An Introduction To Democratic State Delegate Kellin Atherton

Editorial note. 
This year almost all of the state-wide elected offices are open, and as a result the State nominating conventions are expected to be hotly contested. Thus, the selection of delegates to the conventions has been closely watched by partisans. 

The majority of delegates to previous Democratic Party conventions have been well-known local politicians, such as Dan Drew, Matt Lesser, Rob Blanchard, Carl Chisem, and Bob Santangelo. None of these men were selected this year by the Democratic Town Committee (although other established politicians were, for example, Elizabeth Santangelo, Tom Serra, Quentin Phipps, and Mary Bartolotta). 

Some of the new delegates to the state convention are young, have not run for elective office, and hence may not be known to many in the city. 

One of them, Kellin Atherton, sent The Eye the following to introduce himself to the city. 
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As chosen by your Democratic Town Committee as a delegate to the state convention following a time of change and uncertainty, in a spirit of unity and conviction in Democratic and Progressive values, a new face and voice, I wanted to introduce myself.

My name is Kellin Atherton and I’ve lived in Middletown for over 5 years now – 2 as a renter and 3 as a homeowner. I live off of West Lake and I’m working on organizing a neighborhood cleanup and canvass there once it gets warmer. I’ve been married almost 7 years. My wife is an early childhood teacher in New Haven at one of the best ECE facilities in the state. We have a son who is almost 5 and a daughter who is 3 and they go to her school all day, every day. Our American Dream is to open an early childhood facility one day.

Both of my children had their 1st birthday parties at Green St. Art Space. My son’s 4th last year was at Smith Park – we took he and his friends on a scavenger hunt on the gravel path that runs through the woods there. The other parents raved about the party but all we did if you really think about it was take some kids for a walk in a park in Middletown.

I finished my MBA online while living in Middletown and working for a Pharmaceutical manufacturer in Centerbrook. The owner there is a good man and I helped his state senate campaign in 2016 doing field work.

Now I work for an aerospace consulting company. A few years ago I organized a children’s book drive through work. I’m a dedicated father and a big advocate for valuing Early Childhood Education and, more simply, reading to the children in your life. In fact, you can find my family and I at Russell library almost every week. I’ve got receipts.

Since 2005 from time to time I’ve worked for Save the River – Save the Hills. They’re an environmental non-profit keeping the Niantic River and Oswegatchie Hills preserved from pollution and land development. My grandfather, Fred Grimsey, started the organization. I worked for him and the DEP as a Marine Sanitation Technician on their Pumpout Boat. That’s the boat that comes around, slip to slip, for free, to empty the septic tanks on all the yachts and Grady White’s. Literally taking crap from drunk, sunburnt, rich guys all day long. But you know it’s the best job I’ve ever had. Being outside. In the sun. On the River. Helping my grandfather.

Now, I think about Middletown. Now, I think about West Lake. I’m thinking about all the town has in store for my community, and what the plans will be for the new park there, and will there be environmental integrity, and how can the community have a say in it, and does West Lake know about it, and what can I do and what can Middletown do to answer these and other questions on issues that impact the people of our town and as a delegate I will support these efforts.

Thank you.
Kellin Atherton

Wesleyan Events on Black Lives, American Lives

Wesleyan's Center for African American Studies has a great lineup of events this month. Professor Jesse Nasta is teaching a Service-Learning course this semester where students are doing historical research on the Beman Triangle and Middletown's Black History, documenting that history, and working to preserve it in Middletown's and Wesleyan's institutional memory.
All events are free and open to the public.

Route 9 comment, upgraded

This article was a comment to another article. With the commenter's consent, it is being republished in article format for wider consideration. It was written with the knowledge that the DOT is backing off from this plan.

Elisabeth Holder said...

I am pleased to hear the idea that we should not let the DOT divide us into two groups that are supposed to represent separate and irreconcilable opinions. The main focus of everyone should be to help reduce congestion on route 9 while preserving the vitality of Main Street in Middletown. We have come too far in the last few decades to give in to dogmatic approaches and arguments.

I am not convinced that eliminating the lights on Route 9 will cause all problems to disappear with them. I worry that the accidents on route 9 will move instead onto Main Street, which will be wider with more-rapidly-moving traffic. As Jen says, faster-moving traffic in Meriden and New Britain does not seem to have solved all problems north and south of those cities. I do not know what the answer to the current dilemma might be, but the proposed plan did not seem likely to work particularly well.

