Letter to the Editor: Many Issues with BOE Contract Renewals

Below is a letter to the Editor from Boardmember Linda Syznkowicz, if you wish to send a letter to the editor please email it to middletowninsider@gmail.com:
 As a Member of the Middletown BOE, it is my sworn duty to be responsible for the financial well-being of Middletown Public Schools. In the past 2 weeks (June 9 and 23rd) at the meetings there were several important votes.

Linda Szynkowicz, (R)
 Board of Education Member

The first one was concerning the contract with Sodexco, which I and the two other Republicans voted against for two obvious reasons: Costing taxpayers over $225K per year (I’ve been saying that for over a year and it was confirmed by an outside auditor and the City of Middletown Finance department) and hostile work environment for Local 466 Union Members. This did not matter to the 4 Democrats, it passed 4-3 with Chairman Gene Nocera casting the tie vote as Chair.

We then had to vote on the management of Sodexco at the June 23rd meeting. In a nut shell, the time frame of the removal of the present Facilities manager that is directly related to the hostile work environment was what I had issue with. It was a given by the board members (Whew) that the person had to be removed. I did not believe that keeping the person around until the start of school in the Fall was advisable. I thought that the removal needed to be done by July 15th, the latest. The extension was given and passed 4-1 with my dissenting vote based on the time frame and NOT the removal of the present Facilities Director; it needed to be done.

Lastly, was the vote to renew the Superintendent’s 3 year contract for another year, without the contract in the Board packet. I had issue with the automatic extension of a three year contract as what is ALWAYS done. Before the executive session was called, I wanted to know if under Robert’s rules whether this discussion of the Superintendent’s Review and then contract discussion was indeed an Executive Session matter. Chairman Gene Nocera determined that it was entirely up to the Superintendent to decide. The Superintendent, Dr. Charles, choose Executive Session for discussion, so the details cannot be made public.

End result, I abstained from the vote on the Superintendent’s Review. (I was so frustrated by the time we went back into public session at 11:15pm or so.) I then voted “NO” to the automatic contract renewal to 2018. The vote was 4-1 with my dissenting vote.
 

Just thought I would keep the public informed.

Sincerely, Linda Szynkowicz, (R) Board of Education Member

Letter to the Editor Salafia: 'Amazed at Sodexo Contract Renewal'

Dear Insider,

I am amazed that BOE approved the renewal of the Sodexo contract even though it has been shown that they have not in reality saved the district money according to an independent audit.  The amount that would be saved by not using Sodexo could have funded about 5 teaching positions. 

The relationship between the 466 union employees and the BOE administration had been on the mend since the Frechette/Senges/Haynes days and is now again on the decline. Remember these are the employees actually working in the schools, they see first hand what is gong on.

According to the Middletown Press article, some of the BOE members expressed opinions that they were in favor of the job the Sodexo was doing with capital projects.  The Press article states that if some of these capital projects have been "overdue by a decade".   Why?? The capital projects are under the purview of the Common Council and not the BOE.  If the Democratic majority on the BOE is not getting the support from the Democratic majority on the Common Council for capital projects then there is a serious problem. Remember that these majorities have existed for years. 

In my opinion, this contract renewal was the wrong way to go; with so much pointing to the flaws / problem in the contract, it would have been better to have voted it down.

http://www.middletownpress.com/social-affairs/20150610/middletown-boe-renews-sodexo-contract-despite-concerns

Sincerely,

Linda Salafia

Arbitrators Rules in Favor of Middletown AFSCME Union

 To read the judgement summaries use links here:

AFSCME Statement

Time line of of Dispute Events & Summary of Ruling 

From the Ruling Summary: "There is no way to sugar-coat the facts:  Ms. Bourne was treated horribly by the Board of Education.  

And when push came to shove, the City punished the victim."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2013

Contact: Larry Dorman (860) 989-9127 (cell) or (860) 612-3855 (office)

Arbitrators Rules in Favor of Middletown AFSCME Union

New Britain, CT — The union representing Middletown public service workers today applauded an arbitrator’s ruling that the City acted illegally when it transferred an employee from the Board of Education to the Parks and Recreation Department after she had raised concerns about the Board’s financial practices.

In a decision issued July 29, Arbitrator Roberta Golick found the City acted without just cause by removing the grievant, AFSCME Local 466 member Christine Bourne, from her position as Payroll Supervisor at the Board of Education and moving her to the position of Program/Budget Analyst in the Parks and Recreation Department.

The involuntary transfer took place in 2010 amid litigation between the City and the Board of Education.

Golick wrote, “There is no way to sugar-coat the facts: Ms. Bourne was treated horribly by the Board of Education. And when push came to shove, the City punished the victim.”

 In the award, Golick directed the City to immediately reinstate Bourne to her prior position at the Board of Education and to make her whole for any losses, if any, in wages and benefits for the period December 8, 2010 to date of reinstatement. She also directed the City and the Union to jointly attempt to calculate damages.

