RTC Chairman Encourages Bethel To Vote For Fiscally Conservative Cleary

The following is a letter to the editor sent by Paul Improta, Chairman of the Republican Town Committee–

Republican First Selectman candidate Kevin Cleary

Letter to the Editor, Monday, Nov. 7, 2011:

As we are in the final stretch of the 2011 Municipal Election Season, we have heard from all the insiders. They have tried to make their case why their candidate should be elected, and in some cases why their opponents shouldn’t be elected. Most of the insiders’ reasons have little to do with the needs or the future of Bethel, but to influence voters’ opinions for this election. We need to listen beyond the immediate chatter, and look at history. Each candidate has a track record.

Matthew Knickerbocker came on the scene as a candidate for the BOE. Matt’s a nice guy, but his orientation is that of a big spender. His philosophy coincides with that of the Teachers’ Unions. He’s from Michigan, one of the bluest states in America. Matt interviewed as a Republican for a seat on the BOE in 1997, but was rejected by the RTC Vacancy Committee because he was too liberal. In 1999 Matt was picked up by the Democrats and cross-endorsed by the then-liberal ProBethel Party to run on the “Star Team” ticket. Their mantra was “let the professionals do their job”, which was code for let the BOE be a rubber stamp to the administration and the Teachers’ Unions, and so it was until the Republicans took the majority in 2005. They have held the majority ever since.

Many will remember during Knickerbocker’s tenure on the BOE, the town experienced some of the most bruising budget seasons, with the Democrat-crafted school budgets always asking for more from the townspeople than they were willing to fund. The Democrats on the BOE along with some of their surrogates in the community would engage in scorched earth campaigns – letters to the editor, sign waiving, and accusations that schools were being shortchanged. It just so happens that those they accused of underfunding education were the same people who voted in the majority at each referendum. In other words, the majority of their neighbors.

Who could forget the “no – too low” campaign where a Resolution of the Democrat-controlled BOE –with Mr. Knickerbocker was Chairman – encouraged voters to vote that the presented budget was too low, but every time the budget was voted down, those who voted “too high”  outnumbered those who voted “too low”, and each time the budget was cut further. That was Mr. Knickerbocker and the Democrats putting politics over our children. Since the Republicans have held a majority on the BOE, the rubber stamp has ended, the politicizing of our children and schools has ended, the schools have never done better, and lo and behold the BOE has consistently returned allocated funds unspent to the town General Fund.

Let’s look briefly at Mr. Knickerbocker’s orientation toward his job as First Selectman. One of his first initiatives as First Selectman, two years into the worst recession since the Great Depression, was to borrow $8.5 million on our already maxed-out credit limit for road paving. There is no way the town has the capacity to pave that much roadway in a single year, which means the town would’ve been making interest payments for years on money yet used. Again, this demonstrates a propensity to recklessly spend the taxpayers’ money. Luckily for the taxpayer, the Board of Finance whittled the amount down to a manageable $2 million, but even with that allocation, Mr. Knickerbocker has been too slow to implement the plan with the majority of the money still sitting in escrow almost two years later.

In his first term, Mr. Knickerbocker has put together “Ad Hoc” committees to “study” various aspects of town government, including much-needed economic development to generate industrial and commercial tax receipts to offset residential taxes. I call these “look busy” committees because they never conclude with an implemented plan. These committees have generated talk. They might’ve even generated some photo ops for campaign literature, but in two years they have not resulted in anything tangible for the taxpayer.

We can go further on the tax-and-spend theme regarding the Bethel Democrats and Mr. Knickerbocker specifically. One only needs to consider the Working Families Party Cross-endorsement. The Working Families Party is on off-shoot of ACORN, labor unions and far-left community organizations. Mr. Knickerbocker, along with his running mate Richard Straiton have both accepted the Working Family Party’s endorsement. Peculiar, there is only one registered Working Family Parties Elector in the entire town, so this cross-endorsement action has just as much to do with an ACORN-based political party gaining credibility in Connecticut as it does to assist the Democrats in our local election.

Seeing where the Democratic Party has gravitated in the last decade or so, it’s not unreasonable to find many fiscally conservative Democrats could no longer relate to the agenda of the national Democratic Party. In Connecticut and Bethel, the Democratic Party is in lock-step with the direction of the national party, which has served to alienate many now former Democrats, many who were involved in party politics on the local level. Phil and Steve Gallagher, along with our Republican Candidate for First Selectman Kevin Cleary come to mind. Americans of Irish-Catholic descent, these men share the Yankee ideals of self-reliance, fiscal conservatism, individual responsibility and public service. To paraphrase the words of Ronald Reagan;  they didn’t leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left them.

