Rumblings! 25 Notes to End Your Summer

1. Since Drew has been in office and the Council controlled by Democrats, the city grand list has declined and the annual budget has increased by nearly 20 million dollars. The 78 million BOE mention does not include the 30 or so million Middletown gets in aid from state and federal taxpayers, via "grants" (of someone else's money). The actual school budget is something in the neighborhood of $98M. Not to mention over $59+ million in new debt the city has accumulated under Mayor Drew's tenure, no wonder taxes keep climbing. Swipe the credit card!

2. Drew gave us a 5 mil tax increase last budget & reduced by .1 mil this time. Math says still an increase.

3. Drew voted at Pension Board meetings to take pensions from two police officers who were found to be disabled. He claimed he didn't believe in one's PTSD diagnosis. Both cases are pending in court. Its gonna be a fun fall!

4. The city paid a certain E. W. $1.2 million  as a water & sewer employee in a workplace discrimination suit. So much for ending the lawsuits...

5. Everyone on on the BOE slate for the Democrats is either a "community organizer" or state employee.

6. Ed4ed isn't running, why the press needed to feed his ego with a whole article is beyond us. "More time to focus on family..." Yea we've heard that before. More time to sample local brews? TEA people, sheesh...

7. How many Democrats have pulled paper work to primary? 3. Hope Kasper, Susanne Wesoloski, & Sean King. BTW, how is it ethical Democrat registrar of voters is the spouse of candidate Councilman Bob Santangelo, Lisa Santangelo is in charge of voting machines?

8. Emergency Management volunteers get their stipends pulled. Is there any coincidence that are connections to the GOP ? Um let's think...

9. How many grievances are there between city workers and the BOE now that we are saddled with Sodexco?

10. Former Chief Pat McMahon's lawsuit. Drew get the city check book ready!

11. Drew wants to create Middletown poet laureate contest, workshops to rezone Newfield Street, a dog park at Vet's Park (can anyone get a straight answer on this?),and share cropping aka "Plantation Drew: Middletown's Poor Farm" out on River Road;  how many feel good vote ploys can Drew cram in before November?

12. Suicide barriers on the historic Arrigoni Bridge, lighting the bridge with LEDs as a tourist attraction...Mayor Drew & Rep. Lesser need to make up their minds really as they are just hell bent to spend money on the bridge in some way.

13. Hey CASHO weren't we supposed to get Rt 9 by the river fixed? Oh wait that was the last election cycles promise, our bad.

14. We seriously want an editorial by Dr. Fred, no really its about damn time!

15. The Press publishes ION restaurant recipes, seriously-what about other restaurants? What's the connection?

16. Mayor Drew misses the veterans dedication & marching in Memorial Day parade, to get his internet degree at Columbia. BTW, who paid for that?

17. Kasper gets dumped off council slate. Ironically she voted against Mayor Drews robbing of the police pension fund of $800,000 transferred to the general fund.

18. Inland Wetlands is still illegally constituted.

19. The City is going to bond $722,000 over 10 years to buy computer equipment (CNR budget) that instantly loses value and will likely not be in service before the bond has been paid. Yup, that's smart financing. Once again Press, when are you going to investigate the amount of appropriations that come out of this Mayor and the Common Council on a monthly basis??

20. Lets do quick math. Retire out the former Director of Personnel at a cost of over $500,000 in pension; elevate the Deputy Director of Personnel to the same pay grade. Retire out the former Acting City Attorney and bring the new City Attorney on at max salary; bring on the current Deputy City attorney (new position) at an increase in salary and a cost of $130,000. Estimate the Assistant City Attorney to be at the $100,000 range. Was the merger worth it? Ask the Finance Department….

21.Remember this? Drew donates his own unused campaign funds to his own PAC? So much for giving back...http://www.middletownpress.com/general-news/20140214/middletown-mayor-dan-drew-donates-campaign-contributions-to-his-own-pac

22. Someone should FOI how much has been paid out in lawsuits based on discrimination since Dan Dan has been in office... It's the new "Who wants to be a Millionaire"

23. Drew campaigned on riverfront & downtown development, yet has nothing to hang his hat on. No one is clamoring to build by the river. The election year remedy? Drew wants to make a full time riverfront czar position. Which Malloy crony or Democrat relative needs job now? Hope, you got yours, get out of line...

