When is a "Lock Box" no Longer a "Lock Box"?

Yesterday, I was at the Capitol for the "special" legislative session - itself a result of poor leadership and irresponsible government.

It's more certain than ever that the Democrats have no desire to get our state back on a solid fiscal ground. They appear only to be interested in political gamesmanship and surviving the next election.
Please watch the video of my remarks on the so called deficit mitigation package and the so called transportation "lock box".  Rob Sampson

Civilian Disarmament Likely With Another Four Years of Dan Malloy

This is from a friend.  He spells out, short and sweet, what we can expect if Dan Malloy gets re-elected.

A little brain chow for the late night crowd. I always talk about chess, how about we play some?

Let's start with the board set thus: Malloy has won, and the Democrats retain control of the Senate.

Their opening move: get rid of Board of Firearms Permit Examiners and makes CT a strictly may-issue state.

What's our counter-move? Impotent rage.

Their next move: yearly permit renewals, subject to "suitability".

And we don't have to go any further. Because within two years of that going in to effect, the number of permits in CT falls through the floor.

Do I have your attention now, fence-sitters?

"UNPRECEDENTED ABUSE OF POWER"

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM CT GOP CHAIRMAN
May 30, 2013

"UNPRECEDENTED ABUSE OF POWER"

State GOP Chairman Jerry Labriola, Jr. today released the following statement in reaction to the most recent power grabs and lack of transparency by Governor Dan Malloy and legislative Democrats.

“As the legislative session comes roaring to a close, Governor Malloy and one-party Democrat rule continue with an unprecedented abuse of power – under cover of darkness and hidden from the general public and accepted practices of legislative transparency.

“A bill to deny the public’s right to know was crafted in secret. A proposal to provide drivers licenses for illegal and undocumented immigrants was rammed through in the middle of the night. The plan to violate the will of the people by casting aside the Constitutional spending cap is being shoved down taxpayers’ throats without so much as a public hearing. 

“Governor Malloy and the legislative Democrats have demonstrated utter disregard for the legislative process, while they sneer at the transparency Connecticut citizens deserve.

"It is outrageous that the State budget has been crafted without any public input. It's bad enough that our one-party rulers have shut out the Republicans - but now they are set to vote on a budget that - just like the secret bill to block FOI - was negotiated in a back room between the Democrats and Malloy. 

“This is not open and transparent government and it is just one more example of Malloy's disdain for the taxpayers who will end up paying for this budget - he won't even let them know what's in it before sticking them with the tab.

"When will Connecticut taxpayers find out about the budget? An hour before it is taken for a vote?"

BACKGROUND:

Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information Chief: “Dan Malloy is trying to tear apart the Freedom of Information Commission.”“’He's no Ella Grasso,’ Smith said Thursday, referring to the governor who got the legislature to create the state Freedom of Information Commission in 1975, after the Watergate scandal. ‘Ella Grasso gave us the [FOI] commission and she was a true champion of the people's right to know. Dan Malloy is trying to tear apart the Freedom of Information Commission.’” (“Malloy, The Supposed 'Transparency' Governor, Blasted As 'Foe Of FOI',”Hartford Courant, 5/24/13)

Malloy’s new massive tax and spend proposal crafted in “closed door” meetings absent public hearing and debate. “Lawmakers have been working on the details behind closed doors on the plan that calls for spending $21.5 billion in the fiscal year that starts July 1 and about $22.3 billion in the following year.” (“Malloy, Democrats Reach Tentative State Budget Deal,” Hartford Courant, 5/26/13)

Democrats float proposal to manipulate democratic process for political gain. “The working draft of the omnibus campaign finance bill would bar the use of the word “independent” in political party names. It’s a change that would force the Independent Party of Connecticut—which cross-endorsed several Republicans in legislative and Congressional races— to change its name. (“Republicans Call Move To Abolish Independent Party ‘Power Grab’, CT News Junkie, 5/29/13)

Democrats ram through proposal providing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants – buck GOP proposals to study the idea. “The Connecticut state Senate has approved a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, surmounting Republican opposition.” (Connecticut lawmakers approve driver's licenses for illegal immigrants,” FOX News, 5/30/13)"

Letter to the Editor: Councilmember Salafia: City Dept. Mergers Don't Save Resources

Below is a essay by Councilmember Linda Salafia. All opinions expressed are that of the author and not necessarily that of the Insider staff. 

