- Chris Dodd’s blog has a clip of the Senator’s recent appearance on Hardball to discuss voting against the Iraq supplemental.
- Over at MLN Scarce has video clip from Fred Thompson’s speech.
- The response to our reader survey so far has been great! We really appreciate the feedback. If you haven’t taken it yet the survey takes less than five minutes to complete.
What else is going on?
20 responses so far ↓
Even so, fuel costs will have to approach $4 a gallon and stay there for about a year to trigger a major shift in consumer buying patterns, said Power automotive analyst Tom Libby, because many people expect this season’s sky-high gas prices to subside later, as they have before.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AP_POLL_GAS?SITE=INLAF&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Go Dodd! If he keeps up these power moves, he’s gonna find his poll numbers ballooning larger than the margin of error…
That was Dodd’s best appearance yet. If only he was always so bold and assertive!
Yes TBCT…
If only.
::YAWN::
[quote comment="10326"]That was Dodd’s best appearance yet. If only he was always so bold and assertive![/quote]
I agree. We need to see more of this from Dodd.
I liked the Dodd appearance as well, but he personally I do not think he was assertive ENOUGH. Right now Dodd is coming off as an intelligent and likeable senior statesman, but he does not look presidential enough.
I think he is getting a lot of advice to appear very critical or the Bush administration, which while good, is not alone going to win him the election. The recent commercial with the info about his adoption of an enironmental policy endorsed by Gore was smart though– it makes it look like he is a guy with ideas who is ready to lead. Ultimately I think voters vote for someone with ideas, not someone who only provides criticism (not to say that warranted criticism isn’t a good idea).
I know Dodd is a Connecticut native and all, but I think it’s naive at best to think he’s got any chance for the Democratic nomination. It’s a pretty clear cut case of Dodd lobbying for a cabinet position with the next presidential administration. If you don’t believe me, just look at the track record of Dukakis, Lieberman and Kerry when it comes to nationwide elections. It’s obvious New Englanders are considered too liberal for most of the rest of the country.
Regardless of your views on what we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, as Americans, we must remember our brave men and women in uniform this weekend, particularly those who will never return.
I wish each and every one of you an excellent Memorial Day weekend.
CTcentrist—
I hear you, but I do think Dodd would make an excellent running mate for the right candidate. He might be a good compliment to a Hillary or Obama ticket IMHO.
HH– +1.
Why would Dodd make a better running mate than Obama or Richardson or anyone else? What constituencies does Dodd bring that these other folks cannot? What states does the addition of Dodd to the ticket potentially put in play?
My guess is that Mark Warner and Evan Bayh are waiting for the call to join a ticket … Hillary will triangulate, but I don’t know what Obama would do … maybe he’d actually pick Hillary and assume that a lot of extra money and help from Bill Clinton would result … just a few thoughts.
Dodd might not seem like the right strategic pick for VP, but we should keep in mind that a Senator from Connecticut was selected as the VP candidate in 2000 … and I do not believe that he brought down the ticket …
The Stratford Star this week has a piece; “College-educated workforce seen vital for state.” Now if you are an illegal immigrant who agrees to become legal in order to get in-state tuition I think that is fair. But hey why be fair when you can be a bully and play to your Republican base to kiss behind.
…and who cares right? These people can’t vote. Yea sure lets pick on the vulnerable in society. That is really big of you senator.
GMR
“What constituencies does Dodd bring that these other folks cannot?â€
Well, there’s corporate sector. From the Journal Inquirer: “U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination who as chairman of the Senate banking committee has collected more than $1 million in campaign contributions from those associated with companies it oversees, has scheduled a major fundraiser in New York next month headlined by three top corporate executives.â€
Any idea if there’s some electrical power problem this morning? Our power has cut off three times this morning, but only for 30 seconds or so each time.
http://www.cl-p.com/stormcenter/outage.aspx shows that around 10% of Guilford and New Milford are without power, and 6% of Ridgefield, plus some other scattered outages. But there’s nothing weather related that should be bringing this on. No rain, and it’s not that hot…
Joe Tarzia attacking people again. Here is a clip from the Stamford Advocate from William Forker the director of the city’s assessment and
colllection has to say to this guy:
“Joe Tarzia should be ashamed of himself,” he said, citing Tarzia’s history of reckless accusations. “He presents himself as the emperor of the people. Only Joe knows what’s good. Only Joe knows what’s right. But I think the people of the city of Stamford are starting to realize the emperor has no clothes.”
Forker defied Tarzia to prove his charges and said he would stand on his record for the past 101Ú2 years.
“The record speaks for itself,” Forker said. “Not only in our additions to the Grand List but the tax collection rate. There were years when 95 or 96 percent collection rates were acceptable. For the seventh year in a row, we have achieved 98 percent collection rate.”
