The tight-fisted former chairman of the city's powerful Board of Finance, John Letizia, said Monday he's interested in running for city treasurer this year.
I phoned Letizia this afternoon to find out if the rumors were true -- going to the source is almost always the best avenue -- and found, a bit to my surprise, that they were.
Letizia said he told city Democratic Party Chairman Dean Kilbourne on Thursday that he's interested in the party's backing to take over the part-time treasurer's slot that Patti Ewen is giving up this year.
"I've always had an interest in it," said Letizia, one of the most prominent accountants in the area.
Letizia led the finance board for about five years in the 1990s, and served on it much longer, guiding the panel with a passion for holding down spending and a wariness of the new projects and programs that various politicians pursued.
He stepped down after then-city Councilor Gerard Couture threatened to punch him in the midst of some long-forgotten funding battle. Letizia said he didn't like the personal attacks he suffered during his stint on the finance panel.
But he's remained community-minded, holding the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce's top volunteer position and helping the Bristol Boys and Girls Club for many years, among others.
Letizia is well-known by the political community and at this point is the only candidate from either party to express interest in succeeding Ewen.
June 4, 2007
Zoppo fundraiser on Thursday, June 7th
Democratic mayoral hopeful Ellen Zoppo's "Campaign Kick-Off fundraiser " will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, 2007, at Nuchie's. Tickets are $50 and available at the door.
Ward fundraider on June 21
Here's the latest from Democratic mayoral candidate Art Ward:
WARD for Mayor 2007
Pasta Supper
Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 4pm to 8pm
Bristol American Legion
22 Hooker Court, Bristol, CT
Pasta & Meatballs - Free Soda & Coffee & Tea
Adults $10.00 - Seniors, Children 10 & under $5.00
Children under 5 - Free
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW!
We Mail, We Deliver, We Save & We Sell At The Door
Call 860-589-4838
"Together We Can, Together We Will"
WARD for Mayor 2007
Pasta Supper
Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 4pm to 8pm
Bristol American Legion
22 Hooker Court, Bristol, CT
Pasta & Meatballs - Free Soda & Coffee & Tea
Adults $10.00 - Seniors, Children 10 & under $5.00
Children under 5 - Free
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW!
We Mail, We Deliver, We Save & We Sell At The Door
Call 860-589-4838
"Together We Can, Together We Will"
June 1, 2007
EMAIL of the Week
From Craig Minor, city councilor
To: Mike Rivers, chairman of the BDA's Industrial Committee
Date: Jan. 24, 2007
Subject: Re: Additional Assistance for Industrial Park Being considered by DECD
cc: Mayor William Stortz
Do you have a handle on how much the city is projected to make/lose on the industrial park when it's all done? I don't. We are getting hosed by Maguire, AN Consulting, and now DOT. Maybe your committee should ask JR [Jonathan Rosenthal, the BDA's director] to brief us on this at the meeting in February. I would hate to see an article in The Bristol Press with the headline Industrial Park Projected to Lose Millions."
- Craig
To: Mike Rivers, chairman of the BDA's Industrial Committee
Date: Jan. 24, 2007
Subject: Re: Additional Assistance for Industrial Park Being considered by DECD
cc: Mayor William Stortz
Do you have a handle on how much the city is projected to make/lose on the industrial park when it's all done? I don't. We are getting hosed by Maguire, AN Consulting, and now DOT. Maybe your committee should ask JR [Jonathan Rosenthal, the BDA's director] to brief us on this at the meeting in February. I would hate to see an article in The Bristol Press with the headline Industrial Park Projected to Lose Millions."
- Craig
May 31, 2007
Colapietro wins one in state Senate
Press release from Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat who represents the 31st District:
SEN. COLAPIETRO LEADS SENATE IN APPROVING BAN ON GASOLINE ZONE PRICING
Hartford - Today, in an 18-to-18 bipartisan vote, a tie broken by an affirmative vote from Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele, state Senator Thomas Colapietro (D-Bristol), co-chair of the legislature’s General Law Committee, led the Connecticut Senate in approving an amendment to legislation banning zone pricing in the state. The bill later passed in 20 to 16 bipartisan vote.
The legislation would prohibit geographical zone pricing of gasoline and force petroleum producers and refiners to sell gas at the rack price to help stabilize the state’s gasoline prices.
“This bill says that you cannot discriminate against anyone purchasing gas,” said Senator Colapietro. “This will create a free market for retailers to compete with a level playing field for each gas station, to the benefit of the consumer.”
