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Post by morganika on Oct 15, 2004 14:22:04 GMT -5
CORNERSTONE OF OUR COMMUNITY
a new PAC of concerned citizens
PROMOTES PASSAGE OF REFERENDUM
for Town Hall / Library Renovation
Wethersfield, CT
September 30, 2004
The Cornerstone of Our Community, PAC, (TCOOC) is a political action committee (PAC) (registered with the Town, 9/20/2004) formed by concerned citizens to promote the referendum that would, is passed, fund necessary structural repairs and improvements to the Town Hall / Library building. "Cornerstone" points out that, if the referendum does not pass, the building will only deteriorate further and the eventual cost of repairs will increase. Eugene Grayson of Wethersfield is president of TCOOC.
The wording that will appear on the November ballot is: Should the Town of Wethersfield appropriate a $5.2 million bond for Phase II of the Town Hall and Library renovations and authorize the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation?
The TCOOC state that the passage of the referendum and repairs are necessary because:
"Leaks in the roof endanger property & equipment
Floor tiles & insulation present an asbestos hazard
There is lead paint throughout the building
The 50-year-old boiler is ineffecient and out of date
The old windows leak and waste energy
The lack of a full sprinkler system is a serios public safety issue
Handicapped access to public offices & restrooms is limited
The outdated telephone system and wiring cannot support today's computer and telecommunication needs."
"Cornerstone" also claims that "the average homeowner can expect an increase of $3.55 per month in property taxes for the first two years" after which the amount will decrease.
Those who are interested in volunteering to distribute flyers, make phone calls or speak to groups and organizations to which they belong in order to promote the passage of this referendum may contact:
Lucille Plouffe at 529-0890 or
Jane Sjoman at 563-0369.
TCOOC welcomes contributions from like-minded citizens to be used for printing and signs. Contributions to PAC's are not federally tax-deductible; there is no itemization for deductions at that state level either. Please make the checks out to "TCOOC" and send them to:
TCOOC
Jane Sjoman, Treasurer
769 Maple Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109-4141.
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Post by Bulldog on Oct 16, 2004 0:11:34 GMT -5
Why blow smoke up everybodys ass, when you say we will pay $3.55. Do we ever see a decrease when a 5-10 or 20 year bond is payed off?
The town hall would be cheaper to level it than to renovate it.
Only our town would put out 20 year bonds to pave roads and build sidewalks.
It is like buying a car with a 15 yr. home equity loan, your paying 15 years and the car lasted 6 years.
We'll be paving the same roads in 15 years and we'll still be paying off the bill from 2004.
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Post by SyZyGy on Oct 16, 2004 8:50:05 GMT -5
Hey, Bulldog!
Among the problems which 'morganika' has, she also has a problem with plagiarism. The information which she posted here (regarding the TCOOC PAC) was taken word for word (including a misspelling) from another private website in town (and I am not talking about the Town's website). The link to it was one of many public service announcement (PSA) type links and notices there. Copyright infringement is usually enough to get someone bounced off a bulletin board. Now, BD, put your leg down and don't 'shoot' the messanger.
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Post by JackAss on Oct 16, 2004 20:50:31 GMT -5
It sounds like morganika works for The New York Times or CBS or some other rag tag group. Maybe morganika really is Mike Barnical or Doris Kearns Goodwin (famous plagiarists).  |
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Oct 27, 2004 13:27:20 GMT -5
"VOTE NO!" a PAC
URGES TAX-WEARY RESIDENTS:
Vote: NO! NO! NO! on NOV.2
AGAINST ALL 3 REFERENDA Endorsed by WTXA members(Edited)October 27, 2004 As part of the 2004 Presidential Election, the Town of Wethersfield will have three (3) referenda questions on the ballot calling for a citizen vote. - #1 Charter Revision
- #2 Town Hall / Library Building for $5,200,000*
- #3 Streets, Roads and Sidewalks for $2,920,000
- *The public should note that the current request for $5,200,000 is in addition to the $3,200,000 which was previously bonded bringing the total to be spent (if approved) to $8,400,000.oo!
