Friday, May 31, 2013
A LACK OF BLIGHT ENFORCEMENT
During the Memorial
Day Parade a lawn mower appeared at the Former New Britain Herald Property which
signifies that City hall is reading this blog since I made no Robot Call to
city hall regarding this issue.
I wish to thank
Mayor O'Brien for his spending enough time to read this blog.
Seeing that
this blog has the Mayor's office lending an eye to this commentary I would be very
happy receive, from the general public, addresses that have unkempt conditions, in your neighborhoods,
that the Blight enforcement office has yet to appear at.
Send your
notices to franknbn@aol.com and such communications will be held strictly confidential
but, as Former President Regan advised us all "Accept Buy Verify."
Sincerely,
Frank Smith
FORMER ALDERMAN ASK " WHERE IS SHERWOOD"
May 29, 2013
Letter to the Editor:
The City’s 2013-2014 Budget has been
reported to be a, “work in progress.” Translation ... that’s the best way to
describe the fact that O’Brien and all his high paid office help, even one that
lives in Berlin, do not have a clue about what they are doing. The Common
Council has the Mayor’s proposed budget at this time. The Council has until
June 9 to suggest changes in the Mayor’s Budget or accept it without any
changes. After the Council votes, the Mayor may accept its recommendation or
veto the Council’s decision.
Admittedly, the process is being
stalled by the fact that the State General assembly has yet to make final, the
State Budget. Until it does, the City does not know exactly the funding amounts
for the various state contributions to be received for municipal budgets. Some
municipalities in the State completed their budgets weeks ago. I wonder how!
Has anyone else noticed that we
haven’t been hearing much from or seeing much written in the media from Phil
Sherwood - O’Brien’s Deputy Chief of Staff? That’s probably because - rumor has
it - he has a consulting business on the side in Hartford. Is he still getting
paid by the City of New Britain? Check it out. Double dipping? Conflict of
interest? During his normal “work” day for New Britain is Sherwood doing any of
his consulting work and is he using city owned computers to help ?????
Who keeps tabs on Sherwood’s whereabouts during the day? Don’t forget the
vilification of the previous administration for purportedly doing the same
thing! Will any Common Council members ask questions about Sherwood’s
outside “work?”
Lou Salvio
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Assorted rants, mostly about PCs | Computerworld Blogs
By: Patrick Thibodeau, Senior Editor, of Computerworld
A LACK OF BLIGHT ENFORCEMENT BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
If New
Britain's Mayor is so concerned with "BLIGHT" why hasn't he gone after
the owners of the former New Britain Herald Building, on Chestnut Street, to get this
owner to at least mow the grass in front of their building.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Mayor O'Brien's Candidacy Demise
The New Britain Republican Party's Mayoral
Candidate that will be announced, on a future date, will certainly be the
demise for the candidacy of our Robot-Calling Mayor O'Brien. Bertha Lewis
and all of her Crew will not be able to save her chosen Mayoral Candidate this time even with the additional help of the Governor Malloy.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Robin Vinci of the New Britain City Journal Offers A $250 Reward.
To anyone
catching someone on camera or videotape tampering with our news boxes. Please call 860-505-7612 and report this
criminal destruction of property to us.
New Britain's Mayor O'Brien's Imaginary Budget Income.
FRANKSMITHSAYSNB
EDITORIAL:
Setting a
new fees structure for the town clerk's office when in reality these fees are
set by state statute and cannot be raised legally. Using the Hospital garage income for the
entire year when he will be losing that income when the garage is turned over
to Hartford Hospital within six months or so into the fiscal year. Raising the conveyance taxes, within his
proposal, by an approximate million dollars is as imaginary one can get to fantasy
land.
The Mayor's
projection of an income increase of ten million dollars more last year's income
budget Is fabricating reality to the City's taxpayers.
Any Alderman
that supports any of the mayor's projections that include the no tax increase
promised by him, when we all know the tax re-valuation will also take place,
forcing a mil rate increase of an approximate 8-9 mils, should be eliminated
from office come our next election this November.
I strongly
urge all the city's alderman to closely examine all the proposed income and
expenses being proposed by Mayor O'Brien and his acting Finance Director, Ms.
Becky Salerni, for the sake of the taxpayers you have been elected to represent.
Discloser:
Mr. Smith is a member of NBCPOA and is also it's current Treasurer.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Former Sen. Ernie Newton on Guilty Players in Federal Trial In Donovan Case In Court: “Those Guys Make Me Look Like A Choir Boy” | Capitol Watch
By Christopher Keating On May 21, 2013 · 1 Comment
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Jodi Arias witness withdraws because of death threats
denied a motion for mistrial sought by the defense team after a defense witness gets death threats.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Group Wants to Buy Aquinas
We don’t want to tap into City money,” Tawfik said.
She believes money can be made through the senior housing "Authority" to help pay for the community center once completed.
She believes money can be made through the senior housing "Authority" to help pay for the community center once completed.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
New Britain Police Make Progress On Year-Old Homicide Case - Courant.com
PROBLEMS IN NEW BRITAIN SCHOOLS ADDRESSED BY A FORMER TEACHER
What can New Britain do to attend to
the problems that have devastated student performance in its public schools?
