Well, as I said in my initial post, I will be learning as we go along. The intent of this effort is to provide an open forum for information and an exchange of opinions on issues of interest to the citizens of Meriden.
I hope when information is posted here, the facts are accurate. But if they're not, or need clarification, I expect feedback that will correct any errors. Opinions, however, are subjective, and I look for them to be free-ranging, conflicting and controversial at times, supported or attacted depending on a writer's personal point of view. That's the point of this blog.
What will be unwelcome, however, are personal attacks and profanity. These are not allowed on the council floor and in fact are ruled out of order. Speakers, whether councilors or the public, are refrained from such action. That will happen here. Facts can be challenged, opinions can be debated heatedly. But personal name-calling or attacks, and profanity, will not be allowed. I hope this forum can be respectful of contributors, and keep out of the gutter. Let's be considerate of each other, OK? You can still get your point across.
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7 comments:
Mr. Majority Leader,
In the name of justice, I will refrain from any unwarranted personal attacks, the key word being unwarranted. It is clear to anyone with any political awareness that Meriden is a corrupt city with the esteemed Democratic chair running the show with you as his faithful lapdog.
The mood of this city is bleak at best. The tax base is moving out in quick fashion and those left either want to leave but are stymied by housing bubble, or are content with this city because they pay no taxes to begin with.
With the city shooting down lucrative business offers and sure-bet contracts such as Lowe's and the auto auction, it has become a black hole for industry. Meriden's surrounding neighbors are reaping the benefits of these businesss opportunities that were initially in front of the council.
Meriden's location is exceptional and the lack of commercial growth is truly disappointing and the people of this city hold the Council responsible. Mr. Majority Leader, I hope you and your sidekicks have a plan for this city because in a few years there will be nothing keeping decent, hardworking people in this once-proud city.
-George
I received the following email from someone who had a problem posting directly. I apologize for any problems preveting direct posts.
Dear Councilor Zerio,
I couldn't post a second comment because the blog told me it was an incorrect password. This is what I tried to post.
Anonymous George will not accomplish anything by name calling and foul language and I take offense of his (or hers) description of Councilor Salafia. I'm not thrilled with one party in power, but that's something we will just have to deal with until the next election. I don't know Mr Salafia very well, but it negates anything Anonymous George had to say even though he made some valid points. Going about it in this manner serves no purpose. It is an ignorant statement period. Being new to blogging maybe that's just part of it. As I said in my original post the City needs to do some belt tightening and even though they say the cost is two million for the Sports Complex what is to say it will not go over budget? I hope that there is a good turn out about this at the Public Hearing on Thursday.
Mr. Zerio,
I recently read in the RJ about the invitation of Denis Cenevivia to the close door caucus to present on the auto auction. I applaud your stance that this was inappropriate. The fact that Mr. Cenevivia made a donation to the democratic party makes this very unethical and probably borderline illegal. Receiving donations for political favor is not something our non partisan city government should take lightly. I hope many more Meriden citizens are outraged by this. I tried to contact my city councilor who has yet to respond, so either he supports this unethical behavior or he is too busy to represent me on the council.
Thank you for this great outlet.
Mark
I think you're cute!
Mr. Gordon,
I understand that your agenda is very busy and you will have difficult decisions in the year to come. It seems that the point of your op-ed was to solicit pitty for the council. You are the second councilperson to do so. Remember you didn't volunteer for this position, you ran for it. My job is very difficult as well but I don't run to my bosses and complain when things get tough. The citizens of Meriden elected you on the premise that you knew the tasks at hand.
Perhaps one of these two projects that people had said "not in my backyard" would be better suited for your district.
Dan
Mr. Zerio,
Thank you for providing this blog as a means for the citizens of Meriden to communicate with the people chosen to represent them. You are brave! Certainly it is a more direct means than writing to the Editor of the Record Journal. Unfortunately, you are opening the flood gates when it comes to hearing about the negative issues that continue to come up. So I am even more grateful for the opportunity to speak out about how I, and I believe, many of the people with whom I interact and would rather remain silent, feel as Meriden tax payers.
I have lived and paid taxes in Meriden for 33 years. My two children attended school here, but I have always worked out of town. Herein lies the problem. I have to wonder why no one in our city’s government has really publicly addressed the reason why we are one of the highest taxed towns in CT. I am not a politician, but it seems to me the simple answer is that we have very few “big players” when it comes to our Grand List. I have watched numerous companies move out of Meriden over the years and have seen few move into or encouraged to move into our town. The taxpayers of Meriden have funded several times now the rejuvenation of our downtown with little or no resulting success. I have watched time after time as potential developers chose our neighboring towns of Wallingford, Southington and/or Cheshire over Meriden, resulting in lost potential tax revenue and jobs for our citizens. With very little open space left in Meriden to develop, why isn’t our government working with these property owners to help attract significant businesses to our city? Do we have an updated Master Plan addressing the need grow our tax base by attracting large businesses? Why does it seem that every opportunity is lost because of opposition from a few (maybe influential) people who may be impacted by the change? Why are the plans for proposed development never shared with the public, or shared only when they are dismissed by a few people who are supposed to represent the entire city? How can the public have an opinion about a potential plan if they never see or hear about the entire plan - you know with supporting evidence and metrics about how it will impact our city either in a positive or negative way? It seems we can only find out information in the newspaper; information that is usually incomplete and/or inaccurate. Why isn’t there someone out there willing to take a stance for the betterment of the entire city, instead of being worried about their own political agenda and how it might impact the next election?
I am sorry that this message seems so negative, but I want you to know that I have also seen many positive changes in our city over the last three decades, and this is why my husband and I chose to build our new home here. The overall image of Meriden has really improved, but as you know, there is always room for more improvement. I don’t expect you to answer my questions or address my concerns on a personal level, but I wanted you to hear from one of many who hold the same opinion as me. Thanks for your time.
Karen
Keith Gordon
If you had listened to the 50 some odd people in chambers that were opposed to the waste of tax payers money on the "finishing and extending the linier trail" project(thats a joke for another time11 years and you have dug a little dirt and made a mess). It would not be on your plate. Maybe fix whats broken in meriden first...say the roads that go to the pet project? Or say giving us real taxpayer a break. Good luck with your dump site called the linier trail...should be great fun to see the egg on all your faces when it turns into the biggest blight the so.meriden has. But what the heck as the Mayor said if there are funds for a project damed the torpedos full speed ahead...lets get the fed money ............I am sure this wont get posted.
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