Campaign Headquarters

I keep getting asked about where our campaign headquarters is going to be. I've decided that it will be in between the buggy whip store and the phonograph store.

I don't see the point of a campaign headquarters for a local election. If someone has the time to hang out waiting for people to come in, I'd rather have them out knocking on doors. All of the information you need is on the Internet. The notion of someone dropping by for literature is as quaint as posting meeting notices on the bulletin board at Town Hall. "Meetings" are done via email or at someone's house if necessary. With automated mailing there is no envelope stuffing or addressing of postcards.

A campaign headquarters just seems like a very large and expensive lawn sign. Perhaps that alone is worth the time and expense but I'm not buying it. I suppose the election will provide some indication.

Any thoughts?

Bob K.

9/11

It is very easy in today's hyper-media world to become very cynical about the United States. Then something like the 9/11 memorial ceremony this morning washes it all away.

I'm sure that every citizen of New Milford would have liked to have been there today if they were able. We would like to thank the 9/11 Committee, the various service organizations, elected officials and others who either sang or spoke for representing the people of the town this morning.

Bob Kostes

Mayor's Comments on Pension

The Mayor's comments on the pension are a vain attempt to justify her lack of foresight and planning.

"We do not gamble with our employees' pensions. Do I have to point to Enron or any of those other things where people invest in riskier forms of pensions funds."

To equate a global large-cap index created by Standard and Poors with gambling or Enron is a ridiculous statement. It shows that the Mayor has absolutely no respect for the intelligence of the voters. Unfortunately, the Mayor's glib remark has painted the Pension Committee into a corner. Now, anything they do, no matter how prudent, can be construed as risky.

Even more embarrassing for the Mayor is that New Milford probably owned Enron stock. Enron was in the S&P 500 index until it went bankrupt. Perhaps diversifying over a global index is not such a bad idea.

"We're more than fully funded."

Yes, because we put taxpayer dollars into the fund each year to make up for our inadequate investment returns.

"We have conservative investments that have paid a very good return."

So if Kimberly-Clark says they want to expand the plant, is the Mayor going to say no? Is she going to say that we have enough tax dollars from KC and really don't want any more?

Robert Kostes - NMF