Rocco Frank Election Notes

Last year both Democrats and Republicans took credit for the citywide tax decrease; however both sides neglected to mention they borrowed the money to do it. This borrowing increased our debt to 240M in 2010, not including interest.



The "Entrenched Two Party Leadership" also fattened their pension fund to an astounding $320M. In turn, the People of Milford were left with a current estimated 300M in 2011 debt... and the “mad rush” to now deplete the pension fund is making it look like a developing Ponzi scheme.

Since 2008! The CAFR's (Comprehensive Audited Financial Results) indicate our city liabilities are growing at an alarming 17.7% per year, while our city assets are growing at 6.6% per year.


Neither democrats nor, Republicans want to admit that their collective leadership and “voodoo economics” is the root cause of Milford "Heading of a Cliff!!"


While I have no intention of arguing with the selective accounting at City Hall, I do take issue with the practice of borrowing new money at lower interest rates, to pay off higher interest rates. This is not a serious plan and it’s done nothing to stem the tide of our growing liabilities, we need something more professional than just “juggling the interest on our credit cards.”

In order to seriously deal with this grave financial issue, big Developers, Law Firms and special interests have to understand that they are second to getting our finances in order. This, however, is a difficult task when both my opponents each owe favors to the corporate donors who “buttered their bread.” It’s my job to present the facts, hopefully the non-voters will be motivated to come out and vote en-masse, to put an end to the "High jacking" of our city!


Milford’s “high jackers” have their eyes set on 200 Million dollars. You can be assured that there are many special interests who want more of that money for themselves, and sadly they are stealing it. They cheat us taxpayers by way of crony job appointments, no bid contracts, double dipping, nepotism, favoritism, undeserved bonuses and bigger government. My silent opponent’s, and their political parties, rely on you being uniformed; it’s what keeps them in power and loving Milford!

Thus far this year, I have shredded thousands of dollars in checks and refused all special interest money. We are not for sale and will not endorse any future candidate unless they guarantee us oversight! Personally, I choose to run my campaign with little to no money because most every sizable donation offered me came with a set of terms. The best type of victory is one where past non voters enthusiastically vote against corruption, and ordinary citizens organize on their own without expectations. Hopefully I have earned your trust and support.


Rocco J. Frank Jr.

Eisenhower Park Blighted And Vandalized

Each year the city of Milford spends a considerable sum on Eisenhower Park, this year we are celebrating the construction of Bodie's Place, a playground built with the donations and generosity of Milford Residents. The playground proudly bears the name of a young local child who was stricken with a deadly and debilitating disease.

The vandals on the other hand have no consideration, nor do they care to keep their community nice. They instead have spray painted every building in the Park with their rebellious message "Devon Taggin Crew." Ordinarily, one would expect that this sort of problem would be taken care of. We have websites in town like "seeclickfix" and local "blight laws" where these issues are reported. There are also several "Earth Days," and "Green Events" that the locals engage in and volunteer for. The city of Milford also pays a handsome price to have scores of city employees take care of the grounds at the park. This graffiti (featured in the photos) has been present now for several months and its everywhere in the park.

The utility poles, the old cabana, the dog park, the veterans concession building, etc.. etc.. all marred and vandalized with graffiti. Locals who are attending the park with their dogs, are hiking or riding horses pass by this blight and question where the money is being spent in Eisenhower Park one would think that the most obvious problems would be addressed first and foremost.

One such individual said "every year thousands of dollars are spent on worthless studies and every year the park looks more scuffled, what are they going to do when the vandals spray paint the their pride and Joy... Brodies Place will they clean it up then?"

Thus far several complaints have been made by locals under the new city blight complaint and it would appear that Milford has been slow in responding to its own complaints. Personally I feel the city should be complying with the very law it intends the rest of us to follow. This week we need to urge the city to clean up the blight at Eisenhower Park and keep our city looking attractive.

Photos in this caption depict the (Top) the main capana at the park entrance. Middle Photo is the rear of that same building. The photoe to the bottom left is a 135' hight utility pole belonging to the Middletown Power Grid. This pole is located to the far left corner of the main field where the bleachers are located. Photos taken by myself (Rocco Frank) on 3/14/2011.

Rebuilding Milford, Our City Continues To Improve

Milford certainly has made progress over the last few years and its important to note that despite the new found blight complaints our city has continued to improve. Some of the most notable improvements have been in Devon. These improvements include all those streetscapes that involve new lighting, parks and yes the Bridgeport Flyer Diner is now a "stellar" place to dine at.

Down in Walnut Beach, a new boardwalk is out for bid, and a developer built brand new town houses right across from the beach. Travelling north, Bridgeport Steel once a plighted property has now received a new face lift and is nearing completion.

