BRISTOLTODAY.COM

March 9, 2010

I never thought I'd say this, but...

You may actually want to watch tonight's City Council session.
I know, I know. That's crazy talk.
But, seriously, it appears that the council's push to have a little talk about the supposed failings of the city's economic development director, Jonathan Rosenthal, may not be held behind closed doors after all.
Instead, it may be held out in the open, right there on your tellyvision. Rosenthal apparently figures his critics have already raked him over the coals in public so why not force them to say whatever they have to say in public?
It probably makes a future lawsuit easier.
So get out the chips, make sure you've got a few cold ones ready and prepare for a rare council session that might not put you to sleep.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. It's on Nutmeg Community Television's government channel tonight -- Channel 96 on Comcast.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

New plan for UConn Health Center includes new hospital

Press release from Gov. Jodi Rell:

Governor Rell Unveils Partnership To Establish

UConn Health Network

New John Dempsey Hospital Centerpiece of $352M Initiative

Governor M. Jodi Rell today unveiled plans that would establish the UConn Health Network through a landmark partnership that will transform the delivery of healthcare in the state and lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs.

The Governor said the state and University of Connecticut are building the network in collaboration with Hartford Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and other healthcare facilities and providers. The centerpiece of the partnership is a new state-of-the-art patient tower and totally renovated hospital at UConn Health Center campus in Farmington.

“This partnership will result in a state-of-the-art John Dempsey Hospital and a health network with incredible reach throughout Connecticut,” Governor Rell said. “Together, we will help lift the UConn schools of medicine into the top tier of academics and research and create thousands of healthcare jobs for our economy.

“This is a $352 million investment in a new hospital that will have increased classroom and lab space for more medical and dental students and will help offset anticipated shortages in these professions,” Governor Rell said. “The return on our investment will include a nationally recognized cancer center and specialized institutes and advanced training open to all healthcare professionals in the state. The tremendous benefit, of course, is a more robust healthcare sector that stands to gain 5,000 new jobs in the years to come.”

To pay for the new hospital and related facilities in the network, $100 million of the investment is expected to come from federal funds; $25 million for design and planning will come from already approved UConn 21^st Century funding; and $227 million will be in state bonding.

“This is a much lower state price tag than the $450 million original projection, with a far more robust network and partnership and far greater job and economic development opportunities,” the Governor said.

UConn President Michael Hogan said the partnership puts the UConn Health Center on “firm footing” for a promising future.

“We’re grateful for the Governor’s vision and advocacy. Her proposal will stimulate job growth, promote economic development and improve access to the state-of-the-art healthcare that our faculty and staff deliver every day,” President Hogan said. “This kind of vision is exactly what’s needed as the State of Connecticut looks ahead to continuing its role as a leader in innovation and care for our citizens.”

In addition to the new hospital, the network features:

· Nationally recognized cancer center at the Farmington campus. Partners will seek federal designation of Comprehensive Cancer Center to make it the second in the state outside of Yale;

· Primary Care Institute at St. Francis. Would be open to all healthcare professionals to develop new models of chronic disease management and primary care education and treatment;

· Simulation center at Hartford Hospital. Open to all healthcare professionals to train on newest equipment and technology in simulated care settings;

· Transfer of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. NICU will still be at Dempsey, but run by CCMC’s regional children’s system;

· Health disparities institute in the city of Hartford. Would promote enhanced healthcare research, training and delivery to minority communities;

· Institute for Clinical and Translational Sciences on Farmington Campus. A super-site by network partners would speed lab-to-bedside clinical trials and breakthrough medicine;

· Establishment of bioscience enterprise zone. Would offer state tax breaks to private companies that create jobs and work with UConn Health Network partners.

Governor Rell thanked President Hogan and all who worked with her on the proposal, including Sen. Chris Dodd, who helped secure the $100 million in federal funds.

*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

March 8, 2010

Rosenthal under fire, again

The city’s economic development director is under fire again.
Spurred in part by a recent flap between city Councilor Kate Matthews and Jonathan Rosenthal, the city’s economic development chief, councilors are eyeing ways to light a fire under Rosenthal.
While it isn’t clear what might happen at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, councilors have been talking privately among themselves for a couple of weeks about what they can do about Rosenthal, whom some of them regard as an obstacle to the city’s growth. Click here for the story.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Nancy Johnson backs Simmons for Senate

Former U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson, the New Britain Republican who represented Bristol for years, today endorsed the U.S. Senate bid of another former congressman, Rob Simmons.
Apparently Linda McMahon couldn't wrestle Johnson away from Simmons.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Schiff: 'I don't learn from my mistakes'

Without a doubt, the most strident candidate at Friday’s Lincoln Day Dinner was businessman Peter Schiff, one of the GOP’s U.S. Senate hopefuls.

When he got up to talk, he held up his drink and said if he’d known he was going to address the crowd, he probably would have imbibed less. He was still pretty sober, though.

