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Post by oldetowne on Jun 17, 2004 10:07:57 GMT -5
Check out the proposed changes to the charter that will be the subject of the public hearing on June 23. Links at the bottom of this posting - hope they work, otherwise go to wethersfieldct.com and follow through to the Government page where there's a link to it. I know a lot of people wanted a referendum on the budget - that's not in there. The draft also proposes electing the mayor separately from the Council and proposes some other changes that may or may not make sense. However you feel about these things, I guess the reason I am bringing this up at all is just so that people can weigh in on the proposals (and non-proposals) here and at the public hearing. www.wethersfieldct.com/charter_revision.html#notice www.wethersfieldct.com/clerk/2004_proposed_charter.html |
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Post by SenatorBlutarsky on Jun 17, 2004 21:45:52 GMT -5
It's interesting to look at our neighbor's and everyone is in the same boat, at anywhere from 3%-15% budget increase. Alot of towns that vote on the budget have rejected their budget several times. The voters are finally paying attention to the process. Wethersfield is in a different kind of boat, seeing how we neglected our infrastructure for years. I'm surprised the Football Field project hasn't been halted, due to finding "Dinosaurs" on site. Has anyone seen George lately?   |
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mocmoc
Silver Member
Posts: 48
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Post by mocmoc on Jun 17, 2004 22:27:24 GMT -5
Russ Morin would be in big trouble with charter reform. With his total lack of speaking skills he couldn’t beat anybody straight up in a one on one debate for Mayor. Looks like the Democrats would have to run Julie Montineri. ;D
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Post by oldetowne on Jun 18, 2004 6:36:47 GMT -5
Regardless of who the person is that is Mayor, I think that will change the whole dynamic of how this town works. I also am afraid that it will become a more open clash of egos at the expense of the residents.
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Gotcha
Bronze Member
Posts: 11
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Post by Gotcha on Jun 18, 2004 6:39:28 GMT -5
I never realized that public speaking is a prerequisite for good leadership. Russ has done a great job in his capacity. I’m a die-hart republican and I like his style. Russ is refreshing to watch and most of all, he lives up to his promises. We can’t say that about to many politicians.
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Post by TheFreshman on Jun 18, 2004 15:37:34 GMT -5
Russ really has done a great job on leadership. He promised progress on the Cove (we're further along than ever), Cottone Field (done soon) and economic development (tax abatement has passed, they've got a low interest facade improvements program and plans for a development agency) Plus he's got to balance a group of mostly inexperienced councilors while trying to fend off snide and politically motivated comments by members of the backbenchers... I wouldn't want this job for all the tea in China!
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Post by oldetowne on Jun 18, 2004 16:26:44 GMT -5
"Plus he's got to balance a group of mostly inexperienced councilors while trying to fend off snide and politically motivated comments by members of the backbenchers..." Dude, you need to relax. Dissenting viewpoints can be really annoying to the party in control in a free and democratic society, but that's the cost of living in a state and nation where people are allowed to disagree. Also, the "back benchers" are actually the junior and less influential members of the majority party - I believe your verbal attack should have referred to them as the "loyal opposition".
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Post by TheFreshman on Jun 21, 2004 8:22:33 GMT -5
What's loyal about comments like Czernicki's at nearly every council meeting where she calls someone's integrety into question (if she did this in public she'd be sued for defamation of character!)?? How about Hemman's reversal on the rules changes after she drafted the rules herself? What about Cascio's never being at the meetings where the slighest bit of contraversy? Pay attention "dude"...These people are a disgrace to the Town of Wethersfield. The only thing they've done right is to support the town budget (with the exception of Czernicki voting against the school budget).
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Post by oldetowne on Jul 23, 2004 6:27:48 GMT -5
OK. Back to the original topic, if I may. I watched some of the public hearing and Council discussion of charter revision the other night when it was on again. It's all pretty interesting. Not sure I like electing the mayor separately - too many swollen but fragile egos in town already. Wondering what anybody else thinks.
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Post by LouS on Jul 23, 2004 7:00:50 GMT -5
My two cents.
I am not really for the change. However, if this is what is selected I would offer a modification.
Statistically speaking, anyone running for mayor would probably, even as the looser, garner many more votes than other members running for council. To have the "looser" of the mayor's race be allowed to remain on the council is to me a back door way of getting elected.
The run for mayor should be a win/loose proposition, as it is in other towns.
There is an arguement on the other side, but I feel strongly about this.
I agree that there are fragile psyches around but anyone running should have the mindset for it...not me.
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Sparky
Bronze Member
Posts: 16
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Post by Sparky on Jul 24, 2004 0:43:53 GMT -5
Why not have people run for Mayor? Are you telling me the former Mayor wouldn't have mopped up ?
Then we could have had a thread of "meltdown of Mayor".
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Post by oldetowne on Sept 2, 2004 8:41:12 GMT -5
The final version of the proposed charter is on the town's website. It looks like most of the "changes" have been taken out or were never included in the first place and all that has been done is some selective editing and changing of dates and dollar amounts. Status quo prevails!
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Post by SenatorBlutarsky on Sept 3, 2004 0:16:09 GMT -5
Did you really think things would change? Wethersfield is known for it's politics.
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