Anonymous said...
.........Alderman Phil Sherwood said he was disappointed to hear about the resignation of a person he respected but felt the decision by the council to not accept the recommendation was correct.
“The Ethics Commission plays a very important role in the city, but it’s clear to me this process has been too political, and I hope we can now put this past us and get back to the important work of the taxpayers,” Sherwood said.
He hoped the city would consider revamping how the commission works. “The whole process has been a little too partisan,” he said, adding that by having the mayor appoint the commissioners, there was little chance of objectivity. “I think it’s ridiculous to have cities try to regulate their own ethics. This is something the state should be doing.”
Having local people appointed by local politicians leads to suspicion and mistrust, Sherwood said.
With no ethics violations under investigation, Stewart said he would not appoint a fifth member immediately, but would take time to find a proper candidate ...........
Is this not the most absurd statement yet from Sherriff Sherwood???
Alderman Sherwood of course local politicians and should be making local decisions. The ethics commission is set up per the city charter. You and your merry men had every opportunity to question the appointments made by Mayor Stewart.
Partisan politics is your game. Ned Lamont taught you well.
Please stop with the, I admire and I respect garbage.
It is clear that the democratic town committee has chosen a hostile approach to governing New Britain. You my friend are a political hack. You and your merry men have erected obstacles at every turn.
We should not be changing our charter and ordnances to suit the Democratic Party.
Your friend Alderman Catanzaro is in clear violation of the current ethics rules. He should be reprimanded or expelled.
Though you haven’t run afoul of the letter of the ethics rules in my book you are the most unethical person on the council.
What ever happened to Alderman Trueworthy? Why does he not address these issues? Why is he leaving it to a freshman Alderman to speak for the majority party?
If I were you Alderman Sherwood I would be concerned about the silence. History says that when one of the town committees attack dogs doesn't get result they usually don’t get support.
Wouldn’t that be ironic?
February 19, 2009 11:10 AM
Frank- Totally unrelated, but I didn't know how else to get this to you.
ReplyDeleteif you odnt mind- can you please post a story on this? I am sure your readers would be interested. Think Pink / Ryba day at the CCSU games saturday. Chris Ryba is a NB resident with a rare form of blood cancer. Helping spread the word would be great. Here is the Story in todays herald: http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2009/02/19/sports/doc499cd0cdb11ad622225735.txt
and here is more info if people want to contribute- http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/fair09/cryba
Thanks Frank.
I thought ex-Ald Sullivan, with help from his democratic council colleagues, PROPOSED and PASSED the existing ethics system we now have in New Britain.
ReplyDeleteAt the time they CHAMPIONED their efforts so that people like Rick Lopes would be more ethical as an alderman. Remember?
Now, another democrat gets snagged WITHIN THEIR OWN SYSTEM and THEY are screaming the system is rigged? The system is political? IT'S THEIR SYSTEM.
Somehow this is Mayor Stewart's fault? Remember the confrontation he had with Ald Sherwood when Sherwood proposed yet ANOTHER ethics proposal? When is this going to stop and when are they going to start lowering our property taxes?
It amazes me that The Herald only quotes a freshman democratic alderman on any and all city issues.
ReplyDelete1 year in office and this kid is an expert on how city government works?
Where is their majority leader Trueworthy? Where is the Mayor Pro Tem Bielinski? They both have a lot more experience and knowledge. Where are the quotes from Salvio and Bernacki? They both have as much tenure on the council?
If my memory serves me correctly, the Ethics Commission was the idea of Democatic Town Committee member, Carlo Carlozzi, either during Democrats William McNamara's or Lucian Pawlak's administration.
ReplyDeleteWhy pass the negativity on to Republican Mayor Timothy Stewart?
Frank:
ReplyDeleteIf Alderman Sherwood is so concerned about Government Processes in New Britain being "too partisan", why did Sherwood spearhead the move to give the BOE appointment to Leslie Jacobs? Clearly, this is a privilege that historically has been granted to the Party of the person being replaced. Now Phil, don't bring up the Lopes thing again - this appointment was spearheaded by four members of the Democratic Party, including current members Hermanowski and Catanzaro, a move for which the four members were placed on the "Democratic Wall of Shame." Begs the old adage of the "pot and the kettle."
Lou Salvio, Partisan Alderman for Citizens of NB.
P.S.
You and other Dems on the Council referred to me at the last meeting as "the "complaintant" in the Catanzaro issue - the term is, complainant!"
Just another ridiculous statement from Phony Phil Sherwack:
ReplyDelete“The whole process has been a little too partisan,” he said
What part of a unanimous decision against his sleazey friend Catanzaro doesn't Phony Phil understand? How can it be partisan when even the Democrats on the Ethics Commission voted to discipline Catanzaro for such blatant violations of the law?
Do you think this phony would feel this way if it was a Republican they were ruling against? Obviously not, then he would become the Czar of Ethics calling on anyone who would listen to follow the law and expel the council member immediately, but because it is a fellow Dumbocrat, the ethics ruling was "partisan" even when Democrats voted to discipline Catanzaro's illegal behavior.
