Thursday, November 8, 2012
WALLINGFORD - Officials plan to resume discussions about Incentive Housing Zone
As published in the Record Journal Sunday November 4, 2012
By Laurie Rich Salerno
Record-Journal staff
lsalerno@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2235
Twitter:@LaurieSalernoRJ
WALLINGFORD - Though a November meeting on the topic was canceled, the Town Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission still plan to revisit the creation of an Incentive Housing Zone that could spur redevelopment in downtown Wallingford.
The Council announced at its Oct. 23 meeting that it had set a workshop with the Commission for Nov. 20, but it was canceled due to conflicts. The two groups are still working on a date, anticipating a meeting either late this year or just after the holidays.
Some town councilors are interested in discussing a plan, with some saying they were frustrated that the meeting was taking so long to put together.
Councilor John Sullivan, a Democrat, said he would like to discuss the plan quickly.
“I want what’s best for the town — that area right now probably needs a facelift,” Sullivan said. “I think we have a great opportunity here with the transportation systems already in place and with high speed rail coming in as well.”
Proposals for the Incentive Housing Zone have been around since early 2008, when former Town Planner Linda Bush presented the idea of creating an overlay zone for a 23.3-acre swath of downtown Wallingford that would allow the development of mixed-use commercial and high-density residential properties. Plans called for the zone to include Quinnipiac Street, North Cherry Street, Hall Avenue, Meadow Street, North Colony and Center streets.
The zone would fall under an Office of Policy and Management program called Home Connecticut, which was approved in 2007 by the state legislature and would require the area to be 20 percent comprised of affordable housing. The state would pay $2,000 for each potential housing unit — 361 in Wallingford — and then another $2,000 for each unit that eventually is constructed.
Though the plans were initially approved by the Town Council in 2009 and submitted to OPM four times between April 2009 and July 2010, according to Acting Town Planner Kacie Costello, OPM did not have funding available for the program until the fall of 2010 — after a new council had been elected. That new council needed to reapprove the plan for it to be submitted, but instead deadlocked 4-4, and the Planning and Zoning Commission took the plan back for revision.
Though it has taken two years, Costello and commission members say the plan has never been off the table, and that they’ve been working on the project.
James Fitzsimmons, a Planning and Zoning commissioner, is a proponent of the plan — anything that brings affordable housing to downtown,he said. Fitzsimmons said he thought the zone could have the same effect as the Yalesville Limited Business District, which the town created through zoning about 20 years ago.
“I would compare it to what happened in Yalesville … it allowed more residential development, higher density. In the Yalesville area, you’ve seen an explosion over the years of condominiums and development,” Fitzsimmons said.
Some town councilors were more tentative in their interest in the plan.
“I like the concept,” said Councilor Vincent Cervoni, a Republican, but he added that he didn’t think the amount of money offered to the town would make a vast difference. He’d also like to see the town have more control over what is put there. Rather than a zone in which people can build by just complying with set-down regulations, he’d like builders to come to the town with projects and ask for permits.
“I’d like to see an overlay by special exception — because I think we should retain a little bit of control down there,” Cervoni said. “I’d hate to see it go the wrong way.”
Costello said the plans they’ll be presenting include changes from the original in an effort to address some of the concerns that have been voiced, such as Cervoni’s interest in having town approval over projects.
Though the requirements of the Home Program say there cannot be such a permitting process, Costello said the staff has spent time closely examining regulations so that they can put regulations in place “in a way that pre-addresses those issues.” Plans now also reflect a change in the accepted height of buildings — from four stories to three. Costello said the department was looking at the North Main Street and Center Street intersection, where “there are a number of three or even four-story buildings. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish.”
She said that although the town has approved a different site for its new train station to be built — on Parker Street, north of the current site between Quinnipiac and Hall Avenues — the planned zone at this juncture will not move.
