Protect the Partrick Wetlands
and our Community
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The Partrick Road Factor By Don Casciato dcasciato@bcnnew.com
Wolgast said afterwards that he was joking, but he has been at enough GOP gatherings during his political career to be at least a little wary. He knows better than most people that the best of plans can unravel in political combat especially when Westport Republicans are involved.
If he worried at all, it was in vain, however.
The meeting was calm and flowed along smoothly as the RTC approved 12 candidates for the Board of Finance, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals, Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
All five bodies are currently controlled by the Democratic Party, but often political differences diminish after Election Day and the board members of both parties work in harmony.
"I think we have a terrific slate," said Wolgast when the nominating session was done.
Party primaries are possible but so far no one has announced plans to do that.
Reportedly, some who didn't get the nod of their party were unhappy. RTM member Stephen Rubin announced prior to the start of the Tuesday caucus that he had interviewed with the RTC Nominating Committee unsuccessfully for the Board of Education.
Several weeks before the session Ralph Hymans, currently a member of the RTM, said he was considering taking out petitions and challenging the selection for the Board of Finance.
Otis Crawford, the chairman of the RTC Nominating Committee, referred to those not selected in a memo released before the meeting. "Not all votes were unanimous but this report has the unanimous support of the committee," Crawford stated.
Partrick Road Factor
There also was a Partrick Road factor in the selection process as neighbors who are fighting development at the former F.D. Rich site said that they supported getting candidates nominated and elected especially on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The P&Z candidates include: Helen Martin Block, James Cochrane, David Press and Sean Timmins.
The Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund Inc. Wednesday issued a statement saying it "is pleased to support the candidacies of" Block, Cochrane and Timmins for the P&Z. Press wasn't mentioned.
"As members of our nonpartisan grass roots movement, their being nominated for election by the Republican Party, confirms the empowerment of the people to address and seek change that would benefit all," said the statement which was sent by Matthew Mandell, a leader in the effort to reject development of the F.D.Rich site.
"This team of civically responsible individuals are committed to the idea of protecting all our neighborhoods from over-development, sprawl and the traffic congestion that threatens to suffocate our town.
"The New England character of Westport, open space, health and safety and the Town Plan's stated goal of a "more rural philosophy" will be the basis for their campaign and their tenure on the commission."
However, the P&Z mission is stated in more complex terms, so Wolgast was asked yesterday if the Partrick goal was too restrictive.
Wolgast said that the nominating committee was assured no one issue would be held dominant by the candidates. "We want a broad-gauged group of people and they felt they could be," said Wolgast.
Other Candidates
Other selections include:
Zoning Board of Appeals: John Hudock and Elizabeth Wong, who is an incumbent.
Board of Finance: Gavin Anderson, an incumbent, Thomas Bloch and Charles Haberstroh.
Board of Education: Edward Bowers and Lewis Brey, who once served on the Board of Finance.
Garson Heller was selected for another term on the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Besides Crawford, the RTC Nominating Committee included: Adam Starr, Joe Kleine, Mike Pettee, Jo Fuchs-Luscombe, Tammy Pincavage, and Phil Schemel.
"There were many outstanding candidates and choices had to be made," said Crawford, in the memo released prior to the meeting. "There were good and capable Republicans who were not selected by the committee to be submitted for your consideration.
"The nominees we have selected have the dedication, ability and character to serve our community. Each has the background, experience and willingness to campaign to gain the voters' support."
Crawford said that the committee met 12 times about three hours each time. "A lot of new people were interviewed," he said.
Budget Report
Besides the nominations, state Rep. Ken Bernhard (R-136) and state Sen. Judith Freedman (R-26) attended the meeting and discussed the stalled budget process in the General Assembly.
"Nothing's changed," said Freedman, of the difficulty of approving the budget which had been reported on a month ago. "Obviously, we still don't have a budget. Different areas of the state operation are impacted. I hope we go back in and prepare a budget. The tax issue has had no impact. If we don't do something soon, we could be here in September or October. By then municipalities will be clamoring for aid.
Asked who is hurt by the budget impasse, Freedman cited state agencies involved with health care as one example.
In recent weeks, she has said it is time to outsource more often. "Transfer more to the private sector," said Freedman. "A lot of this is absolutely ludicrous."
The state senator also pointed out that State Police are hurting because of retirements. "They don't have the money to start a new class for training cops," she said.
Bernhard, a lawyer, said he was concerned that Gov. John Rowland probably has been running the state illegally. Since the end of the old fiscal year, the governor has been running the state without a budget. "I'm worried that he might ultimately be challenged," said Bernhard.
Turning to the budget, the state representative, who represents most of Westport, said that the quarrel with Democrats at this point is how the tax increase is implemented. "The Republican caucus in Hartford wants to reduce the property tax credit," he said. "The issue is how the tax increase will be imposed."
Bernhard said he also agreed with Freedman about using the private sector for some things. "There are better services for less cost," he said.
Both of them complained about the unions being unwilling to make some concessions.
"The unions are running the state," said Bernhard, who complained about a 5.5 percent pay hike for some union members. "Quite frankly the unions have a stranglehold on the state. The unions have the major party (the Democrats) in their hip pocket. They take no responsibility. The unions have to become part of the solution."
Bernhard and Freedman were asked whether public relations tools have been employed and if improved "spin" could help the Republican cause in the General Assembly.
"The GOP doesn't do that quite as well as the Democrats," said Bernhard. "Even if marketing is off, our message is clear."
Asked about binding arbitration and negotiations, Freedman explained that they lost arbitration battles in the past. "Right now we are behind privatizing and possibly more dismissals. I agree that this is a terrible stain on all of us."
They also expressed hope that the bond rating could skip back up once budget is approved.
"Rowland is a conciliator when he has a chance," said Freedman. "But he also needs to be tough. And there are other alternatives we are not privy to that."
When asked if there were cases of businesses leaving Connecticut, Bernhard and Freedman said they didn't know. They said no examples are available, but there is a fear of it.
Freedman said that there is business growth potential in Bridgeport if the budget is approved.
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