24. Gotta hand it to Councilman Tom Serra for calling out the village anti-artificial turf fear mongerers led by Devoto & Ed4Ed. Someone is still mad their boy didn't get the athletic director position.

25. Next bond will be approved to allow the Public Works Director to get botox and new suits. The last road bond which included desecrating the Ridge Road Farmhill neighborhood  with a grandiose bus turnaround band aid thanks (Ed4Ed, Public Works Dir. William Russo &  Superintendent Dr. Charles) was a$15 million dollar road bond approved last election. This time around, the Mattabassett  Sewer project is 40% over budget. Tell us why Water & Sewer Director Guy Russo still has a job?! And Mayor Drew plans to ask tax payers for another $15 million in a bond referendum this November. Bend over...

Mayor Drew & Democratic Mayors Convene Middletown

When you need to pad your resume, why not make up a group to be chairman of?

Why not instead meet with concerned citizens of Middletown and let them ask questions, when you can surround yourself with like minded people?

 More PAC money from out of town donations to fill campaign coffers. Open to the public, check book required.

Masselli to Gov. Malloy: CHC will Help Illegal Immigrants

Click to enlarge

On July 25th Community Health Center CEO Mark Masselli of Middletown penned an open letter to Governor Dannel Malloy pledging the CHC's  publically funded  resources to help illegal alien children  in the recent immigration crisis at the southern border. The CHC is a non profit which is funded by state grants ie tax payer money. Normally the CHC provides health care citizens those who cannot afford it and who are uninsured.
 Democratic Gov. Malloy of Connecticut, and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado said no to President Obama's request to house illegal aliens in their respective states citing "inadequate resources." Gov. Hickenlooper, a Wesleyan University graduate, was a co-founder along side Mark Masselli of the Community Health Center in 1972. Masselli was treasurer of Hickenlooper's last campaign for govenor. Hickenlooper, an advocate of the Affordable Health Care Act, is according to a January 2014 article in the Huffington Post, a rumored candidate for the 2016 Presidential race.  Hickenlooper shared a beer with Obama during a campaign fundraiser in Colorado last month; about a week before the border crisis made national headlines. Despite the jovial elbow rubbing; Hickenlooper declined the POTUS's request to host illegals.

Facts:
1. The CHC receives many thousands in grants and government funding. Public tax money funds the CHC & Masselli has pledged its resources, to helping the illegal aliens.

2. Masselli, nor Malloy, nor Hickenlooper, nor Mayor Drew, nor Rep. Matt Lesser all progressive liberal democrats, & who have all claimed that it is our duty to care for those entering the country illegally, have offered to house, feed, educate, employ, or fund any of the latter out of their own pockets.

3. There is a cost to all services, who's money is it when it comes from the tax payer? 


Conclusion: 

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-Read the Letter Below:

July 24, 2014

Dear Governor Malloy,

We are facing a humanitarian crisis in America with the influx of children fleeing 

violence in their native countries. As a nation, our most immediate concern must be 

to properly care for these children. We applaud your efforts as Governor to find
Continued:

CT 5th Worst State for Business : Check out 3 Middletown Candidates for Change

They both raised your taxes & took your jobs away. Stop Dannel. 
Stop the protege Dan Jr.

Well, well, Big Dannel really did it to us.  With decades of Democratic majorities in our state legislature, and now with a Democrat in the Governor's Mansion, here is Connecticut's current ranking for business: 45. Its official: We are the 5th WORST state to make a living in in the country!
Come on Middletown! Our Mayor Mini-me Dan Drew hasn't done us much better raising our taxes. Summer campaigns are heating up! Check out the latest GOP candidates who have started campaigning to represent Middletown:

Suzio for state senator for the 13th district

Len Suzio seeks another term as State Senator for the 13th District:
https://www.facebook.com/suzio2014
Remember as a freshman state rep Suzio took on the gas tax & the early release of violent criminals in the nutmeg state. He is back with more fire than ever!

