Installation of Newly Elected Officials

November 11, 2011 by

Monday, November 21, 2011

7:00 pm

Fairfield Warde High School

Auditorium

Public Welcome

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Connecticut Post Endorses Mike Tetreau

November 5, 2011 by

Tetreau Already a Fairfield Success

Fairfield has long been a successful town. It has a thriving downtown, a high-performing school system and a positive fiscal outlook.

For years, under former First Selectman Ken Flatto, operations seemed to be running smoothly. But the financial crisis hit hard, and the Madoff scandal took a toll on the town’s reputation for competence, not to mention its retirement fund.

Worse was the still-developing problem with the town’s third train station and surrounding complex, Fairfield Metro Center. When Flatto left town for a state job earlier this year, he left behind a mess of poor oversight and cost overruns.

It’s fallen to his successor, interim First Selectman Michael Tetreau, to clean it up. And in his short time in office, Tetreau has done exactly that, bringing the Metro Center problems into the public eye and demanding accountability.

It is for his outstanding work setting that deal straight that Tetreau earns the Connecticut Post’s endorsement for a full term of his own as first selectman.

Tetreau has a long history in Fairfield as a former member of the Representative Town Meeting and Board of Finance. He has a strong record in the private sector running his own businesses. He understands where the town has been and where it needs to go.

He has stressed the need for long-term planning to get through the ongoing economic doldrums. Fairfield is holding its own, but Tetreau recognizes many residents are struggling.

Downtown remains a bright spot, and the quick replacement of the Borders with a Fairfield University bookstore turned what could have been a dead zone into a new gathering place, especially for young people. Traffic remains a concern, but Tetreau pledges to work to find solutions to bring people in and let them get around safely.

He is encouraged to pursue similar changes on Black Rock Turnpike, turning that congested area into something more user friendly than its current iteration.

His opponents, Republican Rob Bellitto and independent Hugh Dolan, bring their own ideas and expertise to the table. In Bellitto’s case that includes experience on the Board of Finance.

Tetreau, however, offers a more balanced record. And he has already, in a very short time, proven himself to be up to the task of running Fairfield.

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Bellitto Has Been MIA on the Metro Center Project

October 25, 2011 by

FAIRFIELD, October 24, 2011 – Rob Bellitto has had a lot to say about the Metro Center project in the press, during debates and in negative mailers.

“It’s time to set the record straight,” said Interim First Selectman Mike Tetreau.

The fact is that when Bellitto had the chance to attend public hearings regarding the Metro Center, he was absent.  “I was there,” said Tetreau. “This was a major problem, and I wanted to make sure I supported these initiatives and heard every detail so we could minimize the cost to Fairfield taxpayers.  I never once saw Rob Bellitto at any of these meetings.  For him to all of a sudden say he’s the expert on this project as he did in a recent mailing is disingenuous and disrespectful to the many Fairfield public servants, both Democrat and Republican, who were at the meetings.”

Further, Bellitto in explaining his absence claimed during last week’s News 12 debate that he watched these important meetings on FairTV, which is impossible because the meetings were not broadcast on FairTV. 

“Rob just hasn’t done his homework and is now making excuses,” said Tetreau. “Rob has chosen to mislead Fairfield voters about the Metro Center. He knows the truth but would rather try to take political advantage.”    

New to the First Selectman’s office in June, Tetreau said that after he discovered the problems with the Metro Center he immediately reported them to the RTM and began working with several other town administrators and elected officials to find workable, cost-effective solutions for Fairfield taxpayers. Much of this work took place over the summer and was reviewed during a series of special meetings called by the Board of Finance and RTM – 16 public meetings to be exact.

The minutes of the BOF’s Metro Center Audit Subcommittee and the RTM’s Metro Center Special Committee note nonmembers of the committees in attendance.  Rob Bellitto’s name does not appear.

Then, on August 26th, when it came time for Bellitto to be part of the solution others had worked on in his absence, Bellitto chose politics over what was best for Fairfield families and cast the lone vote on the Board of Finance against the plan. Following that vote, he did not show up for the two nights of discussion and the vote by the RTM. He never did explain his vote to the RTM or the public.

This continues a pattern of being missing in action during important town meetings and votes. Bellitto was also missing during the two nights the RTM discussed and voted on the annual budget this past May.

“Fairfield taxpayers are still waiting to hear Rob’s alternative plan for saving the Metro Center, along with their investment in the project. Much like his attendance record, though, it seems that Rob’s plan is absent,” Tetreau said.

 

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Check out the Town Ballot

October 25, 2011 by

The Secretary of the State’s office released an online version of the ballot to be used on Election Day, two weeks from today. Click here to see all 10 districts.

