School Closings And Student Declines May Fail To Abate Tax Increases

Last night I attended the the Board of Alderman Meeting to hear the prevailing arguments over the school budget. In attendance were all the top leaders of education including our new Superintendent Ms. Feser.

The topic was what to do about the 2010-11 education increases. The main concerns for the school board was the erosion of funding due to factors beyond their control. These included the rising cost of health care, the normal course of inflation, increases required to educate children with multiple disabilities, and spending cuts in education at the state and federal level.

Each year, when all the costs are added up Milford spends about $86M on education. This figure does not include grants, gate receipts, sports related fund raising, federal funds, and other money issued outside of Milford. When this is added into the equation the figure marches to over a 100M.

Greg Smith the Alderman Chair asked some very pointed questions, he demanded accountability and sound accounting practices. Smith referenced a declining student population, the closing of Simon lake, last years layoff of several school employees and the granting of year over year multimillion dollar increases to the BOE. Smith expressed concern over the BOE proposed budged arguing in defence of seniors and veterans who have not had any benefit increases in two years. Smith also alluded to the fact that there are about 120 foreclosures in Milford and a projected layoff of 25 city employees.

BOE Chair Mark Stapleton called Milford's educational increases sub-par when compared to Fairfield. Stapleton said Fairfield spends 75% of the city budget on education vs. 60% in Milford. Smith rebutted Stapleton by saying "Milford's Taxpayers do a good job of funding education."

The Milford Independent Party on a fact-check of this issue verified per-pupil spending in these two towns via the CERC data sheet. Fairfield spent a total of $151,011,000 vs. $106,963,000. Milford had 7,304 students enrolled and Fairfield had 9,957 students enrolled. The per capita student expenditure is $15,166.31 Per Fairfield pupil vs. $14,644.44 in Milford. Milford spends about $521.88 less per pupil than Fairfield.

Despite these expenditures, concern was then directed at the results of the taxpayers investment in education. Michael Cummings, last years acting Superintendent stated that Milford is part of a school block constructed by the CT Department of Education. That block comprised of scores of schools that rated each town in thirds. Cummings said that Milford's elementary students ranked in the bottom 1/3 when it came to performance and the Middle schools ranked in the Second third.

When the meeting concluded, it ended at "Recess." Smith said that this is because the process of debating the school budget is ongoing and will continue at the next meeting. There was no public comment allowed last night but at least one member of the public brought a sign perched on a chair expressing concern for the integrity of education in Milford. Overall public turnout was about 30 people.

After a careful review of the powers vested in the Board of Alderman, it became clear to me that their ability to affect or alter the school budget is limited. The budget will be either approved or denied depending on the actions of the Board of Education, the continued concessions of the teachers union and possibly the binding arbitration process in Hartford. Until there is a firm decision, the final numbers on the budget will remain uncertain.

Milford's new Superintendent Ms. Feser was quoted this morning by the New Haven Register as stating she is concerned that additional cuts to the BOE budget will compromise the "integrity of the classroom." Some members of the Board of Alderman, after the meeting, corrected their constituents views on similar remarks by reminding them that these "cuts" are not actually "cuts" but rather reductions in the "increase" over last years budget.

Budget Woes Give Many Educators Anxiety

In a scenario likely to be repeated across Connecticut, federal funds that cover the salaries of 30 city teachers will likely not be renewed for the 2011-12 school year, leaving educators scrambling to make up a looming deficit. Milford is only one of scores of school districts in the state that would struggle to make up for the loss of federal stimulus money, which could potentially result in massive teacher layoffs statewide for the 2011-12 school year.

Acting Superintendent R. Michael Cummings Jr. will prepare a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 with the assumption that little, if any, of the $1.5 million will be replaced. "I'm very pessimistic that we'll be getting any of that next year, and that means we'll have 2 percent less than we do now.''

READ FULL STORY AT CTPOST CLICK HERE

Former Gov. Ventura Explains Voting

Former Navy Seal, Television Producer and Minnesota Gov. Jessee Ventura, failed to endorse his old Boss Linda McMahon because she is affiliated with a party. Ventura, has a populist view of voting that resonates with the new breed of Independents and gives a moving speech on how to vote before a Texas audience.

Independents Mobilizing

This Sunday from 9:30 A.M. on, the Independent Party of Milford and beyond will be mobilizing to garner signatures for its impressive slate of Candidates. Some top names include Multi-Millionaire Warren Mosler, Bo Itshaki, Gayle Slossberg, and Chester's First Selectman (and this years Independent Gubernatorial candidate) Tom Marsh.