The City Reorg will be voted on at a special council meeting open to the public at 6 pm Thursday May 2, 2013 in the Council Chambers.

Salafia previously commented on this re-org in an earlier letter to editor:

Read full article here.

 

The objective of the task force appears to contain a predetermined remedy for what were yet-to-be discovered problems. Salafia points out that many of the positions will still have to be filled and therefore the cost savings is a false assumption. Kleckowski cited departments becoming dysfunctional as a concern. In a previously published letter from the actuaries hired by the City to City Finance Director Carl Erlacher, the actuaries expressed concerns that the pension fund be in trouble as early as 2014. Apparently, Mayor Drew knows better than the professionals.

Editors Note: Background Information and financial breakdowns:

The package is available to read here: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1OYjxtLEgUwUm9EZ1gzYUdsODQ
The smoking gun letter from the actuary is here:   https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1OYjxtLEgUwUm9EZ1gzYUdsODQ

 Previously published posts on this subject can be read here:

http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/12/city-governmen-re-org-part-ii.html

http://www.middletowninsider.com/2012/12/city-government-re-org-part-i.html

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Councilmember Salafia's Letter to the Editor:

I want to respond to John Milardo's newsletter however I don't think the space for comments will allow me room to say what I want.

The vote on the merger of the Personnel Department into the Legal Department is scheduled for May 2, and most assuredly will pass.  However, I plan on voting no to that and to any other resolution presented as a result of the merger.  There are several reasons why I don't agree with this particular merger and don't think that it will either streamline, improve the efficiency of government or save money.

First, I don't agree with the report issued by the Task Force formed by the Mayor to improve efficiency in government shortly after he took office.  I believe that the Mayor gave them the charge to reduce the number of employees that report directly to him; not that the committee did an unbiased assessment of the workings of the city government.  The report stated that 20 employees reported directly to the Mayor, I'm having trouble coming up with those 20.  Also, I understand the concept of having outside eyes look at the procedures; however, they need to have a basic understanding of the current procedures before you make changes.  I had to point out to them that even though only one employee in a truck driver position was retiring that in reality they were losing up to 7 drivers who drive snow plows during storms.

Secondly, I don't agree with the numbers presented on how this merger will save money for the city.  As part of the package given to the Council outlining the savings, as John says, the second Deputy City Attorney position is included in the current funding column and also in the proposed column so that there is no effect on the bottom line.  While this is technically true, since the position of second Deputy Attorney is in the budget now, it was done so on the expectation of the merger happening.  It was not in the budget prior to this year and therefore should be included as a new expense.

Thirdly,  I truly believe that the Personnel Department has different duties and functions that although could often use the advise of attorneys, they should remain separate and distinct.  The volume of work needed to handle the hiring process of the city by itself should illustrate the need for a separation of duties.  Now you will be filtering the public and employees through the City's Legal Office.  The Personnel Department was a department of 4 employees and that had been reduced to 3; this merger is proposing 2 for this function.  I find it difficult to believe that 2 people are going to be able to handle the required duties without additional help considering what's on the horizon such as needing to hire a new Fire Chief, and the review and filling of the other positions that are open as a result of the retirement incentive given.  (That's another whole article about why I didn't agree with that either - as far as, I can see, there's been no actual savings with that.)  Paralegal has come up in discussions.

Also, included in this merger may be a change in the council committees which is going to be another problem and will require another whole discussion and I believe that should happen before any merger or change takes place.

Therefore, based on those reasons and more, I will not be voting in favor of this merger.  
 

Sincerely,

Linda Salafia

Councilperson, R

Guest Blog: Department Merger Begins 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. The essay in its original format can be downloaded here:https://docs.google.com/file/d/1JdYt1P4HN0CPb-B3Mi8qtOXC4yIWrbTyQ7VJbNEG-cDgCfYmgxL7H_1mziVX/edit?usp=sharing

The Common Council will the vote on Mayor Drew's proposed budget just around the corner, the Council will be voting on the government re-org soon. Milardo discusses the impact below. See the Editor's note at the end of the article to read our past posts on the same subject for further background. Past newsletters from Mr. Milardo can be accessed on our site by typing in "And Justice for All" or "John Milardo" into the search area at the top of the page.
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 “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.

