Ben Blake, Bob Joy Dismiss Milford Independents

After the conclusion of the Independent Party Caucus last month the Milford Independent party agreed to reach out to the major parties with offers in compromise. We spoke with municipal leaders from both sides of the aisle including, party chairmen and and both candidates for Mayor.

The idea was simple "lets appeal to each other's rational interests and govern together." Our goal was to cross endorse the top spot for Mayor in exchange for equal (D) or (R) party consideration on paid jobs and commission appointments. In 2009 Spalthoff and Chaucer received nearly 18% of the vote collectively, this year, even if that number is reduced by 50% that could have meant the difference of 20% in favor of one candidate or another.

However, their decisions were stunning!  Both Ben and Bob rejected the wishes of 1,000 to 2,000 voters.  This outlandish rejection is based on an enigmatic "quid pro quo" and in Bob's case a direct "NO!" Neither side has any intentions of making any promises or guarantees.  The inclusion of the Milford Independent Party to participate in city government appears to exist mostly in political theory only. However irrational, we find it difficult to accept that they truly believe their decisions are based on honorable and reasonable logic.

This year we will again have a Three way race for Mayor because the irrational thinking of our top contenders want it that way. The Milford Independent Party can no longer change what Ben and Bob decided for the Milford Independent voters. However, YOU CAN, by sharing this article with your friends and neighbors. Convince them to vote for The Independent line as a show of solidarity against those irrational and partisan individuals who continuously dominate and hijack our city with their loyal people and Political Party ideology. 

This year Independents have offered up John Grant to the Republicans and Cross Endorsed Suzanne Manning for City Clerk. In return Both Parties offered Independents NOTHING. We are doing our part, now it is up to you to do yours! Vote Independent... by doing so you will break this cycle of ignorance and help us make a difference in the fiscal future and security of our city.

The Looting of Milford Taxpayers Alive And Well

One thing that has been ongoing in our community in the last several years is hypocrisy. The town leaders, as we have just seen at the state level, preach an agenda that condemns wasteful spending and record tax increases. But when those tax increases just happen to benefit their friends in the local controlling political party then the taxpayers of Milford are told to relax, that these increases are "minor."

The Democratic Governor and his liberal cabal are using the same argument, telling the taxpayers of the state of Connecticut to "relax" that the state increases are "minor." While I already spent considerable time discussing the exploitation of the states taxpayers in this blog I plan to shift focus to the exploitation of Milford's taxpayers.

Lets begin with a reminder that our taxes have doubled in just a short 12 years. This doubling was accompanied by city services being cut to the lowest level Milford has ever had. This doubling and cutting has arrived during the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression.

Lets look at today's news and work in reverse. Astonishingly our Mayor Jim Richetelli is not running for re-election, he instead found a way to escape the wrath of his terrible decade of "tax and spend" leadership in favor of a job that appears to be completely invented out of "politics." Lucky for the mayor this new job "deputy operations chief of schools" pays him 20% more money than he was earning as the Mayor. Wow! We can only assume that this post is being created with the approval of the Republican dominated board of Education.

Greg Smith the Republican Chair of the Board of Alderman has been at odds with the school district because they claim they are "Broke." They have closed schools, fired administrators, and threatened non-tenured teachers that they need to find new jobs. While this was going on the Mayor was scheming to deplete their budget another $120,000.00 plus his benefits and carrying costs.You would think that some respect would be allowed for the parents of our kids who have amassed in record protests. They have filled school auditoriums more than once in the last several years and as a result this Mayor has aggravated and opposed our schools and their improvements time and again.

Back in 2009 when Jonathan Law wanted an addition it was the lone dissenting vote of one brave Republican Alderman that improved our kids school conditions. Teachers, and parents pointed out that teaching was going on in the hallway on carts, and student restrooms were so dingy that the girls at the time were using the men's room.

