Carnival Comes To North Milford

August 21st-24th a carnival sponsored by the Knights of Columbus will be arriving at Christ The Redeemer Church on East Rutland Rd. in Milford. This carnival is a fundraiser aimed at helping defray the cost of a monument to be erected there.

The monument is part of a program called Project Moses, this project is the result of a Kansas courthouse barring a similar monument from the front of the courthouse in 2000. The court ruled that such monuments are a violation of church and state. The symbolism behind this project is none other than God's law as was biblically handed down to Moses. Many of theTen Commandments are the foundation of modern day law and this monument will serve as a reminder that there is a higher power watching over us, and even for those with conflicting views ought to be reminded that these laws apply to all good people who wish to live in an honest free world.

The fair will be a celebration aimed at celebrating and supporting the historical tenet of our forefathers, that we are "one nation under God." The Knights of Columbus will also be pursuing other churches, including Saint Mary's to erect the same or similar monuments.

For any non Christians out there who do not know what the Ten Commandments are they are certainly worth re-reading as they are the original foundation for law and order in virtually every nation on earth. Click HERE FOR THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

That aside, the event is expected to be a fun family festival with food rides and lots of great entertainment. The fest will cater to kids and adults of all ages and lots of vendors and gaming booths will be on hand to win prizes. This will be a much anticipated fun time not to be missed.

To get to the fair: (Northbound) Take exit 37 High Street, go left and proceed 1/2 mile to East Rutland church is 1/2 mile on right hand side.

To get to the fair: (Southbound) Take exit 39A proceed up post Rd. 1/2 mile to High Street (Corner of 7/11) Take a right proceed 3/4 mile to East Rutland. Church is 1/2 mile on Right.

State Rep Cafero "Legislature Unfriendly To Small Business."

Larry Cafero, Norwalk state Representative in a recent meeting with republican candidates has called the state legislature "unfriendly to small business."

In a partisan and divisive attack, Rep. Cafero blamed the house Democrats as the culprits behind the economic turmoil in our state. Cafero has claimed that our state legislature was rated "50Th out of 50" as the least friendly legislature to small business in America.

As a small business owner myself, I can certainly agree that there are challenges, but placing blame one single party is a stretch unless we exclude the Rowland era corruption and the accusations of bid rigging and beyond all over the state.

From my vantage point, and as a small business owner myself, I can personally attest that the problems I face are more to do with my customers struggling to make ends meet. While I, like most businesses do no not have a Beverly Hills elite clientele but rather the everyday middle class family people as my customers, charging a profit in the wake of fierce competition can hardly be blamed on any one single party let alone the Democrats.

What challenges small business in Connecticut is as simple as the cost of living, Food and Energy inflation and the availability of living wage jobs. Our state legislature certainly can make things easier by lowering the price of gas, but I assure you that if the energy price drops to that of New Jersey we will need tolls. Even in NJ where gas is cheap in the long run you pay more just through the aggregate taxation of tolls added to the cost of getting around.

With our legislative record now marred as the worst in America perhaps it is time to get serious about providing solutions and not blaming Democrats for political gain. When Cafero indicated in his July stump speech that he let the National Republicans define the scope and purpose of our state leaders, he admitted that their complacency and trust for their national party has become a problem.

The Republicans now are composed of less than 400,000 to the overwhelming 700,00 democrats in this state. Nothing however compares to the largest group of registered voters the "Unaffiliated" (Or as I believe the Independents) now registered to the tune of 800,000.

These numbers speak clearly to me about how the public feels toward the policies of the Republicans and the national agenda that Cafero wants to step away from. Cafero has good reason to try and reinvent the Republican Party in this state, he needs to take it back from the national leaders who have let the Bush Cheney legacy erode at the core of its scope and purpose.

The Republican party, as I remembered it was one that marked the progress and protections of the Constitution and kept the Republic of America strong. The Republicans were the precursor to the agenda of the upper class in America. Today we are struggling to maintain the integrity of the U.S. Constitution, we are debating things like freedom of speech as basic civil rights again. These were all policies imposed after 9/11 by the Republican administration.