Contribution form for Suzio: HERE


Local Middletown Board of Education member, author, and woman on a mission Linda Syznkowicz has ideas about health care, fixing over spending, and government accountability - she is already giving the old guard a run for their money on the BOE imagine what she can do in Hartford! Check out Syznkowicz and her plans to become the State Rep for the 33rd District here:
https://www.facebook.com/szynkowicz2014

Syznkowicz for the 33rd District

Contribution form for Syznkowicz: HERE 

Fernandez for the 100th District

Middletown's Deputy Emergency Management Director, combat veteran, and business owner Angel Fernandez  brings fresh ideas and integrity to the scene. It's about family, follow-through, and forward thinking. Learn more about Fernandez's campaign for the State Rep of the 100th District here:
https://www.facebook.com/AngelforMiddletown2013

Contribution form for Fernandez: HERE

All of the above Republican candidates are seeking to make the minimum contributions to qualify for public financing. See the links to the donation forms below. You do not have to be in the district to donate. At the bottom of each form on page 2 is the address of where to mail it and the contribution.

Really Intelligent Observations from Our Honorable Leader Mayor Drew

Not really. In an article on Patch, Mayor Drew discusses his thoughts on former Republican gubenatorial candidate Tom Foley calling him a "hypocrit." With the promises to lower Middletown's taxes, claiming to have closed a deficit, when in fact his administration created a budget short-fall, bragging about ending grievances when more lawsuits have been created since, and numerous other lies, is our mayor himself not by his own definition a hypocrit? Drew raised $90K+ for his unopposed reelection campaign; where is that money now & is it not likely to end up in Malloy's warchest? Instead of playing politics as a cheerleader for Gov. Dannel Malloy in his 2014 reelection campaign for governor and the Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns campaign, please mayor, get back to issues in Middletown that need your attention.

Conservative Round up: A Blue Print for Winning by Palin Smith

Below is a roundup of Conservative events being held this week. Complied and submitted by Palin Smith. Opinions are that of Palin Smith and do not necessarily reflect that of Insider Staff. 

GREETINGS PATRIOTS

Yesterday in Tolland, Willington and Ashford the 2nd Amendment won a stunning victory in a legislative district that had been safe for Democrats for over a generation. Our current Lieutenant Governor, Nancy Wyman, represented the 53rd district prior to her becoming Governor Malloy’s pet remora.

In a glorious victory, Tolland's Sam Belsito, 2nd Amendment defender, gun owner and traditional conservative blew away his opponent in a 58-42 percent landslide. Nearly 60 volunteers helped Belsito in Tolland, Willington and Ashford. A combination of local Republicans, Tea Party patriots and the newly energized gun enthusiasts fought as a coalition of allies with one goal in focus - VICTORY.

Let this be a lesson for the CT GOP. They have been trying to market the "new Coca Cola". That's John McKinney's crowd of gun-grabbing RINOs who falsely believe that behaving like Democrats wins elections. The American people already rejected the new Coke.

Sam Belsito is the traditional Coca Cola, the standard established by Ronald Reagan. Awaken Republicans! If conservatives like Mr. Belsito can win in a strong Democrat district, they can win almost everywhere in the state. Only twenty-three (23) more seats won and Republicans control the House. It is within reach.
http://courantblogs.com/capitol-watch/belsito-wins-53rd-district-special-election/#comment-129821

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The Belsito win in the 53rd spotlights the importance of volunteers in a state district campaign. A highly motivated group of activists can work wonders when they know they are right.

We’ve been organizing Tea Party and 2A patriots into thirty-six (36) lists based on state senate districts. Many Republican Town Committee members are heeding the call, refocusing their long-range views in a similar manner. During the 2014 campaign we will seek to form winning coalitions just like the successful Belsito Blueprint.

We’ve been receiving inquiries from a new surge of people offering “to help in any way they can”. Many of these new patriots arrive via Facebook. Yesterday I spoke at length with Brian from Beacon Falls, who in his own words, summed-up everyone’s concerns. The former Marine said, "I did not spend my years in the Marine Corps fighting for some other country's democracy to watch it crumble away here."

That sentiment is pervasive throughout the grass roots Liberty movement blooming within Connecticut. We’ve allowed Connecticut to become a “blue” state by believing the other side’s propaganda, and letting apathy guide our decisions. Sam Belsito proved that Connecticut can be a living, breathing free state again. Please join the movement now so that on November 4, 2014 we can cast off the yoke of one-party oppression that has been smothering our beautiful Connecticut!

