Middletown Elections Are Coming- Be VERY Afraid!

Sorry, well not really, that I have not kept up with Middletown politics.  I do know some of what's going on due to visitations, not the daily snooze (they charge).  Truly, it's not very high on my list since I no longer reside nor own property there!
I do know about the referendum question (above) and some of the local yokels running (I say this most affectionately).
I'll be short & sweet.  If you don't elect Ed Silveira, Barbara VonVillas, and Dick Adams- you are nuts & deserve what you get.  I've only heard mention of a few other names- "I've heard that song before." Feel free to check the archives!  Check Projo's, too.  Change is extremely difficult, if not impossible for most, so past performance matters!
It's highly questionable why ANYONE would want to run for Town Council/School Committee, but aren't you lucky that they do!  Hat's off to one and ALL of them!   
Pay special attention to State Lege races.  Often these candidates are ignored and get a free pass every year.  They Should Not!  High property taxes- thank them.  Tolls raised?  Look to them.  School woes?  Hey, cast your eyes towards Prov.  But, damn, they do know how to look effective and duck. It's often a beauty contest.  If you haven't got the physical attributes- spin city. So don't let the philistines escape!
Hang tough & buckle down!  Ask those  hard questions & duck the incoming. "Eggheads of the world- unite!  We have nothing to lose but our yolks!"  Adlai Stevenson.

How Much for a Local Political Party?

**UPDATE** In looking over recent financial filings, I see Gladys Lavine contributed the $1000 max towards the end of the recent election cycle to the Middletown Dem. Town Committee. She is on the Planning Board, treasurer of the local Dems, sister-in-law of that chair, & sister of Frank Bozyan (Council). Recently she voted as a member of the Planning Board to support a change in the Aquidneck Corporate Park (the town's economic engine) which would lower the height requirements by 10 ft. (a floor) in the interests of the "citizens of Middletown." This suggestion will eventually make it to the Council agenda. Interesting... So how much will $ & power buy?
The Democratic Town Committee is now down to 20 members. Five are related to one family (the "financiers"), and four to another. Six are current/former politicans. Six have only been members for a yr. or two. Three are employed by the town (one is regularly appointed by the town & another is a dept. head). Except for a handful, all serve on various town boards/committees. How many have just deep-sixed the group? Too many. Yeah, diversity. Wide-based community participation- not. No self-interest here. Shhh!****

Think of it- you could exert control over elections- who runs & who doesn't. You could exert control over ALL appointed town committees. Taxes too high- go before the Tax Review Board. You could also exert somewhat more limited control in the State as a member of its political assembly. Good for more appointments, endorsements, nominations, etc. Friends in important places- all for a few bucks. And for the most part, hardly anyone would know your name!

It's cheaper than you may think! About $3-4,000 ought to do it (maybe less if you have some rich relations). Those local yokels, for that kind of $ you'll have them eating out of your hand before you know it. It also may help if your long-time neighbor owns the local rag.

Picture the Democratic Town Committee. The Chair, his wife, his bro-in-law & his wife all on it (most in leadership). Appoint them & their daughter to local boards. Decide on candidates (include your bro-in-law who controls the family trust). Help the current Council (both parties) win the last election. Throw $ into the party coffers (throw a few thousand into the pot & call it small contributions). Not so hard to do. Skirting the law- maybe, but no real penalty & no way of proving it.

Family members have basically underwritten the local party with almost $2,300 in mostly large contributions (and that's what's ON the record). Now this may sound like penny-ante stuff, but on a local level where money dribbles in in small amounts ($25-$35), it's big bucks.

Pretty nifty, huh? Now perhaps you might understand why membership has severely declined with many deserting the ranks except for the current "endorsed" candidates (4) who probably don't even realize where their funding and/or support comes from. No, it wasn't all from fundraisers (which, by the way, had less than $60 in food costs while selling tickets amount to appx. $7000). Heck, the tent cost more than the food. Gimme a break!

What? You mean that you didn't get your taxes reassessed dropping 20% of the land assessed value to your trust? Oh, that's why your name doesn't show up in the tax rolls (just your car- the rest is under the trust name)? None of your political pals' family has gotten town jobs? But not to worry, what's good for the family trust (and your pals) is good for Middletown, right?

Now why take my word for it? Check out we're in the money finance reports. Compare it with previous party reports or other political parties in here or nearby (like Newport). They are, after all, public records. Check out the names & the relationships of the Middletown major contributors. (http://www.google.com/).

Yeah, now tell me Middletown isn't run by a few insider friends & families. Nah, this has nothing to do with newspaper endorsements either either. LOL.

Is any of this illegal? Not really. Ah, but does it pass the sniff test? You tell me. Vote wisely.

NDN Slams Middletown Council

**UPDATE 2** I made it towards the end of the short meeting. My impression was that the Big Four's (Semonelli, Cambra, Bozyan, & Santos) previously planned committee assignments were often scrapped & DOA. This was due to the presence of the press, a small audience, and the other three Council members who wanted input. What actually took place was discussion regarding the many committees/boards that the town has. Like- relevant stuff. The Town Administrator (Low Talker Brown) often filled out the bare-bones of these town-appointed groups with some legal-eagle input from Town Solicitor Miller.
Evidently Madam LaFarge ( Theresa Santos was furiously knitting) didn't get the last e-mail when twice immediately prior to adjournment she asked the Chair about future meetings. The Chair responded in a clueless fahion & the question was ignored. It's hard being the golden haired boy one day & mention of recall brought up in a news editorial only a wk. after you've taken office. Ah... sic transit gloria and all that.
Overall, I thought the idea of short Sat. meetings with lots of frank discussion sitting around non-elevated tables (you know, like they are actually real people like the rest of us) a good idea. Announcing them ahead of time rather than the last minute would be just plain smart. It would also make relevant info available to the public which it was NOT this time or previously.
An interesting mix of people to be sure. These late-announced meetings have been poorly handled in their presentation. Public perception in politics (like entertainment) is part of the mix & the NDN failing grade was right on. I wonder if the reporter gets overtime?

