Prior to the regular meeting, Council members used most of the "Questions to Directors" portion of the meeting to direct their fire at either Republican Mayor Giuliano, or at the Democratic majority on the Council. Guy Russo, Water and Sewer Director, was questioned for 25 minutes by Democrat Jim Streeto on the mayor's press release justifying his actions.
Phil Pessina and Joe Bibisi, both Republicans, would have none of it. Pessina said it was disappointing to see problems crop up repeatedly in the department. Pessina asked Deb Milardo, Director of Personnel, about labor issues in Water and Sewer. Milardo said there were problems in the implementation of a reorganization in the department and questioned Russo's characterization, "The reorganization is not as operational as was presented today."
During the public hearing, Jeff Daniels, president of the Local 466 union, spoke about unrest within the Water and Sewer workforce. He said that many positions remained vacant, and workers were waiting for training they needed, "We have internal issues over there."
The resolution calling for an investigation split the Council largely along party lines. Pessina said, "I am perplexed, he's the CEO of the city." Councilman Dan Drew, candidate for mayor, said that opposition to the investigation was a "smoke screen." Drew said the mayor should not be able to act with impunity.
Giuliano said that the resolution as written was not framed in accordance with the Charter, because it failed to specify which Department, Agency, or Office was to be investigated. He charged that the Democrats were asking for an "open-ended investigation into who knows what."
These changes did not satisfy the Republican councilmen, but with an 8-4 majority, the resolution passed along party lines.
12 comments:
Nice way to waste the taxpayers dollars on a witch hunt before the election. Just politics as usual in Middletown by the democrats.
I have one thing to say,
HEY YUZZZ GUYZZZZZZ !
Please Print this:
Does the fact that Guy Russo and Tom Serra are cousins have anything to do with tha matter? How about John Robinson's daughter who works for the Water Company? The Dem controlled council protects their own at all costs despite the price. $10,000 come on? What's next an investigation into the Mayor's driving habits? Or, "Well, he moved the coffee pot so let's plunk down $11,000 to see why he did that." Follow the charter and get along!
Raymond Palmer
Thanks for covering this story!
These shenanigans, along with the resolution prophibiting the mayor from hiring, are similiar to what is happening in Washington.
Only difference is that the party holding the process hostage in Middletown is the Democrats.
This is a $10,000 fishing expedition on taxpayers dime. The Mayor moved Mr. Russo's desk so he could keep closer eye on department - what's to investigate? Let Middletown Democratic Town Committee fund the investigation since the resolution clearly isn't for the benefit of the people but to further MDTC agenda. That's the smoke screen!
Nonsense. They're emulating their esteemed colleagues in the federal government and looking as petty, too. I'm sure the city has bigger issues to discuss than these.
Dan Drew is walking around town spouting that he'll put an end to unnecessary lawsuits. Then he votes for this investigation.
Plausible deniability: "it's not a lawsuit; it's an investigation."
That's the smoke screen Dan. The money still goes out of the taxpayer's pocket, and into the pocket of a hired-gun lawyer.
Dear Dan Drew:
Whew! When I first met you two years ago I was quite impressed with your positive energy and your ideas, but this cycle things are quite different- you have become very robotic and puppetlike; sorry but, that is my opinion. Seb maybe a little off color, but he is very transparent and will say things like they are.
Why did you change my opinion?
The first strike was with the Registrar of Voters issue. Why? What was the purpose of demanding different moderators! Leave them alone, those women (Dem/Rep) are just doing their jobs. A lot of people were hurt by that matter and some families were torn apart over your actions.
The second strike was booting Christine Bourne off the ticket. Two words: Whistle Blower! Why don't you stand up for her and give her an award instead of Jerry. How many times have you had pizza there? Awhile ago you gave John Hall an award. The same guy that wanted David Messenger, a convicted killer at CVH to be let loose. Good one Dan! Very disappointed.
Last night, you were at your worst when you accussed Pessina of hiding things whwen all he wanted to do was save the town $10,000. That is very bad! I get the fact that you want to run for mayor, but at what cost? Pessina is a very passionate man, who has done a lot for the town community over the years. I think Kasper did you a favor by calling the recess. I am very disappointed, and it scares me to see what would happen if you hold the executive chair. Ultimate Power will corrupt you!
I am voting for the following: Giuliano, Pessina, Dypa (How could you not) Salfia, Streeto, Wilson, Debbie K., Pulino, Ed, the write in guy, Rue Anne, (I have other choices to make) I used to vote for Daly,(err, don't ask an Elk)Serra(Too poweful), Klatenberg(Tries but not hard enough) Kasper(uses office for personal gain),Grady (tag along)Bob Santangelo(No way! He sulks and yells or walks out when he doesn't get his way. If you become Mayor, the other "S" family will be demanding stuff from you left and right)
I may even vote for Bauer, at least he won't try to cheat the people with his vote.
Albert "Al" Pratt
Hmmm.. Attorney to be used?? SPADA?? He will always give you what you want!
It was interesting how Dan's demeaner changed and was foreced to modify his original resolution and acutally take Bauer's suggestion of striking out paragraphs 1, 2 and 6.
Serra hates Bauer because he was the one that figured out the malfunctioning voting machine years back that Serra wanted kept hush hush.
I know that very little people care about cutting and pasitng one's work and ideas today, but DD, literally, took a piece of a GOP Candidate's P+Z platform. Okay, he changed one word. Bad bad bad
HYPOCRITICAL! Please Eye ask Drew this one-
http://wesleyanargus.com/2009/09/15/middletown-mayoral-hopeful-dan-drew/
Interesting Drew Fact: why does he want to investigate the water and sewer when in 2009 he told the Wesleyan Argus that he knows it's bleeding money & going bankrupt back in 2009??
A: Do you see any pre-existing difficulties that you will have to overcome when you take office?
DD: Major financial crisis is always going to be right there on the horizon. Giuliano claims experience for re-election, but he has achieved the height of fiscal irresponsibility. He increased taxes for residents all over town, more so than the three democratic mayors before him. Yet, Republicans keep suggesting that fiscally responsible means fiscally conservative. Not to mention, our city’s sewer department is in dire straits financially. If it were privately owned, it would declare bankruptcy. We don’t know where we’re going right now.
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