Amateur hour continues at City Hall. Chief Gagliardi departs after the departures of Chief Carr, Mr. Malinowski and Mr. Curry. Three get retirements while one gets a lawyer. The liberal Courant only publishes positive stories about their liberal partners the Democrats, while attacking employees and anyone else not saluting their flag. God help us all. One can only wonder who will fill these leadership roles for years to come.
"O'Brien said he'll have someone in place by July 1 to run the operation, but mayoral aide Phil Sherwood wouldn't specify whether it will be an interim leader or a long-term replacement."
I think O'Brien had a lot of nerve talking to the press without clearing it with his commander--Phil Sherwood. I hope Sherwood doesn't fire O'Brien for his disregard of the chain of command!
I interpret it as everyone accepting that O'Brien is incoherent, so Sherwood has to interpret what he is trying to say, and that is why O'Brien can never ever speak unless Sherwood explains to the rest of us what O'Brien is trying to say--AKA: dumb and dumber!
Anonymous said... Busway/ CTfastrak breaks ground today in Hartford
Groundbreaking on the $567 million busway between Hartford and New Britain takes place this afternoon-05/22/12, . And it's not busway anymore. Now they're called it CTfastrak.
Anonymous said... Busway/ CTfastrak breaks ground today in Hartford
Groundbreaking on the $567 million busway between Hartford and New Britain takes place this afternoon-05/22/12, . And it's not busway anymore. Now they're called it CTfastrak.
BRISTOL CT- How "structural budget deficit" hinders the town of Bristol, CT ?
In an unexpected twist, Republican City councilors in Bristol pushed for spending cuts in a proposed $177 million municipal budget, but Bristol Board of Finance members refused to support the move.
The spending plan for the coming fiscal year won approval on a 9-5 vote that saw four Republican councilors and one finance commissioner argue unsuccessfully for lowering the 6 percent property tax called for in the budget.
The majority turned down proposals to slice spending on parks, the library, a contingency account, money set aside for salary hikes and other measures that might have reduced the tax burden a bit.
The fiscal oversight panel, created during the Great Depression of the 30's to put a check on politicians’ spending, said that last-minute cuts would hurt services, weaken the city’s finances and undermine its work during the past few months.
Finance Chairman Rich Miecznikowski said the tax hike will hit the average homeowner for about $240 extra in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012 an amount he called “minimal.”
But Bob Fiorito, president of the Bristol Taxpayers Association, said the city has “a spending problem” that has already created a gap of as much as $10 million between the needs and revenues for the 2013-14 budget. “Stop moving the problem down the road,” he said, as two dozen supporters in blue T-shirts cheered him on.
Mayor Art Ward said he is going to create a new task force to identify ways to reduce spending or raise revenues. Its report will be due in October, the mayor said. Miecznikowski said he believes the task force will help make a tax freeze possible next year. Bob Casar, a finance board member who sided with the GOP councilors, said more could be done now by making cuts. He said the city “keeps kicking the can down the road, only to find out it’s a cul-de-sac.”
City Councilor Henri Martin said the city “is running on fumes. The tank is empty.” He said there is a "structural budget deficit" problem that can only be resolved by slicing spending, particularly given the likelihood of state and federal help continuing to erode.
Mayor Ward said nobody likes to increase taxes. But, the mayor said, “it is urgent that we do so if we are to maintain the city’s strong financial condition and excellent bond rating.” Voting against the budget were Casar, Martin, Ken Cockayne, David Mills and Derek Czenczelewski. The other GOP councilor, Eric Carlson, was absent.
The new budget raises the mill rate to 28.75 mills, or $28.75 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Thus a house worth $200,000, assessed at 70 percent of its value, would wind up with a tax bill of $4,025. That’s $211 more than the homeowner paid this year.
For budget backers, that’s a reasonable price to pay to maintain city services, avoid City Hall layoffs and keep the city’s finances solid. That some Board of Education workers may be laid off wasn’t discussed.
Opponents said the city of Bristol has to start taking control of its spending or the future looks bleak. Martin said the city would be better off preparing “a soft landing” by making some cuts now rather than putting everything off for major surgery later.
Sadly Chief Gagliardi has decided to retire.
ReplyDeleteHe will be missed by all he served in our community.
The naming of our new Police Station,in honoring his years of service,to our city and community is an honor he does deserve.
