Check in after 7 p.m. to follow along with the City Council debates. I may make it interactive here since the debates are being shown live on cable TV. We'll see. I'll do my best anyway.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 20, 2009
Lawton to meet with voters Thursday
Independent mayoral candidate Gary Lawton plans a 'Meet the Candidate' event from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Nuchies.
"I am not looking for money, only to be able to talk with people and hear their concerns, ideas and to answer any questions they have for me personally," Lawton said Tuesday.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
"I am not looking for money, only to be able to talk with people and hear their concerns, ideas and to answer any questions they have for me personally," Lawton said Tuesday.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 19, 2009
'Devastating' cuts possible at City Hall
If the Board of Finance chooses to slash the city budget to cope with the sagging economy, city department heads warn of layoffs, furloughs and reductions in service.
Peggy Sokol, the director of the Beals Senior-Community Center, said that a 5 percent cut would require her “to let go of all my part-time employees,” bringing an end to the daily woodworking shop, a ceramics class, life story classes and even the coffee shop
She said the impact would be devastating.
“The seniors will be up in arms if they lose any of the programs we currently have” and if cuts go even deeper it would become “impossible to run this department and care for this building.”
Sokol’s is just one of about 20 memos submitted by department heads to Mayor Art Ward outlining how they would deal with a 5 or a 10 percent budget cut.
Ward ordered municipal supervisors to prepare the memo after finance commissioners insisted.
Ward said Monday that city leaders “need to be realistic” in assessing what’s possible.
“If you cut too many personnel, then you can’t deliver the services,” the mayor said.
Taken together, the memos paint an ugly picture of what could happen if the worst case scenarios for the next budget come true.
The Police Department, for example, said that to pare spending by 10 percent, it might need to lay off as many as 24 people, according Capt. Daniel McIntyre.
McIntyre’s memo, though, urges fiscal overseers to take a more prudent course and try to reduce the department’s numbers by attrition instead.
The tax collector, Teresa Babon, said she would have to cut a clerk’s position that she considered “absolutely necessary.”
She said that losing a position would mean longer lines for taxpayers and slower processing of checks for the city.
In the Park Department, a 5 percent cut would ax two summer maintenance positions and prevent aerators from being installed along Memorial Boulevard, said Park Director Ed Swicklas.
A larger cut would force the department to give up on its ice skating rink, eliminate the summer concert series and make it so the outdoor pools wouldn’t open until July 1, Swicklas said.
The Water Department would need to lay off six of its 35 workers to slice its spending by a tenth, according to Robert Longo, the superintendent. It would also put off infrastructure improvements until better times.
At the library, Director Francine Petosa said that paring spending would means closing both the Main Library and the Manross branch library for two evenings a week, layoffs four part-time pages who shelve books and more.
If fiscal overseers ask for a 10 percent cut, she said, she would have to lay off a full-time clerk at each library as well as eliminating security guards.
The registrars’ office said it is eyeing a reduction in the number of polling places, a measure made possible by the new electronic voting machines.
The Community Services Department would rely on furloughs to save the necessary money, said Kit Plourde, its director. That would mean longer waiting times for needy residents, she said.
The Youth Services Department would slice programs aimed at helping at-risk young people. A 10 percent cut would likely force the discontinuation of services for 175 youths and 25 parents who need assistance, according to a memo from the department.
The Building Department said it was eyeing a range of possible steps, including furloughs, more fees and keeping the zoning enforcement officer home during night meetings where he has traditionally been available for zoning commissioners.
Fire Chief Jon Pose said there’s no way to cut even 5 percent without eliminating “basic essential services.”
Ward said that he plans to meet soon with city Comptroller Glenn Klocko and Finance Chairman Rich Miecznikowski “to brush up on exactly what the impacts will be with the city” if the cuts are made “so we can focus on what’s achievable” during later sessions with the finance board and City Council.
The mayor said that in a lot of cases, departments may be able to absorb a 5 percent cut while 10 percent reductions are “out of the question.”
