First of all, I would like to thank the Valley Independent Sentinel for the coverage of this year’s election campaigns.
Now my thoughts about Mr. Cassetti’s grand plan: he says that he will do this about a lot of that. Commenting on his figure of one million dollars in city hall administrative salaries? I have no clue who he is talking about with these salaries.
He wants to get rid of our grant writer, among others and combine into one position. Getting rid of a person who has provided the city with over six million dollars in funds – doesn’t quite make a lot of fiscal sense. It appears to be more politically motivated than doing what’s best for our city.
In his plan, Cassetti says he will cut police, fire and education. He said he has ways of getting more funding…well, what are they? His idea of the AHS alumni funding education is a real doozy! This is not Alabama football or UConn basketball where alumni open their checkbooks readily.
Mr. Cassetti spoke to our public works employees promising new trucks and more employees but still plans on cutting all department budgets. How will this be accomplished?
Finally, the gouging of our taxpayers during a blizzard is totally irresponsible for a “fiscal conservative.” I spoke to other municipal public works departments and the rates paid to the city’s other contractors were the norm; to charge more than double, Mr. Cassetti, is inexcusable.
Never mind the late taxes (which did run over the 48 days he is crying about – it is all public information) and the late report filing, this is, again, inexcusable.
As noted in the Connecticut Post’s endorsement of our Mayor; “Mr. Cassetti’s plans are unworkable.”
The writer is a Democrat running for re-election in the Fourth Ward on the Ansonia Board of Aldermen. He is married to the city’s grant writer.
