Freshman Democratic state Rep. Frank Nicastro won’t get a free ride for a second term.
Republican Derek Jerome, who has sought the job unsuccessfully in the past, said Wednesday that voters need to turn to the GOP “to try to do something to get these taxes, these finances, under control, because they’re out of control.”
Jerome, who runs a title search company, said the new campaign finance rules make it far more feasible to take on a well-known incumbent than in previous years, when challengers could rarely match the spending of veteran lawmakers.
Nicastro, a former mayor who remains a city councilor, won the 79th District seat that spans the southern third of Bristol in 2006 after knocking out longtime state Rep. Kosta Diamantis in a tight primary battle. He easily won the general election.
Jerome, 38, said that that without public campaign financing that “kind of puts everyone on a level playing field” he would have thought twice about running.
But with the chance to match the incumbent’s campaign financially, “it makes it more feasible for somebody to take on a name like Frank Nicastro,” Jerome said, adding that everyone knows Nicastro and either loves him or hates him.
Jerome, who lost two races against Diamantis, said he’s “been wanting to do it for awhile” once more, but refrained for lack of time and money.
He said he’ll be able “be able to run the kind of campaign I’d like to run” this year.
Jerome said he’ll stay low-key for a time, putting together his platform and working to coordinate his race with other Republican hopefuls because people generally aren’t paying much attention for months, particularly with the presidential race capturing everyone’s attention.
Jerome said that people need to recognize letting one party stay in control is a costly mistake, no matter which party holds sway. There’s a need to get “ideas and input from both sides.”
He said he figures that as taxes soar on the heels of rising energy costs and sinking revenue for state coffers, “a big uproar” about property taxes is likely.
“Something’s got to give,” Jerome said, urging officials to search for ways to deliver services more efficiently and to hold the line on spending.
Jerome was born in Massachusetts but has lived in the Mum City most of his life.
Jerome attended Bristol Central High School but did not graduate, he said, because of health problems. He later earned his GED. He has since taken some insurance industry courses and sold insurance.
The Jerome Agency does real estate title searching. Jerome Enterprises, Inc., Jerome's other company, is primarily involved in real estate investing. Jerome has been actively involved with a local landlords’ group, the Greater Bristol Property Owners Association.
Jerome is married to the former Teri Bellino. They have two sons, Derek, Jr and Brandon, who is five weeks old.
The Republicans will formally nominate Jerome next week. Legislators serve two-year terms for $28,000 annually. The election is November 4.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 14, 2008
Two Republican candidates emerge
For the 31st state Senate district race against longtime incumbent Democrat Tom Colapietro, the GOP is pinning its hopes on Joe Geladino, a colorful character who ran unsuccessfully for a City Council seat last year.
And in the 79th House District, where Democratic state Rep. Frank Nicastro has held office for two years, the Republicans are backing Derek Jerome, who's been active in GOP politics for years.
State Rep. Ron Burns, the Republican incumbent in the 77th District, told me today that he still hasn't made up his mind about whether he'll seek a second term. He said he'll make a decision soon, though.
The Democrats are counting on Christopher Wright to pick up the 77th House seat this time around.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
And in the 79th House District, where Democratic state Rep. Frank Nicastro has held office for two years, the Republicans are backing Derek Jerome, who's been active in GOP politics for years.
State Rep. Ron Burns, the Republican incumbent in the 77th District, told me today that he still hasn't made up his mind about whether he'll seek a second term. He said he'll make a decision soon, though.
The Democrats are counting on Christopher Wright to pick up the 77th House seat this time around.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
City wants to nab Jackie Robinson movie
Reporter Jackie Majerus wrote this story:
The city will do whatever it can to adjust and work with filmmakers if they decide to use historic Muzzy Field as a location for part of a new movie about Jackie Robinson, officials said.
"Absolutely," said Mayor Art Ward. "However we can be accommodating, we'll be more than willing."
Ward said if part of the film is set at Muzzy Field, it will be good for Bristol.
It's in the city's best interest, Ward said, to try to promote the state's filmmaking industry.
"Bristol would seem to be an ideal location," said Ward, for any number of future films.
"It behooves us to listen, look and hear any ideas and proposals," said the mayor.
Superintendent Ed Swicklas of the Bristol Parks Department also said he'd do whatever he could to work with moviemakers. He said if Muzzy Field is used in the film, it could be an economic boost for the area.