SEN. COLAPIETRO LEADS SENATE IN APPROVING BAN ON GASOLINE ZONE PRICING
Hartford - Today, in an 18-to-18 bipartisan vote, a tie broken by an affirmative vote from Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele, state Senator Thomas Colapietro (D-Bristol), co-chair of the legislature’s General Law Committee, led the Connecticut Senate in approving an amendment to legislation banning zone pricing in the state. The bill later passed in 20 to 16 bipartisan vote.
The legislation would prohibit geographical zone pricing of gasoline and force petroleum producers and refiners to sell gas at the rack price to help stabilize the state’s gasoline prices.
“This bill says that you cannot discriminate against anyone purchasing gas,” said Senator Colapietro. “This will create a free market for retailers to compete with a level playing field for each gas station, to the benefit of the consumer.”
Stortz and the Republicans
It says something that most of the Republican ticket came together in the hope that incumbent GOP Mayor William Stortz would call it quits this year.
Joe Geladino, who is running as a Republican in the 2nd District City Council race, said Thursday he'd been talking with the party chairman since January about the possibility of leaping into the fray. He got in because he liked what Ken Johnson, a GOP mayoral hopeful, had to say.
"I'm thrilled that Joe responded," Johnson said.
Johnson has assembled a ticket that includes council contenders Geladino, Ken Cockayne and Bob Merrick. He's also on good terms with incumbent Republican Councilor Mike Rimcoski, who is seeking another stint in the 1st District.
What's interesting is that nobody in the GOP seems to know if Stortz will run again, and the mayor himself remains mum on the topic.
Johnson said he sent Stortz a note recently. He hasn't heard back yet.
Johnson said, though, that he's hoping to avoid a Sept. 11 primary with Stortz. The Republican Town Committee is likely to back Johnson, since it's never had any great love of Stortz (who had to get the mayoral nomination in 2003 by defeating an unknown that the party picked over him).
Republican Chairman Art Mocabee said he doesn't have any idea whether Stortz intends to seek another term. He said the mayor will probably decide at the last second.
Geladino said he personally "values the mayor's friendship" and doesn't have any criticism to level at Stortz.
"He's done the best he could" given the Democratic-controlled council, Geladino said.
But what Bristol needs, both Johnson and Geladino said, is "a team of business people" in order to offer voters something different than what they've seen at City Hall for a long time.
Mocabee, who's working closely with Johnson and the candidates who have declared so far, said that he's been trying to recruit candidates who are "Bristol-first kinds of folks."
He said he wants candidates who are ready to compromise in order "to move the city's agenda ahead."
Joe Geladino, who is running as a Republican in the 2nd District City Council race, said Thursday he'd been talking with the party chairman since January about the possibility of leaping into the fray. He got in because he liked what Ken Johnson, a GOP mayoral hopeful, had to say.
"I'm thrilled that Joe responded," Johnson said.
Johnson has assembled a ticket that includes council contenders Geladino, Ken Cockayne and Bob Merrick. He's also on good terms with incumbent Republican Councilor Mike Rimcoski, who is seeking another stint in the 1st District.
What's interesting is that nobody in the GOP seems to know if Stortz will run again, and the mayor himself remains mum on the topic.
Johnson said he sent Stortz a note recently. He hasn't heard back yet.
Johnson said, though, that he's hoping to avoid a Sept. 11 primary with Stortz. The Republican Town Committee is likely to back Johnson, since it's never had any great love of Stortz (who had to get the mayoral nomination in 2003 by defeating an unknown that the party picked over him).
Republican Chairman Art Mocabee said he doesn't have any idea whether Stortz intends to seek another term. He said the mayor will probably decide at the last second.
Geladino said he personally "values the mayor's friendship" and doesn't have any criticism to level at Stortz.
"He's done the best he could" given the Democratic-controlled council, Geladino said.
But what Bristol needs, both Johnson and Geladino said, is "a team of business people" in order to offer voters something different than what they've seen at City Hall for a long time.
Mocabee, who's working closely with Johnson and the candidates who have declared so far, said that he's been trying to recruit candidates who are "Bristol-first kinds of folks."
He said he wants candidates who are ready to compromise in order "to move the city's agenda ahead."
May 30, 2007
Special Olympics to return in 2008
Word is that the Northwest Regional Special Olympics competition will again be held in Bristol next spring. But after that, it's likely to move on to another locale.
May 25, 2007
Mayor seeking board members
Another press release from the mayor...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bristol, CT, May 25, 2007 - Mayor William T. Stortz announced today that he continues to seek names for positions to City boards and commissions. “For a true representation of the City of Bristol, it is important that commissions and boards reflect the diversity of the City,” said Stortz. “We know there are qualified citizens out there that have a great deal to contribute to the growth and well being of our town.”
