A new direction for the East Hartford GOP?
Every new slate of officers offers the East Hartford Republicans a fresh chance at breaking the monotony of tax increases and land slide elections. This time is no different. The question is, will the outcome stay the same?
Back in March the party took a much needed step in choosing new leadership and at the same time put forward somewhat of a surprise decision in electing the late, long serving Councilman Don Pitkin as the party chairman. Sadly, due to illness, Don never had the opportunity to sit in the Chairman’s seat. East Hartford will miss Don Pitkin, I miss Don Pitkin.
In a decision on the 14th the Town Committee made yet another surprise decision in filling the vacancy of the Chairman’s position with Joe Kronen who serves as an MDC and Real Estate Commissioner. Joe is a stickler for process and a believer in doing things. His election, supported by a majority of the Town Committee offers a chance at renewed vigor.
Don’s council replacement was chosen on the 14th as well with the choice being an experienced student of Don’s, Pat Harmon. She enjoyed the vote of a considerable majority of the committee. Pat is known as perhaps the best there is in constituent service. I have heard her ideas and speeches and I know she has the ideas to represent the reasoned position of the prudent taxpayer on the Town Council. I have been critical of her in the past for sitting idly by and voicing no public cry of disgust and concern for the irresponsible actions of the Majority sitting aside and opposite her, despite what she may have thought quietly to herself. I believe we need that voice. We need to hear our Council members say out loud, for all to hear, what we are saying to ourselves or yelling at our TVs. I have expressed my sincere hope that this new Republican council makeup will be more effective at having its opinion heard than the vuvuzela toting soccer fans of South Africa. That is a tall order, but one which can, and should, be served.
Unfortunately there is no GOP candidate to oppose Tim Larson, former Mayor, in his re-election bid for the 11th assembly district seat. Similarly in the 10th district Henry Genga is seeking re-election unopposed. The 4th, 5th & 6th districts had nominated John Ryan to oppose Genga but unfortunately Mr. Ryan had to withdraw for personal reasons.
In the 9th district East Hartford, Manchester and Glastonbury republicans chose Dennis Brenner to oppose Jason Rojas and republicans from the multi-town 3rd Senatorial District selected Robert Gonzalez to oppose Gary LeBeau.
This will be an interesting year. I hope it’s interesting because we address issues such as charter revision to achieve automatic budget referendum and a budget cap. I hope it’s an interesting one because more 18-35 year olds get involved beyond campaign activism. It wont be too many more years before I’m not a young republican anymore and it sure feels lonely being one sometimes. In a little over 2 years I’ve seen plenty of interesting personal issues. Now I am ready to see some interesting political issues.
Closing thought… hold onto your principles. If you fall into someplace you didn’t intend to be you’ll find principles are the only thing that will keep you afloat.
9th goes to Thompson, 11th Unrepresented
The 9th House District Republican delegates met at 8PM tonight for candidate selections. As expected there were three candidates, Cliff Thompson, Michael Crockett, and Dennis Brenner, nominated.
Video will follow but Thompson won with an easy majority. Delegates attending reported hearing Crockett hint at a primary.
As it stands Thompson will be facing either Jason Rojas, an East Hartford Councilman, or Joseph Hachey who is a previous Town Director and current resident of Manchester. The 9th district Democrats meet Tuesday at 7PM at the Glastonbury headquarters located at 2341 Main Street (which is oddly next door to the Republican headquarters at 2333 Main Street).
The 11th house district Republican delegates also met tonight at 8PM. I have no video of this event, since it was over before I got there from the 9th District convention, which is just as well because no candidate was selected to face the expected Democratic nominee Tim Larson.
Also, the Republican 3rd Senate District delegates met Tuesday night for candidate nominations to face incumbent Gary Lebeau but none were nominated. A vacancy committee is actively seeking candidates.
Mother's Day down Father's Day to go
In case you are one of those people who never see these types of ads in the local papers I’ll pass this on.
The EHRTC makes beautiful baskets for the various holidays throughout the year and have just announced their Father’s Day baskets are going on sale. I’m willing to bet if you forgot to get Mom something on Sunday they could bail you out for that occasion as well.
Joe Visconti confirmed for Congressional run at 1st district convention.
Republican delegates from first congressional district member towns met at 10AM today at the West Hartford town hall to nominate and select their congressional candidate.
