Recently I've been amazed by the sheer arrogance and sense of self righteousness shown by some members of the Waterbury Board of Alderman. By refusing to meet with the mayor of Prospect, the Board of Aldermen is presenting the region with an attitude of superiority that they truly do not deserve. While I can understand some of the reasons that the Aldermen present for this attitude, I find it completely inexcusable.
This particular situation arose several months ago when a developer decided to build a sizable complex on the Prospect side of Scott Rd. This complex is intended for the "active adult" crowd of 55+, and was planned to have a connection to Waterbury's sewer system. It is this connection that has caused the problems.
Several years ago the City of Waterbury struck a deal with a different developer to let a medical office building connect to the city sewer system, in exchange for a promise of revenue from an intended elderly care facility that was to be built on the premises. Those particular plans fell through however, when the developer went bankrupt and the housing units were never built. As a result the Town of Prospect would up with a connection to the Waterbury sewers that cost them much less then it should have.
This situation, though, had nothing to do with the administration of the Town of Prospect. Mayor Chatfield has managed Prospect admirably for well over 25 years. At no point has he ever been accused of trying to lead the City of Waterbury, or the town that he serves astray.
Now, however, the City is approaching a similar situation with a much larger measure of trepidation. Instead of using expected tax revenue to pay for the sewer connection the city is demanding an up-front fee of $2750 per unit. While this is within the city's rights the developer has made a counter offer of $2100 per unit to cover the cost of the connection. It is at this point that the arrogance of some members has reared its ugly head.
Last week Mayor Chatfield tried to set up a meeting with the Democratic Caucus of the Board of Aldermen, only to be flatly turned away. While one can admire the Aldermen for wanting to stick to their guns and make sure the city gets what it deserves, it seems amazingly rude to brush off the sitting mayor of a neighboring town in such a manner. And tonight the Aldermen were expected to vote to approve the $2750 per-unit connection fee, with no input from the town of Prospect as to when, and how that difference is to be paid off.
When you look at the finances of this situation it is pretty simple. The projected property taxes for Prospect will easily cover the remainder of the connection charge, but it isn't about the money. When a respected member of the surrounding community approaches you hoping to discuss options, and you turn him away with such a small measure of courtesy, it does not help your standing in the region. Considering how hard Waterbury is working to change its image, it's disappointing to see so blatantly where the city gets its bad reputation from.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Where The Past And Future Meet
This week the Waterbury Board of Education took a major step in bringing the school system into the 21st century. The local school system has been overcrowded for years, and now the plan to build three new K-8 neighborhood schools is getting off the ground. When this project is completed it will mark the first phase of an extensive reworking of the Waterbury schools to bring our students to the level many believe they can reach.
This project has not been without it troubles, however. When the proposal was first unveiled a small group of dissenters attempted to stop the construction from even getting started. During the 2004 election cycle, these dissenters, led by Independent Party members Larry DePillo and Mike Telesca, organized a petition to have the bonding for this necessary project put as a referendum question on the November ballot. Due to the efforts of a few key members of the Board of Education, as well as the intervention of a few determined citizens, the issue passed by a considerable margin.
The history of this project is not what we should be focusing on, however. What deserves our attention is the school boards' choice of location for these three new schools. These locations allow the city to revitalize areas that have lagged economically, and to honor the memories of what once was.
By choosing to place one of the three schools on North Main Street, the city is focusing on the future of a particular neighborhood. The section of land that is outlined in this decision does not contain many single families homes, and does not currently present a welcoming view to an outsider. By filling this area with the sound of young children laughing and playing and learning, Waterbury can harness and celebrate its future, and through this celebration, foster economic development and growth in this region.
The choice to renovate and refit the old Duggan School shows that the Board of Education still has respect for the historical buildings of Waterbury. Duggan's famous clock tower, and hidden old swimming pool are examples of the amazing work that went into constructing the over 100 year old building. While I am well aware that it will be impossible to save a majority of the building, the clock tower and the swimming pool must be protected. It would be a shame to have the city raze such a recognizable part of the Brooklyn neighborhood, without making every effort to protect it.
