I am offering my readers a fourth open forum to post any issues they feel are important to the people of New Britain. If you have an issue with city government that you would like to share with the rest of the readers, feel free to post it here. Whether it be a problem you experienced with a city agency or official, or something positive they may have done and you would like to share it with the rest of New Britain, this is a chance to do so. Public interest stories are also welcome, so if you know about a person, or group of people that is doing something to somehow make the lives of others better, feel free to post it here.
You are welcome to post items anonymously, or may sign your posts if you choose to do so. Consider this an opportunity to speak up about issues you feel may be important to the people of New Britain. Simply click on the comments link below to leave your message. Thanks for checking in to review my postings and please feel free to check back frequently as I have a number of interesting stories in the works.
This fourth forum is being provided since the third was a great success.
207 comments:
1 – 200 of 207 Newer› Newest»Are the layoffs going to happen at city hall, department of public works and the parks department?
YES...YES... YES...The New Britain Police Department...
It is not the Mayor Stewart's responsibility to tag handicapped parking space violations, it is the responsibility of the New Britain Police Department.
It's the same as giving parking tickets to people whose parking meter time has expired.
Next time WE seniors age 55 go shopping with our Camera and Cell-Phone we can shoot photos of those parking illegally in Handicapped Parking Spaces, also utilizing Cell-Phone to call the police if inevitable violence is surfacing.
It shouldn't be difficult to e-mail the photos to the traffic division and attacking a Senior Citizens age 55 means jail time.
Thanks for the suggestion NBTown Crier.
As the auto industry reels, rarely has an issue so quickly illustrated the differences from one White House occupant to the next.
How Obama responds to the industry's dire straits will indicate how much government intervention in the private sector he is willing to tolerate.
It will also offer hints of how he will approach his job under pressure, testing the limits of his conciliation toward the opposition party and his willingness to stand up under pressure.
Circuit City became the largest U.S. chain store to fall victim to the current financial crisis, as it filed for Chapter 11 protection.
A week ago, it said it would close a fifth of its more than 700 stores, with the loss of some 7,000 jobs.
Politics as usual...Frank Smith?
NEW BRITAIN — Democrats on the Common Council have once again checked their Republican counterparts, this time squelching the GOP’s choice to fill a vacancy on the school board with a 33-year-old father of two and instead choosing former school board member (from 1999-2003) Leslie Jacobs, whom RTC chairman Paul Carver called a pawn for the Democrats.
At the last council meeting two weeks ago, the Democrats tabled the appointment of Jamie Giantonio, sparking a harangue by Republican Mayor Timothy Stewart, who scoffed at the move as political payback.
Carver said Monday that the Democrats are extracting payback from the Republicans for their part in the blockage of the Democratic Town Committee’s choice to fill a Democratic vacancy on the Common Council last year with Rick Lopes.
The GOP choice was to fill the vacancy on the Board of Education with James Giantonio (R) who stated it's "Politics as Usual" with Democrat Phil Sherwood instead endorsing misfit Leslie Jacobs to fill the position?
James Giantonio stated he was disappointed by the turn of events, especially after Democrat Phil Sherwood had greeted him in the hallway on the night at City Hall where he had been nominated by the Republican Town Committee.
The Democrats were nice at the time, he said, even taking the time to offer him some political pointers, which he said he appreciated.
"It was something I was really excited about, and something I was really looking forward to," Giantonio said. I gave them [the Democrats] my e-mail address and phone number.
I didn’t hear from one of them. It was very important to me. I hope it works out in the end.
"My daughter is 6, and my son is 3," Giantonio added. "What I bring to the table — a daughter and a son — a house on the west end. And I want the best we can get for our kids without our taxes doubling."
The Working Families Party are TAKERS not GIVERS. They belong to the YOU OWE ME GENERATION. They give nothing because they are too lazy to earn anything.
The notable that ran for the Board of Education In New Britain two years ago Leslie Jacobs the misfit contributed nothing when she was on the Board of Education and therefore did not get the Republican endorsement and sought the Working Families Party endorsement.
She is one of the takers and most definitely NOT a giver. These are the type of people they attract. In the 60's or 70's we would call them communists.
285 GET YOURSELF CLUTTER-FREE
Do you walk into your house and hate the
clutter staring at you? Learn how you can
truly make a difference in your life by
getting rid of the clutter. Re-claim your
house and live in harmony with your
belongings.
Instructor: Leslie Jacobs
In Hartford, the Working Families Party made history by electing Urania Petit to the office of Registrar of Voters.
This is also, according to the Secretary of State's office, the first time a minor party candidate has won an election for Registrar of Voters in the history of Connecticut.
To those who say a third registrar in Hartford costs too much money, Petit says the cost of low voter participation is far greater.
Beautiful! Another $1 million so the Working Parties Family can have its own registrar of voters and staff, too. Well, that's OK. Hartford can afford it, right? Only in Connecticut.
We are not saying that New Britain residents are stupid. Mew Britain is a diverse city and educating the residents about the Board of Education is a problem with Phil Sherwood endorsing his friend Leslie Jacobs for the Board of Education.
Truth is, New Britain residents ARE stupid. Look who they vote into office Phil Sherwood; look at where his priorities are. Endorsing Leslie Jacobs for the school board. Ugh!
God like Trueworhty ignores the Republican submittal to fill the vacant seat on the board of Education.
I agree with the Mayor calling this move as political “payback.”
Paul Carver, on the other hand, termed it a payback for blocking former Alderman Rick Lopes’ reappointment to the city council. I also agree With Mr. Carver with his questioning the corrupt power affect that permeates from the Majority leader since it is the republican’s task to name the replacement under the City Charter guidelines and not that of the self appointed overbearing approach of the majority leader of the city council.
Wednesday’s Council meeting indeed will be politically entertaining.
TWO Dailies In Decline?
NEW BRITAIN - The publisher of The Herald of New Britain and the Bristol Press told their employees that the two newspapers could go out of business by January 2009 unless buyers step forward to buy the newspapers.
Both daily newspapers, which date back to the late 1800s, are owned by the struggling Journal Register Co.
MR. Edward Gunderson, publisher of The New Britain Herald and the Sunday Press newspaper, told the Herald staff in a memo on Monday 11/10/08 that "in the event that there is no buyer of the newspaper, then we anticipate the facility will be shut down. You will not have the right to displace other employees."
Mr. Gunderson declined to comment about the situation.
will the mayor's plans to layoff or furlough all the city hall employees be on the agenda for the meeting on Wednesday, or is that something he can just do on his own without any input from the lame, apparently leaderless council?
Absent Buyers, New Britain, Bristol Papers To Close...
Journal Register Co., owner of five daily newspapers in Connecticut, plans to close The Bristol Press and The Herald of New Britain by January unless buyers emerge. Employees at the two newspapers learned of the company's plans Monday 11/10/08.
In a bluntly worded memo to the staff, Edward Gunderson, publisher of both newspapers, did not indicate that the company is in talks with any potential buyer. "In the event that there is no buyer, then we anticipate that the facility will be shut down," he said. "... You will not have the right to displace other employees."
The doomsday scenario at the Press and The Herald comes at a time when newspapers across the nation face perhaps their steepest decline ever, amid a recession and a long-term migration of readers to the Web. With paid circulations of less than 9,000 on weekdays, the papers in Bristol and New Britain have become small businesses, but some believe their role in the life of the cities remains crucial.
"It's an institution in this city," said state Rep. Frank Nicastro Sr.,who also served as mayor. "If it disappears the average citizen is going to feel that hurt, that loss. People say we can go online and read but you can't find the local town news there. I hope for all concerned that they can find a buyer for it and keep it going."
An exact number of employees affected by the planned closings was not available Monday. Neither paper has press operators because each is printed elsewhere. Business office and customer service operations have been centralized at The New Haven Register in New Haven CT.
That leaves 50 to 60 newsroom employees, advertising sales representatives and circulation department employees who face losing their jobs, said an employee familiar with operations. What's harder to quantify is the loss to the communities that rely on the newspapers to report births, deaths, local government news, local sports and snippets of daily life. No one appears ready to fill the void.
The Courant, the state's largest newspaper, sharply cut its local news reporting staff in July.
At The Herald and Press offices Monday, there was anger and frustration as employees learned of the plans, employees said. The staff was briefed in groups, then required to sign letters verifying they'd been warned of the planned closings.
Bristol Press reporter Steve Collins, whose wife, Jackie Majerus, is also a reporter at the paper, wrote on his blog Monday: "Personally, I'm rooting for someone with community spirit to buy the paper. Is that going to happen? I doubt it. But you never know. The country would be better off with locally-owned papers [rather] than these large chains that view newspapers as just another commodity to profit from."
Finding buyers won't be easy, said John Morton, a newspaper analyst in Silver Spring, Md. "The market is awash in newspapers for sale, but there have been almost no transactions," he said.
While newspapers as a group remain profitable — commonly with profit margins of 12 percent or more — circulation and profits are falling fast. "A lot of the sellers haven't gotten used to the idea that their papers aren't worth what they used to be," Morton said — in some cases less than half what they were worth three or four years ago. Small newspapers — those with circulations under 50,000 — tend to be faring better than large metropolitan papers, Morton said.
