Showing posts with label Bristol Chamber of Commerce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bristol Chamber of Commerce. Show all posts
October 11, 2013
Chamber is weighing who should take the reins
December 10, 2012
Martin 'bothered' by colleagues' choice to reject chamber plan for Memorial Boulevard
City Councilor Henri Martin just issued this statement re the decision of the city's Real Estate Committee recently to reject a plan for Memorial Boulevard School's reuse by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce:
 |
| City Councilor Henri Martin, left, with Mayor Art Ward and Councilors Ken Cockayne and Kevin Fuller trailing |
I’m bothered and disagree
with the recent decision by the Real Estate Committee of the City of Bristol to
initiate a new RFP (Request for proposal) regarding the future use of Memorial
Boulevard School. Further I disagree with the member’s decision to discuss this
matter in an executive session rather than in public.
In its proposal, the Central
Connecticut Chamber of Commerce submitted a viable plan which I believe answered
the wishes of our community — to protect and find a potential re-use for this
historic property. The plan was visionary and provided innovative ideas for
economic development to Bristol through the creation of an arts center that
included the preservation and future improvements of the theatre, and a business
incubator for start up entrepreneurs in the technology, media and bio-fields.
At its last Real Estate workshop,
with a change of use from a building educating students to the anticipated use
the Chamber was proposing, city department officials offered their views of ADA
updates, fire and building code deficiencies, and future capitol improvement
costs that may lay ahead for any intended use. Revealing these facts and costs may have worried
the committee, but should not have warranted the rejection of the Chambers
proposal or a motion and approval to request a new RFP.
I understand the city’s
budget is under pressure, but imagine the unknown costs associated with the innovative
idea of ESPN back in 1978/79 that gave city officials reason to pause. Thank
God we pressed forward. In my opinion, revealing all the facts and costs only facilitates
a better understanding of the risks for all involved.
The proposal was an
opportunity for the City and Chamber to develop a Public/Private partnership,
thus allowing them to work together to preserve the theatre and building, and
simultaneously bring some kind of economic development in the downtown area. We
need new innovative vision—not the same old same old.
Downtown needs energy; art
energy, entrepreneurial energy, young professional energy, upscale energy,
community energy—and the Chamber’s proposal offered all of this. Unfortunately
this didn’t happen. After a questionable
executive session meeting, the committee decided to start the process all over
again.
The Real Estate committee
failed to work collaboratively with the Chamber to determine if a format could
be established which met both their and the City’s goal. The process was
instead adversarial in nature which was not fair to the Chamber and does a
disservice to our citizens.
If the Real Estate Committee
was worried about the potential costs mentioned by the department officials or
had unanswered questions; those details could have been addressed during
negotiations between the City and the Chamber before any final lease document
was executed. The concept was still sound.
City officials should be
working collectively with our business partners in the Chamber to achieve the
goal of the community to preserve the historic Memorial Boulevard School. In
the end, we either may have had an agreement that met the needs of both sides,
or maybe it wouldn’t have worked for the either, but the decision would have
been reached in a cooperative manner rather than the way it did.
Unfortunately, the Chamber
has decided to withdraw its proposal and not respond to the new RFP, and given
the nature of the process which was followed who can blame them.
Now we’re back to square one…
November 21, 2012
Chamber "dismayed" by city's refusal to back Memorial Boulevard plan
Statement by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce regarding the
decision by the City of Bristol Real Estate Committee to send the future of the
Memorial Boulevard School back out to RFP.
The Chamber is dismayed by the action of the City Real
Estate Committee and sees their decision as being a poor outcome for the City
and its residents. From the beginning
the Chamber has made every effort to work collaboratively with the Real Estate
Committee. Chamber leadership attended
every meeting and public hearing and was prepared to answer any and all
questions regarding the contents of the detailed proposal that we submitted in
accordance with the City’s process. No
questions or concerns were raised.
Of even greater concern was the tenor of the “workshop”
conducted by the Real Estate Committee on November 15th. Those speaking
for the City took great pains to paint the situation regarding the Memorial
Boulevard facility as dire. In light of
the fact that the building housed school children no more than 5 months prior
it was clear that the City was not interested in a collaborative effort but
instead was attempting to create an adversarial environment in which nothing
gets accomplished.
As such it is the decision by Chamber leadership to withdraw
our proposal for Memorial Boulevard effective immediately and we will not
respond to any new RFP process. We are
taking this position for the following reasons:
- It is important to
understand that the Chamber’s involvement in this process originated when
we were approached by a small group concerned with the preservation of the
theater. After much thought and
analysis we developed our idea based on the understanding that neither an
arts center or business incubator would be able to operate successfully as
independent entities. However,
using the Boulevard building to do both provides and environment where the
two concepts can work to support each other while bringing another form of
economic development to the downtown area.
- The RFP to which we
responded provided no information as to the building’s condition and/or any
possible challenges. By its nature
any outcome based on the RFP response required a collaborative process by
which the City and Chamber would establish a structure of control and a
more refined understanding of responsibilities. Instead the process languished in
meeting after meeting with no new questions or detailed discussions on how
to reach the goal of constructive reuse of the building.
- Based on the comments by
department heads at the “workshop” on November 15th it is clear
that few had read the document or understood the concept. Our proposal
included a detailed 5 year revenue projection for both the Arts Centre and
Business Incubator. After numerous
special meetings and presentations the Real Estate Committee did not ask
one financial question yet now claims that the proposal lacked sufficient
detail.
