2009

Posted by Bob on February 24, 2009 under Daily Blogs | 6 Comments to Read

I thoroughly enjoyed last night’s debate and would like to thank the Citizen’s News, Waterbury Republican-American and Naugatuck Historical Society for organizing the forum. Special thanks is reserved, however, for the Portuguese American Club for the best “save” of the campaign season.

With the Historical Society Museum filled beyond its capacity, last night’s debate was in danger of being canceled for safety code reasons. Burgess Mindy Fragoso along with Floyd and Mariana Barnes acted with lightening speed to relocate the debate to the Portuguese American Club. Within approximately twenty minutes, the debate was continued, with the overwhelming majority of people there to see it.

I congratulate my opponent Kevin Knowles on his performance and for continuing our pre-election commitment to run clean campaigns. While Kevin and I have disagreements on certain issues, we are both aware that Naugatuck Democrats as well as all voters do not deserve to be subject to a campaign of mudslinging and negativity.

The main topic of debate between Kevin and I was the use of technology in improving government efficiency and communication. Kevin correctly cites that not every citizen has access to the internet. I imagine the same was said of the telephone at the turn of the nineteenth century. While Naugatuck government must do a better job of communicating using several mediums, ignoring technology and the benefits of it use would be shortsighted and detrimental to open government.

The concept that technology or using the internet has anything to do with age is divisive and inaccurate. People of all ages use the internet to email, shop for bargains and read news about a variety of topics. If seniors living at the Conrad Street, Weid Drive or Osborn Road housing complexes do not have internet access to communicate with faraway relatives or learn about Washington proposals that concern health care on the internet, than shame on us as a government. That is something that can be changed quickly and with minimal cost to local government.

Despite our issue-oriented and relatively minor differences, I believe Kevin and I made Naugatuck Democrats proud with our performances last evening. I consider Kevin a gentleman and a friend.

The Republican debate that followed, however, left me disappointed and a bit frustrated. From the start, the tone was antagonistic and at times hostile. Substantive debate about critical issues was sacrificed to personal animosities between the two candidates. This, coming from a Republican party that has delivered Naugatuck citizens six straight tax increases and no fundamental changes to our government, does not represent real change.

Most disturbing to me was Republican attempts to politicize the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation (NEDC). I have not only been involved with the NEDC since its creation, but helped to form the organization as a Burgess and Deputy Mayor during the Taf Administration.

The fundamental principal of the NEDC is that politics has no place in working for positive economic development in the Borough. The NEDC is a bi-partisan, not-for-profit corporation comprised of representatives from the public, private and non-profit sectors. Listening to the two Republican candidates use the NEDC to criticize one another was distasteful to me and many who know its history. I have my thoughts on which candidate initiated this nonsense, but the overriding reality is that it has to end.

One of the first calls I made when announcing to run for mayor was to Mike Bronko. I informed him that no matter what our differences would be on the issues, he had my support as the Vice-Chair of the NEDC on our collective efforts to attract and retain business in the Borough of Naugatuck. I will continue to honor that pledge. Other communities have suffered when allowing economic development efforts to become political. Naugatuck can not afford to suffer such a fate.

Hopefully Republicans will turn away from this divisiveness during Thursday’s debate, and help to explain to taxpayers why no fundamental improvements have been made to our local government during their six years in power.

Thursday’s (2/26/2009) debate will take place at City Hill Middle School beginning at 7:00 PM. The debate will also serve as a fundraiser to assist the parents faculty groups of City Hill and Hillside Middle Schools defer costs for students attending their upcoming field trip to Washington, D.C. We look forward to seeing you there.

Derek said,

There’s also no reason that technology can’t be used alongside public reports that are available at the library, press conferences and other forms of communication.
John Cummings said,

Bob,
I would like to thank you and the other candidates for a very informative evening. I believe having all of the candidates together answering the same questions is one of the best ways to help assist the voters in the decision of who will be the best to lead our town.
I also agree with both Kevin and yourself as to communicating with the residents. We need to take into account the residents without internet acess and continue to publish as much information as we can in print – while also making more information and two way communication available online. With it only taking a few minutes to scan and upload documents – and even less time to post a quick note about meetings and events there is no excuse for not having so much more information available through the towns website.
I look forward to hearing more from all of the candidates at Thursday night’s debate at City Hill Middle School.
Charley Marenghi said,

The need for more hours at the library is clear when it comes to gaining infomation using technology. Maybe the next mayor will return the needed funds to have the library open more hours each day. This access would help all citizens get the information they need.
lesley said,

Bob They do offer internet classes at the congregate house on Millville.
John P Johnson said,

if I was in Naugatuck,I would be there supporting YOU!
John said,

This is in repsonse to the comments made at the 2nd Mayoral Debate at City Hill Middle School.
All of the candidates made some very good arguments to get my vote, while each of them has also shown reasons why not to. I would like to bring up one subject that is of concern to me and many other residents of Naugatuck. Let me start by saying that last election I voted for Mike Bronko and I think he is a good man with the best of intentions for our community. But at this point in time it is very concerning that he, for a second time, is having tax issues. It is also concerning the way he is trying to explain them away as it being the fault of the economy alone. During the debate Mayor Bronko asked us to realize that he – like everyone else, is having problems due to the economy. He told us he had to make a choice between taking the money he held out of his employee’s payroll checks and paying those taxes or putting food on the table. Well it is a bit difficult for me to believe that the cupboard was bare in the Bronko home and he sat down and made a decision as which to do – pay his tax bill or go to Stop and Shop. Every week in my home just as in most peoples I juggle what bill is due when and which one can be put off until later. But this was not a bill that Mayor Bronko received in the mail that he put off to choose buying food in place of paying. I am not a business owner or employer but I look at things this way. If I paid my employee’s and held taxes out of their check’s which are earmarked for the government, but instead kept that money in my pocket – is that the same as not paying a bill that came in? My problem with this situation is that it is a requirement of doing day to day business. It was not a cost that unexpectedly popped up. Now in someone’s personal life – or even business this would be their own issue. But we are looking to elect a person who will run our town and who we will be able to have faith in that they will follow all of the rules and laws that go along with that position. Just as when you run a business you follow all the rules that govern running the business as well. As it has been pointed out during the debates, Naugatuck is a $103,000,000 corporation that needs to be run as a business. From the way Mayor Bronko has shown he runs a business it casts serious doubt on things. If the economy stays the way it is – are we going to not pay the towns bills? Or are we going to work on the budget and pay the bills that are due? The one thing the debate did help me with was eliminate one candidate. Mayor Bronko’s explanation of the situation convinced me of who my vote is not going to be for. To put a spin on it the way he did and try to blame it all on the economy without taking the responsibility of mismanagement of those payments made my mind up. These are the worst economic times that many of us will ever see in our lifetimes. As good of a man Mayor Bronko is I truly believe we need a different individual with more fiscal responsibility to lead us forward and through these times.