The state Freedom of Information Commission will decide Wednesday whether or not it agrees with the preliminary decision of its hearing officer in the FOI case brought against the city and former city Councilor Ellen Zoppo by resident Jay Meisinger.
The preliminary decision, which favors the city, can be downloaded here:
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Probably the easiest way for most people to read the documents is to print them or download them and view them with a picture viewing program.
The FOI Commission will likely make its decision at a 2 p.m. Wednesday meeting. Most of the time, it backs preliminary rulings.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Showing posts with label Meisinger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meisinger. Show all posts
December 11, 2007
October 31, 2007
Tax dollars flushed away?
Republican mayoral hopeful Ken Johnson just sent this along:
I’m unhappy that the initial hearing for Freedom of Information complaint about scripted meetings happened yesterday. I state again: we are all aware that the complaint served one purpose and one purpose only- to poke a political stick in the eye of Mr. Ward’s opponent in the Democratic primary. I’ve repeatedly asked my opponent to ask his friend Mr. Meisinger to withdraw the complaint and last Monday Mr. Ward publicly refused to do so. I’ve warned that this could cost the taxpayers money to defend this frivolous case. Sure enough, a hearing took place in Hartford yesterday and we’ve now running up the tab for the cost of outside counsel at taxpayers’ expense for the city to defend the case.
I understand that Mr. Meisinger showed up with no attorney and presented no evidence -- is the complainant even taking this seriously? I guess they’ve got to see it through to give it the appearance of legitimacy. Public disgust at watching our tax dollars being flushed away is completely justified.
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
I’m unhappy that the initial hearing for Freedom of Information complaint about scripted meetings happened yesterday. I state again: we are all aware that the complaint served one purpose and one purpose only- to poke a political stick in the eye of Mr. Ward’s opponent in the Democratic primary. I’ve repeatedly asked my opponent to ask his friend Mr. Meisinger to withdraw the complaint and last Monday Mr. Ward publicly refused to do so. I’ve warned that this could cost the taxpayers money to defend this frivolous case. Sure enough, a hearing took place in Hartford yesterday and we’ve now running up the tab for the cost of outside counsel at taxpayers’ expense for the city to defend the case.
I understand that Mr. Meisinger showed up with no attorney and presented no evidence -- is the complainant even taking this seriously? I guess they’ve got to see it through to give it the appearance of legitimacy. Public disgust at watching our tax dollars being flushed away is completely justified.
*******
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 30, 2007
FOI hearing in Hartford Tuesday not scripted
Here's reporter Jackie Majerus' account of the state Freedom of Information Commission hearing today on the complaint filed by resident Jay Meisinger:
HARTFORD – Upset that city Councilor Ellen Zoppo's distribution of a script to fellow councilors before a public hearing early this year undermined the integrity of the open meeting process, a Bristol man presented his complaint to state officials Tuesday.
"There was something terribly wrong," Jay Meisinger told hearing officer Colleen Murphy, who is executive director and general counsel of the state Freedom of Information Commission, and commission counsel Lisa Siegel.
Meisinger said he was concerned about a "closed government," "manipulation of legislation" and other violations.
"It looked like it was predetermined results," said Meisinger of the scripted public hearing that ended with the council's approval of the creation of the Bristol Downtown Development Corp. to oversee the city-owned mall property.
Before the hearing that day, Zoppo handed out what she described in an email to Mayor William Stortz that same day as a "script" for councilors to follow that night. She gave one to Stortz and every member of the council except for Art Ward.
Zoppo said she left Ward out because he had "become extremely antagonistic" and wasn't participating with the rest of the council.
"We just don't include him when we do these types of things," said Zoppo.
Now, Zoppo says the script was "simply an organizing document" to be used by councilors to "keep us on message for that evening."
"The script word really gives a connotation that people were told what to say," Zoppo said.
She said the instructions in the email to gather up the scripts so none were left lying around afterward stemmed from her sensitivity that the other councilors might not want anyone to know that she'd provided them a script.
"It's a reflection of preparation," said Zoppo, adding that it might hurt the "pride" of the others on the council if it was obvious they didn't do their own preparation, but relied on hers.
That January day, Zoppo said, she and Councilor Craig Minor met with Stortz in his office and talked for an hour about the upcoming hearing. She had the city's computer department take the script as an email attachment and print it out for her, Zoppo said. Then she went to the mayor's office and made copies.
"I gave one to the mayor and four of my colleagues," said Zoppo.
A month earlier, Zoppo said, five of the six Democrats on the council met privately to talk over the contentious issues related to downtown. She called that session a "caucus."
Attorney John King, representing the city, peppered Meisinger with questions. He demanded to know whether Meisinger had first-hand knowledge of secret meetings or agreements among members of the city council before the hearing.
A frustrated Meisinger, who said he became upset when he learned of the scripted meeting from reading a news story in The Bristol Press, said he wasn't privy to secret sessions among city councilors. He had no evidence to produce, said Meisinger, who was there alone, without any attorney.
