Guestblog: Hiring Process by John Milardo

Below is a essay by John Milardo. All opinions expressed are that of the author and not necessarily that of the Insider staff, burden of proof lies with the author. The newsletter in its original format can be downloaded and read here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/1jNyt0vXvnBe2mhZco6bg4Zf7JAlzntf47r79m5FoiccESLX16UvuuEkidvRl/edit?usp=sharing

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   John Milardo And Justice For All A NEWSLETTER  “And Justice For All” is a newsletter involving my opinions, views, and commentary as a life long Middletown resident. In my capacity as a former employee of Middletown (retired) for over 41 years, I have a different perspective regarding how and why public figures do what they do.

  Note:  Any similarities in this article between those living or deceased are purely                          coincidental and/or speculative on the reader’s part.

  If you were to hire someone to head a City department, say hypothetically for streets and maybe parks, what qualifications would you incorporate in your job criteria?  I’ll give you similar criteria used in the past.  Past criteria: 

 • Know how to paint lines on our streets.  Until very recently this criteria no longer applies because it is not considered to be part of the department. How?  I don’t know?

 • Must be promoted to a supervisory position, and have no knowledge of the work you will be supervising. 

 • Must have a BS degree in engineering.  If engineering qualification cannot be met, the City will remove it from the job, so their applicant now meets the new minimum qualifications; with no engineering degree.  This educational removal will not reduce the salary grade.  The applicant will earn the same salary as if he/she had earned the degree. 

  • Must possess the ability to become invisible and not located during the work day.  This is a must if you’re going to be the head of the department.  
   • The ability to be a puppet and protégé of our City’s political godfather(s). 

   • Capable of providing employment, at the taxpayer’s expense, for girlfriends (after approved by the Mayor).  

   • Ability to provide already rehearsed answers to the Common Council members when required.  

   • Ability to look pathetic when asked non-rehearsed questions by the Common Council members.  
   • The ability to call upon others within the department to answer questions of the Common Council that you have no idea how to?  
  • Ability to lie without sweating or blushing. • Must be morally capable to accept graft funds when offered. • The ability to be a silent partner bar owner, where Common Council members and politicians can meet and receive free refreshments.  
 • The ability to consume large quantities of alcoholic beverages.  
 • The ability to believe your life is part of the “Sopranos” television show.
 • Must be capable of sucking up to every politician in both political parties, and serve as a waiter for them at public functions.  No spinal column required.
• Wage scale:  As much of taxpayer’s money as possible for doing political favors for personal gain.   Present criteria:  See above.   

 Stay strong.  Stay involved.  Stay together.  Seek the truth. John Milardo

Your Daily Spin from the Middletown Mess: Local 466 Union President Cautious of Mayor's Planned Dept. Mergers

A private citizen is looking for a new job, two guys running as third party candidates  vs. a story about the potential destruction of City government infrastructure & increased waste on the backs of tax payers... lemme think which is more relevant...

The Mess, in true Spin fashion dictated by certain unseen forces is attempting to detract attention from the issue of the upcoming vote on the City merging of departments by placing this critical City issue between obscure articles today. 

Despite the fact this will impact the quality of services the City offers its taxpayers, and also taxpayer wallets, the Mess doesn't make this a top story! ?

The Mess really is working overtime taking dictation from the Drew Crew and Serracratologists in attempts to derail the upcoming 2013 municipal elections and taint the waters against non-cult candidates. 

So how does it work, do you guys have a separate phone line directly to Mess Editor Viktoria's bedroom that you wake her up in the middle of the night to start spinning the web? Does Tommy send a car to pick her up?

So what are the top stories? The Mess wants people to focus on the fact that Councilmen Phil Pessina and Joe Bibisi (R) are both seeking the nomination of the Working Families (cough Democrats by a different name cough ) party. The Mess ( or who ever is really pulling the strings) makes the  top headline is that former Mayor Sebastian Giuliano applied for the town manager position in Cromwell back in April.  A former mayor, now a private citizen, tries to get a new job outside of town and move on with his private life and editors Viktoria and Alex  put it front and center. Perhaps the Democratic Town Committee will again get some Wesleyan College Democrats to protest another attempt by Giuliano to move on. History can then repeat itself with six news crews covering the ONE protester! Instead of posting this story in a blatant attempt to try and stir up opposition, one would think that spendacrats would want to keep it quiet in order for Giuliano to get a new job elsewhere and be less of a  thorn  in their sides as they see him. And people criticize us for what we choose to cover- we see a Pulitzer in you kids' futures, really.