The merger of City of Middletown departments begins according to an article in the
Hartford Courant by reporter Shawn Beals. ( http://www.courant.com/community/middletown/hc-

middletown-legal-personnel-0426-20130425,0,1041366.story )

The article states that City officials estimate a yearly savings of $92,000 for the taxpayer,
and more efficiency in government because the present Personnel department will be on
the same floor as the legal department. The below is an excerpt from the Courant article.

The city attorney's office and the risk management office are on the upper level of city hall,
while the personnel department is in the basement. The three offices frequently have to
work together on labor issues and other matters, and Smith said proximity would boost
productivity.

"Being in the same office, it's going to have much more efficiency and shared knowledge,
and that comes to saving tax dollars," said Council Democratic Majority Leader Thomas
Serra. Smith said he plans to have weekly staff meetings.

Mayor Daniel Drew said the merger of the three departments, a major shift in internal city
operations, would ensure a smarter approach to labor and legal decisions.

"We're consolidating operations by putting our personnel function in our legal office,"
Drew said. "It will give us the ability to avoid future problems by ensuring that personnel
decisions are not made in a vacuum in terms of the legal effects personnel decisions have."

The newly hired City Attorney Brigg Smith comes from Michigan, and has absolutely no
knowledge of how Middletown government operated. Councilman Serra should know that
just because a department is moved within another does not guarantee more productivity.

Consolidating may have the reverse affect on productivity if the City Attorney is a micro-
manager and there are personality conflicts within the proposed consolidation. Various
past ways to get around the two floor difference was by using phones, emails, stairs, and
the elevator.

Mayor Daniel Drew’s statement: "We're consolidating operations by putting our personnel
function in our legal office," Drew said. "It will give us the ability to avoid future problems
by ensuring that personnel decisions are not made in a vacuum in terms of the legal effects
personnel decisions have."

What past problems is he referring too? His statement about personnel decisions being
made in a vacuum is total hogwash! Every Mayor before him instructed the Personnel
Director which way to proceed on any given matter, and approved the final decision of
ALL personnel issues. That is the Mayors primary function as the immediate supervisor
of all department heads. Let’s call a spade a spade… the Mayor does not want to be
bothered having more than a handful of directors talking to him. That will put a damper
on the amount of time he spends in Hartford.

How the City Officials came up with a $92,000 per year savings is beyond me. Before this
current reorganization of departments, the City Attorney’s Office consisted of one (1) City
Attorney ($120K) and one (1) secretary ($54K). The Personnel Department consisted of
one (1) Director ($102K), one (1) Deputy Director ($87K) and an Assistant ($54K).
Total of $363K.

The newly proposed “Legal Counsel” department will consist of a City Attorney ($130K),
two (2) Deputy City Attorney’s ($120K per attorney), a Human Resources Director
($102K), and a legal secretary ($54K). Total of $526K.

Now, these wages do not include benefits, and are cost out at their maximum wage, as it
seems that is how Mayor Drew likes to hire people. So, let’s do the math; $526,000 minus
$363,000 = $163,000 increase. What! An increase? Can’t be! I must have hit the wrong
keys on my calculator. Let me check my numbers again. 526 minus 363 = 163 no, no, no,
I mean a savings of $92,000 a year. Yeah, that’s right, a savings of $92K a year. Damn
calculator! It just kills batteries.

Perhaps the Officials calculator has different function keys, and can show how there is
such a huge discrepancy – their $92K decrease to my $163K increase – a $255K
difference. It could be moving from two floors to one is where the savings is?

More interestingly though will be to watch the competitive hiring process for the 3rd
Deputy City Attorney. Curiosity is building to see if the top candidate just HAPPENS to
be a former City Councilwoman…

I guess the only fact of this entire article is that Mayor Dan, his Democratic
Councilpersons, and two Republican Councilpersons, believes that the public doesn’t
know how to add.

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

 John Milardo

Mayor Drew's Proposed Budget 2013-2014

Mayor Drew's proposed budget 2013. When reading the budget, note the  proposed revenue side and section that shows the hit to the general fund and also the part that shows revenue coming from the state.
Last week there were reports of departments needing more money for expenditures not factored into the Mayor's budget. The question is will taxes be raised more than the projected 3.3%?
 The Common Council will be reviewing the budget at this week's meeting. The public is encouraged to attend and comment during the public session of Economic Development which meets Monday or at the Community Public Session of the Common Council being held April 11. The Council votes on the budget after all the department's have spoken on April 30th.

