May 27, 2008

HHS Doesn't Make List, Again

Newsweek's annual report of the top 100 high schools shows again how mediocre Hamden's school system is. Seven schools from Connecticut were listed this year. Hamden was not one of them.

Here's the list from the highest rated down:

Over 50 percent of Hamden's tax dollars continue to go to an ineffective, mediocre and incompetent system. Why isn't this story being told?

S.F. Wilson
Forest Street

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May 14, 2008

Gambardella's Criticism Uninformed

In former Councilman Ron Gambardella's latest column, he wrote about various subjects mainly focused on the budget and taxes. I wasn’t surprised by the swipes he took at me and some of my fellow Democrats on the Council. That is common in his rants. What did surprise me was the level of misleading information and uninformed opinions he chose to use and attempt to pass onto Hamden residents as fact.

Differences of opinion are good for politics and they are good for government. Misleading taxpayers without plan or informed position is not helpful to anyone.

The truth is that Mr. Gambardella didn’t attend ONE budget session out of the nine nights that the Legislative Council met to work on the budget, nor did he speak at ONE of the four different opportunities the public had to speak to the Council regarding the budget. If you don’t show up, then you probably don’t know the facts.

I think it’s incredibly important for Hamden’s residents to get real facts regarding next year’s budget that we just passed. The following are some highlights of the 2008-2009 budget:

4)    We kept our commitment to the pension plan, by increasing the contribution to $12.5 million, despite attempts to lower it to $11 million by the Republicans, which would have been less than last year and a reversal of our promise to the public and our financial managers;

5)    We made sure to keep public safety a priority by funding our Police and Fire departments to allow for proper equipment and personnel;

6)     In the budget, we listened to our town auditors and other financial experts and responsibly funded our medical self-insurance and worker’s compensation accounts -- both of which were in poor financial shape just a few short years ago. When these accounts are in peril, it risks the town bond rating, which has the potential for an incredibly negative effect on the interest rate we receive when bonding projects like the new middle school or the coming police headquarters.

As for his personal attacks on me, if Mr. Gambardella had attended even one of the budget sessions, he would know that this year -- like most -- I was consistently trying to reduce account after account, line by line, in department after department. It is well known to those involved that I rarely see a budget cut that I don’t like.

I try very hard to bring in the tightest budget possible to spare taxpayers every penny possible. To call me the “ultimate tax and spender” is absurd and would actually be comical if it weren’t for the fact that it is an out-and-out lie that Mr. Gambardella is trying to fool our residents with. Save the campaigning for campaign season, Ron, I’ll welcome the debate when it’s time.

Curt Balzano Leng
Councilman, 6th District

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Back at You, McDonagh

I was dismayed after reading Hamden Democratic Town Chairman Joe McDonagh's letter to the editor regarding reappointments to Hamden’s boards and commissions. It is sad that Mr. McDonagh has resorted to name calling and clearly has taken political discourse to a new level.

I contemplated not responding to Mr. McDonagh's comments, but I believe the issue of having qualified individuals in town government is too important to our town's future to not respond.

The purpose of my previous letter concerning the non-reappointment of Commissioners Conklin and Sosensky was to point out that it is crucial to the welfare of the town that qualified and experienced individuals, who are serving on boards and commissions, get full consideration for reappointment. This will avoid control of these commissions by the mayor’s office and/or his subordinates. The replacement of well-qualified commissioners with political cronies and/or hockey friends seems to have become the norm under the present administration.

Members of the Inland Wetlands Commission, Democrats and Republicans alike, have stated publicly that the board has become too political in recent months. I quote six-year Commissioner Santiago-Martinez (who resigned) when she indicated in a Hamden Daily News story that the "… commission was always apolitical; it was all about following the regulations. All of a sudden, the staff is making decisions for the mayor. People are not being reappointed because of staff recommendations."

A majority of commissioners even boycotted the most recent meeting in protest. Are all these individuals lying about politics influencing the commission, Joe?