On another tangent, notice how the Mess hasn't mentioned that Wesleyan Professor & Eye Founder Stephen Devoto is gathering signatures to primary the Democratic slate for a seat on the Planning and Zoning ballot in while? What's wrong D-Crew? Don't want the word Devoto may actually accomplish his goal getting out?

Back to the real story: Wednesday the Finance and Government Commission met in regards to the adoption of the Blue Ribbon Report  aka Mayor's Task Force on Efficiency report from April 2012. They discussed  the final stages of its implementation which is merging of departments. The Common Council votes on this merger at their Monday meeting. This spring, the council voted to merge the legal and personnel departments.

The Insider has published numerous editorials from a variety of authors who crunched the numbers and showed that this was not truly going to save tax payer money, but as written had parts if  enacted would create more spending. One issue the Common Council should look at, hopefully in between certain councilpersons giving speeches about themselves, is if in the months since the merger if in fact these departments have saved money as it was proposed. Mayor Drew touted over and over (and over) again that it would; now prove it. Did you know when Mayor Drew smiles rainbows appear in the sky? Don't believe us? Well he said so, so it must be true.

If  Drew's plans are adopted by the Council, according to the new organization, the parks division would report to the Public Works Department, and the recreation part would merge with Senior Services to form a new Recreation and Community Services Department. Sounds like the same thing with a different name? We thought so too. 

Mayor Dan Drew  was quoted by the Mess as saying he projects $150,000 in savings and “there are another number of savings that will become clear as time goes on.” Course he isn't adding in the pension packages he handed out to get rid of people the he couldn't manipulate.So what are the savings? Well, the apparently according to Drew, the Council will have to adopt it to see?!  What is so hard about showing some REAL data?? How about you be clear now- dare we say TRANSPARENT?

The Mess goes onto quote the Mayor as saying that essentially the merger needs to take place in order for Public Works and Park and Rec to share equipment. Again why they can't share now like big boys and girls is beyond us- and chances are they probably already do share! Excuse us Mr. Drew, these splendid, profound ideas you are having are really quite frightening in their deepness.

Christine Bourne,  president of  Municipal Employees Local 466, a city labor union, isn't buying the deal. Continuing to stand up - that's Ballz Bourne! You go girl!

The Mess quotes Bourne: “I think we’re trying to fix something that isn’t broken,”  “Any potential savings haven’t been shown to me, haven’t been shown to the union … our guys are concerned about what they’re going to be asked to do.”

The Mess article then goes on to talk about Bourne's recently settled labor dispute with the City which has absolutely nothing to do with the merger and appears to be a thinly veiled  and quite shallow attempt by the Mess to discredit Bourne. Nice try, but no cigar. 

Remember folks, Mayor Drew raised your taxes, cut your teachers, makes up new rules to the City Charter on a daily basis ( it's Administrative Assistant Joe Samolis - no such thing as Chief of Staff), perpetuated the violation of  the already violated worker rights of a union employee (Bourne) now proved by law, lies to the public, and we get 2 more years of our Dear Leader. Now that is a run -on sentence!

Don't worry, Kim Jong Un-Drew says for a cool $750K upfront cost, the City  can light the Arrigoni Bridge in colors of the the rainbow corresponding to his moods.

While less departments in theory sounds just dandy, previous posts laboriously explained the merger and by doing some no so fancy math to prove the numbers don't work are linked below: 

Editor's note background: 

 Want to know more about the Government ReOrg? Read the Insider Staff's analysis of the Government ReOrg here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/12/city-governmen-re-org-part-ii.html  

The misleading merge of City Legal & BOE Legal:http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/01/apple-oranges-boe-budget-hikes.html 

John Milardo spoke of the downsides of the Governmnet ReOrg in a previous Guest Blog piece here:://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/01/guest-blog-his-town.html

Councilmember Linda Salafia also comments on negative aspects here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/01/letter-editor-government-reorg-costly.html

