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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

VIDEO - 90th Assembly District - Voter Forum - Wallingford

GET INFORMED - GET INVOLVED - VOTE

VIDEO - 103rd Assembly District - Voter Forum - Wallingford

GET INFORMED - GET INVOLVED - VOTE

VIDEO - 85th Assembly District - Voter Forum - Wallingford

GET INFORMED - GET INVOLVED - VOTE

VIDEO - 86th Assembly District - Voter Forum - Wallingford

GET INFORMED - GET INVOLVED - VOTE

VIDEO - 34th State Senate District - Voter Forum - Wallingford

GET INFORMED - GET INVOLVED - VOTE

Secretary Bysiewicz Clarifies Law Prohibiting Campaigning Within 75 Feet of Polling Place on Election Day

- Statement -

Secretary Bysiewicz Clarifies Law Prohibiting Campaigning Within 75 Feet of Polling Place on Election Day

Hartford: Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz today issued the following memo to Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks in Connecticut regarding the Connecticut General Statutes Section 9-236 that prohibits campaigning within 75 feet of any polling place on Election Day.

TO:      All Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks

RE:       STATE LAW PROHIBITING CAMPAIGNING WITHIN 75 FEET OF POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY

Over the past few days, there have been several media reports suggesting that this office issued a directive to local election officials that voters who wear World Wrestling Entertainment (“WWE”)  t-shirts, hats or other apparel to the polls should be turned away from the polls.  These reports misstate the law and misconstrue the statements from this office. 

Section 9-236(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes states: “On the day of any primary, referendum or election, no person shall solicit in behalf of or in opposition to the candidacy of another or himself or in behalf of or in opposition to any question being submitted at the election or referendum, or loiter or peddle or offer any advertising matter, ballot or circular to another person within a radius of seventy-five feet of any outside entrance in use as an entry to any polling place or in any corridor, passageway or other approach leading from any such outside entrance to such polling place or in any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach….”

In applying this statute, this office has never issued a blanket prohibition or declaration prohibiting any particular type of apparel.  The only clothing, items or apparel prohibited by Section 9-236(a) are those that “solicit” for or against a candidate or ballot question.  Each local moderator must assess each situation on a case-by-case basis.  In past elections, this office has consistently recommended that voters wearing t-shirts bearing the likeness or campaign logo of candidates, be asked to button their jackets when other voters have complained. 

In preparing for this election, be advised that it is the position of this office that simply wearing WWE apparel at the polls, including apparel with the trade name or logo of the WWE or the name or photograph of any WWE entertainer that does not display the name or photograph of Linda McMahon, U.S. Senate candidate, or the name or logo of Ms. McMahon’s campaign does not trigger a violation of Section 9-236.   

Further, even when an individual is found to be wearing campaign material in violation of the 75 foot restrictions, they should never be told to leave the polls.  They should be simply asked to remove or cover the item or apparel in question.  Once this is accomplished, the individual should be allowed to vote.  Once the individual leaves the polls and is outside 75 feet, they are free to display their support for the candidate of their choice.

We hope that you find this helpful.  Of course, please call us if you’d like to discuss this further, and as always, we are available for consultation on Election Day.

Av Harris
Communications Director
Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz
(860) 509-6255 ofc
(860) 463-5939 cell
av.harris@ct.gov

Vince McMahon Sues Bysiewicz Over WWE Garb At Polls

World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Vince McMahon, the husband of U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon, on Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop local election workers from asking WWE fans to cover up their wrestling garb at the polls.

Vince McMahon, also president of the Connecticut-based wrestling empire, said he filed motions for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz from violating voters' free speech rights.

Bysiewicz, concerned the apparel could be considered political advertising because Linda McMahon was the company's CEO until last fall, has advised local registrars that they can ask people wearing WWE items to cover them up or return wearing something else if they feel it has become an issue.

State election law prevents political advertising within 75 feet of the polls.