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Some important upcoming events:

Friday June 14 - FLAG DAY RALLY AT SOUTHINGTON CENTER GREEN

Please join Sen. Joe Markley, Ziggy, CT Oath Keeper President, John Beidler, Republican State Central newcomer, Pablo Soto, Americans For Prosperity CT - JR Romano and many more Friday, June 14 at 6 PM - 7:30 PM for a celebration of America and her Flag.

Gene Meccariello, founder of the new Plainville/Southington Tea Party will be hosting the 3rd consecutive Flag Day rally at the Center Green. Come on out for as much time as you can. Bring your own flag or borrow one from yours truly. Be sure to bring your family. Video from 2012:
http://youtu.be/6DEmUJSnJyE

Monday June 17 - JOHN MCKINNEY IN POMFRET

Pomfret Community School
20 Pomfret St.
Pomfret Center, CT 06259

Republican State Senate Minority Leader, John McKinney will visit Pomfret to speak about the recently passed budget. This meeting was postponed in May to avoid a crowd of "angry gun nuts". McKinney is a co-leader in the legislature’s gun-grabber movement. He is a prospective contender for the Republican nomination for governor. Lt. Gov. candidate Penny Bacchiochi and Sen. Tony Guglielmo are also scheduled to attend.

Join us in the Quiet Corner to make sure Mr. McKinney’s visit is anything but quiet. There will be an ample supply of “John McKinney Must Go” yard signs for loan. Meet us at 6:20 PM for a 30 minute rally until McKinney arrives. Then attend the 7 PM meeting and ask tough questions. And speak up so we can hear you.
https://www.facebook.com/events/123763991165047/?notif_t=plan_user_invited

Last week in Cheshire we debuted the signs at the 4th anniversary Tea Party. We will welcome McKinney at every event he attends. When it comes to protecting the 2nd Amendment, McKinney failed the test. He won’t get a do-over. http://youtu.be/8nYP766UnEg

THURSDAY JUNE 20 - MARC STOLFI ART SHOW OPENING

Follow this link to the Facebook event page to see details. Marc Stolfi is an avid gun enthusiast, Tea Party patriot, my personal friend and fine family man. And a fabulous artist. Please make time to honor Marc and his contributions to the Liberty movement by attending the opening of his one-man show. Food and beverage is free. RSVP by tomorrow if possible so the caterer has a head count.
https://www.facebook.com/events/334461870014886/?ref=br_tf

Rumblings from Middletown

1. Big Lots is moving into old A&P space on Washington Street. Mayor Drew  will undoubtedly try to take credit for this which was just good old fashion CAPITALISM and brokering between two private companies! Drew’s trip to the far East had nothing to do with bringing this new business to Middletown no matter how it is spun. Big Lots is a US based company that buys surplus items from retail stores. Commenters online are already complaining that the store is low brow. You would think a company that buys and therefore keeps surplus goods out of landfills would be right up the granola folks' alley.

2. Months back Drew was quoted by the Mess in an article about ID Mail Systems, a company renting space in the Remington Rand building, as saying he played a key role in their new contract with new overseas clients. If you believe this tall tale about Pinnochio Boy, then you probably still believe he works a full day too.

3. Government surplus  property on Mile Lane was supposed to be transferred to the City by now since the process to do so was completed 6 years ago! Over a year ago Drew took the whole tax payer funded trip to visit congresswoman Red Rosa in DC. If this still is hanging out there taxpayers should ask for a refund.

4. Some Democrats are trying to say Lisa Santangelo was never a Registrar of Voters. She was never at City Hall. It was all a hologram by Republicans to make them look like they had an out of control she-dragon puppeting the mayor.

5. Got your water & sewer bill? Paying double but have not had an increase in usage? Hello anyone? W&S department is STILL FUBAR’d yet not even 1 of the 4 conscious councilmembers has brought up the report that was done a year ago stating the department was in shambles! Even Thelma & Louise have been quiet on the council floor lately (Kleckowski has offered to help those as part of WPCA, kudos for that). 

 You can crunch
 the numbers Salafia,
what happened to the 
finger shaking?
Come on!!

But ladies, we know you‘ve got your hands full babysitting the two boys, but come on- channel some Lisa & get all nasty up in there biatches!!!!