For a full description of all candidates visit the Milford Independent Party website at www.milfordindependentparty.com

The scope and purpose of this event is to invite the public to spread the word, attend the meeting at the ComputerFox at 374 New Haven Ave. and be prepared for a day of working with others to collect signatures.

No RSVP is required, just attend at 9:30 A.M. and a complimentary Continental breakfast will be available to all participants. This will be followed by a brief Power Point Presentation and training period. We expect that each volunteer be able to garner 150-200 signatures in a day.

This is a very important day in third party politics as it is Germain to all our official candidates garnering the necessary public support required by the Secretary of the State for ballot access.

If you are a person who believes that no matter how you vote Republican or Democrat the country goes in the wrong direction, then this is your moment in time to make your voice count. We promise that the petitions you return will place a message on every ballot in Connecticut that will be heard loud and clear by the political establishment that we will not stand for their lack of public service and their incompetence as leaders.

Republican Alderman Toohey Leaves The Republican Ticket

When Greg Smith had to step down from the Board of Aldermen in 2001 to fulfill a military obligation overseas, he asked his friend Judy Toohey to finish his term.

Toohey went on to win four terms of her own from the 2nd District, but she announced Monday that she would not seek re-election after all.

The local Republican Party turned back to Smith, who said that he will run in her place in November.

"I love it and I am leaving hoping to come back someday or to serve the city in another capacity," Toohey said. "But I want to spend more time with my family. I hope that Jim Richetelli is re-elected and that he finds a place for me where I can help the city and have more time with my family."

The lineup change is the third since the GOP held its nominating convention in July. Since then, John Fowler and Joanne Rohrig have been replaced as Board of Education candidates by James Tranquilli Jr. and Mark Stapleton, respectively. Fowler said that he was nominated as a "placeholder" with the understanding that he would step aside when another candidate came forward. Rohrig, the school board's minority leader, dropped out after her son, Jared, an Orange police officer, was arrested on sexual assault charges that allegedly took place in the family's home. Stapleton has served on the school board previously.

Republican Town Committee Chairman Tom Jagodzinski said he was pleased that Smith is interested in running again. "I'm sorry that Jude will not be running, but Greg Smith is an excellent candidate with an outstanding record of service to our country and our city. Milford is lucky to have an individual with his credentials who is willing to serve our city again," the chairman said.

Smith, who said that he is not at liberty to discuss his military assignments or duties, was called out of the country by the U.S. Navy, in which he served, in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Since his return to Milford he has served as commander of the VFW post here and is now a state official in that organization. He said that he has also been focusing on his family, including his wife, Christine, and son, Matt, who graduated from Jonathan Law High School in June. The Smiths are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this year.

"In 2005 I retired from 22 years of service in both the United States Navy and Army. My wife saw me through six deployments. I am home for good now," the aldermanic candidate said. "For the last several years, I have worked to implement disabled building access projects for veterans, volunteered at the West Haven VA Hospital, sent over 600 care packages to our local troops overseas, and raised funds to help their families here in Milford.

"I am honored that Judy Toohey has asked to pass the torch back to me," Smith said. "I am looking forward to working with Bob Joy to serve our neighbors and friends in Milford's 2nd District as their aldermen. I know Bob and I will make a great team. Along with Mayor Richetelli, we will return the 2nd District to the responsible hands of neighbors they can count on to keep our community safe by listening to the real concerns of our police officers and firefighters. We will ensure that our veterans and seniors are respected, and that our children are provided with the best education the citizens of Milford can afford."

ORIGINAL CT POST STORY

The "Cats Out Of The Bag" Yes My Brother-In-Law Is on The Ticket

Well after reading the latest news at the CT Post and the New Haven Register it became clear that the Independent Party scored another victory. My brother-in-law Mark Stapleton succeded in holding out long enough to make the Republicans virtually "get on their knees and beg like a puppy."

Last sunday night, and in a "speechless" way our entire family was less than amused at the fact that we both found it "funny" that we were running against each other. What the Republicans do not know is that Mark was with the Independent Party from the very first meeting.

They also do not know that Mark and I share Harley's together, I taught Mark how to ride a motorcycle, back when he had a scooter Mark wanted to upgrade to the "big time" so after I taught him how to ride my Harley motorcycle, he found it as thrilling as I found it.

One day to both our excitement, Mark graduated to his own bike also just like mine a Sportster but there soon was a problem and we were working on his motorcycle together much like a couple of buddies working on our Mongoose bicycles. That was one of my most memorable days of me and my Brother-In-Law and it was only recently.

