BRISTOLTODAY.COM

Republican council contender emerges in 1st District

2013-05-23T07:49:00.001-04:00

A Bristol native, Tom Hick, announced on the Bristol Republicans Facebook page that he plans to see election in the 1st District this year. Here's what he wrote:

Tom Hick

I will be seeking nomination for city council in the first district of the city of Bristol. I believe with my experience I will be able to work with all the different areas of the city to ensure that we keep the city moving in a positive direction, while controlling spending and keeping taxes stable. There are some important and interesting changes happening in the city and we will need to have a strong leadership team in place to ensure things are done in the tax payer’s interest. Below is some information about myself and some of the projects I see evolving in the near future that will need strong leadership.

About me
Born and raised in Bristol
I married my wife Michelle in 2008 and we have a daughter Emily that is 15 months old
I have worked at Aetna since December 1999, I have held multiple positions since joining Aetna as a temporary employee in 1999 including claim error correction analyst, trainer, team Lead and I am currently a project lead. Prior to working at Aetna, I was employed at CT Spring and Stamping in the maintenance department from 1994 – 1999.
Hobbies – Along with spending time with my Family, I enjoy maintaining, driving and showing my classic cars and currently have a 1965 Pontiac GTO and 1955 Chevy pickup. I also enjoy riding my motorcycle with my friends and hopefully finding a new coffee shop while we are out.

The widening of RT 6 – this should assist with the constant congestion in our area and provide our current and future businesses/customers easier access for the main artery into our city.

Creating and retaining businesses in our city - there are currently some exciting projects to market the city of Bristol, we need to make it a priority to open our doors to new businesses and ensure our current businesses have the support they need. I intend to work with our city and state representatives to make sure this happens.

Continued improvements to our public housing complexes and senior activities - I believe our senior citizen community is more active than ever and we need to ensure we provide an affordable, safe, secure and interesting environment for them.

The Depot Square development (mall Site) – there are lots of exciting things that will be happening with this property, I heard the ground breaking will be taking place this year and the city’s leadership will have to be very involved to make sure the community’s voice is heard.

Public involvement – I think there are some awesome people in this city that would be willing to volunteer their time, personal and professional experiences if the process was explained and shared with a larger audience.

If you have any questions, suggestions or time to help, I can be reached at the below email address and through my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/Hickforcouncil

Hickforcouncil@gmail.com

If you would like to make a donation please contact Gary at gklemyk@yahoo.com

Thanks
Tom

Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Downtown grocery store may yet bounce back

2013-05-22T13:03:00.000-04:00

City officials are not ready to throw in the towel on the grocery store they hoped would serve downtown for years to come. Bristol's Marketplace closed this spring after a falling out between its owners, but it may not be gone for good. "Hope is still alive," said Frank Johnson, chairman of the nonprofit Bristol Downtown Development Corp. "Oh, absolutely," said Ryan Porter, the project manager for the Long Island-based Renaissance Downtown that seeks to redevelop the former mall property. Porter played a crucial role in getting the new store up and running last year after the city demolished Discount Food Outlet, the last remaining municipally-owned building on the mall site. Porter said a partnership dispute led to problems for the new store, but he hopes they can be worked out so the store can reopen. He said is "fairly confident" it will remain as a grocery store. He said the store is fitted out for selling groceries now and the spot has already proven it can draw customers. Porter said that in its early months, it drew more customers than DFO, though their orders were typically a little smaller than the previous store.
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Welch calls for state to help laid-off ESPN workers

2013-05-22T12:26:00.004-04:00

State Sen. Jason Welch, a Bristol Republican, sent out this letter today regarding the ESPN layoffs:

May 22, 2013

Commissioner Sharon Palmer

Connecticut Department of Labor

200 Folly Brook Blvd.

Wethersfield, CT 06109

Dear Commissioner Palmer,

As you know, ESPN announced today that they will be laying-off employees in areas and job descriptions "across the board," according to spokesman Mike Soltys. I understand that the reduction will also include positions eliminated by attrition.

As one of the State Senators representing the city of Bristol, I am requesting that you immediately dispatch your Rapid Response Team to address the needs of the displaced workers as a result of the layoffs.

In addition, I would like my office to be notified of any meetings taking place between ESPN and the Department of Labor so that I can participate in helping those who will be losing their employment.

I am hopeful that we can work together to help re-locate these workers in new jobs as soon as possible.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance for you or your office.