Contrast Kevin Cleary’s work experience and public service with Mr. Knickerbocker’s, and you will see a man who by his very orientation has the inclination to examine a situation from all angles to determine its value and efficacy before accepting it. If he can improve the situation, he will give his recommendations. His training tells him to manage each situation as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Mr. Cleary has demonstrated this over and over in the past as Chairman of the Board of Finance, and as a Selectman. He would’ve never extended our debt to the extent Knickerbocker tried to snatch-and-grab with the excessive bond deal, because he would’ve known the town hadn’t the capacity to construct that many road miles, and that we’d be paying interest on debt for unused funds.

Let’s forget the Republican or Democrat moniker for the time being. Yes, Knickerbocker was a Republican, and Cleary was once a Democrat. So what? On the local level, one must examine the person, that person’s values and make a conscious decision whether that person’s values mimic your own values. Are your values supported by an ACORN-based, tax-and-spend liberal agenda? If so, than Mr. Knickerbocker is your man. If you are concerned about over-spending and residential taxes increasing during these tough economic times, then your choice must be no one other than Kevin L. Cleary, a proven fiscal conservative to be the next First Selectman for the town of Bethel.

Paul K. Improta, Chairman, Republican Town Committee

Democratic Canvas Kicks Off Saturday With Door-to-Door Campaign

Democratic Canvas Kicks Off Saturday With Door-to-Door Campaign

Arleen Pedone, Don Goodrich and Board of Finance Democratic candidate Patricia Smithwick stand in front of the large flag at Democratic headquarters Friday evening, after preparing handouts for the Democratic campaign kickoff on Saturday.

The Democratic Town Committee and candidates for office ready themselves for their official campaign kickoff Saturday morning.  Volunteers and candidates, armed with campaign literature, will meet at the Democratic headquarters Saturday morning for a pep talk and street assignments before they head out to canvas neighborhoods.

Volunteers came out Friday evening to prepare pamphlets and bags to hand out to Bethel residents. Saturday at 10:00 a.m. they will gather, along with Democratic candidates, for the first official walk to share their platform with voters. Volunteers are welcome to assist in the campaign.

According to their handout, the Democratic party pledges the following to the citizens of Bethel:

~To let YOU vote on the full Road Recovery Project

~To support our seniors by restoring funding for Meals On Wheels, Regional Hospice and other essential services

~To work with the Board of Selectmen on Bethel’s 5-year Capital Plan to protect your investments in town buildings and schools, reduce debt and establish sound fiscal policies

~To work with and respect all Boards and Commissions

Democratic candidates for re-election First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker and Selectman Richard Straiton hope to clinch their re-election by reminding voters what they accomplished from 2008 up until now:

~Secured funding for Phase-1 of the Road Recovery Project

~Relocated Bethel Teen Center to a new temporary space at no cost to taxpayers

~Created a new Economic Outreach Commission to bring business and shoppers back to Bethel

~Opened Bethel’s first downtown farmer’s market

~Put the Bethel Public Library renovation back on schedule

~Restored civility and cooperation within Bethel’s town government

With their commitment of “Leadership and experience working for you,” Knickerbocker, Straiton and the rest of the slate of Democratic candidates set out to share how they plan to accomplish that goal.

Democratic candidates for Board of Finance, Eileen Freebairn, Patricia Smithwick and Claudia Stephan  are “Financial Professionals with decades of business experience,” according to their campaign flyer.

Their flyer also states: “If you’re tired of the politics, if you want a Board of Finance that will respect your wishes, there is a better alternative.”

The Democratic headquarters is located at 110 Greenwood Ave., in the plaza next to O’Neil’s Restaurant. All are welcome to come out for the campaign kick-off.

Republicans Officially Open Headquarters Saturday, Oct. 1st

Republicans Officially Open Headquarters Saturday, Oct. 1st

Republican candidate for First Selectman, Kevin Cleary, stands in front of the flags displayed in the Republican headquarters on Greenwood Ave.

Kevin Cleary and the Republican Party candidates will officially open their headquarters on Saturday, October 1st. The Republican candidate for First Selectman will be available from 2-4:00 p.m. on Saturday to greet potential voters and answer any questions and concerns they may have.

Cleary said his main concerns for Bethel include the following:

1. Work and secure quality schools that focus on student achievement, while working to secure the highest levels of educational cost sharing from the state.

2. Work with engineers to evaluate and correct the issues of flooding throughout the town.

3. Support senior tax relief by adding a one-on-one administrator to assist with paperwork filings and increase senior center space.

