "to capitalize and promote" opportunities.
Scarola said the street "is a great change for Bristol," but "it's only a great change if we act on it."
He said the studies have been shelved. But if Riverside Avenue is going to be a gateway, the city needs to take the good ideas off the shelf and act.
Marko said Route 72 "was a solution for the 70s."
"It will be a great plus for Forestville. It will help some of the traffic problems there," Marko said.
But the long-term solution is going to be rail, he said. Marko said the busway s "very much like a light rail system" and if it is built, the city needs to make sure its buses "tie into that busway" as an intermediate solution.
Marko called for better bus service.
"It's time to look to the future," he said.
Q re rail...
McCauley said the chamber is pushing rail to remove traffic from the roads.
He said the city has been looking at rail options. He poined out there was once a train depot near Depot Square, the new name for the former mall site.
McCauley said the city needs to focus on getting rail and tying that into the neighborhood like lower Summer Street. That has to be a piece of revitalization effort, he said.
"It is the future of this city," McCauley said.
Scarola said that the train "can be the gateway to Depot Square."
He said everyone agrees on need to go forward with the train. He said the city needs to cosnider exstending to Clinton and Essex, as well as bringing historic trains, Thomas the Train, night trains to the riverboat and more. "It wil bring thousands and thousands and thousands of people back to Bristol," he said, urging a state of the art station.
He said it can be part of a safe, pedestrian-friendly downtown.
Marko said that light rail is the future, with federal money heading toward it rather than highways.
He said there is "a very strong proposal" for high speed rail from Springfield to New Haven. Commuter rail lines can feed in to that system.
"Trains run two ways," Marko said, bringing customers to Depot Square as well as sending commuters to Hartford.
Marko said the tracks also connect Bristol to Waterbury, where the fastest growing line on the Metro North system ends. "This rail system improvement is the way of the future," he said.
Cockayne said that officials rode on the rail. "It was very interesting," he said.
Cockayne said that he will keep pushing the line. He said the city has to work with other towns along the line "or this doesn't fly."
They need to be on board, Cockayne said.
Q -- Bristol Hospital...
Marko said Bristol Hospital "has already done some wonderful things to position itself," including partnering with St. Francis Hospital and creating niches where it can offer quality care.
Marko said that the hospital can work with others to find a way to make the new UConn plan "a win-win" for everone.
Cockayne said he has spoken with Kurt Barwis and Bill Hamzy. "This would have a drastic effect if this merger were to go through, " he said, referring to the proposal to have Hartford Hospital run the hospital at UConn.
He said that the plan on the table woujld undermine Bristol Hospital. He vowed "to block this from happening and to protect our city hospital."
McCauley said the city needs to stay involved and to ensure legislators keep advocating for Bristol Hospital.
"Closing Bristol Hospital for me is absolutely wrong," Scarola said.
He said the city is aging and needs access to immediate care. He said government shouldn't legislate "how you get your health care."
Scarola said he will work to make sure the proposed merger "does not happen" at UConn.
He said it's crucial to have a hospital so close "for our seniors, for our community, for our wel-being."
Q - courthouse and how to win more assets...
Marko said Bristol is one of the city's Top 15 cities. "For years, we've been kind of a backwater. We've been forgotten," he said.
Marko said Depot Square is a key to putting Bristol on the map. He said the city has to address problems on Federal Hill and in the West End. It also needs to highlight the city's best features, from the carousel museum to community theater.
He said that "a wonderful community theater program" is one key element.
"It all comes down to marketing," Cockayne said, adding that Depot Square is crucial.
Picking the right developer "will revitalize downtown" and give people a reason to come to Bristol, Cockayne said.
McCauley said he's seen the state threaten to remove state agencies out. He pointed out that DMV is gone along with more.
"I will work and pressure our state delegation... to increase access to these vital agencies," McCauley said.
He said there is a need to keep the focus on Bristol on any local and regional planning.
Scarola said the courthouse choice "is out of our hands," though he promised to fight to keep the courthouse in town. He poined out it helps the city financially.