Amateur hour continues at City Hall. Chief Gagliardi departs after the departures of Chief Carr, Mr. Malinowski and Mr. Curry. Three get retirements while one gets a lawyer. The liberal Courant only publishes positive stories about their liberal partners the Democrats, while attacking employees and anyone else not saluting their flag. God help us all. One can only wonder who will fill these leadership roles for years to come.
ReplyDelete"O'Brien said he'll have someone in place by July 1 to run the operation, but mayoral aide Phil Sherwood wouldn't specify whether it will be an interim leader or a long-term replacement."
ReplyDeleteI think O'Brien had a lot of nerve talking to the press without clearing it with his commander--Phil Sherwood. I hope Sherwood doesn't fire O'Brien for his disregard of the chain of command!
I interpret it as everyone accepting that O'Brien is incoherent, so Sherwood has to interpret what he is trying to say, and that is why O'Brien can never ever speak unless Sherwood explains to the rest of us what O'Brien is trying to say--AKA: dumb and dumber!
ReplyDeleteThe city is in a terrible mess. My heart aches.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteBusway/ CTfastrak breaks ground today in Hartford
Groundbreaking on the $567 million busway between Hartford and New Britain takes place this afternoon-05/22/12,
.
And it's not busway anymore. Now they're called it CTfastrak.
May 22, 2012 9:50 AM
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteBusway/ CTfastrak breaks ground today in Hartford
Groundbreaking on the $567 million busway between Hartford and New Britain takes place this afternoon-05/22/12,
.
And it's not busway anymore. Now they're called it CTfastrak.
May 22, 2012 9:50 AM
said...
ReplyDeleteFive lawsuits against the chief, no wonder he's retiring. Sweeter deal than Paventi.
May 22, 2012 11:09 AM
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteMaybe New Hampshire has another village idiot looking for a home?
May 22, 2012 11:26 AM
BRISTOL CT- How "structural budget deficit" hinders the town of Bristol, CT ?
ReplyDeleteIn an unexpected twist, Republican City councilors in Bristol pushed for spending cuts in a proposed $177 million municipal budget, but Bristol Board of Finance members refused to support the move.
The spending plan for the coming fiscal year won approval on a 9-5 vote that saw four Republican councilors and one finance commissioner argue unsuccessfully for lowering the 6 percent property tax called for in the budget.
The majority turned down proposals to slice spending on parks, the library, a contingency account, money set aside for salary hikes and other measures that might have reduced the tax burden a bit.
The fiscal oversight panel, created during the Great Depression of the 30's to put a check on politicians’ spending, said that last-minute cuts would hurt services, weaken the city’s finances and undermine its work during the past few months.
Finance Chairman Rich Miecznikowski said the tax hike will hit the average homeowner for about $240 extra in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012 an amount he called “minimal.”
But Bob Fiorito, president of the Bristol Taxpayers Association, said the city has “a spending problem” that has already created a gap of as much as $10 million between the needs and revenues for the 2013-14 budget. “Stop moving the problem down the road,” he said, as two dozen supporters in blue T-shirts cheered him on.
Mayor Art Ward said he is going to create a new task force to identify ways to reduce spending or raise revenues. Its report will be due in October, the mayor said. Miecznikowski said he believes the task force will help make a tax freeze possible next year. Bob Casar, a finance board member who sided with the GOP councilors, said more could be done now by making cuts. He said the city “keeps kicking the can down the road, only to find out it’s a cul-de-sac.”
City Councilor Henri Martin said the city “is running on fumes. The tank is empty.” He said there is a "structural budget deficit" problem that can only be resolved by slicing spending, particularly given the likelihood of state and federal help continuing to erode.
Mayor Ward said nobody likes to increase taxes. But, the mayor said, “it is urgent that we do so if we are to maintain the city’s strong financial condition and excellent bond rating.” Voting against the budget were Casar, Martin, Ken Cockayne, David Mills and Derek Czenczelewski. The other GOP councilor, Eric Carlson, was absent.
The new budget raises the mill rate to 28.75 mills, or $28.75 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Thus a house worth $200,000, assessed at 70 percent of its value, would wind up with a tax bill of $4,025. That’s $211 more than the homeowner paid this year.
For budget backers, that’s a reasonable price to pay to maintain city services, avoid City Hall layoffs and keep the city’s finances solid. That some Board of Education workers may be laid off wasn’t discussed.
Opponents said the city of Bristol has to start taking control of its spending or the future looks bleak. Martin said the city would be better off preparing “a soft landing” by making some cuts now rather than putting everything off for major surgery later.
#30#