However, it is certainly worth noting some of the problems and solutions that were mentioned in comments at the recent hearing. I would like to offer some of them along with some of my own solutions that could be implemented before the Route 9 master plan is arrived at.

1. Since the state now believes that Miller Street and Bridge Street can be safely accessed from the opposite side of the railroad tracks, please do it now. Concrete Jersey barriers could be placed along the intersection with Route 9 and the alternative passage could be constructed this spring.

2. The right turn onto Spring Street at the base of the Arigoni Bridge is quite abrupt and dangerous. This could be obstructed and the intersection closed to all vehicles, except for right turns from Spring onto Main. That would prevent people from cutting across this dangerous intersection to get to the bridge or onto Hartford Avenue. It should also reduce the cut-through traffic that dismays and endangers residents of the North End.

3. Since the left turn from Grand Street onto Main is awkward and dangerous, Grand Street could be made into a one-way street heading west. This would eliminate vehicles cutting through the neighborhood to go north and east, while still allowing access to the neighborhood. The east-west side streets on the other side of Washington Street are one way with parking along both sides. This could be done north of Washington, too.

4. If Grand Street becomes one-way going west, Liberty Street could become one-way going east. This would reduce the advantage of cutting through the neighborhood going west and north, since there would be only a one block advantage to taking Washington Street as the major route east and north from downtown.

I am no traffic engineer and there may be many problems with these ideas, but I'm hopeful that we in Middletown can come up with solutions that work for us, cooperating with the state where our interests converge and negotiating the best possible solutions for all where our interests do not. There is no reason why some of the solutions to traffic congestion cannot begin now with constructive discussion and imaginative input from all who would like to participate.

April 2, 2018 at 3:54 PM

Get a chance to win a VISA gift card by visiting Russell Library (and other Connecticut libraries)

Your library card opens the world to you through books, audio books, music CDs and DVDs. Now let your library card open the doors of Connecticut libraries by participating in the Passport to Connecticut Libraries Program!

Over one hundred Connecticut libraries are proud to participate in the Connecticut Library Association’s Passport to Connecticut Libraries Program. To celebrate National Library Week during April, the Passport to Connecticut Libraries Program invites you to visit all of the participating Connecticut public libraries. Each library has its own architecture, vibe and collection to explore and browse! The program is open to adults and children, and the hope is that it encourages residents to explore the amazing diversity of our public libraries. 

To participate, visit your local participating library to pick up your Passport. They will stamp it and give you a token gift to get you started. Then, take your Passport along as you visit other participating libraries. At each visit, you must show your library card, and then the library will stamp your passport and give you another small gift. 

If you visit at least five participating libraries and return your passport to a participating library by May 7th, then you will be entered into one state-wide drawing for a chance to win a $150 Visa gift card for adults (18 and up) and a $100 Visa gift card for children (under 18). 

This is a state-wide contest where four winners will be selected: one adult and one child from a random drawing from all who visited at least five libraries, and one adult and one child from a random drawing from all who visited the most libraries.

For more details and a full list of participating libraries, ask your local librarian.

Phipps Announces Run for State Representative

Former Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission Quentin Phipps has joined the race to replace Matt Lesser in the Connecticut State House of Representatives.  Councilman Bob Santangelo is also running for the seat.

The 100th District encompasses downtown, and the southern and eastern portion of our city.

From Phipps' Facebook announcement:
City of Middletown City Treasurer and lifelong resident, Quentin “Q” Phipps today announced his candidacy for the Connecticut State House of Representatives in the 100th district. This seat is being vacated by five-term State Representative Matt Lesser.

“Middletown has always been my home and I’m passionate about our community. I’ve been afforded so many educational and career opportunities in Middletown, and I’m eager to work hard to ensure the resources I’ve been granted are attainable for everyone. During my campaign I want to hear from Middletown residents about the issues that affect them the most. I’m dedicated to working collaboratively with our community to forge creative and pragmatic solutions to help make all our neighborhoods more equitable places to live, work, and thrive.”

Phipps is a graduate of the Middletown Public School system and Bryant University. Phipps serves as Director of Advocacy and Policy for Excellence Community Schools. In this role, “Q” works as a school liaison, recruiting students, and empowering families through advocacy, community organizing, and strategic partnering.

