PLEASE NOTE: Lots and lots of opinion on this page! In various cartoon styles. But not at local level.


LIST OF PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATE; (R) OCCUPY WALL STREET 2; BEST LINK TO POLLING: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/
University of Connecticut study: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/upload/2017/09/uconn-impact-associational-ties-on-financing-super-pacs-2017-09-13.pdf
Jane Jacobs meets Occupy West - see above right for some demands.
"Government" state-wide means a link to the C.G.A. "Local Government" in Weston, CT. How does the U.S. Supreme Court fit in?

COMMENT ON GOVERNANCE MODEL 21ST CENTURY: https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/10/trivialization-of-impeachment-has-consequences-that-threaten-liberty/


Nice try Donald...




Joe Biden finally wins election as President in 2020! Sworn in January 20, 2021 after attack...
Donald Trump has been impeached
twice now. Thanks to the attack (successful) on the Capitol, we
have seen the enemy - or shall I say Trump as he exposed himself.
We
watched some of the Homeland Security Committee and the Rules Committee
joint hearing going into security mistakes that breached the U.S.
Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 (left above). Chair. of Rules Committee
Sen. Klobuchar next...Sen. Portman next...followed by another who
claimed that the "demonstrators" were peaceful until the Capitol Police
attacked them.
ELECTION 2020 PAGE HERE
CT votes August 11 - both D and R Primaries.
MAY 11, 2020



U.S. Senate virtual hearing: "Pandemic response" with familiar faces.
WHERE ARE WE NOW WITH TESTING - TO PERMIT US TO OPEN SAFELY?
- We lead in diversity, testing per capita. Antigen test. 9 million point of care per week.
- 1.9 million last week. Testing to reopen...
- Plans for nursing homes, prisons Medicare & Medicaid: Goals. Supplies.
- Question on White House positive test.
- Up to Governors. Social Distancing. Negotiating on next round.
- Testing: Diagnostic, tracing and surveillance. ("We run to the fire" to stamp out outbreaks).
- Children? Swelling and skin rash. Kawasaki
syndrome. CDC on it. HHS on it. Vascular. Most
recover. There are treatments.
- Politics of COVID. Get back into gear. People are dying being locked down.
LOOKING FORWARD...
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/03/coronavirus-china-response-will-weaken-it-on-world-stage/?utm_source=recirc-desktop&utm_medium=blog-post&utm_campaign=river&utm_content=more-in&utm_term=first
SOME HISTORY...
GREY LADY betting on pandemic this time - since impeachment didn't do it: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/opinion/sunday/corona-virus-usa.html
NYTIMES Picture story on COVID-19: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/22/world/coronavirus-spread.html



DOESN'T HE LOOK RUSSIAN? FROM UKRAINE?
RUSSIANS FIDDLING WITH THE VOTE? ISN'T THAT THE KREMLIN?
OOPS.
2020 New York City candidates: https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/02/2020-election-new-yorkers-donald-trump-bernie-sanders-michael-bloomberg/


(L) Congressman holds Social Security forum with constituents in Hartford.
(R) SURPRISE!!! "No standing" decision: Guess who got "fired?" Check House Impeachment witness list.
State of the Union speech one and one-quarter hours long - Speaker rips it up. Natural shred job (l)

NADLER SAYS IT IS ALL LIES
We saw the state of the union and it was amazing to see Speaker not break any fingernails!


IOWA CAUCUSES 2-3-20, BUT HOLD THAT PHONE...then Feb. 4th STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
At the left, the President,
who is not on the "ballot" for the Iowa Democrat Caucus, will provide
his vision of the same things as the title of his address..
At right,
our prediction of the winner...guess what? Bernie Sanders gets
bagged again by Democrats - so how come this happened? And if
"mobile" link is untested, why use it? Indeed.
IMPEACHMENT OVER, PRESIDENT ACQUITTED 52-48 Article One, 53-47 Article Two... 2020
WE WATCHED IT LIVE ON YOUTUBE
1)Abuse of power and 2)Obstruction of Congress
The two (2) Articles of Impeachment as approved by the House

How many strikes and you're out again?
Primaries...from caucus to main deals..."Super" days where more than one state votes.
- Bloomberg to the rescue?
- Supposedly 6th and last debate. Do you have your scorecard? How many unforced errors?
- "Who's" on first?
"What's" on second? "I don't know" on third? "Why" is in
left, "Because" is in center, "Tomorrow's" on the mound, "Today" is
catching...
- ON L.A. DEBATE STAGE: Biden, Sanders, Warren, Buttegieg, Klobuchar, Yang and Steyer.
- AFSME forced a change of
venue from UCLA...to Loyola but wait...cooks, dishwashers strike and
picket line casts a shadow as all 7 say that won't cross their picket
line.
MR. NINETEEN-EIGHTY-FOUR GOES 007
Washington Examiner, Byron York, 12-12-19

From National Review article, V.D. Handen, 11-28-19
"Alleged bad thoughts are not crimes — at least not outside George Orwell’s dystopian novel '1984.'
"During special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, his legal 'dream
team' tried to make a secondary case that Donald Trump also obstructed
efforts to prove Trump-Russian 'collusion.'
"Trump was said to have advised his lawyers and other subordinates, past
and present, not to cooperate fully with the Mueller investigation. Yet
the special counsel did not pursue any actionable cases of egregious
interference by the White House..."

Meanwhile, across the pond:

"Put a sock in it" says landslide victor Conservative Party.
The President gets a lot off his chest.

WEDNESDAY IMPEACHMENT WITNESS SAYS NADA - WE SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE BUILDING COMMITTEE
Reading from the Impeachment Inquiry transcript, the
President states the witness had said the Ukrainian aid had flowed
without any "quid pro quo."
And we would add, we thought "foreign aid" was held to a different
standard than say "SNAP" or food stamps...foreign aid not an American entitlement.

LOCAL ELECTION NEWS
We will not be doing much with this, and would refer you to the Weston LWV page instead as the process continues into Fall...
THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD DEPARTMENT...

NO MORE "SECRETS" IN AN INTERNET WORLD? AND GOOGLE HAS MOST OF YOURS ON FILE:
https://www.scribd.com/document/427413795/White-House-Transcript#from_embed?campaign=SkimbitLtd&ad_group=93051X1547088Xbe6216021c9c0992d8088289e107ee62&keyword=660149026&source=hp_affiliate&medium=affiliate
HOW ABOUT THIS?
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/state-department-ramps-up-investigation-into-email-records-of-former-clinton-aides
AND WE COULDN'T RESIST THIS COMMENTARY:
https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/10/trump-impeachment-inquiry-anti-trump-psychodrama/

MAKE THAT BILLIONAIRES?
MILLIONAIRE STORY: https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-lamont-power-team-20190414-ocsmpjeuyjaufhvl4xc4pybota-story.html

CHENA IS NOT IMPRESSED. WHAT DO THESE LADIES HAVE IN COMMON?

Como se dice (with an accent on the first "o") a product of the public school system?
- Elected to Congress to rewrite history (as opposed to make history)?
- ALERT:
House Democrats declare a conspiracy against FDR! Well, a little
fact checking shows that it was posthumous - where did she learn her American History? Westchester County public school?
- After the fact amendment: FDR won 4 terms - 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944 - the 22nd amendment, ratified in 1951, prevented future presidents from serving more than 2 terms.
LOS ANGELES SETTLES
Vote early and often, as the saying goes: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/7/los-angeles-county-agrees-purge-voter-rolls-judici/


FROM THE LAST MONTHLY PRINT PUBLICATION OF L.W.V.U.S.
Thanks to a report 10 years ago, a look back: http://www.lwvweston.org/RedistributionofWealthLWVUS.pdf

CONNECTICUT THE 5th WEALTHIEST IN 2018...USED TO BE #1
So who was #1 now? Maryland (home of federal employees);
#2? New Jersey, #3 Hawaii, #4 Massachusetts followed by CT #5.
CT MIRROR: https://ctmirror.org/2019/09/30/judge-tosses-suit-by-ct-other-blue-states-that-challenged-salt-cap/
WE SAW IT FIRST HERE - FROM NYPOST: New York, New Jersey Maryland and CT lawsuit tossed: https://nypost.com/2019/09/30/judge-tosses-lawsuit-challenging-trump-property-tax-cap/
AND WHO'S #1 IN CT?
WESTON BY FAR #1 IN THIS CATEGORY
Median household income in 169 towns: https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-census-highest-household-income-connecticut-htmlstory.html
IN CT: What's up with immigration or in this case, asylum?
https://www.theday.com/local-news/20181215/hartford-judges-decide-deny-near-record-number-of-asylum-cases
It can get confusing.
From The DAY: “What you’re seeing today is a reflection of what started years ago,
which is an influx of immigration from the triangle: Guatemala, Honduras
and El Salvador,” Foden said. “Those most recently arriving are only
eligible for asylum. That’s why there’s a huge uptick."
And why is that? Domestic violence and gang violence no longer
legit reasons, this article asserts. So there is no domestic
violence in Connecticut? And no MS-13 in Long Island?
Puerto Rico status different (not an independent country): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy6wo2wpT2k
WISCONSIN MODEL
https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/12/wisconsin-republicans-tame-administrative-state/

PLAY-BY-PLAY FORWARD...
DAY TWELVE: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 (at 4pm) Impeachment Trial resumes for vote on two Articles of Impeachment.
Yada, yada, yada. Until 4pm. Then 52-48 and 53-47 votes.
More yada yada yada in second round of the argument...from the bench...is the end in sight?

