News Release: Bellitto Has Been MIA on the Metro Center Project

FAIRFIELD, October 24, 2011 – Rob Bellitto has had a lot to say about the Metro Center project in the press, during debates and in negative mailers.

“It’s time to set the record straight,” said Interim First Selectman Mike Tetreau.

The fact is that when Bellitto had the chance to attend public hearings regarding the Metro Center, he was absent. “I was there,” said Tetreau. “This was a major problem, and I wanted to make sure I supported these initiatives and heard every detail so we could minimize the cost to Fairfield taxpayers.  I never once saw Rob Bellitto at any of these meetings.  For him to all of a sudden say he’s the expert on this project as he did in a recent mailing is disingenuous and disrespectful to the many Fairfield public servants, both Democrat and Republican, who were at the meetings.”

Further, Bellitto in explaining his absence claimed during last week’s News 12 debate that he watched these important meetings on FairTV, which is impossible because the meetings were not broadcast on FairTV.

 

“Rob just hasn’t done his homework and is now making excuses,” said Tetreau. “Rob has chosen to mislead Fairfield voters about the Metro Center. He knows the truth but would rather try to take political advantage.” 

   

New to the First Selectman’s office in June, Tetreau said that after he discovered the problems with the Metro Center he immediately reported them to the RTM and began working with several other town administrators and elected officials to find workable, cost-effective solutions for Fairfield taxpayers. Much of this work took place over the summer and was reviewed during a series of special meetings called by the Board of Finance and RTM – 16 public meetings to be exact.

The minutes of the BOF’s Metro Center Audit Subcommittee and the RTM’s Metro Center Special Committee note nonmembers of the committees in attendance.  Rob Bellitto’s name does not appear.

Then, on August 26^th, when it came time for Bellitto to be part of the solution others had worked on in his absence, Bellitto chose politics over what was best for Fairfield families and cast the lone vote on the Board of Finance against the plan. Following that vote, he did not show up for the two nights of discussion and the vote by the RTM. He never did explain his vote to the RTM or the public.

This continues a pattern of being missing in action during important town meetings and votes. Bellitto was also missing during the two nights the RTM discussed and voted on the annual budget this past May.

“Fairfield taxpayers are still waiting to hear Rob’s alternative plan for saving the Metro Center, along with their investment in the project. Much like his attendance record, though, it seems that Rob’s plan is absent,” Tetreau said.

The Fairfield Metro Center – From Vision to Reality

Fairfielders have been hearing about plans for a third train station for at least 20 years. Now, after facing numerous difficulties along the way, the new Metro Center is nearing completion. Listen in as Mike and Ken Brachfeld, with whom Mike once served on the Board of Finance, explain how the Town has navigated the twists and turns of this massive undertaking. Although he only became directly involved with the project when he was sworn in as interim First Selectman in June, Mike’s leadership has been instrumental in addressing cost overruns and getting the state to pay an additional $3 million for the station.

See more Mike and Cristin videos at www.ReadytoLead.org

Campaign Q&A Excerpts 2

From the League of Women Voters


What are the town challenges you foresee in the next 4 years?

Mike's answer: The economy is still our most formidable challenge - but also an opportunity to make changes that will put us on the right path for the future. We need long-term solutions - not shoot-from-the-hip "fixes." Bringing people together is key to finding workable solutions. With so many citizens struggling, it is essential that we manage and control our tax burden. I will work to strengthen our town's balance sheet while investing wisely to maintain our services, facilities and high-quality educational system.


Cristin's answer: The economic downturn has taken a severe toll on many of our citizens, and the effects are sure to be felt in the coming years. It’s more important than ever that we work together to balance the needs of our town.  As Fairfield faces rising health care costs, renegotiation of union contracts and increasing pressure on the education budget, maintaining a civil dialogue, improving the effectiveness of government, and creatively seeking solutions will be critical.