Bysiewicz's spokesman, Av Harris, said last week that the secretary's directive does not mean voters wearing WWE items will be stopped from voting. He said the clothing issue will be handled on a case-by-case basis

Read the full story online on the Channel 3 Eyewitness News website Vince McMahon Sues Bysiewicz Over WWE Garb At Polls

Sunday, October 24, 2010

FROM WALLINGFORD - November 2 is Election Day

As published in the Record Journal on Sunday October 24, 2010

Jason Zandri

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Faithful readers have come to know that my big slant every election season is to get people out to vote. They know that the times in between I push the message “get informed, get involved.”

Is it enough to at least go out and “just vote”? Some might say that the mostly or totally uninformed should just stay home with those that are unwilling to vote as they cause more harm than good.

While I would much rather have an informed electorate, at the minimum I want an involved and interactive one. If the most you can do is go into the booth and “pull” your party line at least you’ve taken some action for yourself.

Get over the notion that your vote doesn’t matter.

Everything you do matters and that includes casting your vote on Election Day. It’s unfortunate that most of the people running for office for this election have leveraged heavily on the negative advertising tactics. While I cannot say I have seen all the ads, I can say I’ve seen many. I have only seen one to date that was straightforward and spoke of skill, ability, plan and direction and that didn’t tear down the other people running for that office.

I think that is something that most of our candidates misunderstand and it’s a lost opportunity to connect with their constituents.

Especially in times like these, where the economy is still in rough shape and the recovery is slow to take hold across all sectors, an opportunity presents itself to the candidates who wish to serve to reconnect with “Joe the Plummer” and offer some hope and positive direction.

Why did we as children look up to the likes of Superman and Joe DiMaggio? Because they were all we could hope to be and they were positive influences. In many cases they were all that we could never be but they were positive influences all the same.

Why do we as adults fixate on Hollywood and the rich and famous more so than on our neighbors down the street? Some of it is because of the allure of what we can’t have and for the most part could never hope to obtain (but we dream we could anyway). The rest of the reason why is because the rich and famous have prosperity and that is another of those positive things.

It’s true that folks enjoy nothing more than when some famous person of the day is caught up in a divorce, scandal or some other downfall because that makes them as human and every day as everyone else.

Much of what draws us to them in the first place is the potential of being successful and “having it good,” something sorely lacking with the current state of things for most everyday people.

When it comes time for us everyday people to consider our choices of who will govern for us for the next term it’s unfortunate that most of what is presented to us is negative information on the other candidate.

I am foolishly hoping that perhaps next year will be a better year for campaigns and that people running for office would focus their efforts on the positive side of things, things they believe they could accomplish in office rather than deciding how to showcase how their opponent is lacking the ability to do something.

Running for office is like applying for a job; if any of these folks went in to an employer “selling” themselves by saying what the other people for the position cannot do I doubt any of the lot would be hired.

Nothing important is easy and voting is important — we are going to have to wade through all the negative information and try to make informed choices.

We owe it to ourselves and to our families.

Get informed, get involved and vote on Election Day.

So what is the Citizen Mike show?

"Citizen Mike" is a locally produced new news and commentary television show that is available on Wallingford's public access Channel 18.

The show’s host is none other than former Democratic town councilor Michael Brodinsky.

Mike is planning to produce the show on a regular basis – each week at this point – and the show will be repeated each night at 9PM on WPAA on Comcast and on channel 99 on AT&T U-verse.

It is also available on demand, online on the WPAA Video Alive webpage titled - Wallingford Public Access Association
Community Media
for those of you without cable or with satellite TV.

I will also be cross posting links here on the blog as they are made available.

Citizen Mike Show -- Episode 1 – NOW ONLINE

Episode 1 - Citizen Mike Show. A local, public access production covering National, State and local issues. Local topics discussed in the episode include the recap of the September 14th Town Council review of the dioxin release from the Covnata Energy Plant in Wallingford.

