Does Joe Aresimowicz put his constituents in the 30th Connecticut House District first or public employee unions first?

Joe Aresimowicz: He just said A to Z because he didn’t want to try Aresimowicz, and I’m glad he didn’t so.

First and foremost, good afternoon, brothers and sisters. How are we going today, alright? I always start this off, yes I do have a position as House Majority Leader and the State Representative from Berlin and Southington. And I am really proud of that, and I have a great job, and I’m able to help people in my district on a daily basis and also help people statewide.

But more importantly I’m a twenty-three year member and dues-paying member of AFSCME, which leaves me almost ready to retire, including time if I would add this duty which I worked at directly to protect your rights. That’s the most important aspect of my career. I would give up the political side of it in a minute and keep working to protect union members rights on a daily basis in the State of Connecticut. So that’s why I always agree with the brothers and sisters, and we talked about that.

Now I know some of you have seen a video tape of me cruising around on the internet. No, not that kind. The one from the Wisconsin presentation that we did in Middletown. I don’t know how many you know the story so I am going to boil it down a little bit for you here today. But I think we need to talk about it. Because I went to Wisconsin right after Governor Walker was elected. I went out there when the bill was cruising its way through their General Assembly thinking what can I do. On my own time I went out there and started knocking on doors.

I spent a long time in the Capitol. One of the days that I was there it was announced either a quarter of a million to a half a million people circling outside the capitol and also inside the capitol. For me being a life-long union member, and as my cousin can tell you that my father was fired for trying to organize a union. So that’s all I’ve ever known. It was probably one of the most powerful moments in my life, and you know, you get the little bumps on the back of your neck, your hair standing up, we’re chanting, we’re caring signs: I thought we were taking over the capitol.

So I straddled up to this gentleman, he was wearing a red shirt that said Wisconsin educator, so it was either college or school, and he started talking about what we were doing there. And I said, “Brother, this is the greatest moment I have ever been involved in my life. We finally said as union members, enough is enough: we’re not going to take it anymore.” And the guy looked over at me and said where are you from, and I said from Connecticut. I am AFSCME member. Well, AFSCME member from Connecticut, the fight we already lost. We’re not rallying because we’re pissed off. But when we could have avoided it in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and I was begging all of my members to get actively involved in this campaign, because I told them all what was at risk, I heard every story in the world. I heard that my son’s got a ball game. My aunt’s sick. My grandmother has this. So Mr. AFSCME from Connecticut, thanks a lot coming out but my members gave away their rights, and they did it in the months leading up to the election.

So what I thought was a great moment actually kind of humbled me a little bit. So one of the things that I swore to myself was that I was not I’m going to let it happen here in Connecticut. That at least I would do as many tours of this statem including Middletown, CSEA Locals, AFSCME, CEUI, anybody I could talk to, to ensure that that would never happen in Connecticut.

Now come April May June July August of this year, if I told you with 18 days to go it was a dead heat, that our rights were quite possibly going to be protected for the next four years, at least, I think you would take that bet. I think you would look at yourself in the mirror and say, sure because right now it doesn’t look that way because the Governor’s office is in jeopardy, the Senate was in jeopardy, and even my chamber, the House: we’re looking at possibly losing seats.

You guys have one of your own that sits in the caucus room of the General Assembly. You cannot replicate that. The reason I originally ran for office is Dennis O’Neil begged me to run for office because too many times the door closes on that Caucus. And even the smiles and the claps on your back, “don’t worry, we got your back.” And that door closes and somehow you come out and your back doesn’t feel so comfortable anymore. And maybe they went a little lower in your back. And that’s reality.

So you’ve Russ over there in Wethersfield that is one of your members, that when the negotiations are tough, when you’re on the menu instead of being at the table, he’s there to ensure that he is that back stop. He’s in a tough race. Eighteen days to go, if half of this room goes out and door knocks his district, he wins by a landslide. And talks to the members about the issues that are important to you.

Same thing for the Gubernatorial race. Eighteen days, eighteen days to decide whether you keep your collective bargaining rights because as much as he says he was talking about chambers and agreeing, we know exactly what Tom Foley wants: his Wisconsin moment. And if you really don’t believe it, come with me the rest of the day, I’ll hang out and talk to you, all the little articles I’ve seen, all the things he said, a lie, he really means that.