Phipp’s civic and community leadership involvement includes: State of Connecticut Justice of the Peace, Community Foundation of Middlesex County Live Local Give Local 365 Fund, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Alliance Steering Committee, Middlesex Substance Abuse Action Council Board of Directors, Middlesex United Way Board of Directors, Middletown Racial Justice Coalition Steering Committee, and Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater Board of Directors.

More Information

Cats in the Castle Event on Saturday, April 14th - Tickets Still Available!

Reserve your tickets today while they are still available!  

Visit http://www.cattalesct.org/cats-in-the-castle/

Cat Tales ~ Cat of the Week ~ TIPPY!

Cat Tales ~ Cat of the Week ~ TIPPY!

Name:Tippy 

Gender:Male

Breed:Domestic Short Hair

Color:Grey & White

Age:6 years old

Hello, my name is Tippy. I'm a handsome boy with a pretty cool goatee! I am the greeter, making sure I get all the pets I can. I follow volunteers around and grab any extra treats that I can get. Since I was abandoned, it took me some time to adjust to being spoiled but I am now a social butterfly! When I was found, my mouth really hurt and the doc decided to pull all my teeth. I am no longer in pain and I easily take medicine in my food (for maintenance). I have FIV, but don't worry, the doc said I am in good shape and not contagious to humans. I really just want a home so I can be loved. Please adopt me!

No DogsNo ChildrenFIV
​

Web:   http://www.CatTalesCT.org/cats/Tippy

Phone:   860.344.9043

Email:   info@CatTalesCT.org

Watch our TV commercial:  https://youtu.be/Y1MECIS4mIc​

Wesleyan Seminar Monday: “Blown from Cannon”: A History of Violence, 1857–1764

City resident Vijay Pinch will present an interesting talk tomorrow.

April 2 @ 6PM 
Daniel Family Commons
Usdan University Center
Wyllys Avenue

All are welcome.  Below is the notice from the Center for Humanities.

This paper examines the practice of "blowing men from cannon, a peculiarly British mode of battlefield punishment for indiscipline, insubordination, and mutiny in the "Bengal Army" (1764-1858).

As became gruesomely evident in 1857, "blowing from the guns" served as a didactic spectacle of violence during the suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny (a.k.a. Great Rebellion, a.k.a. First War of Indian Independence). As it turns out, there was considerable precedent for this. While the origins of the practice are obscure, what is not in doubt is the fact that it had become a oft-resorted to mode of battlefield punishment over the course of the previous seven decades, particularly for insubordinate troops—and particularly if those troops were Indian.

While the paper begins and ends in 1857, the main focus is on the first recorded use of the punishment in the Company Army in the late eighteenth century, during the prelude to the Battle of Buxar in 1764 (a conflict that cemented Company power in north India). Of particular note are the multiple first-hand accounts of Buxar and the evolution of the "Buxar narrative" as it becomes inscribed in institutional history (and myth) during the course of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

The historiographical shadow of Buxar plays an outsized role, I suggest, in the informal embrace of "blowing from cannon" by Company authorities in the nineteenth century, even as the practice is being increasingly described in British sources as "an old Mughal punishment."

Commuters vs. Downtown

Still thinking about the DOT's Route 9 plan?  The Middletown Eye got this anonymous comment at 9:17 am:

Commuters are taxpayers too. We live in Middletown because of family and affordability but have to commute a great distance. It’s hurtful to say commuters aren’t people too. No one commutes by choice! Agreed these plans stink! But can’t there be a compromise? People who have the luxury to bike or walk to work have no idea how dangerous the lights on the highway are. The solution to detour traffic to main Street, the rotaries, or the wall blocking the river are all bad, but there’s gotta be a better way than no fix at all.

I’ve been thinking both about Anonymous @ 9:17’s comment and the comments I've seen on the various Facebook threads on this topic, especially one that asked why the people protesting the plan didn’t care about the rights of taxpayers (in that case, I think, meaning taxpayers who live in town but commute to Hartford in rush hour traffic).

The DOT has now withdrawn the plan and will likely be back someday with another.  So I think it’s worth asking:   Was this really a battle between commuters vs. Downtown Middletown?  And if it was, should it be?

I think it is in the best interest of all Middletown taxpayers (and the state of Connecticut) to ensure that our downtown has the best shot at fulfilling its potential. One reason is that the business taxpayers in Downtown Middletown subsidize our school system, our police department and the lifestyle of single-family home owners (roads, parks, etc).   That’s true of all commercial property - it  pays more in taxes than the cost of the services it consumes - but it is especially true of downtown because of the density of our value.

