Joan Coe
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Board of Selectmen - july 10, 2006 - 2006/08/22 19:44
Board of Selectmen - July 10, 2006
At the last meeting I proved beyond any reasonable doubt that First Selectman Tom Vincent had maligned my integrity publicly by calling me misinformed about the time the Hartford Courant appeared on Town property and was removed. Pictures don't lie, our Chief of Police doesn't lie, so the only one left who was misinformed was First Selectman Tom Vincent. If he can't tell the truth about an insignificant occurrence like the placement of the Hartford Courant box on Town property without permission, how can we trust his judgment? Where is the apology? Is First Selectman Tom Vincent above apologizing for his mistakes?
At the last meeting First Selectman Tom Vincent received a $12,000 increase in salary giving him a salary of $110,000. During this time First Selectman Tom Vincent is still negotiating the Police contract from last year. Vincent hasn't given the police a raise in a year and is quibbling about give backs and reduced increases in the pensions, yet he grabbed $12,000 for himself in order to increase his lifetime pension. How can Selectman Dave Ryan say that First Selectman Tom Vincent's background is similar to that of a professional manager? How many professional managers have completed their education with a High School diploma? In a recent article Dave Ryan stated that the additional $12,000 will attract better candidates. Why did Selectman Dave Ryan run for First Selectman with the possible attainment of a salary of $96,000? Was Dave Ryan the bottom of the barrel? At the time Ryan was running against Tom Vincent for First Selectman did he think that Tom Vincent should be reelected as the most qualified individual? Was Dave Ryan running as a token candidate with no expectation of winning the election? How can a candidate for First Selectman think his opposition is so highly qualified that he deserves a $12,000 increase in salary? According to the Courant article, First Selectman's Salary Reaches Big-City Level, we have become the laughing stock of Connecticut. The taxpayers have been duped by this tax and spend Board of Selectmen. Selectman John Hampton was right on the mark when he stated,"! think it's obscene for an elected official to receive six figures It diminishes the words, public servant." In the Courant article, Susan Kniep, President of the Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations Inc. said, "First Selectmen and Mayors have an obligation to try to keep spending down. In tough negotiations with town employees, it's harder to keep personnel costs down when the top officials are earning big salaries, said Kneip, a former mayor of East Hartford. What he needs to do is step back and say, 'I won't take the raise.". Will First Selectman Tom Vincent take Susan Kniep's advice and reject the raise? We the people in Simsbury should be appalled at Vincent's arrogance.
Recently there have been meetings about Simsbury expanding the airport for corporate jets. It has been alleged that the airport is up for the sale. According to town records the airport has a value over $1 million. How can the town have discussions to acquire an airport with all the liabilities without any discussion at the Board of Selectman level? How much revenue will be lost as a result of this transaction? Why should the taxpayers be the last to know how their money is being spent? It appears everything is done behind closed doors with no discussion from the public. Is First Selectman Tom Vincent working for the people or spending his time and the taxpayers money enhancing private businesses?
Recently there was a Hartford Courant article on the crises at the Library and the need to find another building during renovations. How could the Police Department run a 24/7 operation during the renovations without an expensive relocation and the library can't get their logistics of running a daily operation in their present space? Why hasn't anyone thought of using the newly expanded library at the High School for some programs? Why do we always hear the same story, we have the money to spend so use it or lose it. It appears there is no incentive to save the taxpayers money with this tax and spend mentality.
On July 12, 2006 there will be a meeting at the Eno Farms Affordable Housing Complex to discuss and vote on two questions before the Eno Farms Board of Directors that was posed by Judge Booth as part of the complex litigation presently in the court. One of the questions it is alleged was to give members a monetary settlement. Who is paying for the settlement and how much money will be exchanged? When will over $200,000 of rent money be paid by the members that have been withheld? CIL is presently in default of their mortgage payment at a cost of over $120,000. First Selectman Tom Vincent has the fiduciary responsibility to care for the poor as part of the Eno Trust. Tom Vincent has allowed this project to allegedly go into default. Who will pay the millions of dollars owed in mortgage payments to CHFA and DOH? Are the Simsbury taxpayers going to pay? Where is all this money coming from?
The town has hosted four concerts so far this year, June 30, July 1,2 and 7. How much money has the town received? How many people were in attendance? How many free tickets were distributed? When do the taxpayers get an accounting of the costs and the revenues from these concerts?
According to a recent flyer I received in the mail, Paine's is once again increasing their fees starting September 1,2006 and reducing some of their services. Many towns include garbage pick-up as part of town services. Can the town look into negotiating with a garbage provider to lower the costs of garbage removal? This change in service affects many senior citizens who have had every other week pick-up and other services at reduced cost.
Post edited by: joan coe, at: 2006/08/22 20:24
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