Chairman of MRTC Ken McClellan discusses the reorg here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/02/letter-to-editor-mayor-daniel-drews.html

Read the full report for yourself here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/12/mayors-task-force-on-efficiency-report.html and packages here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/01/who-gets-what-drew-cleans-house-with.html

John Milardo writes again of how the numbers don't add up to savings in a previous Guest Blog piece here

http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/04/guest-blog-reorganization-by-john.html

Guestblog: And Justice for All: $75,000 to Tell You What's Wrong! by John Milardo

Below is a essay by John Milardo. All opinions expressed are that of the author and not necessarily that of the Insider staff. Milardo has been a frequent guest blogger featured on this blog, his last essay can be read here:
http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/04/guest-blog-department-merger-begins-by.html
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After many years of informing the Parks & Recreation Commission, Councilmember’s, and Mayors, that our parks infrastructure was deteriorating and broken, due to lack of budgetary funding, the City is now acting.  Councilman Serra and Mayor Dan Drew are past Commissioners of the Parks & Recreation Commission.  Councilman Todd Berch and Phil Pessina are current Commissioners.  During that 20 years of neglect spoke about by Councilman Serra it is valid to point out that he served as Mayor.   Several years ago, I was asked by the Commission to supply them and the Common Council with detailed information of which facilities and what construction/renovations were needed.  The cost tallied almost $25,000,000.  That’s a lot of neglect!    Most towns understand the importance of both parks and recreation.  They know it is more than soccer and little league fields.  It’s about quality of life for all ages in a community and being able to partake in whatever activity you desire, and not just be a spectator.  

Most, if not all of the Councilmember’s, including the Mayor and his cabinet, have no idea what the Parks department’s responsibilities to the community really encompass, or where some of our parks are even located.  That is one of the main reasons the parks infrastructure system has been allowed to be thrown aside for so long during the budgetary process.  I remember then Mayor Maria Holzberg wanting to close many parks and athletic fields down: “Parks and recreation are non-essential!”  Was she right?    

During a retirement interview with Shawn Beals, the subject of Middletown’s park deterioration was broached.  I told him when the politicians are ready to reorganize departments and place the Parks division within another department (Public Works), that funding will begin to pour in. My opinion is that for political and personal reasons, the Parks division was set up to purposely fail.  I’ve said it at prior public meetings and in Newsletters that once departments are on the verge of reorganizing, whatever money is needed to succeed will become available.  This is just round one.  If I sound bitter, I may be.  When I read the Mayor thinks it’s a good idea to put lights on the Arrigoni Bridge at a cost of over $750,000 taxpayer dollars, and we don’t even own it, yeah, I might get bitter.  I think of all the good we could do with that money in our parks.   Perhaps Councilmember’s never understood that my passion for the Parks department and development came from a deep rooted commitment to the community in which I was raised.  There was only one reason to be outspoken – and it was to provide the citizenry with great public spaces to enjoy the outdoors.  I left City employment with the regret that the dreams, goals and visions for the department never came to fruition.  Even if the reason for the funding and attention to our natural landscapes is ultimately for all the wrong reasons, I’m glad that the facilities might be getting the attention that they deserve.   

Stay strong.  Stay involved.  Stay together.  Seek the truth.    
John Milardo

DISCLAIMER:  The opinions and views expressed in this newsletter reflect the opinion and view of the author, and should not be construed as fact or advice.  The author is a life long Middletown resident and taxpayer, and is sharing his opinions as such.  The opinions and commentary do not reflect the views of any political party, organization, or citizen group.  This newsletter reflects opinions and commentary which the author wishes to share with his friends.

Photos from Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics Middletown

State Rep. Christie Carpino  revisited her role as advocate of Special Olympians when she judged the costume contest at the Penguin Plunge to benefit Special Olympics of Connecticut.

 265 people plunged into the frigid waters of Crystal Lake on Feb. 23, 2013. A patch of ice had to be cleared from the lake to make way for plungers.The the costumes have become a part of what attracts large crowds of to see costumes and others take the plunge for a good cause. Middletown's Park and Recreation Department team called Frozen Fools lead by Karen Nocera and comprised of several department employees, and local students raised $3,000. Mayor Drew gave opening remarks, and plunged twice. Todd D'Aquila lead the fundraising for the Frozen Fools.  Other teams consisted of local high school student athletes and local law enforcement. Police plungers included. Emergency Personnel and First Responders were on duty throughout the event. Over all  nearly $50,000 was raised for Special Olympics. Click to enlarge reader submitted photos we assembled.