6. Councilman Pessina asked for a full report to see what could be done differently after the last freak snow storm that left many residents house bound while streets were left un plowed. Four months later, still no report! Must be filed with the Mayor's China report. Thanks buddy for following up on that!

7.  Republican Councilmen Pessina and Bibisi sold out their party by voting against the budget they helped write a year ago, and this year voted FOR a larger more costly government in merging legal & personnel. Pessina gave a speech ENDORSING the merger, & ANOTHER praising  Drew’s budget which includes HIGHER taxes! Pessina also wrote a letter basically endorsing the endorsement of  Rep. Lesser (D) by the teachers union. Phil, people are pretty sick of hearing “it’s is for the children.” If Pessina wanted to become waterboy for the other team he should have just said so.

8. How many tickets to the Mayor's ball will he need to comp (again) in order to make the post event photos look like enough people to fill the room actually showed up? Drew concocted some awards to give out so he is at least guaranteed 3 tables are filled by the recipients families. Do yourself a favor and just cut a check to St. Vincent DePaul Place & tailgate with us in the Elks parking lot, you'll have a better time. 

9. AGAIN! Residents are still receiving inaccurate water & sewer bills, which were all mailed late as well. The W&S audit over 18 months ago said we had a problem. How is this director still collecting a pay check? Oh wait Guy Russo is related to....

10. So the P&Z  Dept. "found" $30,000 extra bucks to reduce the cost of the Riverfront Study by consultants. Wesleyan is "giving" $10,000 to the study.  So the cost being asked for from the Common Council to pay for the study has gone from $75k to $35k. Did someone hire back Frechette to calculate this? What piece of the pie are we giving away to get this cash from WesU? 

11. Wesleyan has a boat launch. Xavier will have a boat launch. Fire and Police will now have an even bigger dock to launch boats. If a Middletown resident wants to put a dinghy in the water you will have to continue to drive to Portland or Haddam. Despite The PooPoo plant being decommissioned will citizens get river access? 

12. A year ago, didn't Mayor Drew whine to the Mess that he didn't know Acquitted By Reason of Insanity on Part of the Busted Judicial System David Messenger was up for his yearly appeal for early limited release from CVH? Didn't he & Councilman Zippy Santangelo, who works for CVH, concoct another lets scare-the-public-with-the-unlikely-release-of-another “psychotic violent criminal” Kenneth Ruggles? Last year Mayor Drew got all “tough” in a press release before the Ruggles hearing to distract from the fact he forgot ( was paling around with Dannel) to address the Messenger hearing.  Lisa you are slipping! Second year, second no action on Drew’s part.

13. Every year it seems Messenger gets an appeal hearing for early “supervised & limited release,” and the same players turn out.  A wise man once said if Messenger is released “I’ll staple a cop to his butt.” People forget the Rev. John Hall wanted Messenger to be able to attend First Church. Hall has since gotten a new gig as bike path czar at the non-profit Jonah Center for Earth, Art, Air, & Money. John so you abandoned your old pal? If Messenger gets out, we think he should live with you!

 14. Rumor had it everyone was laid off from NEAT. Now we hear there is a new acting director. Still no one can find a budget or list of board members on this non-profits website.  BTW, will the North End ever be saved from poverty making NEAT obsolete or is peace in the Middle East more likely? If I am a pent-house occupying - CEO of a non-profit making $600,000 you can guess my answer!

15. The definition of bi-partisanship is: 
“a political situation, usually in the context of a two-party system, in which opposing political parties find common ground through compromise, in theory. Realistically, each party advances their own political agenda at the expense of the other party because of the conflicting ideologies.” Councilmen Bibisi and Pessina take note: NOWHERE does it say ass-kiss, sell your soul to, get walked on by, compromise your morals for, abandon your constituents in favor of, or become the doormat of the other party.

16. When Drew can't bring himself to even FAKE being bipartisan & put Republicans on committees as he is by law supposed to do, he just has loyal D's change parties. Doesn't even matter they don't live in Middletown!

17. Rep. Matt Lesser is a member of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League a group that stands up for 2nd Amendment rights, yet he voted in favor for some of the strictest and most unconstitutional gun legislation in the country.

18.  Speaking of Matty and Danny, the Mayor's budget has cut out vaccines for Emergency Management crews, but put in a line item for bunk beds for the two bffs in the Mayor's office so they can chillax after late nights at Mezzo's.

