Paige, I think department heads should have "skin in the game" and be required to move to the city within a reasonable amount of time. The state and federal courts have ruled that towns can do this.  View Comment

Old Timer, Thank you! Last night, my wife and I went to go see the movie Lincoln and I loved it. Those Congressional meetings were rude and out of order however they changed the landscape of our great nation. Whatever happened to the party of Lincoln and Congressman Thaddeus Stevens? These were two great Republicans and I am proud of their service to this nation. Thaddeus Stevens, was the leader of the "Radical Republicans" and used insults and quick wit to shame closed mined legislators. Democracy, can be messy but it it the best system in the world. I will continue fighting for the average joe and jane. It is pleasure to work for you and a few online attacks will not stop the Reform Movement! View Comment

Paige, First, I would like to thank you for your service to Habitat. I also worked for them during my college years. It is a great organization that provides new homes to working class families. I agree with your assessment that we need to make sure small business flourish. I would support tax incentives for businesses that hire city residents. Together, we can! We can no longer afford to ignore the economic engine of our country- the small business person. These folks, create a lot of jobs and the city should be partners. I know we disagree about residency requirements. However, the current department head payroll is 2 million dollars. All of these folks could afford to live in this city but, pass on the idea. Why, this is a great town! The mayor should buy his own car and put it on the city's grand list. People, do not take government serious when the mayor drives around with a 2012 SUV. View Comment

l witherspoon, I accept your terms of civility. I decided to support the police captains issue because it is the right thing to do. Why? I am proud of the men and women in our department. They do their jobs and politics is the last thing on their mind. That's why I wanted to speak out against removing the captains position. If you read the minutes from March 22, 2012 a republican member suggested we bring it before the council. I had the votes to move it along however, I decided to seek bi-partisan support. The study also called for the removal of the Deputy Chief (DC) position. However, the police commission wants to go with two or three DC and Inspectors. All these positions require signing contracts with the city and many officers didn't want become political appointees. Our department is a political and we should keep it that way. Under the Moccia plan he would appoint both Commissioners, the Chief, 2/3 DC, and five or six Inspectors. I wanted a captain of professional standards (IA) who could protect officers from trumped up charges. If this position is a political appointee it could cause problems.I never wanted this issue to become partisan nor racial. I am a christian and believe in my core we are all God children. View Comment

Tony D, Yes, my wife owns a 2005 BMW with over 100,000 miles on it. I own a 2004 Toyota with 174,000 miles on it. It gets back to my main point how many Norwalk residents could afford to trade their car in at 40,000 miles? I lost my job, during the economic downturn and had to take a position for a fraction of my pay. Non Profits do not pay very well but, I love working with people. I am working and attending Fairfield and Southern Connecticut State University. A lot of families are like mine working to put food on the table until things get a little better. I see a lot of college educated people working in retail for the holiday's to pick up a few bucks to help make ends meet. During the campaign season I would knock doors and see families with a big home, a few cars but no food. View Comment

Sally V, Using a victim to score cheap political points is very sad considering this family still lives in town. I would not accept a vote from a person, like you! People have called and demanded I bring you to justice.Your false allegations could hurt that kid all over again. I will file that lawsuit- so everyone in town could see the local low life. Any money collected will be donated to a victims fund. View Comment

l witherspoon, Let's enjoy the holidays. View Comment

dunnebster: Lets talk about the Mayor spending 30K on a brand new SUV. This issue is fair game because, your tax dollars paid for it. How many people can trade their car in with less than 40,000 miles on it? Whats wrong with the mayor using his personal car and putting it on the city's grand list like council members. People do not take government serious when the Mayor is driving a high end SUV. When I got elected they gave me some business cards and told me to kick rocks. Not, really but you get my point. I think we need a modern government with green ideas and true spending reform. I am being attack because the status quo will do anything keep business as usual. The only problem is- we can no longer afford the status quo's horse and buggy approach to government. Ken, outlined the major problem with spending- when you don't hire local people the city does gain. For example, the city hire's a Norwalk company named xy and z'services that business is paying into the system. When you do not hire local business our money is used to build other communities. It's like opening all your windows and turning on the heat. View Comment

Ken, Thank you, for your questions! I think the voters should demand that department heads keep that 2 million dollars here in the city. Our money is leaving the city to fund other school districts, police and fire departments statewide. We need real leadership on this issue. These department heads have no skin in the game- yet they want to spend the people's money. I would support an ordinance requiring city workers to live here, however, to run for office would be considered a poll tax. Ken, the Captain positions would not be cut by the Moccia plan- just a change in title (Inspectors) from union to contract positions. It is not a cost saving issue but a span of control issue. I would like to see Norwalk residents build successful business with the city's help- thats why I ask the congressman to bring the SBA here. Norwalk, citizens should have a right to bid and apply for city jobs. Period! I asked, the personnel director for information on residency requirements and he emailed me all the information from other towns. I could send this information to those that are interested. Ken, we need real reform! I am glad you saw this out of town company working at the beach. This is such a huge problem for our city and people like you can make a difference. Demand, Norwalk hire local people. Maybe I could invite all who post here to have coffee with me. Come and ask questions and/ or yell at me. I love this city and you have given me a chance to be your councilman and I love you guys for it. I do have some problems with the Mayor but, I have known him for years, it's ok. Another way to save money is to cut down on paper and postage- in the era of email and pdf- why do we spend money on printing council packets and hiring someone drive them to council members home. Let's be green and save a tree! Ken, I would like to wish you and your family a Happy Holiday Season. If want to email me the address is watts203@optonline.net. View Comment