"How could I possibly have it?" Meisinger asked. "If I was present, I would know all this."
Meisinger said Zoppo's script and her email to Stortz, which he provided to the FOI Commission, was what he had to offer.
Meisinger said he is friends with Ward and wasn't going to deny it. He said he did speak with Ward before filing his complaint – in part because he'd never filed an FOI complaint before, he said – and Ward didn't have any problem with it.
But Meisinger said the fact that he filed a complaint had nothing to do with the individuals involved.
"If it was somebody else," said Meisinger, "I would have done the same."
After the FOI hearing, Meisinger said he didn't like the way it went, but seemed glad to have brought the issue to the attention of the Commission.
"Win or lose, I don't want this to happen again in City Council chambers," said Meisinger. "I think it was totally wrong."
For more information on the issue, including copies of the scripts, emails, and Meisinger's FOI complaint, check out the Bristol Blog at http://bristolnews.blogspot.com.
For background, check out these earlier Bristol Blog posts:
Is Ward behind the FOI complaint? (Aug. 10, 2007)
Mocabee speaks out on FOI complaint (Aug. 10, 2007)
FOI complaint lodged against Zoppo, Stortz, city (Aug. 10, 2007, includes text of FOI complaint)
Council hopeful Rich Kilby weighs in on script controversy (June 10, 2007)
McCauley defends Zoppo (June 8, 2007)
Zoppo stands by scripted meetings (June 6, 2007)
What do you think about scripting city meetings? (June 5, 2007)
Scripting city meetings (June 5, 2007, includes the script used for the January meeting)
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
HARTFORD – Upset that city Councilor Ellen Zoppo's distribution of a script to fellow councilors before a public hearing early this year undermined the integrity of the open meeting process, a Bristol man presented his complaint to state officials Tuesday.
"There was something terribly wrong," Jay Meisinger told hearing officer Colleen Murphy, who is executive director and general counsel of the state Freedom of Information Commission, and commission counsel Lisa Siegel.
Meisinger said he was concerned about a "closed government," "manipulation of legislation" and other violations.
"It looked like it was predetermined results," said Meisinger of the scripted public hearing that ended with the council's approval of the creation of the Bristol Downtown Development Corp. to oversee the city-owned mall property.
Before the hearing that day, Zoppo handed out what she described in an email to Mayor William Stortz that same day as a "script" for councilors to follow that night. She gave one to Stortz and every member of the council except for Art Ward.
Zoppo said she left Ward out because he had "become extremely antagonistic" and wasn't participating with the rest of the council.
"We just don't include him when we do these types of things," said Zoppo.
Now, Zoppo says the script was "simply an organizing document" to be used by councilors to "keep us on message for that evening."
"The script word really gives a connotation that people were told what to say," Zoppo said.
She said the instructions in the email to gather up the scripts so none were left lying around afterward stemmed from her sensitivity that the other councilors might not want anyone to know that she'd provided them a script.
"It's a reflection of preparation," said Zoppo, adding that it might hurt the "pride" of the others on the council if it was obvious they didn't do their own preparation, but relied on hers.
That January day, Zoppo said, she and Councilor Craig Minor met with Stortz in his office and talked for an hour about the upcoming hearing. She had the city's computer department take the script as an email attachment and print it out for her, Zoppo said. Then she went to the mayor's office and made copies.
"I gave one to the mayor and four of my colleagues," said Zoppo.
A month earlier, Zoppo said, five of the six Democrats on the council met privately to talk over the contentious issues related to downtown. She called that session a "caucus."
Attorney John King, representing the city, peppered Meisinger with questions. He demanded to know whether Meisinger had first-hand knowledge of secret meetings or agreements among members of the city council before the hearing.
A frustrated Meisinger, who said he became upset when he learned of the scripted meeting from reading a news story in The Bristol Press, said he wasn't privy to secret sessions among city councilors. He had no evidence to produce, said Meisinger, who was there alone, without any attorney.
"How could I possibly have it?" Meisinger asked. "If I was present, I would know all this."
Meisinger said Zoppo's script and her email to Stortz, which he provided to the FOI Commission, was what he had to offer.
Meisinger said he is friends with Ward and wasn't going to deny it. He said he did speak with Ward before filing his complaint – in part because he'd never filed an FOI complaint before, he said – and Ward didn't have any problem with it.
But Meisinger said the fact that he filed a complaint had nothing to do with the individuals involved.
"If it was somebody else," said Meisinger, "I would have done the same."
After the FOI hearing, Meisinger said he didn't like the way it went, but seemed glad to have brought the issue to the attention of the Commission.
"Win or lose, I don't want this to happen again in City Council chambers," said Meisinger. "I think it was totally wrong."
For more information on the issue, including copies of the scripts, emails, and Meisinger's FOI complaint, check out the Bristol Blog at http://bristolnews.blogspot.com.