“Arbitrator Golick’s ruling is a victory for workers’ rights in the City of Middletown,” said Bourne, who was elected President of her bargaining unit in 2012. “Our union was caught in a political turf war, so I hope the arbitration award sends a strong message about the importance of respecting the collective bargaining agreement. You can’t discipline employees without just cause, and you can’t retaliate against them when they speak their mind. I’m glad this ordeal is over.”

Council 4 Staff Representative Ed Thibodeau advocated for Local 466 during the arbitration. Council 4 is the parent union of Local 466, which represents nearly 400 City and Board of Education employees in Middletown.

A copy of Arbitrator Golick’s ruling is attached to this press release.

# # #

Larry Dorman

Council 4 Public Affairs

(860) 612-3855 (Direct)

(860) 989-9127 (Cell)

ldorman@council4.org

www.council4.org

 

BREAKING NEWS: Frechette Really Was Fullashitte! Court Rules in Favor of Bourne

BREAKING NEWS: Remember how Mayor Dan Drew said he triumphantly ended ALL the lawsuits between the City & the BOE? Yeah...... LIE 

Frechette Really Was Fullashitte! 
Court Rules in Favor of Christine Bourne, former BOE Payroll Supervisor's labor case. Two years ago, Bourne lost her position for being a whistle blower regarding "misplaced" funds overseen by then Superintendent Frechette. Frechette since left the his superintendent position with a settlement paid for by taxpayers that was the size of Rhode Island !

From the Ruling Summary: "There is no way to sugar-coat the facts:  Ms. Bourne was treated horribly by the Board of Education.  

And when push came to shove, the City punished the victim."

At the time the Board of Education was headed by Superintendent Michael Frechette. Mayor Dan Drew was in office at the time when Bourne reapplied to the payroll position, but failed to reinstate her.

UPDATE:In an interview with the Middletown Patch, Mayor Drew is already trying to place ALL of the blame on the previous administration, despite the ruling and facts showing otherwise!! 

Mayor Drew responded to the ruling and his role regarding not reinstating Bourne long before: "Ibityibitty ibity thats thhats all folks!" and proceeded to hide behind Administrative Assistant ('cause thats his title by CHARTER not Chief of Staff) Joe Samolis's legs.

More details to follow!

In the mean time, read up on the Teflon Don and this topic in some oldies but goodies here:

http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/03/good-question-why-doesnt-boe-just-show.html

http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/02/scope-on-boe-superintendent-contract.html 

http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/03/exactly-how-much-does-michael-frechette.html

 

Brought to you by the Letter "N" for Nepotism

Today's Middletown Insider edition is brought to you by Councilwoman Hope "Nepotism Nancy" Kasper (D) and the letter "N" for Nepotism. 

Originally, Kasper was promised Joseph Samolis's position of assistant to Mayor Dan Drew or "Chief of Staff" as Samolis likes to call it. For whatever reason, she was passed over. Kasper used her capacity on the hiring committee for the BOE, to persuade the former regime under Superintendent Michael Frechette to hire "questionably qualified" former real estate agent son-in-law Josh Burger for a budget position  specifically created for him at the Board of Education. Oddly, or not so, when  SOME of the grievances at the BOE and City were settled, a condition insisted on was Josh Burger got to keep his job.. In return, Councilwoman Kasper votes the party line at no matter what. Pretty sweet deal.

Apple, Oranges & BOE Budget Hikes

 While the proposed Board of Education budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year makes some budget cuts to try and balance the books, areas when increases spending is called for is presented in  misleading ways. The proposed budget has an increase of 7.8% which is sure to raise the mil rate significantly for tax payers when coupled  Mayor Drew's budget calling for City increases in spending.  A link to the BOE budget is below, which was NOT available before the BOE's meeting on Tuesday. Unlike the Frechette budgets of legend, this budget is somewhat broken down, but still not a transparent  detailed line by line item budget many tax payers have called for.

 BOE Budget can be read here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1OYjxtLEgUwaGNXN1JMckk5RVE/edit
Why is this budget so high & why will taxes go up?Apples & Oranges Logic: Dr. Charles told various media  that the increase is partly caused by "technology". Note that technology acquisitions are normally considered capital acquisitions. The law makes a distinction between a school district's operating funds, over which it has virtually unlimited discretion and control, and capital purchases, which are subject to local (i.e., the Common Council) control.

With all due respect to the Superintendent, you're being snookered here - even if it's unintentional. A capital expenditure is one that happens intermittently, not annually. It's the difference between buying a computer, which will have an extended life expectancy, and paying a teacher's salary, which is an ongoing, operational obligation. Giving the BOE money to buy computer equipment will unnecessarily raise the City's MBR obligation, so don't fall for it!
 
A better solution will be for the City to purchase the equipment, optimally through the City's IT Department which, coincidentally, is proposed by the Mayor (déjà vu to when Mayor Giuliano who FIRST proposed this which was shot down by the Democratic controlled council) to assume BOE operations.

