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.

Gayle Slossberg Announces Senate Bid

Gayle Slossberg announced her Senate bid yesterday on the steps of the Milford Hospital. Gayle said she chose her venue based on the tax she opposed on Hospitals throughout Connecticut. Gayle said "the Milford Hospital like most hospitals and businesses in this recession is struggling, the Tax that Hartford wanted to levy would have cost Milford Hospital over One Million Dollars in new taxes, taxes that the sick would have had to pay." Gayle said that "a hospital that is already involved in closing units and laying off people should not have to deal with the added injury of new taxation."

Gayle alleged that the only thing that stood between the new tax and the wishes of the Senate was her "resolve to fight to the late hours of the evening and early morning making a case for its defeat." Gayle said that her efforts are the principal reason "the Hospital Tax failed to become law."

Gayle said that the coming years are going to be particularly difficult for the state of Connecticut, and she promised to "protect the middle class" from new and unwarranted taxation. Gayle also said that her approach to new bills is to look at each one as they come up, she does a "Cost Benefit Analysis" and makes her decisions based on what is best for the people of her district and Connecticut.

Gayle a mother of Three also said "she wants to build a Connecticut where kids can thrive and prosper and is committed in keeping our state affordable and attractive to businesses and students who want a good education."

Gayle was greeted by several members of the local press, party leaders from all three local political parties Republican, Democrat, and Independent and is cross endorsed by the Independent Party. Gayle has been a supporter and advocate of the Citizens Election Program of which encourages candidates to take a pledge to refuse PAC funding and encourages ordinary people to participate in politics.

Gayle's main opponent this year will be once again The Orange Town Attorney Vincent Marino who challenged her on her voting record last year. He was widely remembered for his conservative stance and the signs he peppered the streets of Milford with pointing to websites challenging Gayles record.

To read more at the NH Register click here

Milford Independent Town Committee Cross Endorses Sen. Gayle Slossberg

The Milford Independent party has found a friend in State Senator Gayle Slossberg. Gayle’s efforts to secure funding for third parties in Connecticut is the principle motivating factor in the aforesaid defacto endorsement by the MIP.

Gayle is one of the principal architects of the Citizens Election Program. This program delivers funds to third parties by way of disbursement of abandoned bank accounts. Gayle is bravely engaged in an epic battle against Republican State Chairman Chris Healy who is actively lobbying Hartford to scrap the CEP program.

The MITC is of the opinion that this years political climate is expected to be particularly difficult for Democratic contenders. The Milford Independents who traditionally yield 10% of the city vote, urges all our independent supporters to vote for Gayle in her bid to win re-election in the 2010 State senate race.

Gayle will appear on both the Democratic, and Independent lines this coming election. As such her votes will be combined and count in their aggregate hence making no difference in the outcome of this years election.

We sincerely hope that all Milford citizens, who like Gayle, but not the positions of state government, express their discontent by voting the Independent line this November.

According to Rocco Frank, the Milford Independent Town Committee Chairman, “too many people are voting at their mailbox, and as such we throw elections to those individuals who are not in the best interest of our community.”

This year we are asking the general public to vote for those candidates, like Gayle Slossberg, who have a record of serving Milford’s citizens and support the vital funding program enacted under the Citizens Election Program.

In Washington DC Today

Today was very busy, and productive. The day started in Waterbury where the Milford Independents Joined forces with several other towns around Connecticut and adopted a set of state rules for CT Central. This is the state branch of the Independent Party of which was fomented with the support of Ten other Independent town Committees in the state of Connecticut. The gathering was our first, and everyone was very excited to grow our ranks within the state.

The state Independent Party Announced a prominent First Selectman for the Gubernatorial seat, a candidate for the senate seat, and also other candidates for Congressional seats. Their names will be published as the election press releases are drafted and the candidates have had their opportunity to respond.

The Independents are still seeking candidates for Attorney General, Secretary of state, and other state posts. Anyone interested in running should contact me at my e-mail. Frank@mycomputerfox.com and I will get your credentials to State Central.

Moving on from Waterbury the day then continued on to the nations capitol Washington D.C. where several last ditch efforts are being made to collaborate efforts on some upcoming urgent political issues that I will talk about later.

My lovely step-daughter just spent several days at the U.S. capitol and is also on my agenda while down here. Meanwhile stay tuned, as I look forward to catching up on her lobbying efforts and discussing her experience with our National leaders.