Having a drink or two is nonetheless always a good start, from a reporter’s perspective, particularly when it’s possible he doesn’t even know the press is in the room.

I’ll get back to what he said, but my favorite moment in his 5-minute talk came near the end, when his cell phone rang.

As he grabbed the phone and peered at the number of the caller, Schiff asked, “What is that? My ex-wife?”

He said she always calls at the worst times.

Then Schiff added, “I don’t learn from my mistakes. I’m getting married again in May.”

Most of his speech, though, focused on a blistering diatribe against what’s going on in Washington.

“We are on a collision course for disaster,” Schiff said.

But, he argued, voters in Connecticut “can do something to change the course.”

They can do it, of course, by electing him.

Schiff said the Republican leadership in the nation’s capital “has sold us out.”

He said the GOP leadership has compromised on too much for too long.

Schiff said he won’t bend.

“I want to win the ideological battle in Washington,” Schiff said.

He said the nation has to put the brakes on runaway spending. He said the government is twice the size it was a decade ago and it’s still growing.

“It’s a self-perpetuating cycle,” he said, and represents a disastrous course if there is no reform.

Right off the bat, Schiff said, he would refuse to increase the debt ceiling another penny, essentially capping the money the government could spend.

If enough Republicans say no to any increase – and filibuster any effort to hike spending -- “then the government has to cut. They have no choice,” he said.

With a $14 trillion debt ceiling looming, Schiff said, it’s time to say no higher.

“That’s not going to pass with me in the Senate,” he said.

Schiff said he understands the destructive policies undertaken in Washington and wants the chance “to prevent the worst case from happening.”

He said there are only one or two years left “to get this done. Otherwise, I think we’re finished.”

“The government is the source, not the solution, to our problems,” Schiff said.

*******

March 7, 2010

Charter revision hearing Thursday

There's a Charter Revision Commission public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall to solicit ideas for possible changes to the city government's century-old blueprint.
If you've got ideas, this is the time to haul 'em out and tell the world.
Actually, I was kind of wondering what happened to the big push a few years ago to change the charter to require a public vote on any project that cost enough money. That was all the rage, then it just sort of vanished.
Anyway, former City Councilor Craig Minor set up an event page on Facebook all about the hearing on Thursday. He established another Facebook page dedicated to the commission itself.
Minor is secretary of the commission, unless someone else wants the job. There are six other members, including its chairman, David Preleski.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Hey, Google! Over here! It's us, Bristol! Give us money!

The City Council plans Tuesday to agree to try to snag Google's offer to wire some lucky town with fiber optic lines for super high-speed internet. See the story here.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

March 5, 2010

GOP invades Bristol

Just about everyone with a prayer of winning the Republican endorsement for governor or U.S. Senate this year made an appearance tonight at Bristol's annual Lincoln Day dinner. Here's the story.
I'll post more about what the candidates had to say over the weekend when I get a chance.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

The Onion: How the decline of newspapers will impact old loons who hoard papers

Pine Lake parking to be OK'd by state

Press release just issued by Gov. Jodi Rell:

Governor Rell: Previously Approved Pine Lake Dredging Grant

to be Reallocated to Improve Area Parking

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that a language change to a prior grant to Bristol for the dredging of Pine Lake is expected to gain approval when the state Bond Commission meets March 16.

The change will allow for parking improvements to be made at Pine Lake.

“I know Pine Lake advocates have been very patiently waiting for word from the state on these parking lot improvements,” Governor Rell said. “We want to do all we can to improve the quality of life for Bristol residents who live and travel around the lake.

“This is also an important environmental project that will make the lake a regional asset. By allowing some flexibility in the original designation of this funding, we are maximizing the state’s investment. We want to make certain that as many area residents can visit the lake as possible to enjoy the local scenery.”

*******

City backs insurance administration change

The city's Board of Finance last night approved the plan to dump Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. It was an easy call, fiscal overseers said, because saving $1 million annually in these times is well worth the inconvenience it may cause some employees who may need to find a new dentist or doctor after July 1.
I know it's hard for city workers to contemplate a change, but since we've had more insurance companies than I can remember over the years doing the Press policy, I can assure them that they'll be fine. It's just a pain to wade into a new plan and to figure out what's different. At least city workers keep exactly the same benefits. That's the aspect that's usually most painful!
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

One year ago today...

It's been a year since a truck struck and killed Henry Waye, Jr. as he walked home along George Street. He was a sweet, happy and gentle little soul, a 14-year-old who could make people laugh.

I never knew him, but spent a good chunk of last March hearing from those who did while trying with my wife, Jackie Majerus, to tell his story and to dig into the terrible circumstances that led to Henry's death.

I'm not sorry that the story is in another reporter's lap now. There's something that just kind of rips at your soul when you delve too long into the nightmares that make headlines.

But I think of Henry often and hope that somehow his friends and family are able to find peace.
Some of his pals are gathering at 6 p.m. today to mark the anniversary at the site of last year's vigils.
*******
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com