Letter of the week, 3/3/08: Salafia should resign council seat

[David]

Salafia should resign
Editor:
Meriden Councilman David Salafia has presented himself as a small business owner looking out for other small business owners, but given his reaction to the ethics committee’s ruling, his subterfuge has now become apparent. It would appear that Salafia’s only interest in his council seat is to ensure that his business succeeds.

Salafia has attempted to ensure this success by supporting ideas and proposals that directly benefit him (façade program, parking lot next to his business). Maybe Salafia should explore the fact that the lack of parking is not the true issue with his business. Other small restaurants currently exist in Meriden, with limited parking and less-than-prime locations, which continue to thrive (i.e. eateries on Main Street in South Meriden and another on Pratt Street, etc.).

To believe that more parking (i.e. more city dollars) is the magic bullet is laughable. It is even more laughable that Salafia pretends to have the interest of the public at heart when it is apparent that his own self-interest is right below the surface. If Salafia wants to be a small downtown business owner, so be it, but attempting to use his position on the council for private gain is unconscionable.

Salafia voting on or supporting such a resolution is clearly a conflict and if Salafia truly had the interest of his constituents or public at heart, he would have seen this and voluntarily acknowledged the conflict. Salafia should acknowledge that his conflict as a small business owner downtown, during a period of “revitalization,” would and will present an ongoing conflict and step down from his council seat.
JOHN J. GHIDINI III, MERIDEN

[jma]

I don't agree that Salafia should step down from his council seat. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt, chalk it up to a rookie error, and expect him to do great things on the council. Don't let me down, Dave!

[DavidS]

Mr. Ghidini,
I have no intentions of resigning. As a point of reference, Mr. Ghidini ran unsuccesfully for Area 4 which I represent. FYI...Keith Gordon won re-election, We the People candidate Bob Williams finished second and Mr. Ghidini placed third in last years election.
David Salafia
City Councilor
Area 4

[prince]

Ghidini give us a break!

Don't use our downtown for your political backlash. Salafia is doing what we (his constituents) asked him to do. The downtown community has been ignored too long. Salafia is bringing our message to City Hall. You could stand to learn from his example. If you listened to the constituents maybe you would have done better. We the people don't listen to sore losers. Stay positive, it makes you look more confident in yourself. Better luck next time.

[eds]

The WTP mayorial candidate Walt Micowski attended the special meeting on 27 Feb 2008 simply to add his comments to the power plant issue. Then he left. He did not stay for the facade program debate or the parking lot program debate. If anyone does not care about downtown Meriden, its Walt and the entire WTP platform.

John were you even there? I don't recall seeing you there. What do you do to support the downtown area, John? You only criticize without offering any real solutions. You can't even come up with a half-witted, half-baked idea. You offer absolutely nothing.

Frankly John, despite the fact that you lack the intelligence to run a successful campaign, or even run a successful business, you are quite adept at running your mouth without so much as a clue as to what you are saying. Try listening to what the people are saying, what they want, and what you can do to help them. That's why David is the councilor and you are nothing more than an ignorant letter writer.

Next time you get the urge to write a letter, put the pen down. You'll be way ahead of the game.

[David]

To: Eds, and other contributors
We thank you for your participation in these forums. However, please avoid any personal attacks on other contributors (such as: lacking intelligence or unable to run a successful business). Also, review the forum rules.

There are ways to make the point without the ad hominem attacks, no matter how "tempting" it may be at the moment to let one's ire vent in words.
Please, then, maintain a civil tone. Thank you.

[brunet]

Yes, John was abrasive and harsh but it is ones opinion.
I have no doubt of the sincereity of Dave, Gulino, Matorelli's or any of the those speaking for the proposed parking lot at the meeting.
Yet everyone needs to realize inherent to all the successful downtowns throughout the state is not the availability of 'convenience parking', there is an amount of walking involved. The amount of available parking across the street can not be totally dismissed when debate on this topic is discussed.

Utilizing the rail system, making Meriden a tranportation hub is the direction we need to focus on in the future. I would need many words on this plan.
I beleive things will change dramatically.

[eds]

his subterfuge has now become apparent.


I would say that constitutes a false accusation of deception or deceptive practices, i.e. a claim of fraud against David as councilor. My response was in relation to that claim.

