Thankfully this year, the New Britain school system was able to secure a $4.3 million dollar aid package from the federal government. These funds will allow us to rehire about 40 teachers who were let go during this year’s budget cuts. This emergency package makes you wonder though – why don’t we have the money to pay our teachers? Should the residents of New Britain be completely responsible for the increasing costs of the school system?
As a member of the State Legislature, where the Democrats have a 114-36 supermajority, Tim O’Brien has been unable to secure proper funding for our school system – resulting in 112 teachers losing their jobs this year. Even after the reported $242.9 million dollar state surplus, O’Brien was still unable to bring any additional funding so desperately needed to help our schools. He claims to be a staunch advocate for educational funding, but I have to ask - where is the evidence to support that? He has been coming up short for eight years. We shouldn’t tolerate and we certainly can’t afford his inferior performance in Hartford anymore.
On his blog, Rep. O’Brien states “I [still] fought for changes in education funding that would have increased support for local school districts and, especially for cities like New Britain.” It would be unfair to say we didn’t see state funding, but it does not keep up with our increasing costs. For example, New Britain High School students struggle with the State’s largest high school enrollment - nearly 3,200 students, and class sizes are growing, yet we are forced to choose between eliminating staff or raising taxes. Real problems like this make it hard to believe we have someone in Hartford fighting for our schools.
As the son of two former New Britain teachers, I fully understand the importance of education in the Hardware City and that we need to improve the broken system in place. As a property owner and resident of New Britain, I understand the impact that education has on our taxes. It seems each year the State increases educational requirements, and as a result, so does the cost to towns and cities. We have to fix this system before it completely suffocates our residents with increased taxation.
We need to hold the State accountable for the unfunded mandates that are passed down to the municipalities. Each of these mandates creates more expenses, and we end up paying the difference. If elected, I will not support any unfunded mandate. Additionally, I will work to help to restore our educational system through increased grants with the only goal being an improved learning environment.
As residents, we don’t need a representative who is meddling in New Britain’s budget while his work goes unfinished in Hartford. And we don’t need a representative who is using this year to prepare for his 2011 mayoral campaign in New Britain. What we need is a fighter who is focused on serving the needs of residents in New Britain and will work tirelessly to help secure funding for our schools.
As state representative, I will work in Hartford for New Britain – to both better Connecticut and this great City.
Cris Carillo
State Representative Candidate -24th District
www.Carillo2010.com
----------------------------
Thanks again,
Cris
Cris Carillo
State Representative Candidate
24th District - New Britain and Newington
860-515-8805
9 comments:
Chris, you are 100% correct. Tim O'Brien has failed to bring home the bacon to New Britain time and time again. Other cities have secured increased funding at the state level, but why not New Britain? It has made me wonder more than once if this lack of service has been intentional? Angering taxpayers, parents, voters. While Tim O'Brien is busy blaming our Mayor, is he really simply running a negative campaign that he hopes will pay off with a win for the 2011 mayoral election?
Each time Tim O'Brien has stopped to talk with me, he reminds me just how bad our school system is?
That it is under-funded and overcrowded? He personally cannot stand the concept of New Britain High School and wants to re-design the school system along a magnet program? When our conversations conclude, I am always asking myself, what has he done in Hartford to help this situation he finds so appalling? Nothing.
And then there is the fact that I have a child at NBHS. He is happy, well adjusted, enjoys school, enjoys New Britain High School. He has many friends that I have the pleasure of knowing. These other students seem to praise their high school too. Their teachers seem enthusiastic, involved, as a parent I am happy
with NBHS. I am constantly offended by the blatent statements dished out by our 24th district representative,Tim O'Brien. It's obvious he hasn't a clue as to what goes on here in New Britain. What experience does Tim O'Brien have concerning schools in New Britain? None. He doesn't send his own child to school here and he wants to be mayor. He doesn't believe in us but he wants us to believe in him?
And, as we prepare for the mid-term elections, voters might consider the lack of productivity
delivered by Tim O'Brien and give a new person a chance to serve this city. That person is Chris Carillo.
Let's vote Tim O'Brien a break from the 24th district seat in Hartford. And then let's be sure
to keep the breaks on Tim O'Brien in 2011.
Chris, you had me at hello.
Thanks for running.
Wasn't it O'Brien who joined his fellow "progressives" in supporting and voting for more money to Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Norwalk? As I recall the so-called New Britain delegation supported these cities getting all the money without any demands for some of the money to come to New Britain because they all, O'Brien, Tercyak, and DeFronzo included, said that those cities needed the money more than New Britain does.
If they are elected by the people of New Britain, why are they working so hard for the people in these other cities at the expense of the very people who elected them?
Tim O'Brien 70%
Chris Carrillo 30%
My prediction...
"Thankfully this year, the New Britain school system was able to secure a $4.3 million dollar aid package from the federal government."
This statement indicates that the State Republican Party has fielded yet another candidate who doesn't understand that we want fiscal restraint not tax and spend.
Chris, you have me convinced! Tim O'Brien tells people what he knows they want to hear.
Hopefully, there will be scads of people at the candidates forum on Thursday at the Elks club...you should be able to pick up a lot of votes there!
Here's my prediction:
O'Brien 48%
Carillo 52%
Tim is still a limp wristed phoney who has no experience in the real world even after he loses!
Well its nice to see the Dem's are keeping tabs on Cris. That shows you know that you are losing this year....But here is my guess :
"Anonymous said...
Tim O'Brien 70%
Chris Carrillo 30%
My prediction..."
Well this I would say is Tim O chiming in. Tim please just go away
" Anonymous said...
"Thankfully this year, the New Britain school system was able to secure a $4.3 million dollar aid package from the federal government."
This statement indicates that the State Republican Party has fielded yet another candidate who doesn't understand that we want fiscal restraint not tax and spend."
Well this must be lil Mac chiming in. I mean after all he is the only one that likes to confuse the voters on who stands where on the issues. It amazes me that you john think you can spin so hard that voters will think that the Rep's are in favor of all the crap you dem's voted for and are pushing.
I hope we rid the city of the cancer called Tim O'brien
" Anonymous said...
"Thankfully this year, the New Britain school system was able to secure a $4.3 million dollar aid package from the federal government."
This statement indicates that the State Republican Party has fielded yet another candidate who doesn't understand that we want fiscal restraint not tax and spend."
....Well this must be lil Mac chiming in. I mean after all he is the only one that likes to confuse the voters on who stands where on the issues. It amazes me that you john think you can spin so hard that voters will think that the Rep's are in favor of all the crap you dem's voted for and are pushing.
To the poster who wrote that I must be Little Mac :
Let me assure you that I am not Little Mac. I am a registered Republican who votes in every election, and who has never voted for a Democrat even if he/she called himself/herself a Republican. I did not vote for Governor Rell. I held my nose and voted for Senator McCain. I will not vote for candidates Foley or McMahon as both are RINOS.
The only Instance I can honestly
foresee myself voting Democrat is If My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ himself returns and appears on the ballot as a Democrat, and even then I would probably assume it was either a misprint, or the Democrats intentionally trying to steal another election.
Post a Comment