"I think it's a great idea," said Swicklas. "We've got a lot of history there."
Even beyond baseball, Muzzy Field has seen its share of glory, according to Swicklas, who said the Green Bay Packers played there in the 1940s, the Pittsburgh Pirates took a turn. Former First Lady Barbara Bush also paid a visit to the field.
"To add a movie with Jackie Robinson," said Swicklas, "that'd be great."
According to Ward, Bristol's beloved ball field is perfect for the movie.
"I think Muzzy Field is ideal," said Ward. "It's a setting in history."A film about Robinson's life would delve into history, according to Ward, and Muzzy is perfect for that.
"It's a facility that could represent that time period," said Ward.
While some stadiums may have schedules they won't interrupt for Hollywood, Swicklas said Bristol will make changes necessary to make the filming possible.
"We're more community based," said Swicklas. "We'd shift 'em around."
The fact that Bristol-based ESPN is also part of producing the Robinson movie project, said Swicklas, makes the whole thing "even better."
Muzzy Field's been around the block
Nearing its century mark, Muzzy Field was built about 1912, according to Swicklas. That's the same year the Titanic set sail.
Jackie Robinson was born seven years later in Cairo, Georgia, to a family of sharecroppers.
The film, which is not yet in production, will be set in 1947, the year Brooklyn Dodgers manager Branch Rickey hired Robinson, who had played in the Negro Baseball League.
Robinson, then 28, broke baseball's color bar when he joined the Dodgers. He was named Rookie of the Year and later, Most Valuable Player. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, and died in Stamford 10 years later.
According to Karen Baldwin of Baldwin Entertainment Corp., one of the partners in the filmmaking, the movie will tell the story of the relationship between Robinson and Rickey and the events leading up to his first time at bat for the Dodgers.
Robert Redford, who is another one of the filmmaking partners, would play Rickey. The actor who would play Robinson hasn't been announced.
Baldwin has said Muzzy Field is on the short list of possible stadiums for use in the film, which has generated hope and excitement locally.
"I think we have the perfect stadium for that," said Swicklas.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The city will do whatever it can to adjust and work with filmmakers if they decide to use historic Muzzy Field as a location for part of a new movie about Jackie Robinson, officials said.
"Absolutely," said Mayor Art Ward. "However we can be accommodating, we'll be more than willing."
Ward said if part of the film is set at Muzzy Field, it will be good for Bristol.
It's in the city's best interest, Ward said, to try to promote the state's filmmaking industry.
"Bristol would seem to be an ideal location," said Ward, for any number of future films.
"It behooves us to listen, look and hear any ideas and proposals," said the mayor.
Superintendent Ed Swicklas of the Bristol Parks Department also said he'd do whatever he could to work with moviemakers. He said if Muzzy Field is used in the film, it could be an economic boost for the area.
"I think it's a great idea," said Swicklas. "We've got a lot of history there."
Even beyond baseball, Muzzy Field has seen its share of glory, according to Swicklas, who said the Green Bay Packers played there in the 1940s, the Pittsburgh Pirates took a turn. Former First Lady Barbara Bush also paid a visit to the field.
"To add a movie with Jackie Robinson," said Swicklas, "that'd be great."
According to Ward, Bristol's beloved ball field is perfect for the movie.
"I think Muzzy Field is ideal," said Ward. "It's a setting in history."A film about Robinson's life would delve into history, according to Ward, and Muzzy is perfect for that.
"It's a facility that could represent that time period," said Ward.
While some stadiums may have schedules they won't interrupt for Hollywood, Swicklas said Bristol will make changes necessary to make the filming possible.
"We're more community based," said Swicklas. "We'd shift 'em around."
The fact that Bristol-based ESPN is also part of producing the Robinson movie project, said Swicklas, makes the whole thing "even better."
Muzzy Field's been around the block
Nearing its century mark, Muzzy Field was built about 1912, according to Swicklas. That's the same year the Titanic set sail.
Jackie Robinson was born seven years later in Cairo, Georgia, to a family of sharecroppers.
The film, which is not yet in production, will be set in 1947, the year Brooklyn Dodgers manager Branch Rickey hired Robinson, who had played in the Negro Baseball League.
Robinson, then 28, broke baseball's color bar when he joined the Dodgers. He was named Rookie of the Year and later, Most Valuable Player. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, and died in Stamford 10 years later.
