Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Obama Slams Fox News as 'Destructive' --- Newsmax

TERCYAK NEEDS NEW BRITAINS VOTERS SUPPORT

PLEASE COME TO REP. PETER TERCYAK’S FUND RAISER AT THE POLASKI DOMCRATIC CLUB WEDNESDAY THE 29th. 

Tercyak%20Arrest
The Perp Walk when arrested by Police!

HE REPRESENTED HARTFORD'S ISSUES AND NOT NEW BRITIAN’S!

COPA Meets with Board Of Eductaion!

COPA Meeting Held on 9-23-10.

This meeting was held with the President of the Board of Education, Sharon Beloin-Saavedra and Board member Paul Carver with president Michael W. Wanik presiding.

Both board members erased the many vague impressions that the COPA membership had about the Board’s costly needs within the city’s budget.

They pointed out having to provide for state mandates such as having to give special education to the disabled students that are patients of the hospital for special care within the city. With the city’s income lessoned by many of the state properties, in our city, being under the pilot program providing little growth for it‘s tax base..

The 127 teacher layoffs proposed by the school administrators; but Ms. Saavedra announced that they were able to hire back 67 of those teachers.

Mr. Carver pointed out that they have just adjusted their budget for this year and that they have to start to work on next year’s budget this September. They will also will provide a line by line budget for next year. The major problem that they are faced with is how many children will become students without their knowing of their existence because they just moved into the city during the summer. Other state mandates forcing the school district to provide for many of the foreign speaking students with special education with student aids in order to improve their English reading skills. Mr. Carver also claimed that 60% of the student inventory are bi-lingual. He also noted the major cost in their budget are teachers salaries and student transportation. He also addressed the fact that the higher family income relates directly to how well a student performs.

With the issue of establishing a search committee for a new Superintendent the Board has decided to hire an outside firm to perform this search. The board also decided to select an interim Superintendent from the administrative staff for a period of an approximate eight months. With the hiring search being completed by March of 2012.

Examiner Editorial: If you like your health insurance, too bad | Washington Examiner

Murphy calls out Caligiuri on Pratt & Whitney job cuts - The New Britain Herald (newbritainherald.com)

Monday, September 27, 2010

The Plainville Republican Town Committee wishes to invite all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, to meet the candidates for state an

"Meet and Greet" the candidates at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott, 400 New Britain Ave., Plainville, Friday, October 8, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.


Scheduled to appear are:


Linda McMahon, U.S. Senate
Tom Foley, Governor
Mark Boughton, Lt. Governor
Jeff Wright, Treasurer
Jerry Farrell, Secretary of State
Martha Dean, Attorney General
Jack Orchulli, Comptroller
Sam Caligiuri, District 5
Jason Welch, State Senator
Helen Bergenty, 22nd House of Representatives


Note: All candidates schedules subject to change.


Free Will Donations will be accepted, but are not necessary!


If you are not a voter and want to be (but never had time to register) the Republican Town Committee will have mail-in forms available for your convenience,


Reply Forward

USA Today Article Questions Whether JFK Was Ever Really Elected President

Alleges Chicago Democrats May Have Cheated To Steal Election From Nixon

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Majority Leader Must be Replaced!

FRANKSMITHSAYSNB EDITORIAL:


A political summary of the council meeting held 9-22-10 with Alderman Trueworthy as the acting Mayor due to the fact that Mayor Stewart is on a vacation.

The acting Mayor had his hands full with the continued prattle from his left namely his Majority leader. He must now know what Mayor Stewart has to put up with this egotistical individual, meeting after meeting, who must render ongoing comments of no value to the matter at hand.

Specifically referring to the extreme questioning by Alderman Sherwood of Attorney Marcus Bordiere regarding his purchase offer, from the city, for a parcel of land that is land locked and unbuildable. Referring to a letter sent in to Mayor Stewart offering a sum of $10,000 for the purchase of the parcel with Sherwood attempting to insinuate that this piece of land, is worth much more because of the prices Attorney Bordiere paid for his existing lots he currently owns. Further stating that this land is worth three to twelve times more even after the city's assessor's statement that this parcel is worth $5,600.00. Sherwood continued by saying I want to get the right price with Alderman Mark Bernacki chiming in that Attorney Bordiere's offer is for more that the appraised value. But Sherwood continued by emanating that the Mayor should have signed off from being involved with this matter because of his personal family relationship to the attorney. The Attorney's in-laws are related to the Mayor and is not a blood relative as Sherwood would like the attendees to believe. So what? His offer is higher than the appraised value for this parcel.

