Lambasting Milford's Barbara Lambert

It has been nearly a year since our Freshman Representative has taken office in Hartford at the state capitol. Many folks have been asking me what she has been up to because there is nothing in the papers about her positions, no mention of how she is implementing her "plan" or how she is challenging "utilities" "taxes" and all the buzz she put in her mass mailed sales brochure. To be quite honest I personally have not seen or heard a thing about how she is serving Milford, not in the papers or in the news.

Today I googled her name, and I even visited her legislative website. It mentions she is on a labor committee, and some other trivial "hoopla" and the Google results just come up with a bunch of other self promoting party propaganda probably written by herself, kids, friends, and party bosses.

While she is off in space somewhere, Milford is in the process of having its school funding cut from the state, and yet I have not heard a mention that she somehow is for or against this. I and other parents, would like to know what Ms. Lambert (and our other representatives are doing)to save our school funding from the cutting board? Now that I am personally running for the board of ed I am going to voice my complaint here since she is basically MIA on all issues. Most people I speak with, especially those who voted for her along with Obama, do not even remember her or know who she is, but when I asked them how they voted they said all Democrat.

To cut to the chase on this one, I am personally very disappointed that Ms. Lambert does not seem to stand for anything, that she is making no effort to take a public stance in the papers to defend the things that are being taken from our town. The Courthouse Annex, green energy, the Boardwalk and now our schools are about to be shortchanged further. I think we need to ask Ms. Lambert "what exactly are you doing and why are you not standing up for our town?"

I am personally really disappointed that she is not fighting hard for us. Milford deserves better.

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SUMMARY OF MILFORD EDUCATIONAL CUTS
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Governor Rell's budget cuts would:

* Reduce many state education grants by 10% from their current funding level.

* Reduce special education service grants by 10% in all municipalities.

* Eliminate state funding for internet access, and filtering of "adult" content in all public libraries and K-12 schools in Connecticut.

* Eliminate or reduce by 40% the amount of state funding given to local health departments and health districts.

These cuts would come on top of other cuts in municipal aid or flat-funding of programs that our cities and towns rely on. The Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) grant, which is the largest portion of state aid for local education in Connecticut, would be flat-funded for the two year budget. In addition, other programs such as the PILOT (Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes) Grant, which helps cities and towns make up for tax losses for tax exempt properties such as state property, hospitals and universities, have been reduced as well. These cuts, along with elimination of funding for our libraries, will put a strain on our municipalities.

Two Teens Dead After Crash With Milford Cop

ORANGE -- Two local teenagers were killed in an early-morning crash on Route 1 when their car collided with a Milford police cruiser driven by an officer returning from helping West Haven police quell a disturbance.

The 3 a.m. crash, at the intersection of Dogwood Road, left David P. Servin, 19, of Sheldon Court, dead at the scene. The vehicle's other occupant, Ashlie M. Krakowski, 19, of Fernbrook Road, was extricated from the wreckage, but later pronounced dead at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven.

The driver of the Milford cruiser, Officer Jason Anderson, was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Anderson was returning to Milford from West Haven, where Milford officers had been dispatched to join police from area communities in assisting West Haven handle a disturbance.

His cruiser collided with the teens' vehicle, traveling in the opposite direction, when their vehicle made a left turn into the path of the patrol car, police said.

The accident is being investigated by State Police at the request of the Orange police chief.



Story Reprint From CT Post Online Edition

Milford Celebrates Captain Kid Day

June 13, 2009 10am to 5 pm rain or shine the event kicked off at Lisman Landing at Milford Harbor. Many youngsters were waiting for the arrival of the infamous Captain Kidd and his crew aboard the schooner, Quinnipiack at 10 AM this morning.

For over 300 years people of all ages have searched for Captain Kidd's treasure, some even believe it is buried right off Milford's coast on nearby Charles Island. On this day June 13Th, folks - young and old - from all over CT, came to discover that the treasure really is right here in Milford. That treasure, however metaphoric, is the smiles and joy this events brings to little pirate farers form all over.

The celebration of Captain Kidd and our local history is sponsored by the Downtown Milford Business Association of which boasts the state's best and largest scavenger hunt.

Participants were instructed to pick up a map and a booty bag and were directed to start following the clues. Those good at treasure hunting discovered the free treasure that has been "hidden" in local Milford businesses.

This event is Sponsored by The Milford Bank, Stonebridge Restaurant, 7 Seas Restaurant and participating DMBA member businesses.

For more information about future events email: lisacsb@gmail.com - 203-874-0115
The Official website is : http://www.downtownmilfordct.com/piratefestival.htm

Amann Still In Governors Race

Despite a passing mention that he had dropped out of the race for governor in this now-corrected New London Day editorial, a spokesman for former Speaker of the House James Amann said Monday that nothing could be further from the truth.

“Jim Amann for Governor 2010 is coming off a banner week and plans to be attending events all over the state this week as well,” wrote Patrick Scully, Amann’s communications director, in an emailed statement. “Jim has noticed the energy and momentum of the campaign is higher than ever.”

