Today is the Last Day to Register to Vote in Next Week's Election

This is for all the procrastinators out there!

The Registrar of Voters is holding special hours today (October 26), the last day to register to vote before next Tuesday's important election.

Register to vote at City Hall until 8PM tonight.

Registration is easy, simply stop by City Hall on DeKoven Street any time before 8PM, fill out a brief form with your drivers license and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number, and you're all set to participate in the election next week.

There are many close races which will affect the future of Middletown, ranging from State Representative to Governor to U.S. Senator. Take part in choosing your elected officials.

November Recycling Center Hours

The Middletown Recycling Center is open Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and every Saturday through November 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.  

It will be closed Thursday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.

It will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25 & 26 for Thanksgiving. It will be open Saturday, November 27^th.

Starting in December Saturday hours will change to the first and third Saturday of the month 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 860-344-3407.

Westfield Candidates Forum a Lively Event

(Left to right: Matt Lesser, John Szewczyk, Paul Doyle, Joe Serra, David Bauer, and Dom Mazzaccoli)

All of the candidates running to represent the Westfield portion of Middletown turned out to make one of their final public pitches for votes on Monday evening, at a candidates forum hosted by the Westfield Residents Association. About 40 residents heard them discuss issues quite similar to those being discussed in statewide races in Connecticut and elsewhere: creating jobs, balancing the budget, and the value of previous government service.

Dom Mazzacoli (R), running to unseat Senator Paul Doyle (D), opened the forum by saying, "I'm running because we are moving in the wrong direction." Doyle countered by listing his experience and accomplishments over the past 4 years of serving his district, he said that he was most proud of the work he had done to help persuade the Army to move a training facility from Boardman Lane to its current site on Smith Street.

In the 33rd District, challenger David Bauer (R) promised that he would work harder to get Middletown a higher amount of Educational Cost Sharing revenue from the State, he would exert an effort to bring appropriate development of the Aetna property, and he would fight during the upcoming redistricting to get Middletown more favorable district lines. Joe Serra (D) touted his roots in the city, "I was born and raised in Middletown. I spent 37 years at the Public Works Department... I'm the senior member [of the delegation] in terms of time and age, and so they listen to me."

In the 100th District, John Szewczyk (R) is challenging one-term incumbent Matt Lesser (D). Szewczyk told the audience that if elected he would cut the budget by consolidating duplicate state agencies. In a departure, he said that the role of the government was not to create jobs, but rather to invest in infrastructure which would in turn promote economic growth. Lesser said that his first term was not an easy one, having started at the beginning of the economic downturn, but he said, "At the end of the day we were able to protect the city of Middletown [from significant cuts in funding]."

Jim O'Rourke, running for reelection in the 32nd District, spoke of issues on which he had worked with Westfield Residents in the past. Referring to a Dainty Rubbish landfill, he said, "We worked together on the Mt. Trashmore on Newfield Street." He expressed pride in endorsements he has received from environmental groups, "Environment has been one of my key things."

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Disclosure: I am vice-chair of the Westfield Residents Association.

Go Wes!

In our effort to cover more football-related Wesleyan news, I bring you this report from Saturday night's Athletics Hall of Fame dinner at Beckham Hall. In addition to honoring a number of alumni athletes and former lacrosse and soccer coach Terry Jackson, the dinner also honored Wesleyan's 1969 undefeated football team.

At least one member of the team, then-sophomore running back David Revenaugh '72, continues to live in the Middletown area, and he was joined by more than 25 of his teammates who returned to campus for Homecoming Weekend. I caught a shot of David listening as John Biddiscombe read out the storied accomplishments of the team.

Here's an excerpt from the excellent article in the evening's program, describing that year's battle with Amherst:

As good as Wesleyan's 4-0 record was, the fifth game changed the tenor of the season and the opinions of many. Wesleyan hadn't beaten Amherst at Pratt Field in 14 years. They were powerful and widely favored. Once the game started, however, Amherst's Homecoming crowd was subjected to a one-sided contest, a 28-13 Cardinal triumph, that prompted headlines such as, "Wesleyan upsets," "Wesleyan slams," and "Wesleyan stuns." The Wesleyan defense intercepted Amherst five times and recovered three fumbles. Panciera threw three touchdown passes and Revenaugh ran for 130 yards and caught two touchdown passes. In a season of unexpected events, the biggest game of the year was never in doubt, and Wesleyan was a very serious 5-0.