**UPDATE** Special T.C. meetings are NOT taped. So unless the press shows...

Doesn't say much for their endorsement process, does it? Read it before the money wall goes up!
Sometimes I think that their editorial board is clueless. They had the chance to endorse real change and instead went for the same old, same old. For crying out loud, didn't the word "team" in all the ads & t.v. question session send you a message? Hello, what do you think that this means??? It's "us" against "them." Who consistently mentioned "open government?" Not the parties you endorsed. HELLO.

So, they've been meeting & posting agendas, it maendas just under the 48 hr. wire on the Sec. of St. website & not the town's- SNEAKY (it did make it to the blurb listings). No way for ANYONE to know unless they're signed up to receive notices from this website. Shh! And now they can say that they discussed leadership publicly & openly- NOT. Nothing has changed at all that I can see except that the old Town Solicitor is now the Ass't & the leadership names. In fact, it's gotten much worse. So thank the local Democratic Party with their leadership for this AND the 4 member leadership of the new Council (Semonelli, Bozyan, Cambra, Santos). Another BTW, the local Dem. Chair, Dave Lavine, evidently attempted to re-design Council agendas, but the Clerk gave it a no-go.

Haven't you been reading my stuff? Do you think that I make this up? My imagination is that extensive? It's all a set-up- insiders only need apply. Different names on the Council, but same old-same old. But don't blame me- I tried my best to get all this stuff out before elections. Where the heck were you, NDN? I swear, if I read one more article about the return of Sig's, I'll SCREAM. For all your complaints about gov't, you don't do much to cover it in-depth- locally or state levels. Heck, I'm available- for free. And I actually have the time to do the research work. Yeah, I'm a Dem, but no longer part of the local political scene. So why is that? What happened to your local and state muck-racking journalism?

Your editorials apply only for that day & are ignored in the longer term. The fine art of in-depth political journalism is DEAD, except for a small "band of brothers" at Projo. What used to make the newspaper an important member of the whole freedom of speech & free press thingie is on life-support. What kept us all informed & politicans on the straight & narrow is left to orphanges waiting for someone to adopt. The truth is always in the middle malarkey is the theme of the day except for occasional rants. No wonder readership has turned to various blogs when it wants actual truth & relevant facts.

But I digress. This Council meeting is to appoint Council members to town committees (yeah, it matters). Who knows, they could take the high road & actually end up DISCUSSING this topic. Also on the agenda is:

2. Communication of Arthur S. Weber, Jr., Chairman, Middletown Planning Board, re: Establishing a sub-committee for Middletown Comprehensive Community Plan.

www.middletownri.com/departments/comprehensive.php

"The Planning Board is requesting that the Town Council consider establishing a Comprehensive Plan Update Committee, which will be tasked with performing the necessary research and public outreach to develop the plan update. Though the Planning Board is responsible for producing the plan update, and its members would serve as the core of the update committee, active participation and input from other town committees and the general public is critical to ensuring that all interests are represented in the process.... in addition to Planning Board members, include representation from each of the following town committees/boards:
· Town Council
· Zoning Board of Review
· Conservation Commission
· Open Space & Fields Committee
· Beach Commission
· Economic Development Advisory Committee
· Roads & Utilities Advisory Committee

The Council may also wish to appoint members representing other organizations or the general public.... [the] committee will likely hold several meetings per month over the course of the next 6-12 months. Advertised public presentations and workshops will also be held at appropriate intervals during the course of the project. All committee meetings would be open to the public, and input from individuals and other organizations (e.g. Aquidneck Land Trust, Aquidneck Island Planning Commission) would be actively encouraged."

So who will make it to the meeting & audience? Sat. morning meetings at 10 AM. Open & accessible government at work. Guess they've been taking some lessons from the State lege open hearings.

Thanks to the NDN for this heads-up. Kinda late now, though, ain't it? Two more wonderful years of this. And plenty of the blame is pointed in your direction, NDN. We deserved better & so did you. Ah, but I'm not being very optimistic, am I. Time will tell.

Got a Story?

I didn't doctor this ad from the NDN (check out the bottom).

Yeah, "Daily News," do I HAVE A STORY!! And I'm not alone. Stay tuned.

This is just so wrong on SO many levels. I've had so many complaints about this "team" that I could just scream. And I didn't even solicit them.

ARRRRGGGHHH!

Yes, anyone was better than some actual Democrats, yet alone some actual discussion on whom (not to mention WHAT) local monies (the Middletown Democratic Town Committe) would be paid to support.

Sorry, no votes from me. Yes, we do indeed deserve the Council we elect.

Fool Me Twice...

4 + 2= Middletown Politics as Usual

**UPDATE** A reader sent me the mailer the "unendorsed" Dems sent out two years ago. Look familiar? Same basic promo, a few different names. What does this mean? Exactly what I said- more of the same. If you want that, then definitely read today's mailing & vote it. Yeah, fair & blanaced.

It's in the mail. The four "endorsed" Democratic candidates (Cambra, Semonelli, Bozyan, & Williams) join with Republicans Barrow & Santos on a postcard pushing for their elections. Repeatedly the local Dem. Town Committee leadership (Lavine, Bozyan, Kaull) said they would join with NO ONE except endorsed Dems for the election (despite others like Silveira suggesting otherwise). They have repeatedly spoken against non-partisan elections. And this new team was voted on by ??? Not at any town Dem. membership meeting. Were any of the other actual candidate Dems asked to join this new team? or Independents? or other Republicans? I think not. So, please, explain this to me. I know, I know, the fix is in.


