Foley Visits Quality Coils

Tom Foley, the Republian candidate for governor, paid a visit to a Bristol manufacturer yesterday.
Foley, along with his wife Leslie Foley, state Rep. Bill Hamzy, City Councilor Ken Cockayne and state senate candidate Jason Welch, toured Quality Coils Tuesday morning.
I like these kinds of stops by candidates because I get to meet the people who run the factory and hear what things are like for them. I also get to spend a little time with the candidate and his entourage, which is helpful.
At Quality Coils, I spoke with Mike Thiem, the plant manager and company vice president who's been around since the 1970s, and Keith Gibson, one of the three brothers who took over the company, which was founded by their dad, Archibald Gibson.
Mostly I learned from them that the biggest challenge facing the company is the uncertainty of its customers. The customers aren't ordering far in advance, so when they do want to make a purchase, they want the stuff right away. That means that if they want the business, they need trained people on staff, ready to make the products, which are all custom made. But without knowing what orders might be coming in the future, it's hard to plan. They've rehired and now have a larger payroll than when the recession started, but there's still a lot of uncertainty.
I also learned that Hamzy spent a summer working at Quality Coils a number of years ago.
I wrote about the visit for The Bristol Press. The story's online now at http://www.bristolpress.com/.

Gratitude and Understanding

After Bill Hamzy dropped the bombshell that he wouldn't run again, I spoke with some of the people around town who have worked with him and whose organizations have benefited from his efforts over the years. I wrote it for Wednesday's paper, but for reasons unknown to me, it didn't run that day or Thursday. So, here it is:



BRISTOL – Though sad to lose a friend in Hartford, leaders of area organizations that relied on state Rep. Bill Hamzy said they appreciated his work and understood his decision not to run again so he can spend more time with his children.

“We truly appreciate his service and sacrifice, but totally understand his decision,” said Thomas Morrow, executive director of the Bristol Community Organization.

“We also believe that families should come first.”Patricia White, co-chair of the Hoppers-Birge Pond Committee, said she was “stunned” to learn that Hamzy wouldn’t seek re-election.

“While I understand Rep. Hamzy’s reasons for not running again, his voice in Hartford on behalf of Bristol will be missed,” said White.

“This is a good move for him and his family,” said Jean Letourneau, White’s co-chair on the Hoppers committee.

White said Hamzy lobbied in the mid-1990s for funding that was used for the dredging and restoration of Birge Pond and Pine Lake, making him “instrumental” to the success of the Hoppers-Birge Pond Nature Preserve project.

“Rep. Hamzy has been an outstanding representative of our area during his time in the legislature,” said Tunxis Community College President Cathryn Addy. “He is knowledgeable, has been a good communicator back to his constituents, and he has been honest and straightforward.”

Addy said she’s sorry that Hamzy won’t seek reelection.

“I have a great deal of respect for him,” Addy said.

Bristol Hospital President Kurt Barwis said he’s disappointed to lose Hamzy.

“He has been an absolute asset to me and the hospital,” said Barwis. “I’m going to miss that connection.”

Barwis said he hopes Hamzy will run for office again in the future.

Though Hamzy lives in Plymouth and represents both towns, Barwis said, “He really did care a lot about Bristol.”

Al Fermeglia, who is the principal of the Bristol Technical Education Center, said Hamzy has been one of the tech school’s strongest supporters.

“He helped keep us open when we were slated to be closed,” Fermeglia said. “We are very happy to count Mr. Hamzy as a friend of Bristol TEC.”

Hamzy visited the school for graduations and other occasions over the years, Fermeglia said, and helped when the school was up for accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in 2008.

Hamzy backs the school’s model of students entering as juniors, Fermeglia said, based on the idea that younger students may not have a defined career path.Hamzy sponsored a bonding bill that brought in $1.5 million towards the construction of the new educational building at Indian Rock Nature Preserve, said Jon Guglietta, executive director of the centers.

“Bill was a strong advocate for the Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut through his work as a state legislator and as an individual, helping to build relationships with business and individuals in the community,” Guglietta said.

Morrow said Hamzy has always been a strong supporter of BCO and the elderly, low income and handicapped people it serves.

“He has always made himself available to us,” said Morrow.

Letourneau said that while he didn’t always agree with Hamzy on the issues, he appreciated the work he did to get funding to dredge Birge Pond.

“In my opinion Bill was very nice servant to the voters who elected him and he will be remembered for that,” Letourneau said. “Unlike many who hide behind anonymous comments, he always put his name behind the issues he supported.”