We want collective bargaining and not collective begging. Eighteen days. Please don’t let me stand up outside the Connecticut capitol and have the same conversation with an individual this time with a Connecticut t-shirt on. I’m talking about how nobody turned up, and how this moment didn’t necessarily have to happen. The last thing we need is a Wisconsin moment in Connecticut. Absolute last thing. I say at all these meetings and groups that I talk to I will never allow an anti-collective bargaining bill to be called to the House floor. I’m the Majority Leader. I can make that guarantee.

If I’m the Minority Leader, not so much. All I can do is I’ll talk as long as I can to avoid them running that bill. So a lot of things are at stake. You know, I know you’ve been hearing it at night and I know at some point we say enough is enough. The numbers of the polls look better, the House will be okay, the Senate is going to be okay, the gubernatorial is a tossup.

I beg of you, I begged, I begged, and I beg again: please don’t allow us to wake up on November 5th, open up your newspaper and realize that because we needed to do what we needed to do in eighteen days, we’re now having to take to the streets. We’re now having to rally at the capitol. There’s a lot at stake. I beg you to get involved in Russ’s campaign, call up your local committees who are working the phones. Get out and get to work. It’s eighteen days to ensure we have benefits for the near future.

You guys have a great evening, proud members, you made this state what it is. Don’t let it go away with one election. Please stand together, stand as brothers and sisters, and be a family and make sure we are looking out for our own. Thank you.

The Berlin Property Owners Association

Last spring a schism occurred in the Berlin Property Owners Association.  A number of members wanted to include individuals who were too fearful to speak out at Town Council meetings and to the press but, nevertheless, desired a voice in the management of the association; I did not agree since the purpose of the BPOA was to elicit citizen participation in its Town government.

If members merely wished to attend BPOA meetings, “hold court” on public officials, indulge in character assassinations and bitch and moan sessions, but still desire to manage and even to take control of the association’s activities without publicly identifying themselves with the association by speaking out at Town meetings and to the press when it mattered most, frankly, I did not want them in the group.  I, for one, do not wish to be held responsible and solely targeted by governmental officials for character assassinations and reckless accusations and actions from those hiding in the shadows.  Also I did not want to be the sole voice of the BPOA at Town meetings and at press coverage events.  There is strength in numbers.  If only a few individuals show up and speak out at Town meetings and at press coverages, they are likely to be dismissed by certain parties as an insignificant minority, if not as radicals, and as not representing the views of the majority of the citizens.

After much thought, I decided to resurrect the blog of the BPOA.  In addition, I am considering the reformation of the BPOA, but this time in a different structure.  Only those who are willing to take public responsibility for their speech and actions will have a voice at its periodic meetings.  Only in this way, I believe, can it avoid being diverted from its constructive purpose and from being taken over by those with petty grievances or with personal political purposes.

I respect our Town officials, and I give them credit for not being vindictive and indulging in any form of retribution for respectful and constructive discourse, including that which is critical.  Our Town officials are highly educated and professional.  If the association conducts itself in a constructive manner, although critical, I do not believe Town officials would target any of its members.  In fact, I believe the opposite would occur.  Like all professionals, they want and need our feedback.  All Town officials want the best for Berlin.  We may have different views; however, our democratic process is predicated upon open, civil, and respectful discourse, and I sincerely believe that our Town officials would welcome respectful and constructive feedback from its citizenry.

I further believe that reckless speech and action would best be mitigated by requiring all members to be accountable for their own speech and actions, and not relying on others to speak or behave for them.  If one is too fearful to speak respectfully to the Town Council or the press, then frankly, there is no need for them to join the association.  For what purpose?  To lead the association from its constructive purpose?  Recall that the mission of the BPOA is to promote constructive citizen participation in Town government.  There can be no participation if people fear speaking out constructively.

For those of you who are ready to participate in the fullest sense of the word, please feel free to contact me.  Weekly meetings, as was developing before, are totally unnecessary.  A property owners association merely needs individuals who are willing to become involved in their Town government and adopt an active posture.

