Council agenda 4/14/09 - update

With regard to the Council agenda for Tuesday, April 14 - I got this update:

There have been three items added to the April 14, 2009 Council agenda. The first item is the annual request to waive the bidding on the removal of the Pool Bubble. Hemispheric Air has been the sole vendor for this activity since the construction of this facility. And, as in past years, the removal of the bubble is the second assignment this fiscal year (the installation of the bubble in September being the first)). Therefore, since the combined cost of the two assignments exceeds the bid limit, a bid waiver is being requested. This has traditionally been brought before the Council at the March or April meeting but was overlooked in the development of the April 14, 2009 agenda.

The second item pertains to our contracted electricity rate with CCM Energy Purchasing/Bay State Consultants. We locked in for five years in February of 2007, but it appears that we might be able to renegotiate a better rate, which could also entail extending the contract period. Attorney Dwight Johnson is reviewing this, but since this decision is extremely time-sensitive, we wanted to be sure that it was on the agenda should it need an action by the Council.

The third item is a grant application request to Congressman Murphy's office which is detailed in the cover memo for that agenda item (7G).

Chris Murphy's suggestion relates to the Inflow and Infiltration project for the WPCA. Seems fine to me, as does lower energy costs. I don't see why we should waive the bid for the bubble though. It's become glaringly obvious to me that both the Council and the Administration oppose changing course with the pool.

I suggest the voters fire the Council in November.

Tim White

Ruocco vs. Leake; 4.4% may be too low for Personnel Chairman

From the NHRs Luther Turmelle:

With the head of the town’s teachers’ union sitting in the audience last week, Councilman Tom Ruocco issued a blistering indictment of last October’s contract agreement with the union that has an average raise of 4.4 percent per year in each of the next three years. Ruocco’s comments came before a 5-4 council vote to approve a $94.32 million budget for fiscal 2009-10, a spending plan that represents a $1.2 million increase over this year’s budget...

Jeff Leake, president of the Cheshire Education Association, said following the meeting that Ruocco’s criticisms of the union and the board are misguided.

“It’s not based any fact whatsoever,” Leake said.

Not based on any fact? In response to the article, a resident said to me tonight "The fact is - the country is broke!"

But in fairness to the teachers' union, the Council's Personnel Committee Chairman Matt Altieri was dishing out raises of 5% to 7% earlier this fiscal year. So I can see why the teachers' union may even feel jilted with the 4.4%.

I take a different viewpoint though from Councilman Altieri. Whether you are a member of the teachers' union or a member of Cheshire's Political Class, I don't think anybody needs to be getting these raises at a time when many people are earning less.

Finally, one other interesting comment in Turmelle's article:

Superintendent of Schools Greg Florio has said the district may have to eliminate the jobs of as many as 40 first- and second-year teachers to cope with any budget cuts by the council.

I'll be curious to see the staffing levels next September.

Tim White

Richmond Glen easement - What benefit accrues to the town?

Yesterday I mentioned that the Council agenda includes a vote that would exchange an easement on Town property for $10.* The easement would initially lead to an age-restricted development of 41 units.

It seems to me that this easement has more than $10 in value. In fact, it seems to me that the Council is poised to give something for nothing. But that makes no sense.

In other news, I noticed that Cheshire's Democratic Town Committee receives campaign contributions from the same residents every year.

In October 2008:In October 2007:In October 2006:For total clarity though... contributions may very well have been received every year by the Cheshire Republican Town Committee from the same contributors. That's not my point because I don't care about party here. I just want to know why it appears that something is being given for nothing.

My question today is the same question I had yesterday - In providing the easement, what benefit accrues to the town?

How / why this got on the agenda is a puzzle to me. Don't misunderstand me here though. If you own land, then you can develop it. But I don't see why the townspeople should be providing benefits when it appears they receive no benefit.

And one more question... does this increase or decrease the value of housing in Cheshire? It seems to me that additional housing would only decrease property values... at least of age-restricted housing. And I seem to recall a few people bandying about property values as a raison d'etre last Thursday... but then why expect politicians to be consistent in their logic?

Tim White

* There's also a $70,000 payment, but that's for reconstruction of Wiese Road. And since Wiese Road is near perfect condition at present, I don't see this as any sort of benefit. There is one section with a bridge that could use rebuilding. But I doubt $70,000 would cover the reconstruction of that bridge.

George Washington's farewell address (41/51)

Paragraph 41 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, on a respectable defensive posture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies.

Ruling on sink hole case

From the NHRs Luther Turmelle:

A Superior Court judge has issued a ruling that effectively removes the town of Cheshire as a defendant in a lawsuit over a sinkhole in a couple’s back yard.

William and Lisa Baker of 395 Sheridan Drive sued in 2007 over the 20-foot-wide, 30-foot-deep sinkhole that developed in their backyard in October 2005.

While the 16-page ruling, issued March 30 by Superior Court Judge William Holden in New Haven, removes the town as a defendant, pending an appeal, the judge did not remove a pair of co-defendants: John and Debra Lanzl, who owned the property before the Bakers.

Tim White

The additional funding for CHS boilers

The Council agenda for Tuesday's meeting includes the use of some funds from the $350,000 that was added to the schools' CNR account last October. And since someone asked about it, here's the gist of it:I think it's also worth revisiting Jimmy Sima's comments from last Thursday. He mentioned that the town funds maintenance projects for the schools through the Capital Non-Recurring fund (CNR). And before this $350,000 was added, $500,000 of the $1,400,000 CNR account had already been dedicated to the schools. So that's an additional $850,000 that many school systems include in their "per pupil" spending calculation.

But back to the boilers... I'm not sure who "owned" the uninsured problems that were found when the boilers were opened.

Tim White

George Washington's farewell address (40/51)

Paragraph 40 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them.

I Know My Redeemer Liveth

from Handel's Messiah: sang by Gladys Knight



I know that my Redeemer liveth,
and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.

And though worms destroy this body,
yet in the flesh shall I see God.