- Collaboration means
working together for a positive outcome for all involved. While there can be diverse opinions the
parties should work to find middle ground or ask all the questions
pertinent to the opportunity. That
never happened in this case and we will not utilize any further Chamber
time or resource to participate in what amounts to a new academic exercise
designed for the purposes of doing nothing.
The failure of the Real Estate Committee to take decisive
action that would quickly begin the process of mitigating the cost of the
building to the taxpayers as well as save the Theater should have every
resident concerned. We are also very disturbed by the method by which the decision
and motion to start over took place.
If Bristol is to see growth in the grand list and avoid
continued budget challenges the City’s leadership will have to have some vision
and a willingness to try new ideas. It
will be nearly impossible to cut their way out of the current fiscal challenges. Growth must be part of the equation as well
as ideas that offset costs. The Chamber offered a plan that accomplished both
of these goals. Councilmen Cockayne,
Fuller and Carlson apparently think that an empty building, at risk of
vandalism and burning in excess of $10,000 a month is a better idea. We disagree.
Michael D. Nicastro Atty
Timothy Furey
President & Chief Executive Officer Chairman
of the Board
September 30, 2010
Bristol, New Britain chambers fight over busway
Don't miss this column by the head of the New Britain Chamber of Commerce, William Millerick, an old newspaper hand.
Millerick said that stopping the busway has become "an obsession" with the Bristol chamber.
"Even people in Bristol shake their heads at the amount of time, energy and now money that is being spent by the Bristol chamber to stop a busway in New Britain," Millerick wrote.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Millerick said that stopping the busway has become "an obsession" with the Bristol chamber.
"Even people in Bristol shake their heads at the amount of time, energy and now money that is being spent by the Bristol chamber to stop a busway in New Britain," Millerick wrote.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 23, 2010
Busway foes launch campaign to block $573 million road
Critics of the proposed $573 million busway between Hartford and New Britain have launched a media campaign to derail the plan.
The campaign, which includes advertising and a social networking effort, is sponsored by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce along with National Corridors, the Sierra Club of Connecticut and Rails*Trains*Ecology*Cycling,
“What better time than election season?” said Mike Nicastro, who heads the chamber.
The group is urging state leaders to hit the brakes on plans to construct a dedicated 9-mile road that would serve only buses. It says the scheme is too costly and the route would strangle commuter rail in the region by snatching the old rail right of way from New Britain to Newington.
The state Department of Transportation backs the busway, it says, because it is the best way to reduce growing congestion in Interstate 84. The busway also offers development opportunities along its route, supporters say. Click here for the full story.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The campaign, which includes advertising and a social networking effort, is sponsored by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce along with National Corridors, the Sierra Club of Connecticut and Rails*Trains*Ecology*Cycling,
“What better time than election season?” said Mike Nicastro, who heads the chamber.
The group is urging state leaders to hit the brakes on plans to construct a dedicated 9-mile road that would serve only buses. It says the scheme is too costly and the route would strangle commuter rail in the region by snatching the old rail right of way from New Britain to Newington.
The state Department of Transportation backs the busway, it says, because it is the best way to reduce growing congestion in Interstate 84. The busway also offers development opportunities along its route, supporters say. Click here for the full story.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 9, 2009
Live with Larson, the last chapter
The chamber is talking about awards and grants in town.
Price Chopper is getting something now. The Bristol Boys and Girls Club got a $15,000 grant from AT&T earlier. That's nice.
So far, it doesn't appear anybody's going to give me a grant. Damn.
The closing comments will come from John Smith, who's always at everything. I think there are actually several of him, perhaps from an early cloning experiment.
Here's what Smith has to say...
Smith, who's chairman of the board, said that Larson found "that we're passionate about rail."
He said that Connecticut magazine touted the improvements of Bristol's schools. More bragging to come, he said.
"We have an excellent school system here and it's finally beginning to be publicized," Smith said.
He pointed out the importance of Bristol Hospital, too.
Smith said the chamber is ready to work with Larson.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Price Chopper is getting something now. The Bristol Boys and Girls Club got a $15,000 grant from AT&T earlier. That's nice.
So far, it doesn't appear anybody's going to give me a grant. Damn.
The closing comments will come from John Smith, who's always at everything. I think there are actually several of him, perhaps from an early cloning experiment.
Here's what Smith has to say...
Smith, who's chairman of the board, said that Larson found "that we're passionate about rail."
He said that Connecticut magazine touted the improvements of Bristol's schools. More bragging to come, he said.
"We have an excellent school system here and it's finally beginning to be publicized," Smith said.
He pointed out the importance of Bristol Hospital, too.
Smith said the chamber is ready to work with Larson.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
January 27, 2009
Chamber's economic forecast delayed by weather
The Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce's annual economic forecast luncheon will be held at noon on Thursday at Nuchie's instead of holding it Wednesday, as planned.