There were some additional topics related to the statewide elections here in Connecticut as well as some races around the country. The repeal of "Don't Ask, don't tell" was also commented on.

Special Guests for this episode include Democrat candidate Denise Merrill and Republican Candidate Jerry Ferrell who are both running for Secretary of State in Connecticut . The visits were separately recorded so this was not a debate between the two but individual discussions on the issues as they saw them and their own platforms of how they are looking to address things and carry out their responsibilities to the office if elected.

See Episode 1 - Citizen Mike Show online

Get informed – get involved

Thursday, October 21, 2010

AGENDA – WALLINGFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

October 26, 2010

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

1. Opening Prayer – Father Gary Simone, Most Holy Trinity Church

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

2. Consider and Approve Appointment of James D. McManus to Pension Commission for a term effective immediately and expiring 12/31/2011 - Mayor

3. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Debra Buckman to the Wallingford Housing Authority as Tenant Commissioner for a five-year term effective immediately and expiring 10/31/15 – Robert F. Parisi, Chairman

4. Consent Agenda

4a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds (#326 - #427) totaling $16,380.45 Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

4b. Acceptance of Donation to Youth & Social Services Special Fund from Operation Fuel and Appropriation in the Amount of $147 to Donations Acct # 213-1042-070-7010 and to Expenditures Acct # 213-3070-600-6000 - Youth & Social Services

4c. Consider and Approve a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $188,000 to Outside Contractors Acct # 001-2005-101-1800 and to Charges for Current Services (Revenue) Acct # 001-1065-060-6020 – Police Chief

4d. Acceptance of 2010 Comprehensive DUI Enforcement Program Safety Grant and Appropriation in the Amount of $1,476 to Revenue Highway Safety Acct # 001-1050-050-5883 and to Police Overtime Acct # 001-2005-101-1400 – Police Chief

4e. Consider and Approve adding Hedge & Mattheis Company and W. H. Rose to 2010-2011 Bid Waiver list – Public Works

4f. Approve Adopting the Town Council Calendar of Meetings for 2011

5. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

6. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER

7. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6)(D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

8. Executive Session to discuss strategy and negotiation with respect to Collective Bargaining pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §1-200(2), §1-200(6)(B) and §1-225 (f) regarding Town of Wallingford and Local 1326, IAFF Interest Arbitration Award – Personnel

9. Executive Session to discuss strategy and negotiation with respect to Collective Bargaining pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §1-200(2), §1-200(6)(B) and §1-225 (f) regarding Town of Wallingford and Local AFSCME, Council 4, Local 1183 Interest Arbitration Award - Personnel

10. Discussion and Possible Action with regard to the Town of Wallingford and Local 1326, IAFF Interest Arbitration Award as discussed in Executive Session – Personnel

11. Discussion and Possible Action with regard to the Town of Wallingford and Local AFSCME, Council 4, Local 1183 Interest Arbitration Award as discussed in Executive Session – Personnel

12. Discussion and Possible Action regarding purchase of a site for the North Farms Volunteer Fire Station:

a. Approval of contract to purchase 864-866 North Farms Road

b. Approval of acquisition of the reversionary interest of Barnes Road Firehouse property – Mayor

13. Continuation of Housing Authority Discussion – Councilor Nick Economopoulos

14. Consider and Approve a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $2,120,000 to Structures & Improvements Acct # 433-9012-390 and to Appropriations from Major Capital Replacement Fund – Water Division

Thursday, October 14, 2010

FROM WALLINGFORD - Cost higher but choice is right

As published in the Record Journal on Sunday October 10, 2010

Jason Zandri

IMG_6621

Wallingford hired an architectural firm that specializes in public safety designs to do a feasibility study regarding the volunteer fire station on North Farms Road which is at its maximum functional capacity.