The only notable item worth mentioning at this time is that our Senator Chris Dodd failed to attend a meeting that he agreed to be at. His cancellation arrived on the heels of insider trading by his staff and a new scandal that is further shaming the Democratic Party.

The Kids of the National Youth Leadership Conference were very upset and disappointed with Chris Dodd's failure to keep his promise to attend their meeting.

Spalthoff, Milford's Best Candidate For Mayor

Traditionally I have never really been in the practice of endorsing any candidates, but this year with so many great contenders I thought adding my personal opinion might benefit many of you out there who have not had time to do the research or watch the debate videos.

Hard as it is to believe the election is only a few days away, and soon thousands of Milfordites will be storming in the voting booths and voting for their candidates. To help ease the anxiety of looking at a voter card with a bunch of faceless names, I am going to give you my thoughts on each of the candidates.

Before I begin it is important for me to give you my disclaimer, currently I am on the ballot in the First district as the Independent candidate for the board of education. However, my views and opinions are based solely on my own research and personal attendance of the mayoral debates, personally speaking with every candidate, and reading what local newspapers represented about each of them.

My assessment is as Follows:

Genevieve Salvatore: She is a relatively new citizen here in Milford, and many people do not yet really know her very well. Genevieve serves on the Economic Development Commission and practices law here in town.

Genevieve won an overwhelming vote from her party over longtime resident Tim Chaucer and received the endorsement from our U.S. Representative Rosa Delauro. Salvatore was also recently endorsed by the New Haven Reigister over Incumbent Mayor Jim Richetelli.

Her views are very favorable toward a local green economy, and has pledged a policy of zero based budgeting to keep taxes affordable on our cities struggling people. These two views are also complimented by Spalthoff.

Problems I personally have with Ms. Salvatore is her newcomer status, but more grave than that is her friendship with Rosa Delauro and Chris Dodd. In the coming years Milford and the state of Connecticut are expected to have a challenging relationship with a failing federal government. Dodd was recently ostracized over his banking relationships and Delauro has been pushing a bill "The Food Modernization and Safety Act" that would put all our local farms under Corporate and Federal control.

The Democratic Party, has also been involved in the negative and misleading campaign that borders on the actions of an impish spectacle. Their theatrical engagement of the Republicans has not sat well with many people who are concerned about the issues in town.

For these reasons, and even though I think Genevieve is a stellar person, I will always have some discomfort over her parties negative influence, in tandem with her ability to challenge Federal Democratic leaders, especially in a crisis situation.

Jim Richetelli: Last Election I supported Richetelli and had a sign of his on my lawn. He has been our mayor for many terms, and in the past has done a great job in leading our city. Personally I would like to thank him and acknowledge up front all of the great work he has done. However, we vote in the present and we look to the future. The very fact that Jim lost the endorsement of the Register, a paper that endorsed him so many times before was a testament as to the political climate that exists today.

This year Jim has been called out time again over Taxes, educational cuts, historical preservation, business audits, absenteeism, and contract negotiations. Two of the three debates I have been to (in my opinion) have not been very favorable for Richetelli. (You are free to view them on this site just refer to the archives.)

The latest challenge our Mayor experienced was the Democrats and the Republicans engagement of an intensely negative campaign whereby voters are being deliberately confused and misinformed with negative information about their opponents.

Voters I believe have grown tired of this practice and just want to hear the issues and the facts. Jim being the incumbent has a terrific re-election advantage this year, but I personally believe that advantage has been diminished.

Tim Chaucer:Tim is a lifelong resident of Milford, he worked tirelessly trying to support and protect our cities historic properties and open space. Chaucer has been very critical of the destruction of the Cadley House, and the development of the property next to the Milford Library.

Personally I have spoke with Tim and found him to be a sincere person, however, in my opinion, he has a narrow view of interests in our town. Tim is also running as an "Unaffiliated" candidate since he lost the support of his primary political party to Genevieve Salvatore.

Tim took the loss in my view too easily, early on he struggled with the idea of a primary and then opted out instead of standing by his convictions that he was treated unfairly by his party.

Personally I found Chaucer to be a great person with much to offer Milford and even though I think he is the weakest candidate I sincerely hope that he stays involved and continues to fight along with us for what he believes in.

His views on open land purchasing, historic preservation and city planning are supported by all candidates across the board and we will need his expertise on future committees and at council meetings, should he not prevail.

