Milford Independents Going Separate Ways

The Milford Independent Party, which ran a slate of candidates in local elections last fall, is splitting in two, with neither of the new groups apparently keeping the party's name.

Many of the Independent candidates, including Rocco Frank, who ran for a Board of Education seat, and Steve Borer, who was an aldermanic candidate, are seeking to affiliate with the state Independent Party. That group will hold a nominating convention at 7 p.m. Monday at the Stonebridge Restaurant on Daniel Street. Elections will be held for seats on the new party's town committee, overseen by Michael Telesca, the state party chairman.

Click here to Continue Reading Frank Juliano Story

Mayoral Candidates Address Downtown Challenges

Two mayoral hopefuls in recent weeks had their eyes on downtown Milford, offering suggestions about how to address a dangerous sidewalk and excessive pigeon droppings.

Peter Spalthoff, the Independent Party candidate, said he planned to fix what he described as a dangerous lip in a sidewalk near his Broad Street office himself because the situation has not been addressed.

Spalthoff said several people have fallen because of about an inch rise between two five-by-six-foot concrete pads that make up the sidewalk.

“I’m gong to have it taken care of so no one else falls,” Spalthoff said, explaining that his builder plans to give him a price on digging up and replacing one of the pads.

Spalthoff, whose Shoreline Mortgage office faces Broad Street, said he recently saw an older woman fall. And Ed Esposito, who was walking down the sidewalk last week with his dog, said he’s tripped on the lip three times.

He said he called the city about the problem, but according to Public Works Director Bruce Kolwicz, it’s the property owner’s job to keep the sidewalk in a safe condition.

In some situations, sidewalk repairs fall to the city, but in this case, it falls to property owner Joseph Voll.

“I talked to Joseph Voll,” Kolwicz said. “I told him he had to fix it, and he said, ‘No problem,’” Kolwicz said.

At the same time, petition candidate Tim Chaucer, a Democrat, said he called the city’s health department about excessive pigeon droppings on a sidewalk area just beyond that lip.

“Why is it that in the heart of downtown Milford, i.e. on the sidewalk in front of Harrison’s Hardware, we have an ongoing pigeon poop and feather health hazard,” Chaucer stated in a letter to the local papers.

“Pigeons sit in an area between the gutter and canopy of the building,” he wrote. “Has the owner been notified by the health department? The Heberts have been complaining about this for many months. The health department could notify the owner that this is a health hazard and insist the canopy be removed and even the gutter where the pigeons sit.”

Chaucer also expressed concern about the lip in the sidewalk and suggested the city correct the problem.

Jill Dion Original Story

Milford's Joe Di Canero Upset With Fowler And RTC

Unbelievable! Milford GOP leader Jack Fowler sure has got some nerve. In his letter to the editor published June 25 he is furious at Rocco Frank for even mentioning Mayor Jim Richetelli's Milford taxpayer funded pension, the one he will get if he wins the upcoming election. He raves like a mad man who's trying to protect his last chicken from an inquisitive fox.

Fowler gets all bent out of shape, choking on a fur ball of anger, all because someone mentions the pension. You know, the pension Mayor Richetelli will get at aged 50 whether he is sitting at the beach sipping an iced tea or happens to get another high paying senior position, most likely within the GOP. A pension that will be paid for by all of us here in Milford, whether we have a job or are being
crushed by the current economic circumstances and the ridiculously high property taxes. You know, the pension he will get despite the consequences of the economic hole he is digging for us right now, so regardless of how good or bad his legacy is we'll just keep paying it like good little sheep. You know which pension I'm referring to. I'm sure you do.

But you can't stop Fowler. He is a man of passion. Of telling it the way it is. A man of principle.

Strange, then, was his and RTC Chairman Tom Jagodzinski's silence concerning my letter about the internal rot that is devouring the Milford GOP. Maybe they hope that if they bury their head in the sand it will just go away. Or by attacking Rocco Frank it will distract us from this greater issue facing our party. The issue of irrelevance.

Both Fowler and Jagodzinski know I am speaking the truth, and the accuracy of my letter left them both dumbfounded. The email Jagodzinski circulated within the party concerning my letter soon after its publication proves it. Jagodzinski effectively stated to everyone in the GOP that 'all is good, don't read the letter, don't panic, we are financially ok'.

What have finances got to do with the slow death and growing irrelevance of the Milford GOP?

Why have Collins, Munk, Marshall, Spalthoff and numerous other former GOP leaders abandoned the party if everything is so fantastic? Why are so many senior figures in the GOP so sick of you, Jagodzinski, Mayor Jimmy and all your inner-circle buddies doing self-serving deals, that they not only left the party but are now actively campaigning against the GOP to get rid of all of you before the party dies?

Why not get upset about this Fowler, something that should concern you more than Jimmy's pension? Or has Jimmy taken another mysterious 6 hiatus and so is not able to address this issue on his own?

It saddens me, really saddens me to see the party I love, yes love, being left in the hands of these morticians that are waiting for its final breath. Maybe Fowler and his friends should stop worrying about Spalthoff, Rocco Frank and the Milford Independent Party and start worrying about our Milford GOP. Even better, maybe they could do us a favor and leave the GOP, and go join the Democrats to suck the life out of their party instead.