According to Karen Baldwin of Baldwin Entertainment Corp., one of the partners in the filmmaking, the movie will tell the story of the relationship between Robinson and Rickey and the events leading up to his first time at bat for the Dodgers.
Robert Redford, who is another one of the filmmaking partners, would play Rickey. The actor who would play Robinson hasn't been announced.
Baldwin has said Muzzy Field is on the short list of possible stadiums for use in the film, which has generated hope and excitement locally.
"I think we have the perfect stadium for that," said Swicklas.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 13, 2008
Forestville Center's rail crossing slated for replacement
The railroad crossing in Forestville, long considered a hazard by city officials, is likely to be reconstructed next spring.
Mayor Art Ward said Tuesday that the federal government is shelling out $904,000 to replace the existing crossing with one that includes gates that would help keep cars off the tracks.
“It’s real good news,” Ward said.
The state Department of Transportation has long eyed the crossing as a potential hazard, but it always took a back seat to more pressing problems with other railroad crossings in the region, including at least two in Bristol that have been redone in the past 15 years.
Ward said, though, that the Forestville crossing made it to the top of the list without opposition.
He said that bids for the design work should go out in June and the project itself is slated for completion during a three month period next spring.
The mayor said that the construction work won’t interfere with business access to the nearby Nuchies restaurant, Ultimate Wireforms or other establishments in the area.
City officials pointed out the crossing’s problems during a trip along the Guilford Rail line this spring.
Its most notable problem are misaligned or bent plates that can give a passing vehicle quite a jolt.
But officials have worried more keenly about the traffic lights so close by that might someday cause a car – or even a school bus – to get trapped on the tracks as a train approaches.
The new gates should help prevent the problem, assuming the technical issues with the lights can be worked out properly.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Mayor Art Ward said Tuesday that the federal government is shelling out $904,000 to replace the existing crossing with one that includes gates that would help keep cars off the tracks.
“It’s real good news,” Ward said.
The state Department of Transportation has long eyed the crossing as a potential hazard, but it always took a back seat to more pressing problems with other railroad crossings in the region, including at least two in Bristol that have been redone in the past 15 years.
Ward said, though, that the Forestville crossing made it to the top of the list without opposition.
He said that bids for the design work should go out in June and the project itself is slated for completion during a three month period next spring.
The mayor said that the construction work won’t interfere with business access to the nearby Nuchies restaurant, Ultimate Wireforms or other establishments in the area.
City officials pointed out the crossing’s problems during a trip along the Guilford Rail line this spring.
Its most notable problem are misaligned or bent plates that can give a passing vehicle quite a jolt.
But officials have worried more keenly about the traffic lights so close by that might someday cause a car – or even a school bus – to get trapped on the tracks as a train approaches.
The new gates should help prevent the problem, assuming the technical issues with the lights can be worked out properly.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Cost-of-living hikes OK'd for retired city workers
Without dissent, city councilors Tuesday agreed to hand out hefty cost-of-living pension hikes to retired municipal workers.
The supposed one-time increase will give about two dozen of the most lucratively compensated retired workers $4,200 more each year.
But most of the nearly 400 eligible retired workers will get lesser hikes, though everyone who gets a Bristol pension check will receive at least another $10 a month.
City Councilor Mike Rimcoski said he went along with the proposal because he was outnumbered anyway.
Besides, he said, “This is the retirees’ money and future retirees,” too.
The deal, which will bring more money to hundreds of retired general city employees, won’t cost taxpayers anything, officials said.
The money is coming out of a trust fund that has a staggering excess thanks to wise investments over the past 30 years. It currently contains more than $500 million, at least $150 million more than it’s expected to need.
The city has no obligation to raise pensions, but councilors opted to do it for the second time ever because the cost-of-living adjustment will help so many people.
The council agreed to hand out a hike consisting of 75 percent of the annual cost-of-living increase to pension funds for each year back to 2001, the first time any pension hikes were given.
That means that workers who were retired in 2001 would get up to 16 percent more each month, though nobody can get more than $350 extra monthly.
One member of the council, Democrat Frank Nicastro, abstained on the issue. He receives a city pension for his 10-year stint as mayor and 17 years as a truant officer.
Rimcoski said a few weeks ago that he wanted to raise the minimum that every retiree would get and to scale back the maximum payment. He said that would be more fair to everyone who is struggling to get by on a pension check.