“As he moves forward in the coming months, there will be dozens of media appearances, fundraisers, town committee meetings, endorsements, (eventually debates when the others are done ‘exploring’) and just plain fun local events,” Scully said.

Scully’s statement goes on to say:

As fine a journalist as Morgan McGinley of The Day of New London is, he missed the mark badly on this one and started a political rumor—the type that spreads like wildfire. Ironically, the exact opposite of what Morgan wrote (that Amann has dropped out) is true. Jim Amann is the only declared candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor; the only one who has a headquarters open and operating. He knows Democrats want to nominate a candidate who can win the general election, not the same faces with the same results.

I wish, in the future, Morgan would give me a call. Fact-checking matters. I have been assured by an embarrassed editor at The Day that a correction will run in the print edition and online. They will also print my letter to the editor.

Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy and Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz have also set up exploratory committees to seek the Democratic nomination. Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell has an exploratory committee set up, but has not officially announced her intention to run for re-election.

CT Newsjunkie C. Stewart

Richetelli's Re-Election Would Cost Taxpayers Extra.

Amid these difficult times, and the already unprecedented jubilee over the "once in a lifetime tax decrease" more concern over a "bait and switch" sales tactic surfaces among my colleagues who are "in the know" of local Milford politics. Our current mayor, who now seeks yet another term appears to be "going for broke." Richetelli is seeking a fifth term that will qualify him for a life long pension at a substantial cost to the taxpayers.

While I do not not know the exact details of his personal pension related future monetary entitlements, I do know that it will cost our city extra money over the course of his lifetime, beginning upon his retirement. While many like myself supported Jim in the last election with a sign on my lawn, this time around I do not plan to because I am of the opinion that the cost of retaining him is going to add too much future debt to our city.

This opinion of mine is not because I think Jim is a bad person or did a terrible job, its actually to the contrary I think Jim was simply the best choice of the candidates Running last go around. This year is different, we have three other choices besides Jim including my personal favorite Peter Spalthoff who believes in the fundamental fairness of "people and not politics." He is also a selfless individual who has lived in Milford many years and has been a part of many of our local clubs and organizations and traditions. Peter is the only person I ever met who personally invested his own money in our community. I cannot really say that about any of the other candidates.

This year I simply urge all voters to make the best choice for our city and with tax increases and out of control spending being the current theme we may want to think twice about voting for a person who will add additional pension obligations to the city's already over burdened treasury. Jim, in my opinion is a great person who will qualify for a very high paying corporate job after his retirement from the city. We need not worry about him or his future should he fail in his bid for re-election.

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6/14/09 Correction and an addendum to this Post.

The previous title of this post alleged millions, perhaps that is true or perhaps its not I did have the opportunity to get some more imput about this opinion of mine of which is changed a bit due to some new updates.

As it was explained to me the Mayor Recieves 2.25% in pension benefits for each year he holds office. Jim, should he get re-elected to his fifth term would qualify for 10 Times the 2.25% or 22.5% of his $93,000.00 a year estimated salary. This amount would be due and payable upon his 60Th birthday and would be subject to the review of the Pension and Retirement board. This board, at their discretion, could agree to give him Cost of living adjustments to compensate for inflation or like scenarios that could diminish the purchasing power of his pension check.

Should the mayor collect his pension from 60-90 or 30 years, this sum would total Apx. $21,000.00 Times 30 or $630,000.00 without cost of living adjustments by the board. How much this figure grows is entirely up to the Pension and Retirement board and their willingness to increase his benefits in the future.

The ultimate amount could be a million or more, but this is really contingent on how many years the Mayor collects, how many increases he gets along the way, and any other unforseen additional expenses (such as continued health coverage)related to this debt obligation. This figure is pure speculation.

Update 6/27/2009

Quote from Brian McCredy NH Register

"The combined city and schools proposed budget is $170.8 million, compared to this year's $160.1 million, representing a 6.69 percent increase. The proposed budget basically keeps services at the same level. Fixed costs such as health insurance, electricity, contractual wages, pension contributions and workers compensation make up 91.2 percent of the increase."

LINK to full article

Milford's Churches Take Part In 1st Amendment Lawsuit

Friday, May 29, 2009, 3:00 p.m. – In United States District Court today, attorneys representing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport filed a lawsuit against officials of the State of Connecticut Office of State Ethics (OSE), seeking a court order to stop them from an unconstitutional application of state lobbying laws.

These officials are requiring the Diocese – and presumably all other organizations – to register as a lobbyist in order to engage in activities such as a rally at the State Capitol or using its website to encourage its members to contact their elected representatives. Application of the law in this manner would subject the First Amendment rights of Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and Freedom of Assembly to government oversight and penalties.

First Amendment Response

Bishop William E. Lori stated today, "Following the surprise introduction of Bill 1098, a proposal that singled out Catholic parishes and would have forced them to reorganize contrary to Church law and the First Amendment, our Diocese responded in the most natural, spontaneous, and frankly, American, of ways: we alerted our membership – in person and through our website; we encouraged them to exercise their free speech by contacting their elected representatives; and, we organized a rally at the State Capitol. How can this possibly be called lobbying?"

