Tonight’s first of the year town committee meeting featured a wonderful guest speaker thanks to district eight State Central members Marianne Clark and Richard Tutunjian. This high school student founded her Republican club and has in a short time evolved this into many satellite clubs throughout CT. In town public schools that don’t allow political clubs, she and her co-chair who is a student in one of these schools, created a Facebook page for young Republicans who want to connect with their peers. Please meet them on an upcoming “Conservative Chat.”
Connecticut General Assembly: The “Plan” by Governor Dannel Malloy
Written by Juliana Simone
Hartford, CT – The opening of the new legislative session produced two speeches from incumbent Governor Dannel P. Malloy (D). Neither held much promise for the voters of Connecticut who were not among the 26K that put him back in office for a second term. The slight uptick above the less than 1% Malloy won by in 2010, that garnered him around another 1%, perhaps had a lot to do with the democrat majority passing same-day voter registration under his leadership. Long lines were reported in very democrat held cities like New Haven where lines were long, as unregistered voters waited to fill out whatever simple information was needed to go and cast a vote Election Day.
As in 2010, it was the inner city vote that put Malloy, as well as his sitting constitutional officers, back into office. Former challenger Ambassador Tom Foley, running a second time, continued to win the majority of small towns. Foley did not fare as well as he did in 2010, however, and there has been much discussion about the variables that made this so, including his campaign staff and lieutenant governor choice.
In a state whose general assembly has been led by the Democrat party for over twenty years and thrives on votes from state worker and teacher unions, the vote tally for Malloy was overall meager, and illustrated he would not have won a second term without this stronghold.
Proving this, Malloy’s address to the CGA this afternoon, was mostly dedicated to more funding for the Department of Transportation, Connecticut’s largest receiver of state funds. During his first term, the Governor came up with a plan for a busway from New Britain to Hartford, that the Republican caucus, and then the media, referred to as the ‘magic busway’ – in that no one was expected to actually use this method of transportation between the two cities. The transportation line seemingly came to be for funding for the DOT and its workers, even though the building of the line meant carelessly tearing down graves of the buried in New Britain to make room for the lane.
Listening to the address over the radio, it was shocking for many Connecticut residents to hear that his plan was to give more money to the DOT now under his second term. This time, it’s to widen the most used highways in Connecticut to make it easier for workers to get home during their commutes. Malloy and his spokespeople said that when the highways were built originally, no one ever thought the population of Connecticut was going to grow so large. This is why, they explain, the traffic is so congested on key interstates.
Apparently, it has nothing to do with the mere fact that Connecticut sits between NYC and Boston, and the only way to get from one to the other is through what was once the “Constitution State.” Traffic is also heavy with truckers needing to deliver loads to Rhode Island and New Jersey. Connecticut charges no tolls for those just passing through the state, whether commerce or recreationally related, and this subject is expected to come up once again this new session. Toll booths that used to exist in the state, came down after much discussion over a serious accident that took place at one station in Stratford in 1983.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Turnpike
One can only imagine the extra time commuters will face as this construction is underway. The usual cones and flag wavers will hold up lines for who knows how long before this grand vision is completed.
The early swearing-in ceremony where Governor Malloy’s wife, Cathy, gave a less than gracious address. Reciting how she had to bite her tongue during the debates pre-election, Mrs. Malloy opined that the Republican candidate had no plan. Anyone who follows politics in this state and outside of it, knows that Tom Foley had a long list of business friendly and pro-growth economy incentives that would have turned our state around for the many here who have seen their savings disappear, have become or remain unemployed, and remain here helplessly overtaxed. In her view, her husband’s plan to give more money to the Department of Transportation and to the public Education System, was preferable and sound.
Mrs. Malloy also seemed to elude to Mr. Foley’s comments during one debate that suggested voters should look at who produced more successful and well-adjusted families for insight into the two candidates. This portion of her speech should have been left out on a celebratory occasion that the Malloy’s should be grateful to have received however small a margin. Readers need to remember that former First Lady of Connecticut, Patricia Rowland, was held under extreme scrutiny for any personal comments she made about any members or challengers from the democrat caucus at public venues.