Your Daily Spin by the Middletown Mess:When the Numbers Don't Add Up

Daily Spin: Response to City & BOE Consolidation of Legal Services

http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2013/01/19/news/doc50f9defb8c1b4595879930.txt

There has been an article in some of the news outlets regarding a memorandum of understanding between the City and the BOE regarding the BOE using the City's legal staff rather than hire outside attorneys.

The article stated that the administration wanted to go back to pre-2008 staffing levels.  For this year, 2012, the City is increasing it's current staffing levels from an Acting City Attorney, vacant Deputy City Attorney position and a secretary to a City Attorney (already hired), two Deputy City Attorneys (one already hired and one scheduled to be hired in the spring) plus the secretary.  The Risk Manager's part of the department currently has three full time employees.  This is leading us to believe that the City previously had

that level of staffing.  However, in the approved budget for the year ending 6/30/2009, there was a City Attorney, one Deputy City Attorney and a Legal Secretary as had been budgeted for the year ending

6/30/2008.  A second Deputy City Attorney was requested but not funded.  At one time, for a short time, the office was staffed with a paralegal who first started as a part-time employee and then becamefulltime; after that employee received her law license, she was appointed as an additional Deputy City Attorney.  She subsequently left the City for other employment.  Should be noted that this former employee was one of the original applicants for the City Attorney position and not chosen.  The article is misleading in that except for a short period of time, the office has only had ONE Deputy City Attorney.

Also, the article claimed that the City has been able to settle some 30 some odd pieces of litigation stating further that numerous grievances and suits were settled by working with the Mayor, BOE and the union.  It should be noted however that the majority of the "30" legal issues were union grievances that did not necessarily require legal representation on the part of the City or the BOE.  These were grievances filed the employee through the union and were to be heard by a panel at the state labor board; the fee to do so is approximately $25.00 per party and did not necessarily rise to the level of requiring the attendance of an attorney at several hundreds of dollars per hour.  As part of the agreement the BOE insisted on keeping the illegal hire , Councilwoman Hope Kasper's son inlaw, whom she had a direct hand in hiring. Hmm. The hearing of grievances by the Labor Board is a matter of stating the facts and the specific part of the union contract violated to the panel and then waiting for their response; sometimes, the panel will request that the positons of both sides be submitted in writing

but generally it's straightforward: how did the employer violate the contract??  BTW, there is still a grievance out there to be heard and also an outstanding law suit not settled as of yet.

According to the paperwork handed out by the BOE at the workshop regarding their budget for object code 392 Legal Services for 2011-2012 the actual expenditure was $147,177.48; $100,000 was

appropriated bor the 2012-2013 budget and for the 2013-2014 budget $154,220 is being requested, an additional $54,220.00 over the current budgeted amount.  In the overall budget for the BOE, $147,177 doesn't seem extreme but it should be noted that much of what was paid for the outside attorneys for services rendered for the issues between the BOE and the City were paid for from the City's Insurance and Claims Fund and not the above referenced object code in the BOE's budget.  Monies in the Insurance and Claims Fund are reserved generally for payment for pending claims and suits against the City plus claims resulting from storms etc. and deductibles, and should the fund be insufficient after the payment of funds not planned for, an appropriation from the General Fund will be necessary to meet those obligations when and if

they arise.  If the BOE is expecting to have to pay less for legal expenses, one would assume that we will see the request for $154,220 be reduced.  Right??

Letter to the Editor: Councilwoman Salafia Talks Frechette & BOE

Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the views of the Insider Staff, burden of proof is on the author.

Dear Middletown Insider,

     I attended a meeting of the Insurance and Claims Commission; the regular monthly meeting held at 7:00 p.m. On the agenda was an executive session:  discussion regarding settlement of claim City of Middletown - Board of Education former School Superintendent pursuant to sections 1-200 (6) (A) and 1-225 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.

     This item was on the previous month's agenda although a different section of the CGS was cited and at that time I objected to the section cited as it indicated discussion of pending litigation and this was to be discussion of an already completed settlement agreement.  I abstained from the Executive Session at that time.  The result of last month's session was to postpone to this month's meeting.     
     This month the Executive Session was pursuant to personnel issues.  Again I abstained from the discussion and session - I actually left the room so do no know what was actually said in the executive session.

      After the executive session was closed, the regular meeting resumed and a motion was made and passed by Councilpersons Faulkner and Kasper to approve what was discussed during the executive session.

     Although I did not participate in the discussion and the resultant motion, what happened tonight was that the Insurance and Claims Commission agreed to make a payment to the former Superintendent of Schools per his severance agreement with the Board of Education from the Insurance and Claims fund  or at least to reimbursement the BOE for the payment (same thing).  Apparently there is a non-disclosure clause (although I have to take the word of those in the know) in the severance agreement with the BOE and Dr. Frechette that prohibits the release of the details of his "package" for leaving his position as Superintendent of Schools.  But whatever payments were agreed to by the Board of Education are now being paid for from the Insurance and Claims fund of the City of Middletown.  At least it's not the General Fund.