The same kind of Sherwood questioning occurred when Tony Bianca attempted to purchase the parcel adjoining his property that was owned by the city killing the deal and now the city still owns that parcel collecting no taxes thanks to Sherwood's mean tactics at the time.

When this matter came to a vote amazingly many of the Democrats on the council ignored their majority leader by voting for this sale to Attorney Bordiere.

It now appears Sherwood has lost his control over the Democrats?

Sherwood's charade was a simple attack on the Mayor in his absence.

I fault the acting mayor for allowing his Majority leader to malign the Mayor's reputation with his continued comments insinuating the Mayor's relationship with the attorney's in-laws.

With every subject that came up during the meeting, the Majority leader's prattle overtook the process with the attendees eyes rolling at each other wondering when and if anyone will put a stop to it. Alderman Salvio made that very attempt with his objection to Sherwood's implying the Mayor's credibility was questionable.

As a registered Democrat; I whole hardily recommend that the Democratic side of the council aisle immediately replace this young insecure majority leader with a more level headed member of the Democratic council membership.

Without the ongoing "prattle" the meeting would have ended ninety minutes earlier.

Minority Leader of the City Council Speaks Out!

That Council meetings have long been used by members for self aggrandizement and “holier than thou” pontification was exemplified by Aldermen Carlo Carlozzi, Phil Sherwood and Roy Centeno.

One resolution involved the sale of a piece of property adjacent to Booth St. hill to a New Britain attorney and real estate developer. The property is a non-buildable, land-locked sliver of city owned land located on a “paper street” (Morris St.). At this time the piece of land generates no tax income for the City.

Adjacent properties to this sliver of land are owned by the attorney who simply wishes to enhance the use of adjacent properties he owns. If sold the property is added to our tax rolls. The area is already zoned for a particular use – that is not and should not have been in question. The appraised value of the land has also been established by the Assessor’s office.

A zoned piece of property in the city can be used by the owner for any purposed allowed in that zone so long as appropriate permits have been obtained. Assessed value of the property is determined by any and all methods used by the City’s Assessor. If someone wishes to address the familial relations of the purchaser with a City official, that is a conflict of interest and ethics question that should be directed to the Corporation Counsel’s office.
Given these, one would expect that the presiding officer of the Council Meeting might opine on whether discussions of these “concerns” are germane to discussion of the resolution to sell the property. I contend they are not. It is noted here that Alderman Trueworthy was the acting Mayor at last night’s Council meeting – Mayor Stewart is on vacation. As such, he was the presiding officer.

For well over an hour, Trueworthy allowed: Carlozzi to question Assessor Mike Konik and the purchaser on appraisal methodology and use of the property and Sherwood and Centeno to pontificate about ethical considerations involving the Mayor. Carlozzi could have called or visited Assessor Mike Konik to get a dissertation on assessment while Sherwood and Centeno could have filed an ethics and/ conflict of interest complaint with the Corporation Counsel.

This Council meeting was a perfect example of Council Democrats demonstrating, “Everything I learned in, Grandstanding 101.”


Alderman Lou Salvio

JFK Nephew Asks McMahon To Pull Ad

Archival Footage, Words Of Former President Used By Candidate: The Courant

Examiner Editorial: Obamacare is even worse than critics thought | Washington Examiner

Police Commission Honors Businesses, Officers - Courant.com

CHRIS POWELL: Obama failed - just like the Republicans - The Middletown Press (middletownpress.com)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Toronto bellwether for American midterms?

The New Britain Herald's Attacks Unwarranted!

FRANKSMITHSAYSNB EDITORIAL:

Our View in today's Herald, 9-22-10, Seems to attack Linda McMahon's adds for attacking her opponent. She is correct in attacking her opponent with his phony declared service record that "he was spat on."

Furthermore, the view's attack of Tom Foley only proves that New Britain Herald is way out to the left with their liberal support. Conservative views of Tom need not apply to the Herald's view point as being a sincere candidate for Governor based on the editorial board's opinion.

Missing Carlozzi Causes Adverse Effect with Sub-Committee Vote

FRANKSMITHSAYSNB EDITORIAL:


The sub-committee held a vote on a major issue regarding the Bonding for future purchases required by city departments. The issue was chaired by Alderman Paul Catanzaro, with the usual grandstanding by both the Majority Leader and the President Pro Tempore against the recommendations of the city's Bonding Attorney, Mr. Chudwick.

Many Comments flew back and forth with the Democrats arguing against the recommendations of the bonding attorney in allowing this action to pass which was also supported by the Republican side of the aisle.