Sincerely,

Jason Welch

State Senator, Bristol

Mass layoffs in the works at ESPN

2013-05-21T12:57:00.003-04:00

Some ESPN workers are calling it Black Tuesday.

Despite record profits, the Bristol-based company handing out layoff notices Tuesday to an unknown number of employees in what appears to be a cost-cutting move dictated by Walt Disney Co. executives.

It appears that about 6 percent of ESPN’s workforce got a pink slip.

In a companywide message sent out this morning on ESPN’s internal system, its president, John Skipper said, “We are implementing changes across the company to enhance our continued growth while smartly managing costs. While difficult, we are confident that it will make us more competitive, innovative and productive. “

Mike Soltys, an ESPN vice president, said the layoffs are worldwide. The company has 7,000 employees, with more than 4,000 of them based in Bristol.

Even after any layoffs, however, “we remain on track to reach the increase in jobs that are called for” under the First Five agreement reached between ESPN and Gov. Dannel Malloy, Soltys said.

That 2011 deal included a $17.5 million loan from the state Department of Economic and Community Development for the construction of a new 193,000-square-foot production facility.

The company vowed to create 200 jobs within five years in Bristol. The development package has incentives for the company to add up to 600 more jobs over 10 years.

The company is also on track to open its new production center next spring and to finish work on two other projects, a new welcome center and a generator facility, Soltys said.

Soltys said he couldn’t discuss the number of layoffs.

The author of a book about ESPN, Jim Miller, said on his Twitter account this afternoon that the cutbacks will number “between 300 and 400” people, but that “includes open jobs that won't now be filled.”

“Any layoff/firing/buyout is rare for Bristol culture. It is not being taken lightly. By anyone. No gain, just pain,” Miller wrote in another tweet.

ESPN is owned by Disney, which this month reported that its second quarter profits were up 32 percent.

Disney said at the time that much of the profit increases was due to ESPN, which was bringing in more revenue from affiliates and advertising that more than made up for “increased programming and production costs.”

The company laid off some workers at the height of the recession in 2009, but generally has increased its workforce over the years.

Malloy to hold forum in Bristol on Thursday

2013-05-13T14:47:00.002-04:00

Press release from Gov. Dannel Malloy:

Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman today announced that they will host a community forum in Bristol onThursday, May 16, 2013, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Greene-Hills School (718 Pine Street).

These town hall-style events provide an opportunity to discuss the state’s pressing issues face-to-face with state residents. They are open to the public; tickets are not necessary and seats are available on a first come, first served basis.

Those who would like an opportunity to ask a question should arrive a little bit earlier to fill out the sign-up sheet. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Additional dates and locations across the state will be announced as they are scheduled. For the latest schedule, please visit http://governor.ct.gov/communityforums.

Ward says he will nominate Sampson for council seat

2013-05-13T14:08:00.004-04:00

Press release from Mayor Art Ward, just issued:

Mayra Sampson

Effective at the May 14^th Bristol City Council Meeting, Mayor Arthur J. Ward will be requesting City Council confirmation of the appointment of Mayra Berrios Sampson to complete the remainder of the City Council term of former City Council Member Kevin Fuller, who has resigned.

The City Council term will expire upon the swearing in of the newly-elected representative resulting from the November municipal election.

Mayra has been employed with the City of Bristol for the past 31 years. She has served in various volunteer and leadership positions as a member of Local 233, the Bristol Democratic Town Committee, Ivy Drive PTA, Bristol Midget Football, the Bristol ARC Board of Directors and City of Bristol Retirement Board, along with other numerous activities.

Mayra was presented the Exceptional Women’s Award for 2013 from the Queen Anne Nzinga Association for the promotion and advancement of young women role models and the Women And Girls Fund award for volunteerism. Mayra is a life-long resident of Bristol and is married to Patrick Sampson and has four children, Kristen, Amaris, Morgan and Sienna.

Bristol's Muzzy Field eyed for movie

2013-05-13T10:58:00.002-04:00

Bristol’s historic Muzzy Field may play a leading role in a film about a young baseball phenom who “struggles to maintain his dignity and gain acceptance in the traditional world of professional baseball” after he is outed as a homosexual.

“The First Out” is “a film about being yourself,” said producer and director Joshua B. Porter. “It’s a family drama. That’s the way we’re looking at it.”

If all goes according to plan, Muzzy Field would become a movie set for a couple of weeks next spring or summer as the third baseman Brad Hawley’s home ballpark as a star on the mythical Bristol Wolves. Click here for rest of story.