I also think that vital small towns are the critical ingredient in the next phase of our economic prosperity. Maybe that sounds overblown - but I mean it sincerely. If our town centers are walkable and interesting and diverse, we stand the best chance of recruiting and retaining the millennials and empty-nesters who have been fleeing our state, to the detriment of our quality-of-life and the state coffers.  Our downtown is a place where people of different income levels and backgrounds can share a neighborhood and a decent quality of life. The appeal of this lifestyle is driving the national trend of people choosing to move to or stay in the urban core.  It's not always perfect - it takes cooperation and communication to balance all of our needs - but neither is the segregated world that we live in.   Situations like the DOT proposal show how vulnerable this neighborhood is to those who don’t see our worth in the big picture of Connecticut’s future.

I think Middletown is very fortunate to have had citizens in the past who protected our downtown.  They spoke up to stop previous ill-considered plans on Route 9, and protested against plans to destroy the South Green, demolish blocks of downtown, etc, etc, etc.   The citizens against these types of plans don’t always win, but have won enough in the past that Middletown still has a viable Main Street, which is something that you can say about very few places in Connecticut unless they are largely white and affluent.

Perhaps - and there is no way to measure this - but perhaps the presence of lights on Route 9, which force drivers to slow down and notice they are actually in a town, has been one factor of that survival.   I think most people would agree that, economically speaking, our downtown has made a lot of progress in the past 20 years, despite the DOT claim that people avoid Middletown because of the lights.  Sure, we'd like to do better - but compared to our peers, we've come a long way since the severe downturn of the early 1990's.     

It’s pretty clear that having a high-speed highway with exits to downtown didn’t do anything to save Meriden or New Britain, which became centers of blight. I would argue that it hasn’t been so great for towns like Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Wallingford, and others who saw their downtowns atrophy and still often have bumper-to-bumper traffic on those high-speed highways as it is.   And maybe the towns south of Middletown - like Essex, Chester & Haddam - are so charming in part because the lights have spared them from the sprawl of condo complexes and big box stores that are in ample supply in the towns to the north of the lights.

Here's the thing:  there are more cars at rush-hour than Route 9 can comfortably handle without any back-up.  That doesn’t necessarily mean the lights have to go, because the capacity of the road is just fine the rest of the time.   What it does mean is that we have a problem at rush-hour.  We could ask those commuters to tolerate this bit of delay, like they tolerate the delay once they hit Route 91 or 95 where there are no lights at all, or perhaps there are other solutions.   Maybe it's not one answer but a few - like smart traffic lights or transit options - that could lessen congestion without the enormous cost of highway construction and the resulting loss to our tax base and future growth - especially the potential of our riverfront.

This DOT plan pitted the short term interest of commuters against the long-term value of downtown, and therefore, the future of the suburban lifestyle that many in Middletown enjoy.  We should not let the DOT divide us, just because they have a little bit of funding to spend and a political need to appear like they’re getting something done, regardless of the consequences.

In the heat of the past two weeks I regret that my own rhetoric sometimes made it sound like I think the people of the suburbs are the enemy of the people downtown, or that this town's success is at odds with the economy of the whole county.  My real beef is with the failed old idea that the solution to a busy highway is a bigger highway, regardless of who is in the way.

Of course, some people want to get rid of the lights because they are tired of sitting in summer afternoon beach traffic. Those people, I say #FirstWorldProblems.

Mayor Rejects DOT Route 9 Plan

In a letter published on Facebook, Mayor Dan Drew has expressed his opposition to the plan the DOT presented to eliminate traffic lights on Route 9.  Drew wrote:

I just left a meeting with DOT following last Thursday’s public hearing regarding the proposed changes to Route 9.

I have read the many letters I’ve received from the public and listened to comments made at the hearing. I told DOT this morning that the City of Middletown will not support the plan as it exists and that a new plan will be required before any changes can move forward.

To their credit, DOT was already thinking the same way based upon the feedback they had received from the public both at the hearing and in writing. 

Therefore, the most recently proposed plan for the removal of lights on Route 9 will not go forward.