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Bomb scare this morning
Both City Hall and the courthouse were shut down this morning after police received a call warning that explosives had been placed in both the New Britain and Bristol courthouses, police said.
Lt. Mark Moskowitz said the call came in at 9:42 and the courthouse in Bristol was quickly evacuated so that it could be searched. It didn't reopen until 12:15.
City Hall was closed for at least an hour or so, but I'm not yet sure of the details. It's open now as well.
I have no idea what they did in New Britain.
Updated at 2:40 --
Mayor Art Ward said he ordered City Hall closed about 10 a.m. after getting a call from the police chief.
It reopened at 12:15, the mayor said.
"They had dogs in there" at the courthouse, he said, to search for any explosives.
Ward said the chief court administrator ordered both courthouses shut down after the bomb threat was called in.
"We automatically evacuate City Hall" in that case, the mayor said.
Ward said the U.S. Post Office on the other side of the courthouse was also shut down as a safety precaution.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
"New Bristolville"
You might want to catch this column by our executive editor.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 16, 2009
Bobroske to get national award tonight
A former chair of Bristol’s Board of Education has been picked for the National Association of State Boards of Education’s Distinguished Service Award.
Beverly Bobroske, who logged 17 years on the city’s school board before she stepped down in 2003, has served for many years on the Connecticut State Board of Education.
“Beverly Bobroske’s dedication to educating the youth of Connecticut is without peer,” said Brenda Welburn, executive director of the national group.
“We are proud to honor her for her devotion to education as a teacher, her decades as a guidance counselor helping young people navigate their lives, and for her service on the state board, where her efforts touch the lives of students statewide,” Welburn said, according to a press release issued Friday.
Bobroske, who is retired, worked as a guidance counselor at Harry S. Fisher School in Plymouth for 27 years after putting in several years in the classroom as a teacher. She also served as a member and president of the Plymouth Education Association.
Bobroske was initially appointed to Bristol’s school board, but continued to serve after it became an elected panel until she opted to step down at the end of her term in 2003.
She served as president of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education from 2000 to 2003.
She has served on numerous education committees on the local, state and national level, including a long stint as a director of the Capitol Region Education Council and various leadership posts with the National School Board Association, including a stint on its board of directors.
Bobroske serves as chair of the technical high school committee of the state education panel, a post she used to help Bristol’s technical school survive closure threats this year.
Bobroske’s national award is given annually to a state board of education member to recognize outstanding service to public education.
The award was slated to be presented during the group’s national convention Friday evening in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America’s state and territorial boards of education. Its goal is to strengthen state boards as the leading educational policymaking bodies.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Eastern section of Route 72 won't open early
Press release from Mayor Art Ward:
DOT reconsiders opening a portion of new Route 72
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Ward, Mills top fundraising race
Mayor Art Ward will likely outspend his two opponents by at least a 3-to-1 margin.
The mayor said his campaign plans to raise about $30,000, most of it in small donations that aim to cement his support in the weeks leading up to the November 3 municipal election.
When the campaign filed donation disclosure forms this week, Ward reported that he had raised $15,698 compared to Republican Mary Alford’s $4,370. Independent mayoral challenger Gary Lawton had raised less than $1,000.
Party officials said that while Ward’s campaign would likely double its tally before Election Day, Alford is unlikely to keep pace, leaving the first-term incumbent Democratic with a commanding funding advantage.
Among the 12 City Council contenders, the biggest fundraiser was Republican hopeful David Mills in the 3rd District. He raised $5,455 before the October 1 filing deadline.
Generally, though, incumbents had the stronger hand.
In the 1st District, incumbent Democrat Cliff Block hauled in $3,176 and Republican incumbent Mike Rimcoski collected $2,630 while newcomers Kevin Fuller, a Democrat, and Eldianne Bishop, a Republican, each raised less than $1,000.
In the 2nd District, the money race is a bit closer.
