University of Connecticut study:  http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/upload/2017/09/uconn-impact-associational-ties-on-financing-super-pacs-2017-09-13.pdf
 
 "Government" in even-numbered years means a link to CT "Short Session" as well as "Local Government" and fy'19 budget.
                                  









I M P E A C H M E N T    N E X T ?



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...


 
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

       






        
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&region=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. 





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&region=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








 
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





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:
  1. Are we running out of options for...whatever?   WOOF!!!
  2. 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.
  3. 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:
  1. In 2013 there were 364 votes at Referendum (no quorum at ATBM)
  2. In 2014 there were 224 votes at Referendum (no quorum at ATBM)
  3. 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

 
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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:
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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

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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/

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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:

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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).