We discussed with DOT some interim measures that they can take to alleviate existing cut-through traffic in the North End, the improvement of St. John’s Square and the opening of Bridge and Miller streets. They assured us that they will look into making those improvements as soon as possible. I also asked them to preserve as part of any future plan the construction of a pedestrian plaza over Route 9. They agreed.

To be clear, doing nothing is not an option. Leaving things the way they are with no changes will create in the next 20 years backups from downtown Middletown to I-91. Doing nothing will have a greater negative impact on the people of Middletown than on anyone else in Connecticut.

DOT will be back to solicit ideas from the public in the course of developing their next concept.

I encourage you, as I did with the last two proposals, to share your ideas with them.

Common Council To Vote On Naming Of High School Arts Center

Submitted by Frank Logiudice. The Eye welcomes all signed submissions, whether news or commentary.
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The Middletown High School Performing Arts Center moved a step closer to it being named the Santo Fragilio Performing Arts Center. On Monday, March 5, 2018, the Middletown City Council at its regular meeting held a public hearing on this proposal.  Councilman Gene Nocera offered the following resolution naming the Performing Arts Center after the long-time MHS Band Director, Music Teacher & Arts Consultant.

“Whereas, Santo Fragilio, as a career educator for more than 68 years in the Middletown Public Schools, is personally responsible for exceptional contributions to the performing arts program for performing and non-performing students, from elementary thru high school; and 

Whereas, Santo Fragilio’s work included local programs ranging from the summer band programs for 5th and 6th graders and combined concerts with Woodrow Wilson High School and Middletown High School to bringing the Middletown High School Band and Chorus to performance venues around the world, including the 1965 World’s Fair in New York, the International Band Festival in Vienna Austria in 1972, and tours thru Austria, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland; and

Whereas, Santo Fragilio created the Middletown Public Schools Cultural Council, giving focus and direction to equity in the arts and opportunities for all students to participate in the arts by offering scholarships; and 

Whereas, Santo Fragilio had a wide positive impact on cultural growth throughtout our community as a whole, having established the Middletown Symphonic Band in 1979 as well as the South Green Annual Christmas Sing; and

Whereas, Santo Fragilio’s dedication to this community continued into retirement at the Village at South Farms where he was heard practicing his violin daily and often provided musical entertainment for his fellow residents; and

Whereas, Santo Fragilio’s love for this community was further evidenced by his bequest to our schools; and

Whereas, given the extraordinary devotion to music, our students and this community and upon the recommendation of the Board of Education’s Naming Committee, the Public Works & Facilities Commission, voted 5-0 at its meeting held on February 15, 2018 that the following name be accepted for the music hall at Middletown High School:  The Santo Fragilio Performing Arts Center.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of Middleown:

That in accordance with the Middletown Code of Ordinances, this name is hereby approved & accepted.”

After Councilman Nocera made the resolution he had a few kind comments about Mr. Fragilio.  “I worked with Santo for a good 50 years.  I worked along with him on the Cultural Council.  Santo was such an incredible person of integrity.  He was an educator that epitomized the reflective practitioner approach.  He would always of course be very positive about whatever students and the administration was involved in.  But, he would always find a way to say how can we do this better the next time.  He had a way of always raising the bar.  What a wonderful man.  It was a honor to work with him for so long.”

Marco Gaylord, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Naming Committee and the Director of District Operations/ K-12 Fine Arts Director for the Middletown Public Schools also commented on naming the PAC after Mr. Fragilio.  Gaylord said “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Santo. He means a lot not just to me but also to all of the students that he touched and to our entire community.  I want to thank you and everyone involved in making this happen.  It is quite an honor for a man, mentor teacher, department head, director, conductor, musician, and everything that he’s done for the students.  Sixty-eight years in a position to help improve the community.  It is a great honor for Santo.  Gaylord noted that at the April 2, 2018 City Council Meeting Santo Fragilio’s family would be at this meeting when the City Council will vote on the resolution to formally name the PAC at MHS after Mr. Santo Fragilio.

Former Board of Education Chairman Vincent J. Loffredo thanked Mayor Drew, and City Council members for their consideration and endorsement of naming PAC after Mr. Fragilio.

City Councilman Gerald Daley pointed out the reason the City Council could not act on the resolution at the March 5th meeting.  Daley said “The reason we can’t vote on the ordinance tonight is that the code of ordinances for the city requires that before the council name any city property they are asked to hold a public hearing at one council meeting and not take action until the next council meeting.  We are precluded from taking action tonight.”