File photos courtesy of the Record-Journal
The lot at 63 N. Cherry St., top, and the site of the old T-Bonz Bar & Grill at 28 Quinnipiac St., bottom, are properties being eyed in a proposed Incentive Housing Zone to aid the development of downtown Wallingford. Both photographs were taken on Jan. 29, 2008.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Wallingford – 2nd District numbers are in…. other numbers are coming
JOIN US FOR OUR ELECTION NIGHT PARTY!
The Italian-American Club
Libero Pensiero Mutual Aid Society
91 Dudley Avenue
Wallingford, CT
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
8:00PM - 10:00PM
The Wallingford Democrats are reviewing election results TONIGHT at the Libero Pensiero Mutual Aid Society (Italian-American Club)
JOIN US FOR OUR ELECTION NIGHT PARTY!
The Italian-American Club
Libero Pensiero Mutual Aid Society
91 Dudley Avenue
Wallingford, CT
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
8:00PM - 10:00PM
WALLINGFORD VOTING LOCATIONS FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2012
As published in the Record Journal Sunday November 4, 2012
Assembly District 85:
District 2: Stevens School gym, 18 Kondracki Lane.
District 3: Moses Y. Beach School gym, 340 N. Main St.
District 4: Dag Middle School gym, 106 Pond Hill Road. District 5: Cook Hill School gym, 57 Hall Road.
Assembly District 86:
District 1: Pond Hill School gym, 297 Pond Hill Road.
Assembly District 90:
District 7: Yalesville School cafeteria, 415 Church St. (Rte. 68). District 8: Senior Center, 238 Washington St.
District 9: Rock Hill School cafeteria, 911 Durham Road.
Assembly District 103:
District 6: Parker Farms School cafeteria, 30 Parker Farms Road.
Voter information: (203) 294-2125
Endorsed by the Record Journal - Obama for President
As published on Monday November 5, 2012
Winds of change were at our doorstep this week in the form of Hurricane Sandy and its powerful impact on daily lives of citizens along the eastern U.S. seaboard and beyond. To his considerable credit, President Barack Obama’s focus was on the well-being of the nation throughout, setting aside campaign appointments in favor of exercising strong leadership. (Quite unlike his counterpart, Republican former-President George Bush, who was woefully ill-prepared and unfocused with the advent of Hurricane Katrina — the lingering, baneful results of which have been acutely felt.) Appropriate, decisive action in such situations lends impetus, then, to central government’s integral function in American society.
Until the first of three debates, incumbent Democratic President Obama had been generally leading, sometimes by wide margins, in election polls over his challenger, Republican former-Governor Mitt Romney. Consensus solidly declared Romney victor of the first (with Obama seemingly detached from the spirit of this encounter). Thereafter, Obama rose like a Phoenix from the ashes of debate, setting the record straight while championing his cause persuasively in rounds two and three.
A president’s function is, however, not about debate but leadership — making profoundly difficult decisions (ones sometimes politically unpopular or even at odds within his own party). Such far reaching policies guide our nation in matters of war and peace, international policy, economic prosperity, as well as Americans’ health, general safety and well-being among significant, numerous considerations.
Chief among credential cornerstones for presidential elected office is overall consistency and steadfastness at the helm of governmental rule. These qualities Obama has demonstrated with well-reasoned aplomb even as Romney has been at sixes-and-sevens flip-flopping on issues from this season’s vitriolic Republican primary until the present.
Americans of varying political stripes, including members of his own Republican Party, rightly took umbrage with Romney over his recorded declaration that 47 percent of us are lazy slackers, mooching on the largess of government. This overt lack of caring for those relying on safety nets — including veterans, the permanently disabled, seniors on fixed incomes and those who simply can’t get or afford health care — should give voters pause.
Sorry, but, as Obama avers, returning to the Gilded Age is not the answer. Let’s not attempt to voucherize, privatize or systematically end beneficial safety net programs while enriching corporations and one-per-centers’ lavish tax breaks and accommodating loopholes. Instead, modify that which needs fixing by achieving fair, sustainable, humane, bipartisan compromise.