For now is Christ risen from the dead,
the firstfruits of them that sleep.

Easement Agreement for Wiese / Buckland development

On Tuesday, the Council agenda includes Authorization for easement agreement with Brodach Builders for Richmond Glen. Richmond Glen is a proposed age-restricted housing development between Wiese Road and Buckland Drive.

My question - In providing the easement, what benefit accrues to the town?

There's no apparent benefit that I see. I didn't see one in the Council packet either... unless you count the $10.00 payment.

The Council packet did include several pieces of information though, such as a promise to pay the Town $70,000 for reconstructing Wiese Road. And since I wasn't sure of the condition of all of Wiese Road, I drove by myself today. Wiese is pretty much in perfect shape. So my untrained eye leaves me thinking that's not a benefit.

Anyway, I thought others may be able to help get the dialogue rolling on this prior to the Council meeting. So here's the proposed easement agreement:And since I know the question will arise... as far as I know, I have not received any campaign contributions from the person requesting the easement. It's possible I received something in 2006 when I ran for State Rep, but I never really paid attention to it then... and certainly don't recall now.

Your thoughts?

Tim White

Some nature hikes in April

I picked up these flyers while getting breakfast at Paul's this morning:Also the Energy Commission is organizing an Earth Day event at the library for next Saturday.

Tim White

CNBCs House of Cards - a discussion on the US housing market

Here's an interesting 91-minute CNBC original production called "House of Cards." It comments on the rise and fall of the US housing market.



Tim White

Council agenda 4/14/09

The Council agenda for April 14, 2009:Item 7D jumped out at me:If I recall correctly, it originally came to the Council during my first term - at least four years ago. Then it went away as a result of the various state changes to our local Plan of Conservation and Development. And now it's back.

I may post more about it tomorrow. I know a lot of regulars here are interested in local development.

Tim White

Turmelle on the 09/10 Budget vote

The NHRs Luther Turmelle has this piece on the 09/10 budget vote:

Ruocco and Budget Committee Chairman Michael Ecke traded angry words in the time leading up to the votes on the two proposals.

Ecke accused Ruocco and the Republicans of “trying to punish the Board of Education” because the GOP proposal called for $484,532 in cuts from the school budget, while the proposal that the Democrats passed only cut $214,485 from education.

Democrat Matt Altieri likened the Republicans’ approach to the education budget to a “scorched-earth policy.”

Ruocco called Ecke’s comments “uncalled for, a total mischaracterization.”

Councilman Ecke also said something to the effect that the Republican minority "won't be happy until (Cheshire schools) are 168 out of 168." I figured Mike was just a little worked up during the vote. So I replied, assuming that he didn't really mean it.

But I found the "scorched-earth" comment to be so OTT that I was in disbelief and figured anyone who was watching the meeting would see it the same way - utter nonsense.

I thought the comments of Councilman Dill and Chairman Hall were respectful though. I thank them for that.

Tim White

George Washington's farewell address (39/51)

Paragraph 39 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice?

The original version of Yellow

The lyrics to this Beaker classic are here.



Tim White

09/10 Town budget - my comments

Here's the outline I used for my comments on tonight's budget:

support Ruocco’s proposal B – better option

households cut spending, town must cut spending

we all must cutback, sooner better than later

problems just beginning

$13 trillion printed in the past year and a half

Washington’s Political Class has only delayed the pain

printing presses running 24/7

inflated money supply, inflated prices of consumer goods

maintaining services and minimizing taxes and spending


concerns:


1) teachers’ union renegotiates.

Municipal and state unions are renegotiating

Cheshire’s teachers’ - do the same.

if they don’t, if inflation kicks in, don’t ask to reopen


2) Another option for the Council

increased use of the multiple reserves.

about $10 million

long-term liabilities and impending infrastructure costs:

$20 million pension fund deficit
$3 million heart & hypertension liability
$10 million for a sewer plant retrofit
the pool among other costly items

reducing the reserves with so many large expenditures looming.


3) the Council discussed cutting town government spending.

cuts would result in losing bodies.

disagreed and suggested an across-the-board reduction in hours.

35 hours per week becomes 33 hours per week.

reaction from staff was surprising, but nothing new.

“Annie Hall.” subtitles scene

the words that were spoken

subtitles were perfectly clear

comments not welcome.

idea won’t work.

shouldn’t even discuss it.

Just be quiet!

idea was dismissed.

fair enough.

one of nine.

another concern.

a hostile work environment

town employees - fear of encountering a hostile work environment - good cost saving ideas missed.

tone of the discussion was inappropriate

the tone starts with the Council.


4) People are making less money

Hourly employees are working fewer hours.

Contractors have fewer jobs

Retirees on fixed incomes are receiving less in dividends.

Earlier this year, one of Cheshire’s largest employers cut wages by 6%.

And as I mentioned before, many government unions are offering concessions.


5) With regard to the revaluation, smaller houses will likely get hit harder than larger houses. So the people who can probably least afford a tax increase will bear the largest burden.


6) Why are we still funding the conferences and seminars that occur all over North America?

Why have we taken no action on the town’s two dozen take home vehicles that all receive unlimited, free gasoline?

Why, during this fiscal year, did we give out raises to some employees in the range of 5-7%?

Why don’t we eliminate overtime for non-essential services?

Why do we still fund the stipend for an Assistant Town Manager?


People are hurting and we all need to cut back.

As I’ve been knocking on doors for the past month I’ve heard two basic themes:

people are worried and

they want to reduce taxes and spending.

I think Councilman Ruocco’s proposal does the best job of addressing those concerns.

I added one comment after Councilman Ecke suggested the GOP Council members "won't be happy until we're 168 out of 168"* in terms of education funding for CT towns. Mike has something of a reputation for being thin-skinned though. So I hope Mike didn't actually mean that and was just getting a little hot under the collar.

I thought most of the discussion was good though. Sure, I know a number of people think we talk too long (myself included!), but we've got points that we feel need to be made.

