Wallingford GOP chairman guest on ‘Citizen Mike’

WALLINGFORD — Republican Town Committee Chairman Bob Prentice is a guest on the latest edition of the “Citizen Mike” public access TV show.

Former City Councilor Mike Brodinsky interviews Prentice about the Republican nominating convention for the U.S. Senate.

The show also features Brodinsky’s commentary on Town Council Chairman Bob Parisi’s handling of a possible council vote on approving the use of a portable stage during the Memorial Day Parade.

The show airs on cable Channel 18 today, Friday June 1, at 6:30 p.m.
and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 p.m.

FROM WALLINGFORD - Referendum? Hold your nose and vote

Originally published in the Record Journal Sunday August 28, 2011

As written by Mike Brodinsky

Some folks in Wallingford are circulating a petition, which, if signed by enough registered voters, would result in a referendum on the Council’s decision, by a divided vote, to approve 30-year leases for the privately-owned parking area in back of Simpson Court. Historically, the whole area in back of four buildings has been used for public parking, although only a portion of it has been leased to the Town. The proposed new leases, covering all the area, would enable the Town to build and maintain a new parking lot at an estimated cost of $500,000. Although money matters to everybody, the controversy is not so much about the amount being spent. The parking lot is a relatively modest project. The controversy is stoked more by principle than by costs.

You should sign the petition.

Your signature does not necessarily mean that you are against the project. Because public officials have done a terrible job explaining the details and proposed terms, many voters are confused and skeptical. You should sign the petition if you have any questions or doubts. A referendum buys more time to learn, so we can make an informed choice at the polls, before the decision is irrevocable.

Proponents of the new parking lot reasonably claim the deal will result in significant benefits. Because many people park behind Simpson Court, the town would install a spiffy new parking lot there, with 130 spaces for cars. The new lot probably wouldn’t add many extra spaces to what is there now, but it would help make the uptown area safer and more welcoming. People would experience this enhancement very personally just by parking. (Of course, they park there now, but it’s kind of depressing.) Finally, if the leases are not approved, what happens next? If this project doesn’t get completed soon, won’t the property look the same or worse for the foreseeable future? That’s not good for anybody.

Opponents, on the other hand, reasonably believe that the deal between the town and the owners of the properties is not balanced. They say the property owners are being unduly enriched, because, when the leases expire, Wallingford’s parking lot is theirs to keep. Moreover, as soon as the lot is built, the value of the private properties would go up. A new parking lot, built at the public’s expense, fully maintained and cared for by the town for 30 years, but available for a new owner’s tenants and customers, adds value. As a result, an owner should be able to sell his Simpson Court property for more money because of all the public funding. Wallingford wouldn’t be reimbursed one penny for its costs.

Opponents also suggest that if the town is going to spend money to provide improved parking, it should be spent for parking in the Wooding-Caplan area, across the street, which Wallingford already owns.

Who pays for the snowplowing and pavement repairs under the proposed leases? The town. How much more might it pay? How much less might the property owners pay? That has never been explained. Do the leases allow the property owners to claim any special parking privileges the general public would not have? Take a look at the leases. It’s revealing. Town Hall needs to be more clear about comparative maintenance costs, whether all parkers would be treated equally, and if not, why not. If there’s any doubt about these details, sign the petition to force disclosure of all the information you need.

While some are enthusiastic about the plan, others are adamantly opposed. Other voters like me are caught in the middle. They appreciate the benefits of the project, and are not offended by the costs. But they suspect that local officials could have negotiated a much better deal. Whichever way those people vote, it’s likely they will be holding their noses. It’s their Constitutional right to do that.

‘Citizen Mike’ to host local candidates for the upcoming November election

In the upcoming weeks on the public access Citizen Mike Show Mike Brodinsky will be interviewing candidates for the Town Council and Board of Education.

Brodinsky and Record-Journal Executive Editor Ralph Tomaselli also discuss the Simpson Court parking plan.

The show airs on cable Channel 18 at 9 p.m. every night, except Sunday. It can also be viewed on demand at wpaa.tv. Comments or suggestions can be sent to citizenmiketv@gmail.com.

If you can’t catch the show on TV you can catch it online on their Video On Demand page.

The next 'Citizen Mike' to address Mantzaris resignation, Wallingford Housing Authority and the American Legion Building

Former Wallingford Town Councilor Mike Brodinsky next "Citizen Mike" public access show discusses the recent resignation of Town Attorney Adam Mantzaris.

Additional topics include a discussion on whether Town Councilor Gerald Farrell Jr. will succeed Mantzaris, given his recent announcement of not planning to seek re-election to the Wallingford Town Council where he is currently Vice-Chair.

There is also a segment on the recent departure of Wallingford Housing Authority commissioner William Fischer as well as some discussion regarding the proposals to renovate the American Legion Building.

The show airs on cable Channel 18 at 9 p.m. every night, except Sunday and it is also available online on demand via http://www.wpaa.videoalive.com/#

The Citizen Mike Show – A discussion with Democrat Town Councilor, Vincent Testa

The Citizen Mike Show is on each night at 9PM except Sundays on Comcast channel 18 and on U-Verse channel 99.

The February 3rd episode, featuring his discussion with Democrat Town Councilor Vincent Testa, is now available on demand. I have it cross posted here and it is available on the WPAA VideoAlive page.

The episode presents Vincent Testa, Democrat Town Councilor and the topics discussed were Wallingford's Grand List and its decline this year for the first time in over 25 years, the mill rate and taxes here in Wallingford. Also discussed was the recent revaluation and the proposed Board of Education budget among other topics such as planning and zoning and ordinances.

It is a MUST watch for anyone that would like more information on all of the details on these topics.

Again – I HIGHLY recommend the Citizen Mike Show as “must see TV.”

Citizen Mike Returns – Episode 6 – Recent Arbitration story

The Citizen Mike Show is on each night at 9PM except Sundays on Comcast channel 18 and on U-Verse channel 99.

Episode 6 is now available on demand. I have it cross posted here and it is available on the WPAA VideoAlive page on demand.

The episode covers, in layman’s terms, the recent arbitration award that has handed down regarding Local 1326 of the International Association of Fire Fighters and Local 1183 of AFSCME and the process by which all of this was handled.

It is a MUST watch for anyone that would like more information on all of the details on how we have arrived to where we are today and the simple way that this award can easily be paid for and handled within the current budget and without raising any immediate taxes.

As far as the future award for next year and years going forward – that will require planning and forethought and we as a town should get started on that now while we are still a year and a half out.

Again – I HIGHLY recommend the Citizen Mike Show as “must see TV”

VIDEO - Citizen Mike Show - Funding for the paramedics and the scale-back in paramedic coverage

This week on WPAA, at 9 p.m. every night except Sunday, the Citizen Mike Show returns with a talk about funding for the paramedics and the scale-back in paramedic coverage by the mayor in order to address an arbitration award.

Please tune in.

Next week, the show will cover the recent events at the Housing Authority.

As soon as this week’s show is available as video on demand I’ll get the link up here. In the meantime if you have Comcast it’ll be on Channel 18 and if you have U-Verse it is on Channel 99.

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

‘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.