He said the city needs a backup plan, which might expand the police headquarters or City Hall so it doesn't become "just another abandoned building."
Q - Downtown...
Scarola said he envisions "thinking outside the box" instead of trying to match West Hartford, Simsbury or Avon.
"I want to be Bristol. I want Bristol to have its own identity," Scarola said.
He said retail is not the whole answer. He said something sports related or education might creae a destination. There should be a way to capitalize on ESPN's marketing.
"Everybody on this planet knows ESPN is in Bristol," he said.
Marko said the project "is one of the keys to making us what we should be."
Marko said an ice skating rink is another crucial element. He pointed out there is a focal point of a rink in Charlotte, N.C. and would like to try to something similiar.
Cockayne said the BDDC has looked at many ideas for the mall site.
Two great presentations offered by potential developers, Cockayne said. He said picking the right one is crucial, with retail, housing and offices.
He urged the city to take its time and deliberate on the choice.
McCauley said the developers' interest shows the model has potential. He said integrating in the West End and Federal Hill is important.
Closing statements...
Scarola said he can help make Bristol "what we woudl all like Bristol to be."
He said he's watched "in anger and frustration" as Bristol has done little to improve itself. He said he has no ties to city and no family or friends who work for the city "so your voice will be heard loud and clear.
He called those connections "a severe conflict" -- clearly aiming at McCauley, a firefighter.
Marko said he's running because the decisions the council will make in the next few years will shape the city for the next 50 years.
"When we make those decisions," he said, the city has to ensure it keeps vital community services.
The city has to provide services. He said it's important "that we don't cripple vital service" in ques to save money.
"We also have to be careful not to fall for solutions that are gimmicks" like spending caps or budget referenda, Marko said. He said turnouts for referenda are low so "a small group of dedicated people who would oppose anything" can control the agenda.
Marko said what works "is strong leadership, people who are willing to make the tough decisions."
Cockayne said it has been "a very civil debate."
"Some say I like to argue. Maybe it's the Italian in me," Cockayne said.
He said he's worked hard to be an advocate for taxpayers and has no relatives working for the city "and am not beholden to anyone."
"I have proven I'm not a yes man. I will ask the tough questions, even if it means standing alone," Cockayne said.
McCauley said that he wants to continue "the successful work I've done" in the past two terms.
He said he fought for funding for critical road repairs. He pushed for returning part of salary. He pushed code enforcement, "a cost-effective way of improving quality of life."
McCauley said he got council to agree to task force to review projects of more than $100,000.
"The city has taken a hard look at its spending and has tightened its belt," McCauley said.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The questions, written by the chamber, are standard....
Route 72 question....
Cockayne said the project has "been going on, I believe, longer than I've been alive."
He said the road will provide easier access to downtown. "This is going to be a great thing for Bristol," he said.
McCauley said one of the principal hindrances to development has been the lack of highway access. Now it's time to coordinate between the chamber and BDA "to capitalize and promote" opportunities.
Scarola said the street "is a great change for Bristol," but "it's only a great change if we act on it."
He said the studies have been shelved. But if Riverside Avenue is going to be a gateway, the city needs to take the good ideas off the shelf and act.
Marko said Route 72 "was a solution for the 70s."
"It will be a great plus for Forestville. It will help some of the traffic problems there," Marko said.
But the long-term solution is going to be rail, he said. Marko said the busway s "very much like a light rail system" and if it is built, the city needs to make sure its buses "tie into that busway" as an intermediate solution.
Marko called for better bus service.
"It's time to look to the future," he said.
Q re rail...
McCauley said the chamber is pushing rail to remove traffic from the roads.
He said the city has been looking at rail options. He poined out there was once a train depot near Depot Square, the new name for the former mall site.
McCauley said the city needs to focus on getting rail and tying that into the neighborhood like lower Summer Street. That has to be a piece of revitalization effort, he said.
"It is the future of this city," McCauley said.