"Midnight in Washington"
Answer to question below: Because he was so effective.

FORMER POLICE CHIEF (4th from left) HITS THE
CHARACTER. (R) ORPHAN'S PLEA - AFTER KILLING HIS PARENTS
ARGUMENT. WE DIDN'T KNOW ARGUMENT.
Second round..."this trial will soon be over..." and "no one is above
the law" which means what? About moral character. House
manager the biggest liars. "Midnight in Washington..."
Where's the Impeachable offense? How come we put Adam Schiff here?
First round...
Yada yada yada
How did the President perform a cover-up (like Nixon)? "No time for inter-branch friction"
DAY ELEVEN: Closing arguments (Monday, Feb. 3, 2020
at 11am) two hours for each side. Impeachment takes a recess at
3pm for
Senate to reconvene with V-P in the Chair, perhaps (Chief Justice not
involved) and allow Senators to hold a mini-filibuster up until 4pm DAY
TWELVE, when Chief Justice reappears...
---------------
DAY TEN IS FOR DEBATE AND VOTES...49-51 to call more witnesses...motion fails.

One Senator inquires...Chief Justice could be allowed to decide??? Ans. No. Separation of powers.
AHAH
Not an impeachable offense. We will not make statements about this. Schiff making it all up again...
-----------
Break after House Managers make their case for witnesses.
"In America truth matters" says Adam Schiff
House Inquiry denied any rights to President. So now the Senate should give them another shot.


What is the argument for
"witnesses" again? Must have: Witnesses...must get rid of
Trump. National Security Advisor must testify.
None of those the House called in
Impeachment had anything to say supporting their argument...a trial
requires witnesses. Throwing nasty stuff accusing President
of being a criminal.
SLIDES & REFERENCES...HOUSE MANAGERS pitch new
witnesses. Contradictions by lawyer and ask for Mulvanie; NYTIMES
article on John Bolten's book not yet published.

DAY EIGHT & NINE FOR WRITTEN QUESTIONS...
DAY NINE EXPOSES THE HOUSE MAJORITY
Why do we say that? Because the House withdrew some subpoenas, did not
litigate the rest save one - which is only currently beginning initial
trial.

Harry Hopkins invoked. Risk averse Chief Justice.
Chief Justice could be about to call ACA-type penalty judgement on Impeachment?
BREAK OVER...

ADAM SCHIFF SEES RED - FINDS CONSPIRACY IN EVERYTHING
Can't say we agree with his entertaining fiction; Rep.
Nadler debating skills rusty. Alan Dershowitz is driving them to
distraction. Break until 4pm.

LAST DAY OF "QUESTIONS" THEN OFF WITH HIS HEAD, SHE SAID
- Democrats argue they made the rules, President must obey.
- isn't that the French way of justice? ("Guilty until proven innocent")
- Madame Nancy DeFarge hands out pens to make notes in the columns of her favorite book - "A TALE OF TWO COUNTRIES"

"Tis a far, far better thing than I have ever done..."

DAY NINE...
First question: Subpoena. "Obstruction" "Madness" "Madness" "Guilt"
if President does not give up his right - "Fast & Furious". What is
to stop the President from cooperating with Congress?
DAY EIGHT
UPSIDE DOWN AND PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT. What does it mean to paralyze the Senate? Half-baked Impeachment.
Ya da, ya da, ya da. Whistle-blower??? Classified information in it and must be revised.
DAY SEVEN
DAY SEVEN begins with cleaning up details. DANGER DANGER
DANGER. Rules for debate of written questions set (like Clinton)
- DOJ referral. Allegations of various complaints. All open and correct.
- Executive Branch documentation of call.
- "Wave a magic wand" - high court of corruption.
- NYTIMES report on a manuscript.
- Partisan and policy disagreements the new normal?

CLINTON TRIAL EVIDENCE SHOWN
Short closing with three of the legislators participating either
as House Managers or as jury making the same abuse of power arguments
but in reverse. Tune in tomorrow...
DAY SIX OVER
Batting in the power positions were...on the first Article...

IN PRIME TIME
Pam Bondi first to to the heavy lifting on Biden case and a spell-binding lecture from Alan Dershowitz..
THERMO-NUCLEAR OPTION. SEPARATION OF POWERS. ONCE WE SET THE EXAMPLE...it is all gone.
They have
been inconsistent. Watergate was lightning fast. Litigation
is valid option. McCarthy's subpoenas stopped by Truman.
How the precedent will affect the future.


CHECKS AND BALANCES
Resumes...resisting State by asserting legal rights is dangerous.
- Attorney from Mueller team (l)...
- Impeachment process new
normal?
- Senate redo?
- Obstruction article explained.
- Then lawyer who I think does it so well (makes the law understandable).
- Rep. Schumer.from Clinton Impeachment
----------------------------
Break



QUID PRO QUO - RUNAWAY HOUSE:
-
President's basic rights denied. Establish justice. Note that Ken Starr mentions the illegal subpoenas. Then...
- Quid pro quo demolished.
- Ukraine Inauguration - attending? Cleared this up. Lethal weapons support.
"RODINO RULE" & PROCESS:
- Protection of the Presidency (privilege).
- Pentagon Papers 6-15-71 example
- Hah!!! Subpoenas illegal in Impeachment.
- NOT AN OBSTRUCTION.
- Process and Procedure.
TRIAL IN THE SENATE - "LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE"
- Not an academic exercise.
- Constitutional text.
- Makes the case as President not being voted out by a landslide.
- "Rodino rule"
- Iran-Contra?
- Executive Privilege
QUORUM CALLS. Please see below details of Day One, "pithy reports" (r). Strange bedfellows? "Kafka" finally invoked!!!
BROWSING THE NEWS...How many lawyers does it take to convict a President? How many good lawyers? " D A N G E R D A N G E R D A N G E R "
The story day one NYPOST:

OP-ED Washington POST
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/01/22/adam-schiff-portrayed-impeachment-trial-like-criminal-trial-he-should-know-better/
NYTIMES OP-ED from a law professor
Hit job department from another lawyer
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/opinion/alan-dershowitz-impeachment.html
So we'll see who is fair...so far the sweaty House is being stiff-armed
by cool Senate process. Reminded me of "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" starring Donald Trump.
We will provide pithy summaries for rest
of the Senate Trial and perhaps an occasional grathic from time to
time. NOT SCIENTIFIC: If there were more than a million
viewers on Day One, make it 28k Day Two. And right at the start of DAY THREE, 4800...Saturday 67,000...Monday 17k.
NOT AN IMPEACHMENT BUT MADE AN IMPRESSION
I WATCHED THE ARMY-MCCARTHY HEARINGS ON TV WHEN I CAME HOME FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL...


I wasn't around for the first one - Andrew Johnson...
But I was there for the other three Impeachment attempts:
- NOT. President Nixon resigned after the U.S. Supreme Court ("SCOTUS") ordered him to turn over his private tapes.
- HE
WAS. President Bill Clinton raising his right hand and saying "I
never had sex with that woman..." Not all Republicans voted to Impeach Bill Clinton...
- HE
WAS. Now, President Trump - what did he do of an Impeachable
nature? Did he breach etiquette by wearing a blue tie (just
joking) while exiting Air Force One?