In closing, I would appreciate it if Mr. McDonagh would keep things civil, and remember residents care about quality-of-life issues, their taxes being kept under control and having a responsive and reasonable town government. All of which is not happening under this administration.

I continue to respect Mr. McDonagh, however, he should recognize that my letter was written to express ideas to better serve the town, not to further a political agenda.

Austin Cesare
Board of Ed member

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Cesare Says One Thing, Writes Another

In his letter to the editor, Austin Cesare complains about Mayor Craig Henrici’s decision not to reappoint Steven Sosensky to the Inland Wetlands Commission. Austin writes, “Stop playing political games with the appointments to boards and commissions.” I agree, which is why I am writing this letter, and why I am betraying conversations that might have been considered private. The hypocrisy, Austin, must also stop.

First of all, as Austin knows full well, commissioners are routinely appointed, reappointed or replaced. There is nothing unusual about that. It is the prerogative of the mayor per the Town Charter. This is the first time in my memory that a commissioner who was not reappointed decided to make the matter a public issue.

Both Austin Cesare and his brother, Craig Cesare, were appointed by Democratic mayors to land-use commissions. Austin was appointed by Carl Amento to the Inland Wetlands Commission, and Craig was appointed by Craig Henrici to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Both would likely have been reappointed if they had not been elected to the Board of Education and Legislative Council, respectively. They would have been reappointed because they did a good job.

In Austin’s letter to the editor, he talks vaguely about “political games expected of [Mr. Sosensky] by this administration,” but he never explains what those political games are. He doesn’t, because as he knows full well, there are none. Mr. Sosensky’s replacement on Inland Wetlands, as Austin also knows, has nothing to do with politics. Austin, perhaps you would explain what “political games” you feel Mayor Henrici is playing, since he replaced a Democrat (Mr. Sosensky) with a Republican?

Austin actually does know the reasons that Mr. Sosensky was replaced by Mayor Henrici. Austin served with Mr. Sosensky, and previously had made very clear his feeling that Mr. Sosensky should not be reappointed. In numerous conversations, prior to last year’s election, Austin said that if Ron Gambardella were elected mayor one of the first commissioners to be replaced would be Mr. Sosensky. Politics was not behind Mr. Sosensky’s replacement; there are ample reasons he was not reappointed and Austin knows this full well.

In fact, the very idea that Austin would complain of political land-use commission appointments reeks of hypocrisy.

In 1998, after Republican Barbara DeNicola was elected mayor, I was up for reappointment to Planning & Zoning. According to both Craig and Austin Cesare, in meetings with Mayor DeNicola regarding commissions, the decision was made not to reappoint me solely because of my political activities. I believe Austin’s or Craig’s words to me were: “Joe, there was no way you were going to be appointed again.” I knew that, of course. I knew that the decision not to reappoint me was completely political. But I also knew that these decisions are the responsibility of the mayor and his/her advisors, and I never objected. I never even considered objecting.

When Austin and Craig Cesare and I had those conversations, we were not Democrats or Republicans -- we were colleagues talking about what was best for Hamden, and what we wanted to see in Hamden’s future. I am not comfortable revealing those private conversations, but the dishonesty of Austin Cesare’s letter requires a rebuttal.

Shame on you, Austin.

Joseph P. McDonagh
Hamden Democratic Party chair
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Disrespectful Governing

I find it appalling that the Council voted in favor of the new police station at Memorial Town Hall. It is a huge building project that will bring nothing but destruction to the center of our quaint little town.

I applaud Ms. Wetmore for having the commonsense to at least abstain from the vote. Yes, the Police Department needs a new facility now; that is why they should start looking for a place to build it immediately. To tear down those two beautiful historic buildings to make room for a monstrosity of a complex -- that will not promote families walking around the town center by any stretch of anyone's imagination -- is a disgrace.

I also think it is a shame there will be yet another tax increase. We just can't afford it any longer. How many people have to move away before they get it? And, again, I do applaud Ms. Wetmore and Mr Cesare for voting against the budget increase.

We used to have a mayor and a town council who cared. What happened?