"There's a greater likelihood that a smaller newspaper will get bought than a big one," he said. Courant Publisher Stephen D. Carver said he learned Monday evening that The Herald and Press were for sale, and had not had a chance to evaluate whether
The Herald, long owned by the Brown family, dates from 1880, and the Bristol Press was founded in 1871.
"The need for a community newspaper as a communication tool has never been more obvious," said William F. Millerick, president of the New Britain Chamber of Commerce and former top editor of The Herald.
The Internet has fragmented communications — conservatives talk to conservatives and liberals talk to liberals, he said. "A community newspaper serves as a communication tool for the entire community."
Sounds like little Timmy had to pick up his marbles and go home last night. Maybe he will pay them all back by targeting Democrats with his newly announced Furloughs!
What a great way to break the unions!
Did we really think that the democratic council would see to it and come up with a good solid replacement on the school board?
Sounds like Mr. Giantonia was a young father committed to the education of his children in our city. What a novel approach to the board of education. No, instead we get a former member that
didn't work out before. Maybe Ms.
Jacobs can organize the board and
put Doris Kurtz in the pile of items to discard.
Thank God for The blogs...like Frank Smith Says NB.
What remains, are newspapers hobbled by debt incurred by corporate owners, local television stations incapable of completeness and accuracy, national television networks embroiled in non-essential controversy and trivia, and the blogs (thank god for the blogs).
New Britain is a city famous for its history of graft and corruption. Not casting aspersions on any current office holders, but imagine what can happen in City Government when no one's paying attention. I think history has proven, again and again, that civic leaders like current New Britain Common Council at most levels, are incapable of policing themselves.
That's why we need the press. And now two more watchdogs, albeit watchdogs with a feeble growl, and jaws lacking teeth, are gone for good.
The New Britain Herald and Bristol Press. Good Bye?
When we read this morning about the impending demise of the Herald (of New Britain - a mast head, now laughable in its desperate attempt to be a regional, and not a city paper), and the Bristol Press, we feel a melancholy that's laced with worry about what's to become of local news.
We all know that our "state" paper, the Hartford Courant, has all but abandoned local reporting. And because local reporters are so overburdened with a focus spread over several towns, and because they don't often live and work in the towns they cover, they don't, and can't, always get the "whole" story, or they don't get the story right (sometimes not getting the whole story is, in itself, a failure to get the story right).
Phil Sherwood and Leslie Jacobs...birds of a feather!!
When his son attends school in the not too distant future, is she what he wants to help set policies for the school system? I hope not!
Hats off to Paul Carver...he hit the nail on the head..way to go!!!
The Bristol Press or New Britain Herald and even the Harford Courant for that matter, could win a Pulizter if someone had the opportunity to run an every day front page investigative report on
the Phil Sherwood-Leslie Jacobs pawn love-affair with the New Britain Common Council Democrats.
And on a local level, most local news in Central CT at least is covered by free publications like the Berlin Citizen or the Southington Citizen, and there was no longer local news available online. So why bother? Maybe just for the obituaries?
This is bad news, Frank Smith, but The Herald has been steadily deteriorating for years now. The change to a tabloid was a poor decision, for starters.
We canceled our subscription after we attended city meetings and found the coverage in The Herald to be nothing like what actually happened. It made us wonder if anything we had been reading was actually true.
Our elderly parents are the only people we know who still get the paper, and they only read the obituaries.
We hope that some one will purchase The Herald and turn it around. It would be nice to have a good local newspaper. Good luck.
We herewith add the entire Democratic members of the Common Council to the John MacNamara's "Wall of Shame" for disregarding the City Charter policy of filling Board vacancies with a member of the same political party as the member being replaced.
Jamie Giantonio, a Republican unanimously endorsed by the New Britain Republican Town Committee should be the one to replace Marilyn Kraczkowski, a Republican.
Unlike Richard Lopes, Jamie Giantonio is a man of character.
NEW BRITAIN —The filling of a school board vacancy has become contentious and will likely spark debate Wednesday 11/12/08 when the common council meets.
The Republican minority, whose choice has been tabled by the Democrats, are upset that council majority leader Michael Trueworthy is seeking to name former school board member Leslie Jacobs to the empty spot instead of Jamie Giantonio, the Republicans' nominee.
On Monday, Trueworthy said the school board is beginning its budget sessions and he believes Jacobs will have the experience "to hit the ground running" if named to the school board spot, which expires in a year.
Both Jacobs and Giantonio are registered Republicans, as was Marilyn Kraczkowsky, who resigned in September. By city charter, the replacement must come from the same political party as the person who left.
Giantonio has the Republican town committee's unanimous support for the spot. Jacobs, who served on the school board from 1999 to 2003, does not have the party's support. She clashed with fellow GOP members, and after failing to win the party's endorsement in the 2003 municipal election, ran as a third-party candidate of the Working Families Party and lost.
GOP Chairman Paul Carver said Monday the Democrats are ignoring a city tradition of endorsing candidates nominated by the appropriate town committee for such vacancies.
"What we have here is an old-fashioned political power play by council Democrats, who are circumventing the spirit of minority party representation on the board by putting in their hand-picked 'Republicrat - Leslie Jacobs,'" Carver said.
of course they are going to appoint a political hack over someone who might do the job. What else would you expect. As for the Herald, is that worthy of more than a birdcage liner?
Is the mayor getting quotes for the plate scanner to start enforcing the motor vehicle taxes? This should be a subject for discussion at the council Wednesday night.
Leslie Jacobs, aka the town fool, hangs around to be in the crowd and does nothing. She knows nothing about budgets or education.
Trueworthy wants to put her on the BOE because she will vote with the democrats, most specifically, she will vote to put Peter Kochel back in as Chairman of the Board where he can protect Doris Kurtz.
New Britain gets what it deserves. The republicans choice should be honored. Jamie Giantonio is a young, bright father of school
age children who cares about education.
Jacobs did nothing when she was on the BOE before. She hardly ever showed up. Wake up New Britain!
The Democrats don't care about the municipal elections because they know the residents will blindly vote for them.
It is this arrogance that allow them to play these political games. They could care less about the taxpayers of New Britain.
After reading this in The Herald we do not understand why the common council would not endorse a young father who is invested in the city of New Britain public schools.
Who better than a parent to work with the board of education. We need the younger generation of parents to be involved in this city.
We think the common council should look at the wrong message they are sending to the taxpayers of New Britain.
Leslie Jacobs is an idiot. Her motivation is only to get her name out there thinking it might help her business.
She wants a finger in every pie as she is a noising, busy body with visions of grandeur. She is a Trueworthy hand-picked Republic-rat.
Jacobs is a no-nothing fool, but we all get a kick out of her getting under the skin of that old mumbling fool, Mr. Jim Sanders when she was on the Board.
Once again this council shows they are more interested in playing games that doing what is in the best interest of the city. The democrats were looking for someone for this spot before the Republicans even put someone up.
WHY? so they can ensure another "rubber stamp" on the BOE. They are afraid that another person may come in and ask questions of the current leaders on the BOE and Dr. Kurtz.
We urge anyone who is annoyed by these political games, to show up on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and tell the common council to take a hike.
Journal Register Co. never cared about the readers of its products, or its own employees, for that matter.
Unlike the original owners of the papers in Bristol and New Britain, who considered themselves a part of the community, the incompetents who ran JRC had nothing but disdain for the towns they were in.
Newspapers are in trouble everywhere, but being owned by JRC was truly the kiss of death.
With the coming demise of The Herald and The Bristol Press all we are left with are: Talk radio, blogs, rumors and paid political media. Odd, in a time of unlimited information on the Web we will know less about the people in our town of New Britain. Where is Space Boy a.k.a. Bow Anderson when you need him? Newspapers, they break your friggin heart every time... Thank heaven for: Frank Smith Says NB.
Truworthy is going to do exactly what he wants and will ignore the entire lot of you because he realizes that the Republicans in this town are NOTHING!!!!!!!!
You are the minority here and no one cares what you idiots think, including Trueworthy and the rest of the Dems on the council!!!!!
Good point, Trueworthy is laughing his butt off at you fools, especially the #1 fool--Stewart
Just like someone else said before, Stewart is the "George Bush" of New Britain, so why would Trueworthy give a **** what he wants?
It is time for the Democrats in New Britain to stand up and take back their party. Hand picked candidates such as are the freshman democratic counsel members who are no more than mouthpieces for the current party leaders, are an embarrassment to the town. New Britain residents need to wake up and smell the coffee before this group of self-serving politicians’ destroys what many consider a bright future for this City.
That all sounds well and good but in reality, how is the party going to change with a spineless jellyfish for a chairman and a super liberal commie for a majority leader?
We would like to see the RTC nomination respected and honored. Who better for the BOE than a father with kids in the system. Another case of politics as usual with this Phil Sherwood council.
keep electing these liberals and you get what you deserve!
Where the New Britain Herald was once a 30,000-plus circulation daily, ABC reports its current Sunday circulation at about 19,000 and it’s Monday-Saturday circulation at about 9,000. The Bristol Press is down to about 8,000. Bye...Bye...
