[Editor's Note: The headline and dek have been changed. Palo has not specified what office he may seek.]
Democratic Board of Finance member Andrew Palo on Friday announced the formation of the Exploratory Committee “Palo for Trumbull.”
"The formation of the committee allows a potential candidate to raise money and conduct certain activities while determining whether to run for office," Palo said.
“Forming an exploratory committee allows me the opportunity to test the waters,” said Palo. “There are many issues in Trumbull right now which cause me concern, and which should concern every resident. In the coming weeks, I will decide how I can best address them.”
Palo said he has worked with both parties as a Board of Finance member, a post to which he was elected in 2009 as a republican. He became a democrat last year.
"My independent thinking didn’t sit too well with the powers that be in the Trumbull Republican Party. I have found a home in the Democratic Party, one where many thoughts and ideas are accepted and you do not have to cater to the thoughts of one or two individuals. I have worked with elected leaders from both parties, and I believe I have the respect of people on both sides of the aisle. I am someone who will not put party before people and I recognize that there are good ideas on both sides. I want to bring people together, and end this division and conflict which hurts Trumbull, and diminishes our town in the eyes of others around the state.”
Palo said Trumbull residents are being "poorly served by the constant political bluster coming from Town Hall and the partisan tactics of the current administration."
"Trumbull is not Washington, D.C., or even Hartford. We are a family town and we are all neighbors and we need to do a better job of working together. Less extremism, less partisanship, more community service," Palo said.
Palo said he would address the Water Pollution Control Authority specifically.
“Trumbull needs strong leadership to work on issues of great importance to our community. I have been very disappointed in the way the WPCA and the Herbst administration has handled our sewer issues. Trumbull residents pay one of the highest sewer use rates in the state of Connecticut," he said.
Palo criticized changes to WPCA billing that eliminated billing base on averages.
"Last year, the WPCA changed the way they bill residents for summer usage, and now includes outside water use such as irrigation systems, water for gardens and car washes, and to fill a swimming pool. We are charging residents a sewer use fee for water that never enters the sewer system, which is patently unfair," he said.
As a result users with irrigation systems are paying "hundreds" of dollars more than before. Also, the WPCA has not audited their accounts since 2004, he added.
Palo also criticized the Tim Herbst administration's handling of the North Nichols Sewer project, assessments for which have been $29,000 to some residents.
"We also have major decisions to make regarding the possibility of entering into a regional sewer authority. We have to determine what is in Trumbull’s best interests today, and for years to come. We need leaders who know how to work effectively with people in order to get the best outcome for Trumbull,” Palo said.
His listed his other top priorities as fiscally responsible spending, public safety, education and fair taxing.
“We need to prioritize spending on the things that are most important to Trumbull families. We cannot afford to step backward in either public safety or education and we must give residents and local businesses modest and predictable tax increases each and every year. We shouldn’t be using fiscal gimmicks like bonding operational expenses and using the general fund for one-time tax mitigation because it is not transparent or fiscally responsible for both the present and the future,” according to the finance board member.
Andrew Palo has lived in Trumbull for 14 years with his wife, Raelinda, who is a Trumbull native. They have two children, Andrew (age 9) and Alexa (age 5).
How do you reconcile Political Philosophies....... You are either a BIG Government/Big and More Taxes/Union Driven or you want Less Government/Private Sector/Less and Lower Taxes You refer to Animal House.....I will refer to the Big Government warning of George Orwell's '1984'!!!!
If Tim is so dedicated to smaller gov't, please explain the 10+ new positions he has added to the same gov't which he claimed was too full of unnecessary positions under the previous administration. Explain the huge increases in car taxes, WPCA costs, water costs, etc. Explain why Tim insists on micromanaging every board and commission if he believes in LESS gov't? I think maybe he needs to switch parties if that's what the Rs in town wish to achiev. He has certainly failed. And he has failed at all his Blueprint Promises, to the extent that the Blueprint has completely disappeared from his website. Very, very telling, if you ask me.
Can you please list the ten positions that you are referring to? You guys like to throw this number around alot, but the fact of the matter is you never list the positions and you never list if they replaced an existing position or if they were the result of other positions being eliminated or consolidated. Regarding car taxes, there is this thing call revaluation (another unfunded state mandate) required by state law and this caused the mil rate to go up. If you have a problem with unfunded mandates, you should talk to Senator Musto and Governor Malloy. Mrs. McGannon, you were the BOF Chair under the Baldwin Administration and you rubber stamped 73 million for the high school project, and over 50 million on those sewer projects that were grossly mismanaged on the backs of taxpayers. What do you think causes taxes to go up? All the debt you voted for! And, during your time on the BOF, you supported tax increases that averaged 6%. With all due respect, I don't believe you have any credibility to speak to fiscal responsibility. All you guys do is spread negativity and venom. All you do is attack because you bring nothing to the table and not once in 4 years have you articulated a positive vision of what you will do for the Town. And again, in November, the people of Trumbull will let you know how little they think of your tactics when you are handed yet another defeat.
