Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Local Democratic Leaders Throw Stones from Glass Houses!



EDITORIAL

In a September 13 posting on his web site, Chairman John McNamara offers little more than ranting and raving about his dislike of 2 local blogs—mine and that of The Bizy Bee. In my opinion this is just an attempt to deflect responsibility because one of his understudies has been caught red-handed! Do we need to remind Mr. McNamara that it was he, and not the editors of my blog, or The Bizy Bee who had to be called before the editor of the Herald for improperly quoting a Herald Reporter’s story?

Recently, The Herald has been filled with quotes from Democratic leaders who were all critical of the coverage The Herald has given to state computers being used to post personal attacks against Mayor Tim Stewart. Making that list in addition to Chairman John McNamara, is Senator Donald Defronzo, Alderman and Majority Leader Michael Trueworthy, State Representative Timothy O’Brien, and Alderman Greg Gerratana.

The central theme among many of the comments from these elected officials has been to downplay these postings as being no big deal, or to somehow try to transfer blame onto someone else. Apparently they see it as no problem that someone misused state equipment in violation of state regulations and may have done so while being paid by your tax dollars to be performing their official State of Connecticut duties.

What is even more troubling are the circumstances surrounding the apparent conflicting statements of Alderman Greg Gerratana, the Democratic candidate for Tax Collector. According to the timeline in James Craven’s September 15 article “Gerratana Suspended,” on last Friday Mr. Gerratana admitted to an official at the state legislature that he was responsible for the postings in question and that he knew what he was doing was wrong.

The most troubling part of this report is that Mr. Craven reports that on last Thursday, the day before Mr. Gerratana is reported to have admitted responsibility for this improper use of state computers, he went to the offices of The Herald where he gave a tape recorded statement repeatedly denying any involvement and even going further to say that he “would neither post to a blog, nor engage in character attacks against a political rival or his family.” Gerratana is further quoted as telling Craven “I have never lied to you.”

These statements raise several unanswered questions. First, were the tape recorded statements given to The Herald the true account, or is the reported confession to a legislative official the accurate accounting of Mr. Gerratana’s involvement?

Next, since the political attacks were against Representative O’Brien’s political opponent, and Mr. Gerratana is Representative O’Brien’s legislative aide, what did Representative O’Brien know about this activity and when did he learn about it?

Finally, is someone who would admittedly engage in personal attacks against the mayor and his family, while using a state computer in violation of state regulations, and then giving conflicting statements about it, really exhibiting the type of personality qualities needed in such an important position as your tax collector? The tax collector is responsible for collecting millions of your tax dollars, and is responsible for maintaining sensitive information on municipal computer systems. Would the activities of the last several days convince you that this is the person for such an important city job?

Mr. Craven and The Herald did a fantastic job reporting on this issue, but in my opinion more questions need to be answered before this youngster is handed the keys to the city and the computers that run it.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

New Britain Rep. Tim O'Brien's six(6)websites...

* Rep. Tim O'Brien personal website

* Rep. Tim O'Brien's Facebook page

* Rep. Tim O'Brien's Facebook profile

* Rep. Tim O'Brien's Facebook blog network

* Rep. Tim O'Brien's official website

* Rep. Tim O'Brien's YouTube site

independent voter said...

Once again I am left to wonder, "Does this behavior fall into the category of unethical behavior as set out within the city charter?"

Will/has Alderman Gerratana upheld his oath of office?

The oath he has taken reads:
"You, Greg Gerratana, having been elected to the office of Alderman for the City of New Britain, solemnly swear that you will faithfully and honestly perform the duties of the office of Alderman for the City of New Britain to the best of your judgment and skill, so help you God,"

If he were elected clerk it would read:
"I, Greg Gerratana, do solemnly swear that you will faithfully perform the duties of the office of Town Clerk and of clerk of the City of New Britain so long as you continue the clerk thereof; that you will make true entries and records of all the votes and proceedings of said City and all such other matters as by law or by the Ordinances of said City are to be recorded in your office; that you will deliver true copies of the records in your office when they shall be required of you, on the receipt of lawful fees therefore,
So help you God."