With a huge majority in New Britain on both the BOE and the common council the Democrats could easily have appointed the Republican town committees choice without endangering there majority. However the Democratic town committee is chaired by the hyper-partisan Trouble-maker Phil Sherwood.
Lets face it most Republicans in town are merely Democrats who were chased out of their party for not drinking the kool aid. For example: Lou Salvio and Mark Bernaki.
Mr. True-worthy should be careful of his decisions because if he decides to vote his conscious one-day it may cause him his Democratic political career...
How arrogant of Sherwood, a Democrat, to call Leslie Jacobs, a Republican, to ask her if she wanted to be appointed to replace the vacancy created by Republican Board of Ed member Marilyn Kraczkowski.
If the Republicans wanted her to be considered, then it would be up to Paul Carver to contact her. Get with the program, Phil Sherwood!!! (sic)
I had every intention of attending the Common Council meeting to speak against the Democrats submitting the name of Leslie Jacobs to the Board of Education, and instead submit James Giantonio, the candidate endorsed by the Republican Town Committee. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, I am unable to attend.
Trueworthy you are just an Alderman, not a King, so get off your power trip!
Will Alderman Cantanzaro and Trueworthy need to resign from the council because of the conflicts of interest that Alderman Salvio exposed them for?
www.nbgrrrrl.blogspot.com
The common council faced a large public turnout last night for two
contested issues. The first issue
was Public Bid No. 3446. Leasing of
Restaurant Operations at Stanley Golf Course. The Parks and Rec commission put the lease for the restaurant operations at the golf course out for public bid this year
in preparation for the 2009 season.
The current leasee, Zabbara's restaurant has operated the facility for 23+ years. Friends,family and patrons of Zabbaras came out in support of
Zabbaras remaining at the course
after Jordon's Catering was named
the winning bidder essentially ending the current reign as of 12/30/08. The item just needed a yes/no vote by the common council. A question and answer dialogue was opened up by a few council members as to the "upscale atmosphere" that Jordans might introduce, their commitment to adhering to golf course hours for food and whether or not their plan for a full scale restaurant and banquet
operations would conflict with your average golfer being able to get affordable food in a comfortable atmosphere as they have been for 23 years. The bid process was confirmed to have been professional, methodical and complete. The decision was made based on the the best candidate which included capitol mprovements to the facility such as new carpeting, much needed kitchen equipment, new furnishings,bathrooms etc. The winning bidder, Jordans, committed 190,000 dollars for those improvements and an additional 100,000 in advertising for the restaurant and the golf course. The current leasee in their bid "suggested" capitol improvements of 67,000 with the stipulation that "cash flow be permitting?" This indicated to me that maybe the current owners were feeling a cash flow crunch and know the facility needs improvments and might not be able to follow through? A representative from Jordans took questions and reiterated the companies committment to this new venture and to the city of New Britain. A few of the council members seemed to put their "emotions" before making this business decision for the city explaining it by saying that our current economy is not the time to make changes! They cited the closing of Famous Daves this past year and essentially inferred that they do not have confidence in a nice restaurant making it in NB! The vote was NO for the winning bidder! The item could not be tabled for review at a later time so this public bid was essentially canned. There goes almost 300,000 dollars from a private investor into our city landmark! Taxpayers will not be happy if the Parks & Rec department needs to request money to repair and maintain the club. At this point we have a contract with the current restaurant which ends in a few weeks. Looking to enter the bid process in New Britain "stay away" it's a waste of
your time and money. I hope Jordan's Catering doesn't need to recover any costs associated with being named the winning bidder of this public invitation to do business.
Mr. Trueworthy mentioned that he is not much of a golfer and he stated maybe he is not much of a business man either but he couldn't
see changing what has worked for 23
years. He was again accused of making a political decision I guess against the mayor who is a golfer! Ms. Bielinski seemed to have her heart on her sleeve for the ladies who run the current establishment and their local vendors. Mr. Sherwood cited that start-up restaurants are not making it in this economy (he had read this). One other councilman didn't want to get a 10 cent hotdog from Jordans. That was my take from the audience. I was under the assumption that democrats are supporting "change" this year but I guess not locally.
The other issue at hand was the BOE
republican seat and appt of Leslie Jacobs or Mr. Giantonio. Could not stay to see the outcome of that issue waiting for the announcement today.
Conflict of interest causes frozen HUD funds for eight agencies within the city of New Britain thanks the whistle blower Alderman Louis Salvio who stated at the time “I only blew the whistle and HUD took the money away.”
Mr. Rich Marzi the President of the north end Revitalization Zone cited that the HUD money slated for his group is frozen pending a conflict of interest is currently under investigation.
Mr. Marzi comments were alluding to Salvio’s whistle blowing causing the investigation by HUD with their finding that three current Alderman had a conflict of interest with their association with the HRA and they were Michael Trueworthy, Paul Cantanzaro who is also President of the HRA organization, and Tonilynn Collins which caused the removal of HUD funds from the city a sum of approximate $264,000.
This effected eight city agencies according to inform sources and one of the agencies concerned, that is running out of money, are the food panties throughout our city and also money for heating for the poor as well winter clothing.
Thanks to the whistle blower Salvio this will be a very cold winter for many of our poor citizens With HUD still refusing to return the money to the city in order to help our needy this winter.
The answer for anonymous on the BOE appointment - the vote went exactly as expected. 12-2 to appoint Leslie Jacobs. This council proved that they are pathetic and petty; wielding thier power to exact revenge for something that happened years ago. Mr Giantonio, was NEVER considered and NEVER had a chance. The worst part is, there is only one true victime here: THE CHILDREN OF NEW BRITAIN. There is now one less BOE member to questions anything that Kurtz and her cronies do. This is going to be a tough budget year, and one less person to ask the tough questions. The council sent a message loud and clear to the NB citizens, if you are not WITH THEM, you are AGAINST THEM. It must be nice to be an eleceted official, with such a numbers advantage, that you do not have to do the right thing, because no matter what you do, people will come to the polls and vote for you because your name appears on ROW B. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER CORRUPT REPUBLICAN IS GETTING THE BOOT...
Begich Leads By 814 Going Into Thursday
With 17,728 votes counted since the previous update, Democrat Mark Begich has the lead over Republican Ted Stevens, 132,196 to 131,382.
More votes to be counted tomorrow and possibly Friday.
As we've pointed out and has been pointed out elsewhere, the remaining votes come from Begich-friendly districts. Mark Begich is now an overwhelming favorite to win the Alaska Senate seat.
Mr. Jamie Giantonio Reflections...
"All that matters is you have the Votes"...
"Thank you to all the people who came out in support of me last night. I knew we were fighting an uphill battle but I had hoped for at least a legit chance. Funny that the council cited the public when discussing the Golf Course, but obviously discounted them when considering me".
"I knew it was a done deal when the Council came out of their back room session and Mr Sherwood shot a nod and wink across the room to Ms. Jacobs".
"It was interesting to hear from some members of the council after the meeting that I indeed never had a chance. Not enough friends on the board I guess".
"I heard it said last night, and I think a plaque should be made and hung in the Council chambers "All that matters is you have the votes". Pathetic.
"All
That
Matters
Is
You
Have
VOTES"
Jamie Giantonio
NB Council Dems Don't Care About Our City of New Britain...
They don’t care. Bottom line. These people don’t care about our city, they’d rather play political power games.
Last nights council meeting:
http://www.nbgrrrrl.blogspot.com/
The New Britain Common Council appointed a crazy woman to serve on the Board of Education last night, who claimed she "couldn’t remember" what she had done on the Board the four years she served on the Board because it was "late in the night".
Mind you, they (the Democrats, again, the two republicans voted against her nomination) voted to appoint her to fill the position over a man who is has a TEACHING DEGREE, and has TWO children in the New Britain Public School system.
They obviously don’t care about the hands that the children of our schools are left in.
Over 10 people came to the public participation portion of the meeting last night, [which barely ever fills up like that] , to speak in favor of Mr. Jamie Giantonio’s appointment to the Board of Education.
The Council didn’t even CONSIDER what those people had to say. They obviously do not care.
But, they cared enough to do these things:
Re-appoint Silvia Cruz to the council, who left last month because she had to move for "personal reasons". When they couldn't find another Democrat in her district stupid enough to join them in their quest for dictarorship over New Britain, Ms. Cruz "magically" moved back into her district to regain her seat on the council.
Appoint a woman to the board of education who has made it known that as a Republican, she will side with the Democrats’ decisions.
The reason was said that they appointed Ms. Jacobs was to "get back" at the Republicans for shafting the infamous Rick "desk rifler" Lopes. Who was kicked off of the common council when it became clear that he had registered his car in West Hartford because "the taxes were much cheaper".
Oh, and btw did we mention that Mr. Lopes is Senator Don DeFronzo’s aid at the state capitol?
Do you think for one minute that Trueworthy gives a crap about the children of New Britain? All he cares about is his political Wheelings and dealings with every move carefully calculated to give himself and his party more power!
Hail to dictator Trueworthy!
