Councilman Earle Roberts has qualified to run as an Independent for Common Council in November's municipal elections. He has turned in petitions to the City Clerk, and said that she had certified the signatures and forward them to the Secretary of State's Office, Connecticut Elections. He said that he would work hard to make sure that voters would know he was on the ballot, and why he was running, "I'm in it for doing what's the right thing for the city as a whole."Roberts, an incumbent Republican, was not nominated for the ballot by the Republican Town Committee, which instead renominated three other incumbent Republicans and 5 relative newcomers for Common Council. In an Eye interview, Roberts said that two of his votes in particular had angered the Middletown Republican leadership and led to his ouster from the ticket. He cited the vote on the police contract which Mayor Giuliano had negotiated, when Roberts sided with the 8 Democrats in rejecting the contract. He said the other vote where he did not toe the party line was over the resolution which effectively reprimanded the mayor for allowing a political ally to remove brownstone from a city-owned house that is going to be demolished. In the affair of the brownstone, Roberts cast the deciding vote to allow the resolution to be on the agenda.
Roberts vigorously defended both votes. He pointed out that the police contract went into arbitration, ultimately saving the city considerable money. He said that the brownstone issue would have been raised at the next Council meeting anyway, and he did not want the Republicans to be seen as squelching a discussion of a possible mistake by the Republican mayor.
Roberts said his approach to government was based on "practical values", saying "I'm bringing a common sense approach." He decried the increases in spending by city, state, and federal governments, saying that more is not always better. "My type of politics is that [the answer] shouldn't always be growth, we shouldn't always spend more money and raise taxes."
NOTE: An earlier version of this said that the petitions would go to the Secretary of State. Thanks to an alert reader for catching the mistake. Hillary Clinton does not have anything to do with Roberts' election bid.
4 comments:
Unfortunately, like many other politicians, Earle Roberts thinks he is much more important to the community than he truly is. Earle votes no on almost every item that comes before him, especially anything to do with money. Projects and services cannot be accomplished for free, employees don't work for free, roads, parks, buildings, utilities don't take care of themselves. I'm sure Mr. Roberts understands this, as I am sure he does not work for free, or own a house without paying his bills. Unfortunately, it costs money for everything in life, that is just how it is. I don't think Middletown spends money hap-hazardly. Maybe the Board of Education does, but City government as a whole does not.
When Mr. Roberts takes the microphone, he talks in circles, never giving a direction or a resolution to a problem, only a comment and complaint. He is the most negative person on the Council. I applaude the Republican party for removing him from their slate.
I could not agree less with most of the views expressed by Anonymous 7:45. Mr. Roberts is honest and votes as his conscience dictates. He does not always vote the Party Line but to me seems to agree often with traditional Republican values. As for his circuitous public speaking style, I would agree that it could be improved. However, his objections are most often well considered and deserving of attention. I am glad to see that he will be on the ballot.
Looking at the Republican Slate, there are some new individuals with the oratorical skills of Popsicles and the brain power of brooms.
I will cast my vote for Earle Roberts rather than his unworthy opponents even if in the past he has crippled his political progress with "senseless honesty".
I agree that Mr. Roberts is good for the town. Yes he votes no for money being spent. If Middleown lived within their budget wouldn't keep asking for more money I would think differently. We need more people like Mr. Roberts to watch the spending. Keep it up Earl or or tax rate will be going up and up to pay for all those services. Geez do you think the money grows on trees for all these projects and services. I am tired of financing all these projects and if these services are so important you then you can donate your time and your money. As long as it doesn't cost me a dime go for it and knock yourself out. I gurantee if you spend your dollar and donate your time you would like what Mr Roberts is doing.
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