Incumbent Democrat Kevin McCauley heads the pack with $2,930. Next up was GOP challenger Richard Scarola, who raised $2,659. Republican incumbent Ken Cockayne raked in $2,131 while Democratic hopeful Allen Marko raised $885.
In the 3rd District, both Republicans, Mills and Derek Czenczelewski, managed to top the Democrats seeking to claim the two seats that Democratic incumbents are giving up.
Czenczelewski scraped up $2,275 while Democrat Kate Matthews’ donations totaled $1,960 and Terry Parker’s tally came to $1,480.
In the city treasurer’s race, incumbent Democrat Bill Viets collected $310 while Republican Rose Parenti reported that she plans to raise less than $1,000.
Candidates who believe they will raise less than $1,000 do not have to detail their contributions.
The largest single donation in the campaign went to Ward from the Connecticut Laborer’s Political League. It gave the mayor’s campaign $1,500.
The only comparable donations came from Bruce and Deborah Yarde of
Here are the donors of $100 or more to each of the mayoral candidates (with apologies for any names spelled wrong since both lists were handwritten and not always easily legible):
Alford’s biggest donors:
Bristol Republican Town Committee -- $400
Edward McPhee -- $250
Sharon Krawiecki -- $200
Stephen Abate (West Hartford) -- $200
Carlyle Barnes - $100
TJ Barnes -- $100
Esther Burham (Cheshire) -- $100
Thomas Hermann (Jacksonville, FL) -- $100
Wendy Jersey -- $100
Ellie Klapatch -- $100
Gary Pelletier (Torrington) -- $100
Lauren Pelletier (Torrington) -- $100
Michael Saman -- $100
Ward’s biggest donors
Connecticut Laborer’s Political League -- $1,500
Bruce Yarde -- $1,000
Deborah Yarde -- $1,000
Central Connecticut Carpenters -- $500
Blake DelleBianca -- $250
Michelle Fitzsimon -- $200
Deborah Laviero -- $200
Tom O’Brien - $200
Rita Pletscher -- $200
Paula Positano -- $200
Antoinett Scalia - $200
Sheet Metal Workers -- $200
Vincent McDermott (Bethlehem) -- $150
David Anderson -- $100
Richard Avery -- $100
Jo-Ann Barrett -- $100
Phillip Benoit (Rocky Hill) -- $100
Andre Bourvet -- $100
Pamela Brown -- $100
Richard Brown -- $100
Kathleen Carroll -- $100
Michael Cassella -- $100
Raymond Chrzanowski (Tampa, FL) -- $100
Dale Clift -- $100
Darlene Coffey -- $100
Tom Colapietro -- $100
Robert Dalfino -- $100
William Dalfino -- $100
Pete Dauphinais -- $100
Suzanne Davis -- $100
Carol Denehy -- $100
Real Downing - $100
Sarah Duffy - $100
William Englert -- $100
Paul Fitta -- $100
Terry Fries -- $100
Kevin Fuller -- $100
Joseph Geladino -- $100
William Greger -- $100
Rex Hamilton -- $100
David Herens -- $100
Howard Holley (Southington) -- $100
David Houlihan -- $100
Richard Inglis -- $100
Roy Izzo (Goshen) -- $100
Paul Janick -- $100
Kim Kasparian -- $100
Brendan Kennedy -- $100
Robert Kowalski -- $100
Richard Lacey -- $100
Dina Laviero -- $100
Patricia Laviero -- $100
Gil Lavoie -- $100
Sharon Legere -- $100
Sandra Leone -- $100
Robert Longo -- $100
Rosemarie Mancini -- $100
Nancy Mandino -- $100
Alex Monico -- $100
Francis Mullins -- $100
Elliot Nelson -- $100
Roger Neilson -- $100
Glen Palmisano -- $100
Mae Palmisano -- $100
Michael Petosa -- $100
Joseph Pikiell (Ft. Myers, FL) -- $100
James Reinwald (Trumbull) -- $100
Raymond Rich -- $100
Donald Sciaretto -- $100
Melissa Simonik -- $100
Joseph Stanco -- $100
Janet Streifer -- $100
Scott Teneyck -- $100
Diane Thibeault -- $100
Scott Thompson -- $100
Lisa Vachio -- $100
Carmelito Valerio -- $100
Robert Violette (Rocky Hill) -- $100
Gardner Wright -- $100
For what it's worth, the city should require that campaign donor lists be typed and entered onto some kind of web-based form so that everybody can see who's giving quickly, easily and completely. This would cost almost nothing but vastly increase the transparency of the campaigns. It would also, no doubt, make sure they're more accurate and thorough. It's just plain silly that these are done by hand on paper nowadays.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Mechanic Street property purchase
A persistent commenter has asked, fairly, why the city bought property on Mechanic Street last year.