Recommendations from the public are welcome and encouraged. While appointments are made on a regular basis throughout the year, early submissions will allow for greater flexibility in determining the appropriate match.
If you are interested in applying for a position, you are asked to submit a letter of intent stating your reasons for applying and any qualifications or experience you feel you have that would be of assistance to this board or commission. Please direct your correspondence to Office of the Mayor, 111 North Main Street, Bristol, CT 06010, Attention: Board and Commission Appointments.
You can also contact the Mayor, directly, by using the email mayorsoffice@ci.bristol.ct.us. This email address gives the public more direct access to the Mayor’s office and can be used for submission of names for these appointments.
If you have any questions about board or commission appointments, please contact the office at
860-584-6250.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bristol, CT, May 25, 2007 - Mayor William T. Stortz announced today that he continues to seek names for positions to City boards and commissions. “For a true representation of the City of Bristol, it is important that commissions and boards reflect the diversity of the City,” said Stortz. “We know there are qualified citizens out there that have a great deal to contribute to the growth and well being of our town.”
Recommendations from the public are welcome and encouraged. While appointments are made on a regular basis throughout the year, early submissions will allow for greater flexibility in determining the appropriate match.
If you are interested in applying for a position, you are asked to submit a letter of intent stating your reasons for applying and any qualifications or experience you feel you have that would be of assistance to this board or commission. Please direct your correspondence to Office of the Mayor, 111 North Main Street, Bristol, CT 06010, Attention: Board and Commission Appointments.
You can also contact the Mayor, directly, by using the email mayorsoffice@ci.bristol.ct.us. This email address gives the public more direct access to the Mayor’s office and can be used for submission of names for these appointments.
If you have any questions about board or commission appointments, please contact the office at
860-584-6250.
Former Press editor makes the news
Note: this piece contains a curse word. If you are easily offended, don't read it.
My old boss, former Bristol Press Editor Frank Keegan, got arrested late Wednesday in Baltimore for allegedly pointing a shotgun at his next-door neighbor and his family.
According to reports in the Baltimore papers, Keegan, 58, was roused after 11 p.m. by someone pounding on his door. It was his row house neighbor, angry that Keegan's cigarette smoke was wafting through the windows or walls enough to make his 3-year-old daughter ill. The man's wife and daughter were with him.
Keegan, who may or may not have known who was at the door, called out, "You fucking lunatics, get away from my door."
At that point, the papers said (quoting from a police report), that the neighbor shouted back, "Look at what you're doing to my daughter."
The neighbor then told police he saw Keegan holding "what appeared" to be a long gun. Keegan "racked the gun in a manner consistent with a shotgun and shouldered the weapon, pointing it at the entire Ayers family from inside the house and behind the glass of the first-floor window," the report said, according to press reports.
The neighbor, who was holding his daughter, "reportedly raised his right arm and said, 'Whoa Whoa!' and backed away."
Keegan wound up in handcuffs.
Now I can attest that Keegan has a temper, but I can't imagine him deliberately aiming a shotgun at a little girl.
The other part of this tale is that Keegan's paper, the Baltimore Examiner, has been ripping into police overtime lately. So I suspect the cops were only too happy to have the editor in their clutches.
In any case, I'm on Keegan's side. The man is an old school editor, gruff and temperamental. But he's a damn good journalist and a solid citizen.
If you want to read more, here's the Baltimore Sun's story
My old boss, former Bristol Press Editor Frank Keegan, got arrested late Wednesday in Baltimore for allegedly pointing a shotgun at his next-door neighbor and his family.
According to reports in the Baltimore papers, Keegan, 58, was roused after 11 p.m. by someone pounding on his door. It was his row house neighbor, angry that Keegan's cigarette smoke was wafting through the windows or walls enough to make his 3-year-old daughter ill. The man's wife and daughter were with him.
Keegan, who may or may not have known who was at the door, called out, "You fucking lunatics, get away from my door."
At that point, the papers said (quoting from a police report), that the neighbor shouted back, "Look at what you're doing to my daughter."
The neighbor then told police he saw Keegan holding "what appeared" to be a long gun. Keegan "racked the gun in a manner consistent with a shotgun and shouldered the weapon, pointing it at the entire Ayers family from inside the house and behind the glass of the first-floor window," the report said, according to press reports.
The neighbor, who was holding his daughter, "reportedly raised his right arm and said, 'Whoa Whoa!' and backed away."
Keegan wound up in handcuffs.