Should Wallingford utilize the property that it already has to address the current capacity issues but not necessarily address additional future growth? The town could do this and it would save some tax dollars currently in a tough economy but is it the best plan overall? Does it make sense to address additional expansion needs someday down the road when property and construction costs will be more expensive?

Should the town purchase the 11.2-acre Cichowski property at 866 North Farms Road and put the volunteer fire station there? This would be more costly but it does address current AND future expansion needs. The Town Council approved purchasing that property last September for $850,000, with an additional $154,000 budgeted for site cleanup. Building on North Farms Road would cost $6.6 million compared to about $5.2 million for building a new station on the current Barnes Road site.

Wallingford should purchase the Cichowski property and use it for this effort. There is plenty of housing stock in town right now for people that desire to buy an established home. I do not think we necessarily need more residential property developed for the type of housing that would go in that area. It would not be affordable housing; it would most likely be larger type homes.

I am not opposed to building more homes or trying to discourage further construction. On the contrary, I think that land owners should be allowed to do what they want with their land within the zoning regulations. I simply feel that as of right now there is adequate supply to meet the current demand.

Specific concerns of the residents in the area regarding this project should be taken into consideration as they will be directly affected. Any decisions then should be made after weighing that input and what is the best thing for the town in total.

Going the North Farms route will cost more. Wallingford is in a very good financial situation with a healthy budget balance and an excellent credit rating to bond out for this if that should be desired. Some people will point out that it makes sense to use the 1.78-acre Barnes Road site or another area in the industrial zone. That requires moving the Fire Department while new building is under construction and it doesn’t allow for future growth. That’s additional cost now and when expansion is again needed it will cost much more as costs will rise and we will not have planned properly for future growth.

Industrial land should be leveraged by private entities rather than the town. We talk about the concerns of taking residential property off the tax rolls for municipal use. Commercial and industrial properties bring in more tax revenue to the town than what residential properties do. They tend not to add additional burden to the tax base in the same ways. As an example, new residential construction tends to add net new families that can add to the costs of the education budget which is two thirds the total town budget.

A new firehouse is needed — the case for this has already been made and has been agreed upon; this will happen.

Decisions and actions on it call for smart planning and should allow for future Fire Department growth.

The Town Council and the administration needs to decide what’s the best total strategy and what is going to be the best return on investment for Wallingford taxpayers in the long run.

We should not be looking to save a dime today to only spend a dollar down the road. We need to make careful decisions that will minimize that future cost as much as possible while balancing the cost burden for today.

Friday, October 8, 2010

VIDEO - Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - SEPT 20, 2010

Since the mayor has given the order to stop providing the Town Council and other meetings online, I have decided that in light of fact that there are other towns coming online to do this that I will provide the meetings as I am able to.

It’s your town – get informed and get involved

Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - SEPT 20, 2010 - PART 1

Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - SEPT 20, 2010 - PART 2

Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - SEPT 20, 2010 - PART 3

VIDEO - Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - AUG 16, 2010

Since the mayor has given the order to stop providing the Town Council and other meetings online, I have decided that in light of fact that there are other towns coming online to do this that I will provide the meetings as I am able to.

It’s your town – get informed and get involved

Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - AUG 16, 2010

Thursday, October 7, 2010

VIDEO - Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - JULY 19, 2010

Since the mayor has given the order to stop providing the Town Council and other meetings online, I have decided that in light of fact that there are other towns coming online to do this that I will provide the meetings as I am able to.

It’s your town – get informed and get involved

Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - JULY 19, 2010

VIDEO - Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - JUNE 21, 2010

Since the mayor has given the order to stop providing the Town Council and other meetings online, I have decided that in light of fact that there are other towns coming online to do this that I will provide the meetings as I am able to.