Joseph Visconti, currently serving as a member of the West Hartford Town Council, received the GOP nod with no contest in a unanimous decision.
From Joe’s Website:
Joe is a businessman, a member of the West Hartford Town Council, patron of the arts and community activist. He serves on the council’s Community Planning and Development Committee, and is the Council liaison to the West Hartford Board of Education.
On hand were two of our own Town Council members Eric Thompson and Don Pitkin as well as RTC members Paul Roczynski (Chairman), Patrick Sanzo, Dominic Fulco and Joe Kronen to serve as delegates to represent East Hartford in candidate selection.
The biggest question now is how much a challenge can Visconti pose to the incumbent Larson who no doubt has taken for granted a victory in November based on the history of the 1st congressional district. The 1st Congressional district has belonged to the democrat party since 1959 with Larson in office since 1999.
Despite the overwhelming (greater than 2 to 1) voter registration benefit the democrats enjoy it will be interesting to see if district voters of all affiliations are ready for a change of pace. Personally, I think 10 years in office is long enough when after 10 years we still have the same excessive and abusive taxation we had in the beginning with less to show for it than if we received no federal benefits at all.
From Tax Foundation:
Federal Tax Burdens and Expenditures: Connecticut Is a Donor State
Connecticut taxpayers receive less federal funding per dollar of federal taxes paid compared to the average state. Per dollar of Federal tax collected in 2005, Connecticut citizens received approximately $0.69 in the way of federal spending. This ranks the state 3rd lowest nationally, slightly higher than in 1995 when Connecticut ranked last, receving $0.68 in federal spending per dollar of taxes. Neighboring states and the federal spending received per dollar of federal taxes collected were: New York ($0.79), Massachusetts ($0.82), New Hampshire ($0.71), Vermont ($1.08) and Rhode Island ($1.00).
Video is below. Forgive the shakiness. I didn’t bring my tripod.
Convention comes to order.
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8714686396364384626]
Convention reconvenes and rules committee gives convention rules report.
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8084620742572198428]
Credentials committee gives delegate report.
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1552698611993061091]
Ralph Capenera gives nominating speech for Joe Visconti.
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2927936687511723154]
Theresa McGrath gives a seconding speech for Joe Visconti.
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8070810951226226666]
Joe Visconti is confirmed and accepts the nomination.
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1652325788730864071]
GOP Straw Poll Coverage – Jan. 25th
The GOP straw poll had a great turnout for it’s first year with 388 votes cast with hall and online votes combined. The final combined results were as follows:
Romney 136
McCain 104
Paul 96
Guiliani 34
Huckabee 9
Thompson 2
Hunter 1
The Ron Paul supporters were out in force and even brought a hot air balloon. Unfortunately the wind put an end to the balloon earlier than was hoped. Many of the RP supporters expressed disappointment from not knowing that online voting was possible. They said that if they only knew their families at home could have voted it would have been a lock. While that may be true the GOP felt that online voting capability was widely known.
From: The Everyday Republican The inside story of the Straw Poll was, of course, the balloting. The Romney campaign clearly pushed the “online balloting” portion of the event in their communications with supporters, as the online results showed: Giuliani 10, Huckabee 1, McCain 26, Paul 21, and 70 for Romney. In the hall, the results were: Giuliani 24, Huckabee 8, McCain 78, Paul 75, and Romney 66.
I had the good fortune to meet John of Right of the Middle who was also covering the straw poll.
If you missed it this is your lucky day. Now you can live the event through my video.
Pre-Speech Interviews
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3736928791279846075]
Starting Ceremony
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1103732169869771836]
McCain Video/Speech
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5224569712258928199]
Huckabee Speech
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3508738578083963329]
Giuliani Speech
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6975336999962231179]
Romney Video/Speech
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4794692561414432982]
Paul Video/Speech
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8660118781947806475]
Poll Closing/Results/Interviews
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1248232934152390862]
What's next?
Finally Done
Here’s what’s coming up soon:
Taxpayers not allowed? How about Honest Abe?
A story on closed government and bulk bronze.
Friday GOP Straw Poll.
I was the only video media present at the Friday straw poll. (You should be ashamed CT news networks.) As soon as the video finishes encoding I’ll be bringing you the speeches, the interviews, the works.
Saturday GOP Straw Poll.
Will I be covering the Saturday Straw Poll as well? It all depends.
Until then, anticipation is good for blood flow and I need to get to a birthday party.
