Wilson: Show us your math! (Updated)

Democrat Chris Wilson's response to Republican mayoral candidate Ken Cockayne's comments about his recent mailer:

Wilson:  Cockayne Cant Hide From Facts.

Democratic Mayoral Candidate Chris Wilson responded to his opponent’s claims regarding a recent mailing that appeared in Bristol mailboxes by saying, “I 100% stand behind the facts in the mailing. As a candidate for Mayor, I will not stand by while my opponent continues to promise Bristol voters programs that he can’t possibly pay for.”

Here are the facts…

FACT: Mr. Cockayne has had ample opportunity and time to replace Bristol’s code enforcement officer and fight blight, gangs, drugs, crime and help increase property values and tax revenue but Mr. Cockayne failed to do so.

FACT:  Mr. Cockayne refuses to give Bristol voters any insights into how he would pay for additional rebates regardless of whether the state or the city of Bristol administers the program.  In Mr. Cockayne’s release, he points to Danbury as a model for his plan. What we know is that many Danbury residents have seen their property taxes increase by 30% or more over the past several years. We also know that the cost of the Danbury plan has been estimated at roughly $600,000.00 a year. It stands to reason that the cost in Bristol, a city roughly 25% smaller than Danbury, would be roughly $450,000.00. “We need to know from where that money is coming, because the state of Connecticut will not be paying for it. That leaves Bristol taxpayers.” Wilson stated. As highlighted in the mailing, Mr. Wilson supports efforts and would work with our state delegation to support tax rebates for seniors, the disabled and other qualified recipients.  “We all want to help our seniors. But first I’d want a full understanding of how these proposals would be funded and their impact on local property taxes. The city of Bristol doesn’t need gimmicks. We need a solid fiscal policy.  I’ve been advocating for the implementation of Performance-Based Budgeting to set standards, find efficiencies and control spending. PBB makes a lot more sense and can have a positive impact on all of Bristol’s taxpayers. Mr. Cockayne might be ok with using Bristol taxpayers as guinea pigs for his political ambitions, but I’m not. I’m also not going to sit quietly by and avoid unpleasant conversations because my opponent doesn’t like discussing the facts.” Wilson added.

FACT:  Chris Wilson returned $4,800,000.00 in Board of Education funds to Bristol taxpayers.

FACT:  Chris Wilson recovered $4,000,000.00 from school renovation projects.

FACT:  Chris Wilson helped complete 2 school renovation projects $18,000,000.00 under budget.

“It’s a shame that Mr. Cockayne wont show people his math. The question remains, how will Mr. Cockayne pay for his proposals? We all know the state can’t afford his promises. That means Bristol tax-payers will need to foot-the-bill.” Wilson stated.

The above version was updated at 3:40 P.M. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. Below is the original version, published three hours earlier:

Wilson:  Cockayne Can't Hide From Facts.

For Immediate Release

Democratic Mayoral Candidate Chris Wilson responded to his opponent’s claims regarding  recent mailing that appeared in Bristol mailboxes by saying, “I 100% stand behind the facts in the mailing. As a candidate for Mayor, I will not stand by while my opponent continues to promise Bristol voters programs that he can’t possibly pay for.”

Here are the facts…

FACT: Mr. Cockayne has had ample opportunity and time to replace Bristol’s code enforcement officer and fight blight, gangs, drugs, crime and help increase property values and tax revenue.  During his tenure on the council the blight issue has worsened.

FACT: One of Mr. Cockayne’s recent proposals would force Bristol seniors to work 100 hours before they could get benefits that are already on the books in Bristol.  Moreover, Mr. Cockayne refuses to give Bristol voters any insights into how he would pay for this program.  Additionally, Mr.  Cockayne points to communities like Danbury and Manchester as models for his senior forced labor plan.  Mr. Cockayne disingenuously states “If these proposals can work there (Danbury & Manchester CT), than why they can’t work here in the City of Bristol.”  The truth, the plan Mr. Cockayne is referring to hasn’t been fully implemented in Danbury so we have no idea what impact they would have on local taxes, spending and debt.  As stated in the mailing, Mr.

Wilson supports efforts and would work with our state delegation to support tax rebates for qualified recipients.  “But first I’d want a full understanding of how these proposals would be paid for.  Mr. Cockayne might be ok with using Bristol tax-payers as guinea pigs for his political ambitions, but I’m not.”  Wilson stated.

FACT:  Chris Wilson opposes any effort that makes it harder for Bristol seniors to get the benefits they’ve worked for their whole life.

FACT:  Chris Wilson helped  return$4,800,000.00 in Board of Education funds to Bristol taxpayers.

FACT:  Chris Wilson helped recover $4,000,000.00 from school renovation projects.

