The original of this letter is on file in the Office of the Griswold Town Clerk, 28 Main Street, Jewett City, CT 06351.
######################### Letter stamped received 07 FEB 22 AM 9:00
February 22, 2007
Anne Hatfield
P.O. Box 513
Jewett City, CT 06351
Town Clerk
28 Main St.
Jewett City, CT 06351
RE: Notice to Clerk of resignation from position as Treasurer for the Committee to Elect Melinda Seaman Brooks
It is with regret that I must resign my position as Treasurer for the Committee to Elect Melinda Seaman Brooks effective upon filing of the amended Candidate Registration form to be submitted by the new Treasurer for the Committee, Marjorie Lang. I remain in full support of Ms. Brooks and I am confident that this transition will be seamless without any disruption to her campaign.
After much though, it is my opinion, that my position as the First Selectwoman for the Town of Griswold will overshadow the Borough election and detract from what is important, namely, the republican and democratic Warden candidates, Melinda Seaman Brooks and Cynthia Kata. Two lifelong residents with opposing views on how to make the Borough a better place.
I have the utmost confidence that these two women will run a clean yet hard fought professional campaign to promote the best interest for all of us who live, work or visit the Borough. I look forward to a healthy debate on important Borough issues such as sewer rates and economic development.
It is with the best intentions at heart for the Town, Borough, and candidates, that I submit this resignation as a preventative measure against further negative campaign agendas and political attacks.
Best of luck to both candidates who are willing to serve selflessly and promote the best interest of our community.
Sincerely,
Anne P. Hatfield
######################### end of letter
Friday, March 2, 2007
'If I made a mistake, I'll take full credit for it,' said Republican candidate for Warden about alleged use of copywrited material.
State Panel Looking Into Complaint Lodged Against Griswold Candidate
By Megan Bard - Published by The Day on March 2, 2007
Griswold — The state Elections Enforcement Commission is investigating a complaint the Jewett City Party candidate for borough warden filed against his Republican opponent.
On Feb. 20, Ron Ward alleged that Melinda Seaman Brooks inappropriately used the Town of Griswold and the Borough of Jewett City seals on her campaign Web site.
Ward, in his complaint, also implied that First Selectwoman Anne P. Hatfield, Brooks' campaign treasurer at the time, allowed Brooks to use the seals and other copyrighted information taken from the official town Web site. Ward wrote that Hatfield may have allowed Brooks to use the information to “give the appearance” that municipal government has endorsed Brooks' candidacy.
Hatfield, who is vice chairwoman of the Republican Town Committee, has since resigned as Brooks' campaign treasurer.
Neither Hatfield nor Brooks had received a copy of the complaint or were aware of its filing until contacted by a reporter. When Brooks heard about the complaint, she removed the information in question from her site pending the outcome of the state investigation.
Ward said he did not call either woman to tell them about his concerns because he did not expect them to answer him.
“I would not expect my opponent to truthfully be open to answering questions when I'm basically saying you've done something wrong,” he said. “That's why we have a state agency to regulate these issues. ... You need an outside third party to investigate this.”
Brooks said she never intended to illegally use copyrighted information on her Web site or give the impression that Hatfield, in her capacity as first selectwoman, had endorsed her candidacy. She said Hatfield never gave her permission to use the material and that she didn't ask.
“If I made a mistake, I'll take full credit for it,” Brooks said. “These concerns were never even brought to my attention. I think this is just dirty politicking.”
Ward said Brooks' Web site's address and the site's use of the town and borough seals suggested it was the official site of the town and borough.
Brooks said Hatfield did not help create the Web site and that she purchased the domain name, jewettcityborough.com.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Monday, March 5th @ 11:00 pm is the date for Comedy Central's 'Daily Show with Jon Stewart' to air Jewett City Bell Chimes story
Jewett City TV Segment Postponed
by Megan Bard - published in The Day on March 1, 2007
Griswold - The segment on the bell chimes controversy in Jewett City scheduled to air tonight on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" has been rescheduled to Monday.
by Megan Bard - published in The Day on March 1, 2007
Griswold - The segment on the bell chimes controversy in Jewett City scheduled to air tonight on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" has been rescheduled to Monday.
Developing national news issues forced show producers Thursday to postpone airing the local clip, according to a spokesman with Comedy Central, the cable network that broadcasts the satirical newscast.
On Feb. 1 representatives from the show spent the day in the borough interviewing business owner Philip Anthony, resident Ron Ward and Norwich resident William Russell.
