Is this how things work around this town?

Hi everyone, election day is coming, so don't forget to vote on November 8, 2005. Did anyone watching the town council meeting on October 11, 2005 notice when Deputy Corporation Counsel Pat Alair mentioned that a lot of the work had been done on the walkway between S. Main St and LaSalle Road before the town council voted on easements that would make way for this project? Yep, that's right, work by town employees was performed prior to the town council approving resolutions authorizing the easements. This is outrageous. This is the town management acting of it's own free will without the consent of the town council. I've asked this before and I'll ask it again, does the town council work for the town management or does the town management work for the town council? Some of you may say this is no big deal, but I would argue that this is a clear example of what's been going on in this town for a long time. They just happened to get caught this time. This doesn't speak to the town making a mistake. This speaks to a town management that is arrogant to the highest degree. Was this act illegal? I'm no lawyer, but... Has anyone been over there? I went the next evening and saw that curbs were purchased, the fence adjacent to the Post office was down, the area on the South Main side was graded and curbs were installed. Seems like a lot of planning, purchasing, receiving, and actual work was completed. How long before this council meeting was the work done? Seems like it had to have been at least a month or two. Where does this end? I'll tell you where it ends. November 8. Let's make it a clean sweep. Vote in those who care about this town, not their political future...Vote in those who will ask Pat Alair why the construction started prior to the town council's vote...Vote in those who will listen to the people of this town not only in the majority, but those whose point of view makes sense, for the good of the town, not for the good of a new development...Vote for those who will make a stand in a council meeting by actual voting against things that aren't right. Not one councilmember asked why the work had started. Because if they did, they knew the town manager would have been livid. I'll save the candidate recommendations until later, but listen to the candidates and you'll hear the ones who are planning for the future and you'll hear the ones who are spending their time defending their past. Thanks, Mark

Library Closing for 20 Months?

According to some credible sources, I received word today that the West Hartford Public Library adjacent to the Board of Education building will be closed from anywhere from a year to 20 months during construction of the Blue Back project. I recall statements at the public hearing by those involved in Blue Back Square that the Library would remain open during the expansion. Sure, plans change during large construction projects, but this will be a huge problem for those in town who utilize the library heavily. Children won't be able to play and read in the library for a long time. Will our taxes go down as we lose another service for a year? I know, stupid question... Seems like around every corner there's a change in this plan. Was this deception from the outset to win some votes? It all seems fishy to me. More to come.....

A note in support of Joe Visconti for Town Council

To The Editor, It is time for a real change in Town Government as we head into some very difficult times for West Hartford. We are facing revaluation, higher energy costs, MDC rate increases and probable state cuts in municipal funding, and at the same time demanding more in Town services and Education funding. I am writing this letter in support of Joseph Visconti for Town Council. Many would ask me why I would want to support an Independent Candidate, especially one that has stirred up so much controversy in West Hartford. I support him because he has taken the time to understand the issues, and come up with some new approaches to solving the issues facing us. He has stirred up controversy because the difference between Joe and other candidates is that he is willing to share the political inside with the electorate so that they can make informed voting decisions and understand the issues completely. The people representing the status quo don't like that. Joe will not tell you half truths and hide things under the rug. He won't allow Town administration to continue to play accounting games or call the shots or make up their own convenient ethics rules. Joe is not in the running for ego, power and control. He wants to insure that the taxpayer is getting more than a fair shake, and Joe has a no nonsense plan to make our town schools and public works be the best they can be with the limited resources that we have. I am voting for Joe because he isn't about politics and hidden agendas, but because I know he doesn't represent the "same old same old" in local politics and he isn't controlled by those higher up in the political food chain. Judy Aron 40 North Quaker Lane West Hartford