Then came the wasteful Czars, the land use Czar, the Blight Czar, The Mgat Czar, and now our Mayor appears to have appointed himself as the Education Czar tapping into a budget that is in terrible terrible trouble. Our schools have been impacted by the loss of millions from the Federal Government, have been victimized by  "No Child Left Behind" disparaged by a monumentally unfair ECS formula at the state level and taxed Milford's home owners into the ditch to pay for failure. Failure that rendered our students with terrible CAPT test scores at the state level. Our Schools according to Ms. Feser rank in the Bottom 1/3 for elementary schools, and the bottom 2/3 for middle schools.

Our last two Supers were a joke, one being fired for writing letters of recommendation to a teacher who was later arrested for having an affair with his student, and another arrested for lewd and perverted conduct toward his staff. Now we are going to add our former Mayor to a high level position in education. This position is one where he will keep company with individuals who are intellectually superior to him. Individuals who had to do the hard work of graduating with advanced degrees from universities that actually taught their students the complex mechanics of running a school.

The Mayor now seems to pompously and arrogantly trivialize this right of passage, he is attempting to use politics to create a job that he never had, to do a job that he never did, and is adding to an education problem that is never ending.

My step daughter and her husband had to get advanced degrees just to be considered to teach in a classroom. She has had to pay hefty college loans back and prove to countless professors and higher education administrators that she was even competent and capable enough to hold a state teaching licence. She then was offered a job that barely paid the minimum payment on her student loans.

The news today makes a mockery of the entire education system, proving that a person like our former Mayor can just sidestep into one of these positions politically. Despite the added financial hardship to the school budget, and the fact that his new post may require Three or Four bonafied teachers to be laid off, where does the school system and its administrators get off "signing off" on this incredibly political appointment.

Thus far it appears there was a rush to hire him. No serious ads posted for the job, no meaningful interviews of who the best candidate is for the post, and most troubling no public debate over the need for this post. Since when, for the sake of welfare, do we invade random jobs for politically connected people? The idea that the city of Milford should be creating jobs to help individuals who are too lazy or too unwilling to go out and find one (they way the rest of do) is really the epitome of corruption.

When Jim Amann stepped down and tried to create a crony job under Speaker Donavan, the people of our state complained loudly. The pay was substantially cut to match his credentials, he then refused the job. Why are we going to repeat this dangerous precedent at the local level? The worst form of corruption in government is nepotism, and favoritism if we allow this appointment to occur without a fight the parents and teachers of Milford deserve everything they have coming to them.

The final straw will be if the Board of Alderman pass the bloated school budget as yet another amazing surprise. Suppose we should all be so naive to think that the Mayors new post and the Superintendents demand for new money is somehow not a conflict of interests. This appointment has now marred any sincerity in purpose the Board of Alderman or the Board of Finance has. They are both Republican Controlled and their actions will be viewed as highly suspect. Could it be that the Mayor was offered a $120,000.00 a year job in exchange for passing the bloated school budget? Someone should find out.

TO READ THE OFFICIAL AOL HUFFINGTON POST PATCH PROPAGANDA CLICK HERE

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

Milford's Rhorig & Polansky Questioned In Criminal Investigation

Police are investigating an alleged sex assault and a separate incident of underage drinking at the home of Board of Education minority leader Joanne Rohrig.

Rohrig, a Republican running for re-election, declined to comment Thursday on either investigation.

Police Chief Keith Mello on Thursday confirmed that the department's detective division received a complaint on July 22 of a sexual assault that allegedly occurred at Rohrig's Flax Mill Lane home about 3 a.m. July 19.

Meanwhile, Orange Police Chief Robert Gagne said Thursday that Jared Rohrig, the school board member's son and a probationary officer with the Orange police force, was placed on paid administrative leave July 23. "He remains on leave pending an internal investigation," Gagne said.

Neither chief would comment on whether Jared Rohrig may be involved in the investigation into the assault complaint.

The complaint of underage drinking apparently stems from a July 12 party for Rohrig's daughter Chelsea, who graduated from Jonathan Law High in June.

Photos from a Facebook album show Rohrig, her sons and daughter in their backyard with many guests, including Supt. of Schools Harvey Polansky and his wife Harriet. There are rows of beer cups on a table in one photo, but no photos of anyone drinking.

