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.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
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
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
Sunday, September 2, 2007
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
"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
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Third Party Enters Race
Danbury News-Times article:
Click here to view article
http://www.newstimeslive.com/news/story.php?id=1060696&source=tabbox
Click here to view article
http://www.newstimeslive.com/news/story.php?id=1060696&source=tabbox
Monday, August 6, 2007
Comments of Mayoral Candidate, Robert Kostes, at the caucus
Why am I running for Mayor?
Democracy. Democracy demands a clash of ideas. It is what makes this country great. For a clash of ideas does not mean one wins and one loses. Clashing ideas produce a new idea, better than either of the originals.
There is no clash of ideas in New Milford. A monopoly of political power and thought stifles vision in this town. The monopoly does not discuss the big picture because it does not need to. If you are guaranteed reelection, why bother?
A Murphy/Stillman contest will not elicit the big picture discussion this town needs to have.
I have spoken with many people in front of the post office. Average citizens. Their overwhelming concerns are our unmanaged growth, lack of meaningful economic development and quality of life. These are all related.
When Route 7 is completed we will have a massive pipeline of people and development coming our way. Are we going to be prepared for it and handle it on our terms or are we going to have chaos?
Are we going to have a game plan that attracts quality businesses or will we become an endless stretch of strip malls.
Urban renewal is happening along the Hudson River. People want to live near work with services within walking distance. Are we prepared for that?
We have built numerous expensive homes in the past few years. Are we prepared to provide the quality education and infrastructure that those people expect? Or did we sell them a bill of goods?
The Plan of Conservation and Development is supposed to be our game plan. It is 10 years old. The current Planning Commission has shown no appetite for tackling the enormous task of updating it.
Globalization has opened up the job market. Business is free to locate wherever they want. For this reason, corporate tax rates around the world have been trending towards 0. We need to decide what is more important to this town: jobs or tax revenue. If jobs are more important, then we need to find money somewhere else.
Our Town Council would rather spend 45 minutes debating how to dispose of the excess dirt from the soccer field construction than discuss why our unmanaged pension fund is squandering millions of dollars in potential investment returns.
Even our political boundaries need to be questioned. New Milford, on its own, may not be capable of competing in a global business environment. Are we making the best use of the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials. Rather than fighting each other for the crumbs that fall from the global table should we have joint marketing and revenue sharing agreements so we can compete together for business?
New Milford needs vision.
New Milford needs innovative and inclusive leadership.
Our slate of candidates from all three parties will provide these but only if we ALL put New Milford First.
Democracy. Democracy demands a clash of ideas. It is what makes this country great. For a clash of ideas does not mean one wins and one loses. Clashing ideas produce a new idea, better than either of the originals.
There is no clash of ideas in New Milford. A monopoly of political power and thought stifles vision in this town. The monopoly does not discuss the big picture because it does not need to. If you are guaranteed reelection, why bother?
A Murphy/Stillman contest will not elicit the big picture discussion this town needs to have.
I have spoken with many people in front of the post office. Average citizens. Their overwhelming concerns are our unmanaged growth, lack of meaningful economic development and quality of life. These are all related.
When Route 7 is completed we will have a massive pipeline of people and development coming our way. Are we going to be prepared for it and handle it on our terms or are we going to have chaos?
Are we going to have a game plan that attracts quality businesses or will we become an endless stretch of strip malls.
Urban renewal is happening along the Hudson River. People want to live near work with services within walking distance. Are we prepared for that?
We have built numerous expensive homes in the past few years. Are we prepared to provide the quality education and infrastructure that those people expect? Or did we sell them a bill of goods?
The Plan of Conservation and Development is supposed to be our game plan. It is 10 years old. The current Planning Commission has shown no appetite for tackling the enormous task of updating it.
Globalization has opened up the job market. Business is free to locate wherever they want. For this reason, corporate tax rates around the world have been trending towards 0. We need to decide what is more important to this town: jobs or tax revenue. If jobs are more important, then we need to find money somewhere else.