The weather forecast is, apparently, as bleak as the economic forecast.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
July 22, 2008
New chamber president: Mike Nicastro
On the Open Solutions website, there is this on the background of Mike Nicastro, a younger brother of former Mayor Frank Nicastro:Michael D. Nicastro
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Prior to joining Open Solutions in 1994, Mike Nicastro spent 10 years with the Data Services Division of the NCR Corporation in the marketing and management of micro based financial systems, leaving NCR as the National Product Manager of Platform/Branch Automation. While with NCR, Mr. Nicastro was one of 15 employees worldwide to win the “Chairman’s Customer Satisfaction Award.” Mr. Nicastro spent the nine years prior to NCR working in the banking industry with Connecticut based Bristol Savings Bank, as well as New York based Citicorp. During his tenure with these organizations he held positions in branch management, lending, underwriting and marketing. Mr. Nicastro holds a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from Central Connecticut State University and a Juris Doctor from Western New England College, School of Law.
My understanding is that Nicastro will take John Leone's place -- as if anyone could -- at year's end.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
July 17, 2008
New chamber prez to be announced Tuesday
Well, well, who will it be?
Though it's hard to imagine the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce without John Leone, a former mayor, it's going to happen.
His successor is supposed to be announced on Tuesday.
The trend has been to pick former mayors -- Mike Werner and Leone come quickly to mind -- but it's hard to believe that Frank Nicastro, Gerard Couture or Bill Stortz would make even the short list. They're not quite of the Werner-Leone mode.
So who they gonna pick? It could be quite interesting, particularly given the clout that the chamber has in town.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Though it's hard to imagine the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce without John Leone, a former mayor, it's going to happen.
His successor is supposed to be announced on Tuesday.
The trend has been to pick former mayors -- Mike Werner and Leone come quickly to mind -- but it's hard to believe that Frank Nicastro, Gerard Couture or Bill Stortz would make even the short list. They're not quite of the Werner-Leone mode.
So who they gonna pick? It could be quite interesting, particularly given the clout that the chamber has in town.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
February 15, 2008
Vision 2010 hopes to bolster Bristol's image
Aiming to take advantage of the looming completion of the Route 72 extension and downtown revitalization, business leaders hope a new marketing push can pump up the city’s image.
“The stars are aligned for this community to do a lot,” said former Mayor John Leone, president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber’s Vision 2010 initiative is looking at ways to seize what its members see as a great opportunity to improve Bristol’s reputation. Leaders said the town’s tired image doesn’t capture its many good qualities.
A group of about 65 business and government officials gathered recently to identify “the very positive things that are happening” in Bristol and put their heads together to see how they could perhaps be tied together to sell the city, according to John Smith, who’s heading up the initiative.
Finding a way to tell Bristol’s story, Smith said, is a key to attracting new businesses and residents who have the potential to help Bristol get even better.
City Comptroller Glenn Klocko, who hailed the effort as “one of the best visionary meetings” he’s seen in years, said everyone agreed that a crucial first step is for people to “stop the negativity” and focus on what Bristol does well.
One idea that appears to have strong support is for the city to hire a marketing director, or a marketing consultant, who would take charge of pulling together the many different strands and present a coherent package about Bristol’s selling points.
“We want to see the city step up,” Leone said.
Smith said the city has a lot going for it, from a solid educational system to “outstanding city services.”
With a thriving Bristol Hospital, ESPN, Lake Compounce, museums and more, Bristol has more going on that even most of its residents realize, Smith said.
At the same time, Bristol remains “very affordable,” he said.
With the Route 72 extension slated for completion in a year, the downtown mall coming down and a new industrial park opening, this is the time to “tell the story” about Bristol so that it can take advantage of the opportunity, Smith said.
After the initial pulse-taking, some themes are already clear.
“Bristol really is a sport-oriented town,” Smith said.
It’s also family-oriented, Klocko added, with more cultural and entertainment options than even most residents realize.
It’s hard to avoid the city’s connection with ESPN, officials said, and perhaps there is a way to tie the sport giant and nearby Lake Compounce amusement park into any marketing campaign.
The general goal for Vision 2010, Smith said, “is to get one focus so we can market what we have here.”
“We need to send a good message,” Leone said. “It really is time and we’re going to miss an opportunity if we don’t do it.”
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
“The stars are aligned for this community to do a lot,” said former Mayor John Leone, president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber’s Vision 2010 initiative is looking at ways to seize what its members see as a great opportunity to improve Bristol’s reputation. Leaders said the town’s tired image doesn’t capture its many good qualities.
A group of about 65 business and government officials gathered recently to identify “the very positive things that are happening” in Bristol and put their heads together to see how they could perhaps be tied together to sell the city, according to John Smith, who’s heading up the initiative.
Finding a way to tell Bristol’s story, Smith said, is a key to attracting new businesses and residents who have the potential to help Bristol get even better.
City Comptroller Glenn Klocko, who hailed the effort as “one of the best visionary meetings” he’s seen in years, said everyone agreed that a crucial first step is for people to “stop the negativity” and focus on what Bristol does well.
One idea that appears to have strong support is for the city to hire a marketing director, or a marketing consultant, who would take charge of pulling together the many different strands and present a coherent package about Bristol’s selling points.
“We want to see the city step up,” Leone said.
Smith said the city has a lot going for it, from a solid educational system to “outstanding city services.”
With a thriving Bristol Hospital, ESPN, Lake Compounce, museums and more, Bristol has more going on that even most of its residents realize, Smith said.
At the same time, Bristol remains “very affordable,” he said.
With the Route 72 extension slated for completion in a year, the downtown mall coming down and a new industrial park opening, this is the time to “tell the story” about Bristol so that it can take advantage of the opportunity, Smith said.
After the initial pulse-taking, some themes are already clear.