The only other thing that caught me offguard was one particular Council member who seemed very angry tonight. That really didn't make any sense to me considering that particular Council member attended zero budget workshops. I know we've all got busy lives. But I sensed anger and it seemed unfair when I looked at the past month of budget workshops.

And with regard to the pool and Jimmy Sima's request for a summer-only budget proposal, the notion that it's too complicated to prepare is hogwash. Following the April 2006 vote on the 06/07 budget, I offered these comments on this blog:

I asked about the pool budget for the past month, both during budget workshops and in individual conversations with the Town Manager and other town staff. I asked for revenue and expense history (in order to extrapolate likely revenues and expenses for a summer only pool) and I asked for engineering details related to possible negative effects of not putting the bubble back up… that process started for me a month ago. And there were reports from town staff that were distributed at budget workshops during the past week, as a result of my questions about the pool. And to make a long story short, those reports suggested that a summer only facility would require a subsidy of $12,000 to $38,000.

Those numbers could have been compiled for Councilman Sima. But staff had no interest in doing so because it wouldn't serve their purposes. Furthermore when I recently asked about the 2006 summer-only pool budget proposal, it was all denials. Staff "knew nothing" of the proposal. Total hogwash. As for asking the particular staff member who compiled the summer-only pool budget... what would you do if you worked in a hostile work environment that opposed good cost-saving ideas?

Tim White

* FWIW, schools are not considered in terms of towns in CT. They're considered to be districts. And while CT has 169 - not 168 - municipalities, it also has about 20 or so regional school districts. For instance, Prospect is part of Region 16 and Bethany is part of the Amity School District... a region that also includes Woodbridge and Orange. I think there's just over 140 school districts in CT.

09/10 Town budget - Proposals A & B

There were a lot of numbers and motions being discussed tonight. Here is the main motion in the Dems' Proposal A:And here is the main motion in the GOPs Proposal B:Tim White

George Washington's farewell address (38/51)

Paragraph 38 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people, under an efficient government, the period is not far off, when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality, we may at any time resolve upon, to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel.

Housing Authority hires a lawyer

The NHRs Luther Turmelle reports:

The Housing Authority has hired a lawyer to explore its options after the Planning and Zoning Commission voted last month to reject a request for a setback waiver for 20 units of affordable housing on 2.73 acres off West Main Street.

Tim White

09/10 Town budget - expect low attendance

I understand this email was sent out to school staff today:

Last evening, the Town Council Budget Committee held a meeting at which a budget recommendation was made for presentation to the full Town Council for consideration. The recommendation reduces the Board of Education and Town Manager’s Budget Recommendation by $214,485. However, the indication from the Town Council was that the money could be reduced from the Medical Benefits account and therefore not further impact staffing or program. The Town Council will be meeting tomorrow evening, April 9th at 7:00 pm to vote on the budget.

The ultimate decisions regarding the final budget for our schools will be made by the Board of Education. I anticipate that they will set up a series of meetings beginning in late April and into May to discuss the changes that will be required to meet the 2009/10 funding level. I will be available to meet with any interested staff to update you on my thoughts regarding those changes on Tuesday, April 21st at 4:00 in the Highland Elementary School cafeteria.

It'll be interesting to see if the majority manages to get five members to attend. With regard to two members of the majority, I can count the total number of minutes they attended budget workshops on one hand. But what's the difference? We all know that the participation of Council members is discouraged anyway.

Tim White

George Washington's farewell address (37/51)

Paragraph 37 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

Morgan and Buchanan on the budget

The Herald's Josh Morgan and the MRJs Jesse Buchanan discuss the Council budget deliberations and tomorrow's vote.

From the MRJ:

"We felt the public spoke loud and clear," Ecke said.

Ruocco said the speakers, some of whom were teachers who live in surrounding towns, did not represent the views he has been hearing from other constituents.

"I'm not really influenced by a stacked audience," he said. "The sentiment I've received through the process is, 'You have to cut spending.'"

Tim White

The budget is done, questions from Council members are still strongly discouraged

It's official. The budget is done. The vote will happen on Thursday, but I don't expect any further changes. And since so many numbers have been moving around in the past two nights, I offer you this spreadsheet from the Town Manager:The Democratic Budget Chairman, Michael Ecke, and GOP Budget member, Tom Ruocco, have two proposals that will be presented on Thursday night. If I recall correctly, the main differences are:

1) Ruocco cuts an additional $130,000 in general government spending in the "salary adjustment" line. Salary adjustments are the raises that people would get next year. Of course, the raises given to some people may not matter that much since The Democratic Rubber Stamp Council was dishing out raises of 5% to 7% only a few months ago. And that was at a moment in time that was definitely after we knew the recession was here and the bailouts had started. FWIW, I don't know the recipients of the raises - nor do I want to know. But I'm guessing those raises were given to members of The Inner Circle.

2) Ruocco cuts an additional $300,000 from the school budget.

3) Ruocco adds $16,000 to open the transfer station on two Saturdays with the purpose of allowing residents to dump their bulky waste. The trash disposal trucks will cost $8,000 / day.

So there you have it. Two budgets - one with an additional spending reduction of $400,000 or so and a reinstatement of bulky waste disposal (though not collection).

As for whatever happened to those two dozen take home vehicles, the travel all over North America, the pool and all the other questionable spending... well... The Democratic Rubber Stamp Council has clearly demonstrated that questions from Council are still strongly discouraged. And if a Council member unwisely insists on asking questions / making suggestions, s/he should expect to be scolded by staff for insubordination.

And so everyone knows, at tonight's meeting I didn't bother asking for an apology for last night's outburst. There's no point. We all know who is in charge of this Council:



Tim White

p.s. With regard to yesterday's post, the $91,000 reduction in the police budget was not real. Though you can see the $91k in the above spreadsheet, it included a $60,000 typo. So that "reduction" is not real.

It seems we always have more teachers than are budgeted

Following last week's public hearing, I started publishing some information about the reality of the history of staffing levels at our schools.