Whit Betts Wants Hamzy's Seat

Republican Whit Betts, a former Bristol city councilor who has been active with a wide variety of non-profit organizations in town, is throwing his hat into the ring for the state House seat now occupied by Bill Hamzy.
Hamzy isn't seeking re-election, and Betts is the first to publicly state that he wants the job.
I'm working on a story about it for Wednesday's edition of The Bristol Press.

Shocking, Yet Understandable

There's nothing like growing kids to emphasize the passage of time.
Children grow quickly and before we know it, they're towering over us. The other day, I had the pleasure of re-introducing my teenage son to Bill Hamzy.
Bill, the former basketball player, had to look up to say hello to my boy. He was shocked, and why not? He's known my son and daughter since they were babies.
When I met Bill, I was a newlywed without any children. Bill was a bachelor running for state office.
Now, after eight terms in office, he's leaving the state House to spend time with lovely wife Anita and their two children, nine-year-old Zachary and eight-year-old Gabriella. He sees precious time flying while he's toiling in Hartford and knows that he can't get it back.
After all this time covering him, I'd say I know Bill pretty well. We've had long conversations about all sorts of things, both related and unrelated to the news of the day. Sharing the joys and concerns of parenthood, we've spent a lot of time talking about our kids.
This I can tell you: Bill's an intelligent, decent, caring man who loves his family and works hard for his community. He's respectful of other points of view and is willing to listen to opposing ideas, especially when the opposing view is respectful as well.
He's also a pragmatist who knows how to work effectively in the minority party with the Democrats across the aisle.
But I can see how managing a sole practitioner law office, trying to provide for and raise a young family and serving as a state lawmaker all at once leaves little time for what is truly important. So while I was shocked at his decision not to seek another term, I completely understand. I'm not really sure why I didn't see it coming. I guess I got used to him being there.
He is a very good legislator and along with many others, I'll miss him. I suspect that years from now, we may well see Bill back on the ballot.
Bill's stated reason for choosing not to run again may be an overused cliche, but in his case it is real and true. There's no scandal in Bill Hamzy's decision to leave the state House, only honor.
Enjoy those babies, Bill. Before long, you'll be looking up to them, too.

The Sierra Club's Earth Day Advocacy for Rail

Here's a photo from the Sierra Club's Earth Day press conference with the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce, taken at the Legislative Office Building today.

The Sierra Club, a national environmental organization, came out today in support of commuter rail in the region rather than a busway betweeen Hartford and New Britain.

In the photo, that's Molly McKay, the transportation chair of the Connecticut Sierra Club, Rep. Frank Nicastro of Bristol and Rep. Bill Hamzy of Plymouth.

I wrote about it for Friday's edition of The Bristol Press (http://www.bristolpress.com/)

Interestingly, there were people from the DOT at the press conference, taking notes. Afterward, even though I interviewed them and New Britain Rep. Tim O'Brien, who was also there listening, they held another press conference later in the day with New Britain's mayor, O'Brien and others touting the busway.

They didn't invite me to that one, so I don't know what they said. Reporter James Craven at the New Britain Herald wrote about it, though. You could probably see it in tomorrow's Herald or online at http://www.newbritianherald.com/. It might also run in the Press.

No Mention of Bristol in Rell's Speech

The governor gave her annual budget address today, and by all accounts, it was a bit skimpy on specifics. Steve and I squeezed the local delegation for their thoughts and came up with this story for Thursday's Bristol Press (www.BristolPress.com):