Scarola said that the train "can be the gateway to Depot Square."
He said everyone agrees on need to go forward with the train. He said the city needs to cosnider exstending to Clinton and Essex, as well as bringing historic trains, Thomas the Train, night trains to the riverboat and more. "It wil bring thousands and thousands and thousands of people back to Bristol," he said, urging a state of the art station.
He said it can be part of a safe, pedestrian-friendly downtown.
Marko said that light rail is the future, with federal money heading toward it rather than highways.
He said there is "a very strong proposal" for high speed rail from Springfield to New Haven. Commuter rail lines can feed in to that system.
"Trains run two ways," Marko said, bringing customers to Depot Square as well as sending commuters to Hartford.
Marko said the tracks also connect Bristol to Waterbury, where the fastest growing line on the Metro North system ends. "This rail system improvement is the way of the future," he said.
Cockayne said that officials rode on the rail. "It was very interesting," he said.
Cockayne said that he will keep pushing the line. He said the city has to work with other towns along the line "or this doesn't fly."
They need to be on board, Cockayne said.
Q -- Bristol Hospital...
Marko said Bristol Hospital "has already done some wonderful things to position itself," including partnering with St. Francis Hospital and creating niches where it can offer quality care.
Marko said that the hospital can work with others to find a way to make the new UConn plan "a win-win" for everone.
Cockayne said he has spoken with Kurt Barwis and Bill Hamzy. "This would have a drastic effect if this merger were to go through, " he said, referring to the proposal to have Hartford Hospital run the hospital at UConn.
He said that the plan on the table woujld undermine Bristol Hospital. He vowed "to block this from happening and to protect our city hospital."
McCauley said the city needs to stay involved and to ensure legislators keep advocating for Bristol Hospital.
"Closing Bristol Hospital for me is absolutely wrong," Scarola said.
He said the city is aging and needs access to immediate care. He said government shouldn't legislate "how you get your health care."
Scarola said he will work to make sure the proposed merger "does not happen" at UConn.
He said it's crucial to have a hospital so close "for our seniors, for our community, for our wel-being."
Q - courthouse and how to win more assets...
Marko said Bristol is one of the city's Top 15 cities. "For years, we've been kind of a backwater. We've been forgotten," he said.
Marko said Depot Square is a key to putting Bristol on the map. He said the city has to address problems on Federal Hill and in the West End. It also needs to highlight the city's best features, from the carousel museum to community theater.
He said that "a wonderful community theater program" is one key element.
"It all comes down to marketing," Cockayne said, adding that Depot Square is crucial.
Picking the right developer "will revitalize downtown" and give people a reason to come to Bristol, Cockayne said.
McCauley said he's seen the state threaten to remove state agencies out. He pointed out that DMV is gone along with more.
"I will work and pressure our state delegation... to increase access to these vital agencies," McCauley said.
He said there is a need to keep the focus on Bristol on any local and regional planning.
Scarola said the courthouse choice "is out of our hands," though he promised to fight to keep the courthouse in town. He poined out it helps the city financially.
He said the city needs a backup plan, which might expand the police headquarters or City Hall so it doesn't become "just another abandoned building."
Q - Downtown...
Scarola said he envisions "thinking outside the box" instead of trying to match West Hartford, Simsbury or Avon.
"I want to be Bristol. I want Bristol to have its own identity," Scarola said.
He said retail is not the whole answer. He said something sports related or education might creae a destination. There should be a way to capitalize on ESPN's marketing.
"Everybody on this planet knows ESPN is in Bristol," he said.
Marko said the project "is one of the keys to making us what we should be."
Marko said an ice skating rink is another crucial element. He pointed out there is a focal point of a rink in Charlotte, N.C. and would like to try to something similiar.
Cockayne said the BDDC has looked at many ideas for the mall site.
Two great presentations offered by potential developers, Cockayne said. He said picking the right one is crucial, with retail, housing and offices.
He urged the city to take its time and deliberate on the choice.
McCauley said the developers' interest shows the model has potential. He said integrating in the West End and Federal Hill is important.