Now I can attest that Keegan has a temper, but I can't imagine him deliberately aiming a shotgun at a little girl.
The other part of this tale is that Keegan's paper, the Baltimore Examiner, has been ripping into police overtime lately. So I suspect the cops were only too happy to have the editor in their clutches.
In any case, I'm on Keegan's side. The man is an old school editor, gruff and temperamental. But he's a damn good journalist and a solid citizen.
If you want to read more, here's the Baltimore Sun's story
May 23, 2007
Sewer rates going up
A new press release from City Hall that reports what we already knew....
May 23, 2007
Increase To Sewer Usage Fees
The City’s Water Pollution Control Division of Public Works is a special operating fund at the City of Bristol. The Division is required to pay for all of its operations, equipment replacement and loan payments from revenue collected from sewer usage fees.
In order to fund its current operation and the upcoming projects, the Sewer Authority has determined it will be necessary to implement a 6 ½ % increase to the sewer usage fee. The last rate increase was three years ago in July 2004. The new rate will increase the average resident’s quarterly sewer bill by $2.73 or $10.92 per year.
The Division has recently begun a number of large projects to improve its ability to cope with the high flows it experiences during heavy rains. The projects include upgrades to its pumping stations at Broad Street and East Main Street and the main pumps at the treatment plant. The Division is also in the early stage of a project to find and eliminate sources of clean water entering the system from leaking joints in mainline sewers, privately owned service laterals to homes and businesses, illegal connection of sump pumps, yard drains and roof gutter down spouts.
The new rate structure will also include increases to the sewer connection fees for new connections to the sewer system. A full listing of the new rate structure was published in the Bristol Press and can be viewed in the City Clerk’s Office or online at the City’s web site:
http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3240/default.aspx and select the link for Increase to Sewer Usage Fees.
May 23, 2007
Increase To Sewer Usage Fees
The City’s Water Pollution Control Division of Public Works is a special operating fund at the City of Bristol. The Division is required to pay for all of its operations, equipment replacement and loan payments from revenue collected from sewer usage fees.
In order to fund its current operation and the upcoming projects, the Sewer Authority has determined it will be necessary to implement a 6 ½ % increase to the sewer usage fee. The last rate increase was three years ago in July 2004. The new rate will increase the average resident’s quarterly sewer bill by $2.73 or $10.92 per year.
The Division has recently begun a number of large projects to improve its ability to cope with the high flows it experiences during heavy rains. The projects include upgrades to its pumping stations at Broad Street and East Main Street and the main pumps at the treatment plant. The Division is also in the early stage of a project to find and eliminate sources of clean water entering the system from leaking joints in mainline sewers, privately owned service laterals to homes and businesses, illegal connection of sump pumps, yard drains and roof gutter down spouts.
The new rate structure will also include increases to the sewer connection fees for new connections to the sewer system. A full listing of the new rate structure was published in the Bristol Press and can be viewed in the City Clerk’s Office or online at the City’s web site:
http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3240/default.aspx and select the link for Increase to Sewer Usage Fees.
Cockayne issues statement on his reasons for running for council
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Recently I announced my intent to run for Bristol City Councilman in the 2nd District. As a self-employed downtown Bristol businessman for the past 17 years and a 4th generation life long resident of Bristol, having graduated from Bristol Central High School in 1986, the time for me has come to give back. Kenny Jr. is my 7 year old son and it is with his future and the future of Bristol kids his age in mind that I have decided that the time for me to make a difference for our community is now.
Having watched from the outside over the years as our city has changed, there have been some very disturbing issues observed. Taxes have gone up and families have moved out. The same core group of politicians has led our government for roughly the past 20 years. Each year, especially the last years, politicians worked to position themselves for the next election, instead of taking care of our city, a city today that has a much different look from the city I remember growing up in. While I am proud of Bristol, I feel the time has come to move Bristol forward to insure the pride of the next generation in this town.
As many of us often do, I voiced my concerns and displeasure from the outside. I complained about the inaction of our politicians and thought, “It’s time for a change!” Not yet ready to completely leave my seat on the sidelines, over the last few years I slowly became more active in Bristol politics.
I began attending town council meetings on a regular basis, I became active with the Bristol Republican Town Committee and I served on the Robert’s Property Board. After getting acquainted with the Bristol political scene, I decided I was no longer content to voice concern from the outside.
My decision to run for City Council has not been a quick one. After many months of deliberation with close friends and family, I feel it is time for me to be a person of action and make a difference in Bristol. I do not consider myself to be a politician, rather, I am a concerned tax paying citizen in Bristol that is tired of politics as usual. We have recycled leaders from previous regimes, and it’s not working. The rhetoric is still the same and their inability to move Bristol’s Downtown project is symptomatic of the problem. Actions speak louder than words!