Electing all of them will lead us to...more of the same-old, same-old. I'm disappointed. And the Middletown Dems paid for this mailing & printing. What a shocker. No wonder, T. Santos appeared at the Concerned Taxpayers forum, but elected to sit in the audience. Why answer tough questions when the election is already "in the bag" pushed not only by the TWO Republicans (screw Roberts & Viveiros) but by the Democrats. They were also no-shows at last night's "Meet the Candidates" night sponsored by Looking Upwards (Santos, Barrow, Bozyan, Cambra, Semonelli, & Williams). Like I said- it's in the bag so why bother with, y'know, the great unwashed?

A "responsible and balanced Council," indeed. Now where have I heard "fair & balanced" before (quick mind substitution you're supposed to make)? Oh, Fox News. Yeah. Fair & balanced- NOT. And all you Dems out there who paid for this promo- You Paid for It. Well, kinda. Check the previous post. When all is said & done- you get what you pay for. And yeah, it matters who pays for it & then uses your name whether you're on their committee or not. What a buy if you'd like to control a local political party- a few thousand buckeroos & it's yours.

Imagine, the NDN wouldn't endorse Barrow, Mello, or Bozyan, but the local Democrats will. Please, please, please. Vote. On the bottom of my blog I have a quote from Mark Twain, "If government is not good perhaps it is because the "good" refuse to participate and so we get the government that we deserve."

Who, then, are the "unholy" candidates: Republicans Antone Viveiros & Cheryl Foster; Independents Helen Christy, Barbara VonVillas, Morris Hirsch, and myself; unendorsed Dems (those bad boys) Sylvia & Silveira.

Ah, the curse of living in "interesting times." Your other Council votes (you elect 7 members for Council) after electing these 6, or 5, or even 4- totally irrelevant. Bet they've already got a Chair & Vice. Heck, they hardly need us at all. More isolation. Us against them. Because we say so. More Ed Silveiras. To quote the main character from a VERY old t.v. series,"What a revolting development this is!"

PS. Upon further reflection, I've decided that they're leaving room for Barbara VonVillas. She'll be the new Ed. Hair will have to change, though. Has she got a white suite? She'll be needing it. A white hat may help also.

Sounds like an Endorsement to Me

On" the Newport Daily News editorial page (sorry, no link), there is a letter from the White Knight," Councilor Ed Silveira. He is running again as an unendorsed Dem. This means he did NOT ask the Middletown Dem. Town Committee leadership for their support nor is he receiving any support from them. He took the same path as Councilor Bobby Sylvia & myself (I chose to run as an Independent, though). And yes, I am still a registered Democrat (R.I. is a strange state).

You have got to admire a guy who for two years put up with nothing but abuse from a Council whose majority under leadership direction decided to isolate & make irrelevant an ELECTED official. The poor guy was put in the "time-out" corner for two years received occassional support from Councilors Sylvia & DiPalma. How did he stand it for TWO YEARS??? I don't think that I could have, let alone decided to run again for office.

Who is standing with him NOW- Me, Barbara VonVillas, Helen Christy, and slightly to the side, Robert Sylvia.

So here is the letter which the Daily News editor headlined: "On Nov. 4, vote for a voice of integrity on Middletown Town Council." Indeed. I'll second that. If you vote for no one else, VOTE FOR ED SILVEIRA!

Dear Editor,

In the last few weeks, I have visited with Middletown citizens throughout our town. The one question I am constantly asked is “Given the way you were treated by the Council majority, why on earth would you run again?!”

It is true that from the beginning of this Council, Paul Rodrigues, Shirley, Mello, Teresa Santos, and Barbara Barrows (“The Block”) combined to strip me of liaison duties to key Town committees, failed to recognize my nominations or motions, and just generally tried to reduce me to irrelevancy. Although I was often supported and joined in opposing this activity by Lou DiPalma and Bob Sylvia, The Block repeatedly prevented me from being heard.

So why not just walk away? Well, first and foremost I am an optimist – especially on Middletown and the common sense of our citizens. Our Town is a special place, and despite the Council rancor, I believe we will get over these political antics. I think a new Town Council will make real progress in solving our Town’s problems, and with your support, I would like to be part of that.

I am proud to have consistently supported open government and open records, especially when it involves allegations of improper conduct by Council members. Hiding public records from public view is never a good idea, and is corrosive of the political process. I am proud to have opposed Council interference in operation of Town committees and boards. If I am part of a new Council, I will continue my efforts to restore public confidence in the Council’s integrity.

I am proud to have voted for placing all Town Charter Commission change recommendations before the voters, without exception; specifically including non-partisan elections and term limits; regardless of my personal views on the desirability of the changes.

I strongly recommend approving all Town Charter changes on the ballot, especially questions 7 and 9 (on page 4) which strengthen conflict of interest provisions and explicitly prohibit Council member interference in Town operations.

I am proud to have proposed reducing the tax rate through prudent use of surplus funds. I was pleased to support open space acquisition, to participate in review of our Zoning Ordinance and implementation of commercial design standards, and to advocate for island-wide solutions.

Not everyone will agree with me on these or other issues, but I believe that only through open Council deliberation and debate can we hope to find the best answers to our common problems.

If you would like a sample ballot, please call me at 862-5105, or download the Middletown ballot at http://www.sec.state.ri.us/ballots/En/2008/1901.pdf.
With your help, I look forward to participating in the process of rebuilding confidence in our Town Council and solving our real problems - and I ask for your vote on November 4th.


Ed Silveira

Farewell Rodrigues & Mello

It's hard to change your mind when the "Daily News" prints it. Although we may have disagreed politically sometimes, make no mistake about it. I have the highest respect for BOTH of them. Just running for office merits applause in my book. Let alone more than once.


