November Elections: Truth and Consequences Part 2

If you've stumbled onto Part 2, you might want to go back and read Part I located here.

Milford:  Sure a win is a win and a loss is a loss, but it's important to inject a bit of reality into the media headline arguing that Milford is a revolutionary pick up for Democrats.  Over the last twenty-four or so years, Republicans have held Milford and governed it well.  This past summer, incumbent Jim Richetelli opted to not run for re-election this time around. Richetelli is popular with members from both political parties and independents alike.  Bernard Joy temporarily filled Jim's role when Jim took leave a few years ago, and acquitted himself well.

Tuesday's outcome was not a referendum on Republicans or on the good work of Mayor Richetelli, but rather the result of a low voter turnout and a dedicated Democrat Town Committee which took the race seriously and got their people to the polls.  We see quite often that towns change hands when popular leaders decide not to run for re-election.  It's a complicated task to fill the shoes of someone who is admired and liked by the general public - if not an outright hurdle to overcome.  Democrat Benjamin Blake took 7364 votes to Bernard Joy's 5482 (1882 vote margin).  Personally, it's more likely than not that Republicans have a good chance to take back the Mayorship at the next Municipal election, and they have plenty of time to think about getting back to basics and getting registered Republicans to the polls.

Milford Democrats should enjoy
their stay because deep down they
know they are on borrowed time

Truth:  Democrats winning gives the false appearance of a major upset in Milford, and perhaps it's nothing more than a kink in the armor of a usually well-oiled Republican machine.  The reality is that Democrats know they are likely to enjoy a couple years of rule before returning to their minority status.  Keep those seats warm boys, the hourglass has been turned over.
Consequences:  A full scale overhauling of the Milford RTC won't be necessary, it's just a matter of getting back to basics, and understanding Campaign 101.  Republicans have plenty of time to find the right candidate to challenge Blake, whether it be Bernard Joy or another individual waiting in the wings.

Vernon:  When Mayor Jason McCoy decided he wasn't going to run for re-election there was concern among the Republican Party faithful that Vernon would be easy prey for Democrats.  Keenly aware of this threat, the Vernon GOP planned out a contingency plan well in advance by selecting an extremely well-qualified, and talented candidate in George Apel. To Mayor McCoy's credit, he did not leave his party flapping in the breeze in the same way Governor Jodi Rell screwed over Lt. Governor Michael Fedele by informing him only minutes before her public press conference that she didn't intend to run for re-election (The King considers this one of the greatest betrayals in the history of the Connecticut Republican Party). Not to be overdone, the Vernon contest was a 4-way melee in which George Apel managed to take 38% of the vote.   Moreover, Vernon was heavily affected by the October snowstorm which required changes to polling places which added confusion to Election Day - and as of this writing - there are still outages that Vernon authorities are being forced to contend with, an issue resulting both directly and indirectly from the storm. 

By their own admission, Vernon RTC will tell you that the harsh reality is that if it were not for late evening phone calls to Republican voters who hadn't bothered to show up to the polls, then George Apel may not have won the election. 

Truth:  A head to head Democrat v Republican fight may have offered a different outcome - possibly similar to what happened in Milford or elsewhere. Notwithstanding, 251 votes was enough to put George Apel over the top. Vernon is an example to other Republican towns that you don't quit until the last possible ballot is cast for your side. 
Consequences: Vernon RTC has a lot to be proud of.  The team canvassed the entire town, day and night, knocking on the doors of over 4000 homes trying to get their message out.  They may be unlucky to see Jason McCoy go, but at least McCoy didn't simply abandon his team for his own agenda; he stayed and helped them fight to the finish.  Regardless, of what happens to George Apel, or Jason McCoy's Senate run, you have to admire Vernon GOP for a fantastic photo finish!

According to The Harford Courant,
South Windsor Republicans, pictured
above, posed for this photo shortly
after they "seized control of town."

South Windsor:  You can almost feel the liberal media outrage in places where Republicans recapture typical Democrat strong-holds.  The Hartford Courant's opening line in Section B5of Wedneday's paper reeks of anti-Republican bias, "Republicans seized control of Town Council Tuesday, winning six of nine seats."   Seized control no-less. Hey Janice Podsada, How about stormed town hall with German tanks, while carrying machine guns and machetes?  Jesh. Tell us how you really feel!  Democrats have supporters, while Republicans have followers, right?