4. Continue to promote “Buy Bethel First.” Work to bring businesses to downtown and Stony Hill areas.

5. Ensure that all town offices and departments are user-friendly.

6. Bring more jobs to Bethel by working on industrial development.

The Republican headquarters will be open Saturday form 2-4:00 p.m. at 108 Greenwood Ave. The committee expects many of its candidates at the event.  This is an opportunity to meet the candidates running for local Boards and Commissions in the November election.   The event is free and open to the public.

Independents Endorse Cleary, Burke Official Candidate For CT Tea Party

Independents Endorse Cleary, Burke Official Candidate For CT Tea Party

Bethel Town Clerk Lisa Bergh looks over the list of nominees for office at town hall.

Bethel Town Clerk Lisa Bergh received the Independent Party’s endorsements last week for the upcoming elections. In addition she also received an official letter from Secretary of the State Denise Merrill stating that Robert Burke is an official candidate for First Selectman and will have a ballot line under the CT Tea Party. Below is a list of candidates the Independent Party has endorsed.

Independent Party Endorsements:

First Selectman: Kevin Cleary

Selectman: Paul Szatkowski

Treasurer: Robert DiMatteo

Board of Finance: William Slifkin, John Dietter, James Roden

Board of Assessment Appeals: Robert Fand, Alfred Bernard

Planning & Zoning: John Lennon, Henry Karl, Jr., Robert Legnard, Earle Finch

Panning & Zoning Alternates: Nicholas Hoffman, Stanley Lee Weston

Inlands Wetlands: Suzanne Fand

Inlands Wetlands Alternate: Daniel O’Grady

Zoning Board of Appeals: Jon Hawkins, Melanie Ryan

Zoning Board Alternates: Susan Dolan, Susan Catino

Police Commission: Peter Sefsik, Michael Duff

Last week Bergh also received the list of candidates for the CT Tea Party:

The letter from the Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill shows that Bethel former First Selectman Robert Burke is approved to run as a Connecticut Tea Party candidate.

Seven additional candidates who will also run on the CT Tea Party slate:

Robert Crnic for Selectman

Jack Moody for Treasurer

George Gaylord Jr. and Salvatore Maniscalco for Board of Finance

Kevin Gallagher for Board of Education

Clinton Monroe Jr. for Board of Assessment Appeals

Tulio Belardinelli for Police Commission.

Last month the CT Tea Party candidates received 65.  of the needed 49 signatures to run. Burke and Crnic will officially be on the ballot this Election Day, Tuesday, November 8 and will run against Democratic candidates First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker and Selectman Richard Straiton and Republicans Kevin Cleary and Selectman Paul Szatkowski.

Town Attorney’s Findings on Alleged Ethics Violation

Town Attorney’s Findings on Alleged Ethics Violation

On July 20, 2011 Bethel resident Daniel R. Gaita filed an ethics complaint claiming the Town Charter was violated due to nearly $3,000,000 in unauthorized transfers from the Town’s General Fund. Click here to read.

Town Attorney Martin Lawlor responded to the Ethics Commission on his findings regarding the alleged ethics violation. Below is his response from a letter dated August 3, 2011 and addressed to the Ethics Commission, released from the office of the First Selectman:

Dear Chairman Kelly:                                                                                      August 3, 2011

In connection with the above referenced matter and correspondence received from you on behalf of the Ethics Commission dated July 29, 2011, I will attempt to respond to the Commission’s questions.

As to item No. 1, I would agree with the Commission’s initial assessment that the matter is outside of the jurisdiction of the Code of Ethics when one reviews Chapter 8-3 Prohibited Acts. The question that has been raised is whether or not the “loaning” of fund’s from the Town’s general cash flow, not only for the Water and Sewer Department but also for the Transfer Station as well, is in violation of the Charter. I have spoken to the Comptroller regarding this matter who in turn has spoken to auditors who concluded that this is not considered a “transfer” which would result in a problem under the Town of Bethel’s Charter. In addition, this is not a new or unusual matter since the loaning of funds are clearly set forth in the auditor’s report and have been for many years without question from the auditors.

Therefore, I would agree with you that “financial matters” as handled by the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and/or the Office of the Comptroller are outside the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction and the ethics provisions themselves were not intended to address this matter.

Although it is my belief that this matter is outside the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission, I think it noteworthy that I comment regarding your reference to Chapter 8-3 A (6) concerning the granting of any special considerations, treatments or advantages to citizens beyond what is available to other citizens. Even if one would assume that this was a subject matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission, the circumstances as I know the in regards to both the sewer, water and transfer departments are that there have been no special considerations, treatments or advantages given to any citizen over another. Although some citizens have received a more direct benefit for these departments, all of the citizens of the Town of Bethel have shared in the benefits from each of these departments. The vast majority of Town buildings, including those in the education park receive municipal water and municipal sewer for the benefit of all the citizens of Bethel.  In addition, the same holds true for the use of the transfer station. The Town’s refuse is deposited at the transfer station.