Mark has always been my kindred brother, and I will always be proud of the memory we share of me pushing him on his Harley and getting that first Jump Start.

One thing about the cruelty of politics, once the Party announces candidates without knowing who they are its pretty much settled. As for Mark if you are reading this "congrats are in order" at Sunday Dinner.

Independent Party Candidate Concerned Over Milford's Business Audits

Regrettably for Milford’s Business community, the opportunity for Milford’s Board of Aldermen to rescind their approval to hire the North Carolina based firm named Tax Management Associates has lapsed. Milford’s Government Administrators who have the responsibility to assess and levy taxes have convinced the Board of Aldermen unanimously that this new process is fair and not business unfriendly.

Tax Management Associates are now implementing this new doctrine as an agent of the city and some of our businesses should be hearing from them soon. The adoption of this new process may be one of the best single reasons so far for every taxpayer and elector in Milford to consider seeking some new replacements for the Board of Aldermen and Mayor. As a taxpayer and elector you may be asking yourself why it is important to elect new members.

Their actions don’t seem to be directed towards us and it even seems to be a nice financial benefit for us residential taxpayers. So, why you may ask? Here’s why…. Milford’s business community contributes most of the funds paying for all the good municipal jobs and their benefits, quality education, and services that we expect and enjoy. It’s not good business for the city to start deciding which business group can and should pay more in taxes than another. Especially since it’s based on an arbitrary amount of assessed value derived from previous federal profit and loss statements. I would not consider this business friendly and it brings discrimination to our business community.

Their discretion in the implementation of this new process is just the start of the discrimination phase. Everybody should want this discriminatory practice to go away because if not, you never know who the next victim will be when they again decide to process other groups in this manner.

Milford should be more business friendly than all of its surrounding communities. That would be the key to our financial security. When every Alderman agrees to allow one segment of the business community to be discriminated against, that’s a problem. People should elect public officials that are not strangled by major political parties and their contributors. Arrogance veiled with a smile and courtesy can not be tolerated anymore in Milford.

Stephen Borer

Fundraising Results, Put Republicans in Lead

If the municipal election were about money, the Republicans would be poised to regain majorities on the city’s three elected boards and commissions.

According to early fundraising totals, the Republican Party has raised $34,300, compared to the $18,700 raised by Democrats, for the races for aldermen, Board of Education and planning and zoning. The newly formed Milford Independent Party has not officially raised any money for its under ticket candidates. The fundraising totals to date do not include what each party has raised for the mayoral races.

Republican Town Chairman Thomas Jagodinski said he knows an election is the quality of candidates, not money, but the party’s spirits are definitely on the upswing.

LIST: See who is running for office in Milford this November
More than 30 new members have joined the town committee, and two years ago the Republican had raised just $18,300 as of this date.

“Morale is high,” Jagodinski said. “The Milford Republican Party is strong and united.

“This reflects the enthusiasm in the party and people are excited about the campaign and are coming to fundraisers in greater numbers,” Jagodinski added.

Two years ago, Democrats stunned the local GOP by winning a 9 to 6 majority on the aldermen board, 7 to 3 margin on the school board, and a 6 to 4 advantage on the zoning board.

Just two years prior, Democrats were the minority on all three boards, and previously had been out of the majority for more than two decades.

Democratic Town Chairman Richard Smith said he’s not surprised by the fundraising totals, contending Republicans are backed by “big developers and a lot of the business interests.”

“We’re more of the party of the people, as evidenced by Democrats shepherding the first tax decrease in the city’s history,” Smith said. “At the end of the day it’s about the issues we stand for. Money won’t buy this election despite the Republicans attempts to do so.”

Smith said Democrats will get their message out by pounding the pavement and “sweat equity.”

But Jagodinski said he believes the Democrats seem to have more “politicians” in their ranks. He said GOP candidates share a similar philosophy: that local government should be about “neighbors getting together to make the city better.”

Milford Independent Party founder and mayoral candidate Peter Spalthoff said his underticket hopes to raise $5,000, but $3,000 is more likely. Concerning the mayoral race, Spalthoff said he has already raised $15,000 without conducting a fundraiser, and hopes to raise a total of $18,000.

ORIGINAL BRIAN MCREADY ARTICLE

Tim Chaucer Becomes 5th Contender For Milford Mayor

Another mayoral hopeful is poised to throw his hat into the ring: Local historian Tim Chaucer said this week that he plans to seek the Democratic nomination to run for mayor in November.