There has been no shortage of opinions. Many commenter's have put the blame on
“flat funding” of the education budget while others have chosen to blame
individuals on the BOE and New Britain’s public school teachers. None of these
efforts really have much merit. In the Herald, most of what are probably the
most reflective, prolific and productive comments have been written by a
frequent contributor to the Herald, Columnist Chris Powell, Managing Editor of
another publication. Mr. Powell, cites poverty and “fatherlessness” as the most
important root causes, two factors that are in abundance in New Britain
schools. New Britain students’ abysmal performance on State standardized tests
is testament to this fact.
Efforts by Governor Malloy to
address the achievement gap between the poor and affluent students in
Connecticut are discouraging to the State’s teachers that are, by and large,
dedicated to teaching and personally helping students toward a more productive life.
In the 1980s, the State initiated the Educational Enhancement reform - I was
one of the beneficiaries - that was designed, largely, to enhance teacher
compensation. This Act did little to improve test scores. In all the years
since, the achievement gap has worsened as have the test scores.
Recent efforts in NB toward
addressing the achievement problem have centered mostly toward “throwing” more
money at education. Increasing education funding from the State has been
promised as has the same from Mayor O’Brien. One of the more ridiculous ideas
is bonding for textbooks and other supplies. My prediction? WON’T WORK!
Until efforts by the State and the
individual municipalities are dedicated to addressing poverty and
fatherlessness, “free stuff” like cell phones etc., will have few or no
positive effects. The more giveaway programs we have, the less self reliance we
engender. Taxpayers beware; it seems as though the government mantra now, is,
taxpayers be damned!
Lou Salvio
Bob De Cosmo, President, CTPOA Inc.
OPENING A CAN OF
WORMS
Recapping the 911
Hot Spot Fee
When
the CT Property Owners Alliance learned New Britain was planning to charge fees
for calls and responses to the 911-Emergency Network we where infuriated. After
all, these services are already paid by property taxes and charging fees raises
a constitutional issue of "Double-taxation." Despite overwhelming public
objection to their proposal, the New Britain Hot Spot Ordinance passed their
Common Council and became law late last year.
Shortly
after its passage, some well-trusted Attorneys contacted me and mentioned
bringing a lawsuit against the city because 911-calls are a protected form of
speech under our First Amendment Rights and guaranteed by the U.S.
constitution.
At
the start of the 2013 General Assembly Session, two State Representatives
proposed separate Bills to do away with these 911-fees. Representative Larry
Butler of Waterbury and Representative Robert Sampson of Wolcott had the decency
to step up to the plate and defend the public's safety by proposing legislation
that would repeal the Hot Spot Ordinance.
Now
with just 3 weeks remaining in the General Assembly session, the effectiveness
and fate of House Bill #6015 is in question as some groups have
objected to the original language in the proposal and a "Work in progress Bill"
has now become a daunting task.
The
CT State Firefighters Association raised concerns that some cities with
Volunteer Fire Departments will lose revenue as they do charge for certain
emergency responses such as toxic clean-ups at accident scenes. The Insurance
Association of Connecticut grew concerned that other cities will begin charging
fees for 911-calls and this will raise premiums on polices as owners pass these
new costs along as claims.
Other
groups have also stepped into the mix including the CT Conference of
Municipalities who sees future revenue possibilities for cities from 911-fees
and the Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut is concerned about inner
city residents being negatively impacted by fees associated with 911-calls.
Another
reason to repeal the "911-Hot Spot fee" is clearly demonstrated in a
recent lawsuit filed on April 24, 2013 by the ACLU in the matter of
Lakisha Brigs vs. The Borough of Norristown, Pennsylvania, et al.
Norristown,
Pennsylvania had a 3-strike Nuisance Policy with similar intent to New Britain's
Hot Spot ordinance. An individual did not want a 3rd strike issued on
their neighbor who was involved in an alcohol fueled abusive relationship. The
Pennsylvania lawsuit resulted after a tenant was brutally stabbed because a
neighbor turned a blind eye to the commotion next-door and failed to dial 911.
That unfortunate incident and the resulting lawsuit in Pennsylvania will no doubt repeat itself here in Connecticut if the 911-fees are not repealed. We truly believe people will hesitate to dial 911 not knowing if there is a monetary penalty looming over placing that particular call!
That unfortunate incident and the resulting lawsuit in Pennsylvania will no doubt repeat itself here in Connecticut if the 911-fees are not repealed. We truly believe people will hesitate to dial 911 not knowing if there is a monetary penalty looming over placing that particular call!
We
request the Connecticut Legislature "PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S SAFETY,"
before somebody gets hurt or dies and that is why CTPOA requires a strike-all
and substitute amendment for the current Bill File Copy.
To
conclude, we are proposing substitute language for HB 6015 to protect the
public's safety and prevent other cities from enacting similar 911-laws as a
revenue opportunity. Time is short and if we can't get an amendment filed on HB
6015 and move the Bill towards passage this week we'll need to go into a
full-scale campaign to repel fees for 911-calls.