It’s your town – get informed and get involved

Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals - JUNE 21, 2010

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

AGENDA - TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Town Council Chambers

October 12, 2010

6:30 P.M

AGENDA

1. Opening Prayer – Deacon Eugene Riotte, Most Holy Trinity Church

2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call

3. Consent Agenda

3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds (#275 - #325) totaling $16,488.71 Acct. # 001-1000-010-1170 - Tax Collector

3b. Consider and Approve Merit Review - Personnel

3c. Acceptance of Donation from the Wallingford Peer Advocates on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association – Connecticut chapter and Appropriation for Youth & Social Services Special Fund in the amount of $651 to Donations Acct # 213-1042- 070-7010 and to Expenditures Acct # 213-3070-600-6000 - Youth & Social Services

3d. Acceptance of Donation from the Wallingford Peer Advocates on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association – Connecticut chapter and Appropriation for Youth & Social Services Special Fund in the amount of $40 to Donations Acct # 213-1042- 070-7010 and to Expenditures Acct # 213-3070-600-6000 - Youth & Social Services

3e. Acceptance of Donation to Youth & Social Services Special Fund and Appropriation in the Amount of $20 to Donations Acct # 213-1042-070-7010 and to Expenditures Acct # 213-3070-600-6000 - Youth & Social Services

3f. Acceptance of Year 2 Firefighters Federal Grant 2009 in the amount of $15,000 and Appropriation to Federal Fire Act Grant Acct # 223-1050-050-5000 and to Volunteer Recruitment Acct # 223-2030-605-6000 – Fire Chief

3g. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver in the Amount of $7,800 for Volunteer Firemen’s Insurance Service (VFIS) Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Program – Fire Chief

3h. Consider and Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to make application to the State of Connecticut for an Hispanic Human Resources Development Program in the amount of $90,232 – Program Planning

3i. Consider and Approve an Agreement between the Town of Wallingford and the Spanish Community of Wallingford (SCOW) for an Hispanic Human Resources Development Program – Program Planning

3j. Consider and Approve the modification to existing lease between the town of Wallingford and the Community Day Care Center to extend the lease term from 2014 to May 17, 2021 and Authorize the Mayor to sign same – Corporation Counsel

3k. Approve Minutes of Special Town Council Meeting of August 17, 2010

3l. Approve Minutes of Regular Town Council Meeting of September 14, 2010

3m. Consider and approve a Transfer in the amount of $2,000 to Purchase Professional Services –Recycling Contract Acct # 001-5015-901-9021 from Purchase Professional Services – Waste and compost Acct # 001-5015-901-9022 – Public Works

4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda

5. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200(6)(B) of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding strategy and negotiations with respect to the pending matter of Vece v. DeMaio (Town of Wallingford) – Law Department

6. Motion to Consider and Approve the settlement of the pending litigation matter of Vece v. DeMaio (Town of Wallingford) as discussed in Executive Session – Law Department

7. PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER

8. Acceptance from the Rotary Club of Wallingford and the Wallingford Foundation of equipment and installation of said equipment for a low ropes training course in Bertini Park valued at $8,500 – Parks & Recreation

9. Discussion and Possible Action regarding choice of a site for the North Farms Fire House pursuant to the Fire House Feasibility Study – Fire Chief

10. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver for AT & T and Authorization for the Mayor to Execute Seven-Year Agreement with AT & T - Mayor

11. Discussion and questions for the Wallingford Housing Authority Commissioners – Councilor Nick Economopoulos

12. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200 (6)(D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor

Wallingford Emergency Shelter 2nd Annual Fundraising Banquet

Friday November 19, 2010 from 6PM to 11PM at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn

The cost for the dinner tickets is $40.00 per person and no tickets are going to be sold at the door

The order form for the tickets is below; you can click on the image to open the PDF to print it out.

image

You should make your check out to the Wallingford Emergency Shelter and mail it with the bottom portion of the print out to:

Wallingford Emergency Shelter
PO BOX 1747
Wallingford CT 06492

If there are any questions or additional follow up needed you can call 203 294 0102

Monday, October 4, 2010

VIDEO - Wallingford Planning and Zoning - SEPT 13, 2010

Since the mayor has given the order to stop providing the Town Council and other meetings online, I have decided that in light of fact that there are other towns coming online to do this that I will provide the meetings as I am able to.