Chaucer, who has been involved in historical and land preservation issues for years in Milford, makes mayoral hopeful number five for the 2009 election.

Incumbent Mayor James Richetelli Jr., a Republican, has announced he plans to seek another term. Former Board of Aldermen Chairman Tom Beirne has announced that he’d like to run on the GOP ticket.

Peter Spalthoff, a former Republican Town Committee chairman who joined the Milford Independent Party, plans to run on the Independent ticket.

Democrats already seemed to be lining up behind Genevieve Salvatore, a lawyer and relative newcomer to the Milford political scene, who announced her intention to run on the Democratic ticket. Last week, Chaucer penned a letter to the Democratic Town Committee stating his interest in seeking the party nomination.

“I want to run because I think I can do the best job for the city of Milford,” Chaucer said. “I’ve lived in Milford my entire adult life. I’ve always said it’s a city worth saving.”

Chaucer said he identifies with the city’s historic beauty.

“Sometimes the chief executives we’ve had don’t get the real historic significance of the city,” Chaucer said. “I think people love Milford who live here because of the beauty, the beaches, the green, the woodlands, the wetlands, and yet we see these being chipped away. There ought to be more efforts to preserve the beauty.”

Chaucer also said taxes are a huge issue for him, especially because he had to sell his Gulf Pond home because taxes soared.

“I have many questions about the assessor’s office, and I know for a fact that there are people who live on direct waterfront in Milford who pay nothing in real estate taxes,” Chaucer wrote in a letter to Democratic Town Committee Chairman Rich Smith. “I know of other cases where people pay too much or too little.”

Early this week, the head of the Democratic Town Committee said he hadn’t read Chaucer’s letter of intent yet.

“He made overtures months ago,” Smith said. “I’d have to talk to Tim and see what he thinks the issues are. I’ve not had an opportunity to have that conversation yet.”

Smith said the nomination process is fairly straightforward. The Democratic Town Committee will vote for a nominee at a convention July 22. “Whoever has the most votes of the delegates will win the nomination,” Smith said.

Chaucer said he would primary for the nomination if the committee chooses Salvatore.

Chaucer notes that he has lived in Milford all his life, while Salvatore has not, and he is a life-long Democrat, while Salvatore was a Republican until about four years ago.

Salvatore says it’s true she is a relative newcomer to Milford — she’s been here since 2002 — but she doesn’t see that as a negative.

“Many people are new to Milford like me,” she said, “and the fact is that I chose Milford as the place I wanted to raise my son. So I feel I’m as vested as anyone.”

On being a fairly new Democrat, she said she became disenchanted with the Republican Party both nationally and locally.

“I said I need to make a change,” Salvatore said. “I wanted to make sure my political affiliation was aligned with where my heart was.”

Salvatore is chairman of the Milford Economic Development Commission and has said she wants to seek the party nomination because she sees “substantive opportunities to improve the way our city government functions, to break out of the business as usual cycle and introduce new, most cost effective and efficient ways to manage our city government.”

She has said the public sector has not been as innovative as the private sector in streamlining and improving the way it does business.

“Over the past eight years, the city’s budget has grown at an astronomic rate,” Salvatore said when she announced her intentions about a month ago. “Much of this, I believe, could have been avoided by more prudent and purposeful focus on driving the cost of doing business down while at the same time improving services.”

Story a reprint from Milford Mirror

Mike Brown, Jon Kantrowitz, And The Milford Blogs

These are two of Mil fords cyberbloggers, mostly responsible for the conflicting insanity that exists in the blogosphere. Kantrowitz is associated with my former Fairfield University professor Dr. Orman, and both chair the rather meaningless and ridiculous Connecticut For Lieberman Party. Kantrowitz featured here with his Jim Himes support stickers recently wrote this hit piece on Jim Himes pledging to withdraw his support over a letter he received about fiscal responsibility at the federal level.

Recently I wrote an article about Peter Schiff of Euro Pacific Capital in Darien, also a macroeconomic expert on issues of financial responsibility, and again Kantrowitz responded with this Hit Piece attacking Schiff, his family and spinning his comments out of context.

While Mike Brown featured above and seated to the right of Jon wearing a "T" shirt on his head and another on himself bearing what appears to be a South Park Character Jon is to his left sporting a cup of beer and smiling.

These two folks are key Democratic leaders in the town of Milford and are influential over the language and attacks in cyberspace. Part of our mission here at the Milford daily blog is to introduce you to our community leaders up close and personal and while I have gobs of information on both these guys, lets just politely say the photo of these two says it all.

