|
Is Owen Quinn a Contradiction of Himself?
By Tom Jerram, Torrington
Tom Jerram is Republican candidate for Mayor of Torrington.
Owen Quinn wants it both ways regarding Torrington residents’ right to referendum on the city budget and on Charter revision.
On Tuesday, October 16, I held a press conference regarding "taxation without representation" and our Board of Finance. Mr. Quinn responded to this by calling my presentation "theatrics" and demanding that I "get the facts straight." He supported his criticism of me by referring to the City Charter and its provisions for a citywide referendum on the budget.
Just twelve days earlier, on October 4, St. Peter’s/ Sacred Heart provided a forum with both mayoral candidates present. We were asked if we were in favor of a referendum on the budget. I answered first, supporting the City Charter and its referendum provisions. After a lengthy non-answer, Mr. Quinn stated he was opposed to a referendum on the budget!
Well, Mr. Quinn, where do you stand on the issue? Do you prefer a referendum, or not?
Referendum on the budget is only one step towards true accountability. The process to bring a budget to referendum is rigid. Ten percent of the voters must petition to go to referendum, and 20% of the voters must vote or the advisory referendum is void. Even then, the Mayor, City Council and Board of Finance can ignore the will of the people.
True reform lies within reforming our Charter as it relates to the Board of Finance and our budget process. Did you know that last year 161 out of 169 cities and towns in Connecticut had an elected body approve their budgets and set the mill rate? Torrington is one of eight towns that does not have an elected body approve their budget! That’s right, one of eight towns. I researched this information on the internet. You can find it at <http://www.opm.state.ct.us/igp/ACIR/munbud00.doc>.
Where is the voters’ elective representation on the budget? If Mr. Quinn is your Mayor, he will continue the status quo. He will continue to suppress your right to a representative, elected body approving the budget and giving Torrington taxpayers "true accountability" in government.
This is where Mr. Quinn again contradicts himself. Why? Mr. Quinn is on record stating: "It (the charter) has been working fine since 1922." First of all, let’s get the facts straight. The City Charter was approved on June 5, 1923, not 1922, with the City of Torrington incorporated on October 1, 1923. And if the Charter has been working fine since then, why is he a current member of the existing Charter Revision Committee? He knows that the City Charter is in need of updating. How can he believe that only certain portions of the Charter are outdated? The truth is that Torrington’s city government is more complicated today than it was in 1923, and many areas of the Charter, including the Board of Finance, need revision.
When I am elected Mayor, on December 16, 2001 I will call for a charter revision to address a single issue: reforming our government to eliminate "taxation without representation" within our City and seeking reform of our Board of Finance. I will seek a change to place all powers of taxation within the six elected members of the City Council (Board of Councilmen). I will also seek language to provide a strictly "advisory" role for our Board of Finance, relying on their wisdom and knowledge to assist our elected City Councilors. If the Charter Revision committee prefers an elected Board of Finance, we can do that too!
Lastly, Mr. Quinn has questions about the impact on the Board of Education. Maybe Mr. Quinn should check the law. My understanding of the law is that once the Board of Education receives their lump-sum allocation, we cannot tell them how to spend the money. I don’t believe the law prevents us from determining the actual monetary amount. And, if that is the case, then an elected Board of Finance can perform that function. Either way, the taxpayers get an accountable Board of Finance.
Torrington voters demand credibility in the Mayor’s office. We cannot afford two years of wavering on the serious issues facing this City.
I understand that the taxpayers of this City demand integrity, honesty and accountability in City Hall and in all agencies of government. I have not wavered on one single issue that I have brought forward to the voters of this great city. I ask the voters to get beyond the nostalgia and vote for the candidate who has provided leadership, vision, and the knowledge that we cannot afford another two years of the status quo. I provide this alternative. I have offered a vision, leadership and new ideas. I have the determination to work with our Boards and Commissions to initiate these projects and see them through to their conclusion. I ask for your support on Tuesday, November 6.
| 
)