[collie]

John Ghidini ran for the Republicans, not We The People. EDS, you have mentioned in a prior post that you thought the whole ethics question was motivated by agenda, possibly involving the We The People party. So Walt Mikowski went to last week's meeting to speak on the energy plant and left. Big deal. Why do you have to equate that with him not caring about downtown? I said before I thought most people in town were happy to let the usual process play itself out without getting involved when it came to the parking lot resolution. Personally, I don't think Walt intends to run for office again so perhaps he doesn't see the need to "pretend" to care about every gad-blammed issue that comes up, as so many political wannabes do prepping themselves for a run for office. His being there for the energy plant was I think because that's the issue he was interested in. And since you were at the meeting last week, I'm surprised you didn't notice that when the building facade program came up on the agenda, Councilor Salafia abstained from the discussion. Unfortunately, the reporter had left but I was sitting in the front row, and when Salafia abstained, he mentioned something to the effect of his recent discussions with the ethics board. I found that the most interesting part of John Ghidini's letter myself - the reference to the building facade program. The building Salafia's business is in officially on the blight list since last July, specifically for facade improvements that are needed to the back of the building. At any rate, Salafia has abstained from participating in the facade program resolution even though he and the mayor were the original sponsors. So I guess I agree with Brunet - harsh was the tone of Ghidini's letter but the paper has strict guidelines for letters to the editor. Guess Ghidin's passed muster.

[JJGIII]

I would like to thank everyone who took the time out of their day to respond in one way or another to my letter. However, I would like to say a few things. First, I do not find it necessary to hide behind an alias as I own my own thoughts. Also, unlike some in this forum I have penned my name to my opinions, beliefs and thoughts. I have not used an alias to post a personal attack upon anyone. Anonymous attacks speak volumes about the character, or lack therefore, of the author. Second, why would I attend a city council meeting where the public is stifled in it's ability to speak! As a citizen, I am thankful that the Record-Journal provides this forum and the opportunity for the public to be heard.

Sincerely
John J. Ghidini III

[eds]

I attended the meeting on 27 Feb 2008 and no stifling was present. Everyone got to speak their mind.

David did remove himself from the conversation. As for Walt...if he is not running again next time, more power to him. I just think if he is running again, a little interest in downtown would be appreciated.

As to you John, any time, any place. PM me and we can talk over the phone if you want. I don't hide. I've met a lot of people from this board.

[eds]

Oh and collie...republicans, WTP all the same to me. The democrats in this town are doing a damn fine job. and that's coming from a republican. :)

[Eastside Bill]

I don't agree that Salafia should step down from his council seat. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt, chalk it up to a rookie error, and expect him to do great things on the council. Don't let me down, Dave!

Agreed. While I wasn't a fan of his proposal to build a box store in a neighborhood city park or impressed with the difficulty he had in realizing the appearance of conflict regarding the parking next to his business, this might just be a seasoning process. A call for resignation is a bit premature and a bit suspect when the call is from someone who ran for the same seat on the council.

[leherissierm]

I havent commented on the whole political issue about Salafia, mainly because I don't know the issues well enough and I dont want to embarrass myself! I felt the urge to write this time though because of John Ghidini (sorry if I spelled that wrong). Im surprised that someone who ran for a government position seems to have such a negative attitude. I dont see a problem with leaving out our proper names in this forum - I actually think that is why so many different people participate. Not identifying yourself on a public website doesn't mean one is hiding behind their beliefs - I think it is more of a safety measure.

Ghidini asking Salafia to resign definitely appears to be a backlash. From the other posts I read, everything seems to go smoothly in the meeting and Salafia didn't participate. It seems much to harsh to ask him to resign, especially when the RJ reports about other councilors reading/sending racist emails. In my opinion, his "crime" was worse that Salafia's and he didn't resign from his job (as far as I know). Ghidini's request is unjustified - I am glad that I didnt vote for him.

[gene36]

A couple of months ago I drove downtown to drop off a bag of alum. tabs for the vets, and a box of goodies for the Marine corp.
Not being able to park anywhere I drove into the Pay for Parking next to the diner. It cost me about two bucks to drop off the donations so I hope they were worth more than that.
Enough said.

[JJGIII]

While Dave Salafia as well as his supporters would like to have everyone believe that my motives for writing the editorial are self-serving or are attributable to my political loss against Keith Gordon, let me assure you my personal motives are selfless. In my profession as an attorney, winning and losing is part of the job. Sometimes you win, sometimes you do not but in every case, you accept the outcome and move on. Ask any seasoned attorney and they would tell you the same. Also, just for the record I do run my own business/law firm, which has continued to grow and prosper since its inception.

What Dave Salafia as well as his supporters have done through their posts is attempt to divert attention away from the nature of my editorial which is that Dave Salafia who ran on the platform of "I know what's best for downtown because I have a business downtown" can no longer be effective with respect to advocating for what's best for downtown due to the apparent ethical conflicts that exist between his business interests downtown and his position on the City Council. Therefore, since he can no longer be an advocate for the very platform that he ran on than "YES" he should resign from his council seat. Unless of course he uses his position of power to have his fellow democratic councilors do his downtown advocating for him. Only time will tell...