This photo (From the Lamont Lieberman Era) is the rest of the very partisan and opinionated Democratic Blogging machine.













(L to R) Jon Kantrowitz, CT Blogger, Tessa Marquis, CTKeith, Caffeinated Geek Girl, Spazeboy, CT Joyce, and "Blog Wars" documentarian Will Dixon. Not featured in this photo is CTBOB, or Milford's own Bob Adams.

Bob Adams filmed this world famous career wrecking Amann video. Today Adams is working for Milford Government Access television, but only after addressing concerns that he would not introduce his partisan flare into the professional standards demanded by our public access channel supervisors.

Scully’s Departs From Amann Campaign

Patrick Scully, who joined former Speaker of the House James Amann’s gubernatorial campaign in January, says he is no longer working for the campaign.

“I am no longer employed by the Amann campaign because of lack of funding,” Scully said in a phone interview Friday. “I don’t have time to work for free.” Scully said he is working on building his consulting company and his departure in no way “negates my thoughts of the candidate.”

Scully’s departure does raise questions about the viability of Amann’s campaign, although Amann scoffed at that idea on Friday. Amann said the campaign dismissed Scully for reasons he refused to discuss on the record, not vice-a-versa.
Scully said the campaign owes him “five figures,” which could conceivably be a problem because, based the campaign report filed at the end of April, Amann’s campaign had $4,110 cash on hand.

“We’re doing fine,” Amann said. “We’re moving forward.” He said in the old days he would have raised $250,000 by now, but things are different under the new public finance system, under which Amann said it was difficult to spend money in the exploratory phase. That’s why the campaign switched over to a candidate committee, but in the process forfeited more than $20,000.

Under the new rules if the amount a candidate rolls over from an exploratory committee exceeds the total amount of qualifying small-dollar checks received, then the difference goes back to the state election fund. Amann transferred $35,488 from his exploratory committee into his candidate committee, but he had only raised about $9,545 in qualifying contributions of $100 or less causing him to lose more than $25,000.

Click here to see the campaign finance record of the transfer.
“It was a mistake,” Scully said of the campaign’s decision to switch from an exploratory to candidate committee so quickly.

Amann’s opponents — Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy and Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz — are still exploring a run for governor. Malloy’s campaign had about $105,297 cash on hand and Bysiewicz about $83,357 at the end of April.
But Amann, who has already opened up his campaign headquarters in Milford, said “we’re the only ones in the race.”

The last time Quinnipiac University polled residents on the 2010 gubernatorial match-up was back in February. At that time 79 percent didn’t know enough about Amann to have an opinion. Bysiewicz was the early favorite in a Democratic primary with 44 percent of the vote, followed by Malloy with 12 percent and Amann with 4 percent. Another 36 percent are undecided.

The same poll showed Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell beating Amann 61 to 21 percent. On Friday Amann said he had hundreds of volunteers working for him and has plans for at least two fundraisers this summer.

Cristine Stewart www.ctnewsjunkie.com

Peter Spalthoff Advocates "Fiscal Responsibility"

While I am not in favor of many of the cuts that the Aldermen have made on the recently passed “election year budget”, I am very much in agreement with, and applaud, Chairman Blake for his position on reconsidering the use of our favorable bond rating for the work required to be done at Jonathan Law High School. It is public knowledge that the work has to be done, and for Mayor to say that “it is not the right time” I believe he is doing a disservice to Milford. This is the perfect time to take advantage of the positive lending environment that presently exists for Milford and the work should not be put off until after the election.

As Chairman Blake noted, the City has one of the most favorable bond ratings in the State. If that is true, then why not take advantage of it? Why wait until after the elections are over when the costs WILL be greater and the rates WILL undoubtedly be higher than they are today? Using our good bond rating, lower interest rates, and a lower project cost than previously proposed, is a sensible and responsible thing to be doing at this time. This would represent good planning for the future and good management of the City’s resources.

Many are aware that Milford retired some very high interest rate bonds this past year and to replace them with the lower rates that are available now makes good financial sense and epitomizes sound fiscal management. The Mayor’s insistence that bonding would send the “wrong message” could not be any further from the reality of what is needed for our community.

What has sent the wrong message was Mayor Richetelli’s request for a raise in the later part of 2008 knowing all the while he was going to be asking the unions to freeze their pay. Fortunately, the Aldermen rejected his pay raise request.
What has sent the wrong message was Mayor Richetelli’s spending $48,000.00 for a review of the Building Department procedures and practices.
What has sent the wrong message was Mayor Richetelli’s handling of the Cadley property sale.