Obama’s impressive record includes: thwarting a potentially massive economic Depression and banking/financial system collapse (inherited from the previous Republican two-term administration), ending the Iraq war, saving America’s auto industry, strengthening international alliances while zeroing-in on terrorists, killing bin Laden, championing the cause of America’s health care and ending an absurd “don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy. By contrast, polls indicate that Romney’s “trust me” appeal to would-be voters is working, though bereft of policy specifics. It’s difficult to see how what he proffers will, in the practical, create 12 million jobs, or how not asking those exceedingly wealthy to do a little more will magically benefit America’s middle class and reduce deficits. It’s a quantum leap of illogic, far eclipsing Bush’s “fuzzy math,” as evidenced by Romney’s insistence that he can miraculously cut taxes, increase spending (especially military) yet achieve budget balance.
There exists an inexhaustible litany, vis-Ã -vis points of difference. For some, it’s pre-existent, deep-seated resentment that Obama won the White House. For others, it may be individual social liberal vs. conservative issues which drive a stake into the heart of productive discourse while generating electoral rancor and polarizing politics. Meeting half-way on the bridge of bipartisanship has all-but become a lost art of statesmanship.
It took years to create the mess Obama has been dealing with assiduously and painstakingly from day one in office. He admits freely to areas, especially jobs and the economy, needing improvement. Still, improving they are.
No human, no president is perfect. But Obama’s seasoned success and overall wise, thoughtful leadership coupled to his undeniable determination for excellence cause us to endorse him for a second term.
Monday, November 5, 2012
ENDORSEMENT–RECORD JOURNAL - Chris Murphy for U.S. Senate
AS PUBLISHED IN THE RECORD JOURNAL SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2012
The race between Democratic Congressman Chris Murphy and Republican super-wealthy businesswoman Linda McMahon for Connecticut’s U.S. Senate seat has drawn intense national attention. Its fate, along with a few other key senate races (such as the Massachusetts counterpart between incumbent Republican Senator Scott Brown and Democrat challenger Elizabeth Warren), could prove instrumental in shifting balance of Senate power from Democrat to Republican.
Voters in Connecticut have been bombarded with a relentless (if not shameless and baseless) snail mail assault against Murphy by McMahon in this tight race. (Murphy has estimated that McMahon, the former wrestling executive, will loan herself over $70 million before the campaign is over.) McMahon’s seemingly inexhaustible personal fortune may buy a blitzkrieg of negative advertising (the majority of which mentions nothing of her own platform) relative to Murphy’s modest repudiations, but it can’t buy her credentials. Connecticut’s prominent legislative seat demands a Senator with experience, bipartisan inclination and ability to relate to every-day constituents beyond token gestures and manufactured platitudes.
Regarding her foray into senatorial politics two years (when running against Democrat Richard Blumenthal), Providence Journal columnist Froma Harrop observed: “Linda McMahon poses in her campaign ads as a tweedy suburban matron. But she and her husband made their fortune on World Wrestling Entertainment, which traffics in steroids, dirty language, sex and violence . . . We’ve seen the video of husband Vince McMahon in the ring, ordering a female wrestler to disrobe, get on her knees and ‘bark like a dog.’ We’ve seen Linda herself kicking a man in the groin. That the couple named their yacht Sexy Bitch is an especially nice touch.”
If being super-wealthy confers McMahon’s self proclaimed but highly dubious job-creator status, voters may wish to question the type of employment in which she has engaged. Business acumen which might otherwise prove an asset in some circles doesn’t necessarily translate to senatorial firing power.