A Councilor for ANY town/city is a time-consuming job. The pay is ridiculous, the responsibility is enormous, & someone is ALWAYS angry with you. My hat is off to both of them.


Mistakes made- surely. That marks them as- human.

Shirley has family concerns to focus her attention on as does Paul. Not only does he have a demanding job often taking him out-of-state (yes, he has to cross bridges), but he has a baby. Kids change your life, not to mention your priorities.


Sometimes it's just time to move on. And this is it.


The article also lists the Republicans running: current Councilors Santos ("Mother Theresa") & Barrows. The latter has no nickname because she rarely speaks (or smiles). She also has aspirations for Sen. Gibbs' job in the future, so I hear. Can you pass these positions along?

They also have Antone Viveiros who is a writer here but has yet to post (hint, hint) and Cheryl Foster. I have a LOT of respect for Antone & his group. He's persistent, determined, & has his facts. We don't always agree politically, but his party in the past has given him short shrift, to be sure.

I'm sad to hear that neither Ned Draper nor Bill Coogan will be running for non-partisan School Committee again. I've heard (Dem) Liz Bozyan's name mentioned but that's it. If you're interested, this is the time!


The Dem. Town Committee also gave endorsements to Lou DiPalma for St. Senate (current- Sen. Gibbs). & Deb Ruggiero for St. Rep. Dist. 74 (current- Rep. Long), but since they don't actually have the power to do this, these are symbolic gestures. Both Long & Gibbs will run again (opinion). Why not?


“Paul and Shirley really should speak for themselves on their reasoning [for not running],” Lavine said. “With that said, I’ve talked with quite a few people and I have to conclude that the average person is a little unsettled with the recent back and forth on the council. It’s been very difficult. … It’s supposed to be fun and you’re supposed to feel like you’re accomplishing something, but it hasn’t been much fun recently.


And who's fault is that? Let' see. When a Town Committee officer refers to other members at meetings as "bitches" ... When the Chair decides on a litmus test of no non-partisan elections (and blames Newport's Cicilline's loss on this)... When neither Bob Sylvia nor Ed Silveira are ASKED by the nominating committee (headed up by Arlene Kaull) if they want to run again (now THAT is unusual), what do you expect? But they are both bad boys. Why is that?

I find the Dem. Town Com. meetings no "fun recently" either. But you wouldn't want to ever speak with me. The Chair has never even had a conversation with me and many other current members in two yrs. But like Ed & Bob, I'm a "bad girl." Sorry, just don't like to be controlled- been there, done that. Now mind you, I'm speaking of current leadership only. Members are A-ok in my opinion. God bless 'em for fighting the good fight in trying times. Currently there are just too many things going on in my life to surround myself with negativity- at least on purpose!

Yup, it's going to be an interesting election in Middletown. This Wed. "Declaration" forms are due in Town Hall. Both parties could still come up with last minute candidates. They're digging as we speak. And then there are the Undeclared candidates. Could belong to any Party or none.

So the main issue on the Dems. side is- restore "fun" to politics? Yup, works for me.

Check out Jim Gillis' "Spare Change" column. "Who needs reality TV when we have Middletown politics?" EXACTLY. Why stay home with nothing to do when you could witness reality politics? And people think politics is dull? Heck, it's got everything- mystery, suspense, surprise endings, sex, money, cops, lawyers, you name it. Dull people- sometimes. Lively topics- frequently.

Any other names for candidates that anyone wants to throw out? I'm speaking figuratively here, not literally.

Take the new poll!

Middletown Democratic Endorsements

I did not attend the meeting. The current leadership is much too toxic for my tastes. While I am a Democrat, I am a much happier one when I stay with a group of positively focused, informed, educated, and civil group of adults. Old-time pols, intolerance of other's opinions, verbal insults with language that would get you thrown out of school, and just plain booring meetings dominated by a handful of speakers ain't my cup of tea. Life is difficult enough by its very nature to purposely surround yourself with negativity. Sorry, leaderhip comments in March about the "beer-soaked parade" & other derogatory inferences about the Irish, Fifith Warders, & non-partisan elections did it for me. And I'm only half-Irish & never lived in the Fifth Ward!

However, I do have friends who keep trying to fight the good fight in spite of all the above & think the Dem. Town Com. is relevant & worth fighting for. God bless them, I hope that they are right & that they have sucess.

So, the endorsement stuff. This means that the Party will officialy back you with whatever resources that they have. It also means that fewer signature of voters are needed for the necessary paperwork. Now you can still run as a Democrat (unendorsed), but you need 50 individual signature on your paperwork as opposed to 50 signatures for the endorsed group as a whole. Got it?

Four candidates were voted on & endorsed: Elrony Williams, Arak Bozyan, Rich Cambra,Chris Semonelli. It was announced that Shirley Mello & Paul Roderigues will NOT run.

That's it. Candidates have to have file the first set of paperwork (Declaration of Candidacy) from 06/23/2008 to 06/25/2008. In other words, it ain't over till it's over.

Elrony is a former Shcool Committee member. Arak is the brother-in-law of the current Dem. Town Com. Chair. He serves on another town committee but I'm drawing a blank. Richard Cambra serves on the Econ. Devlop. committee & I believe he is alternate on the Zoning Board. Chris is the owner of the local Sears.

Ed Silveira is running as an unendorsed Dem. & so is Bob Sylvia (unless they don't). I'm also aware of another one or two. Barbara Von Villas is running as an Independent.

If you would like more info on running, e-mail me privately. Hey, I was the oldest child. I'm the responsible one. And I learned plenty early on when to speak up & when to keep my mouth shut.

