Morale

Since the 119 positions were cut from the budget and to be fair only 49 were filled full-time positions and many of the rest were unfilled position, there has been a feeling of gloom among employees at the government center.
Worse, there are now rumors (total unsubstantiated) that there will be more layoffs in April.
This is probably because most of the cutting that occurs has been traditionally done by the board of finance and their review of the budget occurs in April.
Since it is my opinion hat Joe Tarzia is behind most of this, I do not see this as an issue.
What I do think is an issue is anyone wanting services from the city show not expect much.
As morale is low, I doubt that service for complaints will be very pleasant.
As for projects, I say good luck.
One interesting note, the Democratic canidate for the last election was at the Scofield meeting the other night and was not very understanding of a new interim Health Director just getting their feet wet. Shame on you David Martin, you are still campaigning!
I will definitely go "green" next election.

So is it Joe or Mike running the show?

With 119 positions eliminated one might wonder. mayor Mike said he wanted a better business like atmosphere and Joe Tarzia said the budget constraints and that idea were incompatible.
I am sure with the power of the Board of finance, there would have been this number of positions lost no matter what administration was in office.
And if things hold true, if a Democrat had submitted a budget with those positions still intact even more would have been lost, Joe Tarzia has a reputation for vindictiveness.
So who is running the show? I think the answer is in the power of the board of finance.

politics as usual

Politics is the name of the game and Pavia plays it well, as a non player, but what does it mean?

The 10% and 5% budget cut requests where a just in case, but scared a lot of employees.
He assures us that it is a last resort, but who does run things?

he has made good choices (Ernie) and questionable ones (His campaign director?)and then there are actions that appear to be no action on his part (The health director).
He stopped capital projects (especially the Mill River one) and said let's wait and see what is really going on.

I actually think He has done some smart things in all of this, but we will see.

Now as the scofieldtown thing bumbles along, we will see how those people react. it sure does seem that only want one answer and it means that I have to pay fir it!

New Direction?

So many things, the departments are asked to lower their budgets by 10% and a significant figure (well paid I think) is leaving.
Yes the Director of health is leaving for Greener pastures. Now if they don't fill the position right away, will that save 10%? He got paid an awful lot!

Stamford Politics

I've been away a long time and Stamford's political scene has changed or has it?
We have a new mayor, Mike Pavia. He has done a few shake ups, but it may be that the real power behind the scenes is now Joe Tarzia, who has been shaking up a number of departments.
A memo from the mayor has building and zoning departments increasing their hours to accommodate the public. Accommodate the public? What a novel idea!
What till they find out the Health Department is available only 3 days a week in the morning.
I also understand that Joe threatened the Health Director if he didn't start doing something about the Scofieldtowm situation. And they did do something, they had ther DEP come down and declare it was a private property owners problem and the city didn't have to be involved.
Mean time the North Stamford residents have formed their own task force and it almost sounds like the beginning of their own government.
While I would not agree with what some of the more, how do i put this politely?, paranoid of the group believe that there is a great cover-up and conspiracy, I don't see it that way.
The reality of not wanting to take action or place it on the homeowners' shoulders isn't a cover up, it's disinterest!
Now when the lawsuits issues are settled, I predict that this administration will have put the city in a real financial hole, mostly because of disinterest.
It is too cold for me to come back at this time. I really need to go back where it is warm.
New restaurants by the dozens and i can't wait to try some of the new Indian food places; Tawa and one on Altlantic where the Italian restaurant used to be.
I see the Housing authority and Stamford Hospital are diving up the West side and there are new block the box laws with painted boxes.
Well time to get out and see what else is happening!

Confusion

Stamford's politics have always confused me. The Democrats seem more like Republicans and visa a versa.
Reading the literature, Martin seems like a "lets get the corporations into Stamford Now " kind of a guy. Pavia seems to be "lets get quality of living back into town".
The Green party sounds like he wants us all to be on bicycles.

it is very surreal.

Why Mike, Why?

I have know of Mike Pavia for a long time, as a matter of fact everyone in Stamford know s the Pavia family in some way, I think.
I was going to vote for him, but now I am not sure.
Martin , to me, represents the status quo as far as corporations and big business running Stamford. I do not believe the downtown special services whatever has done Stamford right. It has been great for everyone who works downtown (mostly out of town and out of state people) and has helped some businesses, while shooting many, not in the foot, but the head.
Then Mike does his thing on the Scofieldtown area, getting a consultant (for free, yes) to say that the carbon filter are a short term solution and that Aquarion water should be pumped over land immeditely.
First, I am sad that he politicized a bad situation and his recommendations do nothing to help the situation.
I do not know much about the technical things, but I think I saw that the filters were okay for a short term solution.
What AM I MISSING? That was the whole point of the filters, temporary until the water could be brought in, in the SPRING of next year!
The overland water thing seems to be missing a key fact, it gets cold in Stamford in teh Winter, pipes freeze. I think the frost line is something like 3 feet AND ABOVE GROUND WATER PIPES WON'T FREEZE?
As I said, I am very sad that he went this way. I will NOT be voting for Mike. He showed very bad judgement and we have had enough of that in Stamford.