     I am and was opposed to this - should not have been done in executive session and should not have been charged to the insurance and claims fund either.  Also, I am hearing rumors that Dr. Frechette is still receiving payments for consulting on issues at the BOE at the rate of $300.00 per hour with a two hour minimum.  I plan to request the details and history of any of such payments made as i  was under the belief that his exit agreement that I saw indicated that he would be available for consultation for the court case between the City and BOE which has/ was settled awhile ago now. (Therefore no more payments since the settlement {and appropJust riation by the CC to pay the BOE for said settlement}).

Just an FYI to the Middletown Insider after our meeting tonight. 

Sincerely,

Linda Salafia

Councilperson - R

City 411: Why Numbers $400K & $300/hr Should Matter to Middletown Taxpayers

Hi! Remember me? Former Superintendent Michael Frechette! You thought you got rid of after I kinda sorta misplaced a $1 million dollars. Guess what!?

Even though Superintendent Charles was hired in June,ever since taxpayers have been paying me $300/hr with a 2 hour minimum to consult at the BOE!
Thanks guys! This gig is better than working!

Despite an extra allocation of $1.3 million, then another $250,000 I hear that the BOE is $400,000 in the hole again.

Too bad, so sad. Bye now!

Video Part II Westfield Residents Candidate Forum: Suzio & Bartolomeo, Kleckowski & Lesser

Video Courtesty of Palin Smith.  Planning and Zoning Commissioner Dan Russo (D) gets rather nasty with Suzio about and the gas tax at the 20 second mark, but Suzio stands strong. Bartolomeo, along side Rep. Matt Lesser (D),  who was also present at the Reduced Gas event that Russo refers to does damage control. When challenged by an audience member about her presence at the event she so condemns, Bartolomeo attacks her constituents.

In the second video, Deborah Kleckowski talks gas taxes, small business owner taxes, and healthcare. She wishes to cut taxes and also reform education. Lesser attempts to hug every issue. Kleckowski reiterates the fact that she personally helped a number of families with special needs get justice and better education for their children during the events that lead to the ending of the contract with Superintendent Michael Frechette.

In the second part of the discussion, Kleckowski talks about the misconduct of the board of regents at Middlesex Community College and consolidation of services to cut costs to tax payers.

Insider Staff would like to thank the Westfield Residents Association and Jennifer Mahr who did a great job (moderator) for hosting this event. Thank you to Palin Smith for providing video.

For more videos from the event see Palin Smith's youtube channel at :http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5wsVsNCEygpfRXWa_4vUw5T3r4qeY1aW&feature=view_all

City 411:New Superintendent Contract in Plain English, Grievances, Settlements, & Dumbed Down Hiring Requirements