Then Alderman Carlozzi shows up extremely late for the meeting and without having heard the discussion that had occurred prior to his arrival and voted with the Democrats--causing a tie vote which was broken with Catanzaro's affirmative vote and caused this issue to go to yet another Sub-committee--causing a further delay in purchasing the much needed police cruiser replacements. This additional delay will end up costing the city much unnecessary expense since the break downs of old cars are costing the city too much for repairs and placing the residents safety in question.

The respect that Alderman Carlozzi had earned with his past representation on the City Council has been lost with his "adverse vote" on a subject for which he wasn't even present to participate in the discussions. Through this action, Alderman Carlozzi has demonstrated that he has become just another rubber stamp for the party leadership and their radical agenda.

board of Eaducation leadership to meet with the COPA membership Thursday

New Britain
CPOA Meeting Features Board Of Education Leaders
Clubs & Organizations
Submitted by Michael Wanik, CPOA, on 2010-09-18.







The Citizens Property Owners Association, Inc. (CPOA) will hold its quarterly general meeting on Thursday, September 23rd, at 7 p.m. in Room 201 of New Britain City Hall. In excess of 85 years old, the CPOA is Connecticut's oldest taxpayer organization. Members and those interested in cost effective government are invited to attend. The September meeting will be one of two "back to back" meetings featuring speakers of interest to taxpayers.

September's meeting features New Britain Board of Education President Sharon Beloin-Saavedra, and BoE Member Paul Carver, the chairman of the Finance and Facilities Committee.

"We are excited that President Saavedra and Board of Education Member Carver have agreed to speak to taxpayers in friendly dialogue about various issues surrounding the financing of education in New Britain. We hope that the issues of the last budget cycle can be examined and discussed to clarify many questions which taxpayers may still have. We also look forward to their thoughts on the next fiscal year and beyond as the issue of funding is one which will be ever present."

CPOA will follow up the September session with an October 28th meeting featuring City Finance Director Robert Curry.

Current members are welcome, as are new members.

ABOUT CPOA: The objective of the association shall be "to foster, encourage and promote interest in all activities of local, state and regional agencies by local taxpayer groups as those activities affect taxpayers of New Britain and the State of Connecticut; also to develop and establish an agenda in support of certain legislative initiatives which would affect greater economy, efficiency and effectiveness in our state and municipal governments and disseminate information regarding such state and regional agency activities and legislative initiatives to the state's and New Britain's taxpayers." (CPOA By-Laws 3.0)

JUST KEEP VOTING FOR THOSE DEMOCRATS!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Obama Goes to Church After Newsmax, Huckabee Story


Texas Gov. Calls Napolitano 'Arrogant, Hypocritical' - HUMAN EVENTS

Rep. Chris Murphy Current Television Add is Misleading!

FRANKSMITHSAYSNB EDITORIAL:

This add purports that Chris Murphy is door knocking to find out what his constituency would like him to vote for in the House of Representatives.

This add is much further from the truth since his town hall meeting, held in Simsbury Conn., this good Representative has been hiding from his voters because they frowned on his voting for everything Reid and Pelosi wanted passed.

He even refused to meet with the seniors of New Britain by staging a meeting in his office with seven people in attendance including a local reporter. What was missing for this reporter's story line was where the seven participants reside, were they all New Britain seniors and not employees of Murphy's staff.

Quotable: No More Democrats VS Republicans?

26 Judges, Including Supreme Court Majority, Refuse Furloughs That 55,000 Other State Employees Had To Take - Capitol Watch

The Sword & Shield to Stop the Islamization of America

More House Democrats stressing independence from Pelosi, Obama

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Saturday, September 18, 2010

CHRIS MURPHY: ANOTHER LIBERAL DEMOCRAT RUNNING FROM HIS RECORD!

FRANKSMITHSAYSNB EDITORIAL:

