MAYOR TIMOTHY T. STEWART
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2009
Contact: Lisa Carver (860) 826-3303
MAYOR STEWART EXPRESSES OUTRAGE AT PARTISAN ACCUSATIONS MADE AGAINST HIM REGARDING MATTABASSETT CONTRACTS; CALLS ON ACCUSERS TO STOP POLITICAL GAMES AND TAKE ACTION IN BEST INTEREST OF NEW BRITAIN RESIDENTS
New Britain Mayor Timothy T. Stewart today responded to allegations made in an article in the November 30, 2009 New Britain Herald regarding his role in the awarding of contracts at the Mattabassett District. In that article, Alderman Phil Sherwood alleges that the Mayor acted inappropriately by attempting to steer contracts to a local engineering firm, the Maguire Group.
“I am deeply concerned that the level of partisan mud throwing has reached the point where any rumor or hearsay is bandied about in the press as true without regard to facts,” said Stewart. “Alderman Sherwood, although he has the title of Majority Leader, certainly is not acting as a responsible leader when he makes these baseless allegations in an attempt to draw attention away from the real issue at hand, which is whether my concerns regarding the reappointment of William Candelori to the Mattabassett District are valid. In fact, Mr. Sherwood shows that his priority is partisan games over what is good for our community by falsely smearing several area companies with baseless accusations. He owes an apology to those area companies, Tomasso Group and Manafort Brothers, who have been productive, community minded, local contractors for many years.”
Stewart continued, “I at no time acted illegally or inappropriately in regards to any contract or project at Mattabassett. As I have done for countless New Britain businesses, I did put in a good word for Maguire on several projects in Connecticut, including the Mattabassett project. Since I have no vote or authority over the awarding of contracts, this was not inappropriate or utilizing undue influence, but merely a mayor acting as a supporter of a local business.”
“I call upon Mr. Candelori or Alderman Sherwood to immediately come forward with any evidence of inappropriate activity on my part so this matter can be put to rest. Without any produced evidence, these accusations can then be seen for what they are: a thinly veiled retributive strike against me for bringing to light issues with Mr. Candelori. I have news for those attempting to muddy the waters: I will not be silenced by this obvious political harassment as I am speaking out for what is in the best interests of the citizens of New Britain. ”
“I call on the Common Council to put politics aside and do their duty and due diligence in investigating Mr. Candelori’s background and activities regarding his fitness to serve as a member of the Mattabassett Board as outlined in my veto message. Alderman Sherwood needs to stop being Mr. Candelori’s spokesman and do the job that New Britain voters elected him to do: what is in their best interests, not the best interests of the Democratic Party. The citizens of New Britain are tired of the political smokescreens and deserve a swift answer to the questions that have been raised, “Stewart concluded.
The Common Council will be taking up the matter of the Mayor’s veto of the Mattabassett appointment at their next regular meeting on December 9, 2009.
12 comments:
The fact that the Mayor even sees the need to issue such a statement, speaks volumes of the lack of responsible leadership in the Democratic majority.
These Democrats will stoop to any level to wieild their 11-4 majority vote even if the outcome is assassination of family character and reputation.
I would love to send an e-mail to Sherwood; but it is not listed in his Council Profile...Perhaps I'll send a notice to him via Frank's page..I'll get to it soon.
I would love to send an e-mail to Sherwood; but it is not listed in his Council Profile...Perhaps I'll send a notice to him via Frank's page..I'll get to it soon.
APPARENTLY IN BALTIMORE, A CRIMINAL CONVICTION MATTERS BECAUSE ONE CONVICTION OF A MISDEMEANOR IS ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE DEMOCRATIC MAYOR FROM OFFICE, UNLIKE THE ATTITUDE OF THE DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL MAJORITY REGARDING CONVICTED FELONS BEING ALLOWED TO CONTROL TAXPAYER MONEY IN NEW BRITAIN:
Jurors in the theft trial of Sheila Dixon convicted the Baltimore mayor Tuesday on a single charge of taking gift cards intended for the city's poor.
Although Dixon was acquitted of a felony theft charge, her conviction could force her from office.