To his credit, Murphy doesn’t share McMahon’s trickle-down economics view and zeal for repealing or substantially diluting provisions in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act aimed at regulating Wall Street in the wake of the 2008 recession. While McMahon’s emphasis is on further corporate tax benefits while furthering those which principally benefit America’s rich, Murphy’s moderate approach would not attempt to undo legislation designed to spare us from the precipice of financial meltdown. (Recall the legacy handed to President Obama from Republicans upon his inauguration.) Likewise, McMahon has said she supports repealing the health care law, calling it a waste of money. Murphy and others have said that’s not the case and the law would provide portable health care coverage for millions (along with innumerable other benefits yet to be realized as implementation renders specious, politically-motivated arguments academic). If portions of the Affordable Care Act need refinement over time, so be it. As Murphy avers, repeal is not the answer.
Murphy’s four years in Congress do not make him a long-term insider. However, they have inculcated insight — credentials critical for consideration of international policy as well as pragmatic vis-Ã -vis advancing legislation aimed at improving the economy, jobs, infrastructure, energy and myriad policy discussions on Capitol Hill.
Unlike McMahon’s corporate “Smack Down” experience, wrestling with political issues and coming out the victor in many rounds is Murphy’s strong suit. We endorse Chris Murphy for U.S. Senate.
This week in Wallingford
As published in the Record Journal Monday November 5, 2012
WALLINGFORD — The Conservation Commission is set on Thursday to discuss ATV issues in the town’s open spaces and leased farmland.
Monday: No meetings scheduled.
Tuesday: No meetings scheduled.
Wednesday:
-- Personnel and Pension Appeals Board, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall, 45 S. Main St., Rm. 315
-- Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, 7 p.m. Town Hall, Auditorium.
Thursday:
-- Pension Commission, 3 p.m., Town Hall, Room 315
-- Conservation Commission, 7 p.m., Town Hall, Basement Conference Room.
Friday: No meetings scheduled.
WALLINGFORD — The Conservation Commission is set on Thursday to discuss ATV issues in the town’s open spaces and leased farmland.
Monday: No meetings scheduled.
Tuesday: No meetings scheduled.
Wednesday:
-- Personnel and Pension Appeals Board, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall, 45 S. Main St., Rm. 315
-- Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, 7 p.m. Town Hall, Auditorium.
Thursday:
-- Pension Commission, 3 p.m., Town Hall, Room 315
-- Conservation Commission, 7 p.m., Town Hall, Basement Conference Room.
Friday: No meetings scheduled.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
WALLINGFORD VOTING LOCATIONS FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2012
As published in the Record Journal Sunday November 4, 2012
Assembly District 85:
District 2: Stevens School gym, 18 Kondracki Lane.
District 3: Moses Y. Beach School gym, 340 N. Main St.
District 4: Dag Middle School gym, 106 Pond Hill Road. District 5: Cook Hill School gym, 57 Hall Road.
Assembly District 86:
District 1: Pond Hill School gym, 297 Pond Hill Road.
Assembly District 90:
District 7: Yalesville School cafeteria, 415 Church St. (Rte. 68). District 8: Senior Center, 238 Washington St.
District 9: Rock Hill School cafeteria, 911 Durham Road.
Assembly District 103:
District 6: Parker Farms School cafeteria, 30 Parker Farms Road.
Voter information: (203) 294-2125
Job growth in last pre-election reading
As published in the Record Journal on Saturday November 3, 2012
By Christopher S. Rugaber
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The United States added a solid 171,000 jobs in October, and more than a half-million Americans joined the work force, the latest signs that the uneven economic recovery is gaining strength once again.
In addition, more jobs were added in August and September than believed. But the unemployment rate inched up to 7.9 percent because not all those joining the work force found work, the government said Friday.
The report was the final snapshot of the economy before the presidential election.
“The economy is in a lot better shape than most people believe,” said Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors. “That sets us up for stronger growth next year no matter who is elected on Tuesday.”
A government survey of households found that 578,000 Americans joined the work force in October, the Labor Department said. Of those, 470,000 found work. The difference is why the unemployment rate rose from 7.8 percent in September.
Home prices are finally rising, and retailers and car companies this week reported stronger sales. Consumer confidence in October reached its highest point in almost five years, and stocks are within reach of record highs.