Catanzaro has publicly committed an offense that is punishable only by expulsion from the council. Since there seems to be no activity by this council to obey their own laws, it is time to convene an impeachment committee at the House of Representatives as authorized by the Connecticut Constitution, and since they refuse to obey their own laws, maybe the articles of impeachment should include 13 members of the council for wanton and gross negligence of their sworn duties.
Maybe Attorney General Richard Blumenthal needs to be contacted about this blatant disregard of the law by the 13 "untouchables" on the council. Maybe it is quite possible Attorney General Blumenthal could find a way to touch them all.
On his radio show today, Sean Hannity referred to the Democrats as the "party of corruption." No where in this country could that statement be any more true than here in New Britain.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIf my memory serves me correctly, the Ethics Commission was the idea of Democatic Town Committee member, Carlo Carlozzi, either during Democrats William McNamara's or Lucian Pawlak's administration.
Why pass the negativity on to Republican Mayor Timothy Stewart?
ANSWER:
Because that is what Democrats do best, they blame others for the problems they cause. It is no different than the financial meltdown being caused by the Commmunity Reinvestment Act forcing banks to give millions of mortgages to people who never had and chance of repaying them, then they Dumbocrats turn around and try to blame George Bush when it was the wet dream of Jimmy Carter, and enhanced by Bill Clinton under the supervision of Barney Frank and Chris Dudd that destroyed America's banks.
P.S.
ReplyDeleteYou and other Dems on the Council referred to me at the last meeting as "the "complaintant" in the Catanzaro issue - the term is, complainant!"
This just shows what an imbecile Sherwack is. It takes a retired school teacher to correct his grammar.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete1 year in office and this kid is an expert on how city government works?
Just like Obama, it couldn't be more clear how over his head this kid Sherwack is. Maybe he should step down and come back when he is old enough to sit at the big table.
Lou Salvio raises a good point. There couldn't have been a more partisan appointment than the appointment of that nut job Leslie Jacobs to the BOE, now the organizer of the Jacobs appointment is complaining about partisan politics? What a Phony!!!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't stop laughing, tell the boy Sherwack to go away and come back when he grows up!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDelete1 year in office and this kid is an expert on how city government works?
He is a self proclaimed expert because he is basing everything he does on what he learned during street agitator training at ACORN.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that The Herald only quotes a freshman democratic alderman on any and all city issues.
Maybe Sherwack is still controlling everything that the Herald prints, so why wouldn't they let the guy who the Herald needs to get permission from before printing anything handle the media?
wouldn't you if you had someone who controls the press working for you?
Alderman Phil Sherwood, just another case where the Democrats sent a boy to do a man's job!
ReplyDeleteI never met this Sherwack guy, but he sure seems to be hated in this town, almost as much as this Cantazaro character.
ReplyDelete...and a little child shall lead them!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteOur common council serves absoulutely no purpose other than
to create havoc with the taxpayers of New Britain. They consistently
stand in the way of progress, they
fight the mayor on any and all proposals he has just because they
can. The thirteen collectively cannot produce one honest, ethical
person with half a brain. Mr. McNamara is right in resigning because the ethics commission is a waste of time in this city just like the council.
Our family pays into the city $500.00 per month in property taxes
and look what we get for our hard earned money? It's disgusting and
these council members are disgusting it is amazing how they
can live with themselves.
I PAY OVER $700 a month in property taxes, and I am just as outraged over how these crack pot Democrats spend my money.
Alderman Phil Sherwood said:
ReplyDeleteHaving local people appointed by local politicians leads to suspicion and mistrust, Sherwood said.
WHAT IS SHERWOOD SUGGESTING, THAT INSTEAD OF LOCAL POLITICIANS MAKING THE APPOINTMENT, THAT HIS MESSIAH OBAMA SHOULD MAKE THESE LOCAL APPOINTMENTS????????
I have always known Mayor Stewart to be an honorable, honest man, which is more than I can say about this boy that has become the mouthpiece for the local Democratic Party and seems to think he is fooling the rest us with his childish liberal propaganda. Maybe after he has had some life experiences, he will realize the mistaken path he is following.
ReplyDeleteTrueworthy and McNamara use Sherwack as their pawn because he is too ignorant to know he is being used, that is why you hear about him doing everything. Like someone else pointed out, in the end, he will end up on the Dumbocrat "wall of shame" and will find that once his usefulness is used up, he will get no backing from the party or any of his fellow loons on the council.
ReplyDelete"The Boy" that is a perfect name for Sherwood as it better reflects his inexperience and lack of knowledge.
ReplyDeleteNEW BRITAIN: CPOA Taxpayers Group Meeting on March 15, 2009.
ReplyDeleteA taxpayers group founded 85 years ago to keep an eye on city finances and spending is seeking to expand it's 2009 membership.
The Citizens' Property Owners Association is inviting taxpayers to its annual meeting to give people an idea of the group agenda. The meeting will be at 2:30 p.m. March 15 at the Marchegian Club, 40 Acorn St, New Britain.