On the green, Peter Spalthoff dramatically improved his property and his neighbor Harrison's hardware is set for a rebirth into a restaurant and retail establishment. Further north the Sikorski memorial bridge was beautifully redone, and the good news recently arrived that the I95 bridge spanning into Milford over the Housatonic is set to be rebuilt. And most recently, the New Aldi's supermarket (On the Post Rd.) recieved a nice welcome.

Jonathan Law High School is also getting a brand new wing, marking growth and improvement in our schools and local activists like the ECC are encouraging energy saving technologies to all our city buildings.

The greatest single improvement to our city has been the rebuilding of the former Jai Alai into a new Lowes, the addition put on the Mall, two new hotels and the redevelopment of the old trailer park into a Barnes and Noble, and Walmart Plaza's.

These modern improvements are in fact very exciting, but some fear that not enough emphasis is being placed on restoring Milford's historic architecture. Thankfully, and much to the credit of the voters that message was heard "loud and clear" and now provisions and safeguards have been put in place to make sure Milford's History is carefully preserved and protected.

Many thanks to all those people who have worked so hard to improve Milford, I sincerely hope that everyone's energy, investment and drive continue long into the future. Milford, through this kind of "Incrementalism" can improve its place on the coastline, and become the model for a modern metropolis.

As a final note I would also like to mention that the progress being incrementally made here in town is in fact wonderful. However, as the economy continues to "wind down," and the state grants arrive to their conclusion, it will be up to our city business leaders and elected officials to maintain what has been built and to continue to do so into that turbulent future.

Milford Moves To Abate Blighted Properties

A "clear path'' for handling blight complaints was unveiled Monday by Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr.

The proposed ordinance drafted by City Attorney Win Smith at the mayor's request would put the Health Department at the center of what until now has been a fragmented process.

The city's health director, Dr. A. Dennis McBride, will have the role of anti-blight officer, and residents' complaints would be made to that department.

The Health Department already coordinates several initiatives designed to ensure safe housing conditions, "and it makes sense to keep this there,'' Richetelli said.

The mayor has in the past maintained that the city doesn't need an anti-blight ordinance because existing laws address the problem. "What has changed is the economy,'' he said Monday afternoon.

"We're seeing more dilapidated properties, even more complaints about high grass,'' the mayor said. "We've been handling them from this office and forwarding them to agencies with code-enforcement authority.'' The proposed ordinance includes an appeal process, including the opportunity for property owners to bring the matter to court.

Members of the Economic Development Commission last month agreed to work toward a better-coordinated process for addressing blight, noting the lack of a centralized complaint office.

The commission is chaired by Genevieve Salvatore, a Democratic candidate for mayor. Richetelli said he was unaware of that effort when he advanced his proposal.

"I prefer to get things done," the mayor said. Two run-down and hazardous houses, one on East Broadway and the other on Village Road, were torn down by the city this year, and a Benham Avenue property was repaired, with the city filing a lien for repayment.

The Board of Aldermen will have the proposed ordinance in time for its Aug. 3 meeting, officials said.

Salvatore said that she is "glad that the mayor has finally seen the importance of this issue. The EDC recognized that blight was concerning Milford citizens some time ago."

ORIGINAL ARTICLE BY FRANK JULIANO CLICK HERE

"Czar's" in Milford Are a Communist Concept

This is no joke, I picked up the Connecticut post today and there it was talk of a "Blight Czar." The first thing I thought of was the record number "Czars" that are now embedded into the Obama administration.

Just so we are clear here the word Czar means a Communist Russian "Emperor or King." Americas longest serving Democratic Congressman Rep. Byrd wrote a letter to Pres. Obama concerned that the record 18 czars in his administration represent a hazard that "can threaten the Constitutional system of checks and balances."

We do not need to start that outrageous practice here in Milford. The thought of letting future Mayors appoint PAID Czars outside the confirmation of the board of alderman, or without the consent of the governed, are far outside the principles of our Democratic Republic. Personally I heard these blight complaints about a year ago when I was out and about campaigning in the 118th district, some are reasonable and valid, others are mean spirited and an act of revenge against a neighbor. I also met people who were concerned with blighted commercial properties and wanted something done to improve them. I suppose with much heavy industry and commercial property in trouble, some ideas are ready to be put on the table.

What remains unclear to me is what exactly constitutes a "blighted property." If the definition extends to people who forgo home repairs in lieu of having a place to live, or a widow whose husband is no longer living to make home repairs, than no thanks on pursuing this idea.

However, if this idea is directed at abandoned properties and properties that pose a danger (such as a fire, structural, or intrusion hazard) that can harm others, than I agree. Certainly our town has a zoning and planning board, zoning enforcement board, and an office of Community and Economic Development. Milford also has a the additional Devon Revitalization Committee and as well as several other venues not mentioned to improve the look of our community.

The thought of appointing a Plight "Emperor or King" is funny and yet repulsive. Perhaps Milford's elected officials should focus on applying local laws without the imposition of tyrannical Communist Style "Czars." If you are wondering what a Communist "Czar" looks like see the above photo. (Save the bulldozer)