The various budget's for the City Department's will be done during public meetings according to the following calendar: Readhere.

April 16, 6:30PM.  Police Department, Board of Education
April 23, 6:30PM. Water and Sewer Department, Planning Department
April 25, 6:30PM. Parks and Recreation, Public Works.
April 30, 7:00PM. Public Hearing
 
The Expenditure side of the Mayor's proposed budget can  here read here: http://www.cityofmiddletown.com/filestorage/737/776/2014Budget-Expenditure.pdf

The Revenue side showing the hit to the General Fund is available here:
http://www.cityofmiddletown.com/filestorage/737/776/2014Budget_Revenue.pdf

Letter to the Editor: MRTC Vice Chairman Responds to Tax Increase

Letter to the Editor. Letters to the editor are published as a courtesy and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Middletown Insider Staff.  Below MRTC vice chairman responds to Mayor Dan Drew's budget calling for a .9 mill rate increase. The full budget will be delivered Monday and the Common Council and public will have a chance to comment later in the month.
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Spending continues and yet growth is non existent in our City, state and country. Our grand list has gone down for the first time in many years and yet the budget continues to grow. 

What happens next year when the revaluation goes into affect? 

I feel bad for those seniors who live on fixed incomes and can't afford another increase in taxes.

William Wilson,
Middletown Republican Town Committee Vice Chairman
Middletown,CT

Letter to the Editor: We have Serious Budget Deficit

Letters to the editor are published as a courtesty and do not necessarily reflective of the opinions of the Middletown Insider staff. 
Below is a submission from Middletown Republican Town Committee Chair Ken McClellan that he also sent to local media and local representatives of Middletown Paul Doyle (D), Dante Bartolomeo (D), Matt Lesser (D) and Joe Serra (D). 
 joe.serra@cga.ct.gov
 Matthew.Lesser@cga.ct.gov
 Paul.Doyle@cga.ct.gov
 Dante.Bartolomeo@cga.ct.gov
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We have a serious deficit in the state budget.  I would like the state assembly and state senate, before they start looking for ‘new revenue’ to make up the deficit, to start looking at what the state is spending, and ask “WHY?”
In that vein, I have some questions about the state budget:  the state web-site, Connecticut Transparency (http://transparency.ct.gov) has a very nice, searchable database of the state budget.  In exploring this site, I’ve found some expenditures that really don’t make sense to me.  I’d like my senators and representatives to check out and get some justification for these expenditures.

1.       Teachers’ Retirement Board has a line item for $26 million for Clothing and Footwear.  There is no explanation or detail.  Why is the Teachers’ Retirement Board buying clothing and shoes?

2.      State Comptroller has a line item for Other Statewide Payments, Gross Proceeds for $3 million, with no detail.  Where is this money going?

Ken McClellan,
Middletown, CT

UPDATE:   "I received a reply from State Rep Matt Lesser: He stated that this line description was a coding or data artifact, and it was unlikely that the money was spent on clothes and shoes. He did not offer to get it corrected, or offer an alternative." Ken McClellan

Letter to the Editor: Department of Ed creates new six-figure job, while running of money.

 Letters to the editor are published as a courtesty and do not necessarily reflective of the opinions of the Middletown Insider staff. Below is a letter to the editor from Middletown Republic Town Committee Chair Ken McClellan. Press Release from MRTC: The next meeting of the Middletown Republican Town Committee will be on Monday, March 25, at 7pm, at City Hall. Please join us.

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The federal budget is a mess and President Obama has created another
high-paid, do-nothing job for a political supporter.  Mr. David Johns was
appointed as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on
Educational Excellence for African-Americans.

How much money is this program costing, and how much impact is it having for
education of American children?

Or, was this a reward, at the expense of the taxpayer, for a former aide for
Rep. Charles Rangle of New York?  If President Obama thinks this is such an
important issue, perhaps he should fund the salary and expenses himself.

This is just one more example of how the President, the cabinet and Congress
are out of touch with reality.  We, the taxpayers, cannot continue to pay
for useless jobs and rewards for political supporters.