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Responding the Republican Super Majority on the RTM

October 17, 2011 by

Having just finished reading an opinion piece by Joe Palmer in the Connecticut Post, all I can say is, you have a great career as a fiction writer ahead of you. I was so surprised and bewildered by his interpretation of events that I had to wonder if he is attending the same RTM meetings as I am. I understand that my position as one of 12 members in the minority party would lend itself to a different view than someone who is a member of the self-proclaimed super-majority. However, the description of our respective roles is nothing short of a fantasy.

Mr. Palmer refers to Democrats as voting in lock step. What looks like “rubber stamping” is often a function of the fact that the RTM is the last body to approve anything and items have been discussed and vetted by both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance by the time they reach us. The items that get to the RTM have been thoroughly studied, questions have been answered and changes have been made. I’m not sure that this is either “rubber stamping” or voting in “lock step.” It’s just the way the town government works.

The budget process that Mr. Palmer holds up as an example of the Republicans‘ “legitimate internal differences of opinion” that they aren’t “afraid to air in public” didn’t happen quite the way he describes it. The Republicans, in a completely partisan manner, met in private to discuss budget cuts. The way this process should work is that proposed budget cuts should be discussed in committee meetings by the committees responsible for those departments. The Republicans decided to meet behind closed doors with no communication as to what they would be presenting during the RTM meetings devoted to those issues. On the night of the first budget meeting, the majority leader took the podium from the moderator and began a discussion of a 14-page document detailing the proposed budget cuts by his party. No copies of this document were provided to the 12 Democrats in attendance and when questioned about his poor decision not to provide those copies, he suggested that we move seats and look on with our fellow Republicans. That’s fine for the meeting, but most people need to take the information home and study it more thoroughly. No one Republican took credit or responsibility for any of the proposed cuts, they were all attributed to the party as a whole. Why? Were the members who are so unafraid to air their differences of opinion in public afraid of the backlash? The Democrats did in fact present suggestions for cuts to the budget and each member of the party expressed his or her own opinion as to why those cuts were being proposed.

Mr. Palmer attributes the successes at the Board of Finance level to his party. If you have attended any of the Board of Finance meetings you will see a very functional, nonpartisan board, working together, regardless of party affiliation (in most cases). I don’t think it is appropriate for him to attribute the actions of the BOF to any one party. The Board of Education has not been so successful. It has not functioned quite as efficiently and many of those issues can be attributed to partisan politics on both sides.

When the Republicans took over control of the RTM two years ago it seemed that their goal was first to assert their authority and second to govern effectively. Typically, there is bipartisan leadership in the five sub-committees of the RTM. When the Republicans took over they decided that this was unnecessary and assigned the chairman, vice chairman and secretary positions only to Republican members. The Democrats were allowed no voice. I’m not sure that is the way to set the tone for bipartisan leadership. Since the self-proclaimed “party of action” has assumed the majority of the RTM guess what has happened? Attendance has decreased significantly. Of the last 13 meetings there have been an average of 11 members absent, the vast majority of whom are Republicans. There were 11 members absent when the vote was taken on the town budget. Nine of those members were Republicans.

So where does this leave us? Well, I suggest that before you vote, go online to the town of Fairfield website. Look at the minutes of the RTM meetings. Go to www.fairtv.pegcentral.com and watch town government at work. Check to see if your representatives from your district were there and how they voted. Make an informed choice. Do your homework. Elect people that represent you as a citizen and not just a party. We need less party affiliation and more cooperation among all citizens to get through these tough times.

Patti Dyer represents District 6 on the Fairfield RTM.

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Calendar of Events

October 6, 2011 by

Oct 12

Special Pre-Election DTC Meeting GET OUT THE VOTE!
DTC Headquarters, 500 Kings Highway
6:45 District Leaders
7:30 Meeting

Oct 14

Reception for statewide Democrats – Be there as our own Linda Snelham-Moore welcomes Governor Dannel P. Malloy to her beautiful home, sponsored by Nancy DiNardo, State Chair

Date & Time: 10/14/2011 at 5:30 PM
Address:         442 Bronson Road, Southport, CT   06890
Cost:               Individual: $75        Couple: $125

Oct 16

Fired Up! Ready to Go! Open House and Rally
DTC Headquarters, 500 Kings Highway
4:30-6:30 p.m.

Oct 17

Rotary Club Candidate Luncheon/Forum
Noon – Gaelic American Club, 74 Beach Rd.
Tickets: $ 15.00 at the door
Space is limited – email steveelworthy@yahoo.com by 10/14.