“Bristol really is a sport-oriented town,” Smith said.
It’s also family-oriented, Klocko added, with more cultural and entertainment options than even most residents realize.
It’s hard to avoid the city’s connection with ESPN, officials said, and perhaps there is a way to tie the sport giant and nearby Lake Compounce amusement park into any marketing campaign.
The general goal for Vision 2010, Smith said, “is to get one focus so we can market what we have here.”
“We need to send a good message,” Leone said. “It really is time and we’re going to miss an opportunity if we don’t do it.”
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
February 11, 2008
"A cold day in hell" sees mall start to fall
By JACKIE MAJERUS
BRISTOL – Waving boxing gloves triumphantly above his head and grinning broadly, Mayor Art Ward jogged away from the excavator and toward the crowd gathered in frigid temperatures.
"A new start for downtown Bristol!" Ward shouted into a megaphone, moments after he'd used the big machine to take the first whack at the city-owned downtown mall.
"Bristol's on the move," said Ward. "We have a future that I don't think anybody could have visualized 10, 15 years ago. It's a new beginning and we have everything on our side to keep it going."
Despite the wind that dropped temperatures to around zero, a party atmosphere prevailed, and John Leone, president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce and a former mayor of the city, played host at a demolition bash.
"Forty years this mall's been standing," Leone said, using the megaphone. "Today it's gonna fall."
The bundled up Bristol Central High School band braved the cold, valiantly playing the theme from "Rocky" with freezing lips and fingers.
One saxophone player wore mittens to protect against the cold and flute players sported gloves.
As the band played, Ward – at the controls in the cab of the Volvo excavator – clawed at the building, not far from the doorway of the former Ocean State Job Lot anchor store.
When he managed to get the clawlike arm to break through the overhang, the crowd cheered. Then he kept at it for a couple minutes until the overhang fell.
Ward said later he wasn't about to stop until he demolished part of the mall.
"It was fun," said Ward. "They said it would be a cold day in hell when this thing came down. It worked!"
Mayor Gerard Couture, who was mayor when the city bought the mall several years ago, drank in the scene.
"It's a good day for me personally," Couture said later. "I knew Bristol had to make a move with the mall. It may have cost me an election, but it paid off for the citizens of Bristol."
Couture urged city politicians to keep the project moving.
"Artie, don't let that wrecking ball stop," said Couture.
State Rep. Frank Nicastro, another former mayor who is also currently a Democratic city councilor, said the mall demolition couldn't come at a better time, since the Route 72 extension project is on its way. Soon, no one will be able to say that Bristol lacks highway access, he said.
"We have the greatest city in the state of Connecticut," said Nicastro. "Let's make it better."
Leone, too, said the Mum City is the best, with ESPN, Lake Compounce and the Little League complex among its attributes.
Leone compared Ward to Rocky Balboa, the boxer Sylvester Stallone brought to life in the 1976 movie "Rocky." Now it's Bristol's turn to win the championship, Leone said.
"Like Rocky did in the fight, he stood up and he punched away," said Leone. "Eventually he was successful."
Leone recognized Ward and three previous mayors for their contributions to downtown revitalization.
Gerard Couture deserved praise, Leone said, for buying the mall on the city's behalf and getting the project started.
"It proved to be the right thing for Bristol," said Leone.
Couture's predecessor, Nicastro, now a state lawmaker and city councilor, deserved accolades "for understanding we should take it down," said Leone.
Former Mayor Bill Stortz, whose campaign critical of Couture's mall project enabled him to oust Couture after a single term, deserved credit for moving the project along, said Leone.
"Gerard [Couture] took it one step," said Leone. "Bill [Stortz] took it to another."
But Ward gets the prize "for actually knocking it down," said Leone.
The only problem with the event Monday morning, Leone told a crowd of about 50 that walked across the street to the chamber offices for coffee, hot chocolate and donuts, was getting Ward to climb down out of the machine.
"I had to drag him out," Leone joked.
Attorney Tim Furey was among the crowd of about 100 that showed up to watch the demolition begin on the mall's exterior.
"Now the center of our town has a new beginning," said Furey. "Bristol is so far on the move, it's great."
Bristol Hospital President Kurt Barwis showed up for the demolition and brought hospital executives with him, all clad in hospital team shirts.
"It's a new beginning," said Barwis. He said having a vibrant downtown is important to the hospital, because it can help serve patients – and draw needed medical staff to the area.
"I'm recruiting people here," said Barwis. He said one potential staff member asked whether it was possible to walk to an ice cream shop in the evening, and suggested that a positive new development on the 17-acre mall site could make downtown safer and offer such amenities.
Leone said Barwis is a newcomer, having been at the hospital only about a year and a half, but is doing a great job.
"It'll take him 25 years before we call him a Bristolite," said Leone.
Barwis said the hospital crew brought sledgehammers, but he suspected they wouldn't be allowed to join in the fun.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
BRISTOL – Waving boxing gloves triumphantly above his head and grinning broadly, Mayor Art Ward jogged away from the excavator and toward the crowd gathered in frigid temperatures.
"A new start for downtown Bristol!" Ward shouted into a megaphone, moments after he'd used the big machine to take the first whack at the city-owned downtown mall.
"Bristol's on the move," said Ward. "We have a future that I don't think anybody could have visualized 10, 15 years ago. It's a new beginning and we have everything on our side to keep it going."