    The Middletown Insider has become aware of rumors afloat that there will soon be a special council meeting called to vote on the appointment of a new city attorney.  The city attorney position has been vacant for several years now since the retirement of Trina Solecki.   Deputy City Attorney Tim Lynch was appointed Acting City Attorney under Mayor Giuliano's administration.  When Mayor Drew took office, he decided to advertise for the position which the Personnel Office did.  There were applicants who were certified as qualified by the Personnel Department including the current Acting City Attorney.  At the June Common Council meeting, the job description for the city attorney position was changed in that the required number of years of experience was reduced from 7 to 5 years on the premise of widening the recruitment pool with no change in salary. 
    This was passed by a vote of 7 to 4 (Serra, Klattenberg, Bartolotta, Daley, Santangelo, Kasper and Berch in favor; Faulkner, Pessina, Bibisi and Salafia dissenting and Kleckowski absent).  The new job description reads:  Jurist doctorate with five years of municipal law related experience with an emphasis on employment law, labor relations experience.  It would be now assumed that the recommended candidate is going have a very solid 5 years of experience in that area.   It should be noted that the acting city attorney has indicated that he will be retiring from city service and had withdrawn his name from consideration.  Please note that there is also residency requirement attached to this position.
    At the time the job re-posted, the qualifications were still the more stringent, seven years' experience in municipal law, labor relations version. The Council, over the objections of the Republicans, led by Councilwoman Linda Salafia (if you recall, it was she who asked whether Dan Drew had someone specific in mind, as there appeared to be no other reason why anyone would lower the bar when there were three candidates who already met the higher standard) reduced the seven-year requirement (which had been inserted two years earlier at the insistence of Councilman Loffredo) to five years. Because this was done AFTER the posting was published, the posting had to be extended.
      Also, rumors are out there about the Council being asked to approve a job description for a second deputy city attorney.  This is coming from the recommendation of the Mayor's Bipartisan Task Force on Efficiency in Government, April 2012.  However, this we believe will require an appropriation as only one Deputy Attorney was budgeted.  After the interview for the City Attorney position, that Attorney Phrances Leverton Szewczyk was the choice along with the Michigan candidate and another attorney "from Middletown" (what that means is unclear, as it does not appear that it is currently a resident, but is someone who is "moving in.” The Insider reported before that Szewczyk does not appear to meet even the lowered qualifications, however, is a member of the Democratic town committee.Reader here. Readers should not that Councilman Tom Serra made on the record comments regarding  appointed Chief Patrick McMahon as not being a Middletown resident even though he bought a house here and was in town 5 nights a week- Serra objected and said on record  that McMahon wasn’t a true Middletown resident because he “didn’t worship here.” So kind how is someone from Michigan going to fit the precedent of strict enforcement of residency Serra set forth in the past?
   This report has not been officially presented to the Council, vetted by the Council or accepted by the Council; however, the Council is being (or as rumored d going to be) presented with accepting one of its recommendations that being the hiring of a second deputy city attorney.  This in effect would increase the legal staff in the office from one currently to three.  According to the report issued, the Task Force consisted of three members of the common council and 6 other members of the public plus Attorney Ryan Barry and Joseph Samolis as staff for the Task Force. 
     From the second paragraph of the final report: " Mayor Drew also asked the Task Force to make specific recommendations for consolidations and efficiencies within city government to the Finance and Government Operations Commission of the Common Council, and to make specific recommendations regarding the structure and hierarchical organization of city government."  It would seem that this was not an unbiased study of the mechanisms/ structure of the government operations.  The report indicated how much was spent on outside legal services during the past three years however, it was just a number inserted in the report without detail or explanation or history or comparison to current outside expenses or part expenses.  Oh, and no report or receipts from China... 
      There is a special council meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 7 to appropriate funds and approve a settlement agreement between the City and Local 466.  This settlement agreement will basically draw a line from which the city, the BOE and the union start fresh.  We could spend hours and hours debating the history behind the need for this settlement agreement and probably never come to a consensus on the cause.  We've a new administration now at the BOE with a new Superintendent of Schools so we hope that the atmosphere of intimidation and retaliation has ended and it seems as if it has.  However, this agreement comes with a dollar cost attached which is not insignificant, but again we will probably never be able to all completely agree as to responsibility.  Many hours were put into coming to this agreement and much discussion, it was not easy but a settlement agreement has been worked out that both sides seem to be able to work with.  Thankfully the despicable work environment that some of the men and women of 466 had to endure is over, they should be applauded for coming forward and being whistle blowers and doing what is right!
     The story broke today with headlines the Mayor Drew settled 30+ grievances and that according to him "the slate is clean." However,this is highly misleading. Basically, the City has chosen to pay out to the Union for the BOE administrations mistakes and infractions that the State Labor Board declared the BOE administration under Dr. Frechette did in fact commit. As readers should recall, Frechette refused to pay workers who were part of emergency operations at the storm shelter during last summer’s hurricane, and  communicate at all with former Mayor Giuliano when he called for an investigation into the missing $1 million dollars from the BOE budget. Read past explanations of the confusing paradigm here. 

Other grievances and lawsuits against the BOE still exist and have not been resolved; Drew's statement  that they all have is false. 

 Part of the deal is also that Councilwoman Hope Kasper's son in law illegal hire- Josh Berger, former real estate agent, gets to keep the job as Business Adminstrator at the BOE that was created for and given to him by a hiring committee that Kasper was on. 

     Last week the Insider published the Superintendent's contract ( here) Dr. Patricia Charles .
The legalese is not always easy to understand; so we have broken it down below and done the yearly percentage increases:
 
For 2012/13 Charles will receive:   Base Salary $187,000 + $15,000 to her retirement fund, $3,000 bonus for having a doctorate degree + $6,500 for mileage = $211,500.00 for the year
For 2013/14 Charles will receive:  Base Salary a minimum of $191,675 + $19,168 to her retirement fund,  + $3,000 for having a doctorate degree + ,$6,500 for mileage = $220,343 for the year
For  2014/15 Charles will receive: Base salary a minimum of $196,467 + $19,648 to her retirement fund, $3,000 for having a doctorate degree and $6,500 for mileage = $225,615 for the year.
 
The base salary for the last two years is tied into the  district’s highest  principals' salary.  The principals’ contract is up as of 6/30/2013, so school principal's will be negotiating a new contract; basically if they get a raise, Charles will probably get a raise too; to keep the spacing the same.  It appears Charles makes $50,000 more than the top high school principals, and because the contribution to the retirement fund for her is 10% of salary that would also go up.
     Superintendent Frechette also got a payment to a retirement fund in addition to his salary plus money for being a phd, and the mileage stipend. Charles is getting credit for the previous time that she worked for the BOE towards her retirement for medical insurance, plus the BOE are giving her back, reinstating, previously accumulated sicktime that she lost when she left her principal’s position.
Other superintendent contracts and salaries from Ct are available online, and it is a positive note that Charles chose to release the terms of her contract to the public. Superintendents in Ct are typically paid in the six figure range; Frechette's highest salary was approximately $154,000.