I am asking Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, Representative
Rosa DeLauro and the rest of the Connecticut delegation to please stop the
wasteful spending, and stop rewarding political cronies with do-nothing
jobs.

Shut down non-essential programs like this one.

Cut back on the number of aides, advisors and assistants at ALL levels and
branches of the government.   Even if these jobs are not a 'significant'
portion of the federal budget, taking this initiative would show that
congress is serious about dealing with the budget, and show leadership in
doing so.

Ken McClellan
Middletown, Connecticut


If you agree with me, write to our senators and congressional
representatives:
Senator Richard Blumenthal:   https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/contact
Senator Chris Murphy:  http://www.murphy.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Rep. Rosa DeLauro:
https://forms.house.gov/delauro/webforms/contact_form_email.shtml

Today's Insider is brought to you by the Letter "P" for Pilot Funds!

Will Mayor Drew step up and tell the Big Dan-Dan Gov. Dannel Malloy his budget will suck the life out of cities like Middletown?  It was already reported by the Patch that Mayor Drew was proweling City Hall asking for ideas for ways to raise revenue, that and the record number of appropriations that are being asked for each month are sure signs the Mayor's budget is in trouble. Residents can already count on taxes going up at least 2.4 mils, just how much more can we expect?
Read more below about Malloy's plan to ax PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes programs) and how this will reek havoc on the City's finances.

MUNICIPALITIES SEEK LEGISLATIVE HELP
FOR A FAIR STATE BUDGET
By James J. Finley, Jr.
CCM Executive Director and CEO

Just the facts:  The Governor's proposed state budget would raise property taxes, cut municipal services, and cause municipal employee layoffs.

The proposed state budget would:

 *   terminate nation-leading payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) programs designed to partially reimburse host municipalities for the loss of revenue due to state-mandated property tax exemptions;
 *   collapse longstanding education assistance programs and use the funds for conditional aid;
 *   redirect at least $86 million in non-education municipal aid to education and restrictive capital programs;
 *   eliminate over $520 million in municipal car tax revenue under the guise of property tax reform; and
 *   fail to hold towns and cities truly harmless.

Towns and cities are looking to the General Assembly to modify the Governor's proposed state budget to protect municipal aid, property taxpayers and the quality of life in our communities.

Why, you may ask, is there such a disconnect between how the administration describes their budget proposal and the way it is viewed by mayors and first selectmen?  The simple answer is that this budget proposal shifts critical municipal general aid that helps pay for the non-education side of local government to other purposes, including closing the state budget deficit.

Municipal aid dollars shifted to pay for chronic state underfunding of PreK-12 public education and restricted capital purposes cannot be used to pay for police officers, firefighters, and other municipal employees and services.  Add the proposed loss of over $520 million in car tax revenue, and homeowners, businesses and vital municipal services get shafted.

The Governor's proposed state budget would cut or eliminate:

 1.  PILOT:  State-Owned Property (-$74 million):  This nation-leading PILOT program, enacted in 1969, is designed to partially reimburse host municipalities for the loss of property tax revenue due to the state-mandated property tax exemption on state-owned real property.  The program would be erased from the statute books and the funding eventually folded into the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant.
 2.  Mashantucket and Mohegan Fund (-$56 million):  This seminal revenue-sharing program to provide local property relief, funded by a portion of Native American slot machine revenues, would be slashed.
 3.  PILOT Manufacturing and Equipment (-$48 million):  The assault on this PILOT program to partially reimburse host municipalities for state-mandated property tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment began last year with a proxy MME Transition grant. The proposed budget kills the program.
 4.  Municipal Revenue Sharing Grant (-$43 million):  Governor Malloy's groundbreaking new program to share a portion of the increased state sales and state real estate conveyance taxes to provide local property tax relief is eliminated after only one year of existence.
 5.  Public School Transportation Grant (-$25 million):  This grant program to assist municipalities in paying for public school transportation is eliminated.
 6.  PILOT DECD (-$2.2 million):  This PILOT program to partially reimburse municipalities for revenue lost from state-mandated property tax exemptions on developments operated by housing authorities would be eliminated.
 7.  Priority School District Grant (-$76 million):  Funding for this program that helps our poorest school districts would be slashed by 62%.
 8.  Motor Vehicle Property Taxes (-$520 million in municipal revenue):  The Governor proposes to eliminate the local property tax on most motor vehicles (those with assessed values of $20,000 or less) beginning in FY 15. The concentrated burden of the regressive property tax would then be shifted to homeowners and businesses.