In the end, the 1969 team was undefeated, untied, Little Three champs, and winners of the Lambert Cup. Coach of the Year went to Don Russell and four players were elected to the All-New England team.

Congratulations to David and the rest of the 1969 team!

Forum on Education and Juvenile Justice Tonight

From Elizabeth Bobrick:

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There will be a public forum entitled, "The Intersection of Education and Juvenile Justice" tonight.

5:45 light dinner
6:00 forum
First Church of Christ Congregational
190 Court St (between Main and Broad)
Middletown

Note address: 190 -- NOT 90 -- Court St.

Candidates Forum in Westfield Tonight

The Westfield Residents Association is hosting a candidates forum at its quarterly meeting tonight. This is a great occasion to meet the men and woman vying to represent most of Middletown in the State Capitol. All are welcome to attend the WRA quarterly meeting.

Fellowship Hall

3rd Congregational Church

94 Miner Street

(1 block from Westfield Fire Station on East Street)

The candidates forum will begin at 7:30, after a brief WRA business meeting and a break for refreshments.

Most of the candidates for offices representing Westfield have confirmed they will be at the meeting:

State Senate, 9th District

• Paul Doyle
• Dom Mazzacoli

State Legislature, 32nd District

• Jim O'Rourke
• Christie Carpino

State Legislature, 33rd District

• Joe Serra
• David Bauer

State Legislature, 100th District

• Matt Lesser
• John Szewczyk

Governor Candidates Address Mental Health Issues

Candidates for Governor, Republican Tom Foley,  Independent Tom Marsh and Democrat Dan Malloy took questions from a large group of mental health advocates at the Keep the Promise Children's Mental Health Forum at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, Friday.

There was general agreement among the candidates that in an era where a multi-billion dollar deficit is expected, that the state could not abandon its commitment to mental health services.  All candidates also agreed with the forum sponsors that community-based mental health services offered by not-for-profit and non-state agencies often provided these services more effectively and efficiently.

These sentiments echoed the words of Keep the Promise leaders Eric Arzubi, Alicia Woodsby and Jan van Tassel.

"The emotional-behavioral health of our children is central to the future of our State," Arzubi said.  "It affects school outcomes, physical health, the economy, drug and alcohol use, family life and public safety."

"We made promises as we moved people out of long term institutions," Malloy said.  "And we didn't keep our promises.  We have slowly starved those (not-for-profit) agencies who have provided those services.  We've got to find a way through the budget crisis that does not do further harm to the safety net.  And this is the safety net."

Marsh also agreed that keeping promises is at the heart of solving a problem which he characterizes as a government unwilling to make good on the words they legislate.

"It ends up in the hands of very financially-strapped municipalities to handle these problems," Marsh said, attacking the State Legislature for passing unfunded mandates which must be instituted by cities and school districts without state funding.  "If the school environment is the right place to handle these services then lets keep the promise of funding."

Foley talked about being the primary caretake for a sister who was diagnosed as a young women with bipolar disorder and "spent 40 years in and out of institutions."

Foley acknowledged that the crippled economy and the large state deficit, which he said was significantly smaller than the $5.5 billion projected by candidate Marsh, will make finding a solution difficult.

"We're not going to solve the financial problem on the backs of the needy," Foley said.  "And that includes children and mental health issues.  My plan is to move more of these services into the community.  They do a better job and cost less."

Prior to the governor candidate forum, leaders and guests of Keep the Promise emphasized that chronic underfunding has crippled the mental health system, particularly as services became sorced to community and not-for-profit organizations.  These organizations, speakers noted, provide services for far less than state services, and yet faced initial underfunding, and five years of flat funding.