Congrats to Thomas Delnicki who is presumed to be Mayor-elect based on being the highest vote getter.  It's likely that the hot-button issue that prompted a Republican takeover was that each resident saw an 18% increase in their sewer bill from 2010 to 2011.  In an economy like this, its understandable why the outrage resonated from South Windsor Town Hall to the voting booth.

Truth:  It's pretty clear to everyone that South Windsor Democrats pushed the envelope too far with a spending spree and increased taxation which led to their downfall.  South Windsor Republicans ran a text-book campaign, and utilized the Democrats arrogance against them.
Consequences:  South Windsor Republicans have a unique opportunity to restore faith with the public through fiscal accountability and government transparency.  This is a huge boon to a Town that should really be Republican when you think about it.  But be cautious, Democrats are meeting in their underground cave, working to plan their revenge.  So watch out!

Farmington:  This is a horror story with a happy ending.  The October snowstorm did so much damage to the town of Farmington that town officials pleaded, then threatened legal action in order to delay their Municipal Elections.  Their pleas and threats fell on deaf ears as Secretary of State Denise Merrill said of Republicans, "Let them eat cake."  Farmington has been in Republican hands since the days of Dwight D. Eisenhower.  Republicans lived up to the standard by winning all possible seats available. 

Truth:  There was never any doubt that Republicans would take the night.  The GOP's insistence that the election be moved was a sign of their sense of fair play, not fear that the outcome would have been altered simply by downed trees and power lines.  The fact that Farmington's GOP fought so hard so as not to disenfranchise voters speaks to their keen sense of integrity.
Consequences:  One would not expect the local media to carry the commentary in the same positive light that we've published it here at The King's View - but they should have.  The only consequence beyond this easy win is that Farmington residents have tangible evidence that they are led by a group of people who put people ahead of politics.

Plainville:   This was a good pick up for Republicans since the previous Council was Democrat controlled 4-3, and now shifts to 5-2 in favor of Republicans.  It's The King's View that this campaign victory is a bigger bright spot for the GOP as a whole than most others because it's one of the few places where budget concerns and an unacceptable approval process came to the forefront of the election and residents decided it was high time to end an insane process.  For those who don't know, Farmington has a provision in its Charter which thumbs it's nose at residents - while it's true residents have the right to petition for a budget referendum - after the third revision to the budget, residents are stuck with the outcome - whether they like it or not.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that all the big spenders ever needed to do was to wait , and run out the clock. They knew that no matter what the peanut gallery thought, that they would eventually get whatever they wanted.  Plainville's GOP was able to make Charter revision a hot-button issue and as a result Democrats who supported, endless spending, and a corrupt process, were thrown out.

Truth:   Democrats in Plainville are still wandering around town with their lower jaws dragging along the roadside.  This shouldn't surprise anyone since most Democrats are entirely out of touch with reality anyway.  Plainville Republicans deserve an award for making their campaign 100% issue-oriented.  If only the State Connecticut Republican Party could take notice, and learn from the local Plainville RTC about how to not waiver when it comes to issue-based campaigns.  Plainville Republicans didn't talk about negotiating away their position, or splitting the difference, or anything like that.  They marched forward, fearless and stalwart without wavering one iota.
Consequences:  This will be another town worth watching in two years.  If Republicans don't make the Charter revisions that residents demand, they could be back on the minority side of the table with an even harder task of winning in subsequent elections.  It's up to the new Council to deliver or die.

I bet Tolland residents
are bloody happy their
ancestors broke away
from Windsor. Yikes!

Tolland:  This is another town were Republicans managed to pick up a Council to the surprise of just about  - everyone.  It had been four long years and Democrats seemed quite comfortable at the helm for what seemed like an eternity.  Republicans didn't have an overwhelming win but managed to take 4 of 7 seats giving them the majority rule on the Council.  What was really surprising on Tuesday night was that incumbents Craig Nussbaum and MarAnn Tuttle, long time, entreched Democrats, had lost their seats.  According to our contacts in Tolland, there isn't any underlying  hot-button issue that screamed for a reversal of the last four years - it just seemed that residents en masse opted to throw out long time incumbants in favor of start-up newbies.  Jack Scavone was the highest vote getter with 1274 followed by Mark Gill with 1217 votes.  Most winners are within 150 votes of the losers which means that the bottom line is that Republican voters came out to support their candidates while Democrats opted to stay home.