Finally the decision to place the third school near the site of Gilmartin is one of simple common sense. The Gilmartin School was never designed to be used for over 30 years. It was originally intended to be a solution to what was thought to be a temporary overcrowding issue. By building on the 10-acre site that is already available, the city can give the students of that neighborhood a school they deserve.
It was recently reported that the cost of acquiring and cleaning the land necessary for this project would cost nearly $8 million, when the original plan only budgeted $1.5 million. I am concerned that this jump in figures will provoke another call from the perpetual dissenters, claiming corruption, fraud, and waste. The citizens of Waterbury cannot let this small group of determined naysayers derail such a vital project. If the cost of cleanup becomes an issue on the local stage, I feel that the Board of Education and Mayor's office should receive our full support. The future of Waterbury, and the future of Waterbury's students are too important to let such an opportunity slip by.
This project has not been without it troubles, however. When the proposal was first unveiled a small group of dissenters attempted to stop the construction from even getting started. During the 2004 election cycle, these dissenters, led by Independent Party members Larry DePillo and Mike Telesca, organized a petition to have the bonding for this necessary project put as a referendum question on the November ballot. Due to the efforts of a few key members of the Board of Education, as well as the intervention of a few determined citizens, the issue passed by a considerable margin.
The history of this project is not what we should be focusing on, however. What deserves our attention is the school boards' choice of location for these three new schools. These locations allow the city to revitalize areas that have lagged economically, and to honor the memories of what once was.
By choosing to place one of the three schools on North Main Street, the city is focusing on the future of a particular neighborhood. The section of land that is outlined in this decision does not contain many single families homes, and does not currently present a welcoming view to an outsider. By filling this area with the sound of young children laughing and playing and learning, Waterbury can harness and celebrate its future, and through this celebration, foster economic development and growth in this region.
The choice to renovate and refit the old Duggan School shows that the Board of Education still has respect for the historical buildings of Waterbury. Duggan's famous clock tower, and hidden old swimming pool are examples of the amazing work that went into constructing the over 100 year old building. While I am well aware that it will be impossible to save a majority of the building, the clock tower and the swimming pool must be protected. It would be a shame to have the city raze such a recognizable part of the Brooklyn neighborhood, without making every effort to protect it.
Finally the decision to place the third school near the site of Gilmartin is one of simple common sense. The Gilmartin School was never designed to be used for over 30 years. It was originally intended to be a solution to what was thought to be a temporary overcrowding issue. By building on the 10-acre site that is already available, the city can give the students of that neighborhood a school they deserve.
It was recently reported that the cost of acquiring and cleaning the land necessary for this project would cost nearly $8 million, when the original plan only budgeted $1.5 million. I am concerned that this jump in figures will provoke another call from the perpetual dissenters, claiming corruption, fraud, and waste. The citizens of Waterbury cannot let this small group of determined naysayers derail such a vital project. If the cost of cleanup becomes an issue on the local stage, I feel that the Board of Education and Mayor's office should receive our full support. The future of Waterbury, and the future of Waterbury's students are too important to let such an opportunity slip by.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Canidates Worth Supporting
(This letter was submitted to the Waterbury Republican American and run on September 9, 2006. This is the original letter.)
Now that the calendar has turned to September the citizens of Waterbury prepare for another round of elections to the Connecticut General Assembly. This election year holds special opportunity for the citizens of Waterbury as we have an open Senate seat and two strong challenges in the House of Representatives. Sam Caligiuri's run for the sixteenth district state senate is well documented and well supported. As a long time Waterbury resident, former Alderman and past acting Mayor Sam will serve the district with honor and integrity.
Equally important, but less publicized, are the campaigns of Rodney Parker for the seventy-second district and Lisa Velez for the seventy-fifth representative district. What makes these campaigns so important to the city of Waterbury is that they not only provide the citizens with the opportunity to send new faces and new ideas to Hartford, but also shows the regrowth of the Waterbury Republican party. Over the past five years the Republican Party in Waterbury has been rebuilding and recovering from mistakes of the past. Mr. Parker and Ms. Velez are prime examples of the new direction that the party has taken.
