We all know how upset the Democrats were to find out that Danbury's Mayor Mark Boughton had decided to present his budget a month earlier as Finance Director, Dena Diorio was leaving for a new job position. (March vs. April)
Apparently it caused a great stir as the Mayor proceeded with his budget address to the common council on March 6th, 2007.
- On the show, "Ideas at Work and Beyond," with host Ivon Alcime and guest Helena Abrantes (possible democratic challenger for Mayor's position) Abrantes claimed the Mayor's "early" proposal was too soon.
- Abrantes claimed that the Mayor who proposed a local budget incorporating a raise in the state income tax can't happen until the legislatures vote on it. Abrantes also referred to this proposal as a, "smoky mirror."
- Lastly Abrantes said the city of Danbury can not count on $ that doesn't exist. If we do, the taxpayers are going to get hurt.
- At a March 2007, DTC meeting, State Representative Bob Godfrey [D] called the Mayor's early budget, "folly." Godfrey also noted that State Senator David Cappiello [R] called the Mayor's address, "irresponsible."
- Godfrey said, there is no rush to adopt a city budget, "Don't be in a Hurry to Hurry."
- Godfrey also said we have to plan a budget using, 'real, not magic,' numbers. When the money comes in on April 15th, (1st Quarter Sales Tax) that is when any type of city budget should be proposed.
- Lastly on April 20th, the legislatures will vote on the Governor's Budget.
- Common Councilman Thomas Saadi stated, "This budget relies on the governor's funds. While that reliance may be 80 or 90 percent right, we are going to have to make up the difference."
Now let's take a glance at the reasoning of others'.
- Q. What is the job of the Director of Finance?
- A. "The Department of Finance is responsible for all financial matters of the City of Danbury, which range from collecting taxes to auditing expenditures. Accounts are kept by the Department of Finance showing the financial transaction for all departments and agencies of the City, ensuring that no taxpayer’s dollar goes astray. Additionally, the Department of Finance submits financial reports to the Common Council on a monthly basis so the state of the City may be determined. The Director of Finance has direct supervision over the Departments of Finance. " (Sounds like the Finance Director does have a tad bit to do with the budget, I'm sure she was pleased all her hard work was recognized before she left a job she's been with for over 2 years.)
- The Board of Education was surely anticipating this budget which pleased the members. Danbury School Board Chairman, Susan Podhajski said, "Mayor Boughton has been generous since he's been in office," she said, adding it doesn't get cheaper to staff the schools or to heat and maintain the district's 18 school buildings.
- However, the Board of Education knows the budget isn't final, "Looking at increases across the state, I think we can do the job very well with that rate,'' Danbury Superintendent Salvatore Pascarella said about the mayor's proposal, which still needs Common Council approval.
- Danbury's Mayor Boughton stated, "I'm thrilled with the governor's proposal and I'm supporting her 100 percent,'' Boughton said Tuesday. "If the legislature decides to cut the education cost-sharing funds, we'll have to revisit where we are."
Please visit the links below and tell us what you think.
18 comments:
I agree with Boughton. He did the right thing and so what if the Governor's Proposal Changes?
Abrantes just chose to target Boughton by using this info. Good luck to her.
Nothing is written as a rubber stamp for either Rell or Boughton right now.
I just read in the Hartford Courant that the Legislature will not be doing the budget until the last week in May. Maybe Godfrey will actually get off his duff and do something..
Maybe the legislators who have been talking about Danbury getting it's fair share for years would spend some time trying to do that instead of whining about the Gov.'s budget.
1.) Godfrey is the deputy speaker of the house he does a lot for the city and a lot of issues would be ignored by Hartford if he wasn't there.
2.) Anything the mayor presents to the common council is a rubber stamp. Go to the meeting and try to prove otherwise.
"Godfrey does a lot for the city"
This quote mademe fall out of my chair. Please list what exactly Godfrey has done for the City that would not have been done if he was not there.
HB05545 AN ACT EXCLUDING FUNDING FOR THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT FUND FROM GENERAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES.
HB05646 AN ACT CONCERNING INCREASED ENROLLMENT IN THE CONNPACE PROGRAM.
HB05729 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE, LEASE OR TRANSFER OF MUNICIPAL PROPERTY.