Citizens deserve the
right to a free 911 Emergency System!
Our
proposed amendment to HB 6015 follows;
"No
municipality may impose a fee, charge, or the pro rata costs thereof on any
person based upon the number of requests and responses for emergency
services dispatched to a particular
property address.
Nothing in this section prohibits a municipality from
assessing a fee or charge for an excessive number of false alarms conveyed to
the municipality through a monitored alarm system."
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT
US TO SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP
Sincerely,
Bob De Cosmo
President, CTPOA Inc.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Bristol's Muzzy Field eyed for filming location in upcoming movie - The Bristol Press (bristolpress.com)
By: Steve Collins, Staff Writer
Deflections, Not Answers - Citizen's Property Owners Association Inc.
By; Nicholas Mercier, President
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
New Britain's Liberal Common Council Democrats Forgives Taxes owed By the Human Resources Agency during a recent Council meeting.
However, as
of Wednesday May 8Th., a lien has been placed against HRA'S property located
180 Clinton Street, for the sum of $223,704.02.
It appears
that the COPA will not have to ponder their promised legal action regarding
this issue.
fs
Democratic Horseply at the Common Council meetings!
FRANKSMITHSAYSNB
EDITORIAL:
New Britain's
Common Council Democratic Membership meeting after meeting continually add
numerous items to their agenda at the start of each common council meeting without complying to the twenty four
hour public notice even to the point of having members on the other side of the
isle, voice a complaint that they have just received this information on arrival
to the council meeting and requesting more time to evaluate the matter, only to be
ignored by the Democratic leadership.
The
Republicans should file a complaint to the proper State Agency regarding these
improper actions by the Democrats.
The City of New Britain's Budget Hearing!
The best
line given by the speakers was" You need to cut the spending and do not
raise my taxes".
fs
Thursday, May 9, 2013
We need you here tonight! We need you here tonight!
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Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Taxpayer Rally Thursday! » Citizen's Property Owners Association Inc.
Thursday's budget hearing of the common council at the High School
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
HRA'S Dilemma With Owed Taxes to the City of New Britain
FRANKSMITHSAYSNB
EDITORIAL:
With the
Mayor of New Britain getting himself directly involved with erasing twenty five
years of the current and future taxes owed by HRA, a sum approximately in
excess of 5.5 Million dollars.
The city's
tax collector, Cheryl S. Blogoslawski, has the elected authority to declare the
Mayor's action and that of Council members, that voted for the forgiving of
HRA'S twenty five years of taxes, illegal.
It is her
sworn duty for her to take immediate action.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
State Kicks In $1 Million For New Britain Jobs Training - Courant.com
By DON STACOM
With the major tenant being HRA, who doesn't like to pay taxes. How will they pay for all the labor for teachers and upkeep of the building such as maintenance, heat and air conditioning? With HRA'S history, it is all questionable.
With the major tenant being HRA, who doesn't like to pay taxes. How will they pay for all the labor for teachers and upkeep of the building such as maintenance, heat and air conditioning? With HRA'S history, it is all questionable.
MILLER: Rick Perry brings the big guns to Texas - Washington Times
Wooing Colt, Remington, Beretta, Stag Arms at NRA meeting
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
++nb+boe.jpg)
New Britain Residents please call your State Representatives
It is urgent that you make a phone call to these
Legislators before Monday May 6th to prevent House Bill 6015 from dying.
Just say we need to keep this Bill moving along to
protect the public and there never should be a charge for using 911 or paying
for police and fire department responses.
YES, THIS MEANS YOU
SPECIFICALLY MUST CONTACT THESE FOLKS, DON'T RELY ON
SOMEBODY ELSE TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY!
Sen. Steve
Casano (Chair) 800-842-1420
Representative
Jason Rojas (Chair) 860-240-8585
Sen Catherine Osten (Vice-Chair) 800-842-1420
Representative Dan Fox (Vice-chair) 800-842-8267
Senator Len Fasano (Ranking Member) 800-842-1421
Rep. William Aman (Ranking Member) 800-842-1423
Senator Len Fasano (Ranking Member) 800-842-1421
Rep. William Aman (Ranking Member) 800-842-1423
Sincerely,
Bob De Cosmo
President, CTPOA Inc.
Editor’s Note 5/3/2013 by Robin Vinci, Editor, Of The New Britain city Journal
I also do want to remind residents that a $25,000 reward is still out there for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mayor Tim O’Brien and/or his co-hort Phil Sherwood. I am told a lot of information has been received, but more is appreciated. I didn’t want those two to think we had forgotten about them.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Medical Devices Federal Excise Hidden Taxes
It's here!!!! They were
told to hide the tax; but Cabela's, a popular sporting goods store, refused to hide
the tax. Welcome to
Obamacare.
I
really hope that all recipients of this e-mail will forward
it.
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CPOA Is going take lagal action Against the Mayor and the Common Council on the HRA Tax Deal
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BRISTOLTODAY.COM: Fuller resigns from his City Council seat#links#links
By: Steve Collins Re: Fuller is the only Democrat on the Bristol Council.