OPINION in NYTIMES - University of Washington (Seattle) prof: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/26/opinion/sunday/trump-civil-service-deep-state.html
Well, it
is a battle between Congress and the President - so we've just
resurrected some graphic portraits of government.
Considering that the article referred to above
has posed the question of competing virtue, but not impeachment
specifically, we ask:
"Who elected the bureaucrats to replace their opinions for those of the voters?"

I M P E A C H M E N T
NEXT: Senate Trial
https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-tong-trump-national-agenda-20191001-xg66qq3lf5e7xmorhsfdsuw6cy-story.html



Is the Fourth Estate supposed to be part of the entertainment media?
In the 21st Century, maybe! Take your choice - is
America going the way of (left) Moscow-style top-down government?
Or (right) a French Revolution "off with your head" style?
If you are a Democrat you are cheering this - but the worm can turn.
History I witnessed (JFK assassination Nov. 22, 1963, Spiro Agnew resigns succeeded by Nelson Rockefeller, and Watergate).
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/24/opinion/impeach-fire-president-trump.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
NYTIMES convinced Donald Trump will either resign or be impeached and convicted.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/27/opinion/trump-impeachment-resign-drew.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
After President Nixon resigned, who was appointed by the U.S. Senate to be Vice-President?


St. Joseph's now co-ed!!!.
ST JOS. GRAD - FEDERAL ATT'Y'S OFFICE (L) - INTRODUCES PANEL - ATT'YS DALY & O'CONNOR


Moderator (faculty) first to set the stage - then audience questions. CT-N carried this program at this Hartford college
IMPEACHMENT DISCUSSION - http://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=15684
UPDATED REPORT FROM CHENA


A.P. REPORTS NEW NAFTA DEAL APPROVED BY U.S., MEXICO & CANADA
-
She (l) was confident that the Yukon Quest 1000 (Fairbanks AK to
Whitehorse, Canada) would take place in 2019.
- Chena was ever so pleased
that her musher would not have to pay a tariff thanks to re-negotiated trade deal!
- AOC against NAFTA because it is hazardous waste product - all in on the Green, as in not tested yet, ideal.
Trump to ease retirement regulations with executive order
Published August 31. 2018 7:22AM
The DAY
Associated Press
"WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order
to make it easier for small businesses to group together to provide
their workers with retirement plans..."

I M P E A C H M E N T N E X T ?
And it is only fair to link to this story, too: https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/08/economic-turnaround-under-trump-american-revitalization/
NEXT
https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-tong-trump-national-agenda-20191001-xg66qq3lf5e7xmorhsfdsuw6cy-story.html


Questions from the press who "press" the administration on the relation between "tweets" and policy.
Robert F. Wagner approach to
government, and the general requirement to listen to all sides of the
argument makes for stalemates. Alternative approach (r)
NO MORE HACKING INTO THE OVAL OFFICE WITH SNEAKY LISTENING DEVICES!
We predict this will be the turning point in the"leak" investigation: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40829060

How much you can learn about a newspaper's editorial policy...on the front page...
Online
NYTIMES headline reads - "Supreme Court Will Hear Travel Ban Case" and
then in the last paragraph it concludes a long story with this and we
quote - The court agreed to review both cases, and said it would
hear arguments in October, noting that the government had not asked it
to act faster. The court suggested that the administration could
complete its internal reviews over the summer, raising the prospect that
the case could be moot by the time it was argued.


WHAT'S UP WITH THE WHITE HOUSE? AIR FORCE ONE? INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE TIGHTENING FOCUS? U.N.?
The essence of "transparency" - the transcript of a briefing-Q&A session on-board Air Force One! So what will President Trump do next?


GREAT JOB - NYTIMES, DISGRUNTLED, CONCEDED (ON THE PERFORMANCE NOT THE MESSAGE, PERHAPS).
About
ten minutes to go - this is the first "State of the Union" Joint
Address to Congress in this new administration. More than 110,000
watching on Youtube as it was going along...
- What will President Trump say?
He emphasized that Congress had to work together to achieve his visions
- some of which were standing "O" quality concepts a few times.
- The border issue tied to immigration reform;
- Security: "Support your local police" and stop violence in cities; he supports school choice especially in cities.
- Jobs return if trade is fair, companies return/expand and tax structure changes - his concept;
- Military spending increases.
- How will he say it? He did a great job with the teleprompters and knows his way around public speaking.
- How long will he take?
Around an hour plus. (@10:15pm - started some minutes after 9pm). For
those who missed it, Democrat female members of congress (almost all)
dressed like suffragettes (in white - "Votes for Women" pins?).
- Supreme Court: Members
stayed seated and did not applaud - some were not there; Senator
Al Frankin applauded from time to time and stood up at big moments,
FYI. Senator Bernie Sanders remained seated, we think.

SOUNDS RIGHT TO ME!
"'We're going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people.'"

BACK TO THE 1950'S? THIS TIME (FEBRUARY 2018) IT APPEARS TO BE THE POT OR BOT CALLING THE KETTLE...RED?
Sometimes I am just too accurate. Living through the Army-McCarthy hearings as an elementary school student, once again it is the F.B.I. that starts a "Red Scare."
And then there is "the wall" - a matter complicated by this:
Washington Times, Feb. 23, 2017: Mexico chides U.S. immigration policies, admits route for illegal immigrants
"...Mexican officials did concede that
their country has become the transit route for illegal immigrants
streaming from Central America to the U.S.
Indeed, Mexico often helps facilitate journeys
of those trying to cross from its southern border to its northern
border, where they prepare to try to gain entry to the U.S.
In one stark example, Mexico has been issuing
temporary transit visas at its southern border to Haitians, giving them
just long enough to reach the U.S. border, where they either try to
sneak in or they show up at a border checkpoint and demand entry. More
than 7,000 Haitians tried to claim entry in the last three months of
2016 alone — more than four times the previous pace."
Supreme Court nominee announced - inquiring minds wondered about quorum requirement for Senate Committees..."suspending the rules" worked.

“We are transferring power from Washington and
giving it back to you, the people,” Trump said in his Inaugural
Address. So what is going on?


OPINION WRITER?
Although it is hard to differentiate between opinion, fact and editorial policy.

Mon dieu! The subjunctive on page one of the Times? But
he'll always have Paris. And the Oval Office. How about Electoral College?
We
are joking a bit, but headlines, not to mention the beginning of each
paragraph nowadays, in conditional - which means...none of it is true!
The tumultuous
national election of 2016 (and Legislative races in CT) - our reports
below: Is the Cabinet chess pieces? No.
The
"winner" in the country as a whole; my personal psychological
image of the map of the U.S.A. What was it President-Elect Trump
said? (Jobs, jobs, jobs.) CT Electoral College voters (7) no
"faithless electors."
NTTIMES running total...304 to 227. In the end, seven (7) switched nationwide (2 Trump and 5 Hillary).



PROPOSED CABINET FROM NYTIMES REPORT. CONSPIRACY THEORIES RE: RUSSIAN INFLUENCE OVER ASSURING HILLARY NOT ELECTED.
And from the news prior to the vote tally...and recounting...


I FELT VERY SAFE GOING TO VOTE TODAY (ABOVE). AND THE 2016 WINNER FOR BEST ADVERTS IS...
CHAOS WITH E.D.R.?
Of course, this is how the Democrats plan to steal the election.
Really, Hartford is doing it again - producing an Election Day crisis...in CT but not elsewhere .


Guy Fawkes day/night Nov. 5
SILENT MAJORITY VOTING 2016? DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACK NEW STYLE (HOW DOES SIR WALTER SCOTT FIT?) http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37680411
MI CASA ES SU CASA - as in the big casa?
Or are the Democrats getting the jump on the rest of the Clinton III Administration...and by the way, S.E.E.C. finally neutered? President's personal Statue of Liberty play?

PRESIDENT CLINTON #2. 87% chance of winning, according to the NYTIMES.
Taking the Democrat at her word, there are two answers to every question
- one for thee and one for me. To the left of Clinton #1. Are there odds on a 3rd debate? The election?

YOUR BALLOT: Six (6) Parties down and six (6) Offices across November 8, 2016 -
Weston Ballot in the 26th Senatorial District is PALE YELLOW and Weston Ballot in the 28th Senatorial District is actually GREY


Wednesday evening was the final debate and we only turned it on sporadically. Good debate when we were watching!

LWV OF WESTON asks questions submitted and screened for "appropriateness" (as the Supreme Court said - you know it when you see
it; also must be for both candidates to answer).
Presidential debate Oct. 9th is 90 minutes and in a non-LWV style; LWV of Weston 135th District
debate in Town Hall Meeting Room was also 90 minutes (Oct. 8th) - video here: http:www.lwvweston.org
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
- DID ABOUT TOWN PRODUCE CARTOONS FOR THIS OCCASION? You betcha.



