Well honeybunch, here we are in February already, cruising outta winter. From the looks o’ things, we won’t git too much snow over the next few weeks; and once we git outta this month, March is usually not too much of a threat. Though, we can remember some snowstorms in March. Tennyrate, while is damp and cold, methinks most people are awaiting the warmer climes of later in the year.
Here in the Asylum by the Sea, things are getting off to a great start effen yew ask the right people. Cobina is a bit less impressed — jest seems like same old, same old to me. Thing on the political side seem to be settling in, though as we move toward the next big event, the sitting of new town committees in both the majority and minority parties.
Sammy Bluejay was here t’other afternoon, and sez things hafta be settled about who runs the two parties over the next couple o’ years. It is the late-winter folderol we see jest after the mayoral race every two years. Sammy is not sure whot’s gonna happen in the Demmie side. Whilst there are some that say the Dorinda faction o’ the party has control of the “levers of power,” thing sseem to be a bit less cut and dried as they’ve been in the past. Maybe it’s true that some o’ the factions are getting along better than in past years. I dunno.
The Demmies have seven representatives from each of the 10 districts on the town committee, whilst the GOP side has six from each district. They had seven for a few years, but when back to the more traditional six a while back.
The big query before the house is who is gonna take the chairmanship o’ the party this go-round. Michael Last has been warming the seat for about six years, but has been heard saying he’d like to concentrate on more fun things. As yew might know, Last is the prexy of the Southern Connecticut Pop Warner League, and was the head honcho of the local Pop Warner outfit until he took this other post.
Dealing with coaches, football moms and dads and other setch people is probably a bit more satisfying than dealing with politicos, though Lawd knows sometimes the maturity level of the latter is about the same as the kiddies in uniform.
So, Cobina wouldn’t be surprised effen he is not chairman in the next sitting, but, then again, wouldn’t be surprised effen he takes another term. There’s a difference betwixt saying it might be time to leave, and actually doing it. We shall see.
Over on the GOP side, don’t expeck too much change from the rut that party has been in for the last 30 or so years. We don’t expeck that too many new names will be added to the roster of the great and the good in the party. And, we wouldn’t be surprised effen Davie Riccio takes the chairmanship again.
But we don’t expeck much change in the modus operandi of the party, either. It’s still a coffee klatch of the same people, not doing much in the interim, and then scrambling to git a candidate for the next election, only to be drubbed by the majority party
The last time the GOP was any political force in this burg George Herbert Walker Bush was the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Davie had sent us word a few month back that the state GOP was impressed by some of the advances and had given the locals an award. That was before the debacle of the November election.
As I said at the time, the closeness o’ the election in ’21 was a vote “against” someone – that being the erstwhile Mayor Rossi. This last event shows that to a T.
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Well, William Heffernan was sworn in as the rep in District 115, and the world is back to normal. The guy takes a nice picture. He looks very distinguished in his new seat. Heffernan staved off a field of three as I told yew last time, and won rawther handily.
As we said in our editorial page this week, Willy comes from a longtime political family. His grandfather was a former mayor and was treated very badly, we think, back in the early 1970s. Cobina knew him and his lovely wife. His uncle Mike was the probate judge for many years after the retirement of the venerable Judge Fisher, but we’re dating ourselves.
Willy should do well in the House, but we still think that drive to and from Hartford will get really old, really fast. It’ll be interesting how he adjusts to the back-and-forth and horse trading that goes on amongst the various politicos. I guess we’ll see soon enough.
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Nelly Nuthatch was by the manse and related that with the budget process in its beginning stages, the lack of a full roster of personnel is putting pressure on everyone, including the thoid floor. The city has about 23 or so positions that hafta be filled by people who’re qualified in those positions and disciplines – all the way from a compliance officer to the Finance Director.
That means that departments are being manned by interim people, and they are doing things they don’t normally hafta do. Now, that could be a good thing. Sometimes, the people in the under positions are in a better position to determine what is needed and what can wait as it regards budgeting.
A few of the nattering class in the Actors Colony have said that the new Herronner is taking on too much. We ain’t sure effen that’s a statement o’ concern or criticism. Until they get a full crew in that tottering ship at 355 Main St., one would hafta guess that any mayor would “take on too much” trying to do the jobs of the people who’re missing.
It’ll be interesting to see effen people in the remaining positions and committees step up until things are settled. Experience tells Cobina it’ll be a mixed bag. There will be some who’ll revel in the excitement and wanna show their stuff, while others will sit back and do what is required, but not much more. We shall see.
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I hafta say the Haven is getting to be like that nagging itch yew have in the middle o’ yore back and can’t get to. Once yew think it’s scratched by any means possible, it comes back and is much more annoying. That’s kind o’ the way that is feeling about this.
We see that the developers are still playing close to the vest on what is happening over there. It’s been about a month since the last o’ the buildings was taken down, and it is quite a view effen yew have time to look. But little is known as to what is going on regarding the sale.
Herronner is none too thrilled with the stonewalling. But these people have always treated the city like they were deigning to bring their excellence to the provinces, and how dare we ask questions.
Of course, the rumor mill is going fast and furious with talk of a plot here or there sold or in the process, how there is gonna be housing put down there, how none of the plans for parks and walking spaces will come about…the usual stuff. Nobody really knows, according to Madame Olga, and she’s been peering in her crystal ball for months trying to figger it all out.
Something tells me we’re gonna have some news very soon – no inside info, jest a hunch. I think the Haven developers wanna git outta town asap and are working to make that happen. We jest wish they would do what they’re supposed to and let us poor provincials know what in blazes is going on.
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Finally, Robbie Raven fluttered by and sez that the new condos over on Morse Avenue and Beach Street (or is it Beach Street and Morse Avenue) are moving along. I told yew last time the last building seems to be under construction, and a few families have moved into the foist buildings.
What is being awaited over there is the opening of the new and improved Beach Street, which we’re told is about a month away. Robbie went by and sez that the roadway is all graded and looks perty. The only thing needed is a good layer o’ asphalt and things will be complete.
That’s good news for the developers cuz the condos were only the foist part of the projeck. The restaurant in the remaining part needs to start – but can’t until the roadway is open.
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With that bit o’ chatter I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,