Despite the wind that dropped temperatures to around zero, a party atmosphere prevailed, and John Leone, president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce and a former mayor of the city, played host at a demolition bash.
"Forty years this mall's been standing," Leone said, using the megaphone. "Today it's gonna fall."
The bundled up Bristol Central High School band braved the cold, valiantly playing the theme from "Rocky" with freezing lips and fingers.
One saxophone player wore mittens to protect against the cold and flute players sported gloves.
As the band played, Ward – at the controls in the cab of the Volvo excavator – clawed at the building, not far from the doorway of the former Ocean State Job Lot anchor store.
When he managed to get the clawlike arm to break through the overhang, the crowd cheered. Then he kept at it for a couple minutes until the overhang fell.
Ward said later he wasn't about to stop until he demolished part of the mall.
"It was fun," said Ward. "They said it would be a cold day in hell when this thing came down. It worked!"
Mayor Gerard Couture, who was mayor when the city bought the mall several years ago, drank in the scene.
"It's a good day for me personally," Couture said later. "I knew Bristol had to make a move with the mall. It may have cost me an election, but it paid off for the citizens of Bristol."
Couture urged city politicians to keep the project moving.
"Artie, don't let that wrecking ball stop," said Couture.
State Rep. Frank Nicastro, another former mayor who is also currently a Democratic city councilor, said the mall demolition couldn't come at a better time, since the Route 72 extension project is on its way. Soon, no one will be able to say that Bristol lacks highway access, he said.
"We have the greatest city in the state of Connecticut," said Nicastro. "Let's make it better."
Leone, too, said the Mum City is the best, with ESPN, Lake Compounce and the Little League complex among its attributes.
Leone compared Ward to Rocky Balboa, the boxer Sylvester Stallone brought to life in the 1976 movie "Rocky." Now it's Bristol's turn to win the championship, Leone said.
"Like Rocky did in the fight, he stood up and he punched away," said Leone. "Eventually he was successful."
Leone recognized Ward and three previous mayors for their contributions to downtown revitalization.
Gerard Couture deserved praise, Leone said, for buying the mall on the city's behalf and getting the project started.
"It proved to be the right thing for Bristol," said Leone.
Couture's predecessor, Nicastro, now a state lawmaker and city councilor, deserved accolades "for understanding we should take it down," said Leone.
Former Mayor Bill Stortz, whose campaign critical of Couture's mall project enabled him to oust Couture after a single term, deserved credit for moving the project along, said Leone.
"Gerard [Couture] took it one step," said Leone. "Bill [Stortz] took it to another."
But Ward gets the prize "for actually knocking it down," said Leone.
The only problem with the event Monday morning, Leone told a crowd of about 50 that walked across the street to the chamber offices for coffee, hot chocolate and donuts, was getting Ward to climb down out of the machine.
"I had to drag him out," Leone joked.
Attorney Tim Furey was among the crowd of about 100 that showed up to watch the demolition begin on the mall's exterior.
"Now the center of our town has a new beginning," said Furey. "Bristol is so far on the move, it's great."
Bristol Hospital President Kurt Barwis showed up for the demolition and brought hospital executives with him, all clad in hospital team shirts.
"It's a new beginning," said Barwis. He said having a vibrant downtown is important to the hospital, because it can help serve patients – and draw needed medical staff to the area.
"I'm recruiting people here," said Barwis. He said one potential staff member asked whether it was possible to walk to an ice cream shop in the evening, and suggested that a positive new development on the 17-acre mall site could make downtown safer and offer such amenities.
Leone said Barwis is a newcomer, having been at the hospital only about a year and a half, but is doing a great job.
"It'll take him 25 years before we call him a Bristolite," said Leone.
Barwis said the hospital crew brought sledgehammers, but he suspected they wouldn't be allowed to join in the fun.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
February 7, 2008
Lawmakers back DOT overhaul
A proposal by Gov. Jodi Rell to carve the troubled state Department of Transportation in half sounds good to area lawmakers.
The move would be “a darn good idea,” said state Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat who is a member of the transportation committee.
The issue was one of many that arose during a legislative breakfast held by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce at the Clarion Hotel Thursday, which drew seen lawmakers and about 80 business leaders interested in hearing them speak.
Nearly all of the politicians said the state has to act to help cushion a looming recession and most declared their support for junking the $250 minimum tax that every business has to pay, no matter how small it may be.
John Leone, president of the chamber, said that abolishing the business entity tax would be “a great first step” toward making Connecticut more friendly to business because it’s such “an onerous tax.”
Politicians promised they would try to keep the Route 72 extension project on track and push for state help for downtown revitalization efforts.
State Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat who represents the 31st District, said that he didn’t pay too much attention to Rell’s address because it contained “nothing but good things that everyone wants to hear.”
He said that businesses and workers “need relief now” and pleaded with business leaders to remember that constantly cutting back on pay and benefits is leaving working people with too little to spend, which ultimately cripples the businesses they work for.
“We’re all in it together,” Colapietro said. “You can’t keep taking and taking and taking.”
The senator urged business leaders to help him push insurance companies to cease constant rate hikes that are driving up the cost for health care, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, malpractice insurance and more.
“It has to stop,” Colapietro said. “Nobody has the courage and the guts to take on the insurance companies.”
Nicastro said the state may try to add municipal employees to its health insurance plan because adding them to the size of the pool would be “a heckuva lot cheaper” for taxpayers.