ELECTION DEBATES 2016: Who's in, who's out? Hofstra Debate: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/16/gary-johnson-jill-stein-left-first-debate-stage/
Vice-President candidates face off Tuesday, October 4th in their only debate.
July was for National Conventions...Democrats in
Philadelphia, Republicans in Cleveland. More on debates:
There will be two (2) moderators at the second Presidential "debate" - a
"Town Hall" style debate, whatever that is; and we note that the
format (s) are undercut by the peculiar organization. The
Moderator has no way to control anything - but also, apparently, has
much - too much perhaps leeway if selecting the topic and composing the
questions. Good luck to these
folks.
http://www.debates.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=63&cntnt01origid=93&cntnt01detailtemplate=newspage&cntnt01returnid=80
Locations change: First Debate at Hofstra on Long Island Sept. 26...Vice-Presidential Debate Oct. 4
NEW YORK TIMES later report here: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/03/business/presidential-debate-moderators-lester-holt-chris-wallace.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Original schedule below, new schedule here: http://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2016-debate-schedule/2016-presidential-debate-schedule/

As the Primary Season came to an end...
"This race will be the biggest political betting event, globally, of all
time. Interest here in the UK has been off the charts...” from
N.Y. Post article on "punters" across the pond. In America, "punters" are those who either are in "football [not soccer]" or those who won't answer a question [in politics, for example].

WHAT ABOUT TURNOUT? 84% of registered voters voted in 2012 in the
U.S.A. But no one in the press used that number - they only talk about that
other elusive non-number - "If everyone 'eligible' voted, what would the percentage be then?" (Ans. @50%.)
IN THE DISTANCE, AT THIS TIME, IS A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
CONTEST...WHO'S THE STAR? ELECTION DAY 2016 - NOVEMBER 8TH - IS THE FIRST TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY IN
NOVEMBER.
- Who's up besides POTUS? A Senate seat, House of Representatives, and in Connecticut, the entire C.G.A.
- In CT: Will there be a Constitutional Amendment in addition on a Transportation "Lock Box?"
-
YOUR VOTE MAY ACTUALLY MEAN SOMETHING! Stay tuned...Presidential Preference Primary in Connecticut is April
26th.
- And let us not forget that third arm of power - the COURTS (i.e. Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of government.)
- WESTON ELECTIONS; How many voters in
Weston as of Presidential Preference Primary? "...Of Weston’s 6,209
registered voters, there are 2,173 Democrats, 1,825 Republicans,
2,167 unaffiliated voters, and 44 others. 312 new voters have registered
in Weston since Jan. 1, 2016. Of those, 166 are Democrats, 93 are
unaffiliated, and 53 are Republicans. 92 voters have switched from
unaffiliated to a party as of April 19..." it says in FORUM editorial
April 24th.
- A P R I L 2 6 , 2 0 1 6 C T P R E S I D E N T I A L P R E F E R E N C E P R I M A R Y
W . M . S . G Y M 6 A M T O
8 P M - Weston results here.

Second Candidate to visit CT (l) & HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN TONIGHT FOR TRUMP (r)
Several thousand supporters and a few vocal protesters (that we
heard), overloaded air-conditioning at Sacred Heart (in
Fairfield) WATCHED IT ONLINE HERE!!!

T H E P A R T Y P L A T F
O R M S - S O M E T I M E
S F O R H I G H D I V I N
G O R L O W E R ,
S P R I N G Y B O A R D . . .

So what is the significance of Party Platforms?
The first thing you have to know is that they are product of a
Committee. The second thing is that Governor Malloy is the Chair.
of the Democrat's Party Platform Committee.

CYBER-INSECURITY
As in "run it up the flag pole and see who salutes" - so far expected lead Democrat
has potential challenger, but in true-blue CT, does he stand a
chance? All members of the House of Representatives up every two
years.
PARTY CONVENTIONS OVER NOW - READ ABOUT THE PROCESS: http://ctmirror.org/2016/05/07/gop-faces-endorsement-fights-monday-for-senate-2nd-5th-cds/

Congress 4th District Regional LWV Debate October 23rd - report in Norwalk Hour.

The Candidates:
Incumbent Jim Himes (D) v. John Shaban (R) in the Fourth District, a most interesting race!

John Shaban
MINOR PARTY:
Who got the Independent line on the ballot? NO OPPOSITION!!! John Shaban gets their nod for CT4th.

Clay Cope
NOT ON WESTON BALLOT, BUT IN OTHER TOWNS IN WESTCOG
FYI - And from the CT5th, WestCOG member running to earn Independent Party line as well, has an opponent but wins!

CT A ONE-PARTY STATE
As of September 30, Blumenthal had $4.7 million in cash on hand while
Carter had $35,014...one debate to be held - on the radio (WFSB).
Perhaps the Independent Party cannot endorse a U.S. Senate candidate, as we read: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/independent_party_nomination_war_continues_in_court/

U.S. Senate Candidates
Incumbent Richard Blumenthal (Dem) v. Dan Carter (GOP) v. Jack Price ( a "D" - endorsed by Independent Party).

Independent Party endorsement goes to...
First ballot tied eleven-eleven; second ballot decision goes to
Registered Democrat Mr. Price. Republican endorsed for the
Independent line by a familiar face!!!

Just a thought at right...
BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Supreme Court threat...
Ruth Bader Ginsburg may leave US if Trump wins
Chris Perez, NYPOST
July 11, 2016
Consider the source: http://nypost.com/2016/07/11/even-ruth-bader-ginsburg-weighs-fleeing-us-if-trump-wins/
IS THERE ONE ALREADY? We refer to "sources" of secondary information from both ends of the political spectrum.
Time for a change of power at the Supreme Court? Meanwhile, how about...OMG...compromise???
What is corruption? http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/27/bob-mcdonnells-bribery-conviction-overturned-supre/
How about abortion? http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/27/supreme-court-strikes-down-texas-abortion-clinic-r/
------------------
CLIMATE CHANGE CRITICISMS
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/16/gop-ags-dems-climate-alarmists-can-be-prosecuted/



AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR ON MAUNDY THURSDAY!
After Governor Malloy does not go to Washington...he announces "watch
out this is his last term." Do you think he'll get a job with
G.E.? The graphic (r.) was done at his "State of the State"
opening day 2017.

How is a Notre Dame de Paris bell ringer like a quasi-public agency?
Answer: Those quasi-public entities can't hear what anyone else is saying either.
CLICK HERE FOR LEGISLATIVE NEWS OF LONG SESSION 2017
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT THE CT ELECTORATE?
Issues noted for State or Federal elections always manage to have some
effect on Weston, so we include local activity in even-numbered years
here.


Que es mas macho department...
http://ctmirror.org/2016/11/10/election-autopsy-trump-expands-map-gop-gains-in-legislature/

Link to photos of candidates debating Oct. 8: Link to LWV of Weston debate online will be here before Sunday.
ADAM DUNSBY - http://eastoncourier.hanewsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/09/Dunsby-9-22.jpeg ;
BONNIE TROY - http://www.thewestonforum.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/06/WF-NWS-SA-Dwyer-6-23.jpg
CT LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES...135TH HOUSE; DEBATE OCTOBER 8TH, 10:30a.m. to 12 noon, TOWN HALL MEETING ROOM
WESTON FORUM ANNOUNCEMENT OF CANDIDATES RUNNING: http://www.thewestonforum.com/68284/dunsby-receives-independent-party-nomination-for-135th/?utm_source=Weston+Forum&utm_campaign=181a6b0b8c-FO_ONLINE_TODAY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_848b12f59d-181a6b0b8c-193260349
TOP QUESTION FOR DEBATE: http://www.ccm-ct.org/sites/default/files/files/2016Bulletins_MunicipalFinance_final_rev.pdf
NEXT QUESTION RELATES TO WHAT 21st century "MANAGERS" DO : http://ctmirror.org/2016/09/28/auditors-state-employed-spills-response-supervisor-who-couldnt-do-the-job/
HOW ABOUT THIS ONE? http://ctmirror.org/2016/05/31/pew-report-ct-deep-in-debt-even-considering-its-high-income/
-------------------------
SENATE... 26TH AND 28TH.
From State Representative 143rd's communication in part, this section of an excellent, longer exploration of how the CT budget mess FY'16 and 17 has developed.