Russell, an atheist, brought a complaint against the borough and town governments in November claiming that the municipally owned sound system that plays the bell chime music from the belfry of the Jewett City Baptist Church is a constitutional violation.
The Daily Show appears at 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Jewett City Bells controversy to air this evening on Comedy Central network - 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'
The Norwich Bulletin has reported that "a spokesman for Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" said a piece by correspondent Samantha Bee concerning the controversy about the music system owned by the town in the Jewett City Baptist Church will run at 11 tonight."
Back on February 1, 2007, Samantha Bee, a correspondent with the 'Daily Show,' came to Jewett City to report on the Jewett City Bell Chime controversy. The report by Megan Bard entitled, 'Dialy Show' Conducts 'Interviews' in Jewett City: Satirical Comedy Program To Weigh In On Church-Bell Flap published by The Day on February 2, 2007, stated, "all three men interviewed as part of the show hope something positive will come of the broadcast, but all are keenly aware that the show, a satirical newscast on Comedy Central, pokes fun at serious issues.
Ron Ward, the Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden, was interviewed by the 'Daily Show' during their visit to Jewett City at the beginning of February. In her February 2nd article, Megan Bard of The Day reported:
Back on February 1, 2007, Samantha Bee, a correspondent with the 'Daily Show,' came to Jewett City to report on the Jewett City Bell Chime controversy. The report by Megan Bard entitled, 'Dialy Show' Conducts 'Interviews' in Jewett City: Satirical Comedy Program To Weigh In On Church-Bell Flap published by The Day on February 2, 2007, stated, "all three men interviewed as part of the show hope something positive will come of the broadcast, but all are keenly aware that the show, a satirical newscast on Comedy Central, pokes fun at serious issues.
Ron Ward, the Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden, was interviewed by the 'Daily Show' during their visit to Jewett City at the beginning of February. In her February 2nd article, Megan Bard of The Day reported:
Ward said they didn't share their questions with him but indicated he would represent the community's interest in defending the bells. "My gut feeling is it's a comedy. It's going to be funny. If you can look past the satire and look at the real issue, I think it will be good for Jewett City," Ward said. The only request the crew made of Ward, other than to sign a release at the end, was for him not to reveal the show's slant on the issue. "And to be honest, after nearly two hours of question-and-answer ... I don't know what their posistion is," he said, laughing.In a recent interview with reporter Carol Davidge published by the Reminder Newspaper on February 16, 2007, Ron Ward stated, "I told them 99.9 percent of us want the bells, it's a matter of local pride. In 10 years, not a single person has objected, and we're not going to allow somebody from outside the borough to come in and tell us what to do."
Vote on May 7, 2007 - Jewett City Party appreciates your support!!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Council for Economic and Community Development to support Jewett City merchants and stimulate job growth
Stimulating job growth and supporting local merchants will be top priorities for The Borough Warden's Council for Economic and Community Development. Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden, Ron Ward, announced his intention to create this new organization.
The Council for Economic and Community Development will serve in an advisory capacity to the Office of the Borough Warden. Unlike other municipal boards or commissions that are charged to carry out specific governmental functions; this Council will give merchants, residents, taxpayers, and community members an opportunity to meet in an informal setting and exchange ideas to improve economic conditions in Jewett City and support initiatives which enhance the overall community within the borough.
"It will be sorta like a chamber of commerce, community action agency, and resource center all rolled into one," said Ward. He continued, "Creating jobs, supporting local merchants, and enhancing our community will be the principals driving the work of the new council."
Coordinate activities with other public and private programs
Governor Rell recently announced that former Congressman Robert Simmons is her choice to fill the newly created statewide position of Business Advocate. As Business Advocate, Mr. Simmons, as reported by the Norwich Bulletin, "will be responsible for providing information on public and private programs to assist businesses . . . and providing them with programs, services, technical assistance, job training and financial assistance."
"The Borough Warden's Council will play a key role in coordinating and working with the Connecticut Business Advocate," said Ward. Council members will have opportunities to work with other organizations: Southeast and Northeast Connecticut Council of Governments; Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Mystic & More State Tourism District, Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor committee, Griswold Business Association, Connecticut Economic Development Department, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Connecticut Labor Department.