I honestly don't remember it so I Googled it this morning.So far, I found this from the May 28, 2008 Planning Commission minutes:
II. New Business
1. Executive Session re Pending Litigation (Warzecho v. City of Bristol)
At Mr. Weiner’s suggestion, the Commission ag
reed to take item VII.1 out of sequence.
Mr. Weiner explained this matter was to be discussed as an Executive Session item, under the State Law because it was pending litigation. He explained the process of an executive session and noted that the session would not be recorded and would not be part of the meeting minutes.
Commissioner Ewings motioned for the Planning Commission to go into executive session and the persons allowed to be present at the executive session are as follows: the Planning Commission, the professional staff, Recording Secretary,
Superintendent of the Water Department and the Water Department’s attorney.
Commissioner Keeton seconded the motion.
Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Soares motioned for the Planning Commission to come out of executive session.
Commissioner Dell’Aera seconded the motion.
Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Soares motioned to recommend to the City Council, under CT General State Statutes, Section 8-24, approval of the acquisition of 290 Mechanic Street, lot #3, for purposes of settlement of the pending litigation of Warzecho versus the City of Bristol, as them action is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development goals to protect the City’s public water supplies.
Commissioner Ewings seconded the motion.
Motion carried 5-0.
Here's the civil case record. It appears the city took the property by eminent domain. I would guess it was a water department thing, but that's based solely on the location of the property.
I have nothing yet that indicates what it was all about. Anybody know?
Update:
Todd Warzecho bought the land in 1994 for $50,000, then built a big house on it in 2000. The whole thing is appraised by the city for $386,000.
Here's a picture of the the house at 290 Mechanic St that the city purchased. Anyone know if it's still there? What's the deal?
Updated on October 28th --
I pulled the Water Board minutes for last year to see if they would shed any light on this.
What I found is that on April 22, 2008, the board met in executive session regarding the "Mechanic Street Well."
That is, of course, not a valid reason for a closed-door session, but we'll assume it's shorthand for talking about the legal case involving the Warzecho property.
The commissioners met for an hour in secret, then emerged to take no action. It appears that Mayor Art Ward, city lawyer Jeff Steeg and a private attorney, Brian Henebry, were also in the session.
On May 8, another executive session was called, this time regarding "acquisition for 290 Mechanic St."
The commissioners took a unanimous vote after the closed-door session to buy Warzecho's 7.4 acres for $630,000. No reason was given in the minutes for the decision.
On June 12, the Water Board held another executive session "to discuss Warzecho property," which is again not a valid reason for a secret meeting. No votes were taken in public.
On July 10, the panel again met in secret session "to discuss Mechanic Street well." That, too, is not a valid reason under the state Freedom of Information Act.
Finally, the Water Board met on October 23. At that meeting, the minutes record, Superintendent Rob Longo said he had the deed for the property.
"He also stated he received a well use approval for the Mechanic Street well" from the state Department of Public Health, the minutes said. They also record that Longo told commissioners the well had been in operation for a week.
As best I can tell, there is no record of what the property is for, what happened to the house or anything that would shed light on the whole issue.