For example, I documented the reality that between the time when the BOE adopted the 05/06 budget in June 2005 and teachers were hired in September 2005... the total number of teachers grew by 3.28 teachers (a.k.a. certified staff).

And today I stumbled across this May 5, 2007 NHR article by Luther Turmelle:

May 5--CHESHIRE -- The school system will add four new full-time teachers and one parttimer next fall, the Board of Education has decided, despite the district's continued shrinking enrollment. The board finalized its 2007-08 budget at $55.7 million Thursday night, a little more than two weeks after...

But by the time staffing levels were determined in September, the schools had added 6.83 new teachers for the 07/08 school year:

And of course we all know that (between the 03/04 Democratic school budget and the 08/09 Democratic school budget) staffing levels have risen by 14.2 teachers while student enrollment has dropped 220 students.*

I applaud Board member Alan Sobol for his efforts during the budget this year. Unfortunately, he needs a few more votes. Anyone interested in running for BOE? Please though, no more Rubber Stamps. Cheshire's Political Class is already well-populated.

Tim White

* Or by 23.54 teachers, if you measure from the 04/05 GOP school budget to the 08/09 Democratic school budget.

Congratulations to the UConn Girls team!

Great job, Geno! And now... Go Sox!

Tim White

Ron Paul on North Korea

Check out this video to see Ron Paul give his take on this weekend's hullabaloo over North Korea:



Congressman Paul points out that if North Korea ever did attack America, North Korea would be eliminated within minutes. And while some may argue that Kim Jong Il is a madman (he is)... and we never know what he may do... I then counter that any action taken by America is irrelevant because we're not working with a rational human being. So why bother getting worked into a tizzy over the missile launch?

Don't get me wrong, America shouldn't ignore it. But I don't see why President Obama is publicly involved.

The President promised Change you can believe in! All I see is more of the same. No thank you. And with each passing week I come closer to the conclusion that Obama is not the populist of his campaign, but rather a fully-credentialed member of The Political Class.

Tim White

George Washington's farewell address (36/51)

Paragraph 36 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connexion as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.

A Cartoon by Michael Ramirez

If you can ignore the ads for the ever-painful Anne Coulter, click here and you'll see a cartoon that will almost certainly make you either laugh or cry (or both).

Tim White

Blumenthal challenges the credit ratings agencies

With regard to the January 2008 fund balance policy discussion, anyone happen to remember the lovefest between the Council majority and the ratings agencies? The Council majority sure seemed to have a lot of faith in the ratings agencies and their desire for a big fat rainy day fund. I first revisited the value of the ratings agencies back in December 2008.

Fast forward to April 2009 and AG Dick Blumenthal is talking about the Council's vaunted ratings agencies (AP):

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is questioning why $400 million is going to the big three credit agencies that he says helped created the economic meltdown.

Blumenthal said Monday he is investigating why a $1 trillion government bailout program steers money to Moody's, Fitch and Standard & Poor's.

Oh no! Government money is getting steered to certain companies? Say it ain't so, Joe!

The story continues:

The attorney general says the three agencies overrated bonds now regarded as toxic assets and say they will be rating new bonds issued to restart lending and solve the economic crisis they helped create.

I'm so glad the Council majority had such faith in those wonderful ratings agencies. The Council majority continues to prove President Obama's slogan "judgment matters."

Tim White

09/10 Town budget: one more meeting on Tuesday

There was a meeting tonight. Hearing from residents was good, but the Council discussion didn't seem to serve much purpose to me.

Early in the meeting staff told the Council that further spending reductions would result in layoffs. I suggested reducing hours across the board (for instance 35hr/wk goes to 30hrs/wk). And in the style typical of off camera meetings, staff immediately started barking at me... essentially telling me I was wrong and I wasn't allowed to make such budget cuts. So I tried to be diplomatic and suggest it was a philosophical difference. And I got further berated. Don't worry though... the Budget Chair came to my rescue! In his usual style, he sat on his hands.

Well, he wasn't exactly sitting on his hands. But I am tired of having various Chairmen sit back and allow such disrespectful behavior to continue.

I must mention though... to his credit... Councilman Altieri has chaired meetings before when these outbursts have occurred. And he has been willing to "bang the gavel." I just wish I could say that was the case with the Chairman tonight... but he would never gavel down his boss the man from whom he takes direction. It is nice to see some leadership from Mr. Altieri though. Dunno why others are incapable.

I wish the cameras were rolling. Such disrespectful outbursts never happen when the cameras are rolling.

Anyway, the Budget Chair said he wanted to increase the school budget by $400,000. So that would mean the BOE budget increase (an increase of $1.2 million over the current year budget) was not going to be reduced by $600,000 to a $600,000 increase. Instead, it was going to be a $200,000 decrease to the BOE budget... leaving a $1,000,000 increase in the schools' budget over the current year.

And of course, it wasn't until after tonight's meeting adjourned that we even learned the town side budget reductions that were being proposed by the Budget Chair. Ok, they weren't really being proposed by him. The budget cuts were proposed by staff, but the Chair would never dare question the recommendations of his boss staff.

Gotta love a couple of the recommendations though (if I'm reading this correctly)...

Here's one that people in town will understand:

Police budget cut: $91,000
Pool budget cut: $15,000

Attaway Council majority! You're really showin' that you're fiscally responsible! You clearly represent the views of the majority of people in town.

Thankfully though, the townspeople won't need to endure any serious reductions in the budget of the Office of the TM. Overtime will be reduced from $17,000 to $15,000.

Tim White

George Washington's farewell address (35/51)

Paragraph 35 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens,) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove, that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government. But that jealousy, to be useful, must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defence against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation, and excessive dislike of another, cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious; while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.