Hopefully at election time, all parents will remember that the so called Alderman Trueworthy sold their children down the river by choosing to vote for a political hack over the most qualified candidate for the job.
Nice work Trueworthy!!
Politics as usual and it is the children who get screwed!!!!!!!
I'm sure Trueworthy will be happy that he got his little puppet appointed because she will dance whatever dance puppeteer Trueworthy tells her to, regardless of what is best for the children.
Just another example of the 3 ring circus New Britain calls a council.
Jamie, we give you credit for coming forward to serve on the board. Many of us, myself included back away from this bunch and throw our hands up! Keep up your efforts looking to
the next election when thoughtful,intelligent minded residents will have their turn to vote. After last nights meeting We have pledged to keep involved. More of us need to step up if this city has a chance in hell to get headed in a better direction.
Jamie, you showed more class during this process than Leslie, aka/town fool, ever exhibited during her four years on the Board of Ed. Stay with it, the schools and our children need people like you to offset the damage the Sherwood/Trueworthys idots are doing to our community.
They will pay for this in time?
We wonder what the future holds for Mike Trueworthy, the city's democratic majority leader. Our guess is nothing, because its all about politics with him. Its never about the people, its always about the power -the power that corrupts - POLITICS AS USUAL?
Ms. Jacobs is already starting off on the wrong foot, and she knows that she will not be welcomed by her real Republican counterparts on the board... why on earth is she willing to put herself in that position. Probably because with her its about the power too, not the children, its about her getting back at the republicans for not nominating her to run again for the Board.
What happened to people representing us in New Britain that actually CARE about what is going on? It's not always politics, its about PEOPLE. PEOPLE COME BEFORE POLITICS. especially when you are working at a local level. But apparently the majority of people we have representing us on the common council (the democrats) don't know what that means- Power Corrupts!
Row "B - The Bastards of New Britain!
We were at the Common Council meeting about two weeks ago when the Republicans announced their pick for BOE to replace Marilyn Krazcowsky with Jamie Giantonio and it got tabled, what a surprise. Jamie is the father of two children in the NB school system, they are both in elementary school...but apparently he wasn't good enough for the idot democrats.
We all should have known the Democratic aldermen and women (who might as well be men) would have something up their sleeves in an attempt at cheap political shots, on the agenda is their appointment of a democrat in disguise, Leslie Jacobs to fill the Republican slot.
Ms. Jacobs, who runs her own business as a home organizer, served on the BOE in the 90's and was shafted by her party for agreeing with the democrats all the time -surprise - surprise -not to mention that in the The Herald story she received the phone call from Town's Public Enemy No.1 Phil Sherwood, the town weasel, asking if she would like to fill the empty slot on the Board.
"Newspapers always break your heart," is a familiar lament of reporters and editors who have endured cutbacks, layoffs and the falling of our temples of the Fourth Estate. For those who have ever been lucky enough to ply the trade of wordsmanship, when a newspaper closes or is sold, it makes one wince of what they used to be - a vital part of the community.
Tuesday, we found out that the evil Register Journal Co. was announcing it would shutter the New Britain Herald and the Bristol Press, two papers where Bob Conrad and Bob Douglas used to break stories that were read across the state. Good Bye!
During The common council meeting of the twelfth the Majority Leader Michael Trueworhty along with his aid, Alderman Phil Sherwood, has chosen to ignore the well chosen words, regarding the appointment to the board of Education vacancy, by many concerned parents, three board members or former board members and a current Vice Chairman of the New Britain Housing Authority.
It is truly sad that the school children of New Britain were ping ponged by the political leaders who should be there to protect them.
The Democratic Aldermen and Alderwomen should be ashamed of their ignoring actions against accepting an individual submitted by the Republican Town Committee, who holds a degree in education for an individual, whose past performance on the very same board of education was less than adequate, as indicated by the aforementioned speakers.
The past tradition was always to accept the wishes of the Town Committee’s recommendation for filling the existing vacancy.
I guess the selection was for one who will provide the yes vote for the leadership without any concerns of the needs of the children.
Loyalty to the leadership is more important then selecting a person who will protect the interest of the children and will not turn the Board of Education in to a political identity.
It was just shocking that an Alderman could actually move out of her district, resign from the Board of Alderman, and have the council hold her position available for several months until they can finagle a way to claim she now once again lives in her district and reappoint her to the same position she just resigned from.
Either there was no one else willing to serve with this group of misfits, or Ms. Cruz must be a real party loyalist who kneels at the thrown of Czar Trueworthy, either way it is disgusting that the council could pander to a party insider like that.
Screw Diver; There was someone vieing for the position from within the district but rumors have it that they block this individual by their arranging the move of the former Alderwoman into
the district in order to reappoint her.
Both Michael Trueworthy and Phil Sherwood have pre-school age children, who will be entering the school system in less than 5 years. If they do some serious soul searching, will they really be happy with the choice they made in appointing her nibs miss Jacobs to the board? Or do they plan on entering their children in a private school, or possibly do some home schooling?
she must really kiss the ring of his excellency, Lord Trueworthy, or is there more to it that we are not aware of?
That earlier post had it right that Trueworthy is nothing but a puppeteer and Sherwood is nothing but Trueworthy's Toy Soldier.
As Trueworthy's disciple, Phil Sherwood dances whatever puppet dance Michael the Messiah mandates of his loyal puppet.
Michael's ring is not the only thing that Phil Sherwood is kissing!!!
I'm sure you could find Phil's lipstick marks on other parts of Michael's anatomy!
The education either Trueworthy or Sherwood are interested in are the re-education camps to which they would send anyone who dares to oppose them!
Isn't Sherwood the one who is all tied up with ACORN?
Since the vacancy on the Board of Ed was a Republican vacancy, shouldn't it have been up to the Republican Town Chairman, Paul Carver, to name the replacement? Who does Trueworthy think he is deciding a Republican partisan issue like this? Sounds like he is too big for his britches. If Trueworthy wants to be a Republican that bad, he should go down to the Registrar of Voters and switch his affiliation to "R"
The elder BOE member, Mr. Sanders reported that Leslie Jacobs attended only 66 out of 111 meetings held during her previous
years of service on the board and that due to her absence when she
did show up she was ill prepared and unable to deal with the issues at hand. He also mentioned that she created problems by being rude and obnoxious. He attested that she was the worst board member he had ever dealt with. To date, I have not heard anyone supporting her to the contrary. Great job "dumbacrats" Who suffers? the children of New Britain.
I doubt the Republicans would accept a commie liberal like Trueworthy!
All of this ridiculous BOE nonsense makes me wonder...
Is it possible that Marilyn Kraczkowski was set up by the Democrats, when the head of the local NAACP accused her of punching him? Did they know that the constant harrassment of her may have caused her to resign? It looks as though they were planning all along to have Leslie Jacobs replace Marilyn Kraczowski, so Sherwood's ultra liberal, former CANB member Peter Kochol can have a soul mate.
Hang in there, Jamie. Leslie Jacobs is a piece of trash and everyone knows it! A year from now, I hope you will be elected and serve with the high standards that I know you have. The President of the NAACP was setup by Kurtz and Kochel to go after Marilyn. She did not quit because of that idiot. She is too tough for that!
More importantly,she could not stand being in the same room with Kochel, Wolski and Saavedra who have no problem with all of Kurtz's failures, the good people who left the system, the incompetent people whom Kurtz hires and her covering up for them. Several BOE members cover up for Kurtz. They lack core values.
Watch Jacobs as she votes for Kochel for Chairman. That is why she was selected or used. Kochel can't count on Aram who is a free thinker.
Wow - some of these posts are very nasty. This is exactly why so many are jaded about politics! The last few posts refers to Ms. Jacobs as a "piece of trash"...really?
However, it takes one to know one...and Leslie Jacobs is a piece of trash. Ugh
Of course it is going to continue to get very nasty!!! you have 2 left wing extreme liberals running the council and sticking their noses into the Republican party where they have no business getting involved, but they couldn't resist getting a liberal appointed to the BOE because they had to have someone who would rubber stamp whatever liberal agenda they wanted, and who cares about the children. All that matters with these 2 guys is the their extreme left agenda. Neither one of them is showing the slightest concern for what is right for the children, just their liberal politics, so expect politics in this city to get much nastier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really, what would you expect a piece of trash like Phil Sherwood or a piece of crap like Mike Trueworthy to be involved with other than another piece of trash. Birds of a feather!!!!!!
The Herald has been on a road to nowhere for a long time coming, and now its official. We just hope that if someone for some crazy reason someone decides to buy the The Herald , they take a serious look at what we want/need in our city and make changes accordingly…The first on their list should be to fire Rick Guinness (the reporter living in his car) and Mark Levy (the pathetic excuse for an editor.)
The Democrats on the common council don’t care about our city. They just don’t...
Oh and P.S. you won’t see this story about Democrats meddling with Jamie Giantonio written in the NB Herald on Thursday or Friday, because our lovely "newspaper reporter Rick Guinness" wasn’t even there to cover the story of the three-circus.