BRISTOL – If there’s one thing lawmakers and Gov. Jodi Rell agreed on Wednesday, it was the need to set politics aside and work together for the benefit for Connecticut.
Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat, said he agrees with Rell, whom he called “a nice lady,” about the need for everyone to work together to get the state's books in order.
“Enough of this finger-pointing and name-calling,” Colapietro said. He said he sees signs that the legislature and governor may do a better job of working together this year.
“Everybody's gotten beat up so much” for all the problems this year that they are more willing to sit down and cut a deal now, Colapietro said.
“It’s obvious it’s going to take a lot of hard work on both sides,” said Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat, who said it is not a time to play games, but to do what’s right for everyone in the state. “If there was ever a time to put politics aside, this is it.”
Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican whose district includes Bristol, said it felt different at the Capitol on Wednesday. This could be the year for bi-partisan effort, he said.
“Big decisions and difficult decisions of how to literally restructure state government cannot be made by one party or the other, nor should they be,” said Hamzy. “Everyone acknowledges the problems, but there’s very little follow through on doing something about it. I hope this year’s different.”
Rell’s budget does not specifically mention Bristol, its schools or courthouse. The only reference to Bristol is in a list of every town’s municipal aid.
“She really didn’t say that much,” said Nicastro, who said he received three thick budget and economic reports only after the governor completed her speech.
“It's just everybody's wish list,” said Colapietro, whose district includes Bristol, Plymouth and Plainville.
Hamzy said the speech contained few specifics and the only surprise to him was the governor’s proposal to establish a commission to look into streamlining government.
“I don’t think we really need a commission,” said Hamzy. He said that’s what the General Assembly is for.
“You establish a commission to pass the buck,” said Hamzy, unless it is created to deal with an unusual issue that is unfamiliar to most lawmakers, such as stem cells.
Rep. Chris Wright, a Bristol Democrat, said it’s going to be a difficult session because of the ongoing budget crisis.
“In a year like this, I don’t know how much is going to be in it for anybody,” said Wright. “We’re going to be having to tell people no. We’re going to have to cut programs. It’s tough to do, but we have to do it.”
Worse than raising taxes, said Wright, is cutting programs.
“You think it’s tough to vote for a tax increase? Try voting for a spending cut,” said Wright, who said he is always “flooded” with mail and email when a program is threatened or cut.
Colapietro said the simple reality is that everyone who comes in can make a good case for more funding.
“We just don't have the money for everybody,” said Colapietro. “That's the hard part.”
Hamzy said Connecticut lawmakers are “looking at a whole bunch of red ink.”
New legislation would have to be passed in order to close the Bristol courthouse, Wright said. He said he’s not sure where things stand with efforts to close it.

Hamzy Kids are Big Winners in this Race

Too bad for Bristol and Plymouth; Bill Hamzy decides against a run for attorney general. The winners? Hamzy's two beautiful children, who won't lose their dad to a grueling campaign. I can't say I blame him. Here's what I wrote for The Bristol Press (www.bristolpress.com) after talking with Bill today:

BRISTOL – After seriously mulling a run for state attorney general, Rep. Bill Hamzy said Tuesday he’s decided against it.

Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican who represents Bristol, said that when he thought about the reality of a run for statewide office, he realized he couldn’t do it.

“If I’m going to do it, and do it right, it’s going to be a full time job,” said Hamzy.

Though he is a former state Republican Party chairman, Hamzy said he’s not that well known outside his district and would have to work that much harder on a campaign.

He’s already a sole practitioner in his own law office and has legislative duties. Even though he wouldn’t be running for the legislature if he sought the attorney general’s seat, Hamzy said, he’d still have work to do for his district.

Besides that, Hamzy and his wife Anita have two young children who also deserve his time.

“Most nights, I’d have to be out. I wouldn’t be able to see my kids,” Hamzy said.

Hamzy said he had key supporters – his wife and his mother – “totally on board.” Other family members and friends across the state also offered to back him, Hamzy said.

“I got a lot of encouragement from friends all over the place,” said Hamzy. “I was flattered.”

Hamzy clearly found the prospect tempting.

“As a person who has continuously practiced law in Bristol for the past 17 years representing individuals from all walks of life, I would thoroughly enjoy being the attorney who represents the people of the state of Connecticut,” Hamzy said.

Hamzy said he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a future run for statewide office, especially after his children are older.

“I’d certainly consider it,” he said. “I really would love to do it.”

Most lawyers who are in public office now or had been in the past would look upon the job favorably, Hamzy said.

“You have a chance to do some pretty good things.”

8 p.m. postscript -- T.J. Barnes just sent me this comment: "Bristol and Plymouth are lucky to still have Bill represent them in Hartford and while I would love to see Bill run for AG, I am very happy to have him where he is right now because he is a very thoughtful and dedicated public servant to his constituents. "

Think this year is bad? Wait for 2012, 2013, 2014

At the risk of sounding like the uber-negative Bristol Blog, I have to say the message this morning at the chamber's legislative breakfast was pretty much doom and gloom. Here's what I wrote about it for The Bristol Press (http://www.bristolpress.com/):

