Challenging "the Establishment"
The local elections are fast approaching. On Friday, the NHR reported that Republican David Orsini will be watching this election cycle from the sidelines, while Republican Steve Carroll will be on the ballot. Other mentions as possible Council candidates have been Patti Flynn Harris and Matt Bowman on the Democratic ticket. Any other candidate names being floated out there?
Regardless of who is expected to run, Cheshire's two major political parties will be undertaking their biennial caucuses on Tuesday July 24 (GOP @ Town Hall, Dems @ Senior Center... I think). And for those of you who are unaware, here's a recap of how the GOP creates its slate of candidates (and I presume the Dems follow a similar path):
1) Cheshire's Republican Party has an official committee called the Cheshire Republican Town Committee (RTC).
2) The RTC has several subcommittees, including the Nominating Committee.
3) The Nominating Committee gathers names of Cheshire residents (typically registered as Republicans).
4) Those names are brought to a "caucus," this year held on July 24.
5) The caucus is a meeting that is open to all Cheshire residents who are registered Republicans.
6) Typically, the Nominating Committee will recommend a slate of candidates to the RTC.
7) The RTC will then create its own slate of candidates... often the same as the Nominating Committee's recommendation.
8) The Republican caucus will then create its own slate of candidates... often the same as the RTC's recommendation.
9) The Republican caucus' recommendation will typically be the slate of candidate upon which you vote in November.
I'm guessing that the Democratic party follows a similar script.
Now here's my idea for activists who are dissatisfied with their respective parties...
While this is "typically" how people end up on the ballot... remember... as long as you are registered with one of the parties... you should be able to go to your party caucus and nominate names from the floor. That is, after the Town Committee makes a recommendation, but before the caucus votes... you probably could put a name into nomination. But putting your name into nomination would not necessarily get you on the ballot. Rather... you'd probably need to get the votes within the caucus to put your name on the ballot.
So how do you get the votes necessary? Well...
It's been my experience that the Republican caucus is typically between 60-70 people. And much of that is from the 46 member RTC and their spouses. (I believe the DTC is only 36 people. So that may translate into 50 or so people at the Dem caucus.) So the bottom line is this...
IF you can either convince half of those people to support you
or
IF you can get your own supporters (registered with your party) to attend and vote for you
THEN you probably can get on the ballot.
And wouldn't it be fun to create a little Lamont fever in Cheshire? Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if there are some Dems who are already considering this. And of course the same thing would apply to the Republican side... although the issues may be different. Heck... even if you're just toying with the idea, go to the websites for the two Town Committees and start cold calling members. See if you can garner some support and get on the ballot! (Also consider that the Council districts may require far fewer votes... 15 votes... just 15 votes... may very well lockup a district nomination.)
For my part... I did basically the same thing last summer by challenging the party's choice for the GOP nod in the 89th. And I'm glad I did it. If you are concerned about an issue, then challenging your leaders is always a good thing... even if you don't win... you may very well be able to change the debate... and I do think that (whether you like him or not) Ned Lamont had a significant impact on the national dialogue last year.
So if you're feeling some unease within your party... I strongly encourage you to attend your July 24 caucus and let your voice be heard.
As for running as an unaffiliated candidate or possibly primarying the endorsed slate of candidates of your party... I really have no idea how that would work... I just know that if you convince 50 people to turn out in support of you (no easy feat) at your party's caucus... you may very well be on the ballot in November.
Tim White
53 comments:
who is running in the districts?
Tim I heard that Dave Orsini is not going to run for council
That may be good for our party as he was a bitter negative man who treated people with total disrespct while he was chair
I also heard that Steve Carroll was going to run
can't we do any better that???
7:44 Why don't you run? No wait, I can tell by your comments that you are bitter and very negative.
"A bitter negative man". You are way off base. Dave ran great meetings he even let every student athlete speak to the TC about not cutting sports when they (TC) don't control the how the BOE allocates their budget. He let all citizens voice their opinions and created the 2nd TC monthly meeting. Matt Hall(The Comic) is lost in space at times. I know who has done a better job. Cheshire will have some big shoes to fill. Come on Dave give it one more term.... Steve has done many things for the good of Cheshire that many people don't know about. Good people that put Cheshire and it's citizens first. Matt (the sign patrol). Can the Cheshire D's do better than that??? Give me a break...
Yeah I remember Dave Orsini said to the people who wanted more than a zero increase "write a check"
And he totally dissed anyone who came up to speak vs what ever the Schrumm\0rsini twosome wanted
Hey both of those boys were almost kicked out of office by 100 votes
They got their asses kicked int he last election
face facts orsini leaves a discredited man
oh and name one good thing Carroll did while on council
He is the follower of the schrumm/orsini legacy
failed failed and failed
"Write a check" I was there and your twisting this. How about the Lawyer and Mrs Esty and the group that was formed and so conviently disbanded before last election. Something to do with education?? I could only imagine what this present council would have done that year.