See the trailer for "The First Out" here.
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

The new Kevin Fuller? Bet on Mayra Sampson

2013-05-10T09:02:00.002-04:00

Though Mayor Art Ward said he's ready to name his pick to succeed former city Councilor Kevin Fuller, who resigned recently, it's pretty obvious he plans to tap Mayra Sampson for the part-time post. Sampson, a former city Democratic Party chairwoman, has long been a close ally of Ward's and is well known and liked within city government. She heads the union local that represents most of the workers at City Hall. Republican city councilors said Sampson called all of them this week and had pleasant conversations with them. It doesn't appear they'll attempt to block her nomination. Ward said he won't pick someone who intends to run for the 1st District seat so Sampson would likely serve only until voters pick a new city councilor in the November general election. One funny thing: Sampson once pegged the five GOP councilors serving today as "the five amigos," which they proudly embraced as a new moniker. Now I think they'd make a good rock band name: Mayra and the Five Amigos. Ward said he would likely announce his pick by Monday. The council is slated to pick Fuller's replacement at Tuesday's meeting. Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Who will replace Kevin Fuller?

2013-05-06T16:07:00.002-04:00

In choosing a successor for Kevin Fuller, who resigned from the City Council last week, Mayor Art Ward said he won't nominate any of the candidates who are eyeing a council run in the 1st District. Ward said it wouldn't be fair to pick one candidate out of the field and give him an advantage over the rest. He said that he instead wants to pick someone who won't try to hang on to the seat in November general election. Ward said he wants someone who knows how city government operates and is up on the issues facing the city so that he or she can hit the ground running and get something accomplished. Ward did not mention any names. He didn't say it, but he's likely to pick a woman since the rest of the council is all male. It's a pretty safe bet, too, that whoever Ward selects will be somebody he knows and trusts. Whether the Republican-controlled council will back the mayor's choice remains uncertain. There is an argument floating around that if the three GOP councilors who oppose selling Memorial Boulevard School simply refuse to vote for anyone Ward picks, they will have effectively made it impossible to gain a majority vote to unload the historic building until after Election Day. If the empty slot isn't filled, the council would split 3-3 on the issue. But it's not clear the GOP critics of selling the building would be willing to take such a tough stance to ensure their side prevails.
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

O'Brien Funeral Home seeks more parking

2013-05-06T10:24:00.000-04:00

If you spot one of those yellow signs in front of O’Brien Funeral Home, you can’t help wondering what’s going on at the Forestville landmark.

It turns out that the funeral home is seeking the Zoning Commission’s approval for 20 additional parking spaces behind the building.

The application goes before zoning commissioners next Wednesday. The meeting is slated for 7 p.m., Wed., May 15 in the City Council chambers on the first floor of City Hall.

Ward taps Cockayne as designated replacement

2013-05-02T13:18:00.004-04:00

Ken Cockayne, left, and Art Ward

Mayor Art Ward has chosen three-term city Councilor Ken Cockayne to serve as acting mayor, a designation that makes it possible for the senior Republican councilor to step into the mayor's shoes if Ward falls ill or can no longer serve. Cockayne is the GOP's mayoral candidate. Ward had to pick one of the five Republican councilors for the charter-mandated position after the council's only Democrat, Kevin Fuller, resigned Wednesday. Cockayne has served in place of Ward before, filling in for him when Ward was in a coma after choking on a piece of steak in 2010. After Ward's recovery, the city put in place new procedures to ensure the acting mayor slot would be held by one councilor picked by the mayor. The designation remains in effect unless the mayor revises it.
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Replacing Kevin Fuller is next task

2013-05-02T10:14:00.001-04:00

Mayor Art Ward has to pick a successor to city Councilor Kevin Fuller lickety split. By May 15, he has to nominate another 1st District Democrat to fill the vacant council seat and get the City Council to endorse it. Ward faces an interesting chore now. There's a good argument that he should try to find someone who can hit the ground running, somebody who knows his or her way around City Hall and doesn't have to spend months getting up to speed on the issues. The obvious choice, if he's willing, is former city Councilor Cliff Block, who lost a reelection bid in 2011 in part because he backed a raise for the mayor. But it's not clear Ward would turn to Block, assuming the former councilor would take the job. After Block, it becomes pretty hard to guess who the mayor might want. Ward himself held one of the 1st District seats from 1993 until 2007 so there aren't a lot of former Democratic councilors to pick, especially if you want somebody who's reasonably current on what's happening in municipal government. Ward could also elevate one of the Democrats who are eyeing a council race in the district already, perhaps Dave Roche or Calvin Brown. I believe there are others vying for the party's nod as well. Another issue that Ward has to consider is whether he can find a woman to fill the post. The rest of the council is all-male so there is a desire by many to see a woman replace Fuller. Then there's one other factor the mayor has to keep in mind: whoever he picks has to be acceptable to the council. The all-Republican council has to endorse a Democrat, because the charter requires it, but it doesn't have to give a green light to any Democrat. Ward has to pick someone who's not going to pose a big issue for the GOP. All in all, it's an interesting development. Anybody who wants to take a crack at it -- and is a Democrat in the 1st District -- should send Ward a resume right away. There's never been an easier time to snatch a council seat without the headache and possible heartbreak of running for office.
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Fuller resigns from his City Council seat

