If you were applying for a job and had an interview with your potential employers, would you send someone else in your place?
That was the case last night at the Hartford Republican Town Committee's special meeting. The meeting was called to fill the upcoming vacancy by Hartford's only Republican Councilperson, the corrupt Councilwoman resigning under the excuse of "early retirement".
Several potential replacements submitted resumes to the Town Committee and they were each allowed 5 minutes to address those in attendance. Among those submitting their names were Steven Bonafonte, Corey Brinson, Michael Fryar, Mike Lupo, Kevin Carroll, Gerry Pleasent, Nyesha McCauley and John O'Connell. In the end, Bonafonte received the most votes (5) although his presentation was given by a stand-in, playing the part of Steven Bonafonte.
The selection and the replacement process seems to be raising a lot of questions though. First off was a question raised as to whether or not it was proper to accept resumes from an individual who wasn't even there to speak. RTC Chairperson Michael McGarry explained that it was an emergency meeting and they needed to move quickly to provide names to the Council.
No action can be taken by the Council on the Republican vacancy until most likely January 5, 2011 , so I really can't understand the rush. The Council President's position and his Council seat was left open for a couple months after his June vacancy was created. This delay by a Council usually unable to make quick decisions. Also at the time, Segarra played a key role on the Council, I'm not sure the same can be said about Airey-Wilson.
Another big question is why the Democratic Council can choose whoever they want to fill the Republican vacancy. I find it hard to believe that anyone on this Council would vote to put a hard line Republican, such as John O'Connell, on the Council if they didn't have to. If there was any leadership on the Republican Town Committee, I would think their message should be loud and clear, "the Democrat's are not going to choose our Republicans, we selected a replacement and we demand that choice be honored".
But we know that is not going to happen. The RTC never even took a stand on Hartford's corruption scandal, probably because their fellow Republican was neck deep in the scandal, but to say anything would involve exercising some integrity, and that is not a strong point for the RTC Chair.
It would seem that a common sense approach to the replacement is simple. If we really want to follow the will of the people who voted for Council candidates last go around, go back to 2007 and look at the vote results. Kevin Carroll was the 2nd highest vote getter in the Council race and should be Hartford's version of the "Miss America" runner-up. If the number one can't complete the term, the first runner up steps in.
We tend to make these things much more difficult than they need be.
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10 comments:
Leaving aside all the Republican manuvering within their party, the Charter clearly states that the decision is the Council's alone.The fact that Mr Bonafonte received the most votes within a Republican Party caucus means nothing and should have no bearing on the ultimate decision of the Council.
"Kevin Carroll was the 2nd highest vote getter in the Council race"
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Clarification, Kevin was the 2nd highest Republican vote getter. Bottom three were:
Airey-Wilson
Cotto
Deutsch
followed by:
Mozzicato
Petit
Hard to check the actuals because the Registrars link to those result is not working.
But I think that even Thompson Page beat Kevin Carroll.
should have no bearing on the ultimate decision of the Council...
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No? None, zero, nada? An exaggeration. The Council is legally obligated to appoint a Republican. Out of respect for the will of the Republican-American-Community some consideration "should" be given to their preference.
I think the Republicans comported themselves reasonably well last night. The meeting was orderly, and the candidates presented themselves. Candidates, including Carroll, emphasized experience and electability. Great that we are lawyers who have lived in town for a while, but what do we think of the issues facing the city? Or should I say, "issue?" Fiscal situation/taxes.
Of the applicants for the vacating city council position, I think that John O'Connell unquestionably has the most municipal budgetary experience. This is especially important now, when we face a very difficult financial situation.