How Mike and Cristin Became a Team

Cristin is a mother of three, a social worker and Fairfield's respected RTM Minority Leader. Mike is an experienced businessman, Realtor and tough negotiator who got the state to pay an additional $3 million for the Metro Center project in just his first 100 days as Interim First Selectman. So how did this dynamic pair become the Fairfield 2011 Team running for the Board of Selectmen? As Mike and Cristin explain in this video, they have traveled different paths but share core values: a commitment to public service, fiscal responsibility, and open, honest communication.




See more Mike and Cristin videos at www.ReadytoLead.org.

Public Service Is a Family Tradition for Mike Tetreau

Growing up in Fairfield, Mike and his two brothers learned many lessons – both in school and watching their dad “Coach Fern” Tetreau, whose name holds a place of honor on Fairfield Warde High School’s Tetreau-Davis Field. Recently, Dad and all three sons had a rare opportunity to be together to reflect on those teachable moments. Brother Bill, a Lt. Colonel serving in Kabul, Afghanistan, was home for a brief leave. The conversation touched on the past, the importance of public service, and how Fairfield can preserve its wonderful sense of community.   

Campaign Q&A Excerpts 1

All the Fairfield candidates are now in the process of answering questions from various groups and media outlets. Each questionnaire affords an opportunity to learn more about the people running for office. So in an effort to help spread the word about Mike and Cristin, we'll be sharing excerpts from their Q&As here on the Fairfield 2011 blog. Look for more Q&A posts in the coming weeks!


From the League of Women Voters


What special qualifications and experience will you bring to the office?

Mike's answer: I bring 25+ years of business management and private sector leadership to the position. In my first 100 days as Interim First Selectman, I delivered results – finding the lowest-cost solution to the Metro Center problems and saving taxpayers $3 million. I have a thorough understanding of town government, having previously served on the Board of Finance, RTM, and Town Plan & Zoning Commission. I also bring the needed communication skills combined with an open and honest approach to the job. 


Cristin's answer: As an engaged community leader, a mother and a social worker, I have worked to build consensus and move initiatives forward. My six years on the RTM, most recently as Minority Leader, have given me insight into town government and how it can be improved. I have studied the budget with the League of Women Voters, served as a committee chair with the PTA, and worked in child welfare to find permanent homes for children in foster care.

Fairfield Needs FairTV!

Just when Fairfielders were getting accustomed to having access to high-quality local cable TV programming, it could be taken away. That is what will happen if Sound View Media Inc. has its way in a long-running dispute with Area Two Cable Advisory Council, which oversees FairTV programming on Channels 78 and 79. Sound View has filed a request with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to wrest control of the funding that now goes to Area Two to pay for local broadcasts.

The League of Women Voters recently put out an urgent call for citizens to contact PURA no later than this Friday, September 16^th to voice support for FairTV’s right to continue providing local programming. Mike and Cristin join the League in urging all Fairfield residents who value their right to watch town meetings on cable access TV to submit their comments to PURA right away. If you submit comments electronically, you must also submit them in writing. You’ll find all the contact info below.

Both Mike and Cristin are deeply committed to ensuring that Fairfield citizens have all the tools they need to become informed, active participants in their local government. Channels 78 and 79 provide an invaluable service to those who don’t want to miss the Board of Education, RTM or other important town bodies in action. Quite simply, more programming leads to greater participation in the democratic process.

It’s also important to note that a portion of our Cablevision fees are by law earmarked for local cable access programming. Until 2008, while Sound View was in control of all Fairfield funding, we had virtually no local programming. Through the efforts of Fairfield State Rep. Kim Fawcett and local volunteers, the state legislature passed a bill allowing towns to opt out of the Sound View service area – finally opening the door for FairTV to get a piece of the pie. 

Sound View wants to go back to the way things were. But Area Two and FairTV have shown that they’re better equipped to provide local programming – and more committed to doing so.   

Here’s how to submit comments to PURA:

Electronic:
Email to: dpuc.executivesecretary@po.state.ct.us

Remember, you must also submit comments in writing!

Written:
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Public Utilities Commission
Executive Secretary's Office
Ten Franklin Square
New Britain CT 06053