Mr. Parker is a long time resident of the city of Waterbury, and has served the state for nearly twenty years while working in the department of corrections. He is a member of the Lion's club and the Masons, a past two term Commissioner of the Waterbury Board of Education and he has also been a fixture of support at Wilby High School girl's basketball games. His record of involvement with the city is one of the reasons I feel he will serve the seventy-second district well in the legislature.
Another worthy candidate to the State Legislature is Ms. Lisa Velez, for the seventy-fifth district. Ms. Velez has been faithfully representing the citizens of Brooklyn for years as president of the Neighborhood Association. Through her dedication to her neighbors she has shown that she will be a vocal and visible supporter of the city of Waterbury, unlike the current representative. Her experience in helping her constituents, as well as her ability to speak the language of the legislature make her a very worthy candidate.
These three candidates have come to represent the change and rebirth of the Waterbury Republican Party. The addition of these fine citizens to the team working with Rep. Anthony D'Amelio and Rep. Selim Noujaim would serve Waterbury well. Representing the full range of Waterbury's extensive cultural tradition they all share the same dedication, integrity, and determination to serve the citizen's of Waterbury in Hartford. Mr. Caligiuri, Mr. Parker and Ms. Velez are all well respected, knowledgeable individuals that are prepared to join the leaders of Connecticut and the legislature for all the citizens of Waterbury. That is why I feel all three new candidates and our two incumbent state representatives deserve our support and our votes on November 07, 2006.
Now that the calendar has turned to September the citizens of Waterbury prepare for another round of elections to the Connecticut General Assembly. This election year holds special opportunity for the citizens of Waterbury as we have an open Senate seat and two strong challenges in the House of Representatives. Sam Caligiuri's run for the sixteenth district state senate is well documented and well supported. As a long time Waterbury resident, former Alderman and past acting Mayor Sam will serve the district with honor and integrity.
Equally important, but less publicized, are the campaigns of Rodney Parker for the seventy-second district and Lisa Velez for the seventy-fifth representative district. What makes these campaigns so important to the city of Waterbury is that they not only provide the citizens with the opportunity to send new faces and new ideas to Hartford, but also shows the regrowth of the Waterbury Republican party. Over the past five years the Republican Party in Waterbury has been rebuilding and recovering from mistakes of the past. Mr. Parker and Ms. Velez are prime examples of the new direction that the party has taken.
Mr. Parker is a long time resident of the city of Waterbury, and has served the state for nearly twenty years while working in the department of corrections. He is a member of the Lion's club and the Masons, a past two term Commissioner of the Waterbury Board of Education and he has also been a fixture of support at Wilby High School girl's basketball games. His record of involvement with the city is one of the reasons I feel he will serve the seventy-second district well in the legislature.
Another worthy candidate to the State Legislature is Ms. Lisa Velez, for the seventy-fifth district. Ms. Velez has been faithfully representing the citizens of Brooklyn for years as president of the Neighborhood Association. Through her dedication to her neighbors she has shown that she will be a vocal and visible supporter of the city of Waterbury, unlike the current representative. Her experience in helping her constituents, as well as her ability to speak the language of the legislature make her a very worthy candidate.
These three candidates have come to represent the change and rebirth of the Waterbury Republican Party. The addition of these fine citizens to the team working with Rep. Anthony D'Amelio and Rep. Selim Noujaim would serve Waterbury well. Representing the full range of Waterbury's extensive cultural tradition they all share the same dedication, integrity, and determination to serve the citizen's of Waterbury in Hartford. Mr. Caligiuri, Mr. Parker and Ms. Velez are all well respected, knowledgeable individuals that are prepared to join the leaders of Connecticut and the legislature for all the citizens of Waterbury. That is why I feel all three new candidates and our two incumbent state representatives deserve our support and our votes on November 07, 2006.
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