19. Mayor Drew why are you chilling so much with Superintendent Charles? She's out giving speeches & scooping ice cream with you. First, Danno, get back in the office and do your job. Second, Charles has an honest soul from what we can tell, so stop trying to buy it cause we know how that goes with you guys the D's when it comes to superintendents...

Supreme Leaders Big Dannel & Lil Danny

20. Everyone wants to honor veterans, but the fact that Mayor Drew basically gave away Veteran’s Park to the Malloy backed Trees of Honor Memorial is a deal that people should find unsettling.  Why are veteran’s taking it laying down that Mayor Drew wants to shove the Vet’s Museum into a 2,100 sq. ft glorified shipping crate?? How come the idea of Trees of Honor Memorial was never before the Council? It’s a good one, so why not publicly vet it? Since when can the Mayor give land away all on his own?  

Guest Blog: The Malloy Connection 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/1hG3LNoxp6zqztie5Lkg7dNbpYiubr042XnUFYZ5ufa9WL5WZnKv-K0VVDNtT/edit?usp=sharing
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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.

When Daniel Drew lost his first mayoral bid attempt to then republican Mayor Sebastian Giuliano in 2010, the local democrats had enough. Giuliano was a three (3) term republican Mayor in a democratically controlled city, and that had to end. (Quite frankly, in Middletown, any mayor who has more than a couple of terms under their belt is ripe for the picking – anyone being elected as mayor past three (3) terms is pretty amazing.) What could the democrats do to win the mayoral seat back?

The local democrats ran to Governor Dannel Malloy, and asked him for help. He endorsed democratic mayoral candidate Daniel Drew in 2012. The Governor made some personal appearances, and made sure Drew was in the public eye as much as possible – Drew became Mayor. We know Drew spends a lot of time in Hartford rubbing elbows with everyone. Maybe Malloy has bigger and better things planned for him? As like many politicians, I presume the Governor’s motive is power and control over Drew. He’s got Middletown’s mayor on his side for support no matter what the issue may be.

Why would Governor Dannel Malloy bring novice Mayor Daniel Drew with him on a trip to China? What could Drew offer Malloy or the Chinese? Did Drew learn about communism, poor wages and working conditions or forced labor? Did they bring back anything to the citizens of the State of Connecticut that would enhance our technology or manufacturing industries? I haven’t seen anything that the Chinese trip has done for our States economy.

One of the first things Mayor Drew did when elected was to authorize a committee to look into reorganizing and consolidating City of Middletown departments. It is said to be for the purpose of saving money and being more efficient. I can assure you it is for other reasons. Mayor Drew put the committee together and made sure it contained Governor Malloy insiders.

When negotiations began between the City of Middletown and Teamsters Local 671, Mayor Drew hired a law firm that had connections to the Malloy campaign. I can assure you, as I have first hand knowledge, that Mayor Drew is not very labor oriented or friendly.

When Governor Malloy recently informed Connecticut towns that State grants and subsidies were going to be eliminated and/or severely reduced, Mayor Drew said nothing. Other towns and Cities, no matter whether they were democrat or republican Mayors, decried the loss of State funding. Mayor Drew and his democratic council members have been silent. Get ready for July…. “Got Your Tax Bill… Round 2”.

Mayor Drew recently hired a new City Attorney named Brigham Smith, from Lansing Michigan. How could there be a Malloy connection? No way! Mr. Smith wants to be close to his family who moved back to Connecticut, and if you look really, really close … perhaps the former Mrs. Smith has a Stamford connection.

You can’t make this stuff up!

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

Yours in Solidarity.
John Milardo

What's in Your Wallet? Malloy Wants State Car Tax & Home Heating Oil Tax

STATE CAR TAX GAS TAX FUEL TAX HOME HEATING OIL TAX TAX TAX!

This week, the legislature hears arguments to end the municipal car tax for vehicles valued under 28k.
Read more details at CtNews Junkie: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/car_tax_proposal_doa/
Some city Mayor's - clue - NOT Mayor Drew (of course he won't question Big D)- are challenging Big Dan and arguing lack of revenue will hurt local government. On the table, but under reported is a proposed state car tax to replace the local.