It’s your town – get informed and get involved

Wallingford Planning and Zoning - SEPT 13, 2010 - PART 1

Wallingford Planning and Zoning - SEPT 13, 2010 - PART 2

Sunday, October 3, 2010

‘Citizen Mike’ to premiere in Wallingford

Brodinsky TV show takes on local topics

As published in the Record Journal Sunday October 3, 2010

By Eric Heredia
Record-Journal staff
eheredia@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2243

Follow all the news directly on the Record Journal Website for the most up to date information. www.myrecordjournal.com

Write a letter to the editor letters@record-journal.com

WALLINGFORD — A mysterious character runs up and down the streets of Wallingford, in the shadows of the night, searching for answers. He keeps his head in a large, black-hooded jacket, pulls out a flashlight and opens the door, plops down at his desk and finally reveals himself.

It’s ... Michael Brodinsky.

That’s the persona the former Democratic town councilor takes in the opening scene of “Citizen Mike,” his new news and commentary television show on Wallingford’s public access Channel 18.

He said the saxophone song that plays during the intro was supposed to resemble the “Pink Panther” theme song.
Brodinsky was working on the second episode Wednesday night, organizing notes and newspaper clippings for his commentary and copy editing text about next fiscal year’s budget that will go on the screen with the help of WPAA Production Manager Eric Schrader.

“Put the word million on the same line as the $626,” he told Schrader in the control room of the Wallingford Public Access Association’s new studio at 28 S. Orchard St.

WPAA Treasurer Curt Huizenga said the organization spent $215,000 to buy the building and about $35,000 on construction work that he hopes to have wrapped up by Nov. 1. It’s a big step up from the 500-square-foot galley space the station used to have around the corner on Center Street. He said the extra space will allow the board of directors to use the conference room on the first floor as the studio operates on the second floor without being on top of each other.

“It’s nice. It’s like having a brand new job, almost,” Schrader said. “It feels less like a tanning salon.”

Getting back to business, he rolled the black curtain behind Brodinsky’s desk, checked the camera angles and dipped back into the control room to start rolling.

In his opening commentary, Brodinsky addressed developments from the Town Council meeting Tuesday. He was frustrated that the cost study on building a new North Farms Volunteer Fire Department wasn’t available to town councilors before the meeting. Majority Leader Bob Parisi said that the study hadn’t been available until Monday. He added that he looks forward to seeing Brodinsky’s show and he’s sure he’ll do a good job.

Later on in his recording, Brodinsky read articles about Anthem Blue Cross recently seeking 39 percent rate hikes on 800,000 policy holders in California. Later on he interviewed state Rep. Steve Fontana, chairman of the General Assembly’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, who said that independent analysis shows that the costs required by the national health-care reform are much less than the requested increases.

Since the new law will require insurance companies to put 80 to 85 percent of the money they make from premiums directly into the actual care, the companies are pursuing profits by other means, such as excessive rate hikes.

Brodinsky spent several minutes discussing state House bill 5090, which would establish a new rate approval process for individual health insurance companies, HMOs and hospital and medical service corporations. The bill would increase the amount of time required before a new rate can go into effect, require the Insurance Department to post rate filings on its website, provide 30 days for public comment and require a public hearing on a proposed rate filing under certain circumstances. Fontana said the House passed the bill, but it never got a vote in the state Senate, adding that in the next session there might be more pressure to consider the legislation again. “If you’re not in it for that depth, then it’s not the show for you,” Brodinsky said, happy that he’ll get to talk about things that are important to him.

“Citizen Mike” will premiere Thursday at 9 p.m. and replay every night.