Closing statements...
Scarola said he can help make Bristol "what we woudl all like Bristol to be."
He said he's watched "in anger and frustration" as Bristol has done little to improve itself. He said he has no ties to city and no family or friends who work for the city "so your voice will be heard loud and clear.
He called those connections "a severe conflict" -- clearly aiming at McCauley, a firefighter.
Marko said he's running because the decisions the council will make in the next few years will shape the city for the next 50 years.
"When we make those decisions," he said, the city has to ensure it keeps vital community services.
The city has to provide services. He said it's important "that we don't cripple vital service" in ques to save money.
"We also have to be careful not to fall for solutions that are gimmicks" like spending caps or budget referenda, Marko said. He said turnouts for referenda are low so "a small group of dedicated people who would oppose anything" can control the agenda.
Marko said what works "is strong leadership, people who are willing to make the tough decisions."
Cockayne said it has been "a very civil debate."
"Some say I like to argue. Maybe it's the Italian in me," Cockayne said.
He said he's worked hard to be an advocate for taxpayers and has no relatives working for the city "and am not beholden to anyone."
"I have proven I'm not a yes man. I will ask the tough questions, even if it means standing alone," Cockayne said.
McCauley said that he wants to continue "the successful work I've done" in the past two terms.
He said he fought for funding for critical road repairs. He pushed for returning part of salary. He pushed code enforcement, "a cost-effective way of improving quality of life."
McCauley said he got council to agree to task force to review projects of more than $100,000.
"The city has taken a hard look at its spending and has tightened its belt," McCauley said.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 11, 2009
City to review key projects more carefully
In the wake of a funding flap over the $159,000 widening of Center Street, city councilors said they are determined to ensure they know the particulars of every significant project before they’ll approve it.
City Councilor Cliff Block said that reviewing project requests ahead of time will ensure “we’re not told something that’s not true” ever again.
Block said the council was “somewhat misled” in August when city officials mistakenly said the state had provided the money for the Center Street project.
It turned out that the city itself had sold bonds to pay for the work five years ago. The intervening time was needed to come up with a design, conduct a traffic study and secure backing from necessary municipal panels, including the council.
The council agreed to award the contract to the Vernon-based VMS Construction Co. last month, with only city Councilor Kevin McCauley dissenting.
McCauley got his colleagues to support the creation of a new panel to review projects that cost more than $100,000 but the details were fuzzy.
“It was vague,” McCauley admitted.
It appears that the mayor’s five-year capital project committee will serve as the review board for projects to ensure they’re still worth pursuing before contracts are handed out, though that could change.
City Councilor Frank Nicastro pointed out that the Center Street project had been in the works for seven years before a construction contract was ready for approval.
He said that the city had already spent a fair amount of money and time on the project because officials had thought at every step that it was worth doing.
McCauley said that projects need to be looked at again in part because of the difficult economy.
McCauley said it’s important the city refrain from signing contracts until projects have been reviewed thoroughly and the facts surrounding them made clear.
But he did not ask colleagues to reconsider the Center Street project.
McCauley said he wants to “make this a positive” by focusing on the review process for upcoming projects.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
City Councilor Cliff Block said that reviewing project requests ahead of time will ensure “we’re not told something that’s not true” ever again.
Block said the council was “somewhat misled” in August when city officials mistakenly said the state had provided the money for the Center Street project.
It turned out that the city itself had sold bonds to pay for the work five years ago. The intervening time was needed to come up with a design, conduct a traffic study and secure backing from necessary municipal panels, including the council.
The council agreed to award the contract to the Vernon-based VMS Construction Co. last month, with only city Councilor Kevin McCauley dissenting.
McCauley got his colleagues to support the creation of a new panel to review projects that cost more than $100,000 but the details were fuzzy.
“It was vague,” McCauley admitted.
It appears that the mayor’s five-year capital project committee will serve as the review board for projects to ensure they’re still worth pursuing before contracts are handed out, though that could change.
