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"It's all about You - it's all about Me - it's about -- The all of Us." -- Jewett City Party

Third parties fill void
by Julie A. Varughese - published by Norwich Bulletin - February 11, 2007

When the traditional Democrat and Republican parties don't satisfy them, some people start independent parties.

The Jewett City Party, for instance, wants to tackle some issues in the borough its members believe have been ignored or need fixing, said party founder and borough warden candidate Ron Ward.

Experts say although independent parties are begun with the right intentions, once they accomplish their goals, they tend to fade away. They also are heavily personality-driven, as in the case of former Gov. Lowell Weicker Jr.'s A Connecticut Party, which dismantled after he left office in 1995.

Two basic types

Christopher Barnes, director of project development at the University of Connecticut's Department of Public Policy, said independent parties fall into two categories: Those that are on the ballot every year and sometimes have a national presence and an ideology, such as the Green Party, and others created because a group is frustrated at the local level.

The latter type, if successful, tends to win seats only a few times before the party fades out of existence.

Barnes said, within towns, independent parties spring up from a few residents who attend meetings regularly to complain or are created by a person who has been elected to a town office in the past.

"They can really change the dynamics," he said, explaining third parties can take votes from the traditional parties, making it harder for either party to win.

Laurie Soulor, owner of Second Chance Consignments in Jewett City, said she plans to support Ward in the May 7 election against incumbent Democrat Cynthia Kata and Republican Melinda Brooks. But she also believes the party would fall apart without Ward's leadership.

"If he stops doing what he's doing, everything's going to stop," she said.

No 'one-man show'

Ward, who moved to Jewett City last year, said he wasn't interested in being a "one-man show" and hoped the party, even if it eventually fades away, would invigorate residents to be more proactive.

Democrat Kata has run unopposed for warden in the past several borough elections. Voter turnout in recent elections has been low, possibly reflecting the lack of choice on the ballot. This year she has two opponents and the Jewett City Party has a slate of other candidates as well, including burgesses and baliff.

Canterbury First

The Canterbury First political party was started by Canterbury residents who said they wanted to hold officials' feet to the fire on a number of issues, including government openness and accountability.

Party Chairman Robert Noiseux said the party is made up of people who felt disenfranchised by the town's Democratic and Republican parties.

"We represent a centrist group where Republicans and Democrats come together and work together," he said.

Ray Sulich, chairman of the Canterbury Republican Town Committee, described Canterbury First as "nothing more than an arm of the Democratic Party," however.

"Canterbury First is a bad representative for third parties. I think that a third party has the potential for doing things, for bringing new issues to a town and getting additional residents for input," he said. "But they're all about being disruptive and negative."

Sulich said the state needs to address the "hole" in the state statutes that allows members of local third parties to register with national parties. He said that allows third-party members to sabotage local Republican and Democratic campaigns, by electing the "weakest" candidate at a town's party primary to run against the third party candidate.

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz could not be reached for comment.

Barnes said third parties also tend to fall apart because they lack an infrastructure, or a solid base of supporters.

"It's a reminder that all politics is a pyramid structure," Barnes said.

Don't be Cold: Hard Facts on TVCCA Heating Assistance

The information contained in this eBlog! post is provided as a service to our readers. It is not intended to be a statement of eligibility for participation in the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program. Interested persons should contact the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) at 860-889-1365 extension 6552 for a determination of eligibility.

Renters and homeowners living in Jewett City Borough are eligible for winter heating assistance during 2006-2007 energy program year. The application deadline for the energy assistance program is May 1, 2007, which will especially benefit residents struggling with this winter's exorbitant heating bills. The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) helps income eligible households pay their heating bills. TVCCA administers the program for New London County.

Interested persons can make a confidential call to TVCCA to start the process to determine eligibility. Referrals can be made through local selectman's offices, town and by state social services offices.

TVCCA administered: Connecticut Energy Assistance Program

Assistant Director: Christopher Sardo
Uncas-on-Thams
401 West Thames Street, Unit 201
Norwich, CT 06360-7155

860-889-1365 phone
860-885-2738 fax

TVCCA website: http://www.tvcca.org/

DSS website: http://www.ct.gov/dss

Income eligibility guidelines for renters and homeowners who pay seperately for heat. Also includes renters whose heat is included in their rent--as long as more than 30% of gross income is paid toward rent.

• Family of 1 = $14,700
  
• Family of 2 = $19,800
  
• Family of 3 = $24,900
  
• Family of 4 = $30,000

Or--if you or a member of your household is at least 60 years old or has a disability, your household is eligible if . . .