Truth:  Obviously, this came as a big surprise to everyone.  It's a quiet election with quiet results.  The big challenge with a 5-4 split will be keeping the ranks tight and working together as a majority party.  I don't know much about Tolland politics, but I do know that these kinds of margins test the patience of everyone involved when it comes to Council votes.
Consequences:  This is another election to watch closely in 2013. 

This photo used by the Southington
Citizen is another piece of
evidence that journalists just can't
contain their bias. Someone pass
Angelina a tissue, and then pass one
to the photographer. Good Grief!

Southington:  Mayor Edward Pocock III and his enthusiastic Republican army came across big winners on Tuesday taking a 6-3 majority.  Pocock won the majority Republican vote earning 4213 votes.  What's noteworthy is that despite remaining in the minority, Christopher Palmieri, a Democrat, received the highest number of votes with 4784,  sort of an interesting subplot to a near perfect night.

Republicans were rewarded for keeping taxes low and pushing through economic development improvements.  Southington also approved an $85 million dollar project to renovate the Middle School, which was openly criticized by Democrats.  It's not often that Democrats find themselves so void of issues that criticizing Republicans over school renovations becomes their only possible tactic.  How often does that happen?  I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Southington Republicans also managed to take super-majority on the Board of Education as well.  Congrats for a job well done.

Truth:  I know first-hand how hard the Southington RTC works to keep political campaigns as issue-oriented as possible, and the payoffs are tremendous.  Plus the Southington RTC deserves extra credit for winning despite the handicap of having Doug Hageman on their team.
Consequences:  Southington Republicans will benefit from making good, well-vetted fiscal decisions, and will continue to be rewarded by constituents for advancing only those expenditures that are necessary and realistic given the realities of a harsh economic climate.  There is a reason that Southington is considered one of the best places to live in Connecticut. 

Glastonbury:  Last but not least - and not surprisingly, Glastonbury Republicans secured a super-majority, 6 to 3 over Democrats on Council, and 5 to 3 majority on the Board of Education.  I don't want to belittle this achievement but Glastonbury has consistently been a Republican stronghold.  What's unique about this victory is that Republicans ran several new faces which you would have thought would have created a level playing field for opposition Democrats.  It's pretty obvious that when it comes to retaining a Republican majority, the Glastonbury GOP machine runs like clockwork, the Council represents residents well, so there is no justification to change course.  New Republican Council members are expected to act like their predecessors, and not skip a beat.

Truth:  Glastonbury isn't a cheap place to live, even though the Council is run by Republicans. It's sort of exists in a parallel universe as a mirror image of West Hartford. 
Consequences:  There really aren't any to speak of.  But I bet this town is tired of being stuck in district that sends John Larson to Congress on it's behalf.

Hopefully, I'll get to Part 3 tomorrow.

I AM

THE KING

This original article can be read at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com

Make Election Day a Referendum on Gov Malloy and Democrats

CT polls are open until 8 pm tonight!
There is no such thing as an off-year
election!

TODAY - Tuesday, November 8th Connecticut Residents will have the opportunity to go to the polls in large measure to cast a vote of confidence for or against the policies and competency of their local government officials.  Over the past few months, we've witnessed dramatic state tax increases at the state level, reduced revenues, and historic spending increases being disguised as investment projects (e.g. the Busway to Nowhere, and the Jobs Bill).  As the U.S. Economy flounders under President Obama, our State Government has been forced to react to costly new federal mandates which in large part, Governor Malloy has been cheerleading right along on behalf of his Democrat Party. Connecticut State Government has in turn reduced aid and support to local governments which has lead to increased revenue gaps in local budgets which taxpayers are expected absorb under what Governor Malloy markets as "shared sacrifice".

Over the last several months, we've seen several chain and local businesses close up shop. Take a quick drive down the Berlin Turnpike and look at the number of newly-closed businesses along the strip including Friendly's and Circuit City, just to name a few. Connecticut's unemployment rate has been hovering around 9% for the entire year with many people losing their homes to foreclosure which are also up sharply.  None of this has caused the Democrat majority to pause and think about the root cause of Connecticut's ills - in fact, Connecticut has gone out of it's way to compound the problem by mandating sick pay on businesses, and even promoting a scheme that requires taxpayers to foot the bill for diapers - causing people to cry out - What color is the sky in their world at the State House? Hurricane Irene, and the October Snowstorm have added additional stress on both residents and business; the result is expected to be millions in lost revenue, and unexpected increases costs for services being provided at the local level.  At the end of the day, given our present course under one Party rule, the prospects of recovery in the Nutmeg State are gloomy.