Congressman Chris Murphy appeared as a guest Sunday morning on WFSB's "Face The State" with Dennis House.
Regarding the stimulus bill, Murphy said he felt it was a success because he believed that more people would be out of work without the stimulus. Murphy blamed the failure of it here in Connecticut on the Democrats in the Connecticut legislature and their failure to either spend it fast enough or even not spending some of it at all. He said much of it is still tied up with these legislators fighting over how to spend it.
Congressman Murphy bragged that his proudest accomplishment was that he helped to "fix" health care--referring to his vote to pass Obamacare. Murphy then went on to explain to the viewers that he always listens to the people in his district by going door to door and holding town hall meetings and office hours at grocery stores, but his record speaks for itself.
During the Summer recess in August 2009, Murphy held one of these so-called office hours at the Stop & Shop in Simsbury. When he was swarmed by several hundred people, all protesting his support for Obamacare, Murphy joined many of his fellow liberal Democratic Congressmen by going into hiding for the remainder of the recess and didn't hold anymore public events. As you may recall, it was President Obama who instructed the liberal wing of Congress to avoid their constituents during that recess, and Murphy clearly followed his marching orders. There were several of us who attempted to arrange for a meeting between Murphy and seniors in New Britain to discuss the impact that the proposed Obamacare legislation would have on senior citizens, but our efforts to set up such a meeting were ignored by Murphy and his staff.
Shortly before Murphy returned to Washington to vote in favor of Obamacare, he held a closed door meeting in his New Britain office where 7 hand picked people were invited to come speak in favor of Obamacare to the reporter from the New Britain Herald. The left leaning Herald reported whatever was given them about this staged town hall event and even went along with portraying this private by invite only meeting as a "New Britain Town Hall Meeting." Clearly Murphy did anything but listen to his constituents because the same polls that showed an overwhelming majority of his district opposed passage of this bill now show that more than 70% want it repealed immediately.

The most comical part of Murphy's comments were when he proclaimed that his opponents unfairly accuse him of being a liberal and that he always listens to the people of his district, but yet his record proves he is little more than a rubber stamp for the liberal left wing agenda of Pelosi, Reid, and Obama. Murphy has already been quoted as saying that he thinks Obamacare didn't go far enough and that if he is re-elected, he promised to work to pass a far more sweeping government takeover of health care.
Murphy is clearly demonstrating that he is doing just as the national media has been reporting about liberal Democrats, and is running away from his left wing liberal record in an effort to get re-elected and get 2 more years to continue to push his extremist agenda. Since Congressman Murphy has proven his unwillingness to listen to his constituents, the best thing we can do is to make sure he doesn't get that extra 2 years to insert the government even further between you and your doctor by voting "NO" to Congressman Murphy on November 2nd.



Obama and Minions call Constitutionalists “Extremists” and “Crazy”

McMahon and the tea party | wtnh.com connecticut

Nancy Pelosi Facing Dissent in Democratic Party - WSJ.com

Thursday, September 16, 2010

OBAMA'S COLLEGE ROOMMATE SPEAKS OUT

True per snopes!




November 2010 election is very important in stopping this action.




OBAMA'S COLLEGE ROOMMATE SPEAKS OUT

By Wayne Allyn Root, June 6th, 2010

Barack Obama is no fool. He is not incompetent. To the contrary, he is brilliant. He knows exactly what he's doing. He is purposely overwhelming the U.S. economy to create systemic failure, economic crisis and social chaos -- thereby destroying capitalism and our country from within.

Barack Obama is my college classmate ( Columbia University , class of '83). As Glenn Beck correctly predicted from day one, Obama is following the plan of Cloward & Piven, two professors at Columbia University . They outlined a plan to socialize America by overwhelming the system with government spending and entitlement demands.

--Add up the clues below. Taken individually they're alarming. Taken as a whole, it is a brilliant, Machiavellian game plan to turn the United States into a socialist/Marxist state with a permanent majority that desperately needs government for survival ... and can be counted on to always vote for bigger government. Why not? They have no responsibility to pay for it.

-- Universal health care. The health care bill had very little to do with health care. It had everything to do with unionizing millions of hospital and health care workers, as well as adding 15,000 to 20,000 new IRS agents (who will join government employee unions). Obama doesn't care that giving free health care to 30 million Americans will add trillions to the national debt. What he does care about is that it cements the dependence of those 30 million voters to Democrats and big government. Who but a socialist revolutionary would pass this reckless spending bill in the middle of a depression?

-- Cap and trade. Like health care legislation having nothing to do with health care, cap and trade has nothing to do with global warming. It has everything to do with redistribution of income, government control of the economy and a criminal payoff to Obama's biggest contributors. Those powerful and wealthy unions and contributors (like GE, which owns NBC, MSNBC and CNBC) can then be counted on to support everything Obama wants. They will kick-back hundreds of millions of dollars in contributions to Obama and the Democratic Party to keep them in power. The bonus is that all the new taxes on Americans with bigger cars, bigger homes and businesses helps Obama "spread the wealth around."

-- Make Puerto Rico a state. Why? Who's asking for a 51st state? Who's asking for millions of new welfare recipients and government entitlement addicts in the middle of a depression? Certainly not American taxpayers. But this has been Obama's plan all along. His goal is to add two new Democrat senators, five Democrat congressman and a million loyal Democratic voters who are dependent on big government.