Could Phil Sherwood and Michael Trueworthy, both Democrats, be brought before the Ethics Commission for contacting Leslie Jacobs, a Republican, to be named to the Board of Ed, when the Republican Town Committee had unanimously nominated Jamie Giontonio?
Where was Rick Guiness during the Council Meeting? He usually writes in-depth articles about the goings on at the meetings. Did the Democratic Council members arrange to have him "missing" so he wouldn't write what happened? I hope he doesn't suddenly "disappear" from the Herald's pages, like another excellent reporter, Bill Larkin.
Just consider the circumstances of Fair City of New Britain: Town of Farmington to our North, Newington to our East, Berlin to our South & Plainville/Southintown to our East.
Verily, we are a glistening diamond in a bin full of coal and RATS with the New Britain Trio..Michael Trueworthy, Phil Sherwood and Leslie Jacobs a pawn of Trueworthy and Sherwood. Ugh!
The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education recently selected the town's school board to receive the Board of Education Leadership Award this year.
The Plainville school district also has been selected to receive four awards as part of the organization's Excellence in Educational Communications awards program.
The Board of Education Leadership Award went to 17 districts in Connecticut. The selections are based on community relations, board operations and policies, board member professional development and related organizational leadership. This is the third year in a row that Plainville has won.
Time for the NB BOE and The Common Council To Take A Field Trip to Plainville.
The next “newspaper” for New Britain will be online-only.It may start as a neighborhood/community blog, the hobby of one or two interested residents. There must be a few restless and energetic people willing to give up a lot of nights to see if they can’t get a small business going. Another possibility is the local chamber or perhaps a consortium of business interests will fund a small Web start-up and hire at least one full-time writer, contract with a Web design firm, and bring in some marketing and sales people. This could work but in New Britain we would worry, honestly, about whether it can be structured to preserve editorial independence from the investors.
Will the Meriden newspaper or some other publication expand in New Britain? Not a print product. But an out-of-town publisher could fund an online operation. Will the Hartford Courant expand its coverage? Add report - And who wants a one newspaper town?
Trueworthy and Sherwood have made themselves as popular as a toothache in New Britain. Everywhere I go, those two names are on everyone's lips and it is not kind thoughts these people are thinking about them. Hopefully they finally went too far and with this new found public outrage against them, we can finally get rid of both of them. I have the perfect campaign ad to run against them.
A picture of a school age child walking to school and there is a giant screw sticking out of his back. Trueworthy and Sherwood are both holding a giant screwdriver and twisting the screw into the child's back while they are both laughing and joking. The caption reads
"stop your school children from getting screwed, vote against Trueworthy and Sherwood."
Phil Sherwood is a left wing loon!
To "Just Wondering" There has not
been a breach of the charter which
states, "Filling Vacancies A vacancy in any elective office from whatever cause shall be filled by majority vote of the common council within 60 days and any vacancy shall be filled by the appointment of a person of the same political party as the appointee's predecessor." It is customary that the respective party votes on whom should fill a vacancy and the republican party did vote for Mr. Giantonio. The majority council chose to override their decision and seek out Leslie Jacobs, because they can. It is as low as it comes but it conforms.
Typical of these Democrats and their power trips. To hell with what is best for the children, let's build our power base by appointing a lunatic!@@#!#
We grew up with the New Britain Herald, our local paper that covered the city and towns around like Plainville, Newington, Farmington, Kensington and Berlin. At one point, each town had its own page, staff, photographers and the like. Local sports were covered like a blanket and the weekly games of our New Britain Golden Hurricanes were major events. That's what a local paper does, or rather, what a local paper did.
It was an afternoon paper and many households got both the Hartford Courant and the Herald. Judith Brown, the publisher of the Herald, was involved in journalism causes and served on the panel that chose the Pulitzer Prize winners for a couple of years.
All the negativity coming out about how Leslie Jacobs came to replace Marilyn Kraczkowski will be the deciding factor in the Republican majority on the Common Council next year.
Many parents with young children in school won't forget this...they are smart enough not to fall for the propaganda spewed out by Democrats, and will see the wisdom of the Republicans endorsing Jaime Giontonio. I suspect Phil Sheerwood and Michele Trueworthy will be laughed right off the council...hee, hee, hee!!!
A campaign against Trueworthy and Sherwood does need to be made and the previous post about the "screwdriver" is a great campaign ad. The other side of running a campaign against them is we need qualified candidates to run, republican or democrat someone
with integrity and a real thick skin to handle what they will be up against. Yes alot of people are talking but not enough are aware especially parents. How to reach and inform them what's really going on. Most don't even know.
the quotation of the city charter by anonymous (obviously someone from the council trying to cover their actions, but lacking the nerve to be identified like all the cowards on the council) only reinforces the fact that the Democratic leadership on the council chose to put partisan politics ahead of the best interests of the children. There is no other explanation for why they would vote to override the highly qualified candidate put forward by the Republican party leadership, and would instead appoint a coo-coo bird to the BOE.
Sherwood and Trueworthy just assured that the New Britain Board of Ed can't win any of these awards, unless they have an award for stupidity.
Speaking of ethics, if the state ethics regulations prohibit a state employee from serving in the state legislature, how can Paul Cantanzaro be allowed to be an alderman while being a full time employee of the Parks Department and at the same time being the president of HRA.
If this isn't a double conflict of interest, I don't know what is.
The Herald did the same thing with the liberals on the council regarding the Wednesday night meeting that NBC did with Obama. Because they knew that Trueworthy and Sherwood, 2 super left wing liberals, were up to no good, they kept Rick Guiness away because they didn't want to call any attention to the crooked politics as usual. Everyone looks the other way while they play their games. Who knows how bad the long term effect will be on our schools.
There is only one way to respond now, remember these two at the ballot box.
I get so tired of all the one sided politics in this town. Maybe it is time for many changes on the council.
Can you only imagine how the S--- would hit the fan if the Republicans were in power and they ignored the will of the Democratic Town Chairman over the appointment of a Democrat? Maybe this is the wake up call we all needed by showing the parents how crooked the Democrats on the council really are and how party politics comes before the education of their children. Don't be surprised if there are more Republicans on the council next fall.
I am a parent, a union member and a Democrat and I plan to vote Republican all the way next year. More parents should pay attention and do the same.
This nonsense needs to stop!
Everyone is focusing on Sherwood, and Trueworthy, but Catanzaro had a hand in both of these back door slimey deals as well.
Call him, or e-mail him and let him know you are not pleased with what he allowed to happen with both of these appointments, especially the screw job they did to the children.
He may be reached at:
Paul D. Catanzaro
Asst. Majority Leader
Alderman at Large
250 Hillhurst Avenue 06053
(860) 224-4707
aldcatanzaro@sbcglobal.net
Why don't we run Bozek against Trueworthy? If memory serves me correctly, he was always the largest vote getter when he was on the council and would never tolerate this nonsense from the left. Trueworthy would be no challenge for someone as well established in this city, like Tom Bozek.
Maybe we will get a chance to see what a good man like Tim Stewart can do for this city when he finally has a Republican council to work with next year!
Keep up the good work Mr. True-worthless!
I was at the coffee shop today and to guys told me that Frank Smith was suppose to get the job on the council but they told him he coulnt get it cause it had to go to a porto rican but that dont seem rite cause it should go to the best person no matter what race and that seem what is rite
Very funny, since when did a politician do what is right?
Calling Cantanzaro would be a waste of a phone call. He couldn't care less about what you as a constituent thinks, but if you doubt it, call him and ask him, then hopefully you will remember his response to you next year at election time!
Michael Truly-Worthless, now that is a name that could stick!!
Why don't we just rename it the New Britain Board of Re-education and then they can run the camps. That would fit better with the Left wing agendas of these liberal loons like Trueworthy, Sherwood, and Cantanzaro.
That's the real 3 stooges.
Betty Boop says it best:
Trueworthy and Sherwood are both laughing stocks.
Sounds like these guys finally went too far. start messing with education and see what happens to you at election time.
Phil Sherwack is a wack job! It will be a pleasure to see him replaced by a Republican!
It's a mission. Inform all parents,taxpayers,registered voters! Please Tim, let us have
a chance to have you as mayor with
a council you can work with.
Isn't P. Sherwood down on Commonwealth? I have someone to run against him, my dog. I know he
can beat this guy paws down.
For whoever was looking for it:
Phil Sherwood
420 Commonwealth Ave 06053
(860) 770-6740
Maybe your dog will be good enough to lift his leg on Sherwood's lawn!
Frank,
Your words are too kind. I have many, many fond memories of working in the city.
And, let it be known, that some of my best stories came from tips you passed along to me. So you don't know how exciting it is to see your blog. You know this city cold; I think your blog is going to be very, very popular.
My best,
Pat Thibodeau
sounds like Mr. Frank Smith is the DEEP THROAT of New Britain. Do they meet in the garage too?
WOOF, WOOF, Sherwood, you are no challenge for even a dog! LAUGHING STOCK FOR SURE!!!!! WHAT A CLOWN!!!
Mr. Smith, why don't you leave that party made up of misfits that you belong to and run for the council on the Republican ticket? I don't think Sylvia Cruz could hold a candle to you in an election.