And certainly, what has sent the wrong message, was Mayor Richetelli’s 3 step “election year budget” proposal that is comprised of: (1) transferring over 2 1/2 million from rainy day and other accounts. What happens next year if the economy is still sluggish and we need to move money again from accounts to balance the budget? (2) Having the unions freeze their pay this year saving the City $850,000.00. What happens next year when we have already guaranteed the unions an increase that will cost us that same $850,000.00, plus a “no lay off guarantee”? And finally, (3) he proposes selling a piece of City property for $225,000.00. Why not hold on to it until the market recovers and the value increases?

These three items will have to be factored back into the budget for next year and will inevitably create a tax increase for everyone.

Although all of our neighbors would appreciate and could use the proposed $150.00 savings in their taxes next year, I think they would appreciate hearing an assurance from the Mayor that next years budget will not swallow this tax saving and much, much more due to his reactionary fiscal policies.

Unfortunately, this situation is a result of poor fiscal management, which Milfordites are subject to every time an election year comes our way. The City’s budget should not be a “play thing” to be used for votes; it should be the backbone of the City and provide for all of us every year. It should not be a test of who can cut more from the budget, the Democrats or the Republicans. We deserve better and should demand more from our elected officials.

Peter L. Spalthoff Independent Party candidate for Mayor

Milford school unions resist concessions

MILFORD -- Board of Education members have asked the school employee unions to agree to roll back their scheduled raises by 1 percent to avoid layoffs, but the unions likely won't agree.

Pending the unions' reaction, the board put off voting Tuesday night on budget cuts that could force layoffs of two teachers and five media aides, as well as eliminate four other positions to make up for nearly $935,000 cut from the 2009-10 education budget by the finance and aldermen boards. The education budget for new fiscal year now stands at $82.9 million.

Last month, the school board asked the six unions, which represent more than 1,100 school employees, to consider a 1 percent lower raise or a one-day unpaid furlough, but the 695-member teachers' union has stood firmly against concessions.

Board members said the arbitrated three-year Milford Education Association contract, which will expire in 2011, provides an average raise of about 4.9 percent when steps of seniority and education are combined.

In a letter to union leaders delivered Wednesday, board Chairman David Hourigan asked unions to respond to the proposed concession by June 4.

Before the board's Tuesday night meeting, MEA President Joan Mancini said there will be no concessions, even with layoffs looming.

"Our position is still that €¦ we went into binding arbitration and that contract needs to be respected," Mancini said.

Jim Whitaker, head of the 74-member custodians'

union, said his membership made concessions of about $160,000 in 2004-05 and probably won't make more this year. The average school custodian is paid about $40,000 and is scheduled for a 3 percent raise under the contract next year, he said.

Whitaker said he's suggested numerous cost-saving measures in building, maintenance and grounds operations, but nobody has listened. There's plenty of money available without employee concessions, it just needs to be spent wisely, he said.

"We do see where money is wasted every single day and we try to point it out, but the problem is you've got too many people with their own personal agendas that cost money," he said. "It's always the same story: 'The kids are going to suffer.' The problem is, nobody's watching how the money's being spent."

For example, Whitaker said, the school district bought a truck and plow about eight months ago for $35,000 and it sat in a parking lot so long the brakes froze. "Why should I give you more money out of my pocket so you can buy a truck to sit in the parking lot?" he wondered.

All of the city's employee unions -- except for police officers and police dispatchers -- have agreed to forgo raises next year in exchange for no layoffs.

"If the unions don't grant us concessions, then we will have to make cuts," Hourigan said. "It could mean that the proposed layoffs stand and maybe more."

Originally Printed at the CT Post online

Milford Independent Party To Announce Candidates

This Wednesday April 22ND, the Milford Independent Party will be announcing its roster of Independent candidates for local offices. This party, not yet even out of its infancy stage, is expected to fill nearly 20 ballot slots across all local districts.

This number is astounding, and a new record for the city of Milford's third party push history. Never before has a single party placed so many candidates on a ballot at one time. This record is superior even to that of Milford's Working Families Party, Libertarian Party, Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party.

The names of the candidates will be announced in front of the Gazebo on the Milford Green, and will be submitted to the press for full disclosure to the public. For more details of the upcoming activities of the Milford Independent Party visit their Website at http://themilfordindependentparty.org/buzz.htm

Scholar Dollars

MILFORD - The Junior Woman’s Club of Milford, Inc. this year will offer two $1,000 college scholarships to Milford youths who have shown outstanding civic participation in their community and in school.