Common Council will also decide on upcoming Deputy Police chief position soon. Read background information &  one reader's concerns here:

Guest Blog: South Fire's Endorsement of Lesser 'Shameful'

Deborah Kleckowski, 2010, Moose Riders, photo South Fire District website

Dear Citizens,

  The South Fire District Firefighters' Union has announced its endorsement of incumbent representative Matt Lesser (D) for the 100th district. No surprise, unions typically always endorse Democrats no matter what the facts really are.  The Middletown Patch quoted Local 3918 Union President James Mastroianni as follows:  “Matt Lesser has been a friend of South Fire District’s  Professional Fire Fighters for many years and we fully support this  endorsement.”

      I would like to know what exactly has Matt Lesser done to deserve this endorsement? Where are the actual facts?

      Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski, Lessor's Republican challenger, was not even given a fair shot for this endorsement as she was never given an opportunity by union members to discuss any South Fire issues or  interviewed by them before the endorsement was summarily announced.  Furthermore, no vote was taken by the local union members nor were they otherwise polled to determine who they wished to endorse.
      Deborah Kleckowski has always been a proponent of public safety. She  sits on the Public Safety Committee of the Common Council. In 2011, she and  former Republican Mayor Sebastian Giuliano aided in the support of the Middletown Moose Riders'  program to distribute stuffed animals to children during emergency calls. Kleckowski ardently supported the South Fire budget every year, attended the Fire Ops 101 Training program for public officials and completed the entire exercise.
     In 2010, Matt Lesser showed up for this training briefly to show off his Dan Malloy campaign shirt and take a photo before leaving. Kleckowski spearheaded the effort to purchase  and install specialized communication equipment inside the helmets of all city firefighters so that they may more effectively communicate in a fire, not only helping to save  more lives, but to ensure their own safety on the job as well.

      When no emergency access road was designed into the original plans for the new Middletown High School, Deborah Kleckowski advocated and made sure a road was installed at the site.

      Kleckowski worked tirelessly at the emergency shelter set up at the High  School after the power outages last summer and fall. She worked  to make sure emergency personnel had access to the facility when the last  Board of Education Administration fought to block the shelter from even being set up. She also made sure all the union workers- everyone- was paid when the Board of Education, under the direction of then Superintendent Michael Frechette, withheld their pay for over a month. During all this, Lesser was nowhere to be found.
      It would be most enlightening and helpful to be able to compare Lesser's status as a "friend of South Fire District's Professional Fire Fighters" with Kleckowski's actual involvements and accomplishments.

     The failure of the employees of South Fire not to stand up for a person like Kleckowski, and to permit their parent union to endorse Matt Lesser is shameful.

       Kleckowski has proven herself as a true public servant time and time again. Not endorsing her is demeaning, not only to the rank and file firefighters, but to all of the residents and taxpayers of the South Fire District. 

     What is more, it perpetuates a stereotype in Middletown that party affiliation and cronyism outweigh proven hard work  and dedication to the greater good. The firefighters' union owes taxpayer’s more of an explanation than Lesser is a “friend.”

William Wilson,

Vice-Chair Middletown Republican Town Committee

Have You Seen this Middletown Public Servant?

Sources have told the Insider staff that Democratic Deputy Registrar Voters Lisa Santangelo, and  Democratic Registrar Sandra Faraci , accompanied by personnel from the Common Council clerk's office have on multiple occasions been closing the doors at the Registrars' office during business hours and locking out their Republican counterparts.More disturbing is that by doing so they are locking out the public as well. By state law, the office is to remain open so that citizens may register to vote. Any variation of this practice must follow guidelines set forth by the State Elections Enforcement Commission which determines cases of voter suppression and other violations. Both parties have representatives appointed to the registrar to over see elections are run fairly. The Common Council Clerk office has no official business with the Office of Registrar.      Sources report that the Mayor's appointed Administrative Assistant Joseph Samolis, has advised City Hall staff to go against City Charter rules which title him "Administrative Assistant," and address him as "Chief of Staff." Not a huge deal? Well we all know where changing "job titles" has gotten us in the past when it comes time to determine salary!    Across town, the Board of Education Administration has permanently hired Josh Berger, son-in-law of Councilwoman Hope Kasper as an Business Administrator after she played a key role in selecting candidates for that position. Berger , who has a work history primarily in real estate, did not rank in the top 10 qualified candidates. He, unlike any other BOE administrator will have a benefits package normally reserved only for teachers.  More back ground on this and other nepotism here.         Meanwhile, stacks of papers are piled high on the Mayor's desk as he spends most of his days campaigning  for Democrats running for state offices, posing for photo ops at various events, mainly as part of the campaigning however, in Hartford lobbying, or and doing who knows what.... Drew can be found at work tops 2-3 days a week. The State Democratic Committee and Malloy machine pulled out all the stops to get Drew elected- spending almost $100,000.00.  With no doubt the help of Malloy's crew who wanted to desperately to put another Democratic mayor in a major CT city, Drew received more out of town donations from big Dem donors from around Connecticut such as the Young Democrats, the Working Families political action organization, and labor unions.       It appears now, Drew has to return the favor to his creators at the expense of the public; Little Dano is obligated to Big Dan to reciprocate the favors, thus taking time away from his duties at City Hall.      As of late, aside from a few Council meetings, Drew has not been pulling too many late night committee meetings either. Working from home? If the public is not allowed to contact this public servant at home or on the road, then we don't buy it and neither should tax payers! Mayor Drew  receives the full $87K tax payer funded salary no matter how often he chooses to grace City Hall with his presence. * UPDATE! Your tax dollars at work: Since the initial posting of this piece, the Insider found Drew! Today the Mess published a article that has Candidate for State Rep. Paul Doyle and Matt Lesser cruising down the River in canoes yesterday during work hours with non other than Dan Drew- The event complete with reporter along was under the guise of "helping" DEEP Commissioner Esty check out the biological foray, but appears more like blatant campaigning to us- Wonder why no other representatives or candidates were invited? Stay tuned for the Deputy chief Position Vote Tuesday- read background here

