Taxpayers Vs. Cost Of Education

There is a squabble going on in town over the cost of education, inflation, and the restoration of missing money from the school system that left many teachers, students, and residents, disappointed with the 2009 budget.

Last election the taxpayers, elected a board of Alderman, that promised to keep our town taxes low, while teachers were surprised when the budget fell short a couple of million dollars. The new Superintendent, Harvey Polansky said to the Board of Alderman to "restore the funds" and that he did not take the new job of superintendent to "dismantle the school system." On the other hand Edward Tamas a local Milford native, has spearheaded a taxpayer group that told the Board Of Alderman that if they give Polansky what he is demanding than he will lead a "Recall" mission to hold the Alderman at their word... keeping our property taxes affordable.

The entire situation has only become more challenging, as towns and municipalities all over connecticut are desperately seeking money to fix gaps in their budgets limiting what the state can offer in aid. New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, you name it virtually every city is struggling, unless it be lower fairfield county and then things get at the very least "Rosier" for those towns that were able to maintain quality education with a low mill rate relative to their expensive real estate.

According to the CT Post "aldermanic Leaders do not feel threatened by the potential recall, said Minority Leader Vincent Ditchkus Jr., R-3. (referring to Tamas) It's his right to seek it, but a recall is not an easy process. And a special election would cost money. Has he thought of that?"

The energy and emotions are running hot as the blog boards show a very divisive battle over the town budget, petitions with thousands of signatures have been circulating to everyone including Milford's mayor Richetelli. Our leaders, most notably Jim Amann has resigned under a cloud of suspicion citing that he wants to focus on becomming Connecticuts next governor, a job that in the wake of Rell's high approval rating is a "longshot at best."

Rocco J. Frank Jr. a candidate for Jim Amman's seat said two things about the sad situation at city hall, he said "that the alderman and Amann "painted themselves into a corner" had Jim delivered the educational funds to Milford's schools like he did for St. Mary's Catholic school, and other pet projects, we would not have this mess on our hands. I believe that Jim understood how this mess could backfire on him, I believe he resigned to spare himself any potential embarrassment."

Frank also said that at this point "Milford should learn from this horrible mistake and setup a local "rainy day fund" so no more teachers ever have to be subjected to this kind of humiliation from the town Democrats and Republicans." Frank also said that successful towns do not diminish their school systems and neither should Milford.

Photo Above, of the now resigned Amann propping up his choice of a candidate, Former Miss Ct. a 25 year old recently unemployed airline stewardess.

Milford Republicans & Democrats Get Their Feathers Ruffled

This was a strong week of supportive articles for the Frank campaign, the most impressive being the one published today in the New Haven Register. Frank challenged the Register when they omitted his name, and like good quality journalism ought to be they responded with a new article acknowledging Rocco Frank as the front runner.

Frank who announced last august that he was running for state rep. is to date the only party endorsed candidate on the ballot. While both parties on the other hand are dealing with some major problems including their own strife in jockeying for their own party endorsements.

While their time is rapidly running out, and their candidates thus far appear to be very colorful, from Former Miss Connecticut, to local elected volunteers on the city council, Frank is marching toward community unity, and actively spending his days talking to local business owners, and encouraging the town youth to vote.

On the other hand the parties are demonstrating what appears to be concern over a three way race. According to today's Register article some feathers have been ruffled! The article states that no "final decision has been made. Smith said Frank has advocated for some “strange things” and he would think voters might have serious reservations about voting for him.

Republican Town Chairman Tom Jagodinski said Aldermanic Minority Leader Vincent Ditchkus Jr., R-3, and Alderwoman Judith Toohey, R-2, are interested in the seat, as are a few other unnamed candidates.

Jagodinski claimed even should Frank somehow win, he’d have a tough time working in Hartford and getting anything accomplished."

Frank has simply responded to this claim by saying, the parties are using the classic fear tactic of "the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know. I understand that change is a scary thing, but if we dare not try something new than the inhabitants of our town will continue to get the same old thing."

Frank trusts the intelligence of the very smart people of Milford to decide what they want for themselves, he has full faith and confidence in their ability to make a great decision on their own. Frank has called the remarks of the party bosses and or potential candidates as disappointing and expressive of their "ruffled feathers," perhaps "they think they own the parties, and elected positions are only exclusively reserved for their club members."

"In either case we will wait and see, and the voters will prevail with their choice of a candidate. I believe the voters will act as they always do and vote independently."