Harriet Polansky had written on Rorhig's Facebook page on July 14:

"STILL drying out!! Can't wait to see the pics!" Polansky said that his wife was referring to using the Rohrigs' hot tub, not to drinking. The superintendent said he attended many local graduation parties this summer and that no illegal drinking went on.

Rohrig said earlier that a bar was set up in a separate area for adults. Her family owns Lasses Restaurant and catering here, and Rohrig said that they have knowledge and experience with the laws serving alcohol.

Mello said that the youth division is investigating the anonymous complaint about underage drinking at the party. "They are absolutely separate incidents," the chief said.

A separate set of photos, showing several people playing beer pong, has been circulating anonymously, but officials have determined that those were not taken at the school board member's home.

ORIGINAL FRANK JULIANO POST

STORY ALSO AT NH REGISTER

Polanski Recently was named in this article regarding underage drinking.

http://my.hsj.org/Schools/Newspaper/tabid/100/view/frontpage/schoolid/363/articleid/263205/newspaperid/339/Breathalyzers_Need_To_Be_Embraced.aspx

*********************************************Latest Update 8/8/2009 Police Find No Evidence Of Wrongdoing At Rhorig Party Photo submitted from Facebook also added.
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Richetelli's Re-Election Would Cost Taxpayers Extra.

Amid these difficult times, and the already unprecedented jubilee over the "once in a lifetime tax decrease" more concern over a "bait and switch" sales tactic surfaces among my colleagues who are "in the know" of local Milford politics. Our current mayor, who now seeks yet another term appears to be "going for broke." Richetelli is seeking a fifth term that will qualify him for a life long pension at a substantial cost to the taxpayers.

While I do not not know the exact details of his personal pension related future monetary entitlements, I do know that it will cost our city extra money over the course of his lifetime, beginning upon his retirement. While many like myself supported Jim in the last election with a sign on my lawn, this time around I do not plan to because I am of the opinion that the cost of retaining him is going to add too much future debt to our city.

This opinion of mine is not because I think Jim is a bad person or did a terrible job, its actually to the contrary I think Jim was simply the best choice of the candidates Running last go around. This year is different, we have three other choices besides Jim including my personal favorite Peter Spalthoff who believes in the fundamental fairness of "people and not politics." He is also a selfless individual who has lived in Milford many years and has been a part of many of our local clubs and organizations and traditions. Peter is the only person I ever met who personally invested his own money in our community. I cannot really say that about any of the other candidates.

This year I simply urge all voters to make the best choice for our city and with tax increases and out of control spending being the current theme we may want to think twice about voting for a person who will add additional pension obligations to the city's already over burdened treasury. Jim, in my opinion is a great person who will qualify for a very high paying corporate job after his retirement from the city. We need not worry about him or his future should he fail in his bid for re-election.

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6/14/09 Correction and an addendum to this Post.

The previous title of this post alleged millions, perhaps that is true or perhaps its not I did have the opportunity to get some more imput about this opinion of mine of which is changed a bit due to some new updates.

As it was explained to me the Mayor Recieves 2.25% in pension benefits for each year he holds office. Jim, should he get re-elected to his fifth term would qualify for 10 Times the 2.25% or 22.5% of his $93,000.00 a year estimated salary. This amount would be due and payable upon his 60Th birthday and would be subject to the review of the Pension and Retirement board. This board, at their discretion, could agree to give him Cost of living adjustments to compensate for inflation or like scenarios that could diminish the purchasing power of his pension check.

Should the mayor collect his pension from 60-90 or 30 years, this sum would total Apx. $21,000.00 Times 30 or $630,000.00 without cost of living adjustments by the board. How much this figure grows is entirely up to the Pension and Retirement board and their willingness to increase his benefits in the future.

The ultimate amount could be a million or more, but this is really contingent on how many years the Mayor collects, how many increases he gets along the way, and any other unforseen additional expenses (such as continued health coverage)related to this debt obligation. This figure is pure speculation.