But officials said it would be costly and difficult to revise the plan that consultants worked out last fall.
The council intended to pass the increase late last year, but had to delay it after lawyers realized that a municipal ordinance needed to be changed before the inflation adjustment could be made in retirees’ checks.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The supposed one-time increase will give about two dozen of the most lucratively compensated retired workers $4,200 more each year.
But most of the nearly 400 eligible retired workers will get lesser hikes, though everyone who gets a Bristol pension check will receive at least another $10 a month.
City Councilor Mike Rimcoski said he went along with the proposal because he was outnumbered anyway.
Besides, he said, “This is the retirees’ money and future retirees,” too.
The deal, which will bring more money to hundreds of retired general city employees, won’t cost taxpayers anything, officials said.
The money is coming out of a trust fund that has a staggering excess thanks to wise investments over the past 30 years. It currently contains more than $500 million, at least $150 million more than it’s expected to need.
The city has no obligation to raise pensions, but councilors opted to do it for the second time ever because the cost-of-living adjustment will help so many people.
The council agreed to hand out a hike consisting of 75 percent of the annual cost-of-living increase to pension funds for each year back to 2001, the first time any pension hikes were given.
That means that workers who were retired in 2001 would get up to 16 percent more each month, though nobody can get more than $350 extra monthly.
One member of the council, Democrat Frank Nicastro, abstained on the issue. He receives a city pension for his 10-year stint as mayor and 17 years as a truant officer.
Rimcoski said a few weeks ago that he wanted to raise the minimum that every retiree would get and to scale back the maximum payment. He said that would be more fair to everyone who is struggling to get by on a pension check.
But officials said it would be costly and difficult to revise the plan that consultants worked out last fall.
The council intended to pass the increase late last year, but had to delay it after lawyers realized that a municipal ordinance needed to be changed before the inflation adjustment could be made in retirees’ checks.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
City Council meets tonight
For the first time, the session starts at 7 p.m. today, so maybe I'll get home early! No live blogging, though. I don't have the energy with all this pollen.
Watch for the news later this evening.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Watch for the news later this evening.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 10, 2008
Visconti unchallenged, gets GOP nomination to take on Larson
Joe Visconti, the rockin' rebel of the Republican Party, was tapped today as the GOP's 1st District congressional candidate at a convention in West Hartford.
Visconti will take on U.S. Rep. John Larson, an East Hartford Democrat who has routinely thrashed everyone who's challenged him since he won the job in 1998.
Here are some pictures that capture the excitement of the convention
And here's an account of the event from The Everyday Republican blog, a pretty good spot for keeping up with GOP news.
The brainflation blog has video of the convention, so even John Larson can see what he's in for.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Visconti will take on U.S. Rep. John Larson, an East Hartford Democrat who has routinely thrashed everyone who's challenged him since he won the job in 1998.
Here are some pictures that capture the excitement of the convention
And here's an account of the event from The Everyday Republican blog, a pretty good spot for keeping up with GOP news.
The brainflation blog has video of the convention, so even John Larson can see what he's in for.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 9, 2008
Chief operating officer idea could still survive
City councilors solidly rejected a proposal Friday to create a chief operating officer to oversee the administration of City Hall.
“We have a perfect form of checks and balances now,” said city Councilor Frank Nicastro, a former mayor who opposed the suggested charter change.
Though the vote isn’t the last word on the idea, it makes it much less likely that the fundamental shift in the city government blueprint recommended by the Charter Revision Commission will eventually win approval.
The council, on a 5-2 vote, recommended the charter panel drop the idea from its final report, which will likely be submitted in early June. But whether or not charter commissioners agree to drop the proposal, it is clear that the council won’t back it in the end.
However, there is another route to passage that even some opponents said they’re interested in.
The council also gunned down another charter panel recommendation that would shift the part-time treasurer from an elected to an appointed post. Only two councilors, Democrat Craig Minor and Republican Ken Cockayne, backed the change.
The two councilors who backed the chief operating position, Minor and Cockayne, said they would help gather signatures to force the city to put the recommended charter change on the ballot so voters could decide if they want it or not.
“Let’s let the people vote,” Cockayne said. Minor said the decision is “too big” for the council alone to make.
To pull that off, they’d have to collect signatures from 10 percent of the city’s approximately 31,000 voters within 45 days of the final council vote on the charter commission’s report, probably in late June and July.