I S S U E S
Get ready, get set...
Big changes coming but we can't predict when. How is the old motto - "Share the wealth" going to re-emerge, if it does?

2017: AND IT WILL GET WORSE.
We note at the "Prioritizing" session of t he new Board of Selectmen in
Weston, the only member of the public other than About Town raised the
issue of how the Tax and Jobs bill proposed will hit here.
October 26, 2016 Informational Meeting at the L.O.B. - G.O.P. Senators and Representatives question staff of O.F.A.
Q&A: Why budget numbers differ between O.F.A. and O.P.M. - what is difference between them?
We watch on CT-N (thank you, CT-N and the Minority for making this
example of transparency possible).
Hour long discussion with O.F.A. and
the Minority Committee Leadership of Finance, Revenue & Bonding and
Appropriations, Wednesday 1pm in L.O.B. was available and very
informative.
Since they use the same data (O.F.A. and O.P.M.) it is their assumptions
that differ and that is why the numbers don't match. As my
statistics prof used to say, the numbers don't matter, it is the
assumptions used to form the estimates that are significant.
Pretty obvious to me that O.F.A. would actually use a somewhat less
political approach than O.P.M., which is closer to the Administration..
Is
a S.E.B.A.C. deal forthcoming? Don't know. What is the size of
the deficit? Ans. $77.9 million. The meeting lasted a it
longer than one hour.
It all amounts to what my Grandmother used to say about recipes:
"It is according" - the answer to how much of which ingredient.
"Wait What" column, not crediting G.O.P. but clearly showing its anti-Malloy side: http://jonathanpelto.com/2016/10/26/malloy-claims-5-7-million-state-budget-deficit-400-million-closer-truth/
Security:
"the state of being protected or safe from harm" is first definition in Merriam-Websters Dictionary online.


ISN'T THE CONSTITUTION RACIST?
AND THROW OUT THE CONSTITUTION WHILE THEY'RE AT IT TOO.

DALLAS SHOOTER DOES NOT USE AR-15? SENATOR MURPHY AND MATT DAMON AGREE?
FROM CHANNEL 12: http://connecticut.news12.com/news/details-emerge-on-veteran-linked-to-dallas-sniper-shootings-1.12020153

IS THIS PROGRESS?
What is the difference between Rosemary Woods' deletions and Hillary
Clinton's private server-for-public e-mail? One did it in a public
place.

Isn't Brussels in that terrorist hangout, Belgium?
In my memory, Great Britain not as quick to join, and kept its own currency...
Editorial: Obama’s new rule on overtime pay is bad for workers
New Haven REGISTER
Posted: 05/20/16, 7:02 PM EDT | Updated: 8 hrs ago
President Barack Obama is right to want to put more money in the pockets
of lower-paid workers. Issuing another government regulation, however,
is not the best way to get it there...
Ask Europe (average unemployment rate: 10.2 percent) what layer upon
layer of kind-hearted, cost-enhancing regulation has done for the
prospects of the working and non-working poor. Meddling ineffectually in
the labor market may be good politics, but it does American workers no
favors.
Editorial courtesy of the Washington Post.
Editorial in full: http://www.nhregister.com/opinion/20160520/editorial-obamas-new-rule-on-overtime-pay-is-bad-for-workers

Gold Coasters or the Unions? OMG - Legislature only passing unfunded mandates?
Like during the French Revolution? Or does the administration favor equal treatment for both? My way or the highway, says Governor.
How does Gov. Malloy replace one D.M.V. Commisssioner with another? You will think we are making this up, really... http://connecticut.news12.com/news/new-state-commissioner-may-not-have-his-degree-1.11617169
And a full story from the Hartford Courant: http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-dmv-commissioner-20160324-story.html
WILL THERE BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT FOR A TRANSPORTATION "LOCK BOX?" DROWNING IN RED INK, CT TIDAL WAVE OR VORTEX?
STEADY BUT UNSTABLE HABITS OF A FISCAL KIND?
T H O U G H T C O N T R O L P R O G R E S S I V E S R E J O I C E ! S
O O N T O H A V E A
S H O T A T T H E C O N S T
I T U T I O N .
It was a surprise to read of Justice Scalia's sudden death - story here:
http://jonathanpelto.com/2016/01/05/new-state-board-of-education-member-collects-multi-million-dollar-contract-via-state-board-of-education/

CALCULATOR FOR "TOP ONE PERCENT" - WESTON, CT MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN TOP 5%; EQUALITY SQUARED?
"GREEN " CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT 2016. A COUNTRY THAT ELECTED AND RE-ELECTED DEMOCRAT OBAMA SOON TO HAVE NO MORE GUNS, FREE STUFF AND ABORTION ON DEMAND???
Or how about this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/12/opinion/livin-bernie-sanderss-danish-dream.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region&_r=0
Can "green" trump pols in polls? Looking
ahead to the next Election Ballot and Cycle in CT, (to contain National
plus State Legislative offices), we wonder if a "green party" meaning
all those things green plus economic determinism, might fly?

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE AFTER THE 2016 ELECTION..."...During the
debate, Mr. Kasich defended his decision to expand Medicaid under
Obamacare and blamed partisan divisions in the country for making it
impossible for Mr. Obama to name someone to replace Supreme Court
Justice Antonin Scalia, who died Saturday. Mr. Kasich said he
doubts Mr. Obama would choose a consensus nominee, so the decision
should be put off until next year" in the Washington Times Sunday,
February 14, 2016.
WE LOOKED AHEAD TO THE FUTURE OF CONNECTICUT AFTER THE 2015 ELECTION, TOO...http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/Forbes-ranks-Conn-39th-for-business-6593891.php
Read about how schools are next: http://ctmirror.org/2015/11/03/school-desegregation-will-focus-shift-from-magnets-to-suburbs/
Read an "inequality" pitch here: http://ctviewpoints.org/2015/10/30/want-to-fix-connecticuts-economy-pass-property-tax-reform-to-help-the-cities/
Read one opinion here: http://jonathanpelto.com/2015/10/29/connecticut-beware-of-governor-malloys-most-fiscally-irresponsible-proposal-yet/
Read another here: http://www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-rennie-ct-democrats-out-of-ideas-call-republicans-1101-20151029-column.html
Read about S.E.E.C. rules: http://www.ct.gov/seec/cwp/view.asp?a=3563&Q=469848&PM=1

T O W N O F W E S T O N

We attended Board of Finance meeting "virtually" and it was excellent!!! Read our free form notes here

OUR REPORTS HERE - WE RELY UPON TOWN OF WESTON WEBSITE
Meetings on the Boards, Commissions and Committees above, provided they
have accessible "remote" connection noted. We only do what the
general public could do.
COVID-19 DECLARATION OF LOCAL CIVIL PREPAREDNESS EMERGENCY.



COVID-19 IMPACT: BOARD OF FINANCE GETTING THE LAST WORD THIS YEAR?
THE PLACE TO GO FOR NECESSITIES...LIKE FOOD...ETC...EMPTY STORES AN OPPORTUNITY???

Weston Center, a modified Noah's Ark, had 1 of each kind needed:
- General food store;
- Take-out & pizza - now closed- Lunch Box
- Liquor, beer and wine;
- Coffee in #1...
- As you recall, Weston Pharmacy closed its doors not
that long ago...as well as hardware store, previously. Bank, real
estate office, Post Office and gas station remaining tenants.
NOT CONTESTED, Nov. 5, 2019

WHAT ARE THEIR GOALS FOR 2019-2021? A graphic "S.W.O.T." analysis here.

(L) DPW head, after budget process, has "catch up" plan. (R)
Town Engineer describes conditions of some major roads at Police
Commission
Bd of Finance approved $$ (2020 Ed Budget budget had estimated zero from CT, LoCIP$$ put in too). Major job to rescue eroding roads - required immediate work, as we heard it.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSY IN AUGUST 2018...