Former Governor, M. Jodi Rell, made few partisan remarks during her tenure, and this passive yet compliant stance got her little in return from her dominating rivals. The popular former Governor who took over when her predecessor John G. Rowland had to resign, Rell (along with Rowland) is consistently referred to by Malloy and his General Assembly majority, as the reason the state is in such dire straits today – regardless of the fact, as the majority, they controlled all of the votes to pass any budget or legislation, the chairmanship of committees, union leaders and influential lobbyists.
Going into the election, respected publication The National Review, dubbed Governor Malloy as the worst Governor in America. http://www.nationalreview.com/article/389857/americas-worst-governor-matt-purple
The majority of Connecticut voters concurred with this assessment, electing ten new Republican State Representatives to the House, and one new State Senator. Constituents also continue to elect Republicans to head the majority of towns here as Mayors or First Selectmen. It is these voters that understand what the best plan is for their future and their children’s future here in the state of Connecticut.
Governor Malloy should perhaps recognize as he begins his second term, that it is he and his now- lessened majority that should be working with the other side of the aisle, to find the needed answers to make Connecticut less-taxed, as one of the most taxed states in the United States, and prosperous once again, returning jobs to its people and profits to the companies and small businesses that employ them. If he truly wishes the best for this great state, as he proclaimed today, he will do so.
For full transcript of inauguration speech:
http://www.rep-am.com/news/connecticut/doc54ad8c724beb5976080560.txt
This post can also be read on Ameriborn News: http://ameribornnews.com/2015/01/07/11675/
Barkhamsted Center Church Christmas Pageant – 2014 – Register Citizen article
Our Barkhamsted RTC Treasurer had a successful turn out for the Barkhamsted Center Church annual Christmas Pageant on Sunday. He can be seen in the back left of the photo taken by RC reporter Stephen Underwood. His wife, Susan, daughter, Averil, son, Jamey, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer, are also in the pageant and photo.
Barkhamsted RTC Chair Juliana Simone and her son also participated in this play with Rev. Charles Hall in 2011. It is a wonderful experience, with live animals brought in for the occasion that represent those that would have been present in Bethlehem when Christ was born.
Special thanks to former BRTC Chair and consistent Republican supporter John Lavieri and his wife Corky, for attending the service on Sunday.
BARKHAMSTED – The First Congregational Church of Barkhamsted held its annual living nativity Christmas Pageant during worship service on Sunday.
The church holds the event on the Sunday before Christmas and allows church members young and old to dress up and re-enact the birth of Jesus Christ.
The event has become a tradition at the church and even includes a real donkey.
“This has been going on for about 17 years and it truly is a tradition here,” said resident and member Kay Page Greaser.
Greaser lives down the street from the church and brings her donkey named Patches to the event for the children.
“I bring Patches down every year and the kids love to feed him,” said Greaser. “I’ve had him for about four years now and he was a rescue. He’s great with kids and enjoys the treats they feed him.”
The tradition is meant to tell the story of the birth of Jesus, while allowing church members to get into the Christmas spirit.
To read more on the story:
Here’s the link:
http://www.registercitizen.com/lifestyle/20141221/barkhamsted-church-holds-annual-living-nativity
For more information visit http://www.barkhamstedfirstchurch.org/mission.html.
New “Conservative Chat” with State Rep. William Simanski
“Conservative Chat” – Thursday, December 11th , 2014. at 7PM on Charter Cable Channel 191, the Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee Chair and host Juliana Simone interviews State Representative William Simanski (R-62) about the upcoming long session starting in January 2015, the new House Minority Leader Themis Klarides (R-114), the good and bad of election results November 4th, what to expect from Governor Malloy and the democrat majority in the next four years, the unfunded pensions, state deficit and more taxation on the horizon.
For those who are not Charter subscribers or outside of the viewing area, this program can be seen on the Internet on www.ctv13.net after next Monday December 8th.
New “Conservative Chat’ with columnist Don Pesci
“Conservative Chat” – Tonight, Thursday, November 13, 2014, at 7PM on Charter cable channel 191 watch Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee Chair and host Juliana Simone discuss with veteran columnist and political commentator Don Pesci the November 4th election results. Juliana and Don review the Connecticut Governor’s race, the First and Fifth Congressional districts, the Republican gains in the Connecticut General Assembly, the Lumaj campaign for Secretary of the State and the State Treasurer’s, some of the highlights of the National sweep for the GOP and more!
This program will rerun next Thursday, November 20th, at 7PM on Charter cable channel 191.