 Is the repeal of the local car tax collected by Connecticut cities and towns a blessing or a curse? Most people would say a blessing - having to fork over less money always sounds good. Before you decide, this may not be the case if this local tax is repealed. Lovers of big government  bureaucracy may get their with a CT State Car Tax ! And you won't have to wait too long! Some legislators already have such a law penned and ready to go this session!  What are your thoughts on the repeal of the local car tax?

Read the proposed legislation here: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/TOB/H/2013HB-05102

General Assembly		Proposed Bill No. 5102
January Session, 2013		LCO No. 81
Referred to Committee on PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Introduced by:
REP. BERGER, 73rd Dist.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A STATE-WIDE MILL RATE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF ANTIQUE, RARE OR SPECIAL INTEREST MOTOR VEHICLES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
That the general statutes be amended to establish a state-wide mill rate for motor vehicles and to narrow the definition of antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle to include motor vehicles thirty years and older.
Statement of Purpose:
To create a state-wide mill rate for motor vehicles and to reimburse municipalities that lose money as a result of a lower state-wide mill rate with additional revenue generated by narrowing the definition of antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle. 

HOME HEATING OIL TAX PROPOSED: Think going green is good? Depends on the type of green. Do tax breaks for those who use energy efficient solutions still exist?Of course we all want to help the environment, but being proposed in the legislature currently is a bill that would tax home heating oil and propane. Is penalizing those who have yet to converted their home's heating into a more environmentally sustainable solution really the answer?

Matthew.Lesser@cga.ct.gov

Rep. Matt Lesser is in his third term representing the 100th Assembly District (Middletown). He brags that he has earned a lifetime 100% voting record from the CT League of Conservation Voters and is active in the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. He is the new Assistant Majority Leader, and he serves on the Energy &; Technology Committee, is chair of the Legislative Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee and is vice chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee blah blah blah. SO email Rep. Lesser and ask him how paying more to heat your home works for you?

Click to enlarge Press Release from CEMA

Read commentary about the proposal here:

 https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1OYjxtLEgUwWTdpeWszaFItMUE/edit?usp=sharing

The proposed bill was sparked by Gov. Dannel Malloy's recently-released, 195-page “Comprehensive Energy Strategy” for Connecticut. The report encourages people and businesses to switch from oil to natural gas, however is  a tax on those with existing systems really the answer? Read the bill here: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/TOB/H/2013HB-06650-R00-HB.htm

"Statement of Purpose:
To (1) establish a heating fuel excise tax to provide funding for the implementation of cost-effective energy conservation programs, and (2) require any furnaces or boilers to be Energy Star compliant in order to qualify for the residential heating equipment financing program."

2 Important Meetings: Big Dan Comes to Town!

1. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman will host a community forum in Middletown on Wednesday, March 6.Wednesday’s forum in Middletown will be held at City Hall, 245 deKoven Drive, and will run from 7 to 8 p.m. Staged questions by Malloy lackeys & pre-screened questions will be allowed by sign-in sheet.

Those wishing to do business at City Hall Thursday morning should not the late opening, as Mayor Dan Drew will be arriving later than usual. 
The citizen's understanding is called upon, for our dear Mayor's lips will be quite sore from all the butt kissing on Wednesday. 

 Mayor Drew will resume his usual schedule of leaving early at 2:30 pm to watch his children, and have the mayor mobile returned by Mayoral aide Joe Samolis to give the appearance he actually works a full day.

Tell us in comments: What would you ask Gov. Malloy?

2. The state General Assembly’s Public Health Committee will hold a public hearing in Middletown this Friday. 11 a.m. at Beckham Hall, 45 Wyllys Ave., at Wesleyan University.
The Public Health Committee is co-chaired by state Sen. Terry B. Gerratana, D-6, and state Rep. Susan M. Johnson, R-49. State Sen. Jason Welch, R-31, and state Rep. Prasad Srinivasan, R-31.

The Agenda states the committee will review bills pertaining to approval for residential nursing facilities; requirements that psychiatrists give notice that patients pose a threat to themselves or others; behavioral health assessments for children; mental health services at school-based centers; and other topics pertaining to psychiatric and physical health.

Resident William Boylan discusses the dangers of school mandated psych evaluations in an open letter to Sen. Bartolomeo published here on Patch:
http://middletown-ct.patch.com/blog_posts/open-letter-to-senator-barotolomeo

Letter to the Editor: Does Malloy really think Seniors Don't Exist?