"This cannot possibly be what our Legislature had in mind when it sought to bring more transparency and oversight to a legislative process that has been corrupted by special interests and back-room deals. If it is, then it should shock the conscience of all citizens of the Constitution State," Bishop Lori added.

Background

On April 23, 2009, the Diocese received a letter from Thomas K. Jones, Ethics Enforcement Officer for the OSE, stating that it was "the subject of an Office of State Ethics evaluation," which was "being conducted to ascertain whether the Diocese had violated [Connecticut General Statutes Sections] 1-94, 1-95 and 1-96 by failing to register as a lobbyist in Connecticut, by failing to submit all other appropriate lobbyist filings, and by failing to follow all applicable registration procedures."

The OSE claims the Diocese acted as a "lobbyist" by: participating in a March 11, 2009, State Capitol rally against Raised Bill 1098 (the unconstitutional attempt to reorganize Catholic parishes contrary to Catholic teaching and tradition); making statements on its website urging its members to contact their elected representatives to oppose Raised Bill 1098; and making statements on its website urging its members to contact their legislators to oppose another bill, Raised Bill 899 (regarding same-sex marriage).

Taking Stands

"I certainly did not consider any of my or the Diocese’s activities in opposing Raised Bill 1098 and seeking religious-freedom amendments to Raised Bill 899 to be 'lobbying,'" Bishop Lori said in an affidavit filed in court today. "In undertaking those activities, the Diocese was merely defending itself from unconstitutional interference by the state. The Diocese was not seeking special treatment or financial advantages from the Connecticut legislature. Never did I imagine that our activities defending ourselves from a government attack on our right of religious self-governance would be met with another government action subjecting our Church to an ‘evaluation’ for those activities!"

"The Diocese is not a registered lobbyist and does not devote itself primarily to legislative or political matters," Bishop Lori continued. "Nonetheless, from time to time, the Diocese’s religious mission compels me and the pastors within the Diocese to take stands, consistent with our religious beliefs, on legislation that concerns the moral issues of the day, and to urge our parishioners to act on the basis of Church teachings. We communicate these messages to our parishioners through the Diocese’s website, in newsletters, at Mass and other religious services, and through a variety of other means."

Court Order

The Diocese maintains that a court order barring the OSE from applying the lobbying laws to the Diocese in this manner is essential to preserving its First Amendment rights.

"I believe the OSE’s extension of the lobbying laws to these activities will interfere with the Diocese's ability to mobilize its members and, if necessary, to urge them to rally at the Capitol, in the event the General Assembly again introduces legislation resembling Raised Bill 1098 or otherwise tries to interfere with the internal workings of the Diocese or its parishes or to attack the Church," Bishop Lori said.

"I believe that an order from the Court barring Mr. Jones and his colleagues at the OSE from applying the lobbying laws to the Diocese in this manner is necessary to enable the Diocese to continue to carry out its mission without fear of incurring civil penalties, exposure to possible criminal prosecution, burdensome administrative requirements, and intrusive oversight by the State," Bishop Lori concluded.

Flu Concern Curtails Foran Schedule

MILFORD - Joseph A. Foran High School will begin operating on a half-day schedule Wednesday until further notice as health officials try to minimize the threat of the H1N1 virus.

Officials said the school will start closing at noon to minimize time students spend togehter, after 12 youths in the past three days exhibited flu-like symptoms, which the Milford Health Department is referring to as influenza-like illness.

Affected students have been tested for swine flu, though results take a few days to confirm, said city Health Director Dr. A. Dennis McBride.

If more students become ill, it is possible the school could be shut down for a period of time, officials said, but that decision will be made on a day-by-day basis. Foran parents were notified Tuesday evening about the precautions through the city’s Connect-Ed telephone notification system, Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. said.

"Though we do not have a confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza A virus at this time, we are implementing these measures proactively to decrease contact among children and to limit the spread of infection. This strategy provides a way to protect the health of the students & staff while minimizing the impact on their education," McBride said.

Foran students will arrive at school Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. and be sent home at noon with no lunch period in an effort to keep large groups of students from congregating and lower the risk of transmitting the flu. The Health Department is not otherwise prohibiting use of the school building, McBride said.

Richetelli said officials hope the school will return to the normal full-day schedule next week, though it could happen as early as this week.

Richetelli said parents should visit Milford’s public school Web site, www.milforded.org for more information and another automated phone call regarding the schedule might go out.

Richetelli and McBride said there haven’t been reports at any other Milford schools of students with flu-like symptoms to cause concern or increased numbers of student absences.

School officials will ramp up cleaning the school."The mitigation strategy recommended by Dr. McBride is based on sound public health practice without hindering our education mission," said Superintendent of Schools

Harvey B. Polansky, in a prepared statement "The implementation of this strategy is necessary to decrease contact among our children thereby limiting the spread of infection."

Officials also advise parents to assume that the virus is present in the community and said anyone with underlying health conditions such as asthma or diabetes should take extra precaution and be monitored by a doctor.

Foran’s senior awards ceremony that had been scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday also is postponed.

By Susan Misur