For those of you who do not subscribe to Charter Communications, this show can be seen on-line next week and post afterMonday or Tuesday at www.ctv13.net under VOD (Video on Demand)
Republican American Sunday Front Page Publishes Article with Comments from BRTC Chair Juliana Simone
Hartford Courant: Democrats Show Contempt For Election Law
The state Democratic Party blew a truck-sized hole through its increasingly tattered reformist image this week. It did so with a mass mailing whose funding skirts state clean-election laws. The party sent the mailing out over the fierce objections of good-government groups.
The mailing touts Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s re-election. It was paid for with funds from the state party’s federal account — an account meant to help congressional, not state, campaigns and one that is liberally salted with contributions from state contractors.
State law bans state contractors from contributing to state candidates or to the party’s state account — to keep elections clean of their influence.
The party is claiming a loophole in federal law that allows a federal account to be used for get-out-the-vote activities, like mailings, that could — indirectly — benefit candidates at the state level. But this mailing was 99 percent a Malloy ad rather than a get-out-the-vote ad.
The mailing and its timing were brazen and cynical.
The Democrats’ ploy, if successful, will allow special-interest money back into state campaigns and weaken public support for Connecticut’s landmark taxpayer-financed Citizens Election Program.
The State Elections Enforcement Commission has emphatically denounced the Democrats’ mailing as violating the spirit of Connecticut’s election laws.
The state Democratic Party had earlier this month asked for an opinion on the mailing by the Federal Elections Commission, piously saying it wanted to ensure that its Malloy mailing met requirements of the federal law.
It then jumped the gun this week, sending out the mailer before the FEC could rule — flipping off both state and federal regulators in the process.
The state Democratic Party is just begging for punishment by regulators and by the voters.
http://www.courant.com/opinion/editorials/hc-ed-democrats-end-run-around-election-law-20141016-story.html
Republican American article on Barkhamsted RTC Meet the Candidates Event
BRTC Riverton Fair Booth with CT Republican candidate for Governor Tom Foley
Photo (l-r) BRTC member Mark Mahoney, Ambassador Tom Foley, Mark Carotenuto, BRTC member Jerry Thompson, BRTC Chair Juliana Simone, BRTC member Ernie Little, State Representative William Simanski (R-62)
Riverton Fair brings out Tom Foley and other candidates seeking votes
October 11, 2014
Written by Juliana Simone
Barkhamsted, CT – Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Foley, Secretary of the State candidate Peter Lumaj, First Congressional Candidate Matthew Corey, State Senator Kevin Witkos, and State Representative William Simanski all came to the Riverton Fair this past weekend to meet residents and speak with them about their concerns in this poor economy. The Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee reserved space on the fairgrounds to promote their candidates.
Friday night, kicked off the start of the fair’s 105th year of holding this event which began in 1909. Friday is considered ‘local’s night’ and is largely attended by Barkhamsted residents. Secretary of the State candidate Peter Lumaj, First Congressional candidate Matthew Corey and State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-8) all were on hand to talk to attendees about the upcoming election November 4th, and answer any questions they may have as voters. Most people who stopped by all expressed the same message which consisted of overwhelming taxes, increased by sitting Democrat Governor Dannel Malloy and his majority legislature, the high unemployment which had at least one family member jobless, and the punitive nature against small business owners that barely allowed them to stay in business or made them go under.
Saturday, Ambassador and businessman Tom Foley dropped in and talked with numerous voters and vendors who all told him how much he was needed now in our state of Connecticut. Thrilled to meet Tom, some took selfies or had staff take their photos with Mr. Foley, but also told him personal stories of how much the democrat majority in the General Assembly over the decades, and now worse with Malloy in the Executive Branch, have hurt their families and/or businesses. Tom, a great listener, and personable candidate who truly cares about Connecticut and its future, spent as much time as needed with anyone who was happy to have his ear.
Sunday closed out the event, but the RTC booth was busy with fair goers who asked relevant questions and asked for candidate’s literature and lawn signs. The Republican ticket, including some candidates who are also endorsed by the Independent Party, can only hope Connecticut citizens recognize the dismal state it is in appearing statistically time and time again as the nation’s worst place for business, employment, retirement, taxes, gas prices, etc. and recognize it’s time for a change with new leadership.
New Barkhamsted RTC website is under construction
Our committee information, events and other political news will be up shortly.