Update 6/27/2009

Quote from Brian McCredy NH Register

"The combined city and schools proposed budget is $170.8 million, compared to this year's $160.1 million, representing a 6.69 percent increase. The proposed budget basically keeps services at the same level. Fixed costs such as health insurance, electricity, contractual wages, pension contributions and workers compensation make up 91.2 percent of the increase."

LINK to full article

Silencing Joe

They can’t expel him from the Democratic party, but members of the Democratic State Central Committee are seeking to censure U.S Sen. Joseph I Lieberman, who won re-election in 2006 as an independent and recently spoke at the Republican National Convention on behalf of Republican presidential nominee, John McCain.

Audrey Blondin, a member of the Democratic State Central Committee who helped draft the resolution to censure Lieberman, said Wednesday that she wanted to express her “extreme displeasure” with Connecticut’s junior senator for speaking at the Republican National Convention.

“When you’re a Democrat, you’re a Democrat,” she said. She said Lieberman has the right to endorse whoever he wants, “but don’t do it as a Democrat.” She said she feels if Lieberman prides himself as an independent then he should register as one.

Below is a draft of the proposed resolution expected to be considered on Sept. 24 by the 72 members of the Democratic State Central Committee.

Resolution To Censure Joseph I. Lieberman

Whereas Joseph I. Lieberman sought re-election in 2006 as an independent after losing the Democratic primary; and

Whereas he has publicly endorsed and actively campaigned on behalf of Republican Presidential candidate John McCain, among others; and

Whereas he has attended and addressed the Republican National Convention thereby undercutting the election campaigns of Democratic candidates all across America; and

Whereas support of right-wing Republicans cannot be reconciled with the ideals and values of the Democratic Party, nor with the best interests of the people of America; and

Whereas these actions exhibit extraordinary disloyalty to the countless Connecticut Democrats without whom his career as an elected official would never have been possible;

Therefore, be it hereby resolved, that we, the undersigned members of the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee, delegates to the Democratic National Convention from Connecticut, and Connecticut Democratic public officials publicly censure and repudiate the words and actions of Joseph I. Lieberman, and ask of him that he resign as a member of the Democratic Party of the state of Connecticut.

Story reprint from Connecticut News Junkie

Democrats Speak And Milford Is Glued To The T.V.

The Democratic National convention has been the top show on the tube. It is almost impossible to find someone in town that does not know what is on T.V. The speeches are great, and Barrack Obama was away on day-one visiting a family in Kansas. Today Hillary gave a flawless speech and a universal endorsement of Barrack Obama.

Many feel that Obama's biggest mistake was not picking Hillary as the Vice President. While Glenn Beck was all but impressed with Obama's choice of Delaware Senator Biden, he threw in his public reminder that Biden drew .9 percent of the delegates in his own state.

My personal thoughts on this Democratic event is one of amazement, well rehearsed speeches, constructed with cunning polling data and "silver tongues" scooping up votes, in the hope of winning our hearts and causing us to forget the past wrongs of corrupt Democrats.

What we forget is that this entire charade of a national event is solely for our amusement. Any Washington D.C. insider knows that the President, the Senate, and the House run little to nothing in Washington. The shots are called by big global industry and their associate lobbies who promise to destroy politicians who threaten their profits or challenge their elite status in the world.

Some like Speaker Pelosi set policy for profit and is accused of engaging in an unholy corporate relationship with T.Boone Pickens and his Wall Street energy Stock.

To paint the picture clearly watch the following self explanatory video of how Political action committees (PACS) buy airtime to prop up their favorite politicians and diminish others.


How soon we forget that the 9.6 trillion in national debt, the loss of jobs and industry, the collapse of national banks and the influx of illegal immigrants was a joint bipartisan effort of both parties.

Now on this great evening amid the bright lights, confetti, and grandiosity of impossible promises our hearts are being lifted yet again as they are every four years. Every election we think things will be better that the economy will improve and our country will prosper, instead the problems grow our leaders fight and gridlock shuts down the country.

Every President who does try to reverse this plight only deepens the irreversible abyss now on the horizon. With every new promise the nations printing presses print more cash to pay for things, foreigners continue to buy up that excess in our real estate and Treasury bills hence giving us the false illusion of an economy.