The Governor's proposed state budget makes profound and negative changes to the state-local funding partnership.  It substitutes state priorities for those of local government.  It substitutes state micromanagement for municipal flexibility.  It disproportionately hurts our poorest towns and cities.

By eliminating 3 out of 4 payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) programs, the proposed state budget would turn the clock back 40 years and terminate state funding responsibility for state-mandated property tax exemptions.   It would immediately establish $126 million in new unfunded state mandates, leaving other local property taxpayers and host municipalities holding the bag.

While the proposed state budget increases bond funding for the Town Aid Road Grant (+$30 million) and Local Capital Improvement Programs (+$56 million; expands permissive uses and allows reimbursement retroactively for FY 13 expenses), and increases conditional education aid to our 30 lowest performing school districts, the bottom line is that towns and cities are losing at least $86 million in general municipal aid and would suffer a devastating loss in car tax revenue.

Today, 62 cents out of every local property tax dollar goes to pay for PreK-12 public education.  The State is underfunding the Education Cost Sharing Grant by over $720 million dollars.  In most communities, the education portion of the municipal budget exceeds 70%.  Funding education has long been a municipal priority, to the detriment of non-education services.  It's had to be because the State has chronically underfunded it.

The non-education side of municipal budgets has actually shrunk in real dollar terms over the last decade as towns and cities have diverted precious resources to pay for increasing education costs. Forty years of litigation have underscored the fact that the State has repeatedly failed to meet its state constitutional responsibility to adequately fund PreK-12 public education.  The proposed state budget pays for increased, targeted education funding by eliminating PILOT reimbursements, state revenue sharing, other general municipal aid and diverting or cutting categorical education programs.

However well-intended, the proposed state budget would abandon and shift many state funding commitments to towns and cities.  It will force mayors and first selectmen to raise already high property taxes, make additional cuts to municipal services, and lay off more municipal employees.

Letter to the Editor: Council Should Question BOE Budget Increase

In comment on his facebook page, that with permission, resident Paul Dodge has allowed the Insider to publish as a letter to the editor he responds to the proposed BOE budget asking for an increase of 10% - $8.4 million in spending. This was originally announced in a article in the Hartford Courant published here: http://www.courant.com/community/middletown/hc-middletown-school-budget-1219-20121220,0,7651409.story
In the article Councilman Tom Serra (D) states that with this budget citizens will face an increase of 2.4 mils in taxes. This statement is misleading because the real increase, if the Common Council accepts this BOE budget, which the Democrats on the Council are advocating for, will have to be much higher as it does not include projected spending from the City side.
Letters to the Editor are published as a courtesy and opinions and claims are the sole responsibility of the author, not necessarily the staff of the Middletown Insider.
I agree that education is extremely important especially for our youth, BUT I have to ask the question at what cost to the taxpayer? With every budget proposal there is a need for additional taxpayer money. Does anybody ever ask WHY? 

In the private sector there is such an incentive device known as "pay for performance".In the public sector it is always a matter of more taxpayer revenue without much justification or explanation.I propose that the taxpayers representatives (Common Council),insist on the School Budget for calendar year 2013-14 include GOALS from the Superintendent and any budget considerations should include being able to measure PERFORMANCE V.GOALS.These are uncertain times as alluded to by Mr.Serra as we face uncertainty from economic performance,as well as lower tax revenues from both Federal and State levels.If you pay attention as to just what occurred with the 'FISCAL CLIFF' negotiations in Washington you can see exactly what may happen when you don't adopt a working budget,or have some measurable goals v. results.

My position would be for the Common Council "just say no" to any School increase without measurable goals from the Superintendent.The Middletown taxpayers have a right and the School Department has an obligation to show performance versus goals, in my opinion.

Paul Dodge,
Middletown

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

Winsley: Time to Increase Taxes

Time to Increase Taxes

by former  2012 candidate for Congress Wayne Winsley, as originally appearing on his blog:

http://waynewinsley.blogspot.com/2012/12/time-to-increase-taxes.html?spref=tw

Connecticut is approaching a projected $365-million deficit this fiscal year, and staring at a $1.1-billion shortfall next year. Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the Democrat dominated legislature seem to be at a loss (no pun intended) as to how to stop our state budget from bleeding red ink.