While the forum advertised that it would be addressing bullying as a mental-health issue, the topic was barely touched-upon by the candidates.  Malloy indicated in his closing remarks that bullying was an important issue and that "we need to do something about it."  Marsh indicated that the state's bullying law was another example of the legislature creating a law which had to be administered by already-strapped school systems.

Alycia McClain, who has complained to the Middletown Board of Education about a bullying situation involving her daughter, and her mother Alexa McClain, spoke with candidate Malloy after the meeting.  They told Malloy that the Middletown Board of Education had not, according to them, taken appropriate action in the bullying of her daughter.  Malloy explained that he was not governor yet, and wished there was something in his power he could do to help.  The McClains gave their names to a Malloy staffer who promised to address their issues in transition to office if Malloy is elected.

"We're not talking about spending more money," vanTassel said.  "But spending less money smarter."

Monday at the Russell Library: Climate Change and Energy Options

Monday, October 25, 7pm
Hubbard Room, Russell Library
William Trousdale, Wesleyan Professor Emeritus of Physics, and Marvin Farbman, former Director of CT Legal Services, lead this seminar series. The first session on October 18th focused on global warming and a profile of energy use. The second meeting is Monday 25 October and will consider the history and future use of nuclear energy. The last session on Monday, November 8 will examine the pros and cons of solar power along with other energy choices.

Middletown High at the Head of the Charles Regatta

Milardo Responds To Kasper Allegations

Commentary by MMPA President, and city employee John Milardo

I read Councilwoman Kaspers article hoping to hear something different from the democrats on the Common Council, and understand why they have turned into this vegful, self serving group of politial bullies, with only one aim: to force their decisions onto everyone else.  I define 'everyone" as our local labor organizations, and the general public.

Ms. Kasper has now gone on attack mode, to protect herself, and her policial cronies.  I will address her comments one by one.

Ms. Kasper states several times, I am Superintendent of Parks, and my wife is Director of Personnel.  What's her point?  I have been a city employee for 4 decades, and met my wife while working.  I don't see that as a concern to anyone, just as Councilwoman Kasper doesn't and didn't see that as an issue when she and her husband both worked for the City.

The Councilwoman states I am abusing city resourses and time, as a Union representative.  As for performing Union acitivities during work, (as well as my private time), there is nothing illegal about it.  If it were illegal, she would have made a complaint several years ago.  Maybe I should not conclude she would know what is legal and illegal?  After all, she refused to step down from an elected post on the City of Middletown Retirement Committee, fully knowing her two year term had expired by almost 10 years!  And then tried to stay on without a proper election called by the City Unions.  She should be ashamed of trying to say someone else is violating anything!

I am still an active Union member/official; maybe over active?  There are a couple of diffences between how Ms. Kasper and myself perform(ed) Union activities.  When Ms. Kasper was an AFSCME Union member and City employee:  she was removed as a member in good standing by her union, for life!  Do you know how bad a person has to screw up to be thrown out of their own Union?  What I am trying to achieve is a new way of doing things in our City, through Union acitivies and assistance from Middletown taxpayers.  I am not doing it by sucking up to any of the local town committees and their members to make a change.  It should come from the average blue collar worker and taxpayers in our town.  That is who I am trying to enlist.

Another difference between Councilwoman Kasper and myself is; when the Director of Personnel and I married, one of us dropped our medical coverage (and didn't have to); to save the taxpayers the cost of two health insurance policies for one family.  Councilwoman Kasper and her husband, also a retired City of Middletown employee, both have kept their medical insurance coverages, just so they don't have to pay the $5 co-pays of their city provided health visits.  Ms. Kasper thinks nothing of letting the taxpayer pay thousands of dollars extra for her two full health insurance coverages, so she can save $5 for an office visit.

As for the Councilwoman stating how much I, as Parks Superintendent made in overtime in the year of 2008, I don't know if it's accurate, but I will tell you, I and the entire Parks & Recreation Maintenance Division work a lot during the year, as do many other City departments and their employees.  Ms. Kasper, as a Council member knows the reason why?  We are woefully understaffed, and have been for many, many, years.  We have 14 employees, and should have at least 30.  You do the math to find out how the work will get done.  It is an ongoing issue which the Common Council has not, and will not address.

