It looks like few think the mayoral form of government was a mistake according to the results of our latest poll. This is hardly surprising when one looks at the momentum the Town has finally gained in the last few months. Regardless of where you stand on the issues, it’s obvious that a strong mayor can bring the water to a boil much better than the town manager ever could. Serving at the whim of the Council, the Town Manager did not have the legislative strength to push the Council into action.
Despite my initial doubts as to the wisdom of the mayoral veto, this power does force people to come together and fight it out in the best interest of the town. Without the use of the veto regarding the Long Beach West sale, for instance, the Council would have done no further negotiating and would have sent an incomplete agreement up for a vote. Instead, the veto forced a few additional council meetings and reasonable concessions on both sides in order to give us the chance to vote on it.
Friends say that the Mayor was present for the entire study group session on Saturday regarding the new location for the animal control facility. Notably absent were council members (with the exception of a quick appearance by Councilman Stoomer). Granted, the town council positions are volunteer-only, but it’s nice to see the town figurehead making appearances at functions like these, the arts festival, and the various ceremonies he’s attended the last few years.
Are these things “plusses” for Mayor Miron’s re-election campaign? No, not really—we expect it from that position. Just as we expect him to push the Council into action and wield his veto power to force people to get off their butts and get this town moving again. Just as we expect him to make his own compromises and further the interests of all citizens. Just as we expect him to hold himself to a higher standard because he IS our representative to the rest of the state.
That’s why, despite all the talk about charter revision and James Miron in particular, we made the right decision five years ago. Even through the growing pains we can see th benefits down the line.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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5 comments:
It is true that, like him or not, the Mayor is moving initiatives forward.
I personally think he is provding leadership in a place that has longed lacked it.
I agree it does create momentum.
At a minimum, the Mayor is a catalyst for action.
Personlly, I think he has done a good job. He is not perfect, but who amongst us is?
Everyone I have ever met likes the guy. I have met him and he is polite, nice and funny...and NOT the monster that others are trying to pain him as.
If you agree with me and are reading this STAND UP and SPEAK UP.
Blog here.
Keep up the good work!
From this morning's Connecticut Post:
STRATFORD Former secretary sues Miron, town
A former mayoral secretary, Patricia Blumstein, has followed up an age discrimination complaint she filed two years ago with the state’s Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities after being fired with a lawsuit against Mayor James R. Miron and the town.
Blumstein, 63, now the secretary to the school system’s chief operating officer, Ben Branyan, said she filed the lawsuit against Miron and the town after she was notified by the CHRO that it has still not issued a finding of whether there is “ reasonable cause” for her complaint and does not know when it would.
Because the two-year statute of limitations to take legal action is running out, Blumstein decided to file a suit in Bridgeport Superior Court before the Sept. 28 deadline.
“ The clock was ticking and we decided to move forward with the lawsuit because we have no idea when the CHRO will make a determination,” said Blumstein’s husband, David.
Blumstein, seeking in excess of $ 15,000 in damages, claims in the lawsuit that the mayor engaged in “retaliatory practices” by firing her when she filed the CHRO complaint after she was transferred to another department and “falsely cited budgetary reasons” for her dismissal.
Miron replaced her in the “ identical position with a female 40 years younger and less experienced and qualified,” the suit contends.
Miron said Wednesday the lawsuit is “completely baseless and without merit,” and that the town will “ mount a rigorous defense in court.”
Thor & Darby, I agree that the Mayor has been an agent of change that has been sorely needed around here.
Officer Sean, do you know anything about that?
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