Barone again mentions Ironman & Dodd

TWL blogroll member Ironman was again spotlighted by Michael Barone in another piece on Senator Dodd's woes. Barone explains some background on how members of Congress choose committee assignments:

Dodd serves on the Banking Committee. Now in both the House and Senate the Banking committees (the title is Financial Services in the House) are not considered desirable assignments by most smart members. They lobby to get seats on House Ways and Means and Senate Finance instead. Over the years many of those who stay on Banking do so in order to curry favor with local bankers or networks of lobbyists: the kind of folks a talented member stays wary of. Plus, Banking handles a lot of arcane issues which are difficult to explain to ordinary voters. But the party leaderships usually are careful whom they send to Ways and Means and Finance. Chris Dodd stayed on Banking. And with the retirement of Paul Sarbanes in 2006 and the Democrats' capture of a majority in the Senate, suddenly in January 2007 Dodd is the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.

Here is where he makes his major miscalculation. He evidently doesn't figure that this will be an in-the-bright-national-spotlight position. Who did? Certainly not me.

Between his Presidential run and the bailout, things went sour. But this post is intended to explain some of the background on committee assignments and how banking is not desired. Funny thing is that I love the fact that Ron Paul is a member of House Financial Services. If it weren't for him, I doubt I'd know virtually anything about monetary policy.

Tim White

The US Dollar: Issues of power and morality

If you're concerned about the future of America, I recommend you watch this three minute clip of Ron Paul in 1983. He explains the dollar in terms of power and morality.



Tim White

09/10 Town budget - some random thoughts

There was a proposed budget that went to hearing last Thursday, but I doubt it will be the budget on the agenda when we vote.

Of the five members of the majority party - based on the budget meetings - I think only one member considers that proposed budget to be a serious option. Of course, I can't speak to the thoughts of two members of the majority because I haven't seen them at budget meetings this past month for more than a few minutes total. And few in town would expect one particular member of the Council majority to reject any serious cuts to the school budget beyond the fluff. And the final member of the majority... well... I think that particular member is focused on being the next Honorary Mayor of Cheshire... and will do anything to satisfy the moderate member of the majority caucus and convince that member to run for office this year.

Or I may be really bad at reading the tea leaves!

As for my concerns with the budget... I could vote for a budget similar to the one presented at last week's public hearing. Though I'm wondering if tomorrow's meeting is going to be a shell game in which the Council is told of spending "reductions" in the General Government budget ("reductions" related to retirements)... but those "reductions" are really just spending transfers from the operating budget to the pension fund. I certainly hope that's not the case because that would be little more than a shell game in which we're spending money today, but raising taxes tomorrow... exactly what the federal government and state government have done to create the fiscal mess we face today.

I also don't see how you cut education, the police or anything else... but not the pool.

Finally, I'm curious to know why some departments in Town Hall seem to get cut every year... but one notable exception to the rule is the Office of the Town Manager. Here we see new titles, new spending, new passport-required travel, new everything. This pattern of spending growth in one particular "department"... and the refusal of the Council majority to address it... gets tiring.

Tim White

Legislature's Energy Chair should vote on criteria used in allocating energy-related stimulus funding

CT will be getting money related to the stimulus package. So I wanted to see if it would be possible for Cheshire to secure any of that money for some of our numerous projects that offer energy-efficiency opportunities, such as the Mixville pump station, the pool, HVACs, roofs, windows, etc.

In order to get the ball rolling I emailed our state delegation which got a response from state Rep. Esty. That response prompted me to email Cheshire's State Rep. Vickie Nardello (also Chair of the Energy Committee). My email got this response:

Tim

Currently the Governor and OPM will make the decisions however we are working on legislation that will provide review by the general assembly.

Vickie

I appreciated Vickie's quick response. But it also struck me as a vague and inadequate answer. And it reminded me of:

1) the origin of the turf funding and
2) the WRAs July 2008 opinion on the reckless use of slush funds by Hartford's power brokers:

The issue is whether three of the state's highest-ranked elected officials have the right to confiscate, through their own collusion, $36 million a year from the most overtaxed people in America for the purpose of raising their own poll numbers, buying votes and soliciting campaign donations.

So I replied:

Hi Vickie,

Thanks for replying so quickly. But I have a followup about your statement

Currently the Governor and OPM will make the decisions

Can you explain "decisions?" Are they "decisions" about where the money is spent? Or are they "decisions" about establishing the criteria used to allocate the money? Will the Assembly review include recorded votes? Or is this going to be allocated similar to the "discretionary funding" - such as the funding for the turf?

If this is going to be allocated by a process similar to the turf, then I think this is a real opportunity to demand positive reform of the system.

thanks,
Tim

No response yet. But it's only been the weekend. So I'm hoping I'll hear back this week. And in fact I was going to hold off on this post until I got a response. But then I read today's Courant and remembered why I was so hot-to-trot on nailing down the allocation process for the stimulus funding.

Deep into an article by Josh Kovner about the use of stimulus funding:

Fears Of Cronyism

This is the point in the process — where the distance between source and recipient is at its widest — that good-government types get concerned."

As the money gets deeper in the weeds, there's less transparency," said Michael Surrusco, deputy director of research for Common Cause in Washington.

It's this reality of CT that concerns me. I hope that - as the Energy Chair - Rep. Nardello will be demanding that the legislature vote on the criteria used in allocating energy-related stimulus funding. If she doesn't, then I expect that you can demand all the disclosures you want... but you'll still end up seeing legislators bragging about the pork they brought home... while we'll never see the backroom deals that are being cut on other issues.

CT needs to stop the backroom dealing. Rep. Nardello has a perfect opportunity to use the bully pulpit to demand both accountability and transparency. I hope she takes advantage of it.

Tim White

The Political Class continues to run America

As I've been saying, President Obama promised change. But that change is certainly not seen in the likes of Ben Bernanke, Mike Froman and Tim Geithner. And in yet another demonstration of The Political Class running America:

Lawrence Summers, a top economic adviser to U.S. President Barack Obama, was paid about $5.2 million by hedge fund D.E. Shaw in the past year, financial disclosure forms released by the White House showed on Friday....