 In the photo above, Rep. Carpino on the left with PZ Commissioner  & plunger with Frozen Fools Molly Salafia.To the right is the entire Frozen Fools Park and Rec team from Middletown.

Local photographer Matt Kabel took photos of the day's events.
Many penguin costumes were worn.

Photo upper left, Mayor Dan Drew plunged twice, top right and bottom left.

Male Members of the Polish Falcons Nest 519 where the event was hosted dressed as princesses
Click for more photos: 

Park & Recreation Unified Theater Spotlight on Ability

UNIFIED THEATER PRODUCTION

Middletown Parks and Recreation presents Unified Theater - Spotlight on Ability
Wednesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 28, 6:00 pm at Keigwin Middle School.

Donations accepted at the door to sponsor the student summit next fall.
Unified Theater is a student-driven initiative that facilitates inclusion of students of all abilities through the performing arts.
Unified Theater's model is to partner with schools, train student leaders, and help them reach a successful final production where students of all abilities are included. Let teens lead, let creativity rule.
It’s a great show!!

Letter to the Editor: Please Support Penguin Plunge!

Dear Editor,
My two buddies Nolan Donadio and Caleb Majewski are doing the Penguin Plunge at Crystal Lake on Feb. 23rd to raise money for Special Olympics. They are apart of the Park & Recreation Department's team Frozen Fools. It only takes a moment to donate- and it is all done
online!
 If you are unable to donate, you can certainly volunteer.
Thank you very much!

http://soct.convio.net/site/TR/Events/General/673360013?pg=team&fr_id=2704&team_id=15510

Molly Salafia, Assoc. AIA LEED GA, PZ Commissioner

Holiday On Main Street

Dance Off! Come on, give it a try!

1/14/2013 - Dance It Off

Dance It Off!

Come try the first class for free!

Monday,  January 14^th , 2013 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Wesley School Gym ~Wesleyan Hills Road

1 hour of:  Slides, Shuffles, Line Dances, and more…...  You WILL sweat!!!!!  Bring water!!!!

Come five minutes early and stretch!

Any questions, call Karen Nocera –

Park & Rec @ 860-343-6620 ext.102 or

Email:  Karen.Nocera@MiddletownCT.Gov

20  classes (Mon & Wed nights) = $40

10  classes (Mon or Wed night) = $20

Spiderman at Keigwin Middle School on November 30, 2012

Friday, Nov. 30 Family Movie Fee: FREE Keigwin Middle School Auditorium Time: 6:00pm

THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN RATED PG -13
Family Movie Night
Nov. 30: The Amazing Spider Man:
Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father's for- mer partner.

Note: Students must be accompanied by an adult to gain admittance into show.

Local Republicans Collect Toys for Middletown Children

Local Republicans give back to area children

Middletown Republican Town Committe is holding its Holiday Party at First and Last Tavern on November 29th. Everyone who wishes to attend it asked to bring a new unwrapped toy which will be donated to the 60th Annual Bernie O'Rourke/Detroit Hunter Memorial Christmas toy drive organized by Middletown Park & Recreation Department.

The idea for the collection at the party was the idea of MRTC vice chair William Wilson.
"It's really important that we give back. I hope MRTC can make this a tradition we do every year. It was important to me that what we give stays local. We have many families in Middletown who are struggling and if we can help even a little to allow them to have a good holiday we should," remarked Wilson, "This is the time of year we all need to come together and help out those less fortunate."

Anyone wishing to donate may give a toy to any Republican elected official, MRTC member, or directly to the park & Recreation office.

MRTC members are also collecting items to donate to the Kiwanis Thanksgiving basket drive which is part of the Middletown Thanksgiving Project. Over local 15 service organizations and churches have partnered together to distribute over 300 baskets of food to families facing financial hardship in Middletown.

Wilson, a parishioner at Fellowship Baptist is also a volunteer for the project. Fellowship Baptist is ground zero for the sorting and assembly of food baskets prior to their distribution by Amazing Grace Food Pantry and Salvation Army.

