Milford's Ungrateful Republican Remarks

Someone once told me that a paradox is something whose very presence poses a whole new set of problems. If there is any such thing in Milford it’s the two party system and the never ending need for each of them to find fault with one another; even when things go their way.

This evening I just read the article at the New Haven Register, and Republican Town Chair Tom Jagodinsky was angry with Gayle Slossberg because in his opinion "she did not come out soon enough against the Malloy budget." Tom felt that this delay was instrumental in why perhaps other state Senators were also not "persuaded to vote with Gayle."

Tom failed to mention that the Senate debated this issue in chambers for 10 Hours before anyone casted a single vote. Tom also failed to mention that every one of our local Democrat State Representatives in Milford voted against their respective parties. Gayle also had two of her Democratic colleagues vote with her in the Senate.

Aside from the fact that Gayle did a very brave and remarkable thing, you would think that the Milford Republican Party would be happy. Of course not because political parties are never about the consent of the governed and here in Milford what is more transparent than that. Tom Jagodinski's remarks that Gayle is somehow a terrible "game player" who should have exposed her vote sooner really needs to listen to her speak in the Senate PRIOR TO THE VOTE.

Gayle and every Democrat in our town should be praised and congratulated. From our newest freshman Kim Rose to the rest of the courageous legislators including Paul Davis and Dick Roy. They all acted Independently and responded to the consent of the governed. This is good leadership and Tom Jagodinski, and his caustic bitter remarks ought to be ignored because they are damaging. They are damaging not only to the Republican Party in Milford but to the Independent progress the people of our community demand of our leaders. The people of Milford elect their leaders to vote their Wishes, not the REPUBLICAN PARTY OR DEMOCRATIC PARTY WISHES!

The people of Milford want free thinking independent Representative leaders. Both party leaders always complain over the "hive" votes. They always point to "sock puppet" candidates and all those things that ignore what is best for all of us who live in Milford. Never will I say that I agree with all that the Democrats do, or all that the Republicans do, but on this one vote I do find it particularly upsetting that Jagodinsky has to be critical of Gayle Slossberg. He should just humble himself and be thankful she saw things his way.

Rocco J. Frank Jr.

MIP Chair

The Senate Debate will be posted here where you can hear Gayle Speak to the Senate.

Taxes To Rise $159.00 Per Avg. House

Taxes on the typical home in Milford will rise $159 next year under the 2010-11 budget plan the Milford Board of Aldermen adopted Monday night.

The typical home is described as a Cape or raised ranch, valued at $337,900.

Taxes on that typical home were expected to rise $160 next year before the aldermen wrangled several hours Monday night, adjusting the city-wide spending plan by about $457,000, which included about $100,000 in Democrat-proposed reductions and other adjustments throughout the budget.

The new $175.5 million budget will produce a tax rate of 28.44 mills, up from the current rate of 27.50 mills. The mill rate represents the amount of taxes property owners pay for each $1,000 in assessed property value.

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Budget Cuts In Education Fills House, Simon Lake On Cutting Block

Last night at 7:00P.M. Acting Superintendent of schools Cummings, put on a public presentation to an auditorium filled with with parents. Usually these events are at city hall, but this year there was so much anxiety over over kids being affected with moves, busing issues, mega schools and the like the event had to be put into the auditorium.

Sadly I arrived a little late, and for the first time in my memory I was told by the Fire Marshall "the auditorium is full you must go upstairs to the overflow area." The overflow area had about 20 people there, and after Mr. Cummings presentation I was able to gain access to the auditorium where Steve filmed some of the highlights of the meeting.

In attendance were all the major media networks, all the local papers and about 1,000 people from our community most of which were teachers, community leaders and parents. The tone of the audience was mostly directed to the Board of Education who was on-stage taking public questions.

The general public balked at the continuous problem of year after year cuts in the school system due to the education budget going up each year. Some parents just wanted stability for their kids and felt the school board was not doing enough to deliver on the promises they made during their campaigns.

Mark Stapleton said "that the Board of Education is at the Mercy of the Board of Alderman and can only work with the money they approve," he directed the audience to "take their concerns to the Board of Finance and the Board of Alderman to have the funds restored."

Under the present budget Mr. Cummings recommended his Fourth proposal that would result in closing Simon Lake School. This notion, or idea irked many kids and parents who said they "loved" their neighborhood school.

Acting Superintendent Cummings assured the audience that despite the closing he would ensure that "AP classes would not suffer.. and overall class sizes for all students would not be significantly affected" but warned that any "further cuts by the board of finance would negatively impact teacher jobs and the quality of education in Milford."

The video below is some of the highlights filmed by Steve Borer of the Milford Independent Party.



Some asked for my thoughts so here they are...

Milford's Grand List Grows By One Percent

The grand list, or the value of everything taxable in Milford has grown by One Percent. I suppose Mayor Richetelli is correct that this is great news, but I also suppose the impact of it is for you to decide.

To put this into perspective Milford will get an additional 1.5 Million in revenue to offset your tax bill this year. Most of this increase is from the Devon Power station, and improvements not to the city's belabored real estate values, but rather accredited to heavy industry moving into our city.

The funds collected for our towns budget, is usually in excess of 150 Million. However, just in education alone we spend over 100 Million of that money. To make matters more challenging our schools need an additional 100 million in improvements.

Add inflation, unemployment, increased taxation, and a wasteful government and the picture becomes clearer as to why 1.5 Million is the equivalent of a cup of coffee in the schema of of Republican spend thrift politics.

This issue was best described by Thomas Beirne, a former Republican now shunned for daring to challenge the liberalism in the Republican Party. Byrne a former RTC member, wrote the following letter to the Ct Post challenging his party to be more conservative.

Beirne States:

The chairman of the Milford Republican town committee was quoted as saying I had “betrayed” the MRTC when in fact it is the MRTC that has betrayed the basic principle of the Republican Party, fiscal responsibility. In the past 10 years during which the mayor’s office was held by a Republican, the taxes we all pay went from $94.7 million in 1999 to $142.9 million in 2009. Our tax burden increased by $48 million, a 51 percent increase. This increase was needed to pay for the spending increase which went from $114.1 million in 1999 to $172.8 million in 2009. Spending increased by $59 million, a 51 percent increase.

What does the future hold for us? Check out the June 30, 2009, financials (www. ci.milford.ct.us).

Net assets for governmental activities decreased by 4.9 percent ($141.3 million to $148.6 million). Governmental funds had a combined deficit fund balance of $19.8 million, which is larger than last year’s deficit of $12.9 million.

What do all these numbers mean? Answer: Milford is spending our money faster than they can take it from us.

Some thoughts, to consider this budget season when addressing the city's needs vs. wants and why you are struggling to pay the tax on your home. We get the government you vote for and sadly the mayor wants to raise your taxes again.