On the Rep. side I just have gossip- they don't conduct regular discussions with me. I hear that they definitely did NOT want to join forces with the Dems for a unified ticket. I do believe that some Dems. are just too toxic right now. The Town Com. also had a candidate litmus test of no non-partisan elections.

Like I've said before- "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy ride." Feel free to post comments or what your're hearing out there.

Take the new poll to the left!

Partisan Elections to Stay in Middletown

For the second time the Council has decided to ignore a Charter Review Commission. On a 4-2 vote tonight both 4 yr. terms & non-partisan elections with term limits rec'd a thumbs down. Nay- Rodrigues, Mello, Barrows, & Santos. Yes- DiPalma & Silveira.

The other changes mostly minor, all passed. It's odd. The "Newport Daily News" has constantly promoted non-partisan elections but this time- the silence was defeaning. No, I'm quite sure that the guest editorial promoting partisan elections & 2 yr. terms from Dem. Chair Dave Lavine (NDN owner's Indian Ave. neighbor) was purely coincidental.

Mind you, the Council vote was only to place these items on the ballot, not necessarily agreement thereof.

So here is how it went down: Rodrigues- might have supported it two years ago. Now considers it "un-American" after receiving a few phone calls. Hmmm, wonder how they feel about this in Tiv. & Newport. How about our own non-partisan school committee?

Mello- previously promoted all these changes. But had a few phone calls & changed her mind. So much for consistency. It's vastly over-rated. Odd remark- "You spend a whole year learning and then spend a year politicking for the next Election." Gee, I guess actual policy-making plays no part. And- "if there were non-partisan elections, people from any Party could run." I can't argue with that!

Barrows- favors term limits but not this. Also rec'd phone calls against 4 yr. terms. Without partisan elections she doesn't believe that people would have the impetus to vote or run. Yep, that's the problem in Newport & Tiverton all right. No running & no voting.

So you didn't call? You thought voting was the accepted process for this? Silly you. Isn't it odd that they only rec'd phone calls against?

DiPalma was against non-partisan, but still voted to put the whole thing on the ballot.

Silveira wondered why everyone was throwing in their own private opinion. He thought that it was the voters' opinion that counted & he wanted everyone to weigh in- "[give] voters the right to choose". Evidently he thinks that the voters can actually, what's the word--think! Kind of like when they voted for Councilors.

Now I'll be honest. I would have voted against non-partisan elections & likely 4 yr. terms. But it sure would have been nice to have been asked. Not to mention participate in public debate. I'm not afraid of the public electorate, but evidently some are.

Un-American? What does that say about those who do not belong to either Party? Somebody call those people up & set them straight! Oooh, and don't mention buses... or fish.

Look, I swear I did not make any of this stuff (or quotes) up- my imagination isn't that wild. If the rest of you out there were not so bloody ignorant, some of us could have voted on this.

From Matt Sheley at the "Daily News" (he's not allowed to have as much fun as myself; on the other hand- he actually gets paid) quoting Councilor Sylvia who could not attend the meeting:

The suggestions submitted from this commission, unless they are in obvious conflict with state and federal laws, should be submitted in tact to the citizens of our town for their consideration,” he said. “We, as a body of seven, should not determine what suggestions should or should not be submitted. For us to arbitrarily select and determine what is to be presented to our citizens is wrong.

But, but, didn't you get any phone calls? Doesn't anyone know these 3 guys' numbers?

Middletown's Fishgate

You MUST read this Daily News article entitled "Dead Fish Seen as Threat! I kid you not. Let me point out right away- I do not fish! I eat it, but don't catch it.

Seems as if SOMEONE dropped a 3 foot gutted striped bass minus head/tail parts behind Sr. Ctr. Director Arlene's Kaulls' little $50,000 Audi TT convertible while it was parked in front. Heck, I thought it was a Miata, so thanks to my commenter for pointing this out to me. Arlene did not get a big laugh out of this. Is the car impounded for evidence?

Mrs. Kaul filed harassment charges & Police Chief Pesare (who investigated Mob crime in his previous existence) is taking the fish seriously. Remember "The Godfather?" Supposedly the symbolic Sicilian message is that if you don't heed this warning, you will soon sleep with the fishes.

Or perhaps someone just couldn't afford the new trash bags.

On Thursday, Kaull called the situation “sad” and the latest attempt to make her and her family look bad. Involved in local politics since 1986 — including time on the Town Council — Kaull now serves as vice chairwoman of Middletown’s Democratic Town Committee and is the sister of Town Council President Paul M. Rodrigues.

Maybe someone just doesn't like her. How would a dead fish make your family look bad? Your car- definitely, but your entire family? Actually, I think it more likely that the fish would make your car rather smelly (esp. when the temp was close to 100). So does she actually mean that the fish makes her family stink?

[Paul] Rodrigues said Thursday that the June 2 incident at the senior center involving his sister seemed “eerily similar” to some of the “garbage” that surrounded the last election.“All this nonsense, it just doesn’t end,” he said. “It’s very similar to the games that were being played before the last election. This is just embarrassing and the town doesn’t have time for this.” Pesare said he believed the gutted fish was thrown at Kaull’s car in response to a letter to the editor published in the May 31 Weekend edition of The Daily News about ongoing political issues in the town.

Poor, poor pitiful me. Someone writes a letter to the Daily News & a fish shows up in a car. Yep, I definitely see a connection there. A possible plant (er, fish) to end any real discussion? Why would this embarass you? Sorry, I've never noticed highly sensitive natures here. All the Rodrigues seem quite capable of taking care of themselves- and I mean that as a compliment.

Anyone with information about the dead fish recently left behind the car of Middletown's senior center director is asked to call Detective A. William Swierk at 846-1144 or leave a message on the Police Department's confidential tip line at 842-6516.