Malloy is trying to eliminate the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women and five other commissions in order to create a new agency that would be called the Commission on Citizen Advocacy.
The six commissions currently have a combined 26 employees, while Malloy's new entity would have 18 and save more than $1.6 million.
- See more at: http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-malloy-commissions-0220-20130219,0,7114677.story#sthash.qr2oIyDl.dpuf

Letter to the Middletown Insider: 

Is it true that the Malloy "administration" is planning to eliminate the Commission on Aging?  The largest growing segment of the Connecticut's  population are seniors and that idiot says that we don't exist.

 Ed Dypa, Middletown Resident
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gov. Malloy dislikes seniors, because
he will never be one.

Dear Mr. Dypa,
Thank you for your letter. To respond we heard Govenor Dannel  Malloy doesn't age and is in fact a non human android. In an effort not to expose this fact he has ordered that all Democratic Mayors ignore older citizens. 

Remember the special meeting last year where citizens packed the Council Chambers to advocate for the Senior Center Project at Eckersley Hall? Mayor Drew lied saying he was never opposed to such a plan when in fact he was? Well that meeting was almost was never broadcast. In fact, certain people in charge told people charged with taping that the equipment was malfunctioning, but in fact it was not. So now it all makes sense!

According to their website, the Connecticut Commission on Aging is a non-partisan state agency of the CT General Assembly. The Commission is charged with preparing our state for the burgeoning aging populations while promoting policies that enhance the lives of the present and future generations of older adults.

The CoA is comprised of a resourceful team of 21 voting (unpaid) members, 4 part-time professional staff, and volunteers.

The Commission on Aging was created by the CT General Assembly in 1993. The Commission has served as an effective leader in statewide efforts to promote choice, independence and dignity for Connecticut's older adults. Sec. 17b-420. Commission on Aging. Membership. Duties. Authority. Personnel. Agreements with state agencies. (a) There is established a Commission on Aging composed of twenty-one voting members.

By 2030, Connecticut's over-65 population is expected to grow by more than 64 percent, while its younger population shrinks, according to the Connecticut Commission on Aging, which sponsored the forum with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.

According to Gov. Malloy's proposed budget, the Commission on Aging and 5 other commissions such as those for Asians, Latinos, African Americans, and Women's Issues would be combined into a single entity. Currently there are 28 employees which would be cut to 18. It was reported that this is a $1.6 million dollar savings. More information is available in the article from the Hartford Courant here: http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-malloy-commissions-0220-20130219,0,7114677.story


While the other 5 commissions are by definition "Identity Political Groups," a commission on aging is arguably not. Aging, unlike gender, ethnicity, religion, race, sexual orientation, is a common denominator among human beings. If we are to continue living, we are all to age. If we are to continue living, most will not change race. While some feel identity political groups are essential to raising social awareness as a collective consciousness and are/were inherent in gaining equality for those particularly effected, opponents see such groups as ways to drive wedges between human beings.  Do these groups marginalize or aid in cohesive decision making and civil rights for all?

Rep. Matt Lesser newest Latino
to join Black and Latino Caucus

Whether special interest groups divide or bring people together is another argument. By definition, however, the Commission on Aging does not belong among them as it is a universal condition. There is an the argument that the elimination of some of these identity based political special interest commissions and consolidation into a single entity to advocate for all social minority type groups is logical in balancing a budget. However, if the logic is to advocate for  a wider range of people, then  the elimination of the Commission of Aging is illogical; such an elimination does not fit the precedent being followed.  The Commission on Children is not being lumped in and consolidated is it?? Rep. Joe Serra (D) chairs the Committee on Aging, what he is doing to advocate for seniors in the case of the commission's elimination ?

Speaking of Identity Politics, Representative Matt Lesser (D), now serving his third term decided today that he was in fact Latino and has asked to join the Black and Latino Caucus. While no one is arguing with who is more Latino than who, or what makes one Latino, is is odd that only NOW is Lesser "coming out" to the public so to speak wanting to publicly identify himself with a particular ethnic minority. Why not before? Is Lesser challenging stereotypes or pandering for votes? It appears that Lesser's joining of this group is his attempt to identify with a particular demographic and gain more votes rather than aide in their plight.