-- Legalize 12 million illegal immigrants. Just giving these 12 million potential new citizens free health care alone could overwhelm the system and bankrupt America . But it adds 12 million reliable new Democrat voters who can be counted on to support big government. Add another few trillion dollars in welfare, aid to dependent children, food stamps, free medical, education, tax credits for the poor, and eventually Social Security.

-- Stimulus and bailouts. Where did all that money go? It went to Democrat contributors, organizations (ACORN), and unions -- including billions of dollars to save or create jobs of government employees across the country. It went to save GM and Chrysler so that their employees could keep paying union dues. It went to AIG so that Goldman Sachs could be bailed out (after giving Obama almost $1 million in contributions). A staggering $125 billion went to teachers (thereby protecting their union dues). All those public employees will vote loyally Democrat to protect their bloated salaries and pensions that are bankrupting America . The country goes broke, future generations face a bleak future, but Obama, the Democrat Party, government, and the unions grow more powerful. The ends justify the means.

-- Raise taxes on small business owners, high-income earners, and job creators. Put the entire burden on only the top 20 percent of taxpayers, redistribute the income, punish success, and reward those who did nothing to deserve it (except vote for Obama). Reagan wanted to dramatically cut taxes in order to starve the government. Obama wants to dramatically raise taxes to starve his political opposition.

With the acts outlined above, Obama and his regime have created a vast and rapidly expanding constituency of voters dependent on big government; a vast privileged class of public employees who work for big government; and a government dedicated to destroying capitalism and installing themselves as socialist rulers by overwhelming the system.

Add it up and you've got the perfect Marxist scheme -- all devised by my Columbia University college classmate Barack Obama using the Cloward and Piven Plan.

Friends in High Places | New Britain Republicans

Cal Thomas: Cuba privatizes while Obama socializes | Washington Examiner

Unpopular Obama Could Help Caligiuri, Peckinpaugh and Debicella « Channel 3's Dennis House Blogs

Sunday, September 12, 2010

FDNY COMEDY: Four NYC firefighters bringing jokes to New Britain: Middletown Press

The Comedy show will be on Sept. 24 at Trinity-On-Main, 69 Main St., New Britain. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Call (860) 229-2072 for reservations or information, or go to www.trinityonmain.org.

U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon, others, cleared by State Police to resume fundraiser interrupted by bomb scare - The Middletown Press (middletownpress.com)

Michelle Malkin: Muslim outrage is easily provoked | Washington Examiner

Michelle Malkin: Muslim outrage is easily provoked Washington Examiner

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Last Night's Council Meeting was very Boring!

FRANKSMITHSAYSNB EDITORIAL:

The most interesting occurrence was when one of the council leaders entered the audience portion of the council chambers to ask a citizen if he were taping him?

Then sternly advised him to turn it off while pointing this citizen's cell phone.

Has New Britain Become a Socialized State?

Obama declares war on Boehner | Washington Examiner

Obama declares war on Boehner | Washington Examiner

NOT ONE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN IS RUNNING ON HIS VOTE FOR OBAMACRE: DEMS ARE RUNNING AWAY FROM OBAMACARE LIKE A CANCER: Policito

Monday, September 6, 2010

NEW BRITAIN SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT SHARON BELOIN-SAAVEDRA ALONG WITH BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN PAUL CARVER TO SPEAK TO CITIZENS PROPERTY OWNER

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW BRITAIN SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT SHARON BELOIN-SAAVEDRA ALONG WITH BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN PAUL CARVER TO SPEAK TO CITIZENS PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION ON SPETEMBER 23RD

-OCTOBER FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH CITY OF NEW BRITAIN FINANCE DIRECTOR CURRY TO OCCUR IN OCTOBER

NEW BRITAIN, Connecticut (September 7, 2010)-
The Citizens Property Owners Association, Inc. (CPOA) will hold its quarterly general meeting on Thursday, September 23rd at 7pm in Room 201 of New Britain City Hall. In excess of 85 years old, the CPOA is Connecticut’s oldest taxpayer organization. Members and those interested in cost effective government are invited to attend. The September meeting will be one of two “back to back” meetings featuring speakers of interest to taxpayers.

September’s meeting features New Britain Board of Education President Sharon Beloin-Saavedra, and BoE Member Paul Carver, the Chairman of the Finance and Facilities Committee.

“We are excited that President Saavedra and Board of Education Member Carver have agreed to speak to taxpayers in friendly dialogue about various issues surrounding the financing of education in New Britain. We hope that the issues of the last budget cycle can be examined and discussed to clarify many questions which taxpayers may still have. We also look forward to their thoughts on the next fiscal year and beyond as the issue of funding is one which will be ever present.”