City Councilor Cliff Block, who voted against the chief operating officer concept, said he’s interested to see if a groundswell of support for the idea really exists.
Mayor Art Ward, who also voted against the position, said he will support the petition process.
The council has the power to put the suggested change on the ballot even if its members don’t agree with the proposal. But there doesn’t appear to be support for doing so.
City Councilor Mike Rimcoski called the proposed chief operating officer “another layer of bureaucracy” that would cost taxpayers too much.
Nicastro said that the strong mayor form of government in Bristol has served the city well for nearly a century and there’s no reason to revise it. He said that arguments that department heads are out of control is “garbage.”
“People seem to be living in the past,” Cockayne said. “We have to be looking to the future.”
Ward said he doesn’t see a need for someone to manage the departments more directly than the mayor can.
“I don’t really believe the COO is going to be contribute anything positive,” Ward said.
Minor said he favors a city manager, but the new post is “a step in the right direction” toward bringing more professionalism to city government.
Minor changes that would double the registrars’ terms of office to four years and revise some wording in the charter section on the city clerk were supported by councilors. They are likely to appear on the November general election ballot.
I'll try to add some more details later about what each of the councilors said Friday so check back over the weekend if you're interested. I'll add them below this story.
Here's what Craig Minor had to say during the meeting:
I am in favor of the council-manager form of government. While the COO is not a true “town manager”, I believe it is a step in the right direction and is long overdue.
I listened carefully to the comments that were made in these chambers earlier this week. I have read my emails, listened to my phone messages, and read the blogs and newspaper articles and letters. Clearly this is an issue that people feel strongly about, and I think the people should be given the chance to vote on it in November.
A number of thoughts occurred to me as I was listening to Bristol citizens express their hopes, and their fears, about the COO, and I would like to share them with you.
1. People have asked, how much will the COO cost? That’s a fair question. I personally think that in the long run the COO will save us a lot more than he costs, but a better way to look at it is to think back to when desktop computers were just starting to become common in the workplace. Everyone wanted to know how much money would they save. Well, as it turned out, they probably didn’t save a penny. But they made it possible for us to provide much better service to our customers, and to do many things we never thought possible. They make us more productive. That’s what the COO provides.
2. Several times the other night I heard people say, “we don’t need another bureaucrat” as if the department heads are all the same and interchangeable. Were you referring to the Chief of Police and the Building Official? Or the Park Superintendent and the Public Works Director? These positions are all required by charter and the city could not function without them. Since the COO will help these departments function more efficiently, wouldn’t we want one now as we enter tough financial times?
3. A lot has been made of the council’s supposed inability to ever fire the COO. First of all, his contract would almost certainly contain a “buyout” provision in case the relationship between the COO and the Mayor and council completely breaks down. But this is an extremely pessimistic attitude. A city manager is someone who wants to do good, and if he finds he is not able to do good in Bristol, he will probably very much want to move on to a place where he is appreciated.
4. In a big corporation, the CEO at some point in his career has usually held one or more of the jobs that he now supervises. To the best of my knowledge no Bristol mayor has ever been a Finance Director, a Personnel Director, or a Public Works Director. I don't think any Bristol mayor has ever worked in any other town, so they’ve never had any first hand knowledge of best management practices used elsewhere. They have no way of knowing the right departmental goals and objectives, and they have no benchmarks to evaluate the performance of the department head. All they know is "the way we've always done it".
5. If we vote tonight to keep this proposal in the Final Report, we are sending a strong message that the Bristol City Council takes the business of governing seriously. This is the message that we want to send to companies and families who are thinking about relocating to Bristol, and especially to developers who are right now deciding whether or not to propose investing their time and money in the Depot Square parcel.
6. But more important than my opinion is the opinion of the people of Bristol. I think this issue to too big to leave up to the seven people sitting on the City Council.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
“We have a perfect form of checks and balances now,” said city Councilor Frank Nicastro, a former mayor who opposed the suggested charter change.
Though the vote isn’t the last word on the idea, it makes it much less likely that the fundamental shift in the city government blueprint recommended by the Charter Revision Commission will eventually win approval.
The council, on a 5-2 vote, recommended the charter panel drop the idea from its final report, which will likely be submitted in early June. But whether or not charter commissioners agree to drop the proposal, it is clear that the council won’t back it in the end.
However, there is another route to passage that even some opponents said they’re interested in.
