Board of Finance & Taxation, 9/26: (Costco issue)
Some of the same people that have attended many Council meetings to voice their opposition to the Costco proposal were present presenting their same arguments. These are tired arguments that show little other than the intransigence of some folks, arguments that show that these folks are more interested in their feelings than they are in the COMMON GOOD of the overwhelming majority of NB citizens. Suddenly, many of these folks have been transformed from their former “professions” to the point where they are now barristers. Others act like chameleons, changing their coats to fit whatever argument is their latest. Over inflated egos trump common sense and the common good.
Common Council Meeting, 9/28: (Fire Department Contract; Costco issue)
Local 992 Contract:
During Public participation former Mayor Pawlak made some outlandish claims about Fire and Police Dept. pension fund use
– “raided” - by various administrations; this led to him have to propose the now famous $106M Pension Bond. What he didn’t mention was the years long neglect of various administrations not contributing to the Pensions. Also, since he was first elected Mayor that Pension fund was used three times, twice by his administration.
Costco issue:
Once again the same opponents came to voice their tired arguments against Costco. Some of them came with arguments “du jour”, the ones they create when their others are proven to be unworthy. These new arguments come from those whose professions have changed, e.g., one has morphed from being a draftsman to, golf course architect, building engineer and now, real estate appraiser. Yet another has become a legal expert, another has become an EPA consultant, traffic engineer and aesthetic consultants. There are other interesting changes, too numerous to mention. In all cases, inaccurate and non-credible claims/statements are made. Some are prevarications. It has become difficult to know just what are the arguments. I guess these folks just throw some things up against a wall to see which ones stick.
Frank Smith, Independent Blog Owner.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
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5 comments:
Over the course of 2011 we've found that voters in a lot of states wish they could do their Gubernatorial elections from last year over again and pick someone else.
Connecticut is no exception but it does represent a twist- it's the first state where we've found serious buyer's remorse about a Democratic Governor. 52% of Connecticut voters say that if they could do it all over they'd vote for Republican Tom Foley, compared to only 41% who would stick with incumbent Daniel Malloy.
On Thursday, September 29, 2011: Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, 6:00 pm in Room 201 New Britain City Hall on the proposed Costco development
We encourage New Britain residents to attend these Costco meetings to listen to the discussion on these important proposal for our community. Both proponents and opponents to this project should take advantage of these multiple opportunities to let their opinions be heard.
PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULES ON PROPOSED COSTCO DEVELOPMENT...AT NEW BRITAIN CITY HALL...
...Tuesday, October 4, 2011: (PZH) Council Planning, Zoning and Housing Committee Public Hearing. 7:00 pm Council Chambers, 2nd floor.
...Wednesday, October 12, 2011 (tentative pending PZH Committee action): Common Council vote on purchase and sale agreement. 7:00 pm Council Chambers, 2nd floor.
Opinion/OUR VIEW: Don’t delay on Costco.
Showing that they are listening to New Britain residents, Costco executives have revamped a proposal to build a warehouse club store south of Westfarms Mall that, it is estimated, will result in nearly $500,000 a year in new real estate taxes and more than 200 badly needed jobs.
Responding to the outcry from those opposing the original proposal, Costco, working with Mayor Timothy Stewart, has formulated “Plan B,” which would leave A.W. Stanley Park land west of Hartford Road untouched. The company’s original plan was to move three of the Stanley Golf Course’s 27 holes to more than 15 acres of that park. Nearly 2,000 people signed a petition opposing development of any kind in the forest.
Now, Costco is proposing to redesign those three holes on state property on the east side of the road along Route 9.
This plan, which directly addresses the primary objection of most critics, will be taken up at a series of meetings this week and next and Mayor Timothy Stewart has invited the public to sit in and hear how bringing Costco to New Britain will benefit city residents.
“Both proponents and opponents to this project should take advantage of these multiple opportunities to let their opinions be heard,” Stewart said.
Certainly, we hope to see each of the city boards and commissions expeditiously approve the project — rather than see this potential taxpayer and employer take the project somewhere more friendly to commercial development.
Speaking on behalf of Costco, Joseph M. Montesano, real estate consultant for the super-store, has at times expressed strong dismay at the lack of movement on the proposal.
“This project has gotten a huge amount of media attention. I’ve received five proposals from bordering communities by virtue of this delay. A lot of good prospects are coming out of the woodwork,” he told Common Council members.
A vote on the store by the full council, which has already unanimously approved a zone change for Costco, could occur as early as Oct. 12.
We urge the public to support council action for this plan, which should satisfy the stated objections of most of the community, and to encourage this opportunity to bring a substantial new taxpayer and good jobs to the city. In these lean economic times, we can ill afford to turn our backs on growth. Nor should we drag our feet in making a final decision.
We could lose a critical step in the city’s redevelopment unless we understand that, truly, time is money.
Wait until the democrats bus in all those radical agitators from out of state to threaten and coerce people to vote for O'Brien or else!
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