In 2005 Bush called the constitution a "Goddamn piece of paper" and followed up with the Patriot act 1 & 2, started multiple wars with botched CIA intelligence and promoted the Anti-American agenda of the PNAC (Project for a new American Century). These are not to include the colossal bipartisan blunder of NAFTA, GAFTA and every other policy that allows for foreign invasion and export of jobs. Also, Illegal migrant workers were permitted leniency by both parties and are now the subject of angry debate not only in Connecticut but all over America.

How do we restore a sound macro-economy in connecticut when our biggest industry is weapons? Connectut makes Submarines, Helicopters, Satellites, Armaments, Radar, and yes of course gambling. Tradgically war is good for the state economy, however sad and frustrating this is to me Connecticut spoke again when our favorite war hawk Joe Lieberman was ousted from his own party. Our state is craving a peace industry, we do not desire to be a global supplyer of death merchandise and gambling.

Personally I respect Rep. Cafero, however I do not agree with his rhetoric that divides the parties rather than unites them. The problems we all face are not Republican or Democrat problems, they are Federal problems, they are global competition problems, energy problems, inflation problems and deficit in leadership problems. I know Mr. Cafero knows this, that is why I wrote this article today to take issue with his polarizing blame of something he clearly knows better on.

The answers to small business in Connecticut, is good Jobs, not just any job but good paying living wage jobs. Tax cuts for unemployed people do not help small business, nor does a little cheaper gas. What helps small business is for our kids and grand kids to have a future in which they can afford a home, a car, an education, and to go shopping. I cannot emphasize enough that jobs and living wage incomes is what this state needs and Connecticut should be focused on that, not blaming opponents for Connecticut's horrible record. Show me real solutions not blame!

Milford Oyster Fest Posts Huge Turnout Despite A Little Rain

The Milford Oyster festival was a huge success marked with much community involvement from a plethora of small business owners, arts and crafts vendors, rides, and political celebrities.

The most notable guest of this years festival, besides Foghat, was Jim Amann's 2010 opponent for governor Jody Rell. Some have clamored the irony of her guest appearance here in Milford but she was not short of company as local politicians, including our mayor and other candidates here in town, were "glued" to her as she travelled from booth to booth.

To our disappointment her entourage came within our vicinity and stared at the Independent Party booth. One of our volunteers Terri, said they looked rather perplexed, unsure what to do and ultimately walked passed us as if it was the right thing to do. Others disagreed and thank Gayle Slossberg who greeted us with her entire entourage with hugs for some of us who are her fans. I also would like to thank Richard Roy our state Representative from the 119Th who also was polite, introduced himself and engaged in positive friendly chat and Mike Brown who openly introduced himself and invited me to meet my Democratic opponent.

When I first embarked on this venture for state Rep. I called Jim Amann who said it was rather "odd" that I made a request to meet with him since I was in the running against him. His refusal to meet with me was even more strange in that he decided not to run shortly after the request was made. The reason that I add this point here is because at no time is my door closed to meeting with my opponents or anyone with ambitions of taking office. I have not met both my opponents but while I was out canvassing I did have the opportunity to present myself to my Republican contender.

My door is always open to any and all leaders I hold no allegiance to any party, I pay no favors to anyone. My beliefs and faith are in the values and integrity of good people, especially those who keep our best interests at heart.

Independent Party Now At Milford Oyster Festival.

Today's blog is just a reminder to come meet and greet the Brass and muscle behind the Independent Party of Ct. The number of "unaffiliated" or as we like to say "Independents" has swelled year after year and is now the largest party in the state.

Come visit our booth, booth 13, right next to the flagpole on the green. In attendenace will be Mike Telesca our state Independent party chairman, Rocco Frank 118th Candidate For Milford State Rep., and other notable Independents. The focus of this event will also be to provide a service of registering new voters, disseminating information about registration party options and also fundraising activities selling popcorn, and soft drinks.

Most All merchandise will be sold at the minimum allowable by festival rules $1.00. Please do not miss an opportunity to visit the Independent party as they are often not this omnipresent.

Hartford City Council OK's Immigration Ordinance

The city council staked its ground Monday in the immigration debate, unanimously approving an ordinance that bars police from inquiring about immigration status.

The ordinance, if signed by Mayor Eddie Perez, would prevent police from arresting or detaining anyone solely because immigration authorities had issued an administrative warrant for them, which is a civil matter.