Questions regarding this new organization should be directed to:
Ron Ward, JCP Candidate for
Jewett City Borough Warden
860-376-3530 phone
email: founder@jewettcityparty.com
The Council for Economic and Community Development will serve in an advisory capacity to the Office of the Borough Warden. Unlike other municipal boards or commissions that are charged to carry out specific governmental functions; this Council will give merchants, residents, taxpayers, and community members an opportunity to meet in an informal setting and exchange ideas to improve economic conditions in Jewett City and support initiatives which enhance the overall community within the borough.
"It will be sorta like a chamber of commerce, community action agency, and resource center all rolled into one," said Ward. He continued, "Creating jobs, supporting local merchants, and enhancing our community will be the principals driving the work of the new council."
Coordinate activities with other public and private programs
Governor Rell recently announced that former Congressman Robert Simmons is her choice to fill the newly created statewide position of Business Advocate. As Business Advocate, Mr. Simmons, as reported by the Norwich Bulletin, "will be responsible for providing information on public and private programs to assist businesses . . . and providing them with programs, services, technical assistance, job training and financial assistance."
"The Borough Warden's Council will play a key role in coordinating and working with the Connecticut Business Advocate," said Ward. Council members will have opportunities to work with other organizations: Southeast and Northeast Connecticut Council of Governments; Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Mystic & More State Tourism District, Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor committee, Griswold Business Association, Connecticut Economic Development Department, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Connecticut Labor Department.
Questions regarding this new organization should be directed to:
Ron Ward, JCP Candidate for
Jewett City Borough Warden
860-376-3530 phone
email: founder@jewettcityparty.com
Vote on May 7, 2007 - Jewett City Party appreciates your support!
Elizabeth "Betty" Knox elected to the Office of Griswold Town Treasurer
Congratulations to Betty Knox for her being elected by the voters of Griswold to serve as Town Treasurer.
The election results as reported at Town Hall Tuesday evening are as follows:
Treasurer Knox has been on the job everyday since last fall doing the work of the Griswold Town Treasurer. The voters have selected her to continue to serve until this November.
All the best to you, Betty, as you continue to serve the residents of the Town of Griswold.
This endorsement is the personal opinion of Ron Ward, the Founder of the Jewett City Party.
The election results as reported at Town Hall Tuesday evening are as follows:
- District #1: 162 (Knox) - 116 (Collins); 278 votes cast; 2656 eligible voters
- District #2: 207 (Knox) - 170 (Collins); 377 votes cast; 3719 eligible voters
- Total votes: 369 (Knox) - 286 (Collins); 655 votes cast; 6375 eligible voters
Treasurer Knox has been on the job everyday since last fall doing the work of the Griswold Town Treasurer. The voters have selected her to continue to serve until this November.
All the best to you, Betty, as you continue to serve the residents of the Town of Griswold.
This endorsement is the personal opinion of Ron Ward, the Founder of the Jewett City Party.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Jewett City electric company claims bragging rights, while keeping rate payers in the dark
In a Sunday, February 25, 2007 letter to the editor published by the Norwich Bulletin, the three gentleman that serve as commissioners of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities stated, "Our community enjoys electric rates that are 20 percent lower than those of Connecticut's investor owned utilities."
The three commissioners went on to claim, "Unfortunately, that was incorrectly reported in recent articles that appeared in the Norwich Bulletin . . . and has caused understandable concern for our customers."
"The borough's kilowatt-hour rate is slightly higher than CL&P's rate right now because the utility services only 2,200 customers, most of whom are residential and do not require enough electricity supply to lower the purchase price," said Ken Sullivan, director of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities in a January 7, 2007 article published in the Norwich Bulletin.
Wow ... how is it that Ken Sullivan, the Director, says one thing and then his three politically appointed bosses say something else completely different? Ken Sullivan said, "Slightly higher than CL&P" but, his bosses just said, "20 percent lower."
"Understandable concern?" Rate payers are far more than concerned; they are outraged by the "double-talk" coming from the politically appointed commissioners of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities.
A possible explanation?
A correction printed by the Norwich Bulletin on January 9, 2007 stated, "Connecticut Light & Power charges $57.79 in fees while Jewett City Department of Public Utilities charges only $21.78. The bills recording the same usage would cost the Connecticut Light and Power customer $137.10 but the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities customer $113.69."
There is a $36.01 dollar difference between the fees charged; but, only a $23.41 dollar difference between the bills based on usage. That leaves $12.60 unaccounted for in the comparison between CL&P and Jewett City electric. Based on an average 700 kilowatt hour bill, that could mean that Jewett City electric costs 1.8 cents more per kilowatt hour than CL&P.