• Family of 1 = $19,600
  
• Family of 2 = $26,400
  
• Family of 3 = $33,200
  
• Family of 4 = $40,000

U.S. Cencus year 2000 data:

32% of Families earn less than $35,000 per year: Jewett City Borough
18% of Families earn less than $35,000 per year: Griswold - town portion only

zero% Families earn more than $100,000 per year: Jewett City Borough
13% of Families earn more than $100,000 per year: Griswold - town portion only

62% of housing units are renter occupied: Jewett City Borough
13% of housing units are renter occupied: Griswold - town portion only

22% of householders 65 years and over: Jewett City Borough
19% of householders 65 years and over: Griswold - town portion only

25% of population between 20 and 34: Jewett City Borough
16% of population between 20 and 24: Griswold - town portion only

Candidate for Borough Warden announces Transportation Initiative

Candidate for Jewett City Borough Warden and Founder of the Jewett City Party (JCP), Ron Ward, has a plan to address the public transportation needs of Jewett City residents, taxpayers and community members. Introducing a Jewett City local ordinance to create the Jewett City Public Transportation Advisory Board will be a top priority of his administration.

Ron Ward stated, "Residents of Jewett City depend on the SEAT bus service for getting to work, buying groceries, and keeping medical appointments. A local Public Transportation Advisory Board will give residents an opportunity for 'hands-on' involvement to address our transportation needs."

The board would consist of seven to nine members and meet at least once a month to address resident concerns and development recommendations for public transportation initiatives. Ward explained, "Having a resident that uses public transportation on a regular basis serving as Board Chairperson will keep the mission 'front and center' and demonstrate a commitment to providing excellent public transportation."

Meeting our need for public transportation requires regional cooperation and problem solving. Regional and local taxpayers know that an effective transportation plan is a key to economic development. Governor Rell's budget recommendation to appropriate $3,000,000 to address Southeast Connecticut transportation needs is a step in the right direction.

A local Jewett City Board of Public Transportation will give board members an opportunity to serve as representatives and participate in decision making as the region continues to address our transportation needs. Currently, the Griswold First Selectman serves as a voting member on the SEAT board of directors.

Candidate Ward stated, "As Borough Warden, I will request that the Jewett City Board of Burgess have the opportunity to appoint a member of the local Public Transportation Advisory Board to serve as a voting member on the SEAT Board of Directors." He continued by stating, "Understanding that Jewett City residents are the primary riders on the SEAT bus, it is appropriate that a member of the local board serve on the SEAT board of directors."

Workers depend on SEAT buses for getting to their jobs

Buses key for region, Eastern Connecticut residents and leaders say
by Ray Hacket - published by the Norwich Bulletin - February 9, 2007

NORWICH -- Henrique Cavalcante of Norwich takes a SEAT bus every day to get to work at Mohegan Sun. It's a reliable source of transportation -- but not always the most convenient.

"I think it would be nice if there were more buses. That way I wouldn't have to leave an hour before my shift starts," he said Thursday while waiting downtown for the next bus to arrive at the Viaduct. "It would also be nice if they ran later in the evening."

Cavalcante said he would like to see the service extended to more destinations in the region.

Meeting demand

SEAT is expanding its service, extending its hours, adding another Groton stop on one route and creating a new route connecting New London and Waterford. SEAT General Manager Mark McClanan admits, however, it probably doesn't fully meet the demand.

"What we have is a good system. But right now we're operating on a one-hour headway. We'd rather operate every half-hour instead," he said. "But we have a limited budget and we need to go to places with the most ridership."

SEAT ridership will exceed 1 million passengers this fiscal year, an 11 percent increase over 2006. With 25 buses serving nine Eastern Connecticut communities, SEAT rapidly is growing into one of the region's primary forms of transportation.

But the majority of riders are concentrated in the region's two major urban centers -- Norwich and New London -- leaving the larger population of the area pretty much on its own.

"I can't imagine anyone trying to get around Eastern Connecticut without a car," said Deb MacDonald of Niantic, who works at Connecticut College.

Enhancing the mass transit system is a critical component for the region.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell, in her proposed budget, has included funding for a New London transportation center, tying together the city's existing passenger rail service, ferries, buses and taxis. She has allocated $6 million for a two-year pilot program that would link the region's major tourism attractions. SEAT buses already provide service to those locations, but McClanan admits not as frequently as he'd like to see. The pilot program would double what now exists.

But Rell's biggest regional initiative involves passenger rail, a proposal to add additional trains and service to Shoreline East. Area lawmakers said Thursday the plan doesn't go far enough. Right now, all but one of the Shoreline East's trains stop in Old Saybrook. At a Capitol press conference Thursday, lawmakers said they want to expand on the governor's plan, calling for an additional $26 million to bring all Shoreline train service directly into New London.

"We must focus on mass transit, not highways if southeastern Connecticut is to avoid the gridlock of Fairfield," said State Rep. Steven Mikutel, D-Griswold, vice chairman of the legislature's transportation committee.

But getting drivers to give up their automobiles won't be easy.

"It's really a matter of convenience," said Pat Dunion of Montville, who said he wouldn't give up his car for a bus, gridlock or not.

• SEAT bus schedules and routes are available on its Web site at www.seatbus.com. Inform ation regarding services also can be obtained by calling the SEAT offices at 860-886-2631.
• Shoreline East rail service schedules can be found at its Web site www.shorelineeast.com, or by calling 1-800-ALL-RIDE