The Middletown City Council will vote on the proposal to name the Performing Arts Center at MHS after long-time MHS Music Teacher & Band Director at it’s April 2, 2018 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Middletown City Hall.

I encourage all former students of Santo Fragilio, former colleagues of his and fellow musicians to call and write to Mayor Daniel Drew, members of the City Council and to show up at the April 2, 2018 City Council meeting at 7 p.m.to strongly urge them to vote yes to name the Performing Arts Center at Middletown High School after him.  If you cannot make the meeting please call the Mayor's Office at 860-344-3401 or e-mail Mayor Drew at mayor@MiddletownCT.gov and e-mail the city council at council@middletownct.gov to let your opinion known.

Milardo Commentary: Tax Abatements and Sewer Shortfalls

COMMENTARY by John Milardo

Well, well, well!  Middletown Mayor Daniel T. Drew has now become the most underhanded, untrustworthy, Mayor of all time in our City!  He has now decided that he does not need the Common Council to approve tax abatements for businesses.  

Reportedly,  Mayor Drew gave one or more businesses, between 2015-16, a reduction in their property taxes of $150,000.  That’s right, $150,000!  How are your property taxes?  Seen any reductions in them lately?  We should all go see Danny and ask him for one.  Gee, I wonder how much these companies donated to his campaign funds?

Whether it’s called a “deferral” or an “abatement”, this issue should have gone before the Common Council members for approval.  The Mayor does not have the unilateral authority to approve a tax abatement…. for anyone.  He has violated the City Charter and the public’s trust.

As those who have college student loans know, a deferral means what you currently owe is placed on hold until the individual finish studies.  Once you’re finished your courses, payback of all money owed begins again.  

Abatement, means a certain amount, let’s say $150,000 is forgiven.  You don’t pay it back.  These above-mentioned companies don’t have to pay tax money back.  Therefore, it’s an abatement, not a deferral.  No matter how you cut it, the Mayor violated policy and City law.

Supposedly, Mayor Dan received a legal opinion from the City Office of General Counsel giving him the authority to do so.  Whomever in legal gave him that opinion should be under investigation, as should the Mayor.  Impeachment and termination should be on the table as well.

How could this have been kept a “secret” for all this time?  If this was on the up and up, the Mayor would have been tooting his horn about it.  Shame on the Democrats and Republicans of the Common Council if they knew about this and said nothing! 

Questions.  Why this/these businesses only?  Why this certain amount?  Why didn’t the abatement have to go through any other Commission, Committees, or Council meeting?   Why was the issue hidden from the public? 

On to different topics.  

The Mattabasett/Middletown sewer project is underfunded…...again!  Town voters approved the first bond for this project a couple or more years ago.  For those who may not remember, Middletown’s’ Sewer Treatment Plant is obsolete.  We voted to pump sewage from Middletown to Cromwell’s Mattabasett sewer treatment plant.  After the installation of some of the pipe work was done, Director Guy Russo, who retired this past year, ran out of funding for the project so another $15 million dollars was approved by town voters to complete the work.  He assured the Common Council members at that time, $15 million would be more than enough to finish everything, including the pump station.  Well, the money is gone, and the pump station cannot be completed.  I guess they’ll ask us for more funding AGAIN! 

I hear the State of Connecticut will be blamed for the additional cost because they are demanding different mechanical and technical equipment and the like.  It’s not the States fault.  You don’t ask for bond money without having all your permits, architectural drawings, designs, etc. approved by the State before you begin any portion of the project.  It is the City’s fault!  Taxpayers’ will be on the hook, again!

There is one exception to the rule - the $35 million bond approved for Park improvement by the voters which had no plan at all.  It’s a $35 million blank check to do what the Public Works Department wants to do with it.  A Park/Public Works Committee was put in place after the bond was approved to decide what improvements will be made.  I have a suggestion.  Why not take money needed to complete the Sewer project from the Park bond?  The Park bond funding was predicated on building artificial athletic fields.  That fell through, so natural turf fields are being constructed.  There is a vast difference between the two.  There should be a surplus of millions of dollars in the Park bond due to natural field construction.

We keep on hearing about “transparency in government” by our local officials.  Yet few question the illegal activities of Mayor Drew.  It’s about time both Democrats and Republican Common Council members question this Mayor on his inappropriate behaviors.  If they don’t, then they are just as complicit!