The biggest proposal on the table, though, is the governor’s call to overhaul transportation oversight.
Rell said she wants to throw out the existing DOT and replace it with two new bureaucracies: a Department of Highways and a Department of Public Transportation, Aviation and Ports. The change would take effect in 2010 if her plan is approved.
Rell told lawmakers this week that "bold reforms are necessary" to “give rise to a culture of change, opportunity and reform at DOT.”
"No longer will the phrase 'That's how we've always done it' be justification for the practice," the governor said.
State Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican, called the proposal “a pretty interesting concept.”
Hamzy, who represents the 78th District, said that such a “radical transformation may be a way to promote change.”
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
The move would be “a darn good idea,” said state Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat who is a member of the transportation committee.
The issue was one of many that arose during a legislative breakfast held by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce at the Clarion Hotel Thursday, which drew seen lawmakers and about 80 business leaders interested in hearing them speak.
Nearly all of the politicians said the state has to act to help cushion a looming recession and most declared their support for junking the $250 minimum tax that every business has to pay, no matter how small it may be.
John Leone, president of the chamber, said that abolishing the business entity tax would be “a great first step” toward making Connecticut more friendly to business because it’s such “an onerous tax.”
Politicians promised they would try to keep the Route 72 extension project on track and push for state help for downtown revitalization efforts.
State Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat who represents the 31st District, said that he didn’t pay too much attention to Rell’s address because it contained “nothing but good things that everyone wants to hear.”
He said that businesses and workers “need relief now” and pleaded with business leaders to remember that constantly cutting back on pay and benefits is leaving working people with too little to spend, which ultimately cripples the businesses they work for.
“We’re all in it together,” Colapietro said. “You can’t keep taking and taking and taking.”
The senator urged business leaders to help him push insurance companies to cease constant rate hikes that are driving up the cost for health care, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, malpractice insurance and more.
“It has to stop,” Colapietro said. “Nobody has the courage and the guts to take on the insurance companies.”
Nicastro said the state may try to add municipal employees to its health insurance plan because adding them to the size of the pool would be “a heckuva lot cheaper” for taxpayers.
The biggest proposal on the table, though, is the governor’s call to overhaul transportation oversight.
Rell said she wants to throw out the existing DOT and replace it with two new bureaucracies: a Department of Highways and a Department of Public Transportation, Aviation and Ports. The change would take effect in 2010 if her plan is approved.
Rell told lawmakers this week that "bold reforms are necessary" to “give rise to a culture of change, opportunity and reform at DOT.”
"No longer will the phrase 'That's how we've always done it' be justification for the practice," the governor said.
State Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican, called the proposal “a pretty interesting concept.”
Hamzy, who represents the 78th District, said that such a “radical transformation may be a way to promote change.”
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
February 6, 2008
Mayor "Rocky" to punch down the mall Monday
As the Bristol Central High School marching band plays the theme to the movie “Rocky,” Mayor Art Ward will deliver the first punch to downtown’s decrepit mall Monday.
“I certainly hope he doesn’t incur any serious injuries,” said Frank Johnson, chairman of the Bristol Downtown Development Corp. “He’s not a young man.”
Ward, who will have boxing gloves on, should come through unscathed since he’ll be sitting in “a quad type device” when he gets the “first opportunity to take a bite out of the mall, ” said John Leone, the president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” Leone said. “It’s meant to be that way.”
A celebration is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday to mark the beginning of the mall’s demolition, which should be done by month’s end. The debris will likely be gone by St. Patrick’s Day, Johnson said.
After all the hard work of the past three city administrations, Johnson said, “It’s okay to have a little fun.”
Leone said the chamber and the United Way of Central Connecticut are sponsoring the party. “There’s no city money being spent,” he said.
Leone said the party – which is open to everyone – is a good moment to look ahead to a better future for the city center.
“Any time that you’re starting something new, you should be happy about it,” he said. “This is a celebration for this community.”
Leone said he selected the “Rocky” theme because the little-known boxer in the film, Rocky Balboa, “always had a tough opponent, but he always won in the end.”
The mall site “has always been sort of like an underdog” – like Rocky – but now it’s aiming to be a champion, Leone said.
Perhaps it means nothing, but in “Rocky,” the star, played by Sylvester Stallone, makes it through 15 rounds with the champion and emerges bloody and barely able to stand. He doesn’t actually win the fight.
Rocky’s victory is mostly that he avoids a knockout and leaves the champion equally beat up, a scenario that Ward probably hopes to avoid.
In any case, the public will watch from a safe designated spot nearby. Refreshments will be provided by the chamber and the United Way at 200 Main St.
Leone said that only Ward is going to get a chance to take a whack at the mall because the demolition experts want to make sure nobody is endangered.
Johnson said that pictures of Ward with the boxing gloves “may down the road provide great campaign fodder for someone” but it will be an important milestone for the city.
Once the mall is down, he said, “I hope that whatever we do” there in its place “is something is more sustainable” and creates “a heart to the city” that’s badly needed.
Johnson said that businesses and tenants will come and go on the site for decades to come after it is revitalized, “but the concept and the theme, we’re hoping, will be enduring.”
Leone said he hopes the public will turn out.
“This is probably once in a lifetime that you’ll either see a mall like this go up and come down,” he said.
The razing of the mall is being done by the Trumbull-based Standard Demolition Services for $987,675. The contract calls for the job to be finished by the end of March.
