We are living in a world where Donald Trump could actually become POTUS. If that doesn’t tell you something about how people are seriously disgusted with politicians from Washington, D.C. right down through Anytown, U.S.A. Who are the people jumping fast onto the Trump bandwagon? It’s the middle-class! Everyday people who are absolutely disgusted with living paycheck-to-paycheck. Everyday people watching their life savings depleted by the outrageous cost of living. Everyday people doing everything they can to stick to a budget and cutting out necessities like medicines and food. So many bypassing having families because they just aren’t affordable. A search of Realtor.com and Zillow indicates almost 500 homes up for sale (including foreclosure sales) in Stratford and there are approximately 211 in pre-foreclosure. What do those numbers tell you?
We had an election in November. We got what we wanted – change. Right from the start it didn’t appear that change was good. Nastiness from the Council Chair right out of the gate. Now, she went back on her pre-election word and really stuck it to the taxpayers of Stratford. So, let’s give it a month and revisit this issue. By then, how many homes will be willingly put up for sale (although not entirely willingly, but forced due to the budget vote)? By then, how many more homes will be in pre-foreclosure? Right now, it’s over 700 homes in total. Our local government is severely fractured.
Yesterday, Joe Gresko resigned as Councilman of the 5th District. Working two “positions” – that of councilman and State Representative, having won for an interim period Terry Backer’s seat following his death, he is going to pursue that seat for a full term in the November election. In all honesty, I have nothing against Mr. Gresko, but his timing is questionable. Immediately following the budget vote? How much more planned could that have been? We might have been represented better had he chosen to resign after winning as State Representative and allowing a special election to occur. We might have had someone that wasn’t following the purse strings of the Chairwoman of the Town Council, but hey, that’s just my opinion.
We seem to be living in a world where it’s acceptable to be corrupt and lie to get places – much like cheating in school and on tests. Much like cheating to get into and through college. It happens every day, but it’s not right. The more we tolerate these activities, the more they will happen. So, it’s time to rise up and eliminate the cheating, lying and corruption.
When will we get the kind of change needed to get Stratford, Connecticut and basically the United States back on track to something better? Lord knows the middle class deserves it. So, this Jezebel fully supports a recall of Council Chairwoman Beth Daponte. It appears she is “fractured” as well and besides not even knowing Robert’s Rules, she doesn’t seem to care. Again, the first step on this venture of recall was sidestepped and the Town Clerk, again, chose to seek the advise of the Town Attorney. Another “game play” by the power players of Stratford politics. Of course, the Town Attorney will opine how they see fit to fulfill their dreams. But, for some of this Town Council, it will be a one-and-done, if they don’t either resign or get recalled first. It’s up to us to put the pressure on our Councilpersons make things right. According to Robert’s Rules, it can be done. There are provisions for reconsideration. If Beth Daponte wants to stay true to her word that got her elected, she just might want to go back and do that or save us the trouble and resign. Councilmen Young and Harden may just want to go through the budget and do what is right as well. If not, and they don’t have the time to dedicate, resignations just might be in order.