Summers, who was a part-time managing director of D.E. Shaw after stepping down as Harvard president, had speaking fees of $67,500 from JP Morgan, $45,000 from Citigroup, $135,000 from Goldman Sachs and $67,500 from Lehman Brothers, which went bankrupt in the mortgage crisis last year. (Reuters, by Roberta Rampton)

When Larry Summers is advising the President, for whom is he advocating?

Tim White

Kucinich and Buchanan agree - Kill the Fed!

Coming in from the left, Dennis Kucinich wants to kill the Federal Reserve. And now weighing in from the right, Pat Buchanan echoes the comments of Kucinich:

The Federal Reserve is no more federal than Federal Express

when he speaks highly of the new anti Federal Reserve book Meltdown:

For the financial crisis that has wiped out trillions in wealth, many have felt the lash of public outrage.

Fannie and Freddie. The idiot-bankers. The AIG bonus babies. The Bush Republicans and Barney Frank Democrats who bullied banks into making mortgages to minorities who could not afford the houses they were moving into.

But the Big Kahuna has escaped.

The Federal Reserve.

I hope CTs 2010 US Senate contest can be something of a catalyst to begin a national dialogue on some basic money questions:

1) sound money vs. fiat money
2) fractional reserve banking vs. full reserve banking
3) bailouts vs. bankruptcies
4) existence of a central bank
5) US dollar as the world's reserve currency

that have long been ignored by The Political Class.

Tea Party, anyone?

Tim White

George Washington's farewell address (34/51)

Paragraph 34 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent Patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practise the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the Public Councils! Such an attachment of a small or weak, towards a great and powerful nation, dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter.

Sam Caligiuri on Fox with Shelly Sindland

I can't figure out how to embed the video, but the link is here. Also see Shelly Sindland's blog here.

Tim White

Some history of school budgets

Over the past week there's been talk of layoffs of dozens of teachers if the Democratic Council votes in favor of the budget that went to public hearing on Thursday. This reminded me of April 2004 when similar assertions were made. So I decided to do some research.

Most memorable to me was a headline in the MRJ that spoke to comments by the Superintendent. I can't find the article or the headline, but it indicated something about possible layoffs of dozens of teachers.

In the absence of that article and headline, I did find this piece from the Herald:

So there was definitely talk of losing many teachers.

In the end, the schools saw a reduction of nine certified staff:Obviously that had forced a reduction in services. But I still thought it was worth noting that the full projections did not become reality. And this also reminds me of another post in which I showed that the 05/06 BOE budget actually increased by:

3.28 certified staff and
10.0 non-certified staff

between when it was:

approved by the Board of Education in June 2005 and
implemented by the Administration in October 2005.

I realize that these prior budgets have no direct relation to our current situation. But since we learn history in school, I figure history is probably worth knowing.

Whatever budget is adopted, I expect it will reduce services on both the town and school side. But that's a reality I believe most people accept because of the times in which we find ourselves - everyone is cutting back to varying degrees.

Tim White

Dodd's troubles continue

Senator Chris Dodd may have a Dem primary with the former 1st Selectman of Greenwich, Roger Pearson.

And troubles of Dodd's own making will continue to haunt him. First AIG got the $165 million in so-called retention bonuses. Now in a typical Washington-style Friday afternoon news dump, we learn that Fannie and Freddie are dishing out $210 million in bonuses for their failures.

From my perspective... Congress (Ds & Rs, including Dodd) encouraged Fannie / Freddie to issue loans to people who were not creditworthy. Then Fannie / Freddie get bailed out with our tax dollars when the house of cards falls. Now Fannie / Freddie execs will live high on the hog on our tax dollars?

I can't wait for the Tea Party!

Tim White

A prior Dem school budget vs. the current Dem school budget

Following up on this post, I now see where BOE member Alan Sobol got his number regarding the "additional 23 teachers" in the school system in recent years. He was going from

2004/05 - 389.07
2008/09 - 412.61

or 23.6 additional "certified staff." And for anyone who is unaware, the schools often avoid speaking of teachers and prefer to speak of "certified staff."

But some will charge that the 2004/05 budget is an inappropriate measure. It was often called the "zero budget." So instead, I suggest comparing the current year budget (adopted by a Dem Council) to the year prior to the zero budget - 2003/04. As with the current year budget, the 2003/04 budget was adopted by a Dem Council.

Presumably, the Dem Council put forward a responsible school budget. It paid for 398.43 certified staff. And some comparisons:

In 2003/04, 398.43 certified staff educated 5,165 students.

In 2008/09, 412.63 certified staff educate 4,945 students.

In 2003/04, 223.05 non-certified staff supported 5,165 students.

In 2008/09, 236.05 non-certified staff support 4,945 students.

I know there are a lot of factors to be considered. But on the surface, I see staffing levels increasing and student enrollment decreasing. And that makes no sense to me.

Tim White

FOBK sells out their CSA shares

Hot off the presses... the Friends of Boulder Knoll have sold out all 35 shares of their CSA.

Tim White

09/10 Town budget - teacher & student school stats

Following last night's meeting, I thought it would be worthwhile to review some history of the school system's student / staff ratios. Here you see student enrollment - peaking in 2003/04, then trending down:Here are the approved staffing levels per the June 2005 Board of Ed adopted school budget for the 2005/06 school year:And here are the actual staffing levels per the January 2009 Board of Ed approved school budget proposal:I'm uncertain why the "actual" staffing levels changed for the 2005/06 school year. I venture a guess that between June 2005 and September 2005 there were some additional teacher retirements that relieved budgetary constraints and allowed for higher-than-approved staffing levels. Again though, that's just a guess.

Tim White

George Washington's farewell address (33/51)

Paragraph 33 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

So likewise, a passionate attachment of one Nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite Nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest, in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to concessions to the favorite Nation of privileges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the Nation making the concessions; by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained; and by exciting jealousy, ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld. And it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens, (who devote themselves to the favorite nation,) facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country, without odium, sometimes even with popularity; gilding, with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation.