As the untold truth may be the Federal Reserve prints money to pay bills, then borrows more from the Chinese, and exports more to Arab oil producing nations. The purchase of Treasury bills by foreigners just shore up the currency by giving the illusion of demand. Hard to believe that one super economic power like China could destroy America in one feld swoop. Like a child America and Americans exist at the mercy of the Chinese who treat us like a child handing us money like allowance so we can continue to buy things. The math is simple, almost everything we buy is some other nations productivity and profit if the loans stop the country goes bust.

Some like David Walker a former GAO accountant said America's books are cooked, unsustainable. He even has gone so far as to resign and release a shocking documentary called IOUSA. This documentary is sounding the alarm on the unsustainable system of credit we have come to love and warns that with cradle to grave promises like health care for everybody, and social security we will have to make hard choices to pay for it all. The inside scoop in Washington is that our country is about to go bust and no one dare say a word as the political backlash will be a rude awakening and a political suicide of sorts.

Watching the continued promise of social programs and government mandates without first holding accountable the politicians and nations who robbed our country, is wrong. These so called patriots tore down our borders, robbed our industry, plundered our jobs and left us their apathy of continued loans to keep us from crying foul. They have and continue to go, not only unscathed, but rather seduce our nations people with baseless media assisted rhetoric, and all of us who dare feel the cruelty of hope act like a pandemonium of feeble minded ignorant morons cheering among masses only to be later betrayed.

Let it be known that I do understand "the audacity of hope", as there is nothing more alluring or enticing for a desperate nation to cry for real leadership. American's want to think America's problems are reversible and that with the right leadership our nation will prevail. Not to be rude or a party spoiler but according to people in the know the bill collectors are not that far off. When they come knocking on America's door the foreclosure fiasco will be upon the whole country not just our homes. Such an event could be expected to arrive in the form of global economic warfare depleting the little industry we have left. In such a scenario America and its citizens will thrive as a regional nation of domestic merchants and consultants domestically trapped under the weight of its devalued currency. Currency seen as nothing more than what it is, worthless paper. When that day arrives it will mean that we have officially been cut off from global trade.


Reports also have been arriving of America's wealthiest taking action by relocating real estate and protecting their wealth in anticipation of a dramatic economic event. With that in mind imagine that nearly 2 trillion military Pentagon dollars also have gone missing without any receipts or expenditure explanation. Why is this of little to no concern to anyone candidate? Turn off the TV tear down the curtains and realize our political system is owned and paid for by the "Man behind the curtain" aka the Global Corporate Business elite not the masters of deceit you see on T.V.

McSame And Obama Nation Some Would Rather Not Vote

Over the last six months it was pretty difficult to not hear the names of our Presidential candidates over and over again, and now with the Presidential primaries expected to launch that reality will be even more hard to ignore.

One thing I did learn on my endeavors in the past few months is the growing concern coming from a significant group who claims not to like either candidate. Today's post is to remind everyone out there that the television and corporate press does not have to rob you of your vote.

There is a big secret, a secret that both major parties are not happy about and that is there are other candidates in the running besides Obama and McCain, so if you do not like them you could perhaps vote for someone else?! The overwhelming response I get when I mention this radical idea of a third party is laughter and the snickering reply that third parties are not real candidates. Pehaps if they were the television would be all over it because lord only knows they would be going "Anna Nicole Smith" on a president that launched an illegal war, why we have a massive naval buildup in the Persian Gulf, and airing executives facing criminal racketeering by the hundreds in the wake of all these bank failures.

My point, is that the television is not your mind, it is not what is best for America, and it certainly ought not affect your opinion about who you believe is best for America. Below are the alternate Presidential Choices and their Ads. The Ads that you will probably never see. My point today, if you do not like McSame, or ObamaNation than come vote anyway and give one of these longshots a voice in 2012. If they score 10% they will be included in the debates next election.