City Councilor Frank Nicastro pointed out that the Center Street project had been in the works for seven years before a construction contract was ready for approval.
He said that the city had already spent a fair amount of money and time on the project because officials had thought at every step that it was worth doing.
McCauley said that projects need to be looked at again in part because of the difficult economy.
McCauley said it’s important the city refrain from signing contracts until projects have been reviewed thoroughly and the facts surrounding them made clear.
But he did not ask colleagues to reconsider the Center Street project.
McCauley said he wants to “make this a positive” by focusing on the review process for upcoming projects.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
August 17, 2009
Councilors ready to lop off some heads
When city councilors endorsed the $159,000 widening of Center Street last week, they thought the state was picking up the tab.
It isn’t.
The money is actually coming entirely from city coffers, part of a 2004 bond package that also included the North Main Street streetscape project, according to David Bertnagel, the city’s chief accountant.
The only councilors to oppose the project, Democrat Kevin McCauley, said that because decision-makers “were erroneously informed at the City Council meeting that this allocation was from the state funds, I have asked the mayor and City Council to bring forth this issue at the next opportunity for reconsideration as we can discuss it openly again.”
Republican city Councilor Mike Rimcoski said he agreed on the need for a special meeting.
“I will come to it with my ax all sharpened, ready to cut off somebody’s head,” Rimcoski said Monday
“There are very few things I cannot tolerate,” Rimcoski said, and one of them “is being outright lied to.
He said that if officials were unsure of the answer, they should have said so rather than misleading the council, even if it wasn’t done deliberately.
Public Works Director Walter Veselka, who told councilors the money was coming from the state, said Monday that he thought it was.
“If I’m proved incorrect, then so be it,” Veselka said.
Several officials who tried to untangle the issue Monday said that money for downtown projects generally comes out of a pool of cash that once included $2 million from the state and $2.2 million from the city. Much of that has been spent already, though, and it can be unclear where any particular allocation originated.
It turned out, though, that the Center Street widening was specifically included in the 2004 bond package so it is entirely city money, not state cash.
Bertnagel said he can understand why officials got confused.
McCauley said “a better expenditure of city funds” would be to cover the cost of some major road projects that had been budgeted but got cut in the city’s rush to save money this year.
Bertnagel said, however, that the bond money can’t be shifted to some other use.
“We can’t just automatically use that money for another project,” Bertnagel said. He said if the city decided not to do the project, it would have to repay the bondholders, not shift the spending to another project.
Jonathan Rosenthal, the city’s economic development director, said the Center Street project was on the list created years ago for necessary downtown improvement.
He said it hasn’t been a priority recently, but does have the backing of the Bristol Development Authority.
Veselka said that when the design was first proposed, the idea was to add a right turn only lane for Center Street traffic turning onto North Main Street. But a traffic study found it would help more to make a left turn only lane instead.
That design was finished this year, Veselka said, and sent out for bids.
The council last week agreed to award the contract to the Vernon-based VMS Construction Co.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
It isn’t.
The money is actually coming entirely from city coffers, part of a 2004 bond package that also included the North Main Street streetscape project, according to David Bertnagel, the city’s chief accountant.
The only councilors to oppose the project, Democrat Kevin McCauley, said that because decision-makers “were erroneously informed at the City Council meeting that this allocation was from the state funds, I have asked the mayor and City Council to bring forth this issue at the next opportunity for reconsideration as we can discuss it openly again.”
Republican city Councilor Mike Rimcoski said he agreed on the need for a special meeting.
“I will come to it with my ax all sharpened, ready to cut off somebody’s head,” Rimcoski said Monday
“There are very few things I cannot tolerate,” Rimcoski said, and one of them “is being outright lied to.
He said that if officials were unsure of the answer, they should have said so rather than misleading the council, even if it wasn’t done deliberately.
Public Works Director Walter Veselka, who told councilors the money was coming from the state, said Monday that he thought it was.
“If I’m proved incorrect, then so be it,” Veselka said.
