Aldermen Salvio and Catanzaro Votes No!!!

Alderman Salvio recalling his days spent at the New Britain Senior High School, in the early fifties, stating I was taught that “ours [in the U.S.A.] is a government of laws.” I didn’t appreciate the meaning of that statement then but, was always aware that I had heard it; but, as the years went by and I became somewhat involved in the government of our City, I have become more appreciative or the statement’s meaning. Realistically, at times it is annoying but it makes me think.



We live with many adages: “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”; ” it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”, etc. People have laws to which they must adhere, federal, state and local laws. These “laws” are supposed to apply equally to all citizens. Locally we have ordinances that are our “organic” laws. The folks who enact these laws are our Common Council members: aldermen/alderwomen. Our City Departments//Agencies, etc., enforce (or are supposed to) these ordinances. Now, back to who you know vs. what you know.



Sometimes our “laws” seem to apply more stringently to those who have little or no voice as compared to those “who have friends in high places.”



An example to make a case in point: in the past month or two, two petitioners asked the City to allow them a motor vehicle repair/used car sales licenses. One, an “unconnected” individual who has a property on the extreme, southeastern corner of NB, a person, whose property was allowed a license to repair autos but whose license has lapsed and another, who bought a useless piece of property at the busiest intersection of the city but, who is “connected.”



The first – unconnected - was made to “jump through hoops” by the Building Dept. – for 4 or 6 months – at considerable personal expense. The second, “connected” individual had friends “in high places”; he sailed through the preliminary processes even though his petition received a thoroughly negative review from the city’s City Plan Dept. This second petitioner, while locally “connected”, does not meet state statute requirements for an auto repair/used car sales license; but he is, “connected.”



At the Common Council meeting on Wed., 5/12/10, both petitions came up for a vote. The first petitioner had no problems though he had no one to speak in his behalf. The second, connected petitioner had many local civic and religious supporters and, despite an objective, yet negative report from the City’s, Plan Department, was also granted a favorable vote. Only Aldermen Lou Salvio and Paul Catanzaro voted against granting the license to this second petitioner. The vote was, eleven yes, two no! Go figure! Is it who you know?