Maybe Pat Thibodeau is "The Man Behind the Curtain?"
Trueworthy says he is not much of a businessman, but is he a good cook? Now that the winner bidder has been voted down, a decision he led his loyal sheep to, will he be at the golf course in a couple of weeks grilling hot dogs?
Now there's a job even Truly-Worthless might even be able to do, a hot dog vendor. I can see him now with one of those little hot dog carts, don't they call them Ding Dong carts!
everywhere I go people are laughing at these dopes
Now we know why the mayor won't put the cameras in the garage! He doesn't want to catch deep throat during his meetings in the garage.
Go for it Frank! You would be a great Republican Alderman, or maybe you could do like Bozek and just run on the Republican ticket as a Democrat, either way you would likely win by a landslide!
I want to be sure the city sells Rosol Dogs over at the course, make sure Truly-Worthless gets the dogs over at Rosols or he won't be
successful in his business. That's the only tip I'll give him.
Once we are all done "complaining"
let's not forget to start "campaining". Starting Now.
Tell everyone and tell them to tell
someone. Especially parents.
Don't Complain....Campaign!!!
TAKE A HIKE, MIKE
IGNORED OUR WILL, PHIL
DROPPED THE BALL, PAUL
FOR OUR KIDS, YOU DIDN'T CARE
THAT'S A SHAME YOU'LL ALWAYS WEAR
FOR YOU, WE'LL VOTE NO MORE
TO YOU THREE, IT'S THE DOOR
HEAR THE WORD FROM THE STREET
NEXT YEAR YOU'LL KNOW DEFEAT.
Did the Democrats do anything at this week's council meeting with the interests of the people in mind?
Let me recap:
1. They chose to ignore the recommendation of the Republican party chairman for a well educated, well suited parent to the vacancy on the Board of Ed, and instead appointed a nut job who is a puppet loyalist to Trueworthy, Sherwood and the like.
2. They passed over a number of well qualified candidates to reappoint the same Alderman who resigned from her position because she no longer lives in the ward that she was elected to. There would be no surprise if they found a way to fudge the address that she is really living at to claim that she once again miraculously lives in her ward, but that would never get investigated because she is a Democrat and a rubber stamp puppet for Trueworthy, Sherwood, and Catzanaro.
3. They voted to reject the deal recommended by the mayor's office for a caterer to run the restaurant at the golf course, despite the extensive search and preparation that was put into this selection to make the best possible deal for the people who use the golf course and the city. There doesn't seem to be any possible reason for this action other than the agreement would have made the Republican Mayor look good because of a successful enterprise that was the direct result of his hard work, and enterprise that would do nothing but benefit the city and the people of New Britain.
This entire meeting exemplifies how out of touch with the people of New Britain these demagogues really are. This is just one big power trip that is way out of control.
They are so out of touch, that they probably wonder why the people are so excited at the thought of their loss in the next election, that people are singing songs about their demise.
If you think this last election made history, you ain't seen nothing yet!
TAKE A HIKE, MIKE, AND DON'T COME BACK NO MORE, NO MORE!!!!!!
Mayor Stewart:
We all understand as to why on July 27th you asked for security cameras in the Sgt. Szczesny parking garage and then turned around and told Mr. Dennis Pelligrino they are too many priorities ahead of this project.
That was because you didn’t want the cameras to expose “Deep Throat”, while in the garage, to the general public.
You just wanted to keep it a secret from all of us.
Someone should take the time to print out all the comments regarding Leslie Jacobs, and mail them to her...Let her know what the public really thinks of her!
Maybe then she would realize how Phyllis Sherwood and Michele Trueworthy really used her.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN!!
Attend all the PTA meetings at your children's schools, and remind the parents of the trickery that Trueworthy, Sherwood and their Democratic colleaques on the Common Council regarding the stupidity of naming Leslie Jacobs to the Board of Education. Our friends and neighbors may be more likely to listen to US then to listen to the politicians. Talk it up from now until next November's municipal election.
Leslie Jacobs probably couldn't care less what the public thinks of her, as she is not there to serve the public or the children.
Jacobs is on the Board of Education simply to represent the interests of Phil Sherwood and Mike Trueworthy, no matter how wrong they might be.
This is just a rigged deal to allow these two power mongers to gain even more power over the citizens that they care nothing about.
Who can we turn to to investigate the obvious conflict of intersts that exist with Paul Cantanzaro being a full time city employee while at the same time serving as an Alderman. Shouldn't he have to resign from one or the other?
No details of the Common Council 11/12/08 meeting about Jamie Giantonio were published in The Paper by Herald Staff Reporter Rick Guinness...little also about Jamie was reported by Hartford Courant.
Was Rick Guinness barred from the meeting by the trio of Trueworthy (Truly-Wothless) and Sherwood, so Guinness wouldn't/couldn't report about the singing canary Leslie Jacobs?
Leslie Jacobs knows what the public thinks of her. I can't believe she would put herself up to
this but I guess desperate people do desperate things. Not one person has come out in support of her in light of the comments. It's really pretty sad. Imagine when she starts attending meetings.
How is anything going to get accomplished. Even the people who seem to need her really don't want
her.
some cities get it right. Mr Catanzaro should take note:
New city council member faces conflict issues
BY TERRY ROSS, SUN EDITOR
Even before the election of Raul Mendoza to the Yuma City Council in November, questions were raised about whether it was lawful or appropriate for him to serve as a council member. Those questions continued this week prior to him being sworn into office.
As reported in The Sun this week, former Yuma mayor Phil Clark questions whether Mendoza is being improperly seated on the council. The issue is that he works for the Housing Authority of the City of Yuma (HACY), which would seem to fall under a city charter rule which prohibits city employees from serving on the council.
However, the issue is more complicated that it seems on the surface, as reported in the story this week.
The charter section reads: "Except where authorized by state law, or this Charter, no member of the City Council shall hold any other public office or have other employment in the municipal government or any subdivision, thereof, the compensation for which is paid out of municipal moneys, during the term for which he was elected to the City Council."
The key phrase in this case in my view is parenthetical phrase "the compensation for which is paid out of municipal moneys." In other words, the person must be a city employee paid out of city funds.
That is not the case with Mendoza, who receives his paycheck from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, even though the agency's name indicates it is a city division.
The HACY relationship to the city is a little strange, and is undoubtedly the reason for the dispute over Mendoza's status.
It is not technically a city agency, even though it has some ties to the city and uses the city logo, a fact that would seem to indicate otherwise. The Yuma City Council appoints the HACY board, yet the agency is actually connected to a division of the federal government (HUD).
HACY Director Michael Morrissey described it as "more of an agent for the city, running their housing division," but not actually part of city government.
The confusion about it being a city agency is understandable, although on a closer look it becomes understandable that it is not in reality. It seems there ought to be clearer distinctions in the agency's name and identifying logo to separate the two government bodies. Why was this separation allowed to be blurred? That needs to change - starting with a new name - so it is clear it is not actually a city agency.
At any rate, since Mendoza is not paid by the city, he clearly can serve on the council under the wording of the city charter provision. That, however, does not free him from an obligation to be aware of potential conflicts of interest.
For example, since the city council appoints HACY board members, he should not be involved in that process - or in any matters, direct or remote, which relate to city public housing. He needs to excuse himself from voting on these matters to avoid the reality or the appearance of conflict of interest.
That is the same thing that any council members should do when they encounter a policy matter which touches on their professional lives outside the city council. The reality is that council members cannot separate themselves from outside influences - they are not hermits - but they can and should be diligent in preventing those influences from improperly subverting their public policy positions.
Although there does not seem to be any legal issue with Mendoza serving, his work will put him under closer scrutiny. That is an unavoidable by-product of the confusion that exists over HACY's status.
I just want everyone to know that New Britain High BEAT Southington
High last night!!! That sure makes
up for the lousy week in NB. Way
to go Hurricanes!!!
Was it Phil Sherwood, or one of the other Alderman who said something a while back about controlling the press in New Britain? Now we know what they meant.
Typical liberal response: silence the media and your opposition. Wasn't that one of the tenets of Marxism?
No details of the Common Council 11/12/08 meeting about Jamie Giantonio were published in The Paper by Herald Staff Reporter Rick Guinness...little also about Jamie was reported by Hartford Courant.
Was Rick Guinness barred from the meeting by the trio of Trueworthy (Truly-Wothless) and Sherwood, so Guinness wouldn't/couldn't report about the singing canary Leslie Jacobs comments?
On 11/10/08 Jacobs related to Reporter Guinness: “Two months ago I got a phone call asking if I would be interested [in filling Kraczkowsky’s position],” Jacobs said. “I loved being on the board of education,” adding that it was Democrat Phil Sherwood who called her.
“Phil Sherwood asked if I would be interested. I don’t attend Town Committee meetings because of the way they treated me when I was on the board of Ed. Phil knew I had been interested in being on the board again.”
The Herald could report this news as pick-up articles. I was questioned at the council meeting when I came in with a notebook. I was asked if I was a reporter, when I said no, I was asked my name. It is really strange with a busy NB news week they instead reported Tim O'Brien talking about his tax plans, keeping the democrats out there in a positive light when their mucking everything up down at
city hall.