The Junior Woman’s Club of Milford, Inc. has dedicated itself to many worthwhile charities, causes, and community events throughout Milford, club officials said. Some of its charities include; Beth-El Shelter for the homeless, Rape Crisis Center of Milford, Literacy Awards, fifth and the sixth grade spelling bee, Adopt-A-Grandparent and The Mercy Learning Center. It is the club's goal to select students who promote itsideals.

Requirements for the award are active civic and community involvement. High academic achievement is not a requirement for the scholarship. Applicants must be Milford residents in their senior year of high school who plan to further their education in the fall.

Applications are available at the guidance offices of Jonathan Law High School, Joseph A. Foran High School, Academy of Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall and the reference desk at the Milford Public Library. The deadline to submit the application is April 15. For an application or information, call Diane Mitchell at 878-4102 or visit the Junior Woman’s Club of Milford Web site at www.milfordjuniors.tripod.com.

Independent Party Meeting Announcement

The Milford Independent Party will be hosting a meet and greet reception on Thursday February 26 th at the office of Shoreline Mortgage-26 Broad Street Milford . The meeting is open to everyone and will begin promptly at 7:00PM. The purpose of the group, it's goals and objectives will be discussed at the meeting along with any other issues to be brought forward.

Space is somewhat limited (55) it would be greatly appreciated if you could e-mail me to confirm your attendance. In that way if I know more than 55 are coming I will make other arrangements for the meeting.

Thank you
Peter Spalthoff

From Capitalism To Creditism Have We Lost Our Way?

The Federal Reserve System, a giant quasi-government privately owned corporation was empowered in 1913 under the Federal Reserve Act. The bill passed Christmas eve in the dark of night when many American Patriots were on Christmas vacation with their families.

Supporters argued that the Government is not suited to handle complex banking issues and would ultimately devalue the dollar and wreck the American economy. The irony today is monumental because from 1913 to today the system of credit to bankers for money has failed to the "N-Th" degree. If a dollar in 1913 bought a dollars worth, today that same dollar purchases about .02 Cents worth of 1913 goods.

This problem was the direct result of inflating the dollar supply and issuing credit to Americans who have lost a record amount of industry and productivity since then to now. Our entire economy rapidly moved from a manufacturing based economy to a service based economy where our nation is now dependent on slave labor from other nations who produce the inexpensive oil based products we love so much.

The crux today is that we have become completely dependent on credit in America, and of course I call this way of doing business "Creditism" where a majority of Americans cannot afford a home, a car, Furniture, a refrigerator, or stove. Bankers solved this problem for us with credit cards, consumer cards, and payment schedules that can drag on for 5-30 years.

As long as "Creditism" is alive and well and cheap affordable interest rates exist Americans continued to shop for new cars and invest in homes for profit. What we are seeing today in the global credit markets is the failure of these banks not only in America but across the world. Fear is rampant credit markets are frozen and investors are are scared.

The biggest fear is that Creditism is dead and now Capitalism is back, the party is over there is no borrowing money from foreign banks to live large off of small payments. Americans may now be forced into even greater productivity, and will need to reinvent the notion of trade and trust.

One thing I always believed is that in order for America to succeed in the world, and as a nation, we must take education seriously. Other nations, and especially China, graduate more scientists and engineers than the United States this poses what many experts have agreed is a "Brain Drain" that impacts the competitive nature of our country. Without a highly educated and skilled workforce America will be left in the dust globally. Big corporations, mostly those in science and technology here in America are increasing moving their companies off shore, or importing highly skilled workers from other parts of the world to solve their employee problems.

Without a highly educated and skilled workforce America could expect increased competition among unemployed workers for unskilled labor. This workforce, once more appreciated than today, does not yield the wages required to maintain the high standard of living that Americans were accustomed to. Moving into the next decade is going to be challenging, and without taking education in America seriously it will be even more difficult, if not impossible, to compete in the world wide global village that has been created.