 Folks, what we need is nice big tax increase. No, the conservative capitalist isn't talking about adding to the  $1.5 billion wallop that Malloy has already socked us with.

 I'm talking about the only kind of tax increase that will really improve the fiscal health of our anemic economy.

 It is time to increase the amount of taxes being paid by increasing the number of people that are paying taxes.

 It is time to increase the number of young people working and paying taxes.

 It is time to increase the number of middle class people working and paying taxes.

 And yes, it is time to increase the number of wealthy people working and paying taxes.

 Governor Malloy is now being accused by some of shredding the safety net to try and balance the budget.

 The truth is, there is only one way to painlessly shrink the safety net. You must decrease the number of people in the net. More people working means fewer people needing help which means dollars are freed up for other things like...oh I don't know, education. or one could really get wacky and actually lower taxes.

Continued:

Letter to the Editor: Where is the Transparency at the BOE?

Letter to the Editor:
This is a letter in response to the comments by Board of Education member Ed Mckeon left on his blog post on the Middletown Eye " Living in a No Paper Town, Part II." Mckeon responded to anonymous comments asking about his role on the BOE and transparency asking anyone concerned with transparency to sign his or her name for him to answer.
I will use my name as I have no issue using it,
What I would like to know is: Where is the transparency when it comes to the BOE budget? I think it should be a detailed line item budget like every other department in the city. What do we get? A one line budget with no details. That is one issue you Ed specifically, and others, highlighted in your campaign a year ago; yet I see the same old thing as I saw before. The budget is clouded in mystery. While improvements have been made as far as more committees regarding curriculum, the people of Middletown still don't know what is going on within in the BOE as far as where our tax money is being spent dollar for dollar like in all other departments. This is not a partisan issue, but it does take a majority to make it happen.

Signed
William Wilson


Editor's note: William Wilson is vice chariman of the Middletown Republican Town Committee.
All letters to the Insider are printed as a courtesy to readers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Insider.  We want to hear from you! Please submit thank you!

January 3 2007! Read and Think

An Alternate History Lesson by: Robbie Sipangelo

A history lesson you will not find in the news, weather TV or

Print. You won’t find it in our schools  either.

         Do YOU REMEMBER JANUARY 3, 2007?

This is NOT a political message, but rather a clarification to remind us all of the correct facts.

Remember that on October 9, 2007, 11 months before our “economic crisis” occurred

(that was actually created), the Dow hit its highest point ever, closing at 14,164.53 and reaching 14,198.10 intra-day level 2 days later.  Unemployment was steady at 4.7%.  But things were already being put in place to create the havoc we’ve all been experiencing since then.  And it all started, as this email explains, on January 3, 2007.  --LFL

This tells the  story, why Bush was so “bad” at the end of his term. Don't just skim over this, it's not very long, read it slowly and let it sink in. If in doubt, check it out!!!

The day the Democrats took over was not January 22nd 2009; it was actually January 3rd 2007, which was the day the Democrats took over the House of Representatives and the Senate, at the very start of the 110th Congress.

The Democrat Party controlled a majority in both chambers for the first time since

the end of the 103rd Congress in 1995.

For those who are listening to the liberals propagating the fallacy that everything is

"Bush's Fault", think about this: January 3rd, 2007 was the day the Democrats took over the Senate and the Congress.

At the time:

The DOW Jones closed at 12,621.77 The GDP for the previous quarter was 3.5% The Unemployment rate was 4.6% George Bush's Economic policies SET A RECORD of 52 STRAIGHT MONTHS of JOB GROWTH

Remember the day...

January 3rd, 2007was the day that Barney Frank took over the House Financial Services Committee and Chris Dodd took over the Senate Banking Committee.  The economic meltdown that happened 15 months later was in what part of the economy?  BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES!

Unemployment... to this CRISIS by (among MANY other things) dumping 5-6 TRILLION Dollars of toxic loans on the economy from YOUR Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac FIASCOES!

Bush asked Congress 17 TIMES to stop Fannie & Freddie - starting in 2001 because it was financially risky for the US economy.