Joe Di Canenero

Spalthoff Challenges Mayor's Commitment To Jonathan Law's Students

Mayor Richetelli’s sense of priorities and judgment continue to frustrate and confound me. I spent July 6Th at the Milford Aldermanic meeting along with other fellow tax payers. We were all there to speak up in favor of moving forward with the existing plan and proposed bonding for completing important and long needed renovations on Jonathan Law High School. This is a project that was previously approved and committed to by the Mayor. To date, tens of thousands of dollars have been spent. I, along with other Milford taxpayers at the meeting, spoke out in favor of completing the project, and adamantly objected to leaving important renovations to this school unfinished at a time when our community needs the investment most.

The contractor has decreased the project’s cost by nearly 25%, which will, if we move forward, save the City almost $750,000.00. In addition, the current interest rate on the bonds are likely lower now than they will be in the future, and completing the project now would most certainly bring a larger reimbursement from the State as a high priority infrastructure project. But, all the numbers and logical arguments aside, Mayor Richetelli made a commitment to the citizens of Milford, and to the students and faculty at Jonathan Law. A commitment that he is now not ready to follow up on.

Sure, these are difficult economic times-and some projects, even important ones, will have to go on the back burner. But just a few days after the Aldermanic meeting, the Mayor got word from Governor Rell that she was standing by her commitment to the Silver Sands boardwalk project. Ironically, Governor Rell noted that “the State should honor its promise to extend the boardwalk. “Not surprisingly, Mayor Richetelli agreed with her, calling her decision “wise” because construction costs are low and significant money has already been spent. Sound familiar?

Fortunately, by the end of the July 6th meeting, the Aldermen did pass the resolution to raise the bond money and finish the Jonathan Law renovations-despite the five republicans voting against it, and Mayor Richetelli’s personal recommendation to vote against it as well.

The most confusing and frustrating part of Mayor Richetelli’s inconsistent opinions is that it would appear our Mayor is more strongly in support of extending a boardwalk than investing in our schools. This, my friends, is completely unacceptable.

I do want to thank Governor Rell for standing by her commitments to Milford's infrastructure projects, and to the Aldermen who made thoughtful and logical judgments in favor of the Jonathan Law bonding proposal. And, an extra-special thank you to all of you who took time out of your day to make your voices heard at the Aldermanic meeting. It is largely your voices that moved the project forward and gained the Aldermen’s support.

Peter L. Spalthoff

Independent Party Candidate for Mayor 2009

July 4Th Celebration At The Post Mall

This year the July Fourth tradition of the Westfield Post Mall fireworks show was on schedule. The fireworks were launched right after dusk and lasted about 15 Minutes and boasted a grand finale.

Kids also entertained themselves at the town Carnival with rides, and a Ferris wheel in the mall parking lot. Viewers of the fireworks were located in multiple shopping plazas near the mall. My vantage point was behind Stop & Shop in the Staples parking lot. The event was well attended and people from all over came to our town to witness the show.

This event is an annual tradition and is expected to be on again on July 4Th 2010.

Meet The Candidates Of The 118th In MIlford

THE INDEPENDENTS

Have put forth Rocco J Frank Jr. (Fairfield University Alumni, CSE Post Grad) See post below this one for the official press release and party endorsement.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FRANK'S OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


THE REPUBLICANS

"Nanci Seltzer has been endorsed for the office of State Representative for the 118Th District. A former member of the Milford Planning and Zoning Board, she chaired a subcommittee that focused on ways to preserve buildings of historical and architectural interest. She is a member of the Milford Zoning Board of Appeals. A community leader, she is active in Devon Revitalization and a member of the Walnut Beach Association. She started and is currently chair for Devon Day and Devon Summer Events. She is the chair of the Milford Anti-Hate Task Force. She is a certified and licensed occupational therapy assistant who works primarily with senior citizens. She has received the Milford Council on Aging’s Community Spirit Award. Nanci has also worked in schools with special needs children and has received the Occupational Therapist of the Year from the Connecticut Coalition for Inclusive Education. She has an associates degree in Allied Sciences from Briarwood College."

One other special note is that Nancy has cross supported Friends of Joe Lieberman with a $500.00 donation on 11/1/06.

THE DEMOCRATS

Last night the Milford Democrats, held their convention at the Senior Center and announced Barbara Lambert, the 2Nd. District alderwoman as their candidate for the 118Th. Lambert, reading from cue cards, gave a speech to a group of local Democrats. At this time there is not much more known about Ms. Lambert other than to say that she is possibly 60 or 70 years old been married for 40 years and has served in the local town government. The Democrats have not issued an official press release yet, but one is expected to arrive in the upcoming local news papers.

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Update on Lamberts positions: (According to her 8" X 5" card.)

*Condemned United Illuminating for reopening its rate case.
*Demanded budget responsibility and accountability.
*Worked on and advocated senior tax relief and advocated "common sense" spending.

Experience:

*Great Grandmother, Grandmother, Mother, Wife.
*Senior Center Volunteer.
*St. Ann's Parish volunteer.
*Bethel Shelter volunteer.
*Softball Coach Milford Rec.
*Girl Scout Leader.
*Democrat, Alderman-Milford BOA
*Former Local 134 URW VP