Bristol is facing many critical issues in the near future. Although, they may be painted as new, they have been critical issues for years. Addressing educational needs, improving infrastructure, creating a business friendly environment, public safety, and pumping economic life into our downtown are current issues every year.
This election, unfortunately the issues are the same except that we have now added the expense of two new schools to consider. These issues did not sneak up on Bristol. They have been present for years and were not addressed accordingly by the current administration and those before it. Many of the same ideas have been tossed about year after year, but very few have been acted on. Maybe it is time for term limits and referendums to guard against career politicians and spend happy administrations.
Your support and your vote for me as Councilman in the 2nd District is what I will work hard for over the course of this campaign and beyond if elected. Look at our city today and imagine it in another 20 years. Will we be considering the same ideas then? Will we be increasing taxes annually without seeing improvements in our city? Will career politicians still be making decisions for all of us without our input? It has become the norm and it is not acceptable.
I often hear people say Bristol needs a change. I’m offering you a change, someone who is not willing to accept things the way they are, someone who has voiced an opinion from outside before, but is now willing to take action. I am not okay with the direction this city is heading in, are you?It is time to move forward with new people and fresh ideas to bring a vision of Bristol that our children will be proud to carry on. Let’s take action and make a change that will make Bristol an attractive place to move into and not out of.
Thank you,
Kenneth Cockayne
2nd District Bristol GOP
Recently I announced my intent to run for Bristol City Councilman in the 2nd District. As a self-employed downtown Bristol businessman for the past 17 years and a 4th generation life long resident of Bristol, having graduated from Bristol Central High School in 1986, the time for me has come to give back. Kenny Jr. is my 7 year old son and it is with his future and the future of Bristol kids his age in mind that I have decided that the time for me to make a difference for our community is now.
Having watched from the outside over the years as our city has changed, there have been some very disturbing issues observed. Taxes have gone up and families have moved out. The same core group of politicians has led our government for roughly the past 20 years. Each year, especially the last years, politicians worked to position themselves for the next election, instead of taking care of our city, a city today that has a much different look from the city I remember growing up in. While I am proud of Bristol, I feel the time has come to move Bristol forward to insure the pride of the next generation in this town.
As many of us often do, I voiced my concerns and displeasure from the outside. I complained about the inaction of our politicians and thought, “It’s time for a change!” Not yet ready to completely leave my seat on the sidelines, over the last few years I slowly became more active in Bristol politics.
I began attending town council meetings on a regular basis, I became active with the Bristol Republican Town Committee and I served on the Robert’s Property Board. After getting acquainted with the Bristol political scene, I decided I was no longer content to voice concern from the outside.
My decision to run for City Council has not been a quick one. After many months of deliberation with close friends and family, I feel it is time for me to be a person of action and make a difference in Bristol. I do not consider myself to be a politician, rather, I am a concerned tax paying citizen in Bristol that is tired of politics as usual. We have recycled leaders from previous regimes, and it’s not working. The rhetoric is still the same and their inability to move Bristol’s Downtown project is symptomatic of the problem. Actions speak louder than words!
Bristol is facing many critical issues in the near future. Although, they may be painted as new, they have been critical issues for years. Addressing educational needs, improving infrastructure, creating a business friendly environment, public safety, and pumping economic life into our downtown are current issues every year.
This election, unfortunately the issues are the same except that we have now added the expense of two new schools to consider. These issues did not sneak up on Bristol. They have been present for years and were not addressed accordingly by the current administration and those before it. Many of the same ideas have been tossed about year after year, but very few have been acted on. Maybe it is time for term limits and referendums to guard against career politicians and spend happy administrations.
Your support and your vote for me as Councilman in the 2nd District is what I will work hard for over the course of this campaign and beyond if elected. Look at our city today and imagine it in another 20 years. Will we be considering the same ideas then? Will we be increasing taxes annually without seeing improvements in our city? Will career politicians still be making decisions for all of us without our input? It has become the norm and it is not acceptable.
I often hear people say Bristol needs a change. I’m offering you a change, someone who is not willing to accept things the way they are, someone who has voiced an opinion from outside before, but is now willing to take action. I am not okay with the direction this city is heading in, are you?It is time to move forward with new people and fresh ideas to bring a vision of Bristol that our children will be proud to carry on. Let’s take action and make a change that will make Bristol an attractive place to move into and not out of.
Thank you,
Kenneth Cockayne
2nd District Bristol GOP
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