Chaucer can certainly be a unifying force with his broad knowledge on keeping Milford's growth in harmony with our history. Personally I would look forward to Tim's continued involvement in those areas as his message was well received and he certainly proved himself as an asset to our city.

Peter Spalthoff: Peter is my personal favorite, not because he is an Independent but because of his selfless nature, investment in our community, and financial background in understanding debt, contracts, loans and financial instruments.

Of all the candidates in the running Peter has run a very ethical and honest campaign. Peter has pledged transparency in government, and adopted a policy that puts "people first." Every week new letters arrive to our local newspapers in support of Peter. His candidacy as an Independent has been larger than any that I remember in recent memory.

Peter also represents a realistic new choice for the growing number of people in town who have become despondent with the two party system. Peter's list of endorsements is also impressive, and he is the only mayor in CT to receive the official endorsement of the state Independent Party and the Independent American Party.

Peter's skills will be needed in the coming years especially with the 110 Million in financing that will be needed for our school improvements. Peter is also very open minded and works well with others. His most recent post in a political party was the chairman of the Republican Town Committee, but due to his own disappointment with the Republican party decided to reinvigorate the ranks of the Independents here in Milford.

When Peter Made his campaign announcement on the green early this year, he invoked the spirit of the late Charles Iovino. Iovino was the only Independent mayoral candidate in Connecticut's history to win a Mayoral election as a write in candidate.

Your vote this election will count more than before, and I personally hope you will lend that support to Peter Spalthoff My choice for this years Mayor.

Rocco J. Frank Jr.
Milford Daily Blog Contributor

The Milford Independent Party Celebrates Its Grand Opening With A Surprise Endorsement

The Milford Independent Party was standing room only at its 26 Broad Street location, the families and friends of all the candidates attended what was a very informative and spectacular event.

Most notable guests included a surprise visit from The Senior Agent of the Connecticut Independent Party Mike Terlesca. Mike Telesca, added the State Party endorsement of Peter Spalthoff to his already growing list of local endorsements.

Mike Telesca and the Independent Party Chairman rarely endorses candidates, but after getting to know Peter he drafted the following impressive letter below.

Mr. Peter Spalthoff
26 Broad Street
Milford, Ct 06460

Dear Peter,

As the state Agent of the Connecticut Independent Party, I am proud to have been part of Milford’s independent movement since the first meeting was held here at your office some six months ago.

It has been indeed an honor and a privilege to work and know an individual such as yourself who has found the hidden secrets of successful leadership. Your principle of “people not politics” is in fact an important principle that the Ct Independent Party tries to instill in all of its candidates.

Over the last several months we have taken the time to get to know who you are, and clearly without a doubt you are among the pillars of Milford Ct. Your past/present leadership positions as President or Chairman of so many local organizations and charities are an incredible testament to what kind of honorable and selfless individual you are.

While the Independent Party has endorsed many candidates, few rise to the level of commitment, professionalism and personal success that you have attained in your community. Therefore, it is my distinct honor to formally endorse you as our Independent candidate for Milford Mayor in the 2009 election cycle.

The Independent Party and all of its resources in your area will be encouraged to help you achieve an election victory come this November. In the meanwhile, feel free to count on our advisory board to assist you in any of your present/future campaign endeavors.


Sincerely;

Mike Telesca
Agent For Candidate Endorsement
CT Independent Party State Central

For those who do not know Mr. Telesca, he started the Independent Party in Waterbury Ct, and has gone on to win several local city positions for his party. Recently Mr. Teslesca was asked to consult for the state of Connecticut regarding the Green Party Lawsuit against the Citizens election campaign.

The Fledgling state program was remarkably impressed with Mr. Telesca because with his leadership last year he helped qualify the only 3rd. Party candidates in the state of Connecticut for public funding.

Mr. Telesca is a dynamo in the realm of third party politics in the state of Connecticut and his endorsement of Peter Spalthoff as the only Mayoral endorsement in the state of Connecticut is truly a great compliment to Peter.

The state party is now committing its resources to help Peter win this election come this November.

(Above Photo of Mike Telesca (L)and Peter Spalthoff (R))

Alan Jepson Retiring From City Clerk

There is no greater icon in town than our beloved city clerk Alan Jepson. For most of his life Jepson served the town of Milford in various offices, including the duty of our Mayor.