The city ethics rules state:

The Common Council, after reasonable notice and a hearing before said Common Council, shall be empowered by vote of a majority of the membership of the entire Common Council to remove from office any elective officer of said City or any appointee of said Common Council for dishonesty, incompetency, incapacity, neglect of duty, disobedience of any lawful order of a competent authority, or misfeasance or malfeasance in office. The accused shall have an opportunity to be heard at such hearing.

I call upon Alderman Trueworthy to perform his duties. Mr. Trueworthy should call a hearing into the clear abuses of office by Mr. Gerratana.

This violation of trust is not acceptable to this independent voter.

independent voter said...

Note:
Greg would not take the clerks oath. My mistake. He would have to take his oath again though.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...I call upon Alderman Trueworthy to perform his duties. Mr. Trueworthy should call a hearing into the clear abuses of office by Mr. Gerratana.

ARE YOU KIDDING? ISN'T THIS THE SAME MICHAEL TRUEWORTHY WHO FAILED TO ACT AGAINST ALDERMAN CATANZARO WHEN HE COMMITTED AN ACT THAT IS SO EGREGIOUS TO THE CHARTER, THAT THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATION IS REMOVAL FROM OFFICE. THIS WAS WHEN CATANZARO SPOKE ON, AND THEN VOTED AGAINST HIS OWN ETHICS RULING OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION, AND WAS NOT ONLY WITNESSED BY TRUEWORTHY AND THE OTHER 12 DEMOCRATS, THEY PARTICIPATED IN HIS ILLEGAL VOTE.

DID MR. TRUEWORTHY NOT VIOLATE HIS OATH OF OFFICE IN THAT CASE BY NOT CALLING FOR HEARINGS AGAINST ALDERMAN CATANZARO? BUT THEN AGAIN, WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO IMPARTIALLY INVESTIGATE OR VOTE IN THAT CASE, SINCE THEY ALL PARTICIPATED IN THAT VOTE.

WILL WE HAVE HEARINGS ABOUT CATANZARO'S ACTIONS, AND THE ACTIONS OF THE OTHER 12 DEMOCRATS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THAT VOTE?

Anonymous said...

Greg wouldn't have to take the oath of Tax Collector, promising to collect the millions of dollars in taxpayer money while using city computer systems?

I guess you could argue he should be elected tax collector because he has proven his ability to use state computers?

The Thorn said...

Hey Frank, why are they so troubled about your blog?

I have heard on more than one occasion about Democratic leaders telling people that only about 8 people read your blog.

If you count Trueworthy, MacNamara, DeFronzo, Gerratana, Mr. Craven, O'Brien,you, and me, who else is left for them to be upset about?

Anonymous said...

Frank,
Where are all those wise guys who have for months been posting all that rhetoric about the all powerful, unstoppable Democratic Party at the hands of the almighty McNamara?

What are they all doing today?

Anonymous said...

The Democratic Party is self destructing from the White House, Congress, right down to the local level!

Unknown said...

What's next, Gerratana, if elected, using personal financial data against Mayor Stewart?

Anonymous said...

Ichabod, try this one on for size:

The possibility that you will see the use of personal financial data used against anyone who dares to oppose the hard left?

Anonymous said...

Strolled by Tim Obriens campaign office on Broad Street. Odd thing is that all he has up are signs for his re-election?!?!

Tim what games are you playing anyways? Are you running for Mayor or are you running for re-election?

What gives?

Maybe we could do like Mass and make the rules as we go so that you don't have to run for re election.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous sais...Strolled by Tim Obriens campaign office on Broad Street. Odd thing is that all he has up are signs for his re-election?!?!


Maybe O'Brien is already conceding defeat in his election for Mayor and is now focusing on an effort to get re-elected next year?

I believe that after this week's news, he will most likely have a hard time even keeping his existing job next year, never mind his pipe dream of becoming this city's chief executive.

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