The council also gunned down another charter panel recommendation that would shift the part-time treasurer from an elected to an appointed post. Only two councilors, Democrat Craig Minor and Republican Ken Cockayne, backed the change.
The two councilors who backed the chief operating position, Minor and Cockayne, said they would help gather signatures to force the city to put the recommended charter change on the ballot so voters could decide if they want it or not.
“Let’s let the people vote,” Cockayne said. Minor said the decision is “too big” for the council alone to make.
To pull that off, they’d have to collect signatures from 10 percent of the city’s approximately 31,000 voters within 45 days of the final council vote on the charter commission’s report, probably in late June and July.
City Councilor Cliff Block, who voted against the chief operating officer concept, said he’s interested to see if a groundswell of support for the idea really exists.
Mayor Art Ward, who also voted against the position, said he will support the petition process.
The council has the power to put the suggested change on the ballot even if its members don’t agree with the proposal. But there doesn’t appear to be support for doing so.
City Councilor Mike Rimcoski called the proposed chief operating officer “another layer of bureaucracy” that would cost taxpayers too much.
Nicastro said that the strong mayor form of government in Bristol has served the city well for nearly a century and there’s no reason to revise it. He said that arguments that department heads are out of control is “garbage.”
“People seem to be living in the past,” Cockayne said. “We have to be looking to the future.”
Ward said he doesn’t see a need for someone to manage the departments more directly than the mayor can.
“I don’t really believe the COO is going to be contribute anything positive,” Ward said.
Minor said he favors a city manager, but the new post is “a step in the right direction” toward bringing more professionalism to city government.
Minor changes that would double the registrars’ terms of office to four years and revise some wording in the charter section on the city clerk were supported by councilors. They are likely to appear on the November general election ballot.
I'll try to add some more details later about what each of the councilors said Friday so check back over the weekend if you're interested. I'll add them below this story.
Here's what Craig Minor had to say during the meeting:
I am in favor of the council-manager form of government. While the COO is not a true “town manager”, I believe it is a step in the right direction and is long overdue.
I listened carefully to the comments that were made in these chambers earlier this week. I have read my emails, listened to my phone messages, and read the blogs and newspaper articles and letters. Clearly this is an issue that people feel strongly about, and I think the people should be given the chance to vote on it in November.
A number of thoughts occurred to me as I was listening to Bristol citizens express their hopes, and their fears, about the COO, and I would like to share them with you.
1. People have asked, how much will the COO cost? That’s a fair question. I personally think that in the long run the COO will save us a lot more than he costs, but a better way to look at it is to think back to when desktop computers were just starting to become common in the workplace. Everyone wanted to know how much money would they save. Well, as it turned out, they probably didn’t save a penny. But they made it possible for us to provide much better service to our customers, and to do many things we never thought possible. They make us more productive. That’s what the COO provides.
2. Several times the other night I heard people say, “we don’t need another bureaucrat” as if the department heads are all the same and interchangeable. Were you referring to the Chief of Police and the Building Official? Or the Park Superintendent and the Public Works Director? These positions are all required by charter and the city could not function without them. Since the COO will help these departments function more efficiently, wouldn’t we want one now as we enter tough financial times?
3. A lot has been made of the council’s supposed inability to ever fire the COO. First of all, his contract would almost certainly contain a “buyout” provision in case the relationship between the COO and the Mayor and council completely breaks down. But this is an extremely pessimistic attitude. A city manager is someone who wants to do good, and if he finds he is not able to do good in Bristol, he will probably very much want to move on to a place where he is appreciated.
4. In a big corporation, the CEO at some point in his career has usually held one or more of the jobs that he now supervises. To the best of my knowledge no Bristol mayor has ever been a Finance Director, a Personnel Director, or a Public Works Director. I don't think any Bristol mayor has ever worked in any other town, so they’ve never had any first hand knowledge of best management practices used elsewhere. They have no way of knowing the right departmental goals and objectives, and they have no benchmarks to evaluate the performance of the department head. All they know is "the way we've always done it".
5. If we vote tonight to keep this proposal in the Final Report, we are sending a strong message that the Bristol City Council takes the business of governing seriously. This is the message that we want to send to companies and families who are thinking about relocating to Bristol, and especially to developers who are right now deciding whether or not to propose investing their time and money in the Depot Square parcel.