Oct 18

Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood and Fundraiser for Charity
11:15 am – Cost: $ 18.00
Highly recommended for all candidates

Oct 20

League of Women Voters – BOE and BOF – details to follow

Oct 27

League of Women Voters – Selectmen – details to follow

Oct 31

Safety Street – Town Green

Nov 1

Last Day to register to vote for 2011 elections!

Nov 5

Stop n Shop (traffic circle) – details to follow

Stop n Shop (Villa Avenue) – details to follow

Nov  6

Candidate Forum Breakfast (Please come support Mike T.)
Temple Rodeph Sholom, Friend Hall
(corner Park & Capitol Aves, Bridgeport)
Cost: $ 5.00 with breakfast, free without breakfast

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Candidate Q&A with Mike & Cristin

October 3, 2011 by

PHONE BANK FOR YOURSELF BEFORE WE MEET

(Please bring your cell phone, as there are 6 lines at HQ, which may be occupied)

Wednesday, October 5
6:30 – 8:15 – Phone Calls
8:15 – 9:30 – Q & A

Please join the team this Wednesday to: 

Make calls identifying your supporters
Learn more about where Mike and Cristin stand / Ask about issues around town
Talk about how our team can work together as candidates to win this election

RSVP to Caitlyn Flynn at ccflynn@gmail.com so we can have a phone list waiting for you

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Notice of Meeting

September 25, 2011 by

Monday, October 3, 2011

Democratic Campaign Headquarters
500 Kings Highway Plaza (same strip as Town Fair Tire)

6:30 PM: District Leaders

7:30 PM: Regular Meeting

Agenda

Campaign Updates

Approval of Minutes of September 2011 Meeting

Treasurer’s Report

Selectman’s Report

State Central Report

State House Report

Old Business

New Business

Vacancies

District 1 – 7

District 2 – 4

District 3 – 1

District 4 – 3

District 5 – 5

District 6 – 8

District 7 – 3

District 8 – 2

District 9 – 1

District 10 – 8

Next Regular Meeting, Monday, November 14, 2011

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Sullivan Award Packed the House for Chief Felner

September 12, 2011 by

Saturday saw Chief Richard Felner receive the first Sullivan Award bestowed upon a deserving Democrat since 2006. The festive event, held at the Fairfield Museum, brought together friend old and new, all gathered to see the chief be feted.

Felner’s public service, since joining the fire department in 1959, has earned him a sterling reputation which brought out a variety of federal and state dignitaries who wanted to be a part of the festivities. Senator Richard Blumenthal topped the star-studded line-up and he gave Felner the first in a series of certificates and proclamations on what turned out to be Richard Felner Day in Fairfield.

The Sullivan Award was established in honor of the extraordinary dedication and service of John Sullivan to the Town of Fairfield throughout his lifetime. This award is given annually to a Democrat who has served the Democratic Party and community with distinction encompassing community service and sustained political activity and leadership.

Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz also discussed Felner’s accomplishments and reputation.

From across the aisle, representing the state delegation, Brenda Kupchick, accompanied by Probate Judge Dan Caruso, also attested to Felner’s work ethic and the example he set for all.

Locally, three fire commissioners – Susan Barrett, Tony Jannotta, and Charlene Lebo – spoke about Felner’s dedication.  They were followed by Selectman Sherri Steeneck reading the town’s proclamation, chiding First Selectman Mike Tetreau that clearly “Harvard reads better than Princeton”.

Tetreau, the previous recipient, spoke of Sullivan’s legacy and how well Felner embodies that. He told stories of Felner playing for his father, high school football coach Fern Tetreau.

Finally, Felner himself took the podium and told stories of his time under Coach Tetreau’s tutelage and the lessons he learned both from him and from Sullivan when he oversaw the growing community. His funny stories were mixed with moving ones, especially those regarding his patient and loving wife.

The 100 or so people got to mingle with our dignitaries in addition to sample six wines, courtesy of Harry’s Wine and Liquor, and six cheeses, from the Fairfield Cheese Shop. The fundraiser, according to Fund Raising chair Heather Dean, was a resounding success.  This no doubt will return to its annual place in the DTC’s calendar of activities.

 

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Prepping HQ

September 9, 2011 by

On Sunday, at 1:00 pm, we welcome all the help you can give as we prepare to open headquarters at 500 Kings Highway East Monday night.

Lend a hand and share the excitement!.  We have a great space, lots of room and visibility.  Bring a bag of chips or a bottle of soda.  And, can you loan us any of the following for the next two months – we can arrange for pickup if needed:

  • work tables
  • space dividers
  • industrial vacuum
  • portable shelving
  • office supplies-pens, pads, clipboards, etc.
  • strong folks to help with pick ups if we provide truck Sunday am

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