Sorta looks like the Jewett City electric director, Ken Sullivan, was correct when he stated that JCDPU had a slightly higher kilowatt per hour rate when compared to CL&P.
Stop the "Double-Talk"
In a February 16, 2007 article published by the Reminder Newspaper, the Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden stated, "Right now we have three gentlemen serving as commissioner who decide what happens, and they won't be re-appointed if the people vote for me and the two burgess candidates running with the Jewett City Party."
Ward indicated, "The first priority is to get a consumer board set up to give people access to the process, to have a way for people to be listened to, and for us to have an impact on what happens." Ward was referring to his plan to create a Consumer Board of Utility Control to oversee the management and performance of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities.
On January 17, 2007, the Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden, first announced his plan to give Jewett City residents a "seat at the table where the decisions are made." Ward stated, "Introducing and passing an ordinance creating the Consumer Board of Utility Control will be a priority for my administration."
Correct the wrongs of the past!
Last year on June 30th, the three commissioners of the Jewett City public utilities made a 44% rate hike in sewer fees retroactive back to January 1, 2006. Ward has pledged, "Every current customer that was charged the retroactive sewer increase will receive a credit to offset the charges assessed last summer."
"It is just wrong to retroactively increase a utility bill," said Ward. He continued by explaining, "The more than $5 million dollar Jewett City utility surplus fund will be more than adequate to correct the wrongs of the past."
The three commissioners went on to claim, "Unfortunately, that was incorrectly reported in recent articles that appeared in the Norwich Bulletin . . . and has caused understandable concern for our customers."
"The borough's kilowatt-hour rate is slightly higher than CL&P's rate right now because the utility services only 2,200 customers, most of whom are residential and do not require enough electricity supply to lower the purchase price," said Ken Sullivan, director of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities in a January 7, 2007 article published in the Norwich Bulletin.
Wow ... how is it that Ken Sullivan, the Director, says one thing and then his three politically appointed bosses say something else completely different? Ken Sullivan said, "Slightly higher than CL&P" but, his bosses just said, "20 percent lower."
"Understandable concern?" Rate payers are far more than concerned; they are outraged by the "double-talk" coming from the politically appointed commissioners of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities.
A possible explanation?
A correction printed by the Norwich Bulletin on January 9, 2007 stated, "Connecticut Light & Power charges $57.79 in fees while Jewett City Department of Public Utilities charges only $21.78. The bills recording the same usage would cost the Connecticut Light and Power customer $137.10 but the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities customer $113.69."
There is a $36.01 dollar difference between the fees charged; but, only a $23.41 dollar difference between the bills based on usage. That leaves $12.60 unaccounted for in the comparison between CL&P and Jewett City electric. Based on an average 700 kilowatt hour bill, that could mean that Jewett City electric costs 1.8 cents more per kilowatt hour than CL&P.
Sorta looks like the Jewett City electric director, Ken Sullivan, was correct when he stated that JCDPU had a slightly higher kilowatt per hour rate when compared to CL&P.
Stop the "Double-Talk"
In a February 16, 2007 article published by the Reminder Newspaper, the Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden stated, "Right now we have three gentlemen serving as commissioner who decide what happens, and they won't be re-appointed if the people vote for me and the two burgess candidates running with the Jewett City Party."
Ward indicated, "The first priority is to get a consumer board set up to give people access to the process, to have a way for people to be listened to, and for us to have an impact on what happens." Ward was referring to his plan to create a Consumer Board of Utility Control to oversee the management and performance of the Jewett City Department of Public Utilities.
On January 17, 2007, the Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden, first announced his plan to give Jewett City residents a "seat at the table where the decisions are made." Ward stated, "Introducing and passing an ordinance creating the Consumer Board of Utility Control will be a priority for my administration."
Correct the wrongs of the past!
Last year on June 30th, the three commissioners of the Jewett City public utilities made a 44% rate hike in sewer fees retroactive back to January 1, 2006. Ward has pledged, "Every current customer that was charged the retroactive sewer increase will receive a credit to offset the charges assessed last summer."
"It is just wrong to retroactively increase a utility bill," said Ward. He continued by explaining, "The more than $5 million dollar Jewett City utility surplus fund will be more than adequate to correct the wrongs of the past."
Vote on May 7, 2007 - Jewett City Party appreciates your support!!
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