CPOA will follow up the September session with an October 28th meeting featuring City Finance Director Robert Curry.

Current members are welcome, as are new members.

ABOUT CPOA: The objective of the association shall be “to foster, encourage and promote interest in all activities of local, state and regional agencies by local taxpayer groups as those activities affect taxpayers of New Britain and the State of Connecticut; also to develop and establish an agenda in support of certain legislative initiatives which would affect greater economy, efficiency and effectiveness in our state and municipal governments and disseminate information regarding such state and regional agency activities and legislative initiatives to the state’s and New Britain’s taxpayers.” (CPOA By-Laws 3.0)

CONTACT: Michael W. Wanik, President cpoanb@gmail.com

The Making of a Dependent Electorate


CFP

People with disabilities to help clean-up city - The Bristol Press (bristolpress.com)

Our View: tagger must be punished

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Candidates to meet with the Seniors

MEET THE CANDIDATES, Thursday, September 9, 2010. Doors open 12:30 pm Meeting at 1:00pm, All candidates have agreed to speak for no more than 5 minutes on the subject

" Hopes and desires on issues that are important to Seniors".

They have been invited for a one-on-one conversation at the coffee portion of our meeting/ All Seniors have been invited at no charge. (NBAS gift to the community)

The meeting is at the New Britain Senior Center, Massachusetts Room.

A 2010 ELECTION MESSAGE!

Avery's Beverages will be naming a new beverage in Honor Of Linda McMahon!




Linda will be there for this occasion at 9:30 AM. This Saturday 9-4-10.

The location of the soda plant is at 520 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, Ct.

Ground Zero Mosque Investor Was Terror Contributor: FOX 5 NEWS

Foley looks to build up GOP in Conn. Legislature - Courant.com

The original owners of the Ground Zero mosque site mysteriously spurned dozens of higher bids before selling the prime downtown real estate at a bargain-basement price - NYPOST.com

Murphy, Caligiuri trade barbs on economy - The New Britain Herald (newbritainherald.com)

By Scott Whipple
Staff Writer

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Peace, Territory and Jerusalem

CFP

Mayor Stewart's MEMORANDUM

MEMORANDUM

TO: Common Council Members
FROM: Mayor Timothy Stewart

RE: Update

DATE: September 3, 2010

In light of recent communication issues, I would like to bring back a tool that was used back in 2004-2005 to address the flow of information between the mayor’s office and the Common Council. Prior to each Council meeting, I will send a memo to all Council members on topics that I feel the Council would benefit from the sharing of information from me. It will not be an exhaustive list of items on the Council agenda, or necessarily be limited to agenda items.

This method of communication ensures that alderpersons receive information directly from me rather than through Council leadership and documents the information shared to avoid any confusion or faulty memories later on. Hopefully, this will dissipate some of the issues that arose at the August Council meeting and lead to more productive use of the Council and public’s time at the meetings themselves. I would also hope that this serves to generate questions by Council members. However, rather than hold questions until the meeting, I would encourage you to contact the appropriate department head or me to discuss your concerns and questions prior to the meeting. As always, please don’t feel you need to wait for the memo; you can always feel free to call me should you have questions or want more information on any topic at any time.

Capital Equipment Bond:

The last Capital Equipment bond was authorized in February of 2007 for $8.45 million, which was comprised of equipment costs of $7 million and financing costs of $1.4 million. That bond was designed to cover capital equipment needs for three years. The current request is also designed to cover a three year period of equipment needs and consists of a bond authorization of $7.8 million ($6 million in equipment, $1.8 in financing costs).



A few things I would like to bring to your attention on this:

• This is the first year that EMS is included in the City’s Capital Equipment request. This is due to the 2009 agreement where the City took ownership of EMS Building and vehicles. The agreement gave the City the responsibility for replacement of vehicles and capital purchases. Previous to the agreement, the City bonded for EMS equipment separately with EMS making periodic reimbursements to the City. EMS equipment constitutes $820,000 of the total request.

• The Police Department is in dire need of replacement vehicles. Making the situation even more critical was an accident earlier this week involving two police cruisers that took these vehicles out of service.

• As you can see from the Capital Equipment schedule, there are several vehicles from non-police departments that are unusable due to age and condition and need to be replaced. An example is a 1997 Bronco used by the Parking division of Property Management. There was an incident a few weeks ago, where this vehicle, parked in the upper floors of the Badolato Garage, actually rolled down the slope across the travel lanes. No one was hurt and there was minimal damage, but it points to the fact that we are using many vehicles well past recommended years of service. In addition to being a safety issue, it also increases costs for overtime at the garage to cover increased maintenance on these older vehicles (warranties long expired) as well as parts.