The city purchased the 17-acre mall site in 2005 for $5.3 million. The BDDC, a nonprofit created by the city, plans to find a developer for the property this year.
For more information about the celebration, call the Chamber at (860) 584-4718.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
“I certainly hope he doesn’t incur any serious injuries,” said Frank Johnson, chairman of the Bristol Downtown Development Corp. “He’s not a young man.”
Ward, who will have boxing gloves on, should come through unscathed since he’ll be sitting in “a quad type device” when he gets the “first opportunity to take a bite out of the mall, ” said John Leone, the president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” Leone said. “It’s meant to be that way.”
A celebration is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday to mark the beginning of the mall’s demolition, which should be done by month’s end. The debris will likely be gone by St. Patrick’s Day, Johnson said.
After all the hard work of the past three city administrations, Johnson said, “It’s okay to have a little fun.”
Leone said the chamber and the United Way of Central Connecticut are sponsoring the party. “There’s no city money being spent,” he said.
Leone said the party – which is open to everyone – is a good moment to look ahead to a better future for the city center.
“Any time that you’re starting something new, you should be happy about it,” he said. “This is a celebration for this community.”
Leone said he selected the “Rocky” theme because the little-known boxer in the film, Rocky Balboa, “always had a tough opponent, but he always won in the end.”
The mall site “has always been sort of like an underdog” – like Rocky – but now it’s aiming to be a champion, Leone said.
Perhaps it means nothing, but in “Rocky,” the star, played by Sylvester Stallone, makes it through 15 rounds with the champion and emerges bloody and barely able to stand. He doesn’t actually win the fight.
Rocky’s victory is mostly that he avoids a knockout and leaves the champion equally beat up, a scenario that Ward probably hopes to avoid.
In any case, the public will watch from a safe designated spot nearby. Refreshments will be provided by the chamber and the United Way at 200 Main St.
Leone said that only Ward is going to get a chance to take a whack at the mall because the demolition experts want to make sure nobody is endangered.
Johnson said that pictures of Ward with the boxing gloves “may down the road provide great campaign fodder for someone” but it will be an important milestone for the city.
Once the mall is down, he said, “I hope that whatever we do” there in its place “is something is more sustainable” and creates “a heart to the city” that’s badly needed.
Johnson said that businesses and tenants will come and go on the site for decades to come after it is revitalized, “but the concept and the theme, we’re hoping, will be enduring.”
Leone said he hopes the public will turn out.
“This is probably once in a lifetime that you’ll either see a mall like this go up and come down,” he said.
The razing of the mall is being done by the Trumbull-based Standard Demolition Services for $987,675. The contract calls for the job to be finished by the end of March.
The city purchased the 17-acre mall site in 2005 for $5.3 million. The BDDC, a nonprofit created by the city, plans to find a developer for the property this year.
For more information about the celebration, call the Chamber at (860) 584-4718.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
December 17, 2007
John Leone retiring as chamber prez
Former Mayor John Leone's 17-year tenure as the head of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce is coming to an end. He said he notified the chamber's board that he's going to retire at the end of 2008.
Here's what Leone had to say:
I recently informed the Chamber Board of Director’s of my decision to retire as President of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce effective at the end of 2008.
I will have served in the position of Executive Director/President of the Chamber for over 17 years.
My decision to retire allows the Board and Officer’s the opportunity to select my replacement over the next year and give them adequate time to do a search.
Chairman of the Chamber, Jeff Sonenstein, has taken the lead, along with the Officer’s in identifying and interviewing candidates.
A Connecticut firm, Decision Point, will assist Jeff and the other officer’s with the task.
Over my tenure as President and Executive Director, I have been assisted with a dedicated staff, great Chamber Chairpersons of the Board, Officer’s, and Board members who have supported the organization and our community with their time, monetary support and ideas making our Chamber one of the largest in Connecticut.
We also have a tremendous group of members who understand by working together we can make a difference in our community and the region.
Over the last 16 years, we have seen many changes in our community, some were good, and others could have been devastating.
Together City and State elected and appointed officials worked with the Chamber to partner on improving our City and dealing with enormous changes we could not have predicted or controlled.
Over the last twenty years we have seen the erosion of our manufacturing base and the building of our service industries.
We have seen the majority of our retail move onto Rt. 6, with some big box stores added to the mix, including Wal-Mart and Home Depot.
We have become a tourist destination with Lake Compounce attracting 700,000 visitors a year and our city’s museums including the Carousel Museum of New England, American Clock and Watch Museum, Museum of Fire History, Imagine Nation Museum, Bristol Historical Society and the Plymouth Lock Museum adding an additional 100,000 patrons a year.
I have worked with four different Mayors, Frank Nicastro, Gerry Couture, Bill Stortz, and Art Ward and all have worked hard to grow our economy and make a difference.
I’ve worked with hundreds of Federal, State, and Local elected and appointed officials, including Governor Weicker, Governor Rowland, and Governor Rell.
Also, I have developed many friends in the Chamber world, and include the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh as a mentor and friend.
What I have learned leading our Chamber is there are a tremendous number of individuals who love our City and volunteer to make a difference.
Our Chamber members continue to make a financial commitment along with volunteering to support this community we call home.
They make a difference and do their part to improve the quality of life in Bristol.