The ordinance also prohibits other city employees from asking anyone seeking services about their immigration status.

Councilman Pedro E. Segarra called the decision "bold and courageous" and said he was impressed by the dozens of people in the city who spoke in favor of the proposal at a public hearing last month. There was no opposition.

Segarra said he did not support illegal immigration, but had to respond to the needs of people living in the city. He said that opponents who contacted him since the proposal received media attention lived in the suburbs or as far away as Texas.

"My responsibility as a council person is to the residents of Hartford," he said. "I'm not responsible for securing our borders. I'm not responsible for issuing visas."

Although Perez has said he supports the concept behind the ordinance, it is not clear whether he will sign it.

He has maintained that an order issued by Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts in March that said city police would not make immigration arrests unless there was also a criminal investigation was adequate.

In a letter to the council Monday, Perez expressed concern about "codifying standards for internal police matters in the city code."

Councilman Luis Cotto, who introduced the ordinance, said it was important to pass it so illegal immigrants could be confident they can cooperate with police in criminal investigations without fear of being deported.

Gerry Pleasent, a retired Hartford deputy police chief, opposed the ordinance, saying it was tantamount to usurping the role of the federal government.

"We cannot have each city running around implementing its own immigration ordinance," he said.

Author Contact: Mark Spencer at mspencer@courant.com.

Main Stream Issues Hit The Movies

Last night my friend Peter and I saw the movie Swing Vote at the Post Mall, this movie became our choice because we were looking for something different, something free from the Hollywood special effects and mayhem of tyranny vs. insanity. Looking at the reviews for the movie was a bit enticing as it was rated very highly by Hollywood.com, and as such I thought it would be a perfect match for our entertainment ambitions that evening.

Peter and I both saw and loved the film as it was a complete parody on mainstream reality, the growing surge in new Independent registered voters, confusion and the obsessive competitive nature of politics that trivializes the political process and gives apathy a reason to exist.

Kevin Costner, the main character, gave a stellar performance as a recently laid off worker in an egg plant. He is a single father raising his young daughter who is more serious about life than he is. Costner, who is "Bud" in the movie has a penchant for drinking that ultimatly causes him to lose his job. His co-workers, on the other hand, express their growing concern over what they describe as "insorcing" or the replacement of American workers with cheaper undocumented migrant workers.

The movie continues with his young daughter, pressing him to get serious about his "swing vote" his single irregular computer cast ballot that will now determine the next President of the United States a vote he personally did not cast but is afraid to say so out of fear that another felony on (Cosner "Bud") her father's record will land him in jail and her in a foster home.

The finale of the movie is "Bud" calling for a last debate where he reads questions from letters he recieves in the mail from countless American's. The first letter is a divisive question from a veteran asking the presidential candidates. "If America is the greatest nation on earth why is it that so few of us can afford to live here?"

UI "Shocks" Ratepayers With Another Jaw Dropping Increase Request!

Press Release From Yahoo Finance

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Connecticut utility United Illuminating files rate increase application with state regulators.

"NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- Electric utility The United Illuminating Co. has filed an application with Connecticut authorities seeking a rate increase.
If approved by the Department of Public Utility Control, electric bills for residential customers using 700 kilowatt-hours per month will rise by about $6.60 per month. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, says he will fight the increase.

United Illuminating says it understands that rising energy costs are creating difficulties for consumers, but the company needs to increase its electricity distribution rate because of higher expenses, lower sales and increased capital costs.

Blumenthal says UI must tighten its belt and make do with less.

UI serves more than 323,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas.

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In Summary UI alleges profits are up in some areas down in others and maintain that conservation and delinquent accounts are costing them dearly. UI has also indicated that customers are more hostile and are planning or considering a system that remotely shuts off non paying customers. This will save UI money by eliminating jobs, and avoiding their hostile customers, vicious dogs, and inaccessible meters.

Conference Call Second Quarter 2008. [Click HERE] Scroll to middle of audio clip for conference call to begin. It starts after the music on hold.

Special point to add to this "shocker" is that shortly after the DPUC got slammed with this UI request our Spanish owned gas provider got caught over charging Milford for gas. They are now being forced to give us some money back, up to $9.00 per month.