Jepsons retirement marks an end to over Twenty years of service as Milford's City Clerk. These memories are none the less fonder around this time of year, because on the 4Th of July Alan would dress the part of Uncle Sam at out town celebration and greet residents at the gazebo on the green. For the first time in many years the man under the beard and hat will be someone else, as Alan will not be doing it again.

Alan is at the age where he is ready for retirement, but those in the Independent Party here in Milford have stated that Jepsons retirement has also brought some challenges for those individuals who are seeking to replace him.

The job of City Clerk will be passed on, and some popular names are emerging as contenders for the post. The Democrats are expected to put up Currently Serving State Rep. Richard Roy. Roy, who has not formally announced he will retire from the the House if elected Clerk, has the option of holding both jobs. This will allow Roy to earn a salary estimated at $130,000.00 per year. This of course, also comes with benefits from the state as well as the city of Milford. This would make a Roy win a very lucrative proposition.

According to the Democrats, the position of City Clerk is "Settled" and they are expecting no Republican contender, this they indicated on their blog is the "tradition." Of course the blog post has been removed as of today, but none the less the allegation now stands and no known Republican contender exists yet.

The Independent Party in Milford, is questioning the the practice of "Cross Endorsements" and the practice of "holding multiple elected offices." Should someone like Dick Roy run for, and succeed in his bid for City Clerk the people of Milford could be denied the exclusivity of that office, instead sharing Mr. Roy with the state legislature if he fails to resign. The Independent Contender for City Clerk Michael Konopka has indicated he will give the people of Millford "110% of his attention," hence meeting the expectations of the job and the needs of the public.

This Democratic practice of "double dipping" was seen once before when Gubernatorial contender Jim Amann attempted to take a $120,000.00 job as the new CT House Speaker Donovan's assistant. This job was to be accomplished in tandem with his private sector job working as a fund raiser for a Charity and Running for Governor with the funds (3 Million Dollars) he expects to receive from a CEP grant.

Even though the city of Milford will miss our endeared City Clerk Alan Jepson, the voters need to be vigilant against the shenanigans of party politics here in town. The public pays the City Clerk very well for a reason. That reason has more to do with the fact that it is a full time job that demands a great deal of time and responsibility.

That responsibility also includes attending Board of Alderman meetings as Jepson did very well. Placing a person in this office, who also holds the job of a State Representative will surely find conflicts in his ability to attend the aldermanic meetings. This will also limit the amount of time he can spend at his desk in the Clerks office. The Clerk needs to be available to personally sign important documents, and this should be noted when discussion as to the individual candidates career choices arises and the condoning of absenteeism. They need not be the problem of Milford's Taxpayers.

Photo from Milford Rotary Website

Democrats Allege Cross Endorsements From Republicans

The following quote was published at the Milford Democrats website the issue comes up time and again in relation to "cross endorsements." We know a few short years ago the Republicans gave a DE-FACTO cross endorsement of Amann when they ran no one against him. We also know Milford Republicans and Democrats make deals with each other around election time. The Independent Party points these facts out all too well and the quotation below just proves yet again that there is a false "left-right" paradigm here in Milford.

Quoted Text

"The Milford Democratic Party will convene it's Convention at the glorious gold-domed City Hall to vote in the slate for this year's Municipal elections. Some incumbents, some new faces, all great Dems!

The 2009 campaign encompasses candidates for Mayor, Board of Aldermen, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Board and City Clerk. Traditionally, the position of City Clerk is cross-endorsed by the Republican Party, so that's settled.

All are welcome to join us at the Convention, although only Town Committee members will be permitted to vote."

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Update 7/7/09 From The Milford RTC Website

Republicans Will Not Cross-Endorse Kim Rose for City Clerk

"Milford Republicans will not be cross endorsing this year’s Democratic candidate for City Clerk. During the last few elections, Republicans did cross-endorse Alan Jepson but Mr. Jepson was a unique individual who had an outstanding record serving the city of Milford for many years and had conducted the affairs of his office in a truly non-partisan fashion. Republicans did what they felt was best for the city.

It appears that there are two possible Democratic candidates for City Clerk. No one has ever accused Kim Rose of being non-partisan and Dick Roy seems to view the office as a way to supplement his state pension. Mr. Roy may deserve thanks for his years of service in the state assembly but not a $71,443 a year golden parachute."