Letter to the Editor: Remembering My Friend Laura Cartwright

Submitted as a Letter to the Editors of the Middletown Insider written by Molly Salafia, Middletown Resident

This week Middletown lost a stellar resident and many of us a true friend in the abrupt passing of Laura Cartwright.

Laura was a humanitarian to say the very least. She was a mother of two, a psychic medium, a certified deaf interpreter, a teacher who taught at Middlesex Community College, an EMS first responder, a professional figure skater, co-founder of PACC, the Paranormal Association of Central Connecticut, and a true lover of life and spirit.

I met Laura in 2010 at the Guided Lantern Tour that was held at Indian Hill Cemetery as a fundraiser for Godfrey Library and the cemetery association. I went to do an article for the Middletown Eye, but as a result became fascinated with her, her group, and the sense of community amongst the paranormal investigator lifestyle.

Last year, Laura and her daughter won awards at New England Paranormal Awards for their community out reach. Laura led multiple charitable investigations at historic places, such as the Deep River Library, to benefit the foundations caring for these properties as well as develop investigations for those in the deaf community so that for the first time, they could participate.

Laura inspired many to reach out to people unlike them and incorporate them in their worlds as equals.

Laura would have been too polite to say it, so I will. Laura and her family were victims of retaliation, mistreatment, and harassment caused by the last administration of the Middletown Public School system, particularly special education. She was grateful for the changes on the horizon, but I think if she were still here she would agree that much more is needed.

Middletown's Tangled Web of Nepotism & Cronyism

So many connections it is hard for
 anyone to keep straight!
But if you thought Drew is new player
and not entrenched, boy were you wrong.

Irony is Mayor Drew co-sponsoring a job & resume workshop at Russel Library this week when he in fact inflated his resume, and is allowing exactly what he preached against- nepotism, cronyism, and dishonesty in government.
No credit has ever been given  to Former Mayor Seb Giuliano, and for that matter Christine Bourne who uncovered significant wrongdoing at the BOE as far as the million dollar discrepancy and pushed the issue - maybe a little harder than the public wanted, but he got the results. The Democrats consistently tried to block attempts to reform the BOE administration, including Mayor Dan Drew by trying to sweep on going labor disputes under the rug. The new administration was forced to deal with it when the audit came out with huge discrepancies and parents came out rightfully outraged over the "scream room" fiasco The current Democrats on the Common Council are trying to cash in on something that was started by Republicans.  Dr. David Larson is a breath of fresh air, as is Gene Nocera (D), along with new efforts by Shiela Daniels(D) and the new BOE members. However, Mayor Drew and the council have a lot to make up for. Mayor Drew stated in his own words he would end nepotism practices in City government. 

Readers can find the statement here: https://secure.democracyforamerica.com/campaigns/4164-drew-2011

Drew wrote: "Above all, I want to make Middletown’s government honest. For years, the city has suffered through decisions made in the best interests of municipal contractors and private developers who have political or familial connections."

Drew need not look further than his own party, whom he has yet to call out for wrongdoing. In 2009, Drew made statements published in the Wesleyan Argus stating “If the Water Department were a private organization in would be bankrupt.”  Former Finance Director James Reynolds was called in under the Giulaino administration to aid in correcting the accounting problems and when problems continued compounded by labor issues, Giuliano moved the Water Dept. to City Hall for closer monitoring by the Finance Dept. Upon his election, less than one month later, Drew moved the department back to its satellite location on River Road. The Department Director is Guy Russo, cousin of Democratic Councilman Tom Serra.

Democratic Councilwoman Hope Kasper played a huge part in the hiring of her own son-in-law, Joshua Burger at the BOE.  Mr. Burger was first hired as a temporary employee (and given health insurance benefits) to fill a vacancy which is the subject of a union grievance (still outstanding).  While the union’s issues are still making their way through the process with the State of Connecticut, Mr. Burger has been appointed by the Board of Education administration to the Payroll Supervisor position without following union posting requirements.   This was the position that Ms. Bourne was removed from by the BOE and also was part of the settlement agreement brokered by Judge Holzberg between the City and BOE; however, rather than filling the position properly, the BOE stated that they no longer needed the position.  This was called to question by several Republican candidates during the past election, yet the general public ignored this fact and Kasper won anyway.  It should be noted that Judge Holzberg is the spouse of a former Democratic Mayor of the City of Middletown. Holzberg has a close personal relationship with Superintendent Michael Frechette.