He said if you want more money for the board of ed you should write a check
He meant zero $ for education and the parents should pay for the rest
If that what you think. Fine. It's late. Good night.
But the Rep led council of orsini and schrumm had a second chance to redeem themselves by approving about 230 k going over to the board of ed after the budget was passed and they again voted just say no
Lets get it right-if the rep get control again there will be a repeat of the zero budget years and we cannot afford that
Carroll, Schrumm and Orsini what more do you need to say. These are the posted children for overly political, negative, bitter people. They have done nothing for the town and if I were a Dem. I would be exciting about running against that slate. These are the guys that took strong republican control and somehow did such a bad job they lost two of the last three elections. These are the guys that brought the decline of our party in Cheshire.
Matt Bowman? He alone will tear down and remove all opposition signs, just like he did with the flyers of people who wanted the NE zone to remain a place where businesses, that created good jobs, could locate.
And, Patti Harris has shown us what she can do to help the developers.
"Carroll, Schrumm and Orsini what more do you need"
We certainly need these people who have principles and fight for the good of Cheshire rather than those who support the developers, and other special interests that are destroying Cheshire for financial gain.
It's a very sad day if Dave Orsini does not run.
Orsini took heat for the zero budget. But he had the courage to do what had to be done. That year was the year of reevaluation and budget increases had to be kept low in order for people to survive. I think it would be a great idea for all the parents who complain about money spent on education to go to some Board of Ed meetings at budget time. They would see first hand the money that is waisted instead of just listening to second hand information. The Board of ED is a waste they never cut expenses (except for this year). They finally decided this year they better do their jobs. All the years that we had Cressy as Sup of Schools he spent like a drunken sailor. And now we have Florio not as bad but getting there. He wants 7.5 new teachers when enrollment is declining, the Board of ED said he should only hire 2. But now that he has his money he's going to hire 4.5 new teachers. What do we need the board of ed for he doesn't listen to them. As far as the zero budget did we lose one teacher that year. NO
I heard that Sheldon Dill is running as a Dem. at large, is that possible?
I also heard not all the Dems are running? Do you all think that all the other Republicans are?
We need to get Esty she needs to lose.
I'm a Dem but I hope they get rid of Visconti. If people actually listened to her, there is no way she would be elected. The seniors should throw her out on her ear.
You still need to explain why when the 230K came in Orsini and Schrumm did not vote to send it to the board of ed
that was vindictive and showed a lack of leadership and wisdom
the people did not forget and they both were almost thrown out
100 votes separated them and mark korman
Hall ecke and altieri beat them by thousands of votes
and they were chair and vice chair
if they had to do it over again they would
That is why orsini has decided not to run he knows he would get whipped
Orsini, voted to give the board of ed the additional money. Schrumm did not.
The reason Hall, Este and Ecke got so many votes was because the Dem's ran on relief for seniors (especially Este). Seniors vote and they knew it, but when push came to shove they threw the seniors under the bus. It took 3,000 signatures for them to act and the seniors won't forget it. They won't forget either that Visconti was the only councilman to vote against property tax relief for seniors.
The educational costs are killing us and what do the Dems push for, more housing to over-crowd our schools.
We need people who will work for the taxpayers and not just the developers.
north end will not increse the schools system population
the huge 5 bedroom houses do
the scare tactics continue
"PLOT INTENDING TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC. (FIRE TRUCK,"
What's wrong with you? Is it now a crime to discuss certain things?
Get a life. I want the council members to ask questions, the more the better our government can stand the light of day.
And, I have a question. Why do we all of a sudden slip in a grant request for a Ladder truck in with a list of things that usually are small items? And, isn't it just a conincidence that we need a ladder truck at a time when W/S is requesting buildings of 65 ft high and many are talking of another multi-millioooooon dollar firehouse for the northend?
Your the same person that keeps attacking anyone works for all of the taxpayers not just the special interests.
"north end will not increse the schools system population"
That's an outright lie created by Voelker with the ridiculous 2 bedroom limitation. It was so stupid and the commission members didn't want to discuss it's validity. That should tell everyone what they were thinking.
Boman and Calcagni are selling the school system. Get ready, the big W/S school train is coming to Cheshire and it is loaded. Whoo, Whoo, hop on, come to Cheshire's schools.
7:10 no spamming allowed
I heard Schrumm is not running because he is too old.
Let's face it Schrumm will lie and decieve and do anything to stop the north end
He has tried to do it with the pelton thing and now with volker
His life is over if this happens
So I guess his life is over
Your comments are the most outrageous so far on this post. Where has Schrumm lied or deceived and to say his life will be over if this is passed is fantasy. He's not the one accusing people of wrongdoing and getting embarrassed. Schrumm feels this is not in the best interest of Cheshire and as a councilman he has the right to try to see the best is done for Cheshire. I would not want anything less in an elected official. There are many times I don't agree with him but I'd rather have someone like him - one who's not in the pocket of special interests and developers.
oh I get it anyone who supports the north end development is in the pockets of the developers and anyone against is an honest person
Well let me tell ya something many have no connection at all to WS and the owners and we still want it
So get used to it bucko
11:18, now that's a civil discussion of issues, not
Important: 7-17-2007 Tuesday
In the New Haven Register Today.