D.P.W. DIRECTOR RETIRED AFTER 40 YEARS - GREAT PARTY AT NORFIELD PARISH HALL...
It almost seemed that every Westonite who was in
town on Friday, August 3, 2018, plus several distinguished guests from
other towns, attended his wonderfully arranged retirement party in the
Parish Hall of Norfield Congregational Church. And enjoyed
marvelous musical entertainment in the process!
Here is a column I wrote about Joe Lametta when first his retirement was announced: ABOUT WESTON COLUMN
Joe's entire farewell address and many other parts of the ceremony
were captured on video thanks to the marvels of modern smartphone
technology (in this case a Motorola Android phone) and subsequent
computer processing. Watch it below!
OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY NOVEMBER 13, 2017 FOR NEW FIRST SELECTMAN CHRIS SPAULDING



CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS (Official)


LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WESTON 2017 VOTERS' GUIDE.
Did
the LWV of Weston debates prove significant? No, not according to objective observer. Did the League Voters'
Guide make a difference? Maybe. We saw some folks waiting to vote checking
their tablets, reading it!!!
Reports from around the state show
Greenwich and New Canaan First Selectman races, RTM races for Greenwich - RTM as non-partisan bodies) with internal GOP
arguments, still retaining control - we wonder how many in these
communities have "moved" to Florida, thus no longer remaining as CT
voters? Or taxpayers.


EXECUTIVE SESSION DEFINITION AND ALL OTHERS IN THE F.O.I.. ACT
- Executive
Sessions may take place in Town Hall or the Library or another location
so noticed. Find out from F.O.I. (r) what a "meeting" actually is.
- With the trend to quasi-governmental solutions and public
private partnerships, we suggest that F.O.I. advice to a State of CT
such entity be reviewed.
And yes, that means the author of this letter or public hearing comment to P&D Committee
OUT
OF P&D COMMITTEE AND TO THE FLOOR: THE LAST LAUGH IS ON THOSE WHO
THOUGHT BECOMING A COG WOULD MAKE WESTON MORE POWERFUL
NOTE THE NEW LOCATION FOR THE BOARD OF
FINANCE'S P.H. --link above right what was the final result after
non-action ATBM and Referendum and mill rate setting by Finance Board.
Board of Finance Public Hearing Wednesday. March 29, 2017 8PM, W.M.S. LIBRARY.
The Library can be accessed from the Cafeteria by going out left rear
exit, hanging a right or two and then = wood paneling - bingo!
Unless
video as well as audio quality has improved considerably at Weston
Middle School Library, if you want to know immediately what happened,
this P.H. is a meeting to attend live! Traditionally not a long
meeting, but this year...who knows?

Our superficial analysis above right:
Since
we get all of the FY'18 budget money from property taxes, save for $2
million from investments, we must secure the value of our homes and
property. IIRC, the banks loaned us money for the school project
because ratings agencies such as S&P, Moody's continued our AAA
identity. QUESTION: If you were a ratings agency, would you consider
that any AAA community was now vulnerable to a raid on its General Fund
balance by the CT Legislature?
Q.E.D. - going forward, forget about local control in CT...of anything.

S C O R C H E D E A R T H P O L I C
Y A T S P E A K U P

Board of Finance Chair reports on his e-visit to the Legislature
AND NOW AN EARLY SESSION 2017 COMMENT: http://www.westonct.gov/media/file/Weston%E2%80%99sResponsetoStateFiscalCrisis.pdf

End of year 2016 report by First Selectman

LINK TO FY'18 BUDGET PROCESS

New Town Administrator named
We note that Town TV has this Special Board of Selectmen's Meeting online here: https://vimeo.com/192643837

QUESTION: IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR P&Z TO BE DISCUSSING CLUSTER ZONING IN A VENUE THAT DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR TOWN TV COVERAGE?
As a suggestion, About Town offers this idea...how about either
changing the location of their meeting, or making sure that all future
meetings on this subject be held in a place that provides for Town TV
coverage?

M U N I C I P A L L Y G O N E F I S H I N G
SUMMER SEASON IN WESTON HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN FOR DOING...NOTHING. AUTUMN IS FOR ELECTIONS...TREES & ZONING. WINTER IS FOR BUDGET PROCESS. AND SPRING IS REBIRTH.
OUR SELF-ASSIGNED SUMMER PROJECTS FOR RESEARCH:
-
Are we running out of options for...whatever? WOOF!!!
- No
answer yet regarding what D.E.E.P. would "permit" for redo of Weston
municipal government septic systems in the event changes to footprint
are to be made.
- How does the budget process
work under the present Town of Weston Charter? Why is this
important to review THIS summer? Because new Town Administrator
will have to operate, as will the new Superintendent of Schools, under it.PROGRESS REPORT:
THE TOWN'S:
Search for new Town Administrator ongoing (in earliest phases, advert to appear in July):
http://www.thewestonforum.com/65704/weston-plans-to-hire-new-town-administrator/?utm_source=Weston+Forum&utm_campaign=e891045acb-FO_ONLINE_TODAY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_848b12f59d-e891045acb-193260349
C E N T R A L I T Y R U L E S

REFERENDUM 2016: All three budgets pass: 533 - 40 (Town); 509 - 63 (School); 526 - 47 (Capital). Post-ATBM Referendum voting + Referendum = 575
According to our records, turnout was excellent compared to three previous years:
- In 2013 there were 364 votes at Referendum (no quorum at ATBM)
- In 2014 there were 224 votes at Referendum (no quorum at ATBM)
- In 2015 there was no quorum at ATBM and for the first time ever, Referendum brought approximately 259 voters out and a rejection of the school budget 127 "yes" to 132 "no" - so there was a second Referendum total attendance 1001 - and the school budget passed 688 to 313
SPEAK UP 2016 was a roaring success with enormous turnout, excellent
questions and it was a tinderbox of emotions just waiting to be ignited...

R.I.P. Cobb's Mill beloved owner.
For picture story as well as full video, please go to the LWV of Weston website: http://www.lwvweston.org
LWV of Weston
reports every possible method of getting view time for debates used -
DVDs in Library, Channel 79 broadcast schedule below...
LWV OF WESTON CANDIDATE DEBATES SAT. OCT. 17, 2015 AT WESTON LIBRARY - ONLINE NOW...WATCH PICTURE STORY HERE
(Second from L) CABLEVISION (not a debate - if so, what were the rules of engagement?) "DEBATE" or forum: http://connecticut.news12.com/multimedia/weston-first-selectman-debate-1.10913319
RELATED ELECTION LAW VIOLATIONS HERE AND THERE; HISTORY IN PART

Above, at the Town of Weston website this morning, Nov. 12, 2015
SWEARING - IN:
A 23 minute ceremony begun under Woody Bliss, IIRC - skip ahead to
around 19 minutes for Nina Daniel's brief speech at the end of the
program.
Not every member of the elected official "Class of 2015" was present - watch the full video to see who was there.

TOWN OF WESTON SWEARING-IN CEREMONY IN THE TOWN HALL MEETING ROOM
RECORDED FOR POSTERITY BY CHANNEL 12. FULL SOUND RECORDING... FROM
BLESSING TO BRIEF SPEECH BY OUR NEW FIRST SELECTMAN: WestonSwearingInCeremony11-10-15.mp3

Town Clerk - "Swearing-In Ceremony" chart of attendance by officials
------------------

Board of Selectmen
---------------

Board of Education
--------------

Board of Finance
--------------

P&Z
-----------------

ZBA
------------------

Police Commission
-----------------

Board of Assessment Appeals
-----------------
A W A I T I N G T H
E N E W A D M I N I S T R A T I
O N G O A L S . . .
WESTON SWEARING IN CEREMONY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10. 2015, 6:45pm. Weston have the highest 2015 turnout anywhre?
Not even close: Prospect, CT highest turnout, we understand, at
@60%. Weston had a mere @47% turnout...which was a record here
(previous record 43% in 1999).