Next up, I'll talk Longo and some water commissioners. We'll get to the bottom of this eventually.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Downtown developers make their pitches
Be sure to read reporter Jackie Majerus' account of last night's Bristol Downtown Development Corp.'s session with two potential developers for the former mall site.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 15, 2009
Mayoral debate lacked drama, to relief of candidates
In what is likely to be their only debate, the three mayoral candidates met this morning in a 90-minute session during which they mostly agreed with one another on issue after issue.
The three – Democratic Mayor Art Ward, Republican challenger Mary Alford and independent hopeful Gary Lawton – had kind words for each other and patted themselves on the back for a campaign marked by civility.
One of the few areas in the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce-sponsored debate where the candidates staked out slightly different positions was on the impact of the nearly completed Route 72 extension.
Alford said she’s concerned that people using the new road, slated to open next year, “will find themselves in a virtual parking lot” because there hasn’t been enough done to beef up city streets so that drivers will have somewhere to go when they reach its end.
But Ward focused on the road’s potential to boost downtown and make big improvements in Forestville’s center.
The new entry to Bristol, Lawton said, “gives us a chance to entice more business.”
Candidates covered a wide range of issues raised by moderator Tom Monahan, a TV newsman, including what to do with the former downtown mall site, how to help Bristol Hospital and whether to seek passenger rail service.
About 80 people, most of them with political or City Hall ties, attended the post-breakfast debate at Nuchie’s Restaurant co-sponsored by the hospital and The Bristol Press.
The most dramatic moment of the event came at the end, when Lawton, a welder, delivered his final words.
After calling himself “a one-man campaign” with no experience or education, he acknowledged that many have dismissed his long-shot bid and urged him to quit.
“I’m not going to give up now,” Lawton said. “This city deserves the best. I think I’m it, despite what some people say.”
Alford, a bookkeeper, said she nearly held his hand during Lawton’s words as the challenger choked up a bit, but refrained for fear that she might cry.
Ward and Alford each said there is widespread concern about the economy. Alford said people are frustrated “and a little bit angry.”
“I feel like the city is holding its breath, waiting for that other shoe to drop,” she said, adding that if problems are dealt with then the other shoe won’t drop at all.
“I would love to lead Bristol to finally exhale,” Alford said.
Each of the candidates said that dealing with necessity of budget cuts at City Hall would be tough, but they agreed on the need.
Alford said that City Hall should become “a lean, mean government machine” that has to be pared down.
Ward said his administration has eliminated 15 positions by attrition, won concessions from municipal unions that allowed for a property tax freeze this year and searched constantly for ways to streamline city operations.
Lawton said that if the community can tap its potential, it could “put Bristol in the Top 100 in Connecticut and maybe even in the country.”
Each of the candidates said that preserving Bristol Hospital is vital for the city’s health and for maintaining more than 700 good jobs.
They said they strongly supported renewed passenger rail service to town, though they cautioned that a system to get people to the train would also be necessary.
As for the Depot Square site where the mall once stood, they largely agreed that it’s best to proceed cautiously and make sure whatever is done will stand the test of time.
They also agreed that Bristol should try to entice colleges and trade schools to open branches downtown.
Alford entered the race after the GOP’s first candidate, John Gill, pulled out unexpectedly. Lawton opted to run for mayor after the Republicans refused to back his bid for a City Council seat.
A free City Council debate is slated for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20 at City Hall. Bristol Press Publisher Mike Schroeder will serve as its moderator.
The council debates will be shown live on the same channels as the mayoral contest. They will also be aired again at 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25 and at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The election is Tuesday, November 3. Mayors and councilors serve two-year terms. The next mayor will earn $98,000 annually, 5 percent less than the current salary.
The mayoral debate will be shown on Comcast cable channel 96 and AT&T’s U-Verse channel 99 at 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 19 and again at 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 1.
PS: I'll have more on this debate later.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Stortz suggests a downtown manager
Letter sent this week by former Mayor William Stortz:
Mayor, City of Bristol
Mr. Michael Nicastro
President and CEO
Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce.