THE THIRD PARTY LINE UP

Connecticut's Own Ralph Nader (Green Party/Independent Party)



A Voice For The U.S. Constitution Chuck Baldwin (Constitution Party)



Former Republican U.S. Congressman Bob Barr (Libertarian Party)

State Rep Cafero "Legislature Unfriendly To Small Business."

Larry Cafero, Norwalk state Representative in a recent meeting with republican candidates has called the state legislature "unfriendly to small business."

In a partisan and divisive attack, Rep. Cafero blamed the house Democrats as the culprits behind the economic turmoil in our state. Cafero has claimed that our state legislature was rated "50Th out of 50" as the least friendly legislature to small business in America.

As a small business owner myself, I can certainly agree that there are challenges, but placing blame one single party is a stretch unless we exclude the Rowland era corruption and the accusations of bid rigging and beyond all over the state.

From my vantage point, and as a small business owner myself, I can personally attest that the problems I face are more to do with my customers struggling to make ends meet. While I, like most businesses do no not have a Beverly Hills elite clientele but rather the everyday middle class family people as my customers, charging a profit in the wake of fierce competition can hardly be blamed on any one single party let alone the Democrats.

What challenges small business in Connecticut is as simple as the cost of living, Food and Energy inflation and the availability of living wage jobs. Our state legislature certainly can make things easier by lowering the price of gas, but I assure you that if the energy price drops to that of New Jersey we will need tolls. Even in NJ where gas is cheap in the long run you pay more just through the aggregate taxation of tolls added to the cost of getting around.

With our legislative record now marred as the worst in America perhaps it is time to get serious about providing solutions and not blaming Democrats for political gain. When Cafero indicated in his July stump speech that he let the National Republicans define the scope and purpose of our state leaders, he admitted that their complacency and trust for their national party has become a problem.

The Republicans now are composed of less than 400,000 to the overwhelming 700,00 democrats in this state. Nothing however compares to the largest group of registered voters the "Unaffiliated" (Or as I believe the Independents) now registered to the tune of 800,000.

These numbers speak clearly to me about how the public feels toward the policies of the Republicans and the national agenda that Cafero wants to step away from. Cafero has good reason to try and reinvent the Republican Party in this state, he needs to take it back from the national leaders who have let the Bush Cheney legacy erode at the core of its scope and purpose.

The Republican party, as I remembered it was one that marked the progress and protections of the Constitution and kept the Republic of America strong. The Republicans were the precursor to the agenda of the upper class in America. Today we are struggling to maintain the integrity of the U.S. Constitution, we are debating things like freedom of speech as basic civil rights again. These were all policies imposed after 9/11 by the Republican administration.

In 2005 Bush called the constitution a "Goddamn piece of paper" and followed up with the Patriot act 1 & 2, started multiple wars with botched CIA intelligence and promoted the Anti-American agenda of the PNAC (Project for a new American Century). These are not to include the colossal bipartisan blunder of NAFTA, GAFTA and every other policy that allows for foreign invasion and export of jobs. Also, Illegal migrant workers were permitted leniency by both parties and are now the subject of angry debate not only in Connecticut but all over America.

How do we restore a sound macro-economy in connecticut when our biggest industry is weapons? Connectut makes Submarines, Helicopters, Satellites, Armaments, Radar, and yes of course gambling. Tradgically war is good for the state economy, however sad and frustrating this is to me Connecticut spoke again when our favorite war hawk Joe Lieberman was ousted from his own party. Our state is craving a peace industry, we do not desire to be a global supplyer of death merchandise and gambling.

Personally I respect Rep. Cafero, however I do not agree with his rhetoric that divides the parties rather than unites them. The problems we all face are not Republican or Democrat problems, they are Federal problems, they are global competition problems, energy problems, inflation problems and deficit in leadership problems. I know Mr. Cafero knows this, that is why I wrote this article today to take issue with his polarizing blame of something he clearly knows better on.

The answers to small business in Connecticut, is good Jobs, not just any job but good paying living wage jobs. Tax cuts for unemployed people do not help small business, nor does a little cheaper gas. What helps small business is for our kids and grand kids to have a future in which they can afford a home, a car, an education, and to go shopping. I cannot emphasize enough that jobs and living wage incomes is what this state needs and Connecticut should be focused on that, not blaming opponents for Connecticut's horrible record. Show me real solutions not blame!

