Gov. Perry, Gov. Malloy, The CT GOP and North Haven

I find it funny that Gov. Malloy “just happened to be in the neighborhood” as he dropped in on Gov. Perry’s reception meeting. To be honest, I would have done the same thing! Better yet, I would had met Gov. Perry when he landed along with the press and made a big production of it!

But if Gov. Malloy had shown some intelligence when asked about his thoughts on the possibility of losing the firearm companies to Texas or other states, if he was really concerned, if he had shown some leadership, some guts without looking desperate, He could have stolen some thunder from Gov. Perry. But he didn’t. Most people know that this a step towards 2016 for Gov. Perry.

But no, Gov. Malloy gave a weak answer, which gave the impression that he could care less if they leave! And it’s not only the firearm industry that states like Texas are going after. They are also going after the pharmacy and finance firms.

I don‘t think Gov. Malloy’s message “of higher taxes and higher worker costs and compensation is well worth staying or expanding your business” is not working. I think deep down, he knows it’s not working and he really doesn’t have a clue of what to do. This was his opening to solidify his mark as a leader and for 2014 and his missed this opportunity.

I am also glad to see that the CT GOP didn’t openly welcome Gov. Perry as this would had sent the wrong message. But I am sure they spoke behind the scenes. While protecting our state businesses and I hope they said to both Governors, "Thanks for stopping by”. What they should be doing is looking at what states like Texas does right and incorporate it here as part of the GOP platform - on jobs, taxes, regulations - and start talking the residents NOW. If we have a better environment for business and it’s residents, we wouldn’t have other states Governors coming here looking to steal our workers, businesses and families.

So what does this all mean for North Haven, well it means that if Gov. Perry is successful, firms like Mossberg could leave completely or take their expansion plans to Texas and not here. And if that happens, other CT firms here in North haven and CT could follow.
Monday's visits were a wake-up call and I hope someone in Hartford is paying attention.

Red-state governors are coming to North Haven!

It's being reported that Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be here in North Haven on Monday followed by South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard on Tuesday, meeting with O.F. Mossberg & Sons officials with tours of the plant along with a tour at Colt Firearms in Hartford.

So why should you care?

Well, O.F. Mossberg is on an active search for a place to expand it operations.

That's a good thing, right?

O.F. Mossberg is a 94-year-old Connecticut firearms maker, located right here in North Haven, which has 270 employees here at its North Haven home plant and 400 in Texas, and is looking for more capacity as sales climb. I guess you can thank Gov. Malloy and the CT legislature for this.

So if you think that our new gun laws don't effect you directly, think again!

Can North Haven afford another empty commercial property? NO!

With all due respect to Mike Freda, but I don't think even he can stop this if Mossberg decides to leave if either Gov. offers a deal that Mossberg can't refuse, which in the end WILL effect out grand list which effects everyone's taxes!

Still think news this isn't relevant?

I wonder what Dannel is going to do next?

Is there a bullying problem at Clintonville School?

I received a comment asking if I was attending the BOE meeting tonight and if I would ask a question to the board regarding the BOE’s policy on bullying and to see what their response is. This person states that their child is being bullied and the school is not doing enough. They mentioned it was at the Clintonville School.

So is there a problem at Clintonville School that is being kept quiet?

Has a Connecticut US Representative resorted to bribery?

When I first read this article, my first thought was “Why defense contractors?” and “donations for schools?”.

Why is she taking aim at defense contractors?
Why not Gun Manufactures?
And is the way towns are now looking to rebuild their schools?
Is Mike Freda and North Haven on board with this idea? Is this how we are going to pay for a new middle school?

So what’s the difference of between what Rep. Esty is doing here and when a lobbyist donates to an elected official for their support on a bill for their cause?

brib·er·y - [ brbəree ]   

1. offering bribes: the offering of money or other incentives to persuade somebody to do something, especially something dishonest or illegal Synonyms: corruption, inducement, enticement, subornation

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS  

June 11, 2013

Esty offers amendment providing incentives to contractors who contribute to new Newtown school

HARTFORD, Connecticut — U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty is introducing an amendment to provide incentives to defense contractors that make donations to help build a new Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, as well as other schools disrupted by a traumatic crisis.

The congresswoman on Tuesday offered the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.
Under the proposal, defense contractors that make financial or in-kind donations to help rebuild elementary or secondary schools affected by violent or traumatic events would receive preference for Department of Defense contracts.

Last month, a Newtown task force decided to tear down the elementary school where 20 first-graders and six educators were killed.

Connecticut's congressional delegation is seeking federal funds to help build a new school. State lawmakers have set aside up to $50 million in bonding as well.

Q & A with Rep. Dave Yaccarino

                                                Please post your  questions by this Saturday

 

Now that the state legislative session is over, Rep. Yaccarino has accepted my invitation to answer any questions you may have for him on any topic - The State Budget, Gun Control, School Security, Education Funding or the upcoming 2014 Elections.

So ask away! 

Coming this week in North Haven

Since there's no big news or controversies going on, I will be focusing more on the issues happening in Hartford & DC.

So here’s what’s happening here in North Haven this week;

RTC meeting Tonight @ 7PM at the RTC HQ                     No DTC meeting for June

I don’t expect any big news from the RTC from this meeting.
As for the DTC, sources have told me that some within the DTC are not very happy, causing secret behind the scene meetings as the DTC is scrambling to find people to fill slots for November. Not sure how true this is so I guess we’ll see what happens in July.
And there could be some surprises coming from outside of these two camps which could stir things up a bit.
BOS meeting Thursday @ 7PM - Town Hall Upstairs

BOE meeting Thursday @ 7PM - Linsley Street
It's quiet here in North Haven - No BunnyGate, No Graduation Speech drama- boring! I don’t expect any big news here from either meeting. Even in the local papers, there hasn’t been any angry editorials written.
I recently spoke to Alan Sturtz, where we both agreed that things are pretty quite here in North Haven. This can be a good thing but I am sure this will change in September.  

"Give Back Music Festival' is Saturday 7:00 to 9:00 - Town Green

The weather forecast for Saturday is suppose to be nice so I hope they get a great turnout.