For background, check out these earlier Bristol Blog posts:
Is Ward behind the FOI complaint? (Aug. 10, 2007)
Mocabee speaks out on FOI complaint (Aug. 10, 2007)
FOI complaint lodged against Zoppo, Stortz, city (Aug. 10, 2007, includes text of FOI complaint)
Council hopeful Rich Kilby weighs in on script controversy (June 10, 2007)
McCauley defends Zoppo (June 8, 2007)
Zoppo stands by scripted meetings (June 6, 2007)
What do you think about scripting city meetings? (June 5, 2007)
Scripting city meetings (June 5, 2007, includes the script used for the January meeting)
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
July 2, 2007
An open letter to the Democratic Town Committee
Dear Members of the Democratic Town Committee:
In a few short weeks, you will be choosing a candidate to carry the DEMOCRATIC banner for Mayor. I think that it is useful for all of us to reflect on the leadership of the current office holder and the problems he has caused...the divisiveness, the negativity, and the lack of positive action.
Most taxpayers have been extremely uncomfortable with his secretiveness and willingness to "bend" the truth.
I don't think that there is one amongst us who will suggest that this has been good for the City and people of Bristol.
While you should draw your own conclusions, it is difficult for me not to see the following:
1. Councilwoman Ellen Zoppo has been working and cooperating behind the scenes to pass the Agenda of William Stortz.
2. Councilwoman Zoppo actively sought to exclude the Democratic opponent from discussion and knowledge of the activity.
3. Ms. Zoppo helped pass a downtown plan that allows Stortz to needlessly duplicate $350,000 in expenses and that, since her success with Mr. Stortz,has shown no progress whatsoever.
It leaves open other questions:
- Since Ms. Zoppo has such a cozy relationship with Mayor Stortz, what other parts of the Stortz agenda has she helped?
- Since Ms. Zoppo has such a cozy relationship with Mr. Stortz, what deals has she struck with (OR what has she gotten in return from) this Mayor?
- Why would Ms. Zoppo be silent in her public criticisms and then work so hard behind the scenes to squelch the voice of opposition to Mayor Stortz?
The big question before those of us who want to see big changes from the way Mr. Stortz has conducted himself is: Can someone who has worked so hard behind the scenes for the Stortz regime be expected to conduct themselves in the way we expect a true Democrat to behave in the best interests of not only the party, but the City as a whole?
If you are uncomfortable with not only the way Bill Stortz has conducted himself, but with those who assisted in his "reign of error," then you will need to carefully consider choosing Bill Stortz's "legislative assistant" as his successor.
Please think about it and decide for yourself. But I am supporting the democratic candidate who has tried to bring decency and thoughtfulness to the city council while others remain silent. Art Ward is the person to Move Bristol ForWard.
Respectfully Yours,Carol Meisinger
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
In a few short weeks, you will be choosing a candidate to carry the DEMOCRATIC banner for Mayor. I think that it is useful for all of us to reflect on the leadership of the current office holder and the problems he has caused...the divisiveness, the negativity, and the lack of positive action.
Most taxpayers have been extremely uncomfortable with his secretiveness and willingness to "bend" the truth.
I don't think that there is one amongst us who will suggest that this has been good for the City and people of Bristol.
While you should draw your own conclusions, it is difficult for me not to see the following:
1. Councilwoman Ellen Zoppo has been working and cooperating behind the scenes to pass the Agenda of William Stortz.
2. Councilwoman Zoppo actively sought to exclude the Democratic opponent from discussion and knowledge of the activity.
3. Ms. Zoppo helped pass a downtown plan that allows Stortz to needlessly duplicate $350,000 in expenses and that, since her success with Mr. Stortz,has shown no progress whatsoever.
It leaves open other questions:
- Since Ms. Zoppo has such a cozy relationship with Mayor Stortz, what other parts of the Stortz agenda has she helped?
- Since Ms. Zoppo has such a cozy relationship with Mr. Stortz, what deals has she struck with (OR what has she gotten in return from) this Mayor?
- Why would Ms. Zoppo be silent in her public criticisms and then work so hard behind the scenes to squelch the voice of opposition to Mayor Stortz?
The big question before those of us who want to see big changes from the way Mr. Stortz has conducted himself is: Can someone who has worked so hard behind the scenes for the Stortz regime be expected to conduct themselves in the way we expect a true Democrat to behave in the best interests of not only the party, but the City as a whole?
If you are uncomfortable with not only the way Bill Stortz has conducted himself, but with those who assisted in his "reign of error," then you will need to carefully consider choosing Bill Stortz's "legislative assistant" as his successor.
Please think about it and decide for yourself. But I am supporting the democratic candidate who has tried to bring decency and thoughtfulness to the city council while others remain silent. Art Ward is the person to Move Bristol ForWard.
Respectfully Yours,Carol Meisinger
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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