Perhaps we need at officer stationed there now? Was the fish dusted for prints? Has an autopsy been performed?

Perhaps it was meant as a donation. “Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks”

So what was that fish doing there? “No good fish goes anywhere without a porpoise”

Perhaps that fish just knew too much: “If the fish had not opened its mouth, it would not have been caught”

The whole thing sounds mighty fish to me. Is this what you call a fish tale? Hey, I'm a fish out of water here. This whole story if a fine kettle of fish. I've got to stop writing now, I have bigger fish to fry.

Perhaps the fish was accidentally left behind & was meant to be delivered for the Council agenda along with the letter by Kempen's attorney (see previous posting).

Fishgate. Sorry, LOL. I do not wish any of the Rodrigues any sadness. I know too much of that what it's like. But this is funny. Am I swimming upstream here? I just can't stop.

Is the fish being held as evidence? Sorry, I just can't resist.

Thanks to reporter Matt Sheley. Sometimes fishing for a good story just pays off. Politics in Middletown has become like a fish in troubled water. Hey, I'm just a small fish in a big pond here. I need to clam up!

Middletown's Charter Hearing #2

It began with the Prez apologizing for the lack of a quorum for the previous hearing. It was, he stated, "unacceptable." This time except for DiPalma & Barrows (late) all councilors were present.

What fun! Antone Viveiros handed out 11 proposals to the Council- perhaps they'll get posted here. Then four members of the same family owning an Indian Ave. estate testified. They are also tied in with the current admin of the Dem. Town Committee. Dave Lavine (chair of the D.T.C.) spoke the longest (more than 15 min.) against two Charter changes- non-partisan elections and four year terms. He also entertained questions!? However, whenever he was asked them he always began, "You clearly didn't hear me." Pass out those hearing aids! So much for entertaining questions. Big Daddy speaks. He also commended all Council members & said they were doing a good job. Hmmm....

Elizabeth Bozyan (Charter commission member & Dem. Town Com. sometime-official) spoke most angrily- indicated by her rising tone (who needs a mic?). She had criticisms about the committee (no research, no outside comments, no final vote) & obviously relished them while smiling at Barbara Von Villas (Charter Chair). She obviously takes the committee results quite personally & wants us all to get this (we do, we do). Oddly enough she voted for placing non-partisan elections on the ballot & now speaks vehemently against it Go figure.

Husband, Frank, also spoke (quietly) along with Glayds Lavine (D.T.C. treasurer). Frank stated that "...party structure helps get good people on the Council." But last election he campaigned for those outside that structure. It does boggle the mind sometimes. Forget basic logic (where is Mr. Spock when you need him). They spoke as individuals and not as members of the Dem. Town Committee- no one ever put this up for a vote there. So much for the Dem. process.

Council Mello (the Commission's council rep & the motion-maker to organize the commission)- defended the group with the fact that research was done & outside comments/suggestions brought forth. It's a pity that the Commission couldn't bring some outside voices to speak FOR placing these changes on the ballot. The best defense is a good offense and all that.

To say that all this is ironic is putting it mildly. In the last election the Lavines/Bozyans campaigned for 3 Dem. candidates & 2 Republicans. Hmmm, sounds non-partisan to me. As Dave Lavine stated- last time we weren't in charge [of the Dem. Town Com.] The mind swirls...

It should be remembered that we're talking only about placing these items on a ballot- adopt changes or not. This was repeatedly pointed out by Councilors Silveira & Sylvia. How stupid are all of you out there? Evidently, smart enough to vote for councilors but not on the Charter.

Kudos to Councilors Sylvia & Silveira. The former stated that a vote on the changes "better served" the public while the latter is "ready to bless it [charter change proposals] and allow the residents to vote." Silveira also stated when pointedly criticized by Elizabeth Boyzan that the voters are "grown-up and not stupid."

It was entertaining & I wish that it could have been filmed & placed on Youtube.

Bill O'Connell, member of the Charter commission & former Rep. Council candidate also spoke against non-partisan elections.

Barbara VonVillas (Chair & former School Committee Chair) spoke twice- once to respond to Bozyan's criticisms & then to admonish the Council (most politely) to get on with this as there are time constraints when it appeared that a Council discussion & vote? would not take place till the end of June. To get on the ballot this stuff needs to be wrapped up in July. Will it?

One would assume that the members of the Council who voted for this Charter commission (all of them) knew exactly what the results portended. Once you've let the genie out of the bottle and all that... It will be interested seeing the results. Do I favor all the changes proposed? Not really. Do I think that it should be on the ballot- YES!

Next meeting is June 17 at 6 pm in the Library.

Check the Daily News later for reporter Matt Sheley's take on all of this.

Trash- Boom & Bust!

The never-ending discussion continues. Kind of reminds me of a soap opera. New facts emerged last night. It seems that the Council Prez Rodrigues is now saying that the program was never expected to balance itself- at least in the short term. And you know what they say about the long-term- we'll all be dead.

The program was also termed a success. Of course, that's narrowing your definition to 50% of what the program was supposed to accomplish- no town costs. It's a bust in that regard. As for recycling- that's much improved. Typical good news-bad news scenario.

It's time to look at the facts. The fact is that the Council (Rodrigues, Mello, Santos, DiPalma, & Barrows) repeatedly promised costs only to the users. Yeah, we forgot to ask when this would happen. And they forgot to tell us. What we heard was that you paid for what you threw away & recycling was free. This was always a stretch & a questionable promotion. Recycling is NOT free. That's why you can't just put out recycling items (DiPalma wants these residents to STOP).

So this program is going into debt with fingers still crossed- maybe summer residents will use the system. And maybe they won't. How many households would this be? 40%? Still no decision on how/who's paying for the shortfall or for how long. But bag costs won't go up. So I guess everyone pays.