There is no party affiliation.  That is a problem in our Town government:  strict voting along party lines on key financial issues.  Our primary mission is to participate in our government in a constructive, helpful, and beneficial manner.

Thank you.

William Brighenti

berlinctpropertyownersassn@gmail.com

(860) 249-1571

 

Al Terzi WTIC-TV FOX CT on the Berlin Property Owners Association (BPOA)

WTIC-TV FOX CT interviewed attendees and Town Councilors on the $2.2 million increase in Berlin’s annual budget.

William Brighenti, an attendee of the BPOA, Charles Paonessa and David Evans, Berlin Town Councilors, spoke during the interview.

Next meeting of the Berlin Property Owners Association (BPOA) is scheduled for April 2nd, 6 PM, in the hall above Joel’s Hair Salon located at 883 Farmington Avenue, Kensington.

All are welcome to attend. The BPOA is a nonpartisan association of Berlin property owners and small business owners in Berlin.

Our mission includes controlling the increase in our Town’s government spending and retaining existing small businesses in Berlin as well as attracting new businesses to Berlin, Connecticut.

Please become involved. We need your participation.

For more information, please email berlinctpropertyownersassn@gmail.com or call (860) 249-1571.

Thank you.

Berlin Property Owners Association (BPOA)

Berlin Property Owners Associatio​n (BPOA) meeting, Wednesday, March 26, 6:00 PM, 883 Farmington Avenue, Berlin

Dear Berlin Property Owners and Owners of Small Businesses in Berlin,

The Berlin Property Owners Association (BPOA) will be holding its second meeting on Wednesday, March 26, at 6:00 PM upstairs in the hall above Joel’s Hair Salon located at 883 Farmington Ave, Berlin, CT 06037.

All are welcomed and invited to come to our meeting. Again, we are a nonpartisan association with no hidden agenda. Our mission is to be a constructive voice, advocating for improvements in the Town of Berlin–including the control of Town spending–in order to make it a better place in which to work and live.

At the first meeting, attendees introduced themselves and expressed various concerns about our Town. As of yet, no officers were elected; no bylaws or articles of organization were drafted; and no decision was made regarding membership, including whether it should be private or public. Our intention is to decide all of such democratically, allowing each of you a voice in the process.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (860) 249-1571 or email us at berlinctpropertyownersassn@gmail.com. All comments and suggestions are welcomed: this is your Town and your Association!

Please be certain to provide your full contact information so that we may communicate with you as needed.

We appreciate your commitment to Berlin. Thank you.

William Brighenti

Berlin Property Owners Association (BPOA)

Berlin employees receive raises in face of tax sales recently approved by Berlin’s Town Council

Berlin homeowners behind in property taxes are facing the prospect of losing their homes.  Tax sales were recently approved by our Town Council, allowing the Town of Berlin to throw Berlin citizens out of their homes and into the street in a more efficient and expeditious manner.

Yet virtually all Town employees in Berlin have been proposed to receive raises in salaries this coming year, including school teachers and school administrators.  Don’t these employees feel any sort of compassion and empathy, if not guilt, for taking these raises in the face of tax sales of homes owned by their fellow citizens?  Not only are some Berlinites facing tax sales, but many are underwater with their mortgages, behind in their tax and utility bills, while some have lost their jobs or are falling off unemployment.

Have you heard one Berlin employee call for no increase in salaries while these harsh economic conditions continue?  If I were an employee of Berlin, I would have offered to take a cut in salary to hold the line on property taxes this year given the continued suffering of many in our community.  But I was raised a Christian.

Where is the sense of conscience in our Town and School employees?  Does David Erwin, who earns over $200,000 per year, really need another raise?  Does Denise McNair, our Town Manager, truly need another raise?  Do other school administrators earning around $150,000 per year, yet need another raise when their neighbors may be forced out into the streets?

It appears that most, if not all, department heads in our Town have been proposed in this year’s budget to receive raises this coming year.  If you feel that now is especially the wrong time, join the Berlin Property Owners Association.

Let’s bring the Town of Berlin and its Board of Education back down to earth,  to the harsh economic realities that now exist for many of Berlin’s citizens.