2013-05-01T16:39:00.002-04:00

City Councilor Kevin Fuller is resigning from his council seat as of 5 p.m. today.

Citing “personal reasons,” Fuller told the mayor he was leaving with “a heavy heart.”

Fuller, a Democrat, is in his second term. He had sought to run for mayor this year, but pulled out of the race recently.

“Kevin has served his constituency and the city of Bristol with both distinction and dedication, committing his sole mission to be for the betterment and best interests of the people of this community,” Mayor Art Ward said.

Ward said that Fuller told him of the decision Wednesday and handed in a short resignation letter.

“It has been an honor to serve as a councilman under your terms of mayor,” Fuller wrote. “Not only have you been an example to follow but I consider you a friend for life.”

Ward said he did not know what personal reasons may have caused Fuller to resign.

Fuller, a computer technician for the Board of Education, has been working long hours lately. He also runs Dunphy’s Ice Cream Parlor on Stafford Avenue and plans to expand it.

City officials who heard the news late Wednesday expressed shock.
City Councilor Ken Cockayne said that Real Estate Committee slated for Thursday to discuss the fate of Jennings and Memorial Boulevard Schools will no longer take up the schools issue.

“I’m alone now,” Ward told officials at an industrial committee meeting Wednesday.

Memorial Boulevard School can be used for anything

2013-05-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

Though there have been a few news stories about it, many people are still under the false impression that Memorial Boulevard School can't be sold because of strings attached by industrialist Albert Rockwell, who deeded the property to the city and oversaw construction of the building.

Late in 2011, the city agreed to sue Attorney General George Jepsen as part of an orchestrated legal move to clear up any questions surrounding the deed. The attorney general enforces the terms of old trusts and wills.

A stipulated agreement settled the case immediately and granted the city the right to do whatever it wanted with the building.

Lawyers said there's no legal grounds to challenge the move.

Old Press building sold... sort of

2013-04-30T14:27:00.002-04:00

The old Bristol Press building

A land sale of $1,050,000 last week appeared on its face to show that the old Bristol Press building at 99 Main St. had changed hands. The Journal Register Co., the paper's former owner, sold it to something called 99 Main St. LLC. But it turns out that 99 Main St. LLC is headquartered in New York City at 5 Hanover Square on the 25th floor, which happens to be the same address as Digital First Media, a company that owns the JRC. So it was just a paper transaction of some sort, perhaps related to the JRC's recent escape from bankruptcy proceedings.

Czenczelewski to seek second term

2013-04-29T22:45:00.001-04:00

This is the address that first-term Republican city Councilor Derek Czenczelewski delivered to the Republican Town Committee tonight:

It is with excitement and optimism that I, on this 29^th day of April 2013, announce my intention to seek a second term on the City Council, representing the 3^rd District of the great city of Bristol. Helping me make this decision, and with this challenge, are a number of people I would like to thank up front: My fiancée Sarah, with whom I built a house here in Bristol and look to spend the rest of my life. My parents, Bruno and Maureen, who have encouraged me to pursue each and every aspiration I’ve ever had. My sister Breanna, and the rest of my family, who have supported me and can still say I make them proud. I’d also like to thank the Republican Town Committee for giving me the opportunity, and my fellow councilors, who have truly been my four other “amigos.” And finally, the two very intelligent, well-respected, and hard-working individuals who will help lead my campaign: Mary Alford and Peter DelMastro.

Before taking office in November 2011, I pledged that if elected I would represent the citizens of Bristol to the best of my abilities and uphold the values and guidelines of our City Charter. The wishes of the citizens were very clear in 2011: cut spending, make our government more efficient, stop with the massive and often unpredictable tax increases, and do something to attract more business.