"A new world order that's less U.S.-centric"

The long, and increasingly fast-paced, march toward a new world order continues:

Global leaders took their biggest steps yet toward a new world order that’s less U.S.-centric with a more heavily regulated financial industry and a greater role for international institutions and emerging markets.

At the end of a summit in London, policy makers from the Group of 20 yesterday delivered a regulatory blueprint that French President Nicholas Sarkozy said turned the page on the Anglo-Saxon model of free markets by placing stricter limits on hedge funds and other financiers. The leaders also pledged to triple the resources of the International Monetary Fund and to hand China and other developing economies a greater say in the management of the world economy.

Frankly, I'm not particularly concerned about the actions of other countries. But I have strong feelings about America and our wonderful Constitution.

First, why must America "manage the world economy?" IMO, we need to dramatically regulate our economy beginning here:

The Congress shall have Power... To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures (US Constitution, Article I, Section 8)

Then we need to extricate ourselves from all of the international alliances, such as the IMF. We don't need to waste more money on bailouts for more of Geithner's Friends in High Places. And we really don't need to be getting any cozier with these guys:



As an American, I distinguish between being an isolationist and being acquaintances with all countries. I suggest President Obama read the words of President Washington. We need to begin minding our own business and also strengthen our own currency through deficit reduction measures.

Tim White

A 2008 timeline of the Teachers' contract votes

At tonight's public hearing and over the past few months, I've heard an attempt at rewriting history. Specifically, I've heard comments about how the world economy started collapsing after the Board of Ed and / or Council voted in favor of the Teachers' contract.

For the record, here are some of the significant events relating to both the adoption of the Teachers' contract and the US economy:

February 13, 2008 - $168 billion Bush stimulus package

March 27, 2008 - $29 billion Bear Stearns bailout

July 14, 2008 - $300 billion Fannie / Freddie bailout

September 17, 2008 - $85 billion AIG bailout

September 21, 2008 - $700 billion Bush bailout

October 2, 2008 - Board of Ed vote on the Teachers' contract

November 12, 2008 - Council vote on the Teachers' contract

Frankly, I find it totally disingenuous when I hear members of both the Board and Council suggest they couldn't have seen this economic downturn coming at the time of the vote on either October 2 or November 12.

In fairness to Board members, during much of the negotiations they would have been unaware of the $700 billion bailout. But there was no need to support the contract on October 2. As for Council members who supported the contract on the basis that they wanted to avoid $20,000 in legal fees I say - your "fiscal responsibility" would have made more sense when you voted to waste $20,000 on the pool consultant.

I'm so glad Sheldon Dill is back and knocking some sense into The Rubber Stampers... even if the only reason is a certain someone (not Sheldon) is doing it simply to be the next person to bear Cheshire's title of Honorary Mayor.

Tim White

Some challenges facing libraries nationwide

My previous post on the library budget seemed to generate quite a bit of interest, so here's an NYTimes article that paints a not-so-pretty picture of the trying times facing libraries:

As the national economic crisis has deepened and social services have become casualties of budget cuts, libraries have come to fill a void for more people, particularly job-seekers and those who have fallen on hard times. Libraries across the country are seeing double-digit increases in patronage, often from 10 percent to 30 percent, over previous years. (By SUSAN SAULNY and KAREN ANN CULLOTTA)

I'm a believer that budget cuts need to be across the whole budget - schools and all town departments. But I also believe we need to keep in mind the situation in which we find ourselves.

Tim White

George Washington's farewell address (32/51)

Paragraph 32 (of 51) in George Washington's farewell address:

In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential, than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular Nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody contests. The Nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the Government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The Government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of Nations has been the victim.

09/10 Schools budget - The public hearing memo

Tonight there was some discussion of a memo distributed by the Superintendent. It was a somewhat controversial topic. Read it for yourself to decide its purpose:

M E M O R A N D U M

FROM: Greg J. Florio, Superintendent of Schools
DATE: March 31, 2009
RE: 2009/2010 Budget


On Thursday, April 2, 2009 the Cheshire Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on the 2009/10 Budget. The Hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall.

As of last evening, the Budget Committee of the Town Council was considering a number of budget scenarios that would reduce the Town Manager’s Budget recommendation. The Town Manager’s Proposal did not reduce funding for the education budget beyond the amount that was recommended by the Board of Education. The additional reductions to the education budget that are under consideration range from a few hundred thousand dollars to over $600,000.

At this point, I remind you that my initial proposal reduced the staffing level by 5 teaching positions and 10 support staff positions. The Board then reduced my request by $1.1 million and though the reductions have not yet been specified, over 75% of those reductions would come from staff related accounts. A further reduction by the Town Council will certainly require further consideration of staff reductions.

Again, the Board of Education will have the final say in how the budget is allocated for next year once it is finalized. However, at this point I estimate that as many as 20-24 teaching positions will have to be considered for reduction along with a myriad of other cuts. This would include further cuts to support staff, elimination of extra-curricular activities (or implementation of a fee), elimination and reductions to programs and services, reductions in instructional supply and textbook accounts, as well as, reductions in maintenance services for our facilities. Clearly, this is not a very favorable picture.

It is also important to note that if passed, Mr. Milone’s budget recommendation would increase the tax burden to the average Cheshire property owner (house and two cars) by $153.00 per year. The median increase would be about $115 per year.

I think we all understand that this economic crisis does not appear to be limited to this year, so it is even more imperative that we remember that our actions will certainly have long-term impact on our schools. It is important that all parties to the budget understand the need for shared sacrifice during extremely difficult economic conditions; however, as a community, it is important to stress the need for a moderate and even-handed approach to guide us through these hard times and to guard against taking measures that will take years from which to recover.

Cheshire is a well-run community. I am proud of our schools; however, spending less per pupil than 142 of the 166 school systems in the state indicates that there is not a lot of margin for error. Reductions to our budget will not be at the fringes, but at the heart of our mission – direct instructional services to children.