FACT:  Chris Wilson helped complete 2 school renovation projects $18,000,000.00 under budget.

“It’s a shame that Mr. Cockayne  won't show people his math.  The question remains, how will Mr. Cockayne pay for his proposals?  We all know the state can’t afford his promises.  That means Bristol tax-payers will need to foot-the-bill.”  Wilson stated.  

Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Wilson mailer slams Cockayne

Here's a scan of the mailer that Democratic mayoral candidate Chris Wilson sent out this week, courtesy of a friend who received one. (Click to enlarge the image.)

Here is Republican mayoral hopeful Ken Cockayne's response.
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Cockayne calls on police to find author of anonymous political comic

Republican mayoral candidate Ken Cockayne asked the police Tuesday to investigate an anonymous comic book-style booklet that slams various GOP candidates.

Calling it “gutter politics,” Cockayne said the 16-page booklet is filled with “libelous and slanderous” material that decent people would never want to see. He said he will also pursue civil action against its creators if he can find them.
Click here for full story.
Update: Here's what Democratic mayoral candidate Chris Wilson had to say about the comic book, which he received in his mailbox as well, too late for deadline:
"I agree with Mr. Cockayne this type of humor has no place in the mayoral campaign.  I abhor this type  of political tactic.  I intend to run a campaign in which I speak about the important issues confronting Bristol residents-  stable taxes, quality schools, creating an environment whereby businesses can add jobs and providing a safe secure Bristol.  No one,  especially me, wants to see this kind of material used in the  campaign for mayor.  I am certain no one involved in the Wilson for Mayor was in any way involved in this “comic book”.  In fact, since my entry into the race I have continually said I will not employ the tactics used by politicians in the past.  I got into this race,  to run a race I can be proud.  My business is here, and I live here and the position is not worth enough to lower myself to such standards."
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Cockayne: Only crumbs for the classrooms

A letter to the editor from Republican mayoral candidate Ken Cockayne:

 The tickets for the November election have been endorsed by both Town Committees this week.

The Republican slate of City Council candidates represents a diversified slate that is ready to roll up its sleeves and bring positive change to our community and I am excited to work with them for the betterment of Bristol.

I, however, was struck by a comment made by my opponent for mayor. He stated that the Democrats were going to give us “A great 21st century city with a strong education system.”

The reason this comment perplexed me was that I believe we already have a strong education system.

It is appalling that the current chairman of the Bristol Board of Education who has been a member of that body for nearly a decade can make a statement alluding to fact that we don’t have a strong education system.

A few years back when my opponent was leading the charge to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on closing four neighborhood schools and constructing two new buildings he told us that this new K-8 concept was going to improve the quality of our education and give us state-of-the-art facilities.

Now that the city has invested millions of hard-earned tax dollars and redistricted thousands of students, the board chairman and Democrat nominee says that we are still in need of “a strong education system.”

I believe the teachers in our community do a terrific job of educating our students with the limited resources the board chairman has allocated to them.  As it has been well documented in The Bristol Press over the past few years, our current education structure is way too top heavy with a majority of the scarce education dollars going to central office and school administrators, leaving the crumbs to make their way to the classrooms.

This is evident by the fact that after closing four neighborhood schools, the Board of Education laid off not one administrator and let go of 32 teachers in the process.

As mayor, I will have very little to say about how education dollars are appropriated on Church Street.

The current state law ties the hands of local fiscal appropriators.

Having said that, we all know that more changes are needed at central office to ensure that our students are receiving a quality education and our teachers have the resources needed to teach them.

Obviously this process has been a challenge for the current chairman of the Board of Education and it was made more apparent by his comments alluding to the fact that our education system is weak and that our city isn’t ready for the 21st century.

I believe that our community is well positioned for the 21st century. The development of downtown Bristol and the opportunities available by the completion of Route 72 will make our community more prosperous and help reduce our tax burden on businesses and homeowners.

  Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Cockayne takes a blow to the nose

City Councilor Ken Cockayne, the Republican mayoral candidate, recently took a pretty savage blow to his nose. The surprising thing is that he did it to himself. During a Florida vacation with his son and fiancee, he rented  mini-van, against his better judgment, and discovered he had to slam the rear door down after loading it up. He did a fine job of yanking the door down. But Cockayne didn't do such a good job of getting out of its way. He slammed it down on the bridge of his nose. The blow left him dazed and bleeding. At a walk-in clinic, Cockayne was told he needed serious stitches and a CAT scan to make sure his head was okay. He said he refused and insisted on some butterfly stitches on the spot so he could get on with vacationing. He also chipped one of his teeth in the process, enriching his dentist by some $1,400 upon his return home. Cockayne, a three-term councilor, is unopposed at this point.
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com