01/31/2011 Letter to the Editor > Ridgefield Press "What, me Worry?"

Carol and I just returned from a little trip to Costa Rica & I came back a changed human. It was a wonderful, laid back  adventure. The natives were courteous, warm & welcoming; the weather delicious. It relaxed me, put things in perspective.

I now consider asking taxpayers for $167k to hose down some six year olds at the recreation center that already loses about $600k annually just another quaint Ridgefield idea. So is building a $20 million dollar library during these economic times.

The Board of Selectmen spending so much energy not approving a full (from part) time salary for Fred, our diligent parking cop, which would have been funded from the Branchville Parking fees while, simultaneously hiding a million dollar mistake in executive sessions.... Eh! Who cares?

And a measly 2.87% school increase on an $80 million dollar school budget. Oh pish.... that's just $2.25 million. What's that? A matter of foregoing eight or nine cups of Starbuck's coffee?

Finally, instead of the BoF asking embarrassing questions, I say give the Board of Ed the entire $89k they requested for a new boiler even though they will be reimbursed $60k by insurance (which they didn't mention). They can use the extra money for something educational.....or not.

That Ridgefield's income is flat and that property owners have lost another 6% of their home value just last year (http://tinyurl.com/5srjg5c) no longer concerns me. I'm calm and confident Ridgefield will rebound in the next 8-10 years.

In the meantime, raising property taxes a few points annually shouldn't cause alarm. We have a wonderful school system -- in the middle of the educational pack -- propping up our property values. And parents of kindergarten aged kids now have more free time to "shop Ridgefield".

I agree with Mr. Jewell. This space should be reserved for friendly letters.

12/09/10 Ridgefield Press > Letter to the Editor re: my political foray

While Keith Miller sat there, bored by the proceedings, reading his newspaper and texting, I sat before the Board of Selectmen with the earnest expectation that what I had to say would actually be considered in deciding who would take Joan Plock's seat. I read an opening statement (http://tinyurl.com/2dze8cg).

Why did I have this expectation? Because CT statute 922 stipulates, that in case of an early vacancy on the Board of Selectmen, any candidate: Republican, Independent, Green Party, Tea Party, Coffee Party or Un-affiliated, could throw their hat in the ring (Democrats couldn't because of minority rules).

Little did I know that I was playing the naif, the naive fool. The questions directed to me should have given me a clue.

Ms. Manners: What do you think about social services?
Answer: I like them.

From Ms. Masters: Where did I see Ridgefield in the near term?
Answer: I don't know since we are too busy scrambling to stay afloat.

From Mr. Bodner: a tight lipped lecture about my campaigning against budgets.
Answer: We need more strategic, long term thinking. May I suggest more Tri-board meetings.

From Mr. Marconi: nothing.

Soon it became clear this was only an exercise.

The First Selectman announced he had promised the seat to the Republicans. From Barbara Manners: It should go to a woman. From Di Masters: I agree with Barbara. Some women in the audience were outraged. No comment from Selectman Bodner. The audience wasn't allowed to comment.

This was a farce. It diminished the process. It diminished the Board of Selectmen.

The entire process disgusted so many people, of all political stripes, that the decision may now be taken out the hands of the bumbling Selectmen and sent to referendum for a town-wide election.

And so ends another shallow chapter in Ridgefield politics.