W/S will hold an informal meeting with the Inland Wetlands Commission at 7:30 in the Town Hall.
Schrumm has been lost since he got fired ten years ago and has not worked since
Who cares? Does it really matter who wins? What changes if one party is power or the other? Nothing!
I do agree that Orsini has to go he is a bitter nasty man.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 8:30:00 AM
Sounds like your running against Dave or your on the council getting your wacks in.
Your not anyone to be trusted.
Bitter and nasty is just the beginning
His rants against the Cheshire Herald and his fake anger means he has major issues to deal with
Is Dill really running?
Yes I did hear that Dill is running only I heard that he is running as a Republican, he has never been a Dem. I can't believe that he would change now?
Dill is the executive director of the chamber. That is why he did not run the last time. maybe he is quitting his job for a non-paying job with town council. That's a plan.
Understood, I heard that they are going to allow it, because the guy in Southington is on the council and it was worked out well. Maybe not.
"against the Cheshire Herald"
Hooray for Dave. He tells it the way it is and the special interests don't like it.
Everyone knows the Herald is not a real newspaper. It doesn't report the news, it makes it up. It reports what the special interests want. It got it's wish, the zone change was approved and they can't wait to get more ads.
Mr. Orsini will be greatly missed on the council. I felt he was very knowledgable, concerned for all the citizens of Cheshire, and ran the council meetings extremely well. Thank God he had the sense, as did many other republican councilmen, to hold the line on spending during the revaluation budget year. Many people make donations to various town departments (library, fire svc., education, etc.) I for one, totally on my own, made a donation half of which went towards the purchase of books for CHS and the other half was given to the town side of the budget. I was greatful Mr. Orsini reminded citizens that donations are accepted. All citizens should consider donating. It should be something the current council chair reminds people of during the budget process (although I have yet to hear him say it). Thank you Dave for all that you have done!!
Sue Zentek
leaving it up to citizens who have extra money is no way to run a town
only pet projects will get funded that way
Mr Orsini made those comments bc of his disdain for the board and nothing else
Did he ever write a check????
I don't thinks so
8:38 Did you write a check?
Whether it's a donation or paid through your taxes, it's still money going towards education or town services.
Maybe those that want to spend more on education should have donated so as to ease the burden on those that can't afford more. Or do you just want to drive them out of town because they can't afford the high taxes?
People who want everything should be more generous with their money and stop expecting everyone else to pay for it.
S.Z.
PS - the book I had CHS buy was called "An Nasiriyah - The Fight for the Bridges"...It's the Marines' account of securing bridges and traveling through "Ambush Alley" in Iraq. My son was one of those Marines.
How nice it would be for our young people to learn about the sacrifices of others. What better way to learn than to read the book.
What have you done to give back?
A lot of the people that want more town service and more for education end up complaining about their taxes and think that supporting a mall will pay for everything and lower taxes.
They've been listening to the developers.
During that school year many parents wrote many check to the town to cover the costs of everything from parking to sports and books and paper
So the Orsini plan worked there were many checks written that paid for much
ONce the parents had their choice in 05 they voted for no more checks and since then every thing has been put back for funding (thanks to Democrats) except for parking which may come out next year
Write a check?
Se ya Dave!
3:04 You're right. People probably actually think the mall will help offset their taxes. Thanks to the dems they're getting their mall, but along with it will come increased town services and higher tax bills. When all the residential goes in the schools will be asking for millions more and we'll see even higher tax bills. It may take a while, but it will happen.
See you later dems!
The note above is the typical CAVEMan tactics
No one thinks the mall will solve the tax situation
The housing will not increase the schools
the stores will be great
And maybe if Visconti runs a trolley to the mall, we'll save some gas money so we can spend it in the highend shoppes!
lol
"Visconti runs a trolley to the mall"
How does she get such stupid ideas?
Or, was she thinking of a trolley to take all the kids from Bowman City to school.
businesses at the north end are already asking for buses/public transportation to bring in their workers from NH and Waterbury. Visconti's idea is not stupid..it is forward thinking. Is it not a good idea to try and lessen traffic? BTW..this is Diane Visconti and I sure wish all the anon. bloggers would let us know who they are..perhaps we all might be a bit kinder and fairer with eachother. AND advance the conversations beyond insults!!!
Diane is the BEST we have!!!!
"Is it not a good idea to try and lessen traffic? "
See what I mean, it's stupid. If she was smart she would never have voted for the strip mall and left the zoning the way it was.
So, your telling me that she is going to reduce traffic with trolleys? Where are people going to park to get on the trolley's, at the trolley station? First she creates the traffic jams and solves it with trolleys? What kind of logic is that?
More buses from New Haven and Waterbury? I thought this was going to create high paying clerk jobs for Cheshire. Or, do you mean for the maintenance people for the apartments and stores?
Whatever?
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