I also said in a speech to Morning Rotary prior to the television debate that I was not "attempting to be the rooster taking credit for the sunrise" and that matters like debt reduction were among the positive developments enacted by this Council while I was in the leadership role.
The Mayor does set the tone for what happens and frankly what person running for office wouldn't point to the positive trends ? A technical examination of the "record" cuts both ways.
For instance last week , both my opponent and I voted in favor of a $10,000 raise for the head of the City's Civil Service office. That could be spun as a long overdue adjustment as the pay was out of whack with other management and stems from a time when the position was part time.
Or one could say it's just plain wrong to hand out what amounted to a 26% raise in a time when working families are struggling and unemployment is high.
As I said, the record shows we both voted for it.....you pick the spin you want to put on it.
My favorite past vote to talk about was my sole opposition to an absolutely unconscionable sale of a State Street gas station at private sale when a qualified and reputable bidder was sitting in Council Chambers offering $50,000 more. That's what the "record" shows.
So my point is that this is a race about the future and who has the judgement and temperment to lead the Council. Yes, past actions are an indicator of future results, and in upcoming interviews I am more than happy to talk about both the record and the future.
Which brings me to the fact I am a guest on Glenn Curry's "Live at Five" program on Thursday. Hope you all can take the time to listen, and the show really is done live.
Watertown Daily Times Taking credit for debt reduction becomes an issue in Watertown mayoral race
5 comments:
I bet you will be okay with taking calls too.
Don't be so modest.
The city is in good shape right now because of you.
You supported and advocated for sales tax over property tax
You spear headed turning the expensive airport over to the county so that the people all pay for it.
You negotiated and spearheaded the favorable sales tax percentage the city gets from the county.
You carried all that water Jeff.
I know it is hard tot toot your own horn bu golly gee don't let them pull this crap on you.
As for paying down debt...
Was the 1.1 million used to pay down debt or was that just the closing costs paid to the well connected law firm and accounting firms for the privilege of refinancing? I have a reason that is why it had to be done fast fast fast
Neither you or Smith deserve credit for the rating increase. If Mary Corriveau and Jim Mills weren't struggling to sell you and the rest of the Council on a little fiscal restraint, the City would still be bonding for police cars and other basic operating expenses.
Don't forget the 38000 spent on a study to tell us geo thermal doesn't make asnse.
I recall reading this blog when Graham asked if police cars should be bonded. The obvious implication is that Graham was questioning that on his own without being lead by Corriveau. But regardless of whose idea it was, he came to the correct conclusions and that is one reason why they have a city manager...to give feedback on these kind of policy options.
And again we wouldn't even be talking about this if it were not for Graham taking the bull by the horns and getting a favorable share of tax revenue for the city and getting rid of the air port. It was always talked about but Graham made it happen.
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