Several officials who tried to untangle the issue Monday said that money for downtown projects generally comes out of a pool of cash that once included $2 million from the state and $2.2 million from the city. Much of that has been spent already, though, and it can be unclear where any particular allocation originated.
It turned out, though, that the Center Street widening was specifically included in the 2004 bond package so it is entirely city money, not state cash.
Bertnagel said he can understand why officials got confused.
McCauley said “a better expenditure of city funds” would be to cover the cost of some major road projects that had been budgeted but got cut in the city’s rush to save money this year.
Bertnagel said, however, that the bond money can’t be shifted to some other use.
“We can’t just automatically use that money for another project,” Bertnagel said. He said if the city decided not to do the project, it would have to repay the bondholders, not shift the spending to another project.
Jonathan Rosenthal, the city’s economic development director, said the Center Street project was on the list created years ago for necessary downtown improvement.
He said it hasn’t been a priority recently, but does have the backing of the Bristol Development Authority.
Veselka said that when the design was first proposed, the idea was to add a right turn only lane for Center Street traffic turning onto North Main Street. But a traffic study found it would help more to make a left turn only lane instead.
That design was finished this year, Veselka said, and sent out for bids.
The council last week agreed to award the contract to the Vernon-based VMS Construction Co.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
August 16, 2009
McCauley: Council given wrong info on Center Street project
Press release from city Councilor Kevin McCauley:
MCCAULEY ASKS FOR CENTER STREET PROJECT RECONSIDERATION
At the August 11, 2009 City Council meeting, I asked my Council colleagues to consider whether the Center Street project was necessary at this time due to the economy and other competing priorities. At that time, we were told that the project was from the Phase I of the State Grant for Downtown with no city dollars. I have since confirmed that the authorization for the Center Street and North Main Street turning lane project does include City funds in the amount of almost $159,000, since one of the stipulations for the State grant proposal requires this local matching funds. As I stated last week, I believe Public Works major road projects that were previously budgeted for where funding was cut and where roadwork was reduced would be a better expenditure of City funds.
Because we were erroneously informed at the City Council meeting that this allocation was from the State funds, I have asked the Mayor and City Council to bring forth this issue at the next opportunity for reconsideration as we can discuss it openly again. On a positive note, also last Tuesday, the Council supported my motion by voting unanimously to have a task force
committee review all of these types of expenditures for any project over $100,000. It is my strong recommendation that we not sign any contracts until we have thoroughly and accurately discussed the facts.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
MCCAULEY ASKS FOR CENTER STREET PROJECT RECONSIDERATION
At the August 11, 2009 City Council meeting, I asked my Council colleagues to consider whether the Center Street project was necessary at this time due to the economy and other competing priorities. At that time, we were told that the project was from the Phase I of the State Grant for Downtown with no city dollars. I have since confirmed that the authorization for the Center Street and North Main Street turning lane project does include City funds in the amount of almost $159,000, since one of the stipulations for the State grant proposal requires this local matching funds. As I stated last week, I believe Public Works major road projects that were previously budgeted for where funding was cut and where roadwork was reduced would be a better expenditure of City funds.
Because we were erroneously informed at the City Council meeting that this allocation was from the State funds, I have asked the Mayor and City Council to bring forth this issue at the next opportunity for reconsideration as we can discuss it openly again. On a positive note, also last Tuesday, the Council supported my motion by voting unanimously to have a task force
committee review all of these types of expenditures for any project over $100,000. It is my strong recommendation that we not sign any contracts until we have thoroughly and accurately discussed the facts.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
August 11, 2009
McCauley targeted?
At last month's Democratic endorsements meeting, many supporters of Tom Ragaini's bid to run for City Council in the 2nd District "bullet voted" for Ragaini in a bid to give him a shot at the nomination.
If everything had gone exactly to plan, the result could have been a three-way tie between Ragain, incumbent Kevin McCauley and Al Marko. Had the tie held through three votes, the party chairman, Elliot Nelson, would have cast the deciding vote -- which would have gone to Ragaini by all accounts.