WOW, what business does Phil Sherwood have calling Republican party members to ask them to serve on any board?
Can you imagine if Paul Carver were manipulating appointments for the Democratic Town Committee? What hell there would be to be paid over that, but because Sherwood is a Democrat and a member of the elite liberal trio, no one dares to say anything about it.
All the parents should be made aware that it is Phil Sherwood that is behind the screw job their children all received Wednesday night.
The council asked someone to identify himself simply because he was writing notes in a notebook at a public meeting?
This person should file a complaint with the Freedom of Information Commission as this is a direct violation of state law governing conduct of public meetings.
All meetings are open to the public and it is a violation to set any conditions for attendance, to ask anyone to sign in attendance or to identify themselves simply for attending.
Just another example of the out of control power trip these Democrats are on! How dare you write down what we are saying!
I wonder how Carver feels about finding out that Sherwood is interfering with Republican party politics by organizing candidates from withing his party?
So here I am New Britain...FINALLY after months and months of reading blogs that do nothing but complain and complain about the politics, the people and the conditions in the city, I've decided to make a blog that highlights much of the information we don't and should know about!
NBGrrrrL...You want a Sound Off? You got it.
Oh, Sherwood is solicitating republicans, are they really republicans? I don't think so
they are really just dems that don't know it.
don't be too hard on Mr. Sherwood, he was just maintaining the racial make-up of the council. They already had their quota of white people.
Wait, my dog is "Porto Ricon" and he shares residence in several wards, we will just pick one and put him on! He'll never discuss where his taxes are really filed! LOL
Hey Phil, did TRULY-WORTHLESS put you up to interfering with the Republicans, or you stuck your nose where it doesn't belong all on your own?
eIt's no secret that some local Democrats in the state legislature made a point of registering Puerto Ricans and then told them because they registered as Democrats, they HAD to vote for Democrats. They aren't aware they could either register and vote for Republicans or split their tickets when voting. Also, it's a crock saying that a position on the council has to go to a Puerto Rican! Affirmative Action doesn't apply here...it's all up to the voters...
To anonymous who wrote the following:
was at the coffee shop today and to guys told me that Frank Smith was suppose to get the job on the council but they told him he coulnt get it cause it had to go to a porto rican but that dont seem rite cause it should go to the best person no matter what race and that seem what is rite.
Well; I don't know where you get your information but I am able to confirm that your statement is true because I must be the person the people you overhead were talking about!
I live in the district and I asked Alderman Phil Sherwood for his support to fill the vacant seat on the council and his immediate reply was that it belongs to a Puerto Rican.
I was completely taken aback realizing for the first time that the Democratic Party is more concern in filling racial quotas with no concern to the quality of representation to the public needs.
why don't we run a Chihuahua against Sherwood? Te Quiero?
Where was Herald Reporter Rick Guiness at the Nov. 12th Council Meeting? There was very little reported in the Herald regarding the mess involving the appointment of Leslie Jacobs to the Board of Education. Don't keep Rick Guiness away from the Council meetings...
he does a great job of reporting what goes on, for those of us who are unable to attend the Council meetings.
Most of what we've learned about the Nov.12th Council meeting was from comments made on various blogs.
Is it true... the news black-out...the iron curtain...That Phil Sherwood has both The Herald and Nutmeg TV 6:30 p.m. broadcast of Nov. 12th Council meeting in his pocket.
My Portuguese Water Dog is available if Sherwood needs someone to serve on the water board.
Paul Dropped the Ball!
Phil Ignored the Will!
Take A Hike Mike! (Michael TRULY-WORTHLESS)
Remember parents, these are the three who sold your children and their education down the river!
Does Truly-Worthless get to wear one of those paper hats when he is grilling the hot dogs on his Ding Dong cart?
Was it Phil Sherwood, or one of the other Alderman who said something a while back... about controlling the press and the Nutmeg TV broadcast of the Council meetings?
Now we know what they meant... A news black-out created by Alderman Phil Sherwood of the Nov. 12 meeting of the council.
What transpired at the Council on Nov. 12 is a turning point in the makeup of the Council. Their stupidity in naming Leslie Jacobs to the BOE, and in turning down a proposal to update the restaurant at the Stanley Golf Course is the beginning of the end for the Democrats in New Britain. The municipal election is coming up in 2009, the voters won't forget. Get rid of Sherwood, Trueworthy, and Catanzaro. Hopefully, the Republicans will start planning their campaign strategy immediately.
The council meeting the other night on November 12... was a joke:
A lot of people showed up in support of Zabbaras, so we should vote against this report. More people showed up in support of Mr. Giantonio, but who cares lets vote in Leslie Jacobs anyway said Phil Sherwood.
Most of the council members only care about taking care of their friends, Sherwood/Trueworth and Leslie Jacobs. This way Leslie is in place to make sure that Mr. Kochol can keep his grip on the board plus another member to blindly support Kurtz.
I am sure Jennifer or Maria must have some "friends" on the board as well. I am sure that will come out shortly...
Watch the council meetings that are broadcast on Nutmeg TV...At the end of meeting there was some comedy too when Leslie Jacobs was asked what she accomplished in her 4 years on the board - she looked back at the clock and said "It is 11:30 and I am tired, can I email you a list tomorrow?" AND THIS IS THE PERSON THEY APPOINTED?
She then went on to list her accomplishments on the board as getting all the flags in the schools, supporting the under qualified Guzman and hiring Kurtz.
AND THIS IS THE PERSON THEY APPOINTED?
The voters in New Britain need to just get rid of all of Democratic council members cuz obviously the ones we got are not doing their job!
Thanks to all the bloggers for the details of the Common Council meeting of November 12...little was reported by the Hartford Courant and nothing by The Herald.
We know why Rick Guinness was barred from the meeting, so he wouldn't/couldn't report on the three-ring circus at meeting?
Keep up the good work- keep posting on the council all you Bloggers!!
A 3 ring circus is the perfect way to describe the council meeting because Sherwood, Trulyworthless, and Cantanzaro make a great circus clown act. You are right that this is the beginning of the end. They got out of control with their power and this time the voters are paying attention and will remember in the municipal elections.
Leslie Jacobs hasn't even been to a board meeting yet, and she has already shown her true colors. The reason she couldn't list her accomplishments when asked the other night, is you were asking her to speak "off script." She couldn't answer the question, because she needed to check with her puppeteer on the council for the appropriate response, and then all they could do was attempt to wrap her in the flag. You can wrap excrement in the flag, but it still stinks!
Parents of New Britain school children need to pay close attention the the shellacking their kids just got from the Democratic so-called leadership on the council!
Of course they did whatever they could to keep Rick Guinness away from the meeting, because they wanted to keep all their one sided, crooked votes out of the public's attention.
The word on the street is that the Video production of the council meeting shot on Nov.12th by Plainville Nutmeg TV crew and scheduled for public broadcasting at 6:30 P.M. Wednesday Nov.19th has been condensed to an hour viewing time. Alderman Trueworthy engineered the action with the aid of Alderman Phil Sherwood Deputy Director Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) Hartford, CT assisted by Spazeboy an Online Organizer with CCAG.
CENSORSHIP IN NEW BRITAIN:
Sounds like Trueworthy and Sherwood have managed to edit out the parts of the meeting they don't want the public to know about. Censorship at its best. Another example of the out of control power these two guys have over the public.
Now I know why they don't televise the meetings live on public access TV, like other area smaller towns do.
If they let it go out live, Trueworthy and Sherwood wouldn't get the opportunity to cut out the parts of the meeting they want concealed from public view.
This is the first step in totally controlling the media, like in Nazi Germany.
Isn't CCAG one of the over 100 phony fronts they just exposed that were acting as fronts for ACORN?
FROM GOOGLE:
Connecticut Citizen Action Group
Phil Sherwood. Telephone:. (860) 796-2398 ... The campaign’s steering committee includes ACORN
Does anyone see a pattern here? Bar Rick Guinness from the meeting, then edit the tape to eliminate any comments you don't want the public to know about.
When did this become Russia?
Frank,
Don't let these liberals discourage you from continuing to do the great job you have been doing. I read your blog every day, and so do many of my coworkers. We check in with you regularly to see what is happening in New Britain politics because you are the only one who will tell it like it is. Just keep telling us the whole story, because we are counting on you. Without the Herald to expose these people, you are the only pipeline we have left.
For those who weren't at the Nov.12 council meeting:
The public participation portion lasted approximately 2 hours...
By condensing the public's comments to 1 hour, the viewers are being cheated of all statements made by our fellow New Britain residents.
There are those of us who are unable to attend the Council meetings who view the meetings on Nutmeg TV.
Instead of editing out the public comments, how about editing out Michael Trueworthy's and Alderwoman Bielinski's long, boring drawn out self-serving dissertations they express at almost all council meetings?
When the New Britain High School Audio-visual Club students had the job of video taping the council meetings they utilized a two camera system with two students. One fixed TV camera covered the shot of person speaking at the podium and other TV camera covered the Mayor and the 15 Aldermen with wide angle shots and ability to zoom in on any alderman speaking.