"When the Red Cross was no longer to under take this local churches like Fellowship Baptist stepped in. Its all about community,"said Wilson.

Veterans Locally Honored Today & Veteran's Park Project Update

Wreaths laid at Veteran's Cementary today to honor
the fallen.

The Middletown Insider would like to thank all the brave men and women who fought for freedom for this country. Sunday is Veterans’ Day. Today is a day to honor them, their sacrifices, and patriotism in this country. Let us never, ever forget the service of veterans and what that means.

Veterans’ organizations of Middletown held at commemorative ceremonies Sunday, November 11, and at the State Veterans Cemetery on Bow Lane at 2pm.

Local and state dignitaries gave blessings and speeches about the meaning of commemorating veterans.
The Middletown Corale sang the National Anthem and later in the ceremony fallen heroes were commemorated by the playing of Taps. 

Veterans gathered today at the ceremony.

State Veteran's Affairs Commissioner Linda Swartz gave powerful speech asking those present to not only remember the soldiers who had fallen in battle, but those who were plagued by disability both in the form of physical handicaps, mental trauma such as PTSD, and the lasting effects of Agent Orange exposure after combat as well. Swartz asked the crowd to also include in their personal reflections and prayers all soldiers missing in action, and those who had taken their own lives because of trauma experienced as a result their military service.
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Middletown currently has a project in the works to overhaul Veteran's Park. The project will include the Trees of Honor Memorial project which will honor fallen Connecticut soldiers who had lost their lives in the recent Wars on Terror.  This tribute project is being funded by Trees of Honor Incorporated. Councilman Todd Berch (D) who had originally proposed a dog park at Tynan Park in Middletown,which was voted down by the Planning and Zoning Commission, is advocating for the theoretical project's proposed relocation to Veteran's Park. Ultimately, the Common Council will have the final say as to if and where a dog park will be created. A dog park is not in the City's budgeted plan,according to Berch's previous statements to media and before the P&Z Commission, the dog park would be funded by donations. 
The Veteran's Museum temporarily housed at The City of Middletown has plans to build a new Veteran's Museum to replace the annex modular building currently located on the Eckersley Hall property (which just passed referendum to become the new & long awaited Senior Center) to be located at Veteran's Park. The Veteran's Museum temporarily housed in the annex modular building on the Eckersley Hall property will be moved to a new facility to be built at Vet's Park according to the landscape plan done showing the Trees of Honor Memorial.

Mayor Drew Breaks Historic Record! Shafts Local Parents & Kids

t

Drew to head to moon to lobby for Middletown Lunar Colony.
 In other news, transportation to  Park & Rec Youth Summer Camps cut
 in Mayor's adopted budget. Need a ride for your child?
Call Mayor's office to schedule pick up in Mayor Mobile.

It is fast approaching the 1 month mark for when Mayor Drew secretly went to China on Middletown's dime and behalf to secure trade with our far east ally. Upon his return Councilmember Pessina pressed Drew for a full report about the trip in order for tax payers to fully understand what they would be paying for and how his interactions with Chinese business consultants would benefit them. Drew, at the following Council meeting stated he was too jet lagged to have completed the report. It has been 1 month, and no report; yet Drew has found time to do more important things especially went it involved having his picture taken.  Drew has found time to pass out 17 separate accolades & awards  to locals in that time, showcase Rep. Rosa DeLaura around Middletown on two separate but well documented occasions, pull together a half baked budget that raises taxes yet cuts things like bus transportation to Park & Rec youth summer camps, & march in a parade during his recovery from apparently the longest case of jet lag ever on record! Mayor Drew is starting do things that rival the supernatural powers of Kim Jong  Li. The Insider would like to wish the mayor a speedy recovery so he can get back to his lobbying in Hartford  & DC as well as welcome Chinese businessmen who will jump start Middletown's economy single handedly during their visit on June 9th.
By the way Mr. Drew, at the Insider we think you owe an explanation to the 200 families of Middletown workers who are being laid off today at Pratt & Whitney and how your budget  & China trip & tax increase will help them. Representative Len Suzio made statements today that the Dept. of Labor should do all it can to help those laid off and offered to assist. The Insider will be thinking of those families today as who will no doubt be making tough financial sacrifices to make ends meet, our hearts go out to them.