New Board of Selectmen:
Nina Daniel, First Selectman, left. Turnout figures around the
state turn into this bit of data: http://trendct.org/2015/11/05/voter-participation-drop-sharpest-in-odd-year-elections/

WHAT A NIGHT!!!
News Alert: Weston election results, new first selectman
FORUM
By Patricia Gay on November 3, 2015
Weston has a new first selectman!
Nina Daniel (R) has defeated incumbent first selectman Gayle Weinstein (D) who was seeking a fourth term in office.
According to unofficial election results, Daniel, a former school
board member, got 1,442 votes. Weinstein got 1,327 votes. A difference
of 115 votes.
Joining Daniel on the three-member board will be her running mate,
incumbent selectman Dennis Tracey (R) who got 1,544 votes. He beat out
Chris Spaulding (D), who got 1,223 votes...story in full:
http://www.thewestonforum.com/55723/news-alert-weston-election-results-new-first-selectman/?utm_source=Weston+Forum&utm_campaign=e2a95ca749-FO_NEWS_ALERT&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_848b12f59d-e2a95ca749-193260349
Our commentary:
SURPRISE! REPUBLICAN SWEEP OF EVERY RACE. RECORD
TURNOUT FOR A LOCAL ELECTION (CLOSE TO 47%); PREVIOUS HIGH WAS
1999 AT 43%. Uncontested boards spread @300 votes. High
vote-getter Board of Assessment Appeals followed by Town Clerk. Next was Ellen Uzenoff of Board of Ed.
...ABSENTEE BALLOTS AT 10:30AM at the Town Clerk's Office; plus others that just came in the mail...
Under seal until it is time to feed them into the voting machine...how
many are those distributed incorrectly by the First Selectman?
BIG TURNOUT: Who can vote? FORUM report: "...As of this morning, the town has 5,978 registered voters — 2,000
Democrats, 1,764 Republicans, 2,167 Unaffiliated voters, and 47 other."
As of 4 p.m., 1,791 people have voted in Weston’s municipal
election (that number includes 79 absentee ballots). This represents
29.9% of the town’s eligible voter
By 2pm, 23% had cast ballots...
At 11 a.m. 14.25%, when About Weston voted, had cast their ballots. As a planner, I am
quite expert at superficial observation. So this is what I have
deduced from the evidence:
- Don't believe the demographers - Weston is full of Generation Whichever one that is currently having babies.
- Everybody voting today for 2 reasons: It is a beautiful day and the schools are not in session.
- Parking spots at a
premium - like it is a sale and everyone wants to get a bargain.
Actually it is a sale - Girl Scout Cookies available!!!
- But seriously, for those who never lived in Manhattan
and had to cruise for a legal parking spot, this might have made on
think it is going to be a really big turnout. On the other hand,
considering that many had to walk from outer parking lots, it is a good
thing that it was a nice day!
- There was no wait at all to check in, no wait to get a "privacy booth" and no line to insert your ballot into the machine...
--------------------
THIS IS WHERE ABOUT WESTON WILL INSERT NUMBERS TONIGHT:
How do we do this and take pictures at the same time? Good question!
Actually, once we know the number of total votes cast, prior to the
Moderator reading the results out, the first thing we do is a little
arithmatic. The FORUM did it for everybody here:
Link to story: http://www.thewestonforum.com/55723/news-alert-weston-election-results-new-first-selectman/?utm_source=Weston+Forum&utm_campaign=e2a95ca749-FO_NEWS_ALERT&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_848b12f59d-e2a95ca749-193260349
MORE TALK OF BLIGHT ORDINANCE AFTER SPECIAL BOARD OF SELECTMEN NOV. 3...
"BLIGHT ORDINANCE" 2003 Office of Legislative Research info here. Look for all blight ordinances (as of 2012) in Connecticut by Town here: http://www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/ordinances.htm

CT LOCAL ELECTION NOV. 3, 2015 - BREAK OUT THE POPCORN, DEBATES ON TOWN TV
CHANNEL 79 STARTING TODAY - SCHEDULE ABOVE - PICTURE IDENTIFICATION
CONTEST HERE
C A N D I D A T E P H O T O S 2 0 1 5 - WESTON FORUM RULES FOR PARTIES, CANDIDATES AND LETTER-WRITERS.
Weston CT 2015 Election Tuesday Nov. 3rd
Three (3) contested boards in 2015: Please note that the First
Selectman (the only salaried position) must be, by Charter, one of
the two candidates listed. The losing candidate for First
Selectman is then placed in a pool with the two candidates for Selectman
and the 2 highest vote-getters of the three then constitute the
3-member Board of Selectmen.
FIRST SELECTMAN AND BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BOARD OF EDUCATION
BOARD OF FINANCE
U N C O N T E S T E D
PLANNING & ZONING
POLICE COMMISSION
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS AND ALTERNATE
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
TOWN CLERK
ELSEWHERE


T O W N H A L L C O M P L E X S T R U C T U R E S
There are some special places missing from the photos above - important
functions in these structures not shown...can you name them? HINT: Would
you feel safe without them? Need some help?
FOR FIRST SELECTMAN (L) AND SELECTMAN (R)

DEMOCRATS: Gayle Weinstein, running mate Christopher Spaulding.

REPUBLICANS: Nina Daniel, running mate Dennis Tracey
FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION - VOTE FOR FOUR

DEMOCRATS: Phil Shaefer, Dana Levin.

REPUBLICANS: Ellen Uzenoff, Jacqueline Blechinger and Dan McNeill.
Weston FORUM interviews 9-24-15: http://www.thewestonforum.com/54125/contested-race-for-weston-board-of-education-2/?utm_source=Weston+Forum&utm_campaign=707fee01ec-FO_IN_THIS_WEEKS&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_848b12f59d-707fee01ec-193260349
FOR BOARD OF FINANCE (2 YR TERM - filling a vacancy)

DEMOCRATS: Sarah Schlechter (photo from the FORUM - Kim Donnelly)

REPUBLICANS: Bob Ferguson (his first meeting).
Unopposed candidates next...for Planning and Zoning, Police, ZBA, Board of Assessment Appeals and Town Clerk.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

DEMOCRATS: Ken Edgar and Jane Connolly
REPUBLICANS: Richard Wolf and Don Saltzman
POLICE COMMISSION

DEMOCRAT: Beth Gralnick

REPUBLICANS: Bill Brady and Jess Dipasquale
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS AND ALTERNATES

DEMOCRAT: Bob Gardner

REPUBLICANS: Glenn VanDeusen, Dan Gilbert and James Carlon (Alternate)
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS

REPUBLICAN: Hillary Koyner
TOWN CLERK

REPUBLICAN: Donna Anastasia
ELSEWHERE:

The sitting rep, although an eight-term
incumbent, was not always a Democrat. We recall when, perhaps
after her first term or so, as a Republican, she switched Party
registration after the election...and as a member of the Majority, was rewarded with a Committee chairmanship.
Is this settlement related?
Ex-labor relations chief gets $325K in settlement with state
Oct 29, 7:58 AM EDT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- The state has agreed to pay about $325,000 to
settle an appeal by the former head of the state labor relations agency,
who was fired last year...http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CT_LABOR_RELATIONS_FIRING_CTOL-?SITE=CTNHR&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-10-29-07-58-03

Former Secretary of the State came to Weston in 2009.
Brookfield Woman Sues After GOP Officials Bar Her From Voting In Republican Primary
CTNEWSJUNKIE
by Steve Majerus-Collins | Feb 8, 2016 5:30am
Read story in full: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/woman_sues_after_gop_officials_boot_her_from_party/#more
Greenwich’s Assessment Appeals Board faces first contested race in 100 years
By Ken Borsuk, Greenwich TIME
Published 8:08 pm, Friday, October 9, 2015
For the first time in more than a century, the town’s Board of Assessment Appeals is a contested race...story in full: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Greenwich-s-Assessment-Appeals-Board-faces-6562334.php
Democrats Turn On Incumbent Mayors
Hartford Courant
Kevin Rennie
Sept. 17, 2015
For months, establishment Democrats were certain Bridgeport Mayor Bill
Finch would see off challenger Joseph Ganim in Wednesday's party
primary. How could it be any other way? Ganim, after all, served a dozen
years as mayor before a conviction for corruption sent him to federal
prison for seven years.
It is a mark of how poor a mayor Finch has been for eight years that
Ganim defeated him on Wednesday. Their fierce contest saw Ganim winning
votes beyond the African-American precincts that observers and Finch
partisans thought would be his only enclaves.
...Bridgeport, Hartford and New London do not have competitive two-party
systems, so Republicans will not be a factor in those cities in
November. Nevertheless, Wednesday's Democratic primaries hold an
important lesson for Republicans. It's rare for local parties to toss
out their leading figures. Something is in the air.
For Bridgeport Democrats to turn on Finch in favor of Ganim, who turned
the office into a hive of bribes when he occupied it, is emphatic proof
that Connecticut voters have reached their limit with a broad swath of
the state's political culture.
Ganim's defeat of Finch suggests no incumbent is safe this year — and maybe next year, too...story in full: http://www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-rennie-democrats-turn-on-incumbent-mayors-0920-20150917-column.html
New London Challenger Defeats Incumbent Mayor in Primary
NBC report: 10pm Wednesday Sept. 16, 2015.
"New London City Council President Michael Passero has declared victory
over incumbent Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio in Wednedsay's primary
election, according to the Connecticut Democratic Party. Final
numbers from the New London registrar indicate Passero received 1,242
votes to Finizio's 798..." Story in full: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/politics/New-London-Mayor-Daryl-Justin-Finizio-Mike-Passero-Primary-Election-327966111.html
FOX: http://foxct.com/2015/09/16/new-london-challenger-passero-declares-victory-in-democratic-mayoral-primary-against-finizio/
New London: http://www.theday.com/local/20150825/ethics-board-calls-for-hearing-on-new-london-mayors-comment
Bridgeport:
LATEST:
CT POST
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Finch-expected-to-endorse-Foster-today-6537058.php
ONLY IN BPT
http://onlyinbridgeport.com/wordpress/finch-plans-major-announcement/#more-77183
Finch still seeking ballot spot
CT POST
By Michael P. Mayko
Updated 8:26 pm, Wednesday, September 23, 2015
BRIDGEPORT — Charles Coviello stops at White’s Diner on Boston Avenue
for a breakfast sandwich almost every morning. On Wednesday
morning, he said, Mayor Bill Finch was there.
“He was sitting in a booth ... and he waved me over,” Coviello said.
The meeting may not have been a coincidence. Coviello has something
Finch wants — a spot on the November ballot for mayor. That’s been
the case since Monday, when Secretary of the State Denise Merrill
erased the surreptitious Job Creation Party, and with it, Finch’s
third-party bid.
The Job Creation Party was Finch’s emergency plan if he were to lose, as
he did, the Democratic primary last week to Joe Ganim, a former
five-term mayor who spent seven years in federal prison for corruption.
Although Finch promised a lawsuit over Merrill’s decision, no papers
were filed Wednesday at Superior Court in Bridgeport. As things stand,
his participation in the election would be limited to that of a write-in
candidate...story in full: http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Finch-still-seeking-ballot-spot-6525221.php
Or not?
Bridgeport mayor to take minor party status to court
Sep 22, 2:20 PM EDT
At the A.P. site:
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CT_BRIDGEPORT_MAYOR_CTOL-?SITE=CTNHR&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-09-22-14-20-03
This Is What It Sounds Like When The Finches Cry
Courant blog by Colin McEnroe
September 21, 2015