I will continue to work with our employee groups to discuss strategies and ideas to mitigate costs going forward. I will also continue to work with the Board of Education and the Town Council to also try and minimize the impact on educational services. I am hopeful, as we all must be, that we can come through these most difficult economic times, as a stronger community.

Tim White

Tom Ruocco on the 09/10 town budget and Thursday's public hearing at 7pm

A guest post by Councilman Tom Ruocco:

The second public hearing on the town budget is scheduled for April 2nd, at 7:00pm at Town Hall. All citizens interested in voicing your opinion on the budget are encouraged to attend. Your input is invaluable in helping us to settle on a budget we can all live with.

Revenue losses at the state level is pressuring the state to cut back on aid to towns, and we expect the growing state budget will force further cutbacks in state aid. We are bracing for bad news. We could see revenue losses of another 1 million dollars. That puts a lot of potential pressure on taxpayers to fill the void.

To make matters even more difficult for homeowners, is that many people experienced an increase in property values during the re-valuation this year. Those higher values result in higher assessments, and a bigger tax bill. That could mean that we will not only pay higher taxes to cover revenue losses, but will get hit again with a tax on the increase in your property values.

Even the current fiscal year is posing some trouble. There is currently a projected revenue shortfall of $800,000. To mitigate a deficit, the Town Manager has frozen some spending, and halted some capital projects from the Capital Non-Recurring account (CNR). Ironically, I offered an Amendment to the capital budget last year that would have reduced the costs by about $600,000. Another counter-proposal to the operating budget would have saved $450,000. Combined, that's a total of about $1,000,000 in reductions, which I believe would have made our current situation a little easier.

We need to be forward thinking. We can't treat each budget year as an isolated event. Our situation did not happen overnight. It is the culmination of events and decisions that took place over time, and at all levels of government. The Council did not rein in spending early enough; despite my efforts to do so. Now is the best time to think long term, and consider how our budget will effect us in future years.

By the time the budget process is over, I assure you that I will have made another conscientious effort to reduce costs and alleviate your tax burden. We still have a lot of work to do; and I hope you will make the effort to attend the remaining meetings and hearings. The schedule is as follows (subject to change). Also, please feel free to pass along any concerns you may have. I always like hearing from you.

Remaining budget meetings

Thursday, April 2, 7:00 Public Hearing and Meeting
Monday, April 6, 6:30 pm if needed
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 pm if needed
Thursday, April 9, 7:00 Budget adoption

Tom Ruocco

Blog traffic continues rising

It seems that there are newspapers going bankrupt almost daily. In turn, I suspect more people are turning to The Tubes for their news. And while I'm clearly not an accredited journalist, the traffic here is on the rise. Here are the daily numbers for March:The one day spike near 900 unique hits was because Ironman got me cross-posted on a national blog. And the last two days of the month largely related to my 2007 post on the recent trial of Tuol Sleng's Commandant. Regardless, traffic is on the rise. I'm guessing we now have more than 100 unique Cheshire visitors on a daily basis.

Here's the month on month traffic:
Tim White

Energy stimulus - setting CTs criteria for distribution of the $38 million

Following Monday's Energy Commission meeting, I emailed Cheshire's state legislators to determine if Obama's stimulus package may have a few million dollars in "loose change" that could be used for a permanent structure for the pool.

State Rep. Elizabeth Esty responded by saying the situation is fluid and she and state Rep. Vickie Nardello are following the process. I thanked Elizabeth. But since Vickie is the co-Chair of the Energy Committee in Hartford, I'm guessing she'll be more aware of what's happening. So I emailed Vickie:

Hi Vickie,

Will the Energy Committee be setting the criteria for the distribution of funds? I'm guessing this would have input from the Administration's "energy people," but would be adopted by your committee (and the full legislature) before going to Gov. Rell for signature?

If there's any insight you can offer on the process, I know the Cheshire Energy Commission (and others) would be very interested to hear it.

thanks,
Tim

I figure the first step is determining the criteria that are being used in the distribution of funds. Then we can determine if Cheshire's pool is eligible.

Tim White

09/10 Town budget - Ruocco's proposal

From the MRJs Jesse Buchanan:

Republican town councilors proposed a budget Wednesday that would reduce expenses from the town manager's recommended budget and not draw money from the capital project fund.

The plan would cut $300,000 from the salary increase, conference and town attorney account budgets. A further $180,000 to $200,000 would be drawn through salary increase and performance award concessions from union leaders.

The "conferences and seminars" budget is something I opposed last year. But this year it gets better with passport required!

Here's the outline of Tom Ruocco's proposed budget:

$300,000 Reduction

Reduction in all General Fund accounts for salary increases (5107) to include all non-union employees (E & N). Eliminate all conferences (5302) except those required for certification and licensing.

Adjustments in all General Fund accounts to reflect lowered rates for natural gas, gasoline and diesel fuel (5300 accounts).

Reduce Town Attorney Account to 2008 Level of $250,000.

$180,000 to 200,000 Reductions

Reduction of Union Staff or agreed concession of salary increases, performance awards and differentials to obtain the required cost savings of $180,000 to $200,000

Leaves budget @ $94,745,584

$600,000 Savings

Reduce BOE request by 50% to an increase of $618,783. This would still be a 1.4% increase making the BOE budget $59,172,831.

These alterations of $1.1 million plus additions in the revenue side of $62,000 reflecting changes in the revaluation appeals and applying $338,000 from the Taxpayers relief fund totals $400,000.

These changes will generate a town budget of $94,145,584 or a 0.02% increase and a new adjusted mill rate of 25.95 or a 0.5% increase in taxes.

Tim White

Justin Bernier is running for CT-5

Congressman Chris Murphy has an opponent, Justin Bernier. You can see his website here.

I scanned it quick and didn't see anything about monetary policy. Too bad. I'd love to know his views on:

1) sound money vs. fiat money
2) fractional reserve banking vs. full reserve banking
3) bailouts vs. bankruptcies
4) existence of a central bank
5) US dollar as the world's reserve currency

Tim White