 Former Superintendent Michael Frechette openly and vigorously campaigned for Drew and Serra. Board of Education member Ted Razcka's wife is Assistant Registrar of Voters, a fulltime position with benefits but picked and appointed by the Democratic Registrar of Voters; ironically Razcka was the only member to vote EXTEND Business Manager Nancy Haynes contract after the audit showed there was $1 million in deficit. It was voted to get rid of Haynes 8-1. Razcka, ironically of course, was also the only hold out not to get rid of Frechette.  It cannot be ignored by the community that the relationship of Councilman Tom Serra to the Board of Education is also a long one. Allegations have been made repeatedly in public & during Council Meetings by former Middletown public school teacher Sal Carricoglia about Jason Serra, assistant coach at Middletown High and son of Tom Serra, and a cover up of  misconduct regarding the younger Serra's job performance. While yes, these are  rumors, the have never been fully aired, and yes, Carricoglia himself was dismissed from his position for alleged on the job misconduct; it is hard for the public to be able to discern the truth when any statements by Frechette are tainted with that fact he publicly campaigned for Serra and has a long standing personal relationship. Judge Holzberg presided over Carricoglia's latest trial. Councilman Serra stated publically that he did not feel Chief McMahon was entrenched enough in the community because he did not worship here, a statement that was made on record, and therefore Serra did not support the appointment of the Chief. Serra instead pushed for the installment of Chief McKenna, another fine officer. Carrogolia alleges that McKenna and Frechette were both part of the cover up of the misconduct of Jason Serra on the job, and thus support of McKenna for Chief is a favor on the elder Serra's behalf. We at the Insider don't mean to perpetuate slanderous rumors, but we think that the public should be made aware of all ties of those in elected office, and our Mayor should take a stand and bring these allegations to light to dismiss them once and for all.

 Ironically, after McKenna took the position of chief, Serra's nephew was made part of the police force. In a town of 40,000 such as Middletown it is no doubt that there are familial ties; at the Insider we see  nothing wrong with the hiring of relatives so long as they are qualified and all job candidates are given equal opportunity.  With Frechette gone, Dr. David Larson is charged with the daunting task of reviving the Board of Education administration, we can as citizens can only hope that when the position of Head Coach, that is currently on the BOE agenda as becoming vacant in June, that Dr. Larson fully & impartially vet the best person into that vacancy despite family ties, owed favors, or past affiliations if in fact they do exist.
 What happened to honesty in hiring practices?? It is also pertinent that  Mayor has proposed a relaxing of the qualifications for the position of City Attorney, against the unanimous opposition of the Personnel Review Committee and after posting it twice. There are many applicants who meet the current, higher standard so why does the Mayor want to "dumb down" the qualifications? Only one conclusion - he has a crony in mind who doesn't currently qualify. So much for "making government honest" 
All allegations true or false should be brought to daylight and discussed publicly, so that finally the citizens get the truth- and our new Mayor despite a shared political party should do no less than demand it.

Former Superintendent Forms Super Music Group

Frechette, Haynes and Senges- Together Again: $350,000 + One Million Tour

            It seems that former Superintend of Schools Michael Frechette and his merry duo of cronies aren’t done polluting the intellectual stimuli of the citizens of Middletown, he’s back and this time his assembled a band that consists of his former assistants: Barbara Senges on tuba and Nancy “The Illegal” Haynes on blowhorn.  Although not officially named yet, some Middletown residents are calling the trio "The Users" or "The Richies".

“Although I was paid a tremendous sum of money from the Middletown school system for doing nothing, I decided to get the band together and play a final gig at Kiegwin Middle School for all my adoring fans,” Dr. Michael Frechette told reporters last night at a literacy press conference last night in Middletown.  “I will be selling CDs and I hope the citizens band together to bring me back for education work in town, which of course would benefit me due to the large consulting fee I will charge the district,” Frechette said with a twinkle in his eye as he adjusted his diamond ring and asked Haynes in a sharp voice to, “move my Rolls [Royce].”

Recorded Live from the Scream Room!

For $12.99 plus shipping and consulting fees, fans get the following songs:

One NIGHT ONLY! (CD COVER)

1)       I Fought the Law and the I Won

2)          Chain, Chain, Chain of Fools.. (Middletown Residents are Suckers!)

3)           Hit me with your Best Shot

4)           You’re so Vain with Carly Simon

5)            Poker Face

6)            Hot For Teacher in the Scream Room

7)            Mo Money, MO Problems

8)           Miki’s Girls

9)             The 466 Blues (Contracts are Null and Void Anthem)

10)         It’s good to be the King

11)         Theme from the Godfather

12)         Don’t stop Believing

13)         The Mileage Anthem

14)         It’s the End of the World as We Know it. (Teachers need Supplies)