Our Town Council would rather spend 45 minutes debating how to dispose of the excess dirt from the soccer field construction than discuss why our unmanaged pension fund is squandering millions of dollars in potential investment returns.
Even our political boundaries need to be questioned. New Milford, on its own, may not be capable of competing in a global business environment. Are we making the best use of the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials. Rather than fighting each other for the crumbs that fall from the global table should we have joint marketing and revenue sharing agreements so we can compete together for business?
New Milford needs vision.
New Milford needs innovative and inclusive leadership.
Our slate of candidates from all three parties will provide these but only if we ALL put New Milford First.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Great Fair Days
New Milford First had a very successful Fair Days. Many thanks to the hundreds of people who stopped and spent a minute speaking to us. We gave out 1,000 "Wipe Away The Monopoly" handi-wipes which were a big hit.
Our caucus is Sunday, August 5th at the Railroad Station at 7:30. This is when we will announce our slate of candidates. Remember that New Milford First will run its own candidates as well as nominating candidates from the existing Democratic and Republican slates. We endevor to pick candidates who put New Milford First.
Our caucus is Sunday, August 5th at the Railroad Station at 7:30. This is when we will announce our slate of candidates. Remember that New Milford First will run its own candidates as well as nominating candidates from the existing Democratic and Republican slates. We endevor to pick candidates who put New Milford First.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Monopoloy of Power
This was also printed in the Spectrum on 6/15
----------------------------------------------
Why did we all grow up hating the cable company? Because it was a monopoly sanctioned by the government. The cable company had no competition. Prices continually rose, customer service was always lacking and they certainly did not care what the customer thought.
The same situation exists in New Milford government today. Rather than being a competitive democracy where issues and viewpoints are debated, we have a monopoly of power where there is no debate, the opinions of the people are irrelevant and anyone who does not subscribe to the narrow developer mentality is purged from government and sometimes from the community.
"In every free and deliberating society, there must, from the nature of man, be opposite parties, and violent dissensions and discords;…” Thomas Jefferson
Examples abound of this government monopoly acting with impunity. The Republican controlled Planning Commission has not bothered to update the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development because they don’t care to plan nor follow one. There has not been a word of protest from the Democrats on the Commission. Apolitical commissions such as the Commission on the Arts, the Library Board and the Candlewood Lake Authority have had long-serving members purged and have been stacked with developer cronies whose views, in some cases, are in direct conflict with the purpose of the commission. The monopoly is running out of family members and so has resorted to having the same person serve on two or three boards and commissions.
The most important point, however, is that this monopoly could not exist without the sanction of a government body. What government body sanctions this monopoly? Well, the Democratic Party of course and its leader John Lillis. Mr. Lillis is the enabler of this developer monopoly.
George Washington did not like political parties:
"However combinations or associations of the above description [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion."
But political parties is what we have and they have an implicit responsibility as Jefferson says.
Don’t listen to what Mr. Lillis, the Town Council member, says or how he votes. He knows full well that his words and votes on the Republican controlled Town Council are meaningless. Watch what Mr. Lillis, the head of the Democratic Town Committee, does or doesn’t do.
What serious issues have the Democrats championed lately? What debates have they engaged? Why is there no discussion about the POCD? Governments around the world are rethinking their models in order to attract business and jobs. Why is there no discussion about the competitiveness of New Milford’s taxation and regulatory system? Why is there no discussion about priorities in town?
The Democrats ran a Mayoral candidate last election who was not serious about running. He garnered fewer votes than some New Milford First candidates. Clearly the voters saw through this charade. What will Mr. Lillis do this time? Will he simply not bother to run anyone? Will he run another “filler” candidate? Or will he run a developer crony in Democratic clothing? My bet is that we will see no serious competition from the Democrats.