The VOTE NO!,a town-registered, political action committee (PAC), has taken the position of urging a NO VOTE on all three questions. VOTE NO! believes the Town needs a "time out" from all major spending. This year's huge tax increase, coupled with what would surely be spent if questions 2 & 3 were to be passed, foretell another significant tax increase. This would dramatically add to the ongoing operating costs, the Town's current bonding level, and locked-in contractual, salary obligations. The combined would have a major impact on the expected tax burden next year, 2005. VOTE NO!, headed by Walter Swindell of Wethersfield, also strongly feels that the Town Charter must address the issue of citizens having the right to petition for a referendum on the yearly budget, hence the recommended "NO" vote urged on question #1. They feel that it must also address what it sees as the "flawed process" that permits the town's "political leaders" to spend millions of tax dollars without direct taxpayer approval for "questionable projects" such as, they note, the $1.25M to $1.50M Cottone Field project. VOTE NO! points out that it is "possible to put into the budget, annual cost increments, below the threshold required to bring spending plans to referendum". Another feature of the proposed Charter revision would make such moves even easier, since it would boost the current threshold from $100,000 threshold to $200,000.  Hundreds of their signs started to sprout up around town on Saturday morning October 23, the day after Rocco Orsini and George A. Ruhe, members of the Wethersfield Taxpayers Association, appeared on Rick Garrey's "Wethersfield LIVE" show on public access channel Cox #14. At that time, Orsini gestured and urged the public that the taxpayers of Wethersfield need a "Time OUT!" from heavy taxation. Individual members, such as they, of the Wethersfield Taxpayers Association are actively endorsing the VOTE NO! committee. Those who feel, as VOTE NO! and WTXA members do, that it is time for a "time-out" from more debt and taxes are encouraged to make non-tax-deductible contributes to VOTE NO!, working to defeat all three referendum questions. Make checks payable to: VOTE NO!,PAC, mailing them to Robert Young, Treasurer. Walter Swindell, President VOTE NO!,PAC 46 Oldham Rd, Weth' (860) 529-3953 Robert Young, Treasurer, VOTE NO!,PAC 20 Copermill Rd, Weth' (860) 563-6923 Those who additionally wish to support the WTXA (a 501c3 charitable) with its efforts to educate the public in Town financial and taxpayers matters are encouraged to donate their time, talents and tax-deductible contributions to: WTXA, Inc., by contacting: Rocco Orsini, Pres. WTXA,Inc. (860) 563-3246 George A. Ruhe, VP WTXA,Inc. (860) 529-7196 (c) K.E.Sokolowski 2004 |
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Post by SyZyGy on Oct 28, 2004 8:13:13 GMT -5
www.ctnow.com/ (c)Copyright 2004, Hartford Courant Bonding Project A Test Of PrioritiesBy MaryEllen Fillo
Courant Staff Writer
October 28 2004
WETHERSFIELD -- Many here agree that Tuesday's vote on two major bonding projects is more about attitude than the asphalt and bricks that any approved funding would buy.
If voters approve the $5.21 million funding package for the town hall/library renovations, and the $2.73 million for sidewalk and road repairs passes, supporters would consider it a sign that Wethersfield's silent majority favors an aggressive jumpstart for an ailing town.
And if the bonding packages fail, they fear it could mean a vocal minority that regularly complains about out-of-control town spending, is, in fact, speaking on behalf of the community.
"This is a test of what people want," said Town Manager Bonnie Therrien, who was hired about 18 months ago. "The town is falling down around us because things like roads and buildings have not been taken care of," she said. "The choice is to either spend it now and make the repairs at a lower price, or wait to make appropriations for emergency repairs."
Officials have compiled a laundry list of repairs, including cracked sidewalks and crumbling roads in a growing number of neighborhoods. The roof of the town hall and the public library leaks regularly. Windows, installed when the building was constructed more than 50 years ago, are energy inefficient. The building has lead paint and asbestos, limited handicapped access and only a partial sprinkler system. There is not enough office space, and the ventilation system is out of date.
Those opposed to the bonding say the town needs to better investigate and prioritize the repairs. They criticize the council for recently fast-tracking more than $1 million in high school field improvements rather than spending the money on roads or the town hall building.
"The council has not done a diligent job on this," said Robert Young, a member of the Wethersfield Taxpayers Association and one of the principals of a political action committee [Vote NO!,PAC] pushing to defeat the referendum questions.
"People are angry over their taxes now," said Young, who, with several other residents, has repeatedly chastised the council this year for tax increases. "Town hall does need to be repaired, but unfortunately the town council has not taken the proper steps to identify everything that needs to be done."
Young's group [Vote NO!,PAC] has erected red and white signs around town proclaiming "Debt & Taxes? Had Enough? Vote No-No-No."
On the other side, bonding supporters say it's time to give up the band-aid approach and antiquated attitude toward the town's upkeep.