This program forgot one important requirement in its adoption: "And then a miracle occurs." I couldn't even get a 95% participation rate if I offered a free treat one day only at "The Freeze."

I evidently left before the rather tumultuous ending (Projo). Rodrigues evidently called Sylvia a liar & asserted that everyone on the Council was aware there would be program monetary shortfalls for awhile. Now the Prez knows of whence he speaks calling anyone a liar. While not usually inclined to bring up past shortcomings (which we all have, BTW), he is the only one who was ever accused of publicly lying during his campaign & then decided to fess up (about his sis- the Senior Ctr. Dir.). He then lost an election.

It's all a matter of semantics. Anyone reading the recent reports regarding trash could figure out that there was a problem. But lost $ wasn't given. However the press and the Council supporters focused on the recycling sucess. Now when someone actually brings the whole program into focus and wonders where the shortfall costs are going to come from- like the users who are supposedly supporting the system or the taxpayers, suddenly heads go in the sand and intimidation rears its ugly head.

I don't care if you don't like each other. I don't care who "the decider" is. Stop with insults and play nice. So you don't all agree. Shocking. Who cares? But let's get some answers for the contuing shortfalls. If we're all going to pay anyway, why not a program that everyone can live with?

The assertion by the Prez, et al, that you need to force residents to recycle by offering them money incentives, is just wrong, Daddy. Newporters recycle almost as much as we do with no incentives. Some businesses do the same with no commanding laws and no monetary incentives. That's because we're not all blooming idiots.

If you gave me the choice of "easing into" the program by letting me begin to recycle at my own pace & comfort level by not punishing me with increased costs (and very small bags), I would happily use the town program and I believe everyone else would too. So charge me a fee already. I'm a big girl and get it (although I'm smaller than I used to be after losing 50 lbs.).

Newport's program works. It's not necessary to re-invent the wheel. Renegotiate the contract. BTW, I didn't realize that we had given up 3 or 4 yrs. of recycling income. So what is it? It is our money, right? Monies given up are monies lost.

I've really had a belly full of the in-fighting. It'd say it's juvenile but that's insulting to juveniles. So some of the Dems don't like Sylvia & Silveira & have no plans to endorse them. Boo hoo. DiPalma is put out to pasture by leaving the Council & running for state office. So DiPalma is praised (at least for now) while the others are given the cold shoulder. One doesn't even pronounce Silveira's name correctly.

This trash system needs a conclusion. How much longer can this agony drag on? You'll never balance the system out, so why pretend? Don't tell me it's what works best for everyone, because it's just not true. It's a complex, confusing program. Even users, let alone non-users have problems with it. That's why some trucks now have cameras and periodically all the trash needs to be inspected for proper bag use.

Please don't tell me the State cares. It only woke up to the fact that there was a landfill problem a year or two ago. The Resource Recovery also has very limited recycling compared to what it could/should be doing. It also made pretty free with our money with its many varied charitable donations.

Hey, they shoot horses, don't they? Half of the system works, half doesn't. So fix the half that's not working rather than insulting the bearer of bad tidings. Even the cowardly lion finally found "the nerve" and the scarecrow found his brain. Neither really needed "The Wiz." This ain't rocket science.

Thanks to Projo's Meaghan Weems who stayed longer than I did.

Local Dems Meeting Wed.

We meet once/month for appx 1 hr. It's a motely crew, to be sure . Let me know if you'd like to attend. It's 7 pm in Middletown. We'll laugh, sing, dance, tell jokes...oh wait...that's another group. Ah, well, it's my treat for a beer afterwards.

Local Republican Defections to Democratic Party

My husband likes to listen to the Business Channel. The other day I heard the stat that 7% of those who term themselves Republicans have left the Party. Meanwhile those identifying themselves as Democratic increased by 4%.

I know these stats to be true because of recent events right here in Middletown. Monday night the Dem. Town Chair was so impressed with the dedication & admiration of this new group that he "nominated" one of them for appointment to a town partisan committee - and one previously. The Town Council is also so enthusiastic over this recent trend that his choices have been backed unanimously (Republicans & Democrats). The local Board of Canvassers consists now of 3 senior women with a new member appointed last night. This group guarantees the validity of our elections.

Don Lavine, the Dem. Town Chair, is so enthused that former Republicans have "found the light" that his "nominee" is a Democrat of less than a month (what a guy). He seems quite sure that she can now "convert" her husband, too.

Only a few months ago, he placed a former Republican member, who had viewed enough light to become an "undecided" to the same group. Alas, the Rep. Chair has yet to come up with a prospective member's name.

Even businessmen are deserting the GOP - down from 44% to 33%.

I applaud the Council's efforts and those of Chair Don Lavine and fast-forward thinking in rewarding the efforts and just good plain common sense of people who have come to realize tht the Grand Old Party isn't even the epitome of business anymore.

Thanks! We appreciate all the long hours and hard work you women will put in during the next election cycle. Your valiant efforts shall reap great rewards!

Now if the lone Republican woman would just put a little thought into this party affiliation thing...

Water, Water Everywhere Except in Middletown

**UPDATE** The water connection ban has now been lifted by the Newport City Manager. Discussions on renewal of the sewer contract will continue.

Newport has, as they say, "hand." Middletown wants new water connections & Newport ain't giving them until it gets a better deal for its sewer agreement. At a recent Middletown Dem. Town Committee we were assured this was all set & had been negotiated. The Chair & others were upset with the Newport Council & the somewhat underhanded way this was handled. It was also considered that the Newport taxpayer would not like this & those Councilors in Newport better get on the ball to straighten this out.