Big businesses are still cautious, partly because of slowing global demand for their goods. But the report found that they continued to add jobs in greater numbers than they did last spring.
A second government survey, of large companies and government agencies, yielded the 171,000 number. Companies added 184,000 jobs, the most since February, and federal, state and local governments cut 13,000.
The report was compiled before Superstorm Sandy struck the East Coast earlier this week and devastated many businesses. Some economists think the rebuilding in the Northeast will add to construction jobs in the months ahead.
The government also revised its data to show that 84,000 more jobs were added in August and September than previously estimated. August’s job gain was revised to192,000 from 142,000, and September’s to 148,000 from 114,000.
For the third time since the recovery from the Great Recession began in June 2009, the economy appears to be picking up momentum.
Since July, the economy has created an average of 173,000 jobs a month. That is up from an average of 67,000 a month from April through June.
The pickup in hiring suggests that businesses aren’t as worried as many analysts thought about the package of tax increases and spending cuts known as the “fiscal cliff” that will take effect unless Congress acts by Jan. 1.
Companies have cut back spending on computers, industrial machinery and other heavy equipment in recent months. That was seen by many economists as a sign of concern about the cliff and Europe’s economic deterioration.
But better consumer demand may be encouraging employers to hire more employees anyway. James Marple, an economist at TD Bank, said hiring could take off next year if the fiscal cliff is avoided.
“The fact that businesses are continuing to expand even with huge fiscal uncertainty means that once this cloud lifts, the pace of job creation has lots of room to accelerate,” he said. One big question is whether consumers will be able to keep spending enough to propel growth. Average hourly wages rose only 1.1 percent in the past 12 months, the slowest annual pace on records dating back to 1965.
But the economy has added 1.6 million jobs in 10 months this year. All those new paychecks mean more demand for goods and services, which should lead to more hiring. The country could enter what economists call a virtuous cycle, an escalating loop of hiring, more spending and still more hiring.
Politically, the report was more neutral. It allowed Obama to argue that the economy has added jobs for 25 consecutive months, since September 2010, and that the private sector has added jobs for 32 consecutive months, since February 2010.
The report allowed the Romney campaign, however, to argue that the unemployment rate will be higher on Election Day than it was on Inauguration Day in January2009, when it was 7.8 percent.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Steve Fontana Calls Out Opponent On False And Misleading Claims – 34th State Senate District Race
October 29, 2012
Steve Fontana Calls Out Opponent On False And Misleading Claims
Steve Fontana today called out his opponent, Len Fasano, for making false and misleading claims relating to Wallingford Electric in an effort to scare voters. “Len Fasano apparently has decided that his only chance of winning this election for State Senate is to make false and misleading claims about me,” Fontana said. “I don’t know how else to explain his decision, in a recent campaign mailing, to say something about me that he knows is simply not true.”
“His campaign mailer claims, without a shred of evidence, that I’ve taken some sort of position on Wallingford Electric’s autonomy. Len Fasano is simply wrong,” Fontana said. “I DO NOT support any changes in Wallingford Electric’s structure or governance and I’ve never said at any time that I do. I challenge Len Fasano to provide evidence to the contrary.”
“What’s more, people who've worked with me on energy issues, like State Representative Mary Mushinsky, know the truth: I think Wallingford Electric does an excellent job, should be independent and remain so,” Fontana added. “I’ve never made a statement otherwise and Len Fasano should know better.”
“By taking this route, Len Fasano has demonstrated an inability to be truthful with the voters at a critical juncture in this campaign, and I believe that they will take notice,” Fontana pointed out. “If you make claims in a campaign mailing that your opponent ‘wants’ or ‘believes’ something, you ought to be able to prove that he actually does. Len Fasano isn’t entitled to make claims about me by turning a position on one issue into a position on another issue. That’s just making stuff up in an effort to mislead voters before an election, and that’s exactly what Len
Fasano’s doing.”