"How can we expect businesses to locate in this town when you look at things like the appalling condition of the town hall/library building," said Susan Brady, a member of the Cornerstone of Our Comity PAC that is lobbying for passage of the bonding questions.
"This town has been going on the cheap for so long. Most people want to see this done. Now they have to get out and vote on it."
The group is not only broadcasting a video on public access television that shows the various building problems, but has sent mailings and erected green and white signs urging a "yes" vote on the referendum.
Mayor Russ Morin, who led a slate that actively campaigned for more aggressive economic growth and town improvements, said he will abide by what voters say they want. But he notes that the additional $76 a year in taxes the average homeowner would incur from the bonding would be well spent.
"I'm not surprised people are fighting the bonding, they have been fighting things like this for years," said Morin, a Democrat. "But that's their opinion and they have rights."
Morin, however, believes those who voted the current council into office a year ago will realize it's time to vote "yes" again to help the governing body continue its efforts.
"I think people had better be prepared if it is not passed," added Republican Councilman John Cascio, who supports the bonding. "If this bonding isn't approved, the council is going to have to dig deep to take care of problems that aren't going away. Things have got to be fixed one way or the other."
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Post by oldetowne on Oct 28, 2004 9:29:15 GMT -5
These two statements sum up the entire political reality of Wethersfield:
"I'm not surprised people are fighting the bonding, they have been fighting things like this for years," said Morin, a Democrat. "But that's their opinion and they have rights."
Morin, however, believes those who voted the current council into office a year ago will realize it's time to vote "yes" again to help the governing body continue its efforts.
Translation:
- People who question anything are branded as nattering nabobs of negativism
- They have the right to their opinion, but in increments of five minutes and they have to be "civil"
- We won the election in 2003 so your opinion doesn't mean diddly.
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Post by Zookeeper on Oct 28, 2004 14:59:38 GMT -5
What's going on with former Mayor Kitch? The two bond questions on the ballot next week both came from a resolution introduced by the three GOP councilors. She, along with the other councilors, voted for both questions when the Council decided to put them on the ballot and, according to the minutes from the August 18 special meeting, she "stated that she is happy to see that the committees have done such a fine job of tuning the initial resolution to the point where the issues at the Town Hall and Library building can be adequately and thoroughly addressed." At the August 30 special meeting, she said "that now seems to be a good time to borrow money and she is strongly in favor of going forward with the Town Hall and Library renovations."
If she was such a big supporter of these projects, and if she thought everyone involved did a "fine" job of developing the questions, why did she put a VOTE NO sign on her lawn? These questions had bipartisan and unanimous support on the Council and the other councilors are willing to stand behind their votes. Why isn't she? Did she mean what she said last summer, or was it all nothing but a political shell game?
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Post by SyZyGy on Oct 28, 2004 15:28:16 GMT -5
Kitch apparently had nothing to do with it; she apparently stands firm in her prior position.
It was Ed (her husband).
From what I understand "politics makes strange bedfellows"!
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Post by L on Oct 28, 2004 18:24:26 GMT -5
Nattering nabobs of negativism - a great on-point description of WTXA. I believe the term was first used by VP Spiro (the Zero) Agnew (probably one of WTXA's heroes) to describe anti-Viet Nam war protestors.
Another description that comes to mind is William F. Buckley's comment about President Gerald Ford, who played center on the football team at Michigan. Buckley said that Ford had played too much football and had gotten so used to looking at the world upside down, backwards and with his head between his legs that he thought that view represented normalcy. That fits the WTXA to a T.
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Post by Zookeeper on Oct 28, 2004 20:48:29 GMT -5
So she had nothing to do with a sign on her own lawn??? C'mon, you gotta be kidding me. I suppose it also had nothing to do with the fact that the WXTA was solidly behind the GOP ticket in the last election either.
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Post by SenatorBlutarsky on Oct 29, 2004 0:19:38 GMT -5
Zookeeper, check out the thread of "Meltdown of Former Mayor" and it all ties in. Hey Doc: I have only seen 1 sign pop up. Maybe you have the other 99 in your yard.  |
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Oct 29, 2004 6:08:19 GMT -5
Senator,
No. I checked this morning. There are only two signs, neither of which I put there (wife) and neither of which relates to the referenda questions.
I think you must be talking about Chesterfield Street. Besides '99' would be only a fraction of the >500 and <1000 signs which Vote NO! had printed and is still in the process of installing - so I am told.
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