Cathy A Mosher
Hamden Alliance for Responsible Taxation

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May 9, 2008

Mayor's Political Games Must Stop

First IWW Commissioner Mike Conklin. Now IWW Chairman Steve Sosensky? Who next? How many more honest, well-qualified, hardworking public servants have to be tossed off boards and commissions in this town?

I had the privilege of serving with both Commissioner Michael Conklin and Chairman Steve Sosensky during my tenure on the Inland Wetlands Commission. I found these two individuals to be experts in their fields, and they always did what was right for our town. I found that they love Hamden, and I believe they wouldn't play the political game expected of them by this administration. How unfortunate the mayor's actions are for our town. 

Hamden lost out with their removal from this commission. At what point do councilmembers, especially those Democrats with intentions of seeking the mayor's job next year, speak out against the shenanigans of this mayor? They, too, will appear guilty by their silence.  

I urge Hamden residents to write the mayor and tell him to stop playing political games with the appointments to boards and commissions. Tell him enough is enough!

Dogs & Miles? Please

A review of recent headlines in the New Haven Register would show the following:

If we examined the budgets proposed for our neighbors, we’d find that virtually every community is considering tax increases that are many times higher than what is proposed for Hamden. Yet, over the past two months, debates in Hamden have centered on dead dogs and feral cats, mileage logs and stray dogs. We’ve even seen idiotic proposals to cut some town employees’ salaries to minimum wage, all because of unsubstantiated allegations that are being investigated.

I don’t mean to dismiss or demean legitimate concerns about these issues, but I think we need to start paying some attention to the bigger picture. Schools: I have to give credit to last year’s Republican mayoral candidate Ron Gambardella for his recent, extensive review of Hamden’s school system. Although he spent last year’s campaign arguing for cuts to the school budget, he apparently recently found religion and described a school system that is far more a success than a failure.

Finances: We are in good shape, with a healthy future thanks to the changes to future employees’ retirement plan.

All in all, I suppose the fact that dogs and cats and miles are the issues that make it onto the front page, I suppose that really demonstrates that we’re in pretty good shape.

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April 30, 2008

Yes, I am supporting Rose Mentone to replace Peggy. I am confident that Rose Mentone will do an exceptional job. Rose is smart, knowledgeable and patient -- three necessary assets for the job. I know that she is patient; she has been the town committee's secretary for nearly two years, and she's had to put up with me.

I am thrilled that Rose is willing to do the job, and I am confident that she will have the unanimous support of the town committee.

Joe McDonagh
Chair, Hamden Democratic Town Committee
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Hamden ACOs Lack Compassion

Wiley eluded capture for over eight months. It seemed Wiley found a home with Gabrielle Scirocco of Hot Diggity Dog. Rather than triumph in a positive outcome, Animal Control Officers Chris Smith and Steve Gimler chose to further alienate a community already suspicious and distrusting of their abilities and practices. To the credit of Mayor Henrici and Police Chief Wydra, Ms. Scirocco was granted custody and ownership of Wiley.

Sadly, it appears when Officers Smith and Gimler were unable to come to an understanding with Ms. Scirocco, they chose to involve Connecticut State Animal Control, further staining Hamden's reputation. Once again, Hamden is on the map and not in a favorable light.

From a practical standpoint, I wonder how many tax dollars and resources have been wasted thus far in this tug of war over a previously stray dog who finally found a home.

I understand the primary purpose and mission of animal control is to protect the public from nuisance animals; placement of homeless animals is an additional perk. I also understand animal control officers, like any public servant or public official, represent their community. In the wake of the dog disposal controversy, I find the actions of Officers Smith and Gimler in the issue of Wiley absurd. While arguably legal, their actions show lack of good judgement, compassion, and above all, positive community relations.

Hamden needs its own animal shelter to better enable the community to take responsibility and care for its homeless animals. We also need animal control officers cognizant not only of their primary responsibilities but willing to demonstrate grace and compassion to their community.

Joanne Phelan
Millis Street
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Planned Police Digs 'Ugly'

I have been following with interest the controversy over the proposed new police station and renovations to the Town Hall  When I viewed the renderings available to the public of the proposed new structure on the town website, I have to say I was shocked.

