Milford Democrats Dine on Lobster as Taxpayer "Hardship" Increases

This post is to express my disagreement for what amounts to Milford's Democrats alarming choices of candidates. While no disrespect is intended to any of their candidates personally, politically I must take issue and point out my concerns.

On the choice for Rep. Roy to run for city clerk as a "Retirement Job," as I understand it is perfectly legal for Mr. Roy to run for a second full time job, and collect a second government salary (this could also be in addition to extended healthcare benefits and also a lifelong state pension). This in my opinion is outrageous and Lambert's defense of it wrong. Roy's nomination directly usurps the job of City Clerk whereby absenteeism, retirement, profiteering and cronyism becomes the new hallmarks of a Milford City Clerk. While I personally deplore any politician working one set of hours for two full time salaries, I would hereby hope that Rep. Roy is ethical enough to immediately announce his resignation from the legislature if he is elected to the position of Town Clerk. I would also hope he takes the job seriously and not treat it as his "Retirement Nest Egg." This is the right thing to do.

Their other choice Ms. Salvatore, I cannot really say much, other than she is very new to our city. She, having lived here for such a short time, is a complete stranger to just about everybody I know. Personal comments about her to me, and on blogs, show grave concern that her ambitions and personal agenda will supersede any benefit to Milford.

The people in Milford need to remember that you get the government you vote for, and if anyone votes based on their "friendship" than know that your "friends" may disappoint you come tax time, school time, or when you need emergency services. Personally I support Peter Spalthoff and the Independent Party, however, I really do feel for Tim Chaucer who was "short changed" by his party. I personally wish him success in his primary because I believe he is more deserving of Milfords respect than Ms. Salvatore.

Tim Chaucer Demands Change In Milford

The city would look very different today if Tim Chaucer were running things.

In formally announcing his candidacy for mayor Monday evening, the Democrat listed several instances when his intervention -- even as a private citizen -- got large development plans rejected.

"When the current administration formulated plans to consolidate our two geographically balanced high schools, we formed Milford Citizens Against Mega Schools," he said during a rally on the City Hall steps.

"We showed how consolidating was not only a bad idea educationally, but would be more costly to the city taxpayer. We won the battle."

Chaucer said he opposed a proposal in the 1980s to reroute Gulf Street so that a developer and his daughter would have homes with a better view. "I am proud that we protected the beautiful vista from the Indian burial ground on Gulf Pond when elected officials did not have the city's best interests at heart."

The retired history teacher reminded the 15 supporters at the rally that the historic Merwin-Cadley homestead on Gulf Pond was torn down last year despite assurances by Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. that it would be saved. A developer paid less than the market value in exchange for a conservation easement that was to protect the property, Chaucer said.

The candidate said he opposed a plan to improve Eisenhower Park because it would have meant charging fees to residents to recoup the cost. "The park is there for
everyone to enjoy, for free," he said.

"And it certainly doesn't need $20 million of so-called improvements."

City officials were "asleep at the switch'' when the Langner property next to the library became available several years ago, Chaucer said.

"It was a park-like setting with black walnut trees, and it could have been acquired to add to the recreation complex next to it," he said. "Instead, there are condos on it now and parking at our ball fields is at a premium."

Chaucer said that he would foster open government by, among other measures, putting a logbook in the mayor's office that anyone could review. "It's transparency. We ought to know who our mayor is spending his time with." He'd also consider periodic public hearings on the operation of city departments and to hear residents' complaints.

The candidate admitted he faces an uphill battle at the Democratic nominating convention Wednesday night. Most party leaders seem to have promised their support to Genevieve Salvatore, currently the chairman of the Economic Development Commission. Chaucer would not rule out a primary.

Salvatore said, "It isn't surprising to me that there are more people interested in this race. Many people in Milford are dissatisfied with the status quo and we all agree that it is a good time for a change in leadership. While it's great that others are concerned about Milford's future, I am confident that I will be nominated by the Democratic Town Convention this week.

"I have a strong vision for our city's future and I believe that such vision, together with strong leadership, will be crucial for our success in November and beyond."

Richetelli said he is running on his eight-year record in office.

Peter Spalthoff, the Independent Party mayoral candidate, said, "Tim announcing that he is running for mayor simply goes to my belief that the citizens of Milford can only be the winners with more choices of candidates. There is no reason in the world why there should only be two candidates for the position."