A very tough race.
http://courantblogs.com/colin-mcenroe/this-is-what-it-sounds-like-when-the-finches-cry/
Foster may re-enter Bridgeport mayoral race
CT POST
By Brian Lockhart
Updated 8:46 am, Tuesday, September 22, 2015
BRIDGEPORT - With Mayor Bill Finch’s prospects of re-election getting
bleaker, rival Mary-Jane Foster is reconsidering Monday’s announcement
to withdraw from November’s general election.
“I have not yet filed my withdrawal (paperwork) with the town clerk,”
Foster said Tuesday morning, hours after news broke that the third party
created to give Finch a spot on the November ballot had missed a
crucial deadline and had lost that spot.
“So while I made the announcement yesterday, I haven’t made it official
as a legal matter,” Foster said. “So that certainly leaves the door open
to reconsider. I think given both the incompetence and total lack of
transparency around the Job Creation Party and Bill Finch’s role in it,
it’s worthy of reconsideration...”
CT POST article in full: http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Foster-is-considering-re-entering-mayoral-race-6521083.php
SNAFU knocks Finch off ballot in Bridgeport mayoral race
CT MIRROR
By: Mark Pazniokas | September 21, 2015
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch’s plan to continue as a minor party
candidate after losing last week’s Democratic primary to former Mayor
Joseph P. Ganim has come undone, a spokesman for the secretary of the
state’s office said Monday. The Job Creation Party missed a
deadline for designating Finch as its nominee, leaving the two-term
mayor without a place on the November ballot, said Av Harris, the
spokesman.
“Whatever the problem is, I’m sure we’ll find a way to get on the ballot,” Finch said.
But Harris said Finch is foreclosed from running on the Job Creation
ballot line, and the deadlines have long since passed to gather
signatures as a petitioning candidate. That would appear to leave
the longshots of running as a write-in or hoping that another
party-endorsed candidate would resign, giving Finch a shot at their
ballot line. Those other candidates are Republican Enrique Torres,
and Charles Coviello, the nominee of the New Movement Party.
The news broke on the same day that Mary-Jane Foster, the distant
third-place finisher in the three-way Democratic primary, announced she
would not continue as a petitioning candidate. Foster declined to say
Monday evening if she was reconsidering getting back in the race to
oppose the comeback of Ganim, who was forced from office in 2003 after a
conviction on bribery and kickback charges. One of her key
supporters, however, saw a clear opening.
“With Finch off the ballot, I think she should reconsider,” said one of
her supporters, Tom Swan, executive director of the Connecticut Citizen
Action Group. “I think she will reconsider.”
...For Finch to become the Job Creation Party's endorsed candidate, he
would have had to accept two weeks before the Democratic Primary. The
oversight became public Monday after an inquiry to the secretary of the
state’s office by Lennie Grimaldi. He chronicles Bridgeport politics in a
blog with the name that once again rang true: “Only In Bridgeport...”
Story in full: http://ctmirror.org/2015/09/21/snafu-knocks-finch-off-ballot-in-bridgeport-mayoral-race/
HOW DO YOU SPELL "BILL FINCH?"
Job Creation Party Dumped From Ballot, Finch Ballot Spot In Jeopardy
"Only in Bridgeport"
September 21st, 2015
Mayor Bill Finch’s ballot access is not getting better every day. Av
Harris, spokesman for the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Office, told
OIB Monday afternoon that the Job Creation Party that was created as a
back up plan if Finch did not survive the Democratic primary will not
have a ballot spot as a result of failing to meet a September 2 filing
deadline notifying the office of its designated endorsement. That would
have been Black Rock used car salesman Rich DeParle who was apparently
holding the spot for Finch. The decision now limits Finch’s ballot
options that could leave only one path for reelection as a long-shot
write-in candidate...He must file that paperwork with elections officials by Oct. 20
Story in full: http://onlyinbridgeport.com/wordpress/job-creation-party-dumped-from-ballot-finch-ballot-spot-in-jeopardy/#more-76904
------------
Some Democrat Primary debates:
http://www.ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=11914
http://www.ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=11950
Hartford
Someone say "Charter Schools" in your town someday, too? http://jonathanpelto.com/2015/10/29/billionaires-for-bronin/
How funny is this! It is "play ball" in the very sad Capitol City: http://jonathanpelto.com/2015/10/28/bronin-reports-another-174000-collected-with-seven-days-to-go-until-election-day/
------------------
After Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra announced he would not seek re-election, Luke Bronin called for city Democrats to unite.
Hartford Courant
By Vanessa de la Torre and Jenna Carlesso
September 22, 2015
HARTFORD — Nearly a week after his decisive primary loss, Hartford Mayor
Pedro Segarra on Tuesday abandoned plans to pursue re-election in
November and threw his support to Democratic rival Luke Bronin.
"The voters have spoken, and although the result was not the result that
I was hoping for, and the one I was working so hard for," Segarra said
that "for the good of the city" he had decided to suspend his campaign.
Segarra made his announcement at a press conference at Burr Mall,
outside of City Hall, as Bronin stood at his side...story in full:
---------------
Hartford:
jonathanpelto.com/2015/08/27/luke-bronins-failure-to-stand-with-hartfords-teachers-students-and-parents-cost-him-key-hft-union-endorsement/
Hartford Mayoral Debate Gets Heated -- And Personal
Hartford Courant
By Jenna Carlesso
Aug. 27, 2015
HARTFORD — With less than three weeks until the Democratic primary,
incumbent Mayor Pedro Segarra and challenger Luke Bronin swung harder at
one another in their second head-to-head debate. Segarra
characterized Bronin as a wealthy outsider who offered criticism but no
solutions. Bronin took aim at Segarra's record, dismissing the mayor's
efforts as talk with little action. Segarra billed himself as
someone connected to city residents, and stressed Bronin's ties to
affluent Greenwich.
On the topic of education, Segarra said he attended public schools in
Puerto Rico and the South Bronx, putting him in a better position to be
able to relate to Hartford's residents...story in full: http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-mayoral-debate-0828-20150827-story.html
General Election November 3, 2015: Getting closer! How
will the elections in 18 towns of WestCOG change anything if at all?
State Elections Enforcement Commission ("S.E.E.C.") - got any mailings that may have violations today?
Missing central places in Weston...or not?


Previous watercolors of debates 2007...never exhibited previously. And a graphic.
From the local election of 2007...samples of three of the
candidates running for the Board of Selectmen - Unaffiliated, Republican
and Democrat (and the next year on the national level).