Then the council signed a contract with Plainville Nutmeg TV to video tape meetings with two public broadcasting sessions scheduled Wednesday and Friday night. In controlling costs with the Nutmeg TV contract they have one person operating only one zoom camera.
But at this point in time...not the public...only Trueworthy/Sherwood/God and FOI Act know the contents of Nutmeg TV-Council written contract?
FOI covers public access to the New Britain Common Council Plainville Nutmeg TV written contract...
Freedom of Information Act: Section. 1-218. Certain contracts for performance of governmental functions. Records and files subject to Freedom of Information Act.
Time to publish the TV Contract...Frank Smith Says NB...
Has it been confirmed with Rick Guiness that he was actually barred
from the public meeting?
If Paul Cantanzaro works full time
as a city employee and works with the HRA and that is a legitimate ethics breach for him to also sit as an Alderman on the council, why hasn't this been probed and dealt with? If I am correct?, I was not taping the meeting, I thought I heard that the owner of Zabarra's restaurant, Maria, her daughter spoke saying she works at HRA? She is a social worker? Correct me if I'm wrong. Paul Cantanzaro stood up and with great conviction opposed a new restaurant winning the bid.
Attention Parents, Board of Education Meeting Tonight. Please
Attend.
Hartford Courant Staff Report.
Mayor Timothy Stewart said he might veto a recent council resolution naming former school board member Leslie Jacobs to the board seat vacated in September when Marilyn Kraczkowsky resigned.
"I'm not sure if I'll sign it," Stewart said, two days after the council's Democratic majority picked Jacobs instead of Jamie Giantonio, the candidate endorsed by the Republican town committee and the council's two Republicans.
"If I don't sign it," Stewart said, "it will have to go back to the council at their next meeting for a vote to override my veto."
Stewart, said a veto would be symbolic, as the 13 Democrats on the 15-member council have the votes to easily overturn a veto.
From the Hartford Courant, Monday Nov. 17:
"New Britain Mayor Says He Might Veto Appointment
Mayor Timothy Stewart said Friday he might veto a recent council resolution naming former school board member Leslie Jacobs to the board seat vacated in September when Marilyn Kraczkowsky resigned."
Go for it, Mayor Stewart..This is the right time to exert your authority. Trueworthy and Sherwood ought to be impeached!!
How much did Michael Trueworthy and Phil Sherwood pay Nutmeg TV to condense the public speaking portion of the November 12 meeting from 2 hours to 1 hour? Was the 1 hour that is being edited out comments against Leslie Jacobs?
Mayor Stewart says...He Might Veto Jacobs Appointment.
Good for Mayor Stewart...fight those idiots on the Council. At least someone with authority is on the side of the public. Hopefully, this will keep the Leslie Jacobs issue going, and remind people to vote Trueworthy and Sherwood out of office in the 2009 election...they can take Catanzaro with them!!
If the Herald were delivered every day, and not tossed on the lawn in a haphazard way, perhaps people wouldn't cancel their subscriptions, and others would subscribe...Also, the tabloid format of The Herald doesn't help much! My parents canceled their subscription to the Herald years ago after numerous calls to them about not receiving paper everyday and billing issues on there part.
A veto by the mayor would be more than symbolic- BOE officers are supposed to be voted on today. I am sure Kochol is expecting Leslie's support...rumor has it he needs it.
THE MAYOR SHOULD LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE AND VETO THE APPOINTMENT OF LESLIE JACOBS!
He shouldn't worry about the Democrats having the votes to override the veto. It is common knowledge that the Democrats on the council have ignored the will of the people by appointing a political hack of the Democrats over the well chosen appointee of the Republican Party Leadership.
Let them override your veto, Mr. Mayor. If you think the parents were outraged over the original appointment, just wait and see what happens when they ignore the people and do it again! That would be just be another nail in their coffins leading towards the demise of these demagogues in the upcoming municipal elections.
Parents should call the mayor at 826-3303 or e-mail him at:
tstewart@ch.ci.new-britain.ct.us
and tell him you support his veto of this appointment.
Come on Mr. Stewart, do the right thing for our children's education!
Leslie Jacobs is nothing but a Republican in sheep's clothing and Phil Sherwood is the sheep herder.
By Jacobs' own admission to a reporter, Community Organizer Phil Sherwood is the Democratic Alderman who "organized" her for the position on the Board of Education and will continue to pull her strings for the duration that she serves on the board.
Clearly, Ms. Jacobs is there to represent the interests of Phil Sherwood, and not the interests of your children, or their education.
Mayor Stewart:
I was delighted to hear of your plans to veto the council’s recent appointment of Leslie Jacobs to the Board of Education and I commend you for your plan to do the right thing for the children of this city.
The Republican Party worked hard to find a suitable appointee for this vacancy and they found what they believed was the right person in Jamie Giantonio. Mr. Giantonio has a background in teaching and is the parent of two young children, so he has a vested interest in the well being of our educational system.
Filling of this vacancy, being a Republican seat on the Board, should be left up to the leadership of the Republican Party, free from interference of Democratic Aldermen who appear to have other interests besides the welfare of the children in mind.
The public and more specifically, the parents, agree. I have heard from a number of parents who are simply outraged over this entire process. A long line of public members, mostly parents, spoke against this appointment at the council meeting last Wednesday, but the council simply chose to ignore them. I urge you to listen to the people of this city and do what is right for our children.
VETO THE APPOINTMENT OF LESLIE JACOBS!
VETO, VETO, VETO!
Frank-
I appreciate all the support. It is refreshing to see that someone I have never even met or talked to, can see through the political BS and recongize that I was the logical candidate for this appointment.
I just want to clear up one thing, not sure how this started. I am a parent of a child in the school system, and I do have another on the way, but I do not have a teaching degree, nor was I ever a teacher. That does not change anything. I am still very committed to making sure our schools are the best they can be. I also understand the need to be fiscally responsible- there needs to be some balance there. I have been involved with the schools in NB. I was very involved in the St. Francis community prior to it's closing, I served on the PJP2school board for a period, and my wife and I are active in the Lincoln PTO.
I was very disappointed in the outcome of the council meeting last Wednesday. I found it interesting that the council referred to the show of support for the golf course when voting against that, but other than the Republican Council members mentioning the people who showed up for me, you would have never known anyone did.
I was even more disappointed after the meeting when I spoke to three members of the council,and was informed of a few things (which they will deny as they told me they would):
1. I did not get the appointment because I did not have enough friends on the board.
2. I never had a chance. Some members of the board committed to Ms. Jacobs before my recommendation from the RTC and never even considered me.
Also very interesting to see that the Herald was not there, nor have they mentioned it at all. When I spoke to mr Guinness on Monday, i expected to see him Wednesday, or at least hear from him. Now talk of the meeting being trimmed for TV? I wonder what will get trimmed?
Very interesting stuff going on in NB. Good to see since the papers aren't covering it, there are blogs like this to at least keep people informed.
Thanks again
Jamie Giantonio
Tim Stewart cares about the future of our children. I am confident he will show us true leadership and do the right thing!
There seems to be a pattern emerging with the council Democrats making statements that they later deny.
Just like when Phil Sherwood told Frank Smith that he couldn't support him for the vacancy on the council because that seat could only go to a Puerto Rican, he later denied ever saying it, and then later admitted he might have said it should go to "a Hispanic," now several council Democrats made statements to Mr. Giantonio which together amount to the fact that this appointment of Leslie Jacobs was a "done deal" months ago, no doubt worked out in some back door compromise. There is little doubt that this appointment was engineered by the majority leader, Michael (Truly-Worthless) Truworthy, and put in motion by his community organizing soldier Phil Sherwood.
Let me remind everyone that this appointment is for a Republican vacancy, and the Republican Town Committee is the appropriate entity to be naming the candidate for such a vacancy. After careful consideration of a number of qualified candidates, they did just that when their chairman recommended Mr. Giantonio. I can only imagine the public outcry that would exist, if this appointment were for a Democrat, and a prominent member of the Republican party reached inside the Democratic party to manipulate the appointment process. These same Democrats on the council would be outraged, and rightfully so.
One thing is for certain: we need to find elected officials who are honorable enough to stand by their statements. Does anyone on the council have the courage of your convictions, or all you all puppets for Truly-worthless, Catanzaro and Sherwood?
These council members are on a huge power trip as they clearly don't care what the people of this city think so they just do what they want.
The gig is up, Sherwood. Now that Jacobs ran her mouth to a reporter, we now know it was you behind this entire dirty mess!
How's it feel to get caught with your hand in the cookie jar?
Since when did the Common Council have an ethnic quota to fill? Talk about discrimination!! There are well qualified candidates in ALL ethnic groups.
At the New Britain Board of Education meeting held on November 17, 2008 the election of officers was held for the ensuing year as follows:
President; Board Member Sharon Beloin Saavedra
Vice President; Board Member Brian Riley
Secretary of the Board; Board Member Pat Coyle
When a Board Member serves as a board officer he or she spend many extra long hours of devotion to the task as officers and should be commended for their willingness to serve our community in their new capacities.
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