I am not sure exactly what her implications are regarding my wages, and "special interest groups" have in common?   My wages and other information is open for public reveiw.  I am not hiding anything; never tried to, or have.  Is the Councilwoman saying I am the only MMPA or AFSCME employee who should not recieve overtime wages according to their bargaining agreements?  I believe she is fine with everyone else earning overtime (including herself when she was a City employee): the exception would be the MMPA President because he is going against the "Democratic Machine".  Gee, do you think she's is trying to defame me because I have the audacity to open my mouth?  How dare I!

In her capacity as a Council person, she is inferring there is something wrong or illegal with my earning overtime.  If she has facts to base her comments and implications, Councilwoman Kasper needs to file a complaint and bring it forward.  That is of course, if she is not just flapping her lips to take the heat off herself and her colleagues.  If her commentary is factual, she must bring the complaints to the legal process.  She took an oath to uphold the laws of Middletown and the United States of America; it is demanded of her to come forward and proceed with her findings; she was elected to a position, "by the people".  If she doesn't, then it is my duty to bring a complaint forward; against her!  (Point of Information:  Anything I mention or state as fact in any of the MMPA news letters, or commetaries, can be backed up.)

The "special interest" groups I refer to in my past letter regard those who claim to be non-profit, but make a profit and recieve tax abatements.  Or, the profitable entities who contribute to their political elections, and recieve monetary incentives by the Councils actions.

Please Hope, don't comment again, all you are doing is proving my point.

McCarthy Park Gets Trees

Things are happening at McCarthy Park, which is known to many as City School Field. A group of neighbors have been working for many years securing funds from the Middlesex County Community Foundation and Community Development Block Grants to improve the quality and accessibility of the park. In a previous round, the handicapped-accessible ramp was rebuilt; and extensive improvements were made to the landscaping and drainage between the two levels of the park. This round has seen the resurfacing of the tennis and basketball courts, and the installation of a swing set. The swings have already attracted young parents and youngsters to the park. Most recently, this past Wednesday, four "London plane" trees (similar to sycamores) were planted along the edge of the park, by Hotchkiss Street. A special thanks to Ken Ahnell of Middlesex Alternatives to Incarceration for providing equipment and volunteers.

Here is a slide show of the planting.



Stay tuned for bike racks, benches, and some nicer fencing along the edges. But no need to wait for these—come on over and bring a ball! Many thanks on all these fronts to Middletown’s Park and Rec Department and to Michiel Wackers of the Planning Department.

[Information and photos for this story provided by John Elmore and Jennifer Saines. Full disclosure: I am Jennifer's spouse.]

Middlesex County Historical Society Honored by State and National History Organizations

The Middlesex County Historical Society was honored to receive an Award of Merit at the annual state meeting of the Connecticut League of History Organizations at the Old State House in Hartford in June. The Society’s Civil War initiative, which includes the current exhibit “Hard & Stirring Times: Middletown and the Civil War,” the placement of the exhibit on its website, www.middlesexhistory.org, and the development of curriculum using the Society’s Civil War archives for the local middle and high schools, was cited for recognition.

The American Association for State and Local History presented the Society an Award of Merit at that group’s annual meeting in Oklahoma City on September 24. Terry L. Davis, President and CEO, wrote, “The AASLH Leadership in History Awards is the nation’s most prestigious competition for recognition of achievement in state and local history. We congratulate you for the work that has brought this honor.” The full list of Connecticut honorees can be found at http://www.clho.org/award.htm.

The initiative was funded by a grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council with matching support provided by the Middlesex County Historical Society’s Antique and Classic Car Show Committee and many private donations.

The exhibit can be viewed at the Society’s headquarters, The General Joseph Mansfield House, 151 Main Street, Middletown. Museum hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10 to 3, and Friday, 10 to 12. Genealogical and archival research is available by appointment.