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About Chaucer: Timothy Chaucer is the former chairman of the Milford Conservation Comission and a former elected member of the Milford Planning and Zoning Board. n He founded Milford Citizens Against Mega Schools several years ago to fight attempts to consolidate Jonathan Law and Joseph A. Foran high schools. n Chaucer has been program chairman for the Milford Historical Society for the past five years, and is nominating chairman for the Milford Preservation Trust. n He is the founder and director of the Milford Marine Institute Inc., which has educated more than 1,000 Milford children since 1983 about the value of salt marshes, woodlands, farmlands and meadows. n He is a retired high school and college instructor of American history, as well as criminal and civil law, and retains his state teaching certification

ORIGINAL ARTICLE BY FRANK JULIANO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peter L. Spalthoff

Independent Party Candidate for Mayor 2009

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.

Democrats Hold First Annual Awards Dinner

Democratic Town Chairman Richard Smith wasn't sure how long it had been since the Milford Democrats last held an awards dinner. He did remember, though, that he had won Young Democrat of the Year. The crowd laughed.

"I don't know why that's funny," he said into the microphone, smiling.

(l-r) Vito Casignoli, Richard Smith, Robert Berchem, and Michael Smith

The event at Aldario's marked a return to tradition for Milford's Democratic Party, and the well-attended dinner drew its share of powerful Democrats. State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo made an appearance, and former Speaker of the House, Milford resident, and gubernatorial candidate Jim Amann was the master of ceremonies for the night. Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and Mark Ojakian, Deputy Comptroller of the State of Connecticut (representing Nancy Wyman) were also in attendance.

State Representatives Paul Davis, Richard Roy, and Barbara Lambert were joined by State Senator Gayle Slossberg to present official citations to the award winners. Democratic Mayoral candidate Genevieve Salvatore was also in attendance and received a warm reception. Music was provided by Alderman Bob Nunno, bandleader at West Shore Middle School, and his brother, bassist Mike Nunno.

Michael Smith, a local party activist who recently battled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, was honored as the Young Democrat of the Year. Michael, diagnosed one year ago, is now cancer-free and planning to bike almost 300 miles to raise money for cancer research.

"Although we're calling it the Young Democrat award," Rich Smith said from the podium, "we had it engraved as a ‘Profile in Courage' award, because that's really what it is."

Vito Castignoli, longtime treasurer to Milford Democratic campaigns, was honored with a Lifetime Contribution Award. A tireless volunteer who never sought recognition for his work, it seemed an appropriate honor.

"The reward for a job well done is that you get to keep doing it." Castignoli said. "I hope I get to keep doing it for another twenty-seven years."

Finally, Attorney Robert Berchem was honored as the Democrat of the Year. Calling him a "Democrat's Democrat," Sen. Slossberg helped present the award. "If you're a Milford Democrat, there are certain people you have to go meet, that you have to go talk to. Bob Berchem is at the top of that list."

Rich Smith called the dinner a "success" and said he looked forward to doing it again next year.

Original Story Posted HERE

Milford Democrats Bash Richetelli

The Milford Democratic website appears to have more in common with a public "Rant" site targeting our mayor. While in no way to I attest to be for or against Richetelli I do find it odd that the Democrats are so focused on destroying our mayor rather than working with his administration to navigate these trying times.

Their focus appears to be directed at dethroning Richetelli and implementing their own character who undoubtedly will yield similar criticism (as all politicians inevitably do.) It is safe to say that criticism is just a hazard of the job, but be warned that the Democratic party in Milford is deceptive (They never criticize themselves).

Case in point, they have yet to denounce Obama's energy plan that would cause your electric bill to skyrocket. They instead campaigned on the premise that they somehow represent condemnation of UI. The duplicity and double talk became clear when the opportunity came to speak out. The DPUC offered public hearings, Milford's leadership was invited and yet not one single person from our town, besides myself and some members of the Independent party was in attendance.

The point here is not to institute a blame game, call Democrats Communists, and Republicans Fascists but rather allude to the fact that there are way too many stones being thrown in our glass house at the moment. Democrats and their blog need to stop bashing, and begin instituting workable solutions that engage teamwork with our mayor.

These issues certainly can be aired during campaign season when Richetelli is up for election again, but until then their efforts should be directed in using their current elected representatives in town to put their "money where their mouth is" not just point fingers and create the type of animosity that builds the very disdain and division that they do.

This is their website offering the excess accumulation of immature rants against our mayor, whom during his personal crisis they alleged to support. Yet now, in an act of brazen and cowardly hypocrisy "trash" him. Truly distasteful and despicable.

www.milforddemocrats.com

Obama's energy plan calling for electric rates to spike. Most Milford Democrats support Obama's energy plan just ask them.

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.