Also, chalking Salafia's ethical concerns up to a rookie mistake is laughable. I could see this in his first month or two or even six months in office but not after two plus years on the job, Please!
As for the statement: "The democrats in this town are doing a damn fine job. and that's coming from a republican", Give me a break! What town are you living in EDS?
Would you actually define a damn fine job by a City Councilor such as Dave Salafia who has in effect rendered himself an ineffective advocate for his own platform, that’s a damn fine job?
Would you define a damn fine job as a sitting Senator such as Tom Gaffey having an adulterous affair with a paid lobbyist, who's organization steered 1 BILLION DOLLARS in state taxpayer funds a damn fine job?
Would you define a damn fine job as a City Council who controls the public’s input during the public comment portion of City Council meetings a damn fine job?
Collie, you made a great point when you said. (At any rate, Salafia has abstained from participating in the facade program resolution even though he and the mayor were the original sponsors.)
Here's a question for all of you Salafia supporters? How can the Meriden City Council ethically entertain a resolution that was cosponsored by a City Councilor who has been deemed by the City's own Ethics Board as having a conflict of interest? Here's my thought. Since the democrats define ethics differently than the rest of us I'm sure they will just remove Salafia's name from the resolution and think its "ok" to move forward. After all, who cares if one of the co-sponsors of the resolution was cited as having a conflict of interest? After all, this is Meriden where the democrats rule and anything goes!

Sincerely,

John J. Ghidini III, Esq.

[jma]

JJGIII, I read your last post, and have to admit it opened my eyes a bit. I agree that Salafia should have known that it was unethical to take part in the parking lot issue. That said, everyone knows that he has been a huge advocate of downtown, well before he ran for office. I think that in his eagerness to make a difference downtown, he didn't stop and consider the ramifications. I'm not ignorant as to how this city is run. There are backdoor deals all the time, and who you know is far more important than what you know. I'm not one of Salafia's cheerleaders, who blindly support his every move. I do, however, believe he is naive in the world of politics, and is honestly trying to make a difference. He'll become as jaded as the rest of the polititicans soon enough. I don't think he was on a mission to benefit himself, and will probably do better in the future. If I'm wrong, it won't be the first scandal in Meriden, nor the last.

[eds]

I live in South Meriden. My first name is Ed, BTW. I will not provide personal information online. But I am available for discussion. Like I have said, I have been on this board and have posted a fair amount of information. I have met some of the other posters here. Before Meriden I lived in Danbury. I moved here when I met my wife whose family has lived here for well over 100 years. For me I think the taxes are fairly low here. But others may not be so fortunate as I.

Public input should be controlled. Period. Otherwise meetings become b!tch sessions and we don't need that. I personally do not give a damn about what politicians do in the bedroom. Having an affair is not that big a deal anymore. No scandal there. That's between the two spouses to deal with and not for public consideration.

Suppose Dave does step down, then what? Say you get your wish. John, you talk just to talk but what's your solution for downtown? I have not heard anything but a negative tone coming from you and against Dave. Don't attack Dave. Give us your solution without all the negative positioning. So please tell us, are you for or against the parking lot? Because if you are for the parking lot, then you are being hypocritical. And if you are against the parking lot, then what is your solution for parking downtown? Or for downtown in general? You haven't made your case yet.

Right now all of your postings deal with getting Dave to resign. So file a complaint with the state. We get the point, you don't like Dave being a councilor. Fine. Why don't you run again, and maybe next time you might actually get second place. There were only three candidates running as I recall, and you placed third. Wow! You're a big time politician now, aren't you? Got all the answers, have you? Then tell us your solution instead of your old, tired and worn out rhetoric.

You have no basis at this point. You offer nothing more than the tired argument of "Step down". Just so you can be the councilor? I think you couldn't win the election on votes and now you are just trying a different approach. Ok fine. Prove me wrong. Pretend you're king for a day. You're said you're an attorney. Make your case for downtown. Tell us what you would like to do to improve upon downtown. Cut the crap and let's talk business. Propose a solution in detail that is better than what every other person thinks is good for downtown and I'll have more respect for you. I really have little respect for you when you try to take down another opponent with negativity without actually proposing a better argument. At this point John, and in the words of Billy Idol, you're just dancing with yourself.

[collie]

note to Gene36 - some places downtown validate the parking ticket, stamp it for you so it's free. Friends of the Library and the YMCA always did, maybe it's only a non-profit thing. Not really sure but worth inquiring about.