Naive is a polite term for this thinking. Newport needs money. Middletown has extra. "Fault" depends on which side of the net you're on - could be good news, could be bad.

The Council in Newport has dynamics just as Middletown's does. To assume that Newporters don't approve of ceasing water connections to Newport until sewer leakage problems in the system effecting the harbor are taken care of is stupid. Why should Middletowners be allowed new contruction connections when Newporters can't? Give me a break!

Councilors in Middletown weren't listening when Newport Councilors spoke. Since Newport is non-partisan (and Middletown may as well be at this point), party ties won't help. It's an interesting situation. To think that when this referendum was passed last fall in Newport, that it would have NO effect here, may have been logical thinking, but certainly wasn't lateral thinking.

Does Middletown have anything that Newport wants is the next question. I believe that it does and this arena needs to be explored. This is the price Middletown now is paying for leaving all the water & sewer infrastructure to be managed by Newport (Portsmouth has its own water system). Hey, you can pay us now or you can pay us later. Later has come & this is just the beginning. And who can blame them? I pay taxes in both places.

You may start bidding farewell to all the "extra" money in the non-reserved funds. Letting Newport become aware of all this $ just sitting there, most definitely led to this problem. Too bad more of it wasn't returned to the taxpayer. This could be bye-bye to the fire station which is the planned receiver of much of these funds.

This is going to be an on-going situation with most, if not all, discussion going on behind closed doors. Expect to also start hearing a lot of rhetoric from both sides. The town should have started this negotiation as soon as that referendum passed instead of waiting until the Spring. Uh-oh. Can you say "legal extortion" if you're Middletowner or "Windfall" if you're a Newporter?

Trash Collection Limited to Middletown's PAY-IT Program?

I did not make the trash education last night. Click here for more info. Click here to sign up for the Listserve.

The upsetting news I heard from town hall is that Waste Management will no longer be doing private pick-up here. This means sign up for the town's recycling trash pay system or... that's it. The town is passing a resolution (or maybe they already have) that all haulers must have a recycling aspect to pickup. The problem is that this requires a special permit which small haulers can't afford.

I might add that the Middletown Dem. Town Committee also endorsed this program. Why, I don't know since they have not endorsed anything else this year, but this they did. Despite the fact that two our of the four Dems. on the Council have problems with it. So relevant.

Last night I put my large 60 gall. container out - filled plus more bags. The only logistical system I can work out for my family of four plus a dog and cat, involves a lot more work & smelly cans/containers sitting around for two weeks. Three cans in my main living area with more cleaning to do? Lucky us. And I'll be able to spend a week in Paris with all the money I'll save - NOT. I hope that this changes otherwise there will be No Choice involved in trash removal. Stay tuned.

More Trash at Middletown Council Meeting Mon. at 7

Trash, trash, lovely trash. Yes, it's on the agenda again. This time it takes the form of a resolution. But before that someone on the Council asked for a letter from Sal DeRuggiero to be placed on the docket (c'mon, guess who). Bottom line is that he wants to adopt Newport's trash pickup system & use a special "tax assessment" to pay for it.

The reason for doing so is that "[the Council's] decisions were based on arguable alternatives driven by the approaching expiration of the transfer station's lease." Yeah, that was the point of the "trash action." "...most of the decisions are not made in the economic, managerial, or environmental interests of the town..." "... Weekly curbside pickup was not adequately considered." Ooh, in other words he does not like the current plan big time!
Sal is not writing a personal letter, but rather as Chair of the Republican Town Committee. The Republicans also have two members (and one could theoretically argue even more) on the Council who have raised no objections to the current plan slated to being Nov. 1. I haven't seen where they've even put forth any original ideas, although this certainly was a campaign issue. But certainly a lot of time was spent discussing the departure of the former library director.

Only one Council member is on record as opposing the current plan -"Inspector" Sylvia. And he's a Democrat. To be sure, this is a better plan & always has been. Never heard much discussion of it, if any. That's just not the way the council chose to go under the current Prez. BTW, the Democratic Town Committe has endorsed the current plan.

It promises to be an interesting meeting, unless the Chair & others are able to quash discussion.
Other topics, too, but you can check the agenda yourself at: Link. It will be a long meeting. No, nothing on beach pollution.

New Inn Opens in Middletown

Check out Matt Sheley's Snooze article for more info on the new "Residence Inn" which just opened off West Main Rd. in Middletown. Businesses like these are good for Middletown as they generate tax money, some of which is directly returned to town coffers & use little.
Rocky Kempenaar, joint owner, has always been generous to Middletown Democrats & also helped out the Whitehouse Campaign by making space available. Rocky almost ran for Town Council, but then changed his mind (darn!). I've met him a number of times, but I must have a most unmemorable face as I always seem to engender a blank look when I see him.
I wish them success.

Never-Ending Middletown Trash Talk

More changes already. The whole program now has a delayed start until Nov. 1. Confused?

If a town can't even provide trash services as part of its tax rate, what the heck are we getting for our $? Isn't this the basic purpose for paying taxes? More and more fees. This benefits whom most? Well, perhaps the politicans who promise to keep taxes down, for a start. But don't fees count, too? Especially for a service that we all need.

I'm for the same program Newport has. Simple. If this new program doesn't work out, you may well see some heads roll on the Council next year.

So if we were paying for trash collection at the dump, and most of the former costs came out of property taxes, and this is shortly kaput, why didn't my taxes go down? Basic costs like trash removal should be paid from taxes. It's okay to pay taxes for monies being held in various rainy day accounts for a police and ? fire station. But trash? You're on your own. I suppose they couldn't actually figure out a way to charge fees for police/fire use (although you'll get a bill for an ambulance).

I think that I'll stay on my own trashwise awhile longer. Right now, I haven't seen much to persuade me otherwise.