And who took the THIRD highest pay-off from Fannie Mae AND Freddie Mac? OBAMA

And who fought against reform of Fannie and Freddie? OBAMA and the Democrat Congress.

So when someone  tries to blame Bush.  REMEMBER JANUARY 3rd,

 2007....

BOE Seeks Community Imput- For Real This Time

The  Middletown Board of Education is seeking community members to serve on committees.

link is here : http://www.middletownschools.org/page.cfm?p=9529.

Hopefully with more transparency, and the Evil Triumvirate gone, another million dollars won't disappear!

Description of Board of Education Committees

Committee	Description	Date & Time
Budget	The committee reviews the current budget monthly and makes recommendation to the BOE regarding next year’s budget and other spending items.	2nd Monday of the month at 4 p.m.
Communications	The committee currently reviews the district’s website, and is charged with highlighting events in the district	3rd Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m.
Curriculum	This committee's charge is to be apprised by the Assistant Superintendent of district curriculum, give input on it, support (or not) new curriculum proposals that will eventually go to the entire Board. This committee receives an abundance of information on district programs, curricula, etc. It is comprised of 3 Board members, the Assistant Superintendent and when available, a community representative. The Assistant Superintendent brings teachers and administrators as necessary to offer their expertise.	3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m.
Policy	This committee's role is to set and review policies for the school district. The committee is comprised of 3 Board members, Kathy Bengtson (from Central Office) and when available, a community representative. It is usually joined by the administrators to assist in policy setting and review.	3rd Tuesday of the month at 8 a.m.

Nancy Haynes, Middletown BOE Business Manager Gone

Nancy Haynes resigned as Business Manager of the Torrington CT school system after controversy surrounding a $200K budget 'shortfall' as reported here in 2009. Last year, coincidentally, a $1 million deficit was found in the Middletown BOE book keeping after an independent audit, at the time Nancy Haynes was business manager under former Superintendent Michael Frechette. The Insider has just received word Nancy Haynes is no longer employed as Business Manager of the BOE in Middletown.  Details to come as story develops.

Democrat's Budget: Likely 2 mil Tax Increase for Middletown

He ran on a campaign of lowering taxes & cutting spending.
Is Mayor Drew performing up to your standards?
What does Rep. Joe Serra have to say?

The Insider can't find anyone who
will admit on record they
voted for the Democrats on Council or the Mayor!

The budget written by Mayor Dan Drew and the Democratic Council members calls for nearly a 2 mil increase in taxes, without any increases for Education.

How are Democratic heavy hitters like State Rep. Joe Serra and others who campaigned for Drew feeling as his popularity fades? How do  the senior Councilmen feel  now that their protege is not turning out as malleable as planned?

It seems that the senior Councilmen who felt that they could control Drew once in office have found they have a renegade on their hands.
As a way of off setting the $1 Million dollars overspent by the Board of Education that Mayor Drew says "was just a difference in accounting principles", the Insider  has decided to sell these tee shirts as a way to create 

revenue.

Checks can be made out to Nancy Haynes, business manager at the BOE, or Barbara Senges, or just light the check on fire because that's pretty much where the money will end up anyway. The Insider does not advocate cutting education, however, citizens have not learned and want to increase funding to the BOE since management of such funds has gone so well in the past. Thirty four citizens spoke at the budget hearing held in the Council Chambers April 26, 2012 in favor of increased BOE funding without the BOE providing a line item budget or any additional transparency (see our previous article which explains why by law the BOE administration doesn't have to do this).  Insider is wondering- since a person's tax bill is only representative of the minimum a household is required to pay for property tax- if those who feel this budget is justified why cannot they pay more if they want to so badly? The Insider checked with the Tax Office, and discovered if people wanted to pay more in taxes to Middletown they may, the government will gladly accept donations! So s since taxes are likely only going up 2 mils, anyone wishing to pay 3 mils may do so! It's for the kids people! Monies will be spent on more international trips to Asia and Europe for Mayor Drew in the name of job creation for Middletown, additional aides to the 3 extra he has requested in his budget, and ipads for all Democrats on the Common Council, ( the mayor already has $3,000.00 set aside in his proposed budget for his personal communication devices, so why not share the love and get some for everyone on our dime?)  The Insider tried to find people who voted for Drew and the Democrats to add insight to this article, but no one we talked to would admit they supported these politicians.