BRISTOL – The state will get through this year’s economy and the next one alright, lawmakers said, but the real trouble is coming in the years to follow.
“We’ve got a heck of a task in front of us,” said Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat who predicted a “multi-billion-dollar deficit” in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Nicastro and several of his fellow lawmakers spoke at the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce legislative breakfast before a crowd of about 115 early Tuesday, with the tough economy taking center stage.
“It’s a lousy hand to be dealt, but it’s the hand we have and we have to play it,” said Rep. Chris Wright, a Bristol Democrat.
Rep. John Piscopo, a Republican who represents Burlington, Harwinton, Litchfield and Thomaston, said the $500 million deficit puts Connecticut “in a world of trouble.”
Wright, a freshman lawmaker, said it’s been frustrating that people are playing “gotcha” instead of working together to solve problems.
“Pointing fingers doesn’t make any sense,” said Nicastro, who said lawmakers have an obligation to set politics aside. “Everybody has to step up. It’s about time all sides became one team, united to solve the problem.”
Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican whose district includes Bristol, said the role of lawmakers is not to agree. Debate is healthy, he said, but lawmakers must listen to everyone, draw conclusions and act in the best long term interest of the state, “being the adults in the room.”
When his late father came to Connecticut about 50 years ago, Hamzy said, he found a job in a factory and economic opportunities for himself and his family.
That’s what Connecticut should be, but isn’t anymore, said Hamzy, who said throwing money at the problem won’t solve it. Instead of maintaining the status quo and hoping the storm will pass, Hamzy said, lawmakers should acknowledge problems realistically and keep in mind “the people who are paying the tab.”
Connecticut lawmakers have to look out for all facets of the state, Nicastro said, and need the help and understanding of constituents.
“Give us a chance to do it,” said Nicastro. “The cuts will be made.”
Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat, said negotiations are the toughest thing to do. “No matter whose budget passes, somebody’s going to say, that’s not a good budget.”
Colapietro said there are “too many people in high places,” but he wasn’t talking about the General Assembly. He said state senators bring home $28,000 salaries while members of the state House make about $17,000 a year.
“We’re doing the best we can,” said Colapietro. But he said state departments are filled with far too many deputy commissioners who lost an election somewhere along the way and were “slipped in” to a cushy government job.
The padded layers of government start at the municipal level, move on to the state level and really get out of control at the federal level, said Nicastro, when committees that are formed grow into permanent commissions.
Nicastro, who is heading up a state committee that will look at eliminating mandates, said if some can be removed or even temporarily suspended to give municipalities a break during the recession, lawmakers will do it.
“We’re going to listen,” Nicastro promised the crowd, adding that he’s supposed to produce a list of potential changes by March 1. “I will do everything humanly possible to get you the relief that I can.”
Chamber officials are pushing lawmakers to get more efficiency in government through regionalization, something the lawmakers in general seem to support.
“I always believed in strength in numbers,” said Colapietro.
Piscopo said the government’s role should be to remove the impediments to regionalization, not mandate it.
Wright said gains from regionalization won’t be immediate, but will probably be realized in five to 10 years.
Some state offices are aimed at promoting the rights of women, of African American citizens, or the elderly, said Wright, who said they might be able to be merged for efficiency’s sake into a human rights office.
“A lot of the work they do is overlapping,” said Wright.
When Connecticut’s 169 towns were drawn up, Wright said, it was based on whether residents could walk to the government center in a day. He said what may have been practical generations ago might not be the best system for today.
But Nicastro said there are drawbacks to regionalization, too, such as when the state was poised to build a massive new hospital in Farmington for the University of Connecticut and Hartford Hospital – a project that could have wiped out Bristol Hospital and other community hospitals in the area.
“Sometimes regionalization can hurt,” said Nicastro.

Hamzy Inching Closer to a Run for AG?

Bill Hamzy dropped an interesting comment into his remarks this morning to the chamber crowd. Here's what I wrote for Wednesday's Bristol Press (http://www.bristolpress.com/):

BRISTOL – State Rep. Bill Hamzy took a shot at Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz early Tuesday, suggesting he’s looking ever more seriously at a run against her for state attorney general.
Speaking at a legislative breakfast sponsored by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce, Hamzy briefly brought his potential rival’s name into remarks he was making about inefficiency and waste in government.
Hamzy gave credit to Attorney General Richard Blumenthal for reaching into his own pocket to pay the $110 client security fund fees that Connecticut lawyers have to fork over to the state Department of Consumer Protection each year.
He contrasted Blumenthal’s personal payment with that of Bysiewicz, who charged her $110 fee to her state office.
That kind of spending, said Hamzy, is part of “the mindset that drives me nuts.”
Hamzy has said he’s thinking of running for Blumenthal’s seat. Bysiewicz declared her candidacy for the job after Blumenthal announced he would run for the United States Senate.
Bysiewicz was not at the breakfast forum.