Over the next year, we will focus on the downtown revitalization and economic development, with the Rt. 72 completion being a great catalyst for both.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Here's what Leone had to say:
I recently informed the Chamber Board of Director’s of my decision to retire as President of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce effective at the end of 2008.
I will have served in the position of Executive Director/President of the Chamber for over 17 years.
My decision to retire allows the Board and Officer’s the opportunity to select my replacement over the next year and give them adequate time to do a search.
Chairman of the Chamber, Jeff Sonenstein, has taken the lead, along with the Officer’s in identifying and interviewing candidates.
A Connecticut firm, Decision Point, will assist Jeff and the other officer’s with the task.
Over my tenure as President and Executive Director, I have been assisted with a dedicated staff, great Chamber Chairpersons of the Board, Officer’s, and Board members who have supported the organization and our community with their time, monetary support and ideas making our Chamber one of the largest in Connecticut.
We also have a tremendous group of members who understand by working together we can make a difference in our community and the region.
Over the last 16 years, we have seen many changes in our community, some were good, and others could have been devastating.
Together City and State elected and appointed officials worked with the Chamber to partner on improving our City and dealing with enormous changes we could not have predicted or controlled.
Over the last twenty years we have seen the erosion of our manufacturing base and the building of our service industries.
We have seen the majority of our retail move onto Rt. 6, with some big box stores added to the mix, including Wal-Mart and Home Depot.
We have become a tourist destination with Lake Compounce attracting 700,000 visitors a year and our city’s museums including the Carousel Museum of New England, American Clock and Watch Museum, Museum of Fire History, Imagine Nation Museum, Bristol Historical Society and the Plymouth Lock Museum adding an additional 100,000 patrons a year.
I have worked with four different Mayors, Frank Nicastro, Gerry Couture, Bill Stortz, and Art Ward and all have worked hard to grow our economy and make a difference.
I’ve worked with hundreds of Federal, State, and Local elected and appointed officials, including Governor Weicker, Governor Rowland, and Governor Rell.
Also, I have developed many friends in the Chamber world, and include the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh as a mentor and friend.
What I have learned leading our Chamber is there are a tremendous number of individuals who love our City and volunteer to make a difference.
Our Chamber members continue to make a financial commitment along with volunteering to support this community we call home.
They make a difference and do their part to improve the quality of life in Bristol.
Over the next year, we will focus on the downtown revitalization and economic development, with the Rt. 72 completion being a great catalyst for both.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 27, 2007
Tree lighting ceremony at City Hall today
From Mayor Art Ward:
Today at 4:45 pm, the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony in front of City Hall.
Refreshments will be served outside the Council Chambers.
The All Star Chorus from Memorial Boulevard will perform an array of holiday tunes.
Please join us in the festivities!
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Today at 4:45 pm, the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony in front of City Hall.
Refreshments will be served outside the Council Chambers.
The All Star Chorus from Memorial Boulevard will perform an array of holiday tunes.
Please join us in the festivities!
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 13, 2007
Larson coming to chamber breakfast on Monday
Congressman John Larson will speak at Monday's “Eggs & Issues” breakfast meeting sponsored by Comcast and the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce. It's at Nuchie's and costs $17 for chamber members and $25 for non-members.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 17, 2007
Chamber holding mayoral forum on Oct. 5
MAYORAL FORUM
Mayoral candidates Art Ward and Ken Johnson will discuss their vision for Bristol's Future
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2007
8:00 BREAKFAST
Nuchie's Restaurant
164 Central Street
Forestville
Cost: $10.00
Guest Moderator - Kurt Barwis, President, Bristol Hospital
This event sponsored by The Bristol Hospital, Webster Bank, Furey, Donovan, Tracy and Daly, P.C.
Please notify the Bristol Chamber of Commerce if you would like to attend.
Fax: 584-4722, Email: info@bristol-chamber.org
Mayoral candidates Art Ward and Ken Johnson will discuss their vision for Bristol's Future
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2007
8:00 BREAKFAST
Nuchie's Restaurant
164 Central Street
Forestville
Cost: $10.00
Guest Moderator - Kurt Barwis, President, Bristol Hospital
This event sponsored by The Bristol Hospital, Webster Bank, Furey, Donovan, Tracy and Daly, P.C.
Please notify the Bristol Chamber of Commerce if you would like to attend.
Fax: 584-4722, Email: info@bristol-chamber.org
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
June 15, 2007
Highlight of annual chamber dinner
The biggest laugh -- and the only standing ovation -- at the annual chamber awards dinner Thursday went to Jack Hines, who won the E. Bartlett Barnes Distinguished Service award, named for the late Bristol Press publisher and Mum City booster.
Hines, who is the executive vice president at the First Bristol Federal Credit Union, has been involved in the hospital, the United Way, youth organizations, sports and in education, serving on the school board and starting the Academic Challenge Bowl, among other things.
During his acceptance speech, Hines recognized his family, including Beverly, his wife of more than 45 years. He said he knew she was "Miss Right" when they were in high school, adding, "I didn't know her first name was Always." -- Jackie Majerus
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Hines, who is the executive vice president at the First Bristol Federal Credit Union, has been involved in the hospital, the United Way, youth organizations, sports and in education, serving on the school board and starting the Academic Challenge Bowl, among other things.
During his acceptance speech, Hines recognized his family, including Beverly, his wife of more than 45 years. He said he knew she was "Miss Right" when they were in high school, adding, "I didn't know her first name was Always." -- Jackie Majerus
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)