The organization is also seeking to increase its activity during this spring's budget session and the pending fall municipal elections, CPOA board member Mike Wanik said.
The group also has invited chairmen of key city commissions to attend and discuss issues facing the city of New Britain.
Connecting the OPOA Dots - From Susan Kniep, President of the Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations, Inc. (FCTO). The mother ship of CT Taxpayer Groups the New Britain CPOA got the ball rolling back in 1924 when several property owners and local businessmen established the CPOA volunteering time and services to keep abreast of city government spending.
ReplyDeleteThe CPOA Constitution was Ordained – July 7, 1924: Section. 2. that New Britain public servants (elected & appointed officials) shall be known as associate members of the Association, who, while they are not considered members of said Association and have no voting rights at members annual meetings, nevertheless acquire a limited status within said organization; the right of associate members to attend Association yearly meeting, the right to limited participation at educational and civic programs undertaken by said Association for the betterment of New Britain Taxpayers.
CPOA By-Laws: 4.3: Public servants shall be known as associate members of the Association. Associate members guests shall have no voting rights at any meetings of, nor in organizational matters of the association. However, they will be accorded other benefits of membership including information from members’ meetings and mailing of the CPOA newsletter.
If it's a 501(c)3 organization it is illegal for CPOA to do election work. Wanik should know this. If they indeed are a 501(c)4 they should stop saying they are tax exempt. Either one is a serious IRS violation, not to mention violations to election law.
ReplyDeleteTo the taxpayer that is paying $700.00 per month from the taxpayer
ReplyDeletepaying $500.00 per month. It is time for a revolt. I want to see alderman Cantanzaro impeached from the council for his ethics breaches and I would also like him
fired from his job at Parks & Rec
for his public displays of in-subordination aimed at his two bosses, Bill DiMaio and Mayor Stewart. I would have no problem dishing out the news to Paul Cantanzaro if everyone else is too scared. Get rid of him. Now!
And lower our taxes. Are you going to be comfortable paying in excess of $700.00 per month when you retire just for taxes! It's impossible and even if it is possible it is not desirable. Time
for a lean and mean city goverment.
I want to see a 3% salary reduction from all high paying administrative positions, higher contribution to health insurance,
lay-offs where necessary, cancel the fireworks and these winter carnivals all extras need to go. These are tough times so city leaders...time for the tough to get
going.
Not sure why this is this string but anyways
ReplyDeletevisit the IRS site
http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/index...
for more information on 501(C)3 status.
Mr Wanik you must be doing something right if people are issuing veiled threats. Keep up the good work!
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIf it's a 501(c)3 organization it is illegal for CPOA to do election work. Wanik should know this. If they indeed are a 501(c)4 they should stop saying they are tax exempt. Either one is a serious IRS violation, not to mention violations to election law.
THE IRS RULED IT WAS ACCEPTABLE FOR THE CHURCH TO HAVE OBAMA CAMPAIGN BOOTHS AT ITS CONVENTION IN THE HARTFORD CIVIC CENTER AND TO SIGN UP VOTERS DURING THE CONVENTION, SO WHY IS THIS NOT ALLOWED?
A 90-year-old man who lost his life savings to accused fraudster Bernie Madoff is forced back to work.
ReplyDeleteSounds much like the Colonial Realty scandal.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sherwood had his own autographed copy of Sol Alinsky's Rules For Radicals.
ReplyDeleteA friend pointed me to this site today. I was unaware of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for comments surrounding the CPOA. Let me try to address some of the comments in the strings herein: CPOA is a citizens group that by charter "shall foster, encourage and promote interest in all activities of local, state and regional agencies by local taxpayer groups as those activities affect the taxpayers of NB and the State of CT; also to develop and establish an agenda in support of certain legislative initiatives which would effect greater economy, efficiency and effectiveness in our state and municipal governmnets and disseminate information regarding such state and regional agency activities and legislative initiatives to the state's and NB's taxpayers." So as to comments about "election work" and tax status; I am dumbfounded. CPOA is a watchdog group, long dormant, that needs to begin to hold politicians (both R's and D's) accountable to the taxpayer's needs and desires. So if you are threatened by this group of people that fund the workings of this City and State, than this speaks volumes as to the need for it. If you agree in accountability in government, come to our meeting. If you don't like the governing objective, please don't join the group as our 85 year old charter is not negotiable. Thank you. M. Wanik. (cpoanb@gmail.com)
I agree with Mr. Wanik:
ReplyDeleteIf you agree in accountability in government, come to our meeting. If you don't like the governing objective, please don't join the group as our 85 year old charter is not negotiable. Thank you. M. Wanik. (cpoanb@gmail.com)
One book I think Sherwack wish he had read is Andrew Carnegie's "How To Win Friends and Inflence People."
ReplyDeleteHey Sherwood said:
ReplyDeleteJust keep on protecting Alderman Catanzaro. The voters are not fooled with you tactics with your trying to say the Ethics commission should be from out of town.
That is just where you should be.