18 months later, I can confidently say this Council has worked towards accomplishing these wishes. But make no mistake, we still have a ways to go.

I voted against raising taxes, wasteful spending, and sub-par contracts. But I wasn’t just a no-vote. I proposed numerous cuts, pushed for restructuring and more efficiency, questioned our current fee structures and supported measures to better market our City’s countless assets and opportunities. In addition, I scheduled a series of monthly informational town hall meetings to better keep the public informed of what is going on in our City.

Within my committee assignments, I’ve been a voice for the disabled citizens of Bristol, ensuring their needs are met. I’ve worked with board members, City staff, and State officials to finish the Pine Lake handicapped-accessible fishing pier and parking lot project. This project will be completed by early summer, 2013.

I’ve also outlined a vision for the future of Bristol through the implementation of recommendations from the myriad past completed studies. Those recommendations include the implementation of a multi-family homebuyers program to increase private ownership in our multifamily homes, increased West End foot patrols, and better connectivity between our gateways and downtown. Understanding that the City taxpayers are spent, I’ve worked with our State legislators to identify other potential funding sources for community improvements such as streetscaping and multimodal safety improvements, environmental cleanup and redevelopment, economic development, and the creation of new recreational space.

All in all, I’ve learned a lot in my first term, primarily from asking a lot of questions that hadn’t been posed in the past. Because of this, I’ve also rattled a few cages. But those reactions only further reinforce the voter’s feelings that this City has gotten by on the status quo for far too long. Although the many political roadblocks that exist to protect the status quo can be incredibly frustrating, they have made me that much more driven to ensure the will of the people is enacted. With the experience I’ve garnered in my first term, I’m confident we will be able to further break these barriers down and rid the City of its pessimistic attitude in my second term.

In short, my fellow councilors and I have gotten our feet wet, and have set the stage for brighter days ahead. If given the opportunity to serve a second term, I will continue fighting for the taxpayers and representing the citizens of Bristol. I will continue to be accessible to anyone, anytime. But most importantly, I will continue providing a unique, independent perspective from a young professional demographic that is essential to the City’s revitalization. Together, we can, and will make Bristol a better place to live, learn, work, and play.

Municipal candidates for 2013 election

2013-04-29T12:15:00.000-04:00

These are the declared candidates for this year's municipal races. Who am I missing? Mayor Ken Cockayne (R) Treasurer City Council, District 1
Kevin Fuller (D)
City Council, District 2 Tim Gamache (D) Henri Martin (R) City Council, District 3

Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Shopping carts at City Hall

2013-04-26T17:04:00.000-04:00

For at least the last few days, two shopping carts have been sitting in front of City Hall, empty and ignored. What makes them especially interesting, though, is that they are from Walmart. How on earth did they get from Walmart, way over on the Farmington town line all the way to City Hall. It's a 3.3-mile journey. And it's not an easy one. In between there are major roads, a pretty hefty hill or two, tons of traffic and, well, plenty of other stores. So how did the carts get to City Hall? Did somebody throw them in the back of a truck and dump them outside City Hall for some reason? And then there's the other obvious question: how come nobody's done anything with them? Are they an art installation that escaped my attention until now? Is the city using them for something? It was only a few years ago that city councilors showed much less tolerance for stray carts. A 2010 law allows police to charge anyone caught of-site with a shopping carts that belongs to a store with an infraction carrying a $90 fine. Property owners can be held responsible when a cart is found on their land. They, too, can be slapped with a fine. I'll let everybody know if the city fines itself.
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Newcomer eyes council seat in 1st District

2013-04-25T11:17:00.000-04:00

A Democratic newcomer is eyeing a possible City Council run in the 1st District. Steve Jeffries, a human resources recruiter, said he is interested in seeking election this fall to one of the two council seats representing northeastern Bristol. The incumbent Democrat in the district, Kevin Fuller, is running for a third term after giving up his mayoral bid this week. First-term Republican city Councilor Eric Carlson hasn't said whether he'll seek reelection there. Jeffries has a political science degree from Central Connecticut State University and a master's in human resource management from Capella University. He's working on a doctorate there, too. Jeffries is also a U.S. Army Reserve veteran. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Cockayne takes a blow to the nose