In the past election, I defeated Thom Page (a Democrat running as an independent) by approximately 200 votes. Paul Mozzicato ran a very well-funded and organized campaign. He did an excellent job helping to organize the small business owners in Hartford and articulating their frustrations during a time when many were facing tax increases of 20, 30 or 50%. I was in agreement with him in most of these areas. However' Paul's appeal was essentially limited to 3 or 4 voting districts which he where he received the vast majority of his support. Anyone who met Eurania Petit could not help but be impressed with her passion and commitment to her principles. The Working Families Party (with only a handful of registered voters) out-worked and out-campaigned the Republican Party. The Working Families Party had the support of many unions and a well-educated and well-informed cadre of volunteers who pounded the streets to get their message out.
I ran a first-time campaign with little money and little help from the Republican party. My votes primarily came from people who knew me, or by work of mouth. Nonetheless, my support was broad-based across the city; it came from Kennelly School as well as Rawson School.
As a consequence of our present fiscal problems, I think that we have a unique opportunity wherein the Republican message of fiscal responsibility should resonate well with the voters of Hartford. In order to get that message to the voters, we need a face that voters throughout the city will accept. I believe that I am that person.
One example of fiscal irresponsibility is the nepotism and political patronage that has cost our city millions. By way of example, we have an Energy Czar, and three former Dobbs employees who were hired by our former mayor. A special department was initially created just for them,. do do nothing but mirror the work that was, is and always will be done by the DPW. One of these employees is being paid approximately $170,000.00 a year (more than the DPW director) to do almost nothing. Cumulatively, they have cost the city well in excess of a million dollars in the last three years. All this at a time when the city is asking its employees making $30,000.00 to sacrifice and make concessions. This is but one example of many where nepotism and political patronage has cost us all money It has to end. Kevin Carroll
Peter..I stand by what I said...Council can take note of the Republican Paty's 3 names or not,yet,they can choose to vote in whomever they wish, and throw the Republican Party's names in the waste basket...as long as who they vote in, is a Republican..
I think that John O'Connell unquestionably has the most municipal budgetary experience...
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I would love it if O'Connell were to return to the council. But, chances of his being appointed by the Dems on council not great. In any case, after his presentation the other night in which he did press the matter of the city's fiscal situation he withdrew his candidacy. I'm grateful to him for his years of service.
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Council can take note of the Republican Paty's 3 names or not
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Correct; that's the charter. But, it's an exaggeration to say the council has no democratic duty to at least consider the Republicans' wishes in the matter. It could follow Kevin's suggestion, it could accept the recommendation(s) of the Town Committee, or perhaps there is another means to get a handle on the Republican will. While legally it could simply pull a Republican name out of a hat, morally whoever they appoint should plausibly represent Republicans at large.
By way of example, we have an Energy Czar, and three former Dobbs employees who were hired by our former mayor. A special department was initially created just for them,. do do nothing but mirror the work that was, is and always will be done by the DPW. One of these employees is being paid approximately $170,000.00 a year (more than the DPW director) to do almost nothing.
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Mr. Carroll's interest in issues such as above attracts me to him. We could do worse than to have the Council take Kevin B.'s suggestion.
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-segarra-transition-team-1213-20101212,0,4794320.story
A key priority, Segarra said, is to address the city taxes.
"We're very limited in terms of how we're permitted to collect taxes," he said. "That's all ruled by state legislation."
Hartford's three primary revenue sources are the real estate tax, the conveyance tax and building and permit fees, "which," Segarra said, "in a slow economy gets difficult."
...City Councilman Kenneth Kennedy, chairman of the council's operations, management and budget committee, said the mayor should work with Malloy to find creative solutions for enhancing revenue.
"The city is too reliant on property taxes," he said.
He suggested exploring the option of a hotel tax that would benefit Hartford, a local sales tax or taxing vacant properties at a higher rate.
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We are doomed.
With regard to tax revenues. Last year, Boston and Denver were host sites for the NCAA regional basketball tournament. Boston represented that hosting the tournament cost the city in excess of a half million dollars. Denver represented that hosting the tournament generated over a million dollars for the city of Denver. It appears that the tax scheme in Colorado allows the local municipality to retain more of the tax revenue (hotel and other) than the antiquated system which we have back east. kevin Carroll
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