HB05754 AN ACT CONCERNING A BOND AUTHORIZATION FOR AIDS PROJECT GREATER DANBURY.
HB06074 AN ACT EXPANDING THE STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN.
HB06076 AN ACT REPEALING STATUTORY DEADLINES FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION ON DEPARTMENT HEAD NOMINATIONS.
HB06194 AN ACT CONCERNING A SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER AT ROGERS PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN DANBURY.
HB06333 AN ACT EXPANDING THE STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN.
HB06520 AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR THE STANLEY L. RICHTER ASSOCIATION FOR THE ARTS.
HB06528 AN ACT CONCERNING INTERDISTRICT MAGNET SCHOOLS DURING THEIR INITIAL THREE YEARS OF OPERATION.
HB06531 AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING OF INTERDISTRICT MAGNET SCHOOLS DURING THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF OPERATION.
HB06549 AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF THE DANBURY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
HB06693 AN ACT CONCERNING CREATION OF A STATE HEALTH CARE PLAN.
HB06796 AN ACT CONCERNING THE ENFORCEABILITY OF AUTOMATIC CONTRACT RENEWAL PROVISIONS.
HB06897 AN ACT CONCERNING LIQUIDATED DAMAGES PROVISIONS IN CONTRACTS.
SB00180 AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR NOISE ABATEMENT AT THE WOOSTER MOUNTAIN GUN CLUB IN DANBURY.
Good grief someone has way too much time on his hands....Hahah it's probably Godfrey himself!
I just think if the Democrats cared, they would work with the Mayor's Budget.
In the long run what the hell is criticizing the budget going to do? They are criticizing it to the point where Dems are upset over what month the address was made...I GUESS THERE IS NOTHING BETTER FOR THEM TO DEMAND AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
It is sad to see members including Godfrey, and Saadi work against what other's have worked so hard to prepare.
Their ideas aren't even practical and their aim is to no goal what so ever.
No wonder why Diorio is leaving. Smart woman
Danbury Dems have a huge stick up their behinds all the time.
Nothing pleases them and nothing agrees with them. Yes they are fighters but always for the wrong cause.
Looks like Godfrey is trying to stick up for himself
Newsflash, Republican David Cappiello is against Boughton's early budget. Also, if you clear your partisan ears, Godfrey CLEARLY stated that the mayor should not use imaginary budget numbers from the governor when drafting the city's budget and instead wait till the state taxes from the first quarter come in (which is in April). This makes complete sense as Rell's budget is already dead on arrival. The city's final budget will not look anything like what the Mayor is peddling BUT you'll never know this as changes to the budget will be done under the radar.
Cappiello and Godfrey are correct.
Cappello and Godfrey are the two best politicians hands down in Danbury. The rarely agree with eachother but they both do a lot for the city and they both win easy elections every time they are up because of it. When two people from very opposite ends of the political spectrum both don't like something there must be something wrong with it. It was a nice gesture by the mayor to let the outgoing woman see her budget but the numbers presented will prove to be untrue and that is not fair to the people of Danbury. Cappiello deserves a lot of credit for speaking out on this considering he and the mayor are of the same party.
You say I have too much time on my hands but at least what I put was true. Look it up in the general assembly and don't post out of ignorance
We all know why David Cappiello is in great disagreement with the Mayor's early budget address. Clearly Cappiello is starting his stance against the Mayor pretty early. They are both headed towards the seat held by the congressional seat currently held by Dem, Christopher Murphy. It's all just games.
Or we can check the reconds and see that Cappiello is VERY fiscally conservative and doesn't want the people of Danbury thinking we are going to be able to spend money that we don't have.
cappiello has represented us great...he isn't afraid to speak up...oh congressman cappiello has such a good ring to it
haha thats going a little too far. i like cappiello but he should stay where he is, even if he wants to run it shouldn't be in 08 because Murphy is going to walk through that election seeing as how nobody will be paying attention to it and it will be the sophomore election which is almost impossible to lose.
don't under estimate cappiello....with a moderate republican for president (rudy) he could really pull it off. murphy has to be defeated now or else he will be there forever....cappiello would make a strong candidate who has the support, money, and moderate views to be elected.
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