What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate

Mayor Stewart took time out after his "open office hours" this month to write a missive to local blogger Frank Smith thanking citizens for their ideas and offers of help and to again knock the Common Council -- the legislative body that he is charter-mandated to work with in running the city.

"I thank the citizens for keeping me engaged in this process and continually making it so rewarding in spite of the negativity I have to deal with twice a month from the Common Council," stated Stewart on the blog that now includes daily posts from the right-wing press and extremists trashing President Obama.

Stewart's complaint betrays his own responsibility and actions in contributing to the frosty relationship between the Democratic-controlled Council and the GOP Mayor. That frostiness continues during this difficult budget process as noted by Don Stacom in a June 10th Courant story, "Divided government is an extra obstacle for New Britain to overcome."

It's been a longstanding tradition at City Hall that the Mayor and Council leaders meet ahead of Council meetings to discuss the issues whether they're in agreement or not. That communication is important in a mayor-council form of government where both branches wield considerable power and both need each other to move the city forward.

According to Council leaders, however, Stewart has chosen to cancel or not show up for the vast majority of these "standing" leadership meetings. There are apparently no "office hours" on his calendar to engage in a dialogue that might serve to promote bipartisan agreement.

The mayor bears a good deal of the responsibility for these important talks not happening. It would be a good question to ask in this election cycle: how many meetings were held in this term between the Mayor and Council leaders?

In not communicating more often with the Council, Stewart has also shown a propensity to keep public matters under wraps, trying to do the city's business in an arbitrary manner that ignores the public's right to know and makes consensus impossible. A good example of this is the secrecy engaged in by the Stewart administration on downtown development discussions that led to a ruling against the Mayor in this term for violating the open meeting law. Stewart also resisted sharing information on the badly botched Fairview cemetery fence replacement project where the contractor was paid without finishing the job.

The Mayor's office is also notorious for putting a lid on City Hall departments when public information is sought by councillors or citizens.

Some observers may say that Stewart has to be on guard and keep his cards close to his vest all the time because of the dominance of Democrats (13 to 2) on the Council. That assumes, however, there is not an ounce of good will from Democrats and that the partisan divide will never be bridged. But voters, who've opted for divided government in recent elections, want and expect their elected officials to end the campaign the day after the election and govern without partisan sniping at every turn.

Politically, the Mayor has benefited from a "me against them" strategy; he may feel that partisanship is the winning strategy, even if that strategy is not always a good way to govern.

Communication is a two way street. What we have here is a failure to communicate on Stewart's part that is detrimental to his leadership and the city's business.

Barack O'Berry Soda, Pierogis and Politics Thursday (6/18) at Pulaski Democratic Club

The New Britain Democratic Town Committee will meet Thursday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Pulaski Democratic Club, 89 Grove Street to discuss municipal nominations and the stalemated state budget.The meeting will be preceeded by a "Pierogi Night" fundraising reception starting at 5:30 pm to benefit the DTC's 2009 Get Out the Vote activities. There is a suggested donation of $20 for the reception. Refreshments include Barack O'Berry soda from Avery's. All are welcome. For more information go to www.newbritaindemocrat.net.

Three Candidates Seek Endorsement for Town and City Clerk

Three Democrats, including two incumbent office holders, have announced their interest in becoming Town and City Clerk in 2009. The candidates include Peter J. Denuzze, the four-term incumbent who has been re-elected to the four-year post without opposition in past elections. Newcomer Angelo D' Alfonso is also seeking the endorsement. D'Alfonso, a business outreach coordinator for the local Chambers of Commerce, has long been active in the city's civic and fraternal organizations.

Joining the field this week is Alderman At Large Suzanne Bielinski, the Common Council President, who is the longest serving member of the city's Council.

The DTC's nominations committee is currently gathering information on candidates for city office as part of endorsements which will be made by Democrats on July 23rd.

DTC Chairman John McNamara urged all prospective candidates to contact the committee by July 1. Besides town clerk, the DTC will be endorsing candidates for Mayor, Tax Collector, City Council, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeal and Constable. Information available at www.newbritaindemocrat.net or by emailing newbritaindemocrat@gmail.com

Rell's Proposed Budget Cuts Opposed at DMV: Lawmakers Assess Damage To New Britain In GOP Budget

Residents and elected officials turned up at New Britain's DMV office last Saturday to oppose Governor Rell's proposal to close the office, which is one of the busiest in the state. House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) was joined by State Reps. Betty Boukus (D-22) John Geragosian (D-25), Tim O'Brien (D-24) and Peter Tercyak (D-26) with speakers from the local muffler repair shop owner to Donovan saying the closing doesn't make sense.

The stalemate continues on the state budget two weeks from the end of the fiscal year. Speaker Donovan indicated over the weekend that his Chamber may move ahead and adopt a budget with the Governor continuing to sit out negotiations.

New Britain lawmakers have sharply criticized Rell's plan this month for "budget cuts that will drastically and negatively effect New Britain’s families and small businesses. In a joint statement Democrats called GOP cuts "irresponsible and unconscionable", because the governor "has sought to balance the state’s multi-billion-dollar deficit on the backs of poor children, senior citizens and working families struggling to get by in difficult times."

Besides the DMV closing, Rell is proposing a a 10 percent reduction in education grants.

“I’m disappointed that Governor Rell has once again decided to balance the budget on the backs of the working families of New Britain,” said Representative John C. Geragosian (D-25), who serves as House chair of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee. “Cutting job training, education, health care, programs for seniors and disabled citizens and other important services is irresponsible during a recession. Instead, we should ask the wealthiest of Connecticut’s residents to pay a few more dollars to protect our vital services.” At Saturday's DMV event, Geragosian said Rell's moves will put people out of work at a time when public investments are needed for economic recovery.

“It is disappointing that Governor Rell would rather take away Dial-A-Ride, property tax relief, education and health care funding and close our DMV office than ask the wealthy in rich towns to contribute their fair share,” said Representative Tim O’Brien (D-24). “It is also disappointing to see her engaging in petty name-calling that is unfair to the hard work Representative John Geragosian is doing for the people of our state as Appropriations chair.”

The legislators said they will work to avoid Rell's cuts that will directly impact New Britain, including elimination of funding for neighborhood youth centers and public libraries and other support for community organizations. Rell, who refuses to compromise on asking wealthier residents to absorb an increase in the income tax, would also slash financial aid for college students and increase bus fares by 40 percent.

The governor has also proposed borrowing more than $2 billion—which would saddle every man, woman and child in the state of Connecticut with $700 in debt. The delegation pointed out that, while Governor Rell has been unwilling to discuss revenue increases, she apparently has no reluctance burdening a new generation of Connecticut taxpayers with unrelenting debt.

Thus far, Governor Rell has rebuffed numerous requests from top legislative leaders that she personally participate in active budget negotiations, the lawmakers' statement asserted.