Jurors deliberated more than six days after hearing the Democrat was accused of using or keeping $630 worth of gift cards. She allegedly solicited most of the cards from a wealthy developer and then bought electronics at Best Buy, clothes at Old Navy and other items at Target.
The jury convicted her on one count of fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary and acquitted her on two counts of felony theft and one count of misconduct in office. Jurors failed to reach a verdict on another count of fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary.
Colonial, located in West Hartford, Connecticut, was a
syndicator of real estate limited partnerships. According to the
complaint, Colonial salespeople, with the knowledge, approval
and/or participation of the Defendants, solicited investors with
numerous false and misleading statements, and utilized highpressure
sales tactics, to encourage them to invest. The
Defendants knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that Colonial's
offering materials contained material misstatements and omissions
regarding the revenues, operations, financial reserves, rental
income, and cash flow of Constitution Plaza, the underlying asset
of CCLP.
The Herald reported Alderman Larry Hermanowski said he argeed with Sherwood and did not consider the Colonial Realty fraud in which Connecticut residents lost $350 million to be relevant.
So let's trust him with $100 million of the people's money????
Phil Sherwood, I don't know how you have the audacity to show your face in this city. Everytime you open your mouth you stick your foot in it. You have on numerous occasions embarrassed this city while embarrassing yourself. What in your mind would compel you to make statements about the Tomasso and Manafort families? How is this relative to the Mattabasset appointments? One has nothing to do with the other.
And what possesses you to stick your neck out for one the members of one of the largest crimes ever committed in New Britain? The Colonial Realty Ponzi Scheme put this city on the map and not in a manner which we need to be reminded of with the appointment of William Candelori. Have you no moral compass?
The best thing that you can do at this point is to step down from the council.
Sally,
Perhaps it is relevant because the Mayor claims that someone with Bill's past should not be on the commission and be associated with the city....ok then...might there be others worth looking at or is this just personal?
Why did Stewart support Bill last time?
By the way, how can the Mayor say he has nothing to do with appointing Mattabassett and nothing to do with their contracts WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HE IS VETOING THE APPOINTMENT.
Anonymous said...
Sally,
Perhaps it is relevant because the Mayor claims that someone with Bill's past should not be on the commission and be associated with the city....ok then...might there be others worth looking at or is this just personal?
Why did Stewart support Bill last time?
By the way, how can the Mayor say he has nothing to do with appointing Mattabassett and nothing to do with their contracts WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HE IS VETOING THE APPOINTMENT."
Mr. Anonymous:
Read the NB City Charter. Acting on resolutions on which the Council has voted is one of the Mayor's DUTIES outlined in The Charter.
The Mayor does not "appoint Mattabassett" nor does he have anything to do with their contract awards. The Mattabassett District Commission has representatives from three towns who vote on contract awards. Case in point. Recent contract award went to a New Hampshire firm. Phil Sherwood is from New Hampshire - maybe he knows something about the firm and their employees. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the meantime, read the NB Charter.
Anonymous, whoever you are? Making negative comments about the Tomasso and Manafort businesses is not relavant to the Mattabassett appointment. For Mr. Sherwood to pull such a statement into the issue is irresponsible, immature, and deserves an apology at the least. This isn't the first time Phil Sherwood has made a fool of himself and embarrassed the city at the same time.
The mayor's veto.... a personal issue... I know myself and many other citizens feel the same way on this matter. Do we all have a personal issue?
And prior support? I'll give anyone that question. Maybe the re-appointment came to the forefront when the gentlemen's name came up as a defendant in a current pending litgation reported here on the blog which compounds prior issues.
Whoever you are, you are very defensive. It is amazing how our
democratic elected officials feel the need to go out on a limb on this appointment. How does this serve the people of New Britain?
If you read the New Britain charter, the Mayor is also responsible for bringing actions to remove appointed commissioners or directors from office if they are convicted of a felony, or even a misdemeanor that diminishes the public confidence in their ability to perform their job.
Clearly the drafters of the charter opposed having a convicted felon serving as an appointed member of any board or commission, but these Democrats have demonstrated over and over that they could care less about the mandates of the charter.
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