New LTE Published

I recently had another letter to the editor published. Here is the content for those who won’t get to see it in the paper.

I believe it was George Orwell who said “myths which are believed in tend to become true”.

I like Jason Rojas. He’s a nice guy and no doubt a great father. Certainly he doesn’t lack passion or drive. I can’t sit idle however and watch the propagation of myths.

As much as I like Mr. Rojas I just can’t bring myself to support him in legislating my life and taxes as a representative for the 9th House Seat. You see, Mr. Rojas believes he represents fiscal restraint but his record on the East Hartford Town Council disputes that claim.

It was Mr. Rojas who introduced and voted for a measure to increase the town’s electric costs by up to 28% in the name of “being green”. It was also Mr. Rojas who aggressively defended and voted for a raise in the Mayor’s already generous executive salary. Both of these in a time when according to Mr. Rojas himself families are struggling financially to meet their own burdens, forget dealing with the increasing taxes he has consistently voted for. Sadly, it gets worse from there.

During this year’s budget process Mr. Rojas clearly demonstrated his disconnect from the rest of us when he suggested that our property tax burden, roughly $383 per month for the average household, isn’t a large factor in foreclosures in this town and is somehow an acceptable burden.

He followed up nicely by heralding the arrival of the “foreclosure assistance” bill along with Mayor Currey and Senator LeBeau. The bill is more appropriately called the “citizen shakedown” bill since it provides for the state, also known as you and I, to pay the mortgages on McMansions for up to 5 years with few requirements for qualification. Whether Mr. Rojas supports the fleecing of the taxpayer in this manner, or simply didn’t read the bill he was lauding I don’t know. Either way, it’s not the way I want a state representative to govern.

Would I have coffee with Mr. Rojas? Yes. Would I vote for him? No.

I was inspired to submit this letter after reading a letter from Jason which was published in the Journal Inquirer titled “Economic leadership needed”. Jason’s letter can be viewed here: September 27-38 Letters

In other news, I’m proud to announce that the 6th District Republicans are hosting the first annual Make Something Happen Day on Saturday, October 25th. This fundraiser is an opportunity for Republicans to come together and discuss the future of our town as well as our party and hear from our candidates, including Joe Visconti.  

I also expect the East Hartford Republicans to be announcing a tax reform strategy before too much more time passes.

JI report suggests favorable results for town in strip club battle

The JI has an article by Alex Wood on the first day of the Masters Club v.  East Hartford preliminary injunction hearing.

From the sound of the article the judge is not particularly concerned with the motive of the town in creating new regulations. This would mean that Masters Club is sunk, since this is likely the entirety of their case, apart from a potential effort to show through testimony of local land owners that there is insufficient alternative means of communication.

From the article:

The judge asked more than once during Tuesday’s hearing whether Masters Club has considered applying to change the zoning of the Elks Club from I-2 to I-3 to permit development of the club.

Kim Coleman, the Bethany lawyer representing the club, cited several reasons she hasn’t done so, including the ban on alcohol sales in I-3 zones.

“I would not want to change to an I-3 because I could not serve alcohol,” she said.

An issue Garfinkel didn’t clearly resolve Tuesday is whether he will consider the town’s motives for the changes in the zoning regulations.

Coleman maintains that the real purpose of the regulations is to block new sexually oriented establishments, not to reduce their “secondary effects.” She cited testimony Kayser gave in a “deposition” that the PZC changed the zoning regulation to make it constitutional.

“Is that bad?” Garfinkel asked.

“That’s a classic case of a laudatory motive rather than an illicit motive,” the judge added.

This is pure speculation so far, but we’ll see what reports come out today. Maybe I’ll even get a statement, though I wouldn’t count on one until tomorrow evening.

JI LTE: The Polish missile crisis?

I read this letter to the editor in the JI and thought I’d pass it on.

The Polish missile crisis?

Some years ago, Russia helped an ally, Cuba, to erect missile bases there, off our coast. The whole country went bonkers until President Kennedy convinced the Russians to remove them.

Now we are helping Poland to erect bases near Russia. Will someone please explain the difference?

Henry Smith

East Hartford

Source: Journal Inquirer Aug 25th Letters to the Editor

It’s also interesting to read the Russian side of the Georgian crisis.
Try The Moscow Times for a diverse dose of Russian perspectives on current events.