Governor Dannel Malloy has been in office for nearly a year.  His early strategy of blaming his predecessor for the State's woes is obviously a page right out of the Obama playbook - and that’s proven to be an unacceptable strategy with Connecticut residents.  Connecticut residents are largely under-represented by a mega-majority of Democrat electors in the State House, Governor's mansion and even at the Federal Level.  Given this, it’s not a surprise that the failed, rehashed liberal policies which have led to a continuous slide in Connecticut's economy are, in fact, the result of one party Legislative rule over 40+ years in Connecticut.  Today Connecticut will have a unique opportunity to send a message to Governor Malloy and the Legislature by electing pro-business, pro-growth Republicans to Municipal Office.  If its true that the buck stops at local government, returning those Republicans who currently hold mayorships and serve on trusted Boards around the state will be more critical now than at any time in our history - and eradicating those Democrats who have had a tenured stranglehold on political office is twice as critical.

If Connecticut residents empower Democrats to continue to hold elected office, then there will be absolutely no opportunity to stop Connecticut's downward spiral into oblivion. Unfortunately, the burden of reversing course will rest largely on the shoulders of both private sector workers, and soccer- moms because those individuals living on the public dole have everything to lose by seeing a shift back to sound economic, and pro-growth policies.  Remember, Democrats have the added advantage at this and at every election - many union, public sector employees, and government workers have been granted the day off (many are union paid) to stand at the polls to sway voters and sell their self-serving agenda.  It is no wonder that at key poll stations, we often see a 4 to 1 misrepresentation of Democrat poll workers to Republican workers.  It will take focus and determination by voters to see past the smiling faces of tax and spend proponents, and cast a vote for responsible Municipal Government.

If the warnings about continued counter-productive economic policies don’t sway you, perhaps the folly of the past week’s October Storm will.  While Governor Malloy enjoys passing out donuts to state employees at DOT garages, and lording over the microphone at the Emergency Operations Center, his ability to lead is questionable.  After holding weeks hearings after Hurricane Irene, and collecting thousands of pages of data and testimony, its clear that very little has progress has been made in the way that Connecticut handles a single emergency response, let alone two occurring back-to-back.  Blaming out of state agencies for an underwhelming response, Governor Jodi Rell for not cutting enough trees, and letting C&Ps Jeff Butler run a dog and pony show at his expense is not good leadership.  Connecticut residents,100,000 who are still in the dark, have lost confidence in Governor Malloy's ability to lead or manage an emergency of this scale.  And his temperment is seriously unprofessional.

It is no wonder that Dan Malloy's disapproval rating is the highest of any Governor in the Continental US - under 40%.  This past week, we noted that several of his advisers even rotated out of his office to new positions suggesting serious issues within the Governor's Office. And if you think that is bad, look at the collusion between the Governor's Office and many Democrat-led cities including Simsbury's Mary Glassman and West Hartford's Scott Slifka who've shifted their criticism almost entirely to CL&P; now giving Governor Malloy a free-pass on a debacle he owns!  Simply amazing! Simply partisan! Democrats, thick as thieves, never, ever break with the Party line!  And the evidence is plain to see for anyone willing to look!

And lastly, a clear reminder to Connecticut Republicans - there is no such things as an "off-year election".  Every election counts, and this one is no different.  Municipal Elections are grooming grounds for our next set of State and Federal Elected Leaders.  By making sure that Republicans are elected to majorities across our 169 town municipalities, we can accomplish two things - 1) Ensure responsible Government at the local level where Connecticut's residents are truly represented, and 2) Grow our own pool of future State and Congressional Leaders (while throwing a wrench in the Democrat machine's breeding and incubation center).  These elections are important! And if you look at a map (I couldn't find the latest to post) of Connecticut Towns where Republicans are entrusted to represent the people, Republicans hold an overwhelming majority! Let's keep it that way!

Connecticut can send a message today that Republicans are the preferred choice when it comes to sound and responsible municipal management.  Let this election be a referendum on Governor Malloy's first pathetic year in office, and on the Democrat controlled State House's never-ending assault on the paychecks of Connecticut Taxpayers. 

Please join me in voting Republican today! 

I AM

THE KING

This original blog entry can be read at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com

Article may be revised at a future date.