With all the things that are happening or could be happening, maybe it is time for the city to consider an idea suggested some time back, the idea of a “Downtown Manager”.
There are many groups that have a vested interest in seeing something done in the Downtown area as well as on sites that affect the growth of Downtown, such as the BDDC, BDA, Chamber, Board of Education, the City itself, Private
Developers, and the State among others, but there does not seem to be a focal point, a single source that is coordinating all the efforts, providing communication between various groups, being an advocate for downtown, and developing an inventory of options to be considered.
We have a golden opportunity to make things happen, good things for Bristol, and it is critical that we maximize our efforts, and therefore our results. At the same time we must utilize our resources in the best way possible so as to reduce the burden on the taxpayer.
Maybe this can be a short term function, maybe the Chamber and the City can combine resources to provide for it, not unlike what was attempted awhile back relative to attracting restaurants. But this is even bigger and much much more critical.
For example, one of the proposals talks about a parking garage, while at the same time, parking has been mentioned by others for the site adjacent to the Board of Education and some others mention the possibly for the Family Center site, and there is talk about a downtown parking study. Who is coordinating this?
Is anyone taking the initiative to address the Summer Street issue relative to downtown development?
With all the talk about Rail Service, is anyone addressing the idea of local transportation to support it and to get people downtown to the station? Who
is/should be responsible for getting the ball rolling so that if Rail Service becomes a likelihood, we can make sure that we have or will provide local transit for people to get to the Rail Station and to Downtown.
Is there any coordination of the use of buildings as they become available i.e. Bingham School, the Armory, the Family Center and others? There are others that might become available as one entity moves out into something else
Any developer, and others who might want to build or start a business in the downtown area should have ONE place to go to get started. The businesses that are downtown should have a go to person with their concerns, their issues and for help if needed.
As we develop the old Mall Site, who is making sure that the various groups that have a vested interested are kept in the loop? Police, Fire, Public Works will be affected: who will be their contact? Other city committees, commissions have a role to play. Transportation, Handicapped are two that come to mind quickly.
On the other side, is anyone responsible for working with the Board of Education to make their timetable for Bingham, O’Connell and the Boulevard known to various potential players?
At some point in time BDDC will either have their role expanded, or they will be phased out. If they are phased out, who will pick up their role?
Who is/will be responsible to pursue subsequent use of Memorial Boulevard, possibly as an adjunct, all or in part, with Tunxis Community College?
Who will work with businesses as Route 72 filters traffic to the downtown area, including Riverside Ave? This position could also assist in promoting the Forestville section as Route 72 is completed.
None of these ideas are really new, and actually there are many other things that are or might be happening that need assistance, coordination, and marketing.
That is another potential aspect of a Downtown Manager, someone to market our overall development, to make potential businesses and developer aware in a proactive fashion, and be available to guide them as they pursue these options.
Bristol has a lot to offer, but we are woefully lacking in marketing the good side of Bristol, not just in the physical sites and buildings. I am proud of Bristol, I know you are too. Why aren’t we telling the world?
A Downtown Manger would be helpful in keeping the area clean, the area safe.
A Downtown manager would be an advocate for the overall development of Downtown, assuring that all actions work towards that goal, an active and
vibrant Downtown. Certainly paying attention to any changes, making sure
that they are Pedestrian friendly is needed. Making sure that citizens concerns and interest are heard is vital: a singular contact point would be helpful.
There is much that could be done with a coordinated effort, there is much that could be done to better take care of the opportunities in front of us.
Having followed the downtown effort over the years, from various perspectives, I have seen and heard many good ideas from many people. This is just one of them.
I know that this letter is somewhat lengthy and rambling, but there is so much that this concept could accomplish. I could go on, but if you would like and could provide more information and backup if either of you are interested.
I know both of you are committed to Bristol, a better and growing Bristol and will try to do what the things that are right. Hopefully this concept is one of them.
Sincerely,
William T. Stortz
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)