• I am not averse to lowering the amount of capital equipment, but I would caution the Council that going too low (say for example to do police vehicles only) is not feasible as the financing costs of a bond for those types of amounts would be cost prohibitive.

Surplus/Deficit Report for FY 2010:

While the City still finished the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2010 with a deficit ($510,907), it was less than the $3 million deficit that had been estimated earlier this year. I would like to point out that this was due in a large part to the efforts of many of our departments that tightened their belts throughout the year by not hiring vacant positions and other cost saving measures to a total of $3.3 million in expenditure under runs. This is no small achievement given the lack of slack the budget had to begin with. Unfortunately, this was offset by shortages in estimated revenues from the state and other sources, which were negatively impacted by the sluggish economy.

I would remind the Council that in order for the City’s FY 2010 audit to be completed on time, that there is timeliness associated with the adoption of the year end entries. I am hoping that since there is no surplus to allocate that it takes away some of the controversial aspects of prior year entries. I would again hope that this can be passed on September 8th, but asked that at the very latest it be acted upon at your September 22nd meeting.

Budget Transfer from Fire Department to Contingency (Ald. Trueworthy):

There is no benefit and in fact some danger, to resolutions taking money from salary accounts at this point in the FY 2011 budget to contingency. First, any large department like Fire has fluctuations in its salary account from a normal year’s operations (retirements, new hires, promotions, acting pay, etc.) which amounts from vacancies are used to cover any overruns. For this reason, salary fluctuations (either positive or negative) are trued up at the end of the fiscal year through the surplus resolution. The danger from touching your contingency more than necessary is that rating agencies frown upon this type of tinkering with the contingency account as it implies you are funding operational needs from contingency or that your budget process is less than transparent.

Second, the Asst. Fire Chief will be posted and filled as soon as the salary issue is resolved (resolution currently on the table for Admin, Finance and Law). Ald. Trueworthy may be thinking of the second Asst. Fire Chief position which was in Chief Carr’s budget request, but was eliminated from the budget by the Finance Board.

If the Council does contemplate passing this resolution, I would point out that there is an error. The amount in full time salaries for ONE Asst. Fire Chief position is $80,903. The Health Insurance amount of $25,053 is in the Benefits account, not the salary account.

Aquinas Building:

I know all of you are familiar with the sad state of the former Aquinas property on Kelsey Street. Both the current and former owners have been cited for blighted conditions multiple times. The City has gone on the property several times and boarded and cleaned the property ourselves and placed liens on the property. There has been a fire and vandalism and vagrants living in the alcoves. The situation cannot continue.

Currently, there is approximately $116,000 owed in taxes on the property. Rather than go through a foreclosure action which can take up to a year during which the property deteriorates further, the owners have offered to have the City purchase the property for $1 and then we would take ownership and eat the taxes owed. A foreclosure auction/sale would also not guarantee that the City obtains the property, but it could fall in the hands of a bidder who would not be a responsible custodian of the property.

Inspections of the buildings show that the convent building on the Sheffield Street side may be salvable. There has been interest in the property and I am sure there would be even more if we demolished the high school building.

The state statute requiring public hearing on property transactions is only when we sell or lease city property. Purchasing property does not have to be referred to a committee.

Bioscience Zone:

A public act was passed in the last legislative session that gives bioscience companies that locate in certain tracts of land (including current enterprise zones), property tax reimbursements from the state (program administered by DECD), similar to the enterprise zone program with certain conditions such as job creation. This is an added marketing tool from the City, and does not involve the loss of any tax revenue to the City. This benefit will be available to any bioscience company that locates in our Enterprise Zone with or without the adoption of the additional tracts of property. Assessor Mike Konik will be providing a map to see where the additional tracts are (Pinnacle Heights and around the two hospitals).
Open Burning ordinance:

The City is required by state statute to designate an open burn official and have updated ordinances for procedures for open burning. The state’s primary concern is with vegetation and debris from hurricanes, high winds, etc. This will also provide the City with additional revenue through open burn permit fees.

Update on Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond Volume Cap:

The City’s application for volume cap allocation under the Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond program (approved by the Council on August 11) was approved by the Connecticut Development Authority on August 18th for a $9,935,000 allocation. These funds will reduce the City’s interest costs on the $35 million in police station bonding. I thank the Council for there swift action without which we would have missed this great opportunity to reduce our general fund interest costs.