Please feel free to discuss your concerns on our blog:  just click on the link below and comment.  All are welcome to contribute their thoughts and suggestions.  Thank you.

Berlin Property Owners Association (BPOA)

Expect Berlin’s property taxes to increase again!

Are Berlin’s property taxes killing you?!

Our Town Manager, Denise McNair, proposed a $79 million municipal budget to the Town Council last night.  This $79 million budget represents a 3.25% over the current Town budget of $75.5 million.

The major contributor to the budget increase is the Berlin Board of Education’s 2.69% increase in its budget, primarily the result of increases in salaries for teachers and school administrators.  Teachers with graduate degrees and fourteen years of experience will be earning between $80,193 and $88,735 next year for teaching students in school for 183 days.  For additional work days beyond 188 days, teachers will be compensated at a rate based upon each teacher’s per diem salary, or as much as $472 per day.

Can you afford to pay even more taxes to the Town of Berlin?  Isn’t it time you became involved and did something about it?

We need your involvement.  Join the Berlin Property Owners Association and let’s stop these annual increases in property taxes.

Thank you.

Berlin Property Owners Association (BPOA)

berlinctpropertyownersassn@gmail.com

Berlin Property Owners Association: confidentiality assured to concerned citizens

The Berlin Property Owners Association is a small group of property owners in Berlin, Connecticut; however, we continue to add numbers of people who wish to attend our first meeting. We are attempting to form a citizens’ property owners association with a mission of controlling property taxes in Berlin.

Some of us operate small businesses in Berlin. Virtually all of us are homeowners in Berlin. But we are all concerned about the prospect of significant increases in property taxes in the very near future, and we wish to meet and discuss if we can constructively contribute to the annual budget discussions and assist in controlling the Town of Berlin government’s spending.

We are a nonpartisan organization and will operate entirely under democratic principles. Consequently, there are no officers, no bylaws, no formal goals set yet since we have not yet held our first meeting. We wish to include all interested citizens in the formal organization of our association.

Recently seventy-five Berlin coaches have expressed concerns and fears of reprisals. We suspect that their fears may not be groundless. Similarly some small business individuals in our association have expressed fears of reprisals–that adversely could affect their livelihoods–resulting from us publicly disclosing their interest in our association since we are still relatively small in numbers at this time. Out of respect to all citizens, we are not disclosing the identity of individuals interested in attending our first meeting. We respect their concerns and fears of reprisal as well as their concerns for privacy and confidentiality.

Furthermore, we wish to extend to them the courtesy and respect of deciding whether to make the membership of the association public or private.  If ultimately members of our association decide to keep our membership roll private, then a public spokesperson or spokespeople can be elected to represent the association on its behalf.

To those people who are reticent about attending the first meeting of the BPOA without knowing in advance the identity of its organizers, we say that you will have the opportunity to meet and know all involved citizens at the first publicly announced meeting.  Please be assured that we are your neighbors, good citizens, and Berlin taxpayers, who simply wish to address our concerns about the ever rising property taxes in Berlin, Connecticut.

If you would like to be notified of the date, time, and place of our first meeting, please send us an email of your desire to attend.

We thank you for being concerned citizens of Berlin, Connecticut.

Sincerely,

Berlin Property Owners Association (BPOA)

berlinctpropertyownersassn@gmail.com

The Berlin Property Owners Association wants you to attend our first meeting!

The Berlin Property Owners Association is now forming.  It is a nonpartisan association of property owners in Berlin, Connecticut.

The mission of the Berlin Property Owners Association is to participate in constructive dialogue and action with the primary purpose of controlling the property taxes that the citizens of Berlin, Connecticut, pay each year.

The more members we enlist, the bigger and more powerful voice we will have in the property taxes that each of us are required to pay each year.

Join now before taxes go up dramatically this year.  Let’s do something about property taxes.  We can accomplish much more if we organize and act together as a significant group of members than if we act alone.

All property owners are invited to join.

Please email, berlinctpropertyownersassn@gmail.com, and provide your contact information.  We will reply and address any questions that you may have.

Please be advised that only those citizens who provide their full names, legal addresses, and contact information will receive a reply.

Thank you.

Berlin Property Owners Association

berlinctpropertyownersassn@gmail.com