Fontana concluded, “It’s too bad that Len Fasano’s campaign has sunken so low that he needs to make up things about me in an effort to scare people into voting for him. More than anything, voters want the facts on what we will do if they elect us, and we should be doing everything as candidates to provide them with those facts, rather than engage in last-minute scare tactics.”
Steve Fontana is running for State Senator for the 34th District, which includes all or part of the towns of Wallingford, East Haven, North Haven, and Durham. He served as North Haven’s State Representative from 1997 to 2011.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Call Steve Fontana at (203) 234-2240 for further information.
Candidate commentary -- Rebuild the middleclass -- Steve Fontana Connecticut 34th senatorial district
As published in the North Haven Citizen on Sunday October 28, 2012
Steve Fontana, Democrat, is a candidate for election to Connecticut’s 34th senatorial district, which represents the towns of North Haven, East Haven, Durham and Wallingford.
By Steve Fontana
Everywhere I go in Wallingford, East Haven, North Haven, and Durham, people tell me that their middleclass way of life is disappearing, and that they want their elected leaders to do something about it. I’m running for the State Senate because I will do just that – by starting to rebuild the middleclass.
To rebuild the middleclass, we can’t keep pursuing the same trickledown economic policies that have failed to pull us out of this recession. We have to go back to what we know works: investing in people and businesses, and giving them the ability and opportunity to succeed.
Here is my plan to start rebuilding the middleclass:
1. Make higher education more affordable: For many young people, joining the middleclass, or simply remaining in it, means being able to go to college. Unfortunately, skyrocketing costs, stagnant financial aid, and mounting debt are making it harder for them to pay for it.
We can make college more affordable by ensuring that every student has access to: (1) cooperative-education programs that combine classroom study with real-world experience; (2) three-year degrees that allow students to get their careers going more quickly; (3) online instruction that gives students more convenient classroom learning options; (4) college credit for knowledge and skills that students receive in nontraditional settings; (5) free or low-cost textbooks that reduce classroom expenses; (6) more spots in our state university system; and (7) college-business partnerships that connect students to companies with jobs.
2. Promote small-business job growth and rein in energy and healthcare costs: The keys to getting people back to work are: (A) stimulating demand by getting more discretionary income into consumers’ hands; (B) channeling capital to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and companies in emerging industries that will create good-paying jobs with benefits here in Connecticut; and (C) pursuing common-sense initiatives that will save everyone money, encourage more investment and foster sustainable economic growth.
We can get our economy going again if we: (1) reduce healthcare costs for small businesses by giving them access to the state health plan and developing better illness management; (2) reduce energy costs by having the state negotiate lower rates for all electric utility customers, and by allowing utilities to generate electricity competitively again; (3) establish a public-private infrastructure bank to invest in critical projects; (4) end wasteful corporate tax breaks, and “claw back” state aid from companies that ship jobs out of state or overseas; (5) help lower-income families make ends meet by indexing the minimum wage to inflation; and (6) help people refinance their mortgage at a lower interest rate.
3. Support family life and healthy communities: From buying a home to paying for college tuitions, hardworking parents are struggling to manage large amounts of debt, job insecurity, and, sometimes, health care issues. They want someone to make sure that their kids get the best education possible, and that help will be there for their family if they ever need it.
We can make it easier for them to focus on raising their family if we: (1) modernize aging school buildings; (2) allocate state education funding more equitably by requiring that the state’s education formula uses the most accurate, up-to-date information; and (3) improve insurance coverage for children who need expensive medical care.
4. Ensure seniors a more secure retirement: Families nearing retirement, and senior citizens already in retirement, rightly believe that being part of the middle class means being able to save enough money to retire, and then being able to afford to live on a fixed income once they retire.
We can improve seniors’ retirement security if we: (1) protect our current senior safety net from people who want to cut it; (2) pursue opportunities to reduce seniors’ energy and prescription drug costs; (3) promote senior-friendly affordable housing; and (4) develop portable retirement accounts to help working families save for retirement.
For more details, please visit stevefontana.com
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