Larson visits Dupont, says stimulus working - The Bristol Press (bristolpress.com)

One Old Vet » ICE Cleared Arpaio Before Obama/Holder Attack

Friday, September 3, 2010

Aquinas For A Dollar: The Herald

Obama To Attend Fundraiser For Blumenthal: WFSB

To Date, An Obama Endorsement Means A Sure Loss!

Big Labor's Legacy of Violence - HUMAN EVENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9-2-2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2010

Contact: Lisa Carver
(860) 826-3303

MAYOR STEWART FORWARDS OFFER TO PURCHASE BLIGHTED FORMER ST. THOMAS AQUINAS BUILDING TO COMMON COUNCIL TO TURN NEIGHBORHOOD EYESORE INTO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart today announced he is forwarding a proposal to the Common Council from the owners of 74 Kelsey Street (the former St. Thomas Aquinas High School) for the City to purchase the property. “For the past several years, the Aquinas site has been an area of complaints and concerns from residents in southeast New Britain. During this time, City departments have cited a series of owners under our blight ordinance and we, along with neighborhood residents, have been frustrated with a lack of compliance. It is time for the City to take matters into our own hands to rectify this unfortunate situation and turn this neighbor eyesore into a more attractive and productive use through economic development.”

At a recent meeting convened by Mayor Stewart, Seventy Four Kelsey LLC, the owners of the property, made an offer to quit claim the property to the City for $1 and other consideration. Due to the deteriorated condition of the buildings caused by damage from a fire, mold, vandalism and other adverse events, it is expected that at least one and possibly both of the structures on the site will have to be demolished. That will then open up the 2.2 acre parcel for economic development.

Mayor Stewart continued, “I want to thank the principles of Seventy Four Kelsey for their willingness to work with the City to expedite this transition. The sooner we can act on this opportunity, the sooner we can begin the revitalization of the site. I have already received calls and visits from several potential developers interested in 74 Kelsey, primarily to be used for housing. I am confident that this can be a viable project that will yield results not only in a more attractive and safer neighborhood, but in increased revenue for City taxpayers.”

The resolution is being sponsored by Minority Leader Louis Salvio and Assistant Minority Leader Mark Bernacki, who concur with the Mayor that this is a necessary step to improve conditions in that neighborhood by remediating a blighted property.

The proposal for the purchase of 74 Kelsey Street is on the Common Council agenda for the September 8, 2010 meeting (See attached copy of resolution).

NBRTC Dinner


US Congress Candidate Sam Caliguiri


U. S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon was unable to attend the RTC dinner Thursday night, but thanks to Mayor Stewart, she was able to address the crowd over his cell phone and loud speaker. Her comments were well received by the crowd in attendance. Mayor Mark Boughton Lt. Gov. candidate, Mayor Jeff Wright State Treasurer candidate, Henry Zemko State Senate 6th District candidate, Cris Carillo 24th. District candidate, Helen Bergenty 22nd District candidate, and James Griffin 26th District candidate were all in attendance and made their comments to the crowd.
The most impressive comments were made by Sam Caliguiri, candidate for the US Congress against Representative Chris Murphy in the 5th Congressional District. He criticized Dan Molloy, Dick Blumenthal, and Chris Murphy, because of their shared opinion that the Obamacare plan didn't go far enough and blasted Chris Murphy, Pelosi, and Reid for passing this awful plan. He also discussed the disastrous financial condition our state is in, mentioning that the State Treasurer borrowed nearly half of a million dollars to meet the state expenses because there is no end to the spending in Hartford. Caliguiri said "Get me elected and I will say "no" to the outrageous spending proposals that never seem to end in Congress." Caliguiri's comments were met by cheers from the crowd.

Furthermore Vice president Biden Disgraces our Troops

City Reaches Deal To Buy Vacant Former School - Courant.com

By DON STACOM

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

If you haven't already RSVPed for the September 2nd Fundraiser, there is still time , but it is running out!


The hall will only hold up to 180 guests!
Hurry up and save your spot before they are all gone.

$10 will get you dinner, dessert, coffee, and two complimentary beverages!

Meet with local and statewide candidates, support the GOP, and help us start this election season on the right track.

There are two easy ways to RSVP:
1. Email events@nbrtc.com
2. Visit us on Facebook and sign up for the event

We hope to see you there will all your friends and family!


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Hal Scherz: Dear Patients: Vote to Repeal ObamaCare - WSJ.com

Islam Is Not A Religion, It Is Foreign Law

CFP

Amid A Nasty Campaign Season, Politicians Take A Brief Break At The Crocodile Club Political Roast In Bristol - Capitol Watch

New Britain Schools Open With 51 Fewer Teachers - Courant.com

By DON STACOM

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