It was, in purely political terms, a good try.
But McCauley's backers held off the effort and Ragaini wound up on the short end of an 11-10-9 vote.
There are many who say that Mayor Art Ward was pulling for Ragaini, pushing town committee members to vote for him.
But Ward and Ragaini both deny it.
Ward said he had no idea that Ragaini planned a bullet vote effort -- even though both men admit they are allies -- and Ragaini said tonight that he never told the mayor.
"It was my idea," he said, and he pushed it himself.
I haven't heard from anyone who got strong-armed by the mayor so for now at least, I guess that's the story.
An interesting footnote, though, is that Ward apparently skipped past McCauley in the normal rotation for having councilors serve as acting mayor for a month.
Since Ward knew he would be away for the August council meeting, he may not have wanted to give McCauley the spotlight.
Making it more interesting is who he did choose to serve as acting mayor: Republican Ken Cockayne, the other 2nd District councilor.
Cockayne held his own at tonight's meeting, acting more like "Sir Ken," as Councilor Cliff Block put it, than his old persona of "Mad Dog."
Still, there are a lot of people around who expect Cockayne to make a mayoral run someday if he can survive the council race. It's possible that Ward showcased the guy who might challenge him in 2011.
We'll see.
Politics is an odd game, after all, and there's no telling what will happen. Heck, it's even possible that McCauley and Ward may wind up as allies.
It was only a year ago, after all, that Ward wouldn't even take Cockayne's phone calls.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
McCauley pushes for more review of city projects
Though the state is picking up the entire $159,000 tab for widening a stretch of
McCauley, who cast the only vote in opposition, said the city faces a financial crunch that may mean “possible layoffs” next year so it has to begin reconsidering each and every significant project.
At his urging, the council agreed to back a new task force that would review all projects costing more than $100,000.
But councilors said they didn’t understand why McCauley would oppose spending state cash on a project that will help a congested downtown intersection.
“It is not costing the city,” said city Councilor Mike Rimcoski, who calls himself “Dr. No” because he hates to shell out tax money.
The council voted 5-1 to award the
Public Works Director Walter Veselka said the state has already given its blessing to the project using development funds awarded to
“It really is not city funds,” Veselka said.
McCauley said, though, that city officials have to recognize the need to scrutinize every proposal to see if it makes sense to move forward with it during such tough times.
“We really need to look at these projects,” McCauley said.
He said it may well be prudent to put off even worthy proposals until the return of better times.
While some projects are worthy and ought to be done, McCauley said, “I don’t believe this is and I can’t vote to move this forward.”
City Councilor Craig Minor praised McCauley’s call for a new committee to take another look at projects. He said that’s “a good idea.”
City Councilor Frank Nicastro, too, said he has no problem with creating a task force to review plans one last time before handing out contracts. But, he said, the
The main goal of the project, slated to begin this summer, is to add a turning lane for drivers heading east in hopes of alleviating the long backups at the traffic light next to the central firehouse.
City finance officials have said that merely keeping up with existing services could cost the city more than $8 million more next year than it is spending this fiscal year. Slicing that number down is likely to be the major task of municipal leaders for months to come.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
July 27, 2009
The one contested district
The most interesting part of tonight's nominating convention was the tight contest for the two 2nd District slots.
Newcomer Allen Marko actually racked up the most votes, with 11, while incumbent Kevin McCauley got 10. Former city Councilor Tom Ragaini got nine.
Most of Ragaini's backers sought to give him a leg up by casting "bullet votes" for only Ragaini so that their second potential vote wouldn't add to one of his opponents' tally.
But it turned out that the strategy didn't quite work because, well, three Ragaini supporters also voted for someone else. If none had, the contest would have been a deadlock at nine apiece, leaving it perhaps to the town chairman to break the tie.
Despite the narrow loss, Ragaini didn't sound like he would contest the decision in a primary. He said he didn't want to split the party or hurt its chances.