BTW, the 'Dems are big spenders' is so old it's grown a beard. How many cars has Mr. Herbst driven in the past 3 years? How often does he use a town car on non-town business? How much over-run has T&B cost NN - and now the whole town? The GOP created a financial sink hole with their handling of NN. They made a total mess. (Trashing Jog Hill with the dubious forensic audit was a real vote-getter.) Then there's all the bonded debt. When Herbst is gone and the financial sleight of hand is revealed, people will really see how fiscally 'responsible' the GOP has been. Here's my new absolute favorite: What kind of FS says he hires someone because they 'volunteered' for the job!!!!!??? That alone should tell you more than you ever needed to know. HA!! What insanity and irresponsibility! Well, he got caught hiring mom's friend for the job he created for her at Stern Village, and he had to say something. "TEFLON TIM: TAKES CONTROL, BUT NOT RESPONSIBILITY" (Hey Andy, here's a slogan that has real possibility.) " FREE TRUMBULL! FIRE TIM & MOM HERBST" (or is it, "FIRE MOM & TIM HERBST??") Ah, the fine points . . . real bumper sticker potential here. A slogan and a bumper sticker in one post . . . it's a creative day! Good luck, Andy!
As Trumbull gets more diverse, just look at the most recent Frenchtown Yearbook, the people will abandon the Republican Party just like the Nation, Mr. Palo and many others local Republicans before. Fortunately the younger generation doesn't think in labels or absolutes either! Your honeymoon has fast become your twilight!
Obvioulsy you read all the comments here and you found mine to be offensive and worthy of this attack? You mention the Frenchtown Yearbook and diversity -- Gee I never thought of that, but you did.
We must have caught you on an up day. Read the dysfunction and graft and intimidation of your loyal former SV commissioners. You were the first to criticize the current Acting Director when the portraits were taken down only to have video footage of Mrs. Stern taking them. Former commissioners got payola. Apartments are left vacant, people make more than you and me, and there was a milieu of disregard and intimidation. The state will come in and regulate this mess and some of your loyal friend will be seen with coats pulled up over their heads as they are led away. One man was charged $5,000 in excess because the calculations were not used properly. There are Mercedes in SV. Generators are needed, roofs are needed yet former commissioner got paid to do work. Seems odd.
Probably the best course of action is to link the Patch to a LinkedIn, Facebook or other verifiable social network account. People will bail from this unregulated site and it will become more blogger friendly. .
He voted against All Day kindergarten and never voted to set a mill rate - a good leader has the courage of their convictions and is willing to stand up and say what they believe - just some of the many reasons why me and my family will vote Republican Thanks Joey
Haven't you, and all of us, had enough of Joey Jablone, P.P. Tired of B.S., Rugby, Sad Dem, etc. . . . . . ??? Yes, we have. Set your sights on something more important than running a small town. Take your fighting self to the office of Criminal Prosecutor. Use your law degree to fight the human scum that prey on innocent children. Use your fight in a more appropriate arena. You could make a well-deserved name for yourself as a Federal Prosecutor. I believe you could be awesome there. It would suit you perfectly. Go read my post.
Obviously, that scared the wits out of the TRTC who cravenly refused to allow a second debate. Would the outcome of the election been different ? Probably not but that is not the point. The TRTC denied the public an opportunity to see two candidates ready and willing to debate in a forum that was not in dispute. Why? Simple, Party before the People. Ted Lovely has since disassociated himself from the Trumbull Republicans because he like so many others, was ostracized for thinking for himself. This fear of debate is still present in Trumbull Republicans. You can see it every time the Town Council "Calls the Question" when discussion does not go their way. The TRTC refused to debate, not Mr. Palo.
From the March 2012 minutes of the BOF vote where Mr. Palo voted to approve the BOE budget for the 2012-2013 school year. He and Mr. Tesoro first attempted to ask the BOF to properly account for the funding of full day kindergarten by adding it to the operating budget. 01060000 Education Mr. Tesoro moved, seconded by Mr. Palo to increase account #522205 (Program Expenses) by $873,000. This is the amount it will take to fund full day kindergarten while maintaining existing services, allowing the BOE to restore some of the services previously cut. VOTE: 3–3–0 (Against: Hammers, Rutigliano, Lavoie) Motion Fails Mr. Tesoro moved, seconded by Mr. Lupien to approve the total of $98,916,618. This amount, according to the BOE, will not be sufficient to fund FDK. If the BOE is to fund the FDK, they will have to find ways to reduce costs in order to reallocate the approved funding. VOTE: 4–1–1 (Against: Hammers) (Abstain: Rutigliano) Motion Carries
One more thing, Dems also have the Presidency through at least 2016. So which party is in fact is falling apart at the seams.
i never meant to attack Ms. Hudak, but follow her threads...If you feel I attacked her I do apologize. However, she does not even live at SV and needs to held accountable for her tirades. All fair game on this virtual blog. I like you posts. Never know if you are coming at us as a republican, democrat or cinematographer. You are a great American and a real life and virtual celebrity.