If the Commission has any further questions or comments concerning this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Very Truly Yours,

Martin J. Lawlor, Jr.

Chairman Kelly had no comment for Bethel Buzz regarding the matter.

First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker stated: “There has been no violation of Town Charter. Voters should be investigating why the Board of Finance did not look at the audit.”

“Bob Kozlowski is the CEO for both the Town of Bethel and the Public Utilities Commission.  His job is to handle financial affairs and pay bills for both entities. They don’t find out about this until the end of the year when the audit company prepares financial statements.  $45,000 was paid to this audit company and they [the Board of Finance] claim they’ve never read it,” Knickerbocker said.

Knickerbocker said he would not call a town meeting regarding this matter and that the Public Utilities Commission has already created a “brand new capital plan.” They have put a rate increase structure in place and residents will soon be paying 35% more on their water bill when the rates go up on January 1, 2012.

“The rates did not go up for 20 years. The last time the rates were increased was in 1988. Burke raised them in 2008 and was supposed to increase them again the following year but didn’t. This is a problem that no one fixed,” Knickerbocker said.

The recommendation was to increase rates by 20% in 2008, again by 20% the following year and in smaller increments the following years, however, Knickerbocker stated that former First Selectman Bob Burke did not follow through with the plan. The 35% increase will cover the losses to the general fund, Knickerbocker said.

On August 11, 2011 Gaita proposed creating a Charter Enforcement Committee to investigate claims of charter violations. Click here to read more.

Burke Forms Connecticut Tea Party, Announces Slate

Burke Forms Connecticut Tea Party, Announces Slate

Former Bethel First Selectman Robert Burke announced Monday that he filed papers with the Secretary of the State to form the Connecticut Tea Party. Tuesday Burke filed papers with the Bethel Town Clerk so that he, along with a slate of Bethel candidates, will have a line on the ballot in November.

Burke said Monday he decided to form the party because “The Republican party is providing no option for the conservative side of the town of Bethel.”

The Chairman of the Connecticut Tea Party is Robert Burke. The Treasurer is Robert Crnic.

Burke said, “Moving forward we will form a town committee and they will elect a permanent chair, treasurer, secretary and a permanent vice chairman.”

“We are running an entire slate which will establish a CT Tea Party in order to perform the best government that can be performed.”

In order for Burke to petition to run as a candidate for First Selectman he had to get 49 signatures on his petition. This number was based upon 1% of the previous election. As of 3:05 p.m. Tuesday, Burke had 65 signatures. Approval of signatures will be known by 12:00 p.m. Wednesday when the Town Clerk’s office verifies them.

Burke is running against the current First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker (D) and former selectman Kevin Cleary (R).

“People can vote for a conservative, responsible government,” Burke said Monday.

Bob Crnic will be Burke’s running mate and said he is running because, “I’ve studied, analyzed and familiarized myself with all aspects of the town’s budgets and day to day operations for close to twenty years.  Bob and I are fiscally conservative, but very mindful that each issue needs to be judged on its own merits and resolved objectively, without a pre-ordained ideology.”

Crnic praised Burke for what he accomplished when he served: “From renovating the high school, to successfully enacting the largest Town Charter revision in Bethel’s history that resulted in splitting the budget referendum process, Bob has a proven track record.”

Eight candidates will run under the Connecticut Tea Party: Robert Burke will run for First Selectman, Robert Crnic will be his running mate, Kevin Gallagher is running for Board of Education, Jack Moody is running for treasurer, George Gaylord, Jr. and Salvatore Maniscalo will run for Board of Finance, Clinton Monroe Jr. will run for Board of Assessment Appeals and Tulio Belardinelli will run for Police Commission.

Board of Finance candidate Salvatore Maniscalco owns and operates The Spot, along with his son Tony, and said he is qualified to run for Board of Finance because, “I have run a successful business for seven-and-a-half years, I’ve lived in Bethel for 35 years and I worked at Metropolitan Life for 25 years.”

Maniscalo said the top priority for the town should be getting roads fixed.

“There’s a lot of town roads in the Stony Hill area that were torn up 4 or 5 years ago and they’re still not replaced. Why? Something’s wrong.”

Burke said Monday evening, “When good people fail to act tyranny will succeed.  When determined people work together they can accomplish anything and that is what we intend to do.”