Mr. Papandreou, You have some great questions. I am also a member of the working poor. One of the first things I looked at- 2 million dollars in salary from department heads. Only a very few live in the city of Norwalk. Thats right. We pay for these high paying jobs and these people will not share the burden. Why does this matter? Well it grows the grand list which helps ease the burden on the working poor like you and I. Moreover, making sure the city hires firms that will honor our living wage agreement. When some in my party did not want to continue with the Fire Station project. I supported it, with the understanding that local business would hire local people. As a parent, I focused on supporting the teachers, Why? School districts that our not funded properly cause property values to dip. Why support Captains? I supported the police captains because we want to recruit and promote the best. Why cutoff someones career? Personally, I have not built any business, However, I always shop local and plan to stand up for the business community. I would like to see tax breaks for the small business person. In fact, I spoke to Congressman Jim Himes about inviting the SBA to Norwalk to meet with local business people. Several months later that meeting occurred at City Hall. A few years ago I worked with Alex Knopp and others to provide jobs for local school age kids (summer youth employment program). In 2003, I graduated from the Yale Divinity School not because I wanted to go to Wall Street but to serve the public. My wife is a teacher for a private tech school and I work for a small non profit in New Haven. We both are taking college classes to improve our professional careers. Currently, I attend both Fairfield University and Southern Connecticut State University. I have given a lot to this city from the Human Relations, Zoning Commission and now the Common Council. In fact, I do not accept the 50.00 per month that the city pays council members. Saving Taxpayers $1,200 over the course of my term. I have lost some battles but I always keep people like you in mind when I make and vote on policy. Email me @ watts203@optonline.net or give me a call anytime. View Comment

lwitherspoon, You could be a ghost writer for Tom Clancy. Most of the council agenda's are approved without any debate. However, when my caucus fights for the working poor and/ or the middle class, things get heated. Some people believe that the Mayor should be allowed to run the city without discussion- simply vote and go home. This way of thinking is not a democracy- it is a dictatorship and un-American. Each council member has to raise thousands of dollars, campaign for months and has earned the right to speak. Mr. Kimmel could write all the letters he wants but failing to debate issues goes against the founders of this nation. What happen to the party of Lincoln? Why deny us a right to speak out against an unjust policy? Democracy is messy, however, it is the best system in the world. I value your free speech and you have said some rotten things about me. I know that change is not easy- go ahead attack me. I will continue to support the middle class, the working poor, police, teachers, and the good men and women from 2405. View Comment

lwitherspoon, You have attack me on this site for a better part of a year. Your comment "Mr. Watts and his gang". sends the wrong message. I did not run for council to rubber stamp the mayor's agenda. I was elected by a large margin to move this city forward. Democracy is messy, however, it is the best system in the world. Read the March 22, 2012 minutes- it is clear- who suggested bringing the police captain issue before the council. View Comment

Norwalk Native, Thank you, for posting your feedback. I hope you enjoy your holiday season. View Comment

Diane C2, Here is a copy of the March 22, 2012 HWPS mins. I could email you a copy or you can go online and read for yourself. I respected their views and did not force the issue. The goal was bi-partisan support. NEW BUSINESS (continued) Mr. Watts said that he wanted to discuss two items tonight; the Police Department and the Fire Department. He said that the City is moving in a direction where there is going to be a new Chief. The Police Commission decided that they want to eliminate the Captain’s position. He said that he hopes that the City does not decide to go with three Deputy Chiefs and that they keep the Captain’s position in place to permit that person to move up the ranks. He said that Norwalk needs to preserve the Captain’s position that will be the highest union position in the City. Ms. Romano said that as a Committee she does not feel they have the jurisdiction. She said that they could; however, create a resolution or recommendation to the Common Council. Mr. Watts recommended that the Norwalk Police department keep the Captain’s position in place. He said that the City is reluctant to hire three Deputy Chiefs because they would be eligible to enter the union. He said that when they try to encourage a Lieutenant to seek the Assistant Chief’s position, they are reluctant because that position does not have the protection of the union. Mr. Watts said that it is the wrong direction for the Police Department to have one or two Deputy Chiefs. He asked that he wants a resolution that the Committee encourages the Police Department to keep the Captain position in the ranks. Mr. Petrini said that he understands, but can’t support this resolution until he talks to the Police Chief, and the Rank and File. He said that he needs more information. Mr. Watts said that he understood and asked the Committee members to do their due diligence. View Comment