Seriously Rocco Frank For The 118th! Over 1000 of you say Yes!

My Democratic opponents some time ago questioned the seriousness of my candidacy, until now I have yet to reply. However, with that in mind lets use the old saying that a "picture speaks a thousand words" and one thousand signatures is the milestone pasted on my wall back at our campaign headquarters.

While I understand from the town clerk that no one in the 118Th is aggressively pursuing signatures in the manner that our staff has, I will admit my disgruntled feelings that neither my Democratic or Republican opponent has to collect signatures. As I am told by my campaign advisers major parties are exempt from the signature process, even though the party I represent the Independent party is the largest party by affiliation and admission in Milford.

The photo above represents nearly 20% of the total 5,700 votes cast in the last election for our current popular representative Jim Amann. This, however is not the end of this process as we still have two more weeks of signature collecting ahead of us. The final tally will be confirmed by the Secretary of State in the coming months.

Independent American Party Endorses Frank

Yesterday evening the Frank campaign received a telephone call from a Mr. Will Christianson the Independent American Party Chairman with the great news that caucuses were now closed in CT and Rocco J. Frank Jr. was their candidate. The IAP is one of Americas fastest growing parties with membership estimated in the millions nationwide. Connecticut has set up its State headquarters in Willamantic and is headed by Dennis Gorgoglione. Mr. Christianson indicated that the Independent party has been growing in strength and has been planning to absorb and integrate with the Constitution Party and several others.

The similar, AIP (American Independent Party) has had much success out West, and had such notable candidates as far back as 1968 including the nominated Alabama Governor George Wallace. Frank calls this endorsement an honor and a privilege in an era where nearly 60% of all Americans consider themselves Independent. Frank said that the party system in America is severely challenged. Republicans historically represented the wealth of society, now trickled down to a mere 5%, and the Democrats represented the working class. The people who have seen their jobs get exported to India, China, Mexico and several other countries by the millions, leaving us here in America with an apathetic Micro- wage economy.

Frank has interestingly pointed out that Americans want leadership and action during these hard times and according to polls conducted he learned that many people have voted outside their party for both Republicans and Democrats proving the Independent minded community of the 118th district in Milford.

Frank said that the day where an individual pulls all the levers that say "Democrat" or "Republican" is on a rapid decline. Frank said that "people have learned that such an action is what has led to the poor quality hit or miss characters that have compromised the integrity and quality of life in our town and state. Today people wish to know how interesting, qualified, and what innovative ideas new candidates represent to bring about a positive improvement in their lives."

The Independent Party is rapidly filling that goal. Frank also cited that Connecticut is very open to third parties citing Lowell Weicker and Joe Lieberman who both were successfully elected to high office.

To learn more about the IAP visit their website at: http://www.usiap.org/

Alan Jepson Compliments Frank Professionalism

Milford Town Clerk Alan Jepson paid Rocco Frank a very nice compliment this week. This compliment came about from the routine filing of election paperwork with the CT Secretary of State's office. As part of the procedure Town Clerks are required to sign and fill out certain election documents, of which prompted a visit to the Town Clerk.

Alan Jepson became familiar with Frank, from the newspaper stories and when in an earlier visit he left him with his web address and campaign cards. By the time Frank returned for a second visit Alan expressed his amazement in how "professional" the website and printed materials were. Frank was absolutely flattered by the Town Clerks compliment and never really thought beyond the campaign staff acting and working as they were instructed to do.

Alan, who also read his positions and ideas, called them "very well written and thought out." Frank described Alan as being "very impressed" with his campaign style and communication method with the 118th district as well as Milford's residents.

Although Frank does not regard The Town Clerk's seal of approval as an endorsement, Frank said that Alan's "kind words certainly were reassuring that the campaign is headed in the right direction." Frank would like to publicly thank Mr Jepson for his kindness and supportive words.