For those who are really into these things, here's the vote breakdown among the 2nd District's Democratic Town Committee members. I'm sorry that I don't know one name, but if someone tells me, I'll fix that.
78A
James G. Hopkins -- Marko & McCauley
Jeffrey G. Merrow -- Ragaini
Jody J. Trestman -- Marko & McCauley
Jacqueline McCauley - Marko & McCauley
Bruce C. Lydem -- Ragaini & Marko
William M. Wolfe, Jr. -- Marko & McCauley
78B
Allen A. Marko -- Marko & McCauley
John J. Boi -- Marko & McCauley
Christopher N. Roberge -- Marko & McCauley
Sandra C. Stafford -- Marko & McCauley
Kevin V. Lacolla -- Ragaini & Marko
William J. Veits - -Marko & McCauley
79A
Paula L. Positano - Ragaini
Westley S. Hoadley Jr. - Ragaini
Thomas J. Ragaini - Ragaini
Jen Ragaini -- Ragaini
Arthur Brent Cyr - Ragaini
Anthony D. Dell'aera -- Ragaini & McCauley
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Newcomer Allen Marko actually racked up the most votes, with 11, while incumbent Kevin McCauley got 10. Former city Councilor Tom Ragaini got nine.
Most of Ragaini's backers sought to give him a leg up by casting "bullet votes" for only Ragaini so that their second potential vote wouldn't add to one of his opponents' tally.
But it turned out that the strategy didn't quite work because, well, three Ragaini supporters also voted for someone else. If none had, the contest would have been a deadlock at nine apiece, leaving it perhaps to the town chairman to break the tie.
Despite the narrow loss, Ragaini didn't sound like he would contest the decision in a primary. He said he didn't want to split the party or hurt its chances.
For those who are really into these things, here's the vote breakdown among the 2nd District's Democratic Town Committee members. I'm sorry that I don't know one name, but if someone tells me, I'll fix that.
78A
James G. Hopkins -- Marko & McCauley
Jeffrey G. Merrow -- Ragaini
Jody J. Trestman -- Marko & McCauley
Jacqueline McCauley - Marko & McCauley
Bruce C. Lydem -- Ragaini & Marko
William M. Wolfe, Jr. -- Marko & McCauley
78B
Allen A. Marko -- Marko & McCauley
John J. Boi -- Marko & McCauley
Christopher N. Roberge -- Marko & McCauley
Sandra C. Stafford -- Marko & McCauley
Kevin V. Lacolla -- Ragaini & Marko
William J. Veits - -Marko & McCauley
79A
Paula L. Positano - Ragaini
Westley S. Hoadley Jr. - Ragaini
Thomas J. Ragaini - Ragaini
Jen Ragaini -- Ragaini
Arthur Brent Cyr - Ragaini
Anthony D. Dell'aera -- Ragaini & McCauley
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
June 4, 2009
Budget approved with two no votes
The $170.8 million budget was approved tonight with only two people voting against it.
Both city Councilors Craig Minor and Kevin McCauley opposed the budget, which freezes property taxes.
They said a small tax hike was necessary to make sure public works got the funding its needs to prevent city buildings, roads and other infrastructure from deteriorating.
More details to come, including the possible layoff of three public works employees if Local 1338 continues to refuse to make concessions on a scheduled wage hike.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
April 28, 2009
Johnson pulls out, others jump in
Republican mayoral candidate Ken Johnson told GOP leaders Monday night that he was pulling out of the race, citing personal reasons. I'll have more on this later, I trust.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, three City Council contenders announced their plans.
City Councilor Kevin McCauley announced he would run again in the 2nd District.
Two newcomers also entered the race.
In the 1st District, Kevin Fuller declared his intention to run against incumbent Republican Mike Rimcoski.
In the 3rd District, Terry Parker leaped into the fray, joining Kate Matthews in a bid to hold the seats that Craig Minor and Frank Nicastro are giving up in November. Another Democrat, Gloria Marino, has been calling district leaders and may yet enter the contest there.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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