Perhaps Mr. Lillis behaves as he does out of a sense of loyalty to friends and business partners in the Republican Party. A laudable quality in a personal relationship but not so laudable in a competitive democracy. Mr. Lillis is an attorney. He knows that an attorney must argue his client’s viewpoint regardless of his own beliefs. As head of a political party, Mr. Lillis’ client is democracy itself. I call on Mr. Lillis to reflect on his own personal conflicts and step aside as head of the Democratic Party if he feels that he cannot fulfill the responsibilities that our Founding Fathers envisioned. If he feels he is up to the task, then I look forward to a competitive election.
New Milford First is attempting to fill the vacuum created by the inaction of the Democratic Party and the inbreeding of the Republican Party. We are small and uncompetitive at this point. We have taken some baby steps. We are working to create an alternative voice in New Milford. We are working to foster some competition and discussion. We are working to break the monopoly. The results of the 2007 election will tell us if we are making progress.
----------------------------------------------
Why did we all grow up hating the cable company? Because it was a monopoly sanctioned by the government. The cable company had no competition. Prices continually rose, customer service was always lacking and they certainly did not care what the customer thought.
The same situation exists in New Milford government today. Rather than being a competitive democracy where issues and viewpoints are debated, we have a monopoly of power where there is no debate, the opinions of the people are irrelevant and anyone who does not subscribe to the narrow developer mentality is purged from government and sometimes from the community.
"In every free and deliberating society, there must, from the nature of man, be opposite parties, and violent dissensions and discords;…” Thomas Jefferson
Examples abound of this government monopoly acting with impunity. The Republican controlled Planning Commission has not bothered to update the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development because they don’t care to plan nor follow one. There has not been a word of protest from the Democrats on the Commission. Apolitical commissions such as the Commission on the Arts, the Library Board and the Candlewood Lake Authority have had long-serving members purged and have been stacked with developer cronies whose views, in some cases, are in direct conflict with the purpose of the commission. The monopoly is running out of family members and so has resorted to having the same person serve on two or three boards and commissions.
The most important point, however, is that this monopoly could not exist without the sanction of a government body. What government body sanctions this monopoly? Well, the Democratic Party of course and its leader John Lillis. Mr. Lillis is the enabler of this developer monopoly.
George Washington did not like political parties:
"However combinations or associations of the above description [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion."
But political parties is what we have and they have an implicit responsibility as Jefferson says.
Don’t listen to what Mr. Lillis, the Town Council member, says or how he votes. He knows full well that his words and votes on the Republican controlled Town Council are meaningless. Watch what Mr. Lillis, the head of the Democratic Town Committee, does or doesn’t do.
What serious issues have the Democrats championed lately? What debates have they engaged? Why is there no discussion about the POCD? Governments around the world are rethinking their models in order to attract business and jobs. Why is there no discussion about the competitiveness of New Milford’s taxation and regulatory system? Why is there no discussion about priorities in town?
The Democrats ran a Mayoral candidate last election who was not serious about running. He garnered fewer votes than some New Milford First candidates. Clearly the voters saw through this charade. What will Mr. Lillis do this time? Will he simply not bother to run anyone? Will he run another “filler” candidate? Or will he run a developer crony in Democratic clothing? My bet is that we will see no serious competition from the Democrats.
Perhaps Mr. Lillis behaves as he does out of a sense of loyalty to friends and business partners in the Republican Party. A laudable quality in a personal relationship but not so laudable in a competitive democracy. Mr. Lillis is an attorney. He knows that an attorney must argue his client’s viewpoint regardless of his own beliefs. As head of a political party, Mr. Lillis’ client is democracy itself. I call on Mr. Lillis to reflect on his own personal conflicts and step aside as head of the Democratic Party if he feels that he cannot fulfill the responsibilities that our Founding Fathers envisioned. If he feels he is up to the task, then I look forward to a competitive election.
New Milford First is attempting to fill the vacuum created by the inaction of the Democratic Party and the inbreeding of the Republican Party. We are small and uncompetitive at this point. We have taken some baby steps. We are working to create an alternative voice in New Milford. We are working to foster some competition and discussion. We are working to break the monopoly. The results of the 2007 election will tell us if we are making progress.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)