Self serving bankers have historically steered clear of Capitalism. They still favor the concept of Creditism and it still continues to be promoted by the banks. Americans, many not knowing any better, embrace the idea that we can own things by borrowing money, paying interest and making payments on those items. Some may disagree but I personally believe that credit is the illusion of ownership, I dare call it a Ponzi scheme that caters to our consumer desires rather than the nurturing of sound economics. Sound economics being what Americans desperately need right now Savings, low credit card debt, more income, more education, and competitive skills to compete in the global economy. Until we make this as important as fighting the war on terror, than the growing group of despondent Americans will take to the streets in crime sprees to create an economy not based on productivity but criminal enterprising. This is something that any big city Mayor in Connecticut knows real well. This is something prison wardens know real well, and ignoring the millions of American's in prison, homeless and broke is not the answer.

Back To School Week

This week is back to school week lets remember to slow down a little bit in the morning. Most folks are already courteous and polite enough to not pass a school bus and are especially courteous enough to keep a watchful eye for kids lined up on the side of the road.

Day one in my neighborhood was pretty good but unfortunately some aggressive drivers in the development next to mine earned themselves speed bumps. Something to think about when our kids at the back of the bus are being bounced out of their seats every time the rear tires collide with these new obstacles.

Main Stream Issues Hit The Movies

Last night my friend Peter and I saw the movie Swing Vote at the Post Mall, this movie became our choice because we were looking for something different, something free from the Hollywood special effects and mayhem of tyranny vs. insanity. Looking at the reviews for the movie was a bit enticing as it was rated very highly by Hollywood.com, and as such I thought it would be a perfect match for our entertainment ambitions that evening.

Peter and I both saw and loved the film as it was a complete parody on mainstream reality, the growing surge in new Independent registered voters, confusion and the obsessive competitive nature of politics that trivializes the political process and gives apathy a reason to exist.

Kevin Costner, the main character, gave a stellar performance as a recently laid off worker in an egg plant. He is a single father raising his young daughter who is more serious about life than he is. Costner, who is "Bud" in the movie has a penchant for drinking that ultimatly causes him to lose his job. His co-workers, on the other hand, express their growing concern over what they describe as "insorcing" or the replacement of American workers with cheaper undocumented migrant workers.

The movie continues with his young daughter, pressing him to get serious about his "swing vote" his single irregular computer cast ballot that will now determine the next President of the United States a vote he personally did not cast but is afraid to say so out of fear that another felony on (Cosner "Bud") her father's record will land him in jail and her in a foster home.

The finale of the movie is "Bud" calling for a last debate where he reads questions from letters he recieves in the mail from countless American's. The first letter is a divisive question from a veteran asking the presidential candidates. "If America is the greatest nation on earth why is it that so few of us can afford to live here?"

City Expects To Lose State As Tenant

The downtown state courthouse will be sold by the city back to the state for one dollar. This was an agreement that was reached 20 years ago, and the city was well aware of an expiring lease. The courthouse provided the city of Milford with $650,000.00 in rent.

The Milford courthouse was an idea that came about because of local businesses asking for the convenience of a local courthouse. Businesses found it inconvenient to drive to New Haven, the next nearest courthouse to conduct legal affairs. Jim Amann also recently touted that he received $3,000,000.00 "for development and land acquisition for the new Milford Courthouse Annex and parking area."

Parking has been the greatest concern, and largest inconvenience of having the State Courthouse in town. The local chamber of commerce also criticized the municipal complex has being "challenged" because of its lack of parking and said the state will have issues over the lot size and availability of the current parking spaces.

According to Rocco Frank Jr. the Independent candidate for State Rep in the 118Th, "it has been my experience in working for the state that most Courthouses have parking lots with spaces exclusively dedicated to virtually every state employee. In the Bridgeport and Stamford courthouse alone there are nearly 100 spaces each dedicated for Judges, Clerks, Social Workers, and staff. To have the state expect the city of Milford to give up that many spaces would be a hardship for the town."

Frank also said, "that judges also have security concerns and do not feel safe walking in an unattended parking lot back and forth to their cars, they preside on some very intense cases and are often at risk of public retaliation if they make a bad decision. These are things that must be considered in the wake of a change in that very area." Frank also said that he thinks it might be best if the courthouse relocated away from downtown in its entirety, and perhaps re-opened in West Haven or someplace on the Post Road where traffic and parking will not be as big of an issue. The city could then perhaps re-rent the place to a less demanding tenant or use it to save revenue by vacating existing buildings and relocating city departments."

Richetelli said that the "Courthouse deal made good sense 20 years ago, but today he is concerned over the loss in state revenue. He said the city will still pay us money but we can be assured it will be substantially less than the $650,000.00 we have become accustomed to." The final numbers that the city ends up with will mark yet another gap in the 2010 budget to be filled.

Photo of Milford Courthouse AKA G.A.22