Video: Fox Republican & Democratic Senate Debates
Democratic Debate Between Merrick Alpert & Richard Blumenthal – 03/01/2010
Part 1 – Economy
Part 2 – Jobs/Healthcare
Part 3 – Healthcare/Foreign Policy
Part 4 – Foreign Policy/Closing Statements
Republican Debate Between Peter Schiff, Linda McMahon & Rob Simmons 03/02/2010
Part 1 – Jobs/Economy
Part 2 – Foreign Policy
Part 3 – Health Care
Part 4 – Politics
Part 5 – Closing
East Hartford 7th District Republican Primary Results – Endorsed Slate Takes It
-Updated-
The results are in for the controversial 7th District Republican Primary. Somewhere between 4,800 and 7,000 dollars later the entire slate endorsed at the Republican Caucus in February was elected to the Republican Town Committee 7th District Committee.
Final costs for the district primary will be in the range of $50-70 per vote cast with 97 102 (including 5 absentee ballots not yet tallied) of just over 600 Republicans coming out to vote.
I don’t have the vote counts for each candidate but The vote counts are now below. The lowest vote getting endorsed candidate received 70% of the vote while the highest vote getting petitioning candidate got 39% of the vote.
The Candidates were: (* = winner)
Endorsed Slate
George Vernon Barrow Jr.* 78
C. Edwin Carlson* 81
Charles H. Clarke* 76
Esther B. Clarke* 81
Robert J. Damaschi* 86
Lois Gero* 73
Peter R. Gero* 80
Carolyn V. Kronen* 68
Joe Kronen* 68
Vincent J. Mondo Jr.* 82
Petitioners
Michael R. Brinius 35
Victoria Gaudette Brinius 36
Daniel F. Moura Sr. 37
East Hartford Mayor Sets Stage for Tax Increases Statewide
East Hartford has one of the earliest municipal budget calendars in the state and as a result can offer a predictive window into the state’s municipal budget climate. If this year’s East Hartford proposed budget is any indication than Connecticut taxpayers are in for a world of hurt.
Municipal elections are now past and Councils, Mayors, Boards of Finance, Selectmen and all of the other various forms of leaders we employ in our Connecticut towns are feeling a bit less politically squeezed and, as predicted by myself and candidates in other towns, tax increase proposals from these leaders will be coming fast and furious as they deal with falling revenues in the only manner they have the political fortitude to employ, tax increases.
East Hartford Mayor Melody Currey on Tuesday night presented her budget in what to this observer seemed a nervously defensive tone. No doubt she was well aware that a tax increase of over 9% would not be met with smiles and commendations.
To the credit of the Mayor each year the public availability of budget information has increased and this year is no exception. In fact, this year the Mayor has presented the most complete set of information yet. So Mayor, while I won’t thank you for raising my taxes, thank you for providing me with the details I need to know the how and why behind the increase.
I encourage you to review the budget information on the town website.
BUDGET INFO
Budget sessions continue with the Board of Education on Thursday night at 6:30, an all day session Saturday starting at 8:30 and a Monday night finale starting at 6:30. These can be viewed in person at Town Hall, or on EHCTV Channel 5 on Comcast.
Citizens should keep in mind the public hearing on Wednesday, March 3rd at 7PM where we can express our concerns about this proposal as well as plans to REDUCE spending proportionally to the losses in revenue rather than continuing spending unabated.
I am happy to say that I have heard from a Town Council member who is at least as outraged about this proposal as I am. Maybe there is hope.
Video: Peter Schiff @ Milford Campaign Headquarters Grand Opening
Peter Schiff gives a speech and answers some questions.
Peter Schiff Campaign HQ Grand Opening Bursting at the Seams
One word can describe the average Peter Schiff supporter at last night’s campaign HQ. Sardine. The house was packed tight like Times Square on New Years Eve. Parking had overflowed from the office parking lot to the industrial park across the street and adjacent commercial lots around the HQ.It was a well subscribed event. Most notable about the attendees was their party status. Most were not in any way associated with a political party outside of voter registration making this gathering uniquely composed amongst events of it’s type.
Rob Simmons who is the establishment candidate in the race on the Republican side has been traveling the state with a tea bag in his pocket claiming it as his Tea Party credentials. Newsflash Mr. Simmons, a tea bag doesn’t make you a good candidate. Principle does. While Mr. Simmons has a tea bag, Schiff had multiple well known Tea Party folks milling about in the crowd. It appears that although Simmons wants to be the Tea Party candidate Mr. Schiff actually is.
Word is that Schiff is also well on his way to receiving the endorsement of the Independence Caucus, a coalition of various groups formed to vet candidates for office. These are interesting times and it will be interesting to see how many NY-23s pop up across the country in response to establishment GOP candidate choices.
The biggest wild card in this race is still Chris Dodd. Will he stay in? More and more names are coming out opining that Chris ought to retire. It just may happen.
Video: Schiff speech @ HQ Opening & Questions
Picture Slide Show
Contact Your Elected Officials
Communication with our elected officials is an integral part of a representative form of government. Now you can send an email directly to our Mayor, Town Council, Board of Education or State Representatives through brainflation.com. Let them know how you feel.
Just head over to the Contact Elected Officials tab at the top of the page and choose your office.
2008 Republican 9th Assembly District Convention
Cliff Thompson Nomination
Dennis Brenner Nomination
Dennis Brenner Second
Dennis Brenner Second (2)
Michael Crockett Nomination
Michael Crockett Second
Cliff Thompson Speech
Dennis Brenner Speech
Michael Crockett Speech
Roll Call Vote
Cliff Thompson Acceptance
2008 1st Congressional District Republican Convention
Start of Convention
Rules Committee
Credentials Committee
Nominations
Seconding
Acceptance
January 26, 2008 Presidential Straw Poll
Introduction by Susan Bysiewicz
Clinton Speech
Huckabee Speech
Obama Speech
Ron Paul Speech
McCain Speech
Supporter Speeches
Results Announcement
January 25, 2008 GOP Straw Poll
Pre-Speech Interviews
Starting Ceremony
McCain Video/Speech
Huckabee Speech
Giuliani Speech
Romney Video/Speech
Ron Paul Video/Speech
Straw Poll Closing, Results & Interviews