I am no expert, but all I can say is to me it is ugly and ruins the existing Town Hall, which is focused on the intersection of Whitney and Dixwell.

Hamden has very few architecturally appealing buildings, and if this plan is followed it will lose one. I have no objection to the concept of a police station and a fire station located in this area. Both have been there for many years, and I think this location serves the town well.

I also am not objecting to the present proposal for political reasons or because I think the Dadio Farm piece is better suited (there is only one police station and that location is too far from much of Hamden). So I am not in the Hamden Alliance for Responsible Taxation or former Councilman Ron Gambardella camps.

I just think that the present proposal is an abomination and ruins an appealing and stately public building. I would suggest that the architects and the Town Building Committee literally go back to the drawing board and rethink this whole proposal. One main problem with the proposal (other than its sheer ugliness) is that it is trying to squeeze very tightly into a small footprint. The town should consider expanding the site over to School Street by acquiring some of the residential properties between the existing edge of the site and School Street. This would allow easier access to the site and allow the building footprint to be shifted away from Dixwell Avenue, so that it would not so totally obliterate the existing Town Hall structure.

The additional cost of this land acquisition would be minimal in the overall cost of the project and would radically increase the flexibility allowed for in the siting of the structures. I would also hope that the plans are redrawn so that the focal point of the combined structure is on the existing Town Hall, specifically the steps that lead to the rotunda, rather than the overly imposing entrance to the new police station.

The overall concept of having the police station as an addition to the Town Hall is not inherently flawed; however the present execution of that concept is.

Paul Begemann
Hamden

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Make Town Workers Prove Competency

I don't mind paying my fair part of the tax bill, but I don’t like paying for unqualified people holding down town jobs. These people didn’t get their jobs by their qualifications or abilities; they received their town jobs by knowing the mayor or some other politico in town.

These unqualified town employees cast a negative shadow on all the good town employees that received their town jobs by their qualifications and abilities. They must be very disheartened to see the negative media coverage that these unqualified town employees bring onto all good hardworking town employees.

The citizens of Hamden have a bad habit of lumping all town employees in the loser class due to a few bad apples. Mayor Henrici has done nothing to dispel this loser class image of town employees. He has increased the negative image by hiring and promoting unqualified people. No wonder morale is very low since Henrici became our mayor.

One way to ensure that all town employees are qualified is by the town doing what a lot of union and non-union companies are doing. They test their employees every few years to see how well they understand their job and how well they perform their job. The employees that fall below the norm after retraining and testing are let go.

The better qualified a town employee is the more money we taxpayers save in the long run.

Thomas Alegi
Benham Street

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Tragedy Births College Scholarship

On Nov. 3, 2006, Hamden High School lost a “shining and rising star,” an honor roll student who was respected and loved by the staff and her peers. Janee Wallace, a 16-year-old young lady, lost her life in a horrific car accident on I-91.

She aspired to become an engineer like one of her aunts. In her honor, the Hamden High School Culinary Department and the Black and Hispanic Student Union began a memorial scholarship in her name. Fried dough and pizzas were sold last year within the school as they will again this year. As a result in May 2007, two Hamden High seniors -- Leslie Rivera, a student at Hampton University in Hampton, Va., and Christopher Rogers, a student at the University of Connecticut in Storrs -- received the first Janee Wallace Memorial Scholarships of $1,000 each.

Additionally, the Black and Hispanic Student needs community support with the first annual Janee Wallace Memorial Scholarship Potluck Dinner which will be held in Hamden High’s cafeteria on Friday, April 25, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The price is $5 with a dish for 10 people or $10 without a dish.

Come help us help qualified youngsters in their quest for higher education while honoring a young lady who would be graduating this year if not for her untimely death. Donations should be made out to Janee Wallace Memorial Scholarship Fund and sent in c/o Miss Henderson, Hamden High School, 2040 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, Conn.

Miss Leonora Henderson
Hamden High School BHSU advisor

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