6. But more important than my opinion is the opinion of the people of Bristol. I think this issue to too big to leave up to the seven people sitting on the City Council.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
City budget likely to rise less than 4 percent
Mayor Art Ward said Friday that department heads have managed to find ways to carve spending out of the $173 million budget approved by the Board of Finance.
As a result, he said, the proposed spending plan could contain less than a 4 percent increase in the mill rate instead of the 6.5 percent originally envisioned.
"We don't have any money," Ward said, so there's no choice but to ratchet down spending.
The mayor said the lower numbers likely won't cause any layoffs, but there will be an impact on the city's ability to provide services that residents have come to expect.
State Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat, said taxpayers better brace themselves.
He called this year's budget woes "the tip of the iceberg."
Nicastro, who is also a city councilor, said that this year's state budget situation is "terrible," but it will get worse next year. He said municipalities will get hit even harder.
Ward said that he knows people are going to struggle to pay property tax bills with energy and food costs up so much, particularly with revaluation's slight shift of the overall tax burden more onto the shoulders of homeowners.
"That's the times we're in," the mayor said.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
As a result, he said, the proposed spending plan could contain less than a 4 percent increase in the mill rate instead of the 6.5 percent originally envisioned.
"We don't have any money," Ward said, so there's no choice but to ratchet down spending.
The mayor said the lower numbers likely won't cause any layoffs, but there will be an impact on the city's ability to provide services that residents have come to expect.
State Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat, said taxpayers better brace themselves.
He called this year's budget woes "the tip of the iceberg."
Nicastro, who is also a city councilor, said that this year's state budget situation is "terrible," but it will get worse next year. He said municipalities will get hit even harder.
Ward said that he knows people are going to struggle to pay property tax bills with energy and food costs up so much, particularly with revaluation's slight shift of the overall tax burden more onto the shoulders of homeowners.
"That's the times we're in," the mayor said.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Chief operating officer post rejected
In a 5-2 vote, the City Council Friday urged the Charter Revision Commission to kill its proposal to create a chief operating officer position.
Only two councilors, Craig Minor and Ken Cockayne, backed the new position.
It appears likely, though, that a petition drive will take place in June and early July to try to get the suggested change on the ballot anyway.
To pull it off, supporters will need to convince about 3,100 registered voters to sign petitions calling for the public vote.
The council also rejected a proposal to make the part-time city treasurer an appointed position rather than an elected one.
Details to follow.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Only two councilors, Craig Minor and Ken Cockayne, backed the new position.
It appears likely, though, that a petition drive will take place in June and early July to try to get the suggested change on the ballot anyway.
To pull it off, supporters will need to convince about 3,100 registered voters to sign petitions calling for the public vote.
The council also rejected a proposal to make the part-time city treasurer an appointed position rather than an elected one.
Details to follow.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Charter decision may come today
There's a special City Council meeting at 5 p.m. today -- Friday, for those who are blissfully unaware of the calendar -- to determine the fate of the Charter Revision Commission's recommended changes to the city's blueprint.
The most controversial measure is, of course, whether to create a chief operating officer for the city.
Though the idea is almost certainly going to be voted down, there's a good chance that won't actually happen today.
Instead, some have told me, the commission will probably be asked to ramp up the educational requirements for anyone seeking the full-time position. A vote on the proposal itself will likely come later.
But you never know with this council. It's certainly possible the council will simply dump the concept today.
I'm not sure what's going to happen to the other vaguely controversial recommendation to turn the part-time treasurer into an appointed position rather than an elected one. With all the hoopla over the chief operating officer, the treasurer suggestion has gotten little attention.
I'll be there to let you know what happens today, but if you're curious to see city government in action - or its inaction, perhaps -then feel free to come to the meeting itself. What a great way to start the weekend!
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The most controversial measure is, of course, whether to create a chief operating officer for the city.
Though the idea is almost certainly going to be voted down, there's a good chance that won't actually happen today.
Instead, some have told me, the commission will probably be asked to ramp up the educational requirements for anyone seeking the full-time position. A vote on the proposal itself will likely come later.
But you never know with this council. It's certainly possible the council will simply dump the concept today.
I'm not sure what's going to happen to the other vaguely controversial recommendation to turn the part-time treasurer into an appointed position rather than an elected one. With all the hoopla over the chief operating officer, the treasurer suggestion has gotten little attention.
I'll be there to let you know what happens today, but if you're curious to see city government in action - or its inaction, perhaps -then feel free to come to the meeting itself. What a great way to start the weekend!
