Back in February 2009, the Board of Alderman discussed and resolved to place out to referendum the City of Derby’s ability to utilize the “Connecticut City and Town Development Act”.
To this day, remains confusion as to what benefit the Act could have been to the City.
Simply, the Act allows Cities such as Derby the ability to assist developers in the construction of projects that would produce jobs, increase tax rolls and increase economic growth. The assistance is limited to the benefits of the City’s high Bond rating which would have made the Bonds more marketable.
Only projects that meet such criteria would have qualified to utilize the benefits of low cost financing and the City would receive the benefit of jobs, etc. The approved project owners themselves would be responsible for the payment of the debts, not the City of Derby.
Unfortunately, members of the opposing party took on a concerted effort to spread lies and untruths about the Act. The party acted with selfishness in that they knew that the Act would have produced projects and therefore the current Administration would be viewed even more of a success for Derby.
They could not have that, they put their party first, not Derby.
Now they are trying the same tactics with our Derby redevelopment. They would rather see that fail than have Staffieri win another term in office.
On Election Day, remember what the opposing party is capable of and put Derby first! Vote Row B across the Board.
The writer is a Republican running to represent the First Ward on the Derby Board of Aldermen.
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“A plenty of time on his hands — former Mayor Marc Garofalo led the concerted effort to spread lies and untruths about this act — to doom Derby’s future economy!”
Garofalo needs to find a full time job — as he is currently keeping busy by checking up on Ken Hughes lawn signs. Perhaps he hopes that Dan Foley will win the mayoral election, and give him a city job?
Stan, can you prove these accusations.
David W. Joel: It’s a matter of record.
Are you saying that Marc Garofalo spread lies to intentionally try to destroy Derby’s economic future? I just want to be clear, you are stating this as a fact and not as your opinion.
Dr. David W. Joel: This post ia an opinion, unless you are literally — “pulling teeth?”
Although Marc and I will probably never agree -politically, I will hopefully see him in church tommorow, and have him in my prayers. I should not have responded to his recent comments in Valley Independent Sentinel — as we will always probably — “agree to disagree.” God bless Marc, his wonderful mother, and family.
Crashbandit wrote on April 27,2011. that “he thanked the Democratic Party, for individuals like Mr. Hyder for standing in the way of the United Methodist Homes in Derby. I wonder if the estimated $500k in taxes would have helped this year? The citizens of Derby remember what the Democrats did during that referendum. I think the Derby Democratic Party should issue an apology for their behavior during that vote, spreading lies about the project.”
Rob Hyder responded that he had “no recollection of the united Methodist Long Term Health Care facility,” but said “it was a shame the project didn’t proceed.”
Along with Dan Foley, critic Dr. David W. Joel, have failed to express their views on the subject.
Mayoral candidate Foley would have had the extra bucks available, that he has been campaigning for the Derby Board of Education –if his fellow Democrats did not sink that initiative. And, as a Democratic leader, he probably voted against this Derby tax-base initiate, as well.
Perhaps this is the reason that Mr. Foley is keeping silent on the subject.