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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Sept 15, 2005 13:48:56 GMT -5
For the sake of an informed public, I post this press release; doing so does not necessarily constitute an endorsement. Dr.Ken:
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Post by morganika on Sept 15, 2005 20:13:56 GMT -5
Oh oh oh I'm voting for this guy! Wonder if he needs any help campaigning! I wonder what his views on a feral cat colony destroying private property are........gimme a lever, I'll pull it!
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Post by ThePatriot on Sept 15, 2005 22:44:56 GMT -5
morganika: after you compose yourself ( he's married ) remember he is running as an independent. The past 2 years 3 Republicans could not shape the agenda against Democrats, how is 1 independent going to change things.
Not to take your breath of fresh air away, but facts are facts.
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Post by morganika on Sept 16, 2005 21:08:21 GMT -5
ha ha, I'm married also, but that doesn't mean there will be no lever pulling. I HAVE to find someone new to vote for, remember I vowed not to vote for anyone who now sits on the council. This really narrows the playing field.
I will however, try to pull myself together, sorry!
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Post by harlaan on Nov 1, 2005 14:54:40 GMT -5
Did anyone see John Console on rgarrey's show? I wonder how he did.
rgarrey: I haven't talked to you in a while. Any thoughts on John?
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Post by oldetowne on Nov 1, 2005 17:22:30 GMT -5
He was OK. The questions weren't particularly tough and the answers were all general.
I think he would have been vastly more effective had he chosen to seek the Republican nomination. Many of the ideas are consistent with what that party's candidates are saying. As a petitioning candidate, he stands no chance whatsoever of being elected and if he polls well will simply drain off enough votes from Republican candidates to ensure that the Democrats retain the majority. It's the same thing that happened with Jack O'Leary eight years ago.
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RGarrey
Gold Member
WCTV "Wethersfield Live" Channel 14
Posts: 84
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Post by RGarrey on Nov 2, 2005 9:41:57 GMT -5
Harlaan, I thought John did a good job. Yes I agree with Oldetowne that some of his ideas are consistent with the Republican platform. I like the fact that he is running unaffiliated with a party. John was on the council before, 79-81, and he is getting back into it because he feels strongly that the town is at a very important time when we need to set a direction for our town that is realistic given the prospect of less State and Federal monies and no real chance of growing the commercial grand list more than +-1% a year. Also he was asked a question about if he was elected, and knowing that he would be a minority vote, would he be an advocate for people who feel their concerns are not being given the proper consideration. This is where I believe an independent candidate could shine, by not letting issues, that have not been properly resolved, just go away.
Any way John has my support, I know him personally and after having talked to him on and off the air about his candidacy I believe he would be an asset to the council and the town.
There is my two cents for what it is worth.
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Post by harlaan on Nov 10, 2005 7:34:56 GMT -5
Rgarrey: well, it looks like you and I and only 525 others thought John should be on the council! Perhaps oldetowne is right, he would have gotten more support if he had run as a Republican.
This brings me back to a discussion we had a couple of years ago. We should create a new party specific to Wethersfield: the Red Onion party. This would be a populist group focusing on Wethersfield issues. The terms "democrat" and "republican" mean something on the state and national level, but nothing on the local level. Look, we have a former democrat council member who is now a popular republican (Cascio) and our democratic mayor is a former republican.
Obviously there is much the two sides agree on, but it's the differences that keep them fighting.
Let's take the stuff we all agree on and create a third option for Wethersfield: the Red Onion party (or some name like that)!!
Comments? (I'm sure there are some out there!)
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Post by oldetowne on Nov 10, 2005 7:50:43 GMT -5
The idea of a third party is interesting, but what would it accomplish? You said that the two major party labels don't really mean much on the local level and I think you are correct. It basically turns into a combination of a popularity contest and the ability of the two organizations to get their people out to the polls.
That being said, the entire focus of both of the two parties during the town election is on town issues. This year there were some real differences, as well as similarities, between the parties. Console was in line with the Republican agenda but with a heavier emphasis on the financial issues to the exclusion of almost everything else. If he had five people running for Council with him, that would just split the "anti incumbent" or "keep taxes down" vote with the Republicans and ensure that the Democrats stayed in power.
More generally, if you wanted to create a third party on a blank slate, who would be in it? What would they want to accomplish or advocate that neither of the two existing parties wants to do? In other words, what would be its reason for existence other than being "none of the above"?
I admit it's an intriguing idea, but unless there's some purpose and goal that is not being met (and cannot be met) by either of the two parties or by "taking over" one of them, then a third row of candidates would just make it an 18 person popularity contest with no real improvement in the quality of the discussion.
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Post by morganika on Nov 10, 2005 19:02:51 GMT -5
I voted for John, not because of what party he was affiliated with, but because I liked his message. A third party would catch my interest, but I don't think they would get far in this town.
Judging by the results of this election, and they way I voted, I'm convinced more than ever I made the wrong decision when I bought this house.
I grew up in this town, my mother did too, and yes, my grandparents lived here. I bought a house here because I had fond memeories of growing up here. But this isn't my Wethersfield. I don't belong here, and I feel bad I forced my husband into living here. Now, five years after we bought here, I'm pressing him to move.
I guess my neighbors and the other overhwelming majority who voted for Russ and Company have plenty to spend on the next tax increase. Yup, I really don't belong here.
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