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 8, 2008
Bristol strikes out
City leaders struck out in their bid to bring the 2010 American Legion Baseball World Series to historic Muzzy Field.
Jim Quinlan, spokesman for the American Legion, said today that Bristol lost out to Spokane, Wash. in a close vote of the national committee.
That probably closes the door on Bristol's chances of ever hosting the annual event because rule changes have made it so that in the future, the tournament will be held in the city where the Legion's national convention is taking place.
The five-day event will be held at Spokane's Avista Stadium instead of in Bristol.
"Spokane will be an outstanding site for the series, based on its strong community support and excellent organizing committee," said American Legion National Americanism Commission Chairman Joseph E. Caouette Jr., according to a Legion press release.
"The city of Spokane will be an outstanding host," he said.
This is the first time Spokane has hosted the American Legion World Series, though it's been held three times in Yakima, Wash., most recently in 2001.
Bristol competed against Spokane and Bartlesville, Ok. for the right to host the 2010 World Series, according to Quinlan.
He said that some of the decision-makers preferred Bristol, but Spokane got the majority.
Organizers for the nation's largest veterans organization said they expect the Spokane World Series will draw 25,000 to 30,000 spectators to Vista Stadium. Fans are expected to spend more than $4 million and book about 1,000 motel-room nights in the area.
Mayor Art Ward and city Park Director Ed Swicklas were among a handful of Bristol representatives who flew to Indianapolis last weekend to make a pitch for Muzzy Field. With ESPN's backing, they said they felt they made a strong case.
Representatives from Spokane's American Legion Baseball, the Washington State American Legion, Avista Stadium and the Spokane Regional Sports Commissioned also went to Indianapolis to seek the Series, according to KOZE-AM, a Spokane radio station.
The American Legion Baseball program, which has fielded teams at Muzzy for more than 80 years, is the nation's oldest high school aged baseball program. It claims more than half of today's Major League Baseball players played on a Legion team before reaching the pros.
The Legion's National Executive Committee – the group's board of directors - made the final decision on the World Series location.
Quinlan said that he would like to have made it possible for Bristol's Fran Mullins, a baseball legend in Legion circles, to see the group's World Series in 2010 at his home field, but the panel opted for Spokane for sound reasons.
After I spoke with Quinlan, the American Legion issued this press release:
INDIANAPOLIS, May 8 PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Avista Stadium in Spokane, Wash., will be the site of the 2010 World Series of American Legion Baseball, the nation's oldest high school aged baseball program for 15- to 19-year-olds.
The National Executive Committee, the formal name of The American Legion's board of directors, announced today at its annual spring meeting here that Spokane American Legion Baseball Inc., will host the series. The American Legion World Series will feature the nation's eight regional champions in a double-elimination tournament. The five-day event will be held Aug. 13-17, 2010.
"Spokane will be an outstanding site for the series, based on its strong community support and excellent organizing committee," American Legion National Americanism Commission Chairman Joseph E. Caouette Jr. said. "The city of Spokane will be an outstanding host." This is the first time Spokane has hosted The American Legion World Series. Yakima, Wash., hosted The American Legion World Series in 1954, 1978, and 2001.
Washington American Legion teams have had excellent success playing American Legion Baseball. There are no host teams at an American Legion World Series. To participate in an American Legion World Series teams must earn the right to participate. Thirteen Washington American Legion Teams have earned that right to participate. Those cities were Bellingham (07); Bellevue (81 & 95), Kennewick (99 & 04); Pasco (05); Vancouver (87 & 96); and Yakima, Washington (53, 75, 76, 79 & 88) have participated by winning the Northwest Regional Tournament.
There are more than 5,000 registered American Legion teams. More than half of today's Major Leaguers got their start in American Legion Baseball.
Fifty-two former American Legion Baseball players have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, including Ryan Sandberg, George Brett, Bob Feller, Brooks Robinson, Yogi Berra, Jim Palmer, Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor, Reggie Jackson, Pee Wee Reese, Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers and Tom Seaver.
Organizers for the nation's largest veterans organization expect the Spokane World Series will draw 25,000 to 30,000 spectators to Vista Stadium. Fans are expected to spend more than $4 million and book about 1,000 motel-room nights. The 2.7-million member American Legion, http://www.legion.org/, is the nation's largest veterans organization.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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