2013-04-24T18:41:00.002-04:00

City Councilor Ken Cockayne, the Republican mayoral candidate, recently took a pretty savage blow to his nose. The surprising thing is that he did it to himself. During a Florida vacation with his son and fiancee, he rented mini-van, against his better judgment, and discovered he had to slam the rear door down after loading it up. He did a fine job of yanking the door down. But Cockayne didn't do such a good job of getting out of its way. He slammed it down on the bridge of his nose. The blow left him dazed and bleeding. At a walk-in clinic, Cockayne was told he needed serious stitches and a CAT scan to make sure his head was okay. He said he refused and insisted on some butterfly stitches on the spot so he could get on with vacationing. He also chipped one of his teeth in the process, enriching his dentist by some $1,400 upon his return home. Cockayne, a three-term councilor, is unopposed at this point.
Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Anti-gun legislators 'a bunch of cowards'

2013-04-23T13:38:00.004-04:00

One of Bristol's representatives on the state Democratic Committee, Joella Bouchard Mudry, this week called lawmakers who voted against the gun bill "a bunch of cowards" and declared she would not work for their reelection. One of those legislators was state Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat. Nicastro opposed the measure, he said, because it was "a feel-good" bill that would do nothing to prevent future killings. Spurred by public outcry over the Dec. 14 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 students and six educators dead, the legislature approved the gun control measure on a bipartisan basis with most Democrats favoring it. Gov. Dannel Malloy signed it into law the same day it passed the General Assembly.
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Fuller lays out case for Memorial Boulevard School sale

2013-04-22T13:43:00.000-04:00

City Councilor Kevin Fuller, who heads the Real Estate Committee, recently laid out the panel's record and thinking about the proposed sale of Memorial Boulevard School in an April 18 letter to the Planning Commission. You can read it here. The planning panel will likely discuss the proposal at its 7 p.m. Wednesday meeting in the council chambers on the first floor of City Hall.
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Cockayne calls on Malloy to save gun makers

2013-04-10T14:22:00.001-04:00

Press release from GOP mayoral hopeful Ken Cockayne:

City Councilman and Republican Mayoral candidate Ken Cockayne today sent a letter to Governor Dannel Malloy urging him and the office of Economic and Community Development to reach out to the Gun manufactures in Connecticut and urge them to stay in Connecticut.

Cockayne’s letter comes after PTR Industries of Bristol wasthe first Gun Manufacture in Connecticut to announce it is leaving the state. “At a time when municipalities as well as the state could use all the revenue it can get, we should be doing everything in our power to not let these jobs walk away from our state. Our unemployment rate in Bristol is hovering at 9.3% and every business is sacred to our local economy,” Cockayne wrote to the Governor.

“I am hopeful that the Governor and DECD have a plan to keep gun manufactures in Connecticut and I am hopeful that they will be sharing that plan with local officials,” Cockayne continued, “Our economy in Bristol and Connecticut is sputtering and I hope no one in the Governor’s office or administration is jumping for joy that these businesses and jobs are leaving the state.”

“if elected Mayor, I will be placing an emphasis on bringing new jobs to Bristol and working closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the marketing committee to make Bristol more attractive for businesses to locate here,” Cockayne ended.

Effort to block Boulevard School sale

2013-04-10T13:39:00.001-04:00

A bipartisan bid to block the proposed sale of the former Memorial Boulevard School is underway. Last weekend, two Republican city councilors met with at least a handful of community members who are opposed to the sale in order to plan strategy.

Among the participants, according to several sources, were former Democratic city Councilors Craig Minor and Ellen Zoppo and Dawn Leger, a planning expert. The incumbent council members were Republicans Henri Martin and David Mills. The group discussed ways they might derail the Real Estate Committee's apparent willingness to sell the historic school to a Rhode Island developer who wants to use it for apartments, a fitness club and a community theater. If the committee endorses the sale, as expected, it would fall to the City Council to make a final decision. But it appears that it would take a super majority to pass the motion because the Planning Commission called on the city to keep the site, or at least that's one reading of its decision. Without its support, the council needs a two-thirds vote to proceed, or five favorable votes if everyone is present. It isn't clear if there are five votes to sell. Anyway, here's the planning recommendation (click on it to increase size):

Two potential City Council candidates emerge

2013-04-08T23:18:00.000-04:00

There are two big guns waiting in the wings. Former city Councilor Ellen Zoppo answered "maybe" when I asked her if the talk she may run in the 3rd District is true. She's a Democrat who gave up her council seat in 2007 for an unsuccessful mayoral bid. On the Republican side, city Finance Chairman Rich Miecznikowski said he is seriously considering a council run in the 2nd District. He's been unaffiliated since 1963 but is eyeing the GOP line, where he would be on the ticket with incumbent Henri Martin. More to come!
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com