New Hospital Corporators Named

Bristol Hospital has a great system of bringing in people from the community as corporators. This helps them lock in support, which the community hospital needs in these tough times. Three state lawmakers are among the bunch this year, Bill Hamzy, Betty Boukus and Tom Colapietro. They've also got some doctors, Fire Chief Jon Pose and others.
Corporators endorse nominations for the hospital's board of directors.

Tonight, they're naming 26 new corporators. They are: Sharon Adler, M.D., Rainer Bagdasarian, M.D., Elizabeth Boukus, Amy Breakstone, M.D., William Brownstein, M.D., Lisa Casey, Susan Colapietro, Thomas Colapietro, Robert Cordeau, Richard Croce, Douglas Devnew, Jill Fitzgerald, Todd Fitzsimons, William Hamzy, Kate Houlihan, Jonathan Krumeich, M.D., Peter Longo, Joseph Ofusu, R.Ph., Donna Osuch, Jon Pose, Susan Scully, Robert Sener, Kenneth Sheptoff, Kathi Sorey, Susan Sylvestre, and Derek Werner, Esq.

Colapietro Willing to Listen to Chamber

Well, folks, you can't count Tom Colapietro out. Word was that he wouldn't show at the chamber's annual legislative breakfast, but he fooled everyone, including me. He told me that he will attend the soiree next Tuesday morning at 8 at the Clarion. I'll be there, too. Here's a story I wrote about it for Thursday's Press:

BRISTOL -- When state lawmakers go back into session next month, city business advocates want them to focus on the budget and on ways to address the deficit, said Michael Nicastro, president of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce.
Nicastro said chamber members want to hear from the local delegation before the session starts, and will listen and ask questions at a legislative breakfast Tuesday.
“This is a short session legislative year,” said Nicastro. “We’re facing another deficit and it’s a re-election year for these guys.”
The upset in Massachusetts this week when a Republican won the U.S. Senate seat long occupied by Democrat Ted Kennedy shows that something is in the air, said Nicastro.
“There’s clearly a movement against incumbents right now. One election doesn’t tell it all,” he said, but added, “Something’s afoot.”
People are concerned about how their tax dollars are being spent, said Nicastro, and that includes business owners.
“We’re concerned about the budget deficit, how it’s going to get managed,” said Nicastro.
Lawmakers should continue important work on regionalization, Nicastro said, but he said it will take a long time to accomplish that.
What they can do now, Nicastro said, is reduce redundancy in government that carries a high monetary and efficiency cost.
The state’s got several different entities working on economic development, said Nicastro, including the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Connecticut Development Authority and Connecticut Innovations.
“They all have their own infrastructure,” said Nicastro. “Everyone’s got a marketing director. Everyone’s got a head of HR.”
That’s costly, and confusing for new businesses or business owners who are new to the state, Nicastro said.
“They’re not sure who to talk to,” said Nicastro. “The process should be streamlined. They’re all great programs, but in the end, they have to be run efficiently.”
Nicastro said the economic development isn’t the only realm where efforts are duplicated. State government has “too many fiefdoms,” he said, where the same is true.
Chamber members want to see action from lawmakers on transportation, too, said Nicastro.
“We can’t keep building highways. We need a transit strategy,” said Nicastro. “Wasting enormous sums on the busway is not a strategy.”
The proposed busway from New Britain to Hartford carries a cost of nearly $60 million per mile, said Nicastro.
Connecticut needs a good system to move freight as well as people, said Nicastro.
Getting freight onto trains and out of over the road trucks will save money and reduce congestion on the highways, Nicastro said.
In addition, Nicastro said, the state ought to put together a review board to look at the unfunded mandates that municipalities have to shoulder to see if they still make sense.
State Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican whose district includes Bristol, said he’ll be there. When he first took office more than a decade ago, Hamzy said, there were a lot of forums like this one, but now, there are only a few.
“It’s kind of a lot of work to put together,” said Hamzy. “That’s probably the central reason.”
State Sen. Tom Colapietro said he’ll be there, too.
“I know pretty much what they’re going to say,” said Colapietro, a Bristol
Democrat. “I’m willing to go and listen to ‘em again. Maybe they’ll come up with some new things.”
Colapietro said sorting out what to cut is taking time.
“If cuts must be made, they must be made compassionately,” he said, with a scalpel rather than recklessly with a meat cleaver. “Everybody wants us to cut, but not them.”
The legislative breakfast is at the Clarion on Tuesday, starting at 8 a.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance and are available at the chamber. They’re available at the door for $25.
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