Democratic board member Tim Abbazia called Forker an excellent manager. “I think the city is fortunate to have someone of his ability,” Abbazia said. “I think he saves the city millions of dollars.”
Abbazia said he doesn’t judge someone’s job performance on when they start or end their shifts. “I look at how much value he brings,” he said. “Bill Forker adds a lot of value. He has integrity, he’s honest and he works hard. I think we run the risk of making it much more difficult to attract or retain quality people when we start investigating petty things like their timesheet.”
Joe Joe Joe. I am dissapointed in you. You can’t gain control of the
Stamford Board of Finance. Give it up babe. You been at since ‘95.
Here are some interesting facts which displease many Stamford residents:
1) The new reval will give, on average, significant tax decreases to commercial property owners
2) The new reval will give, on average, significant tax increases to residential property owners
3) The new reval, in general, provides roughly correct market values for the residential properties
4) The new reval provides grossly understated market values for the commercial properties
Should anyone in Stamford be held accountable for this tremendous disservice to Stamford residents?
If anyone is standing up for Stamford residents, then who is that person?
Stamfordinho,
Wheres your EVIDENCE of any of these “FACTS”?
Are we just suppose to take your word for this or do you think if you repeat something enough times you’ll create a perception something is true ?
Since thats all you’re trying to do anyway with every post you’ve put up why should anything you post be taken seriously?
Read this, ctkeith.
I’m talking about facts and I am not attacking others.
I am bothered by what is happening in Stamford. Accountability and transparency is critical. Obviously, one person in Stamford has put considerable effort into standing up for Stamford residents.
It’s interesting how a presentation of facts can stir so much emotion. My intention was not to fight, but I do believe that it is responsible to let facts be known.
I’m not sure why the link had problems … here’s the article:
Price disparity rocks reval
By Stephen P. Clark
Norwalk Advocate
April 04, 2007
STAMFORD – Seven downtown office buildings being sold for $830 million to $850 million were given a fair market value of about $384 million by the city as part of its 2006 revaluation – less than half of their sale price.
City Director of Assessment and Collection William Forker confirmed the disparity last night at a budget review meeting held by the Board of Finance.
Board member Joseph Tarzia, a Republican, called for last night’s meeting after Forker made a presentation to the Board of Representatives Fiscal Committee last week.
Finance board members last night asked for an explanation of the disparity between the city values and the pending sale price for the Blackstone properties.
Tarzia had asked Forker to verify his research in a letter Monday.
Tarzia’s calculations showed the seven buildings that Blackstone Group is selling to RFR Holding of New York City were assessed by the city at a fair market value of $267.3 million.
Forker checked Tarzia’s figures and said the seven buildings were calculated at a market value of $384 million, still far less than their pending sale price.
Tarzia’s figures did not include all the properties, Forker said.
Forker’s report also shows the Greyrock Plaza office at 177 Broad St. with a fair market value of $39.1 million, while Tarzia’s report lists it at $32.7 million. The city’s Web site lists the property’s assessed value – 70 percent of the market rate – at $22.9 million. Based on that, the market rate would be $32.7 million.
Forker said there could have been a change in the assessment or the Web site was not updated. ‘I’m going to go with the $39 million,’ he said.
Tarzia conceded to Forker’s calculations until he could check it himself.
‘What did they know that we didn’t know four or five months ago?’ Tarzia asked, referring to the buildings’ buyers.
‘These are savvy guys,’ Forker said, speculating that the Blackstone sale will attract new companies willing to pay similar prices for commercial space. ‘They’re investing in the future of the city.’
Because of the imminent sale, Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy is seeking a delay in implementation of the property tax revaluation. He has asked the state Office of Policy and Management to waive the penalty for opting out of the 2006 property revaluation. The city could lose nearly $1.5 million in state aid if it does not get the waiver.
Republicans were the first to call for throwing out the 2006 revaluation, saying it was flawed by undervaluing commercial properties.
Democrats on the Board of Finance also want to toss the 2006 revaluation and do another one Oct. 1. They say circumstances have changed in the commercial real estate market since the revaluation was done.
The finance board, under pressure from taxpayers, is hunting for savings in the mayor’s proposed $413.5 million school and city operating budgets that would increase taxes 8 percent.
Combined with the property revaluation shifting more of the tax burden from commercial to residential property owners, more than two-thirds of homeowners face tax increases of 13.5 percent or more. Some would see tax increases as high as 70 percent.
The finance board will vote on the city budget Monday.
Forker defended the 2006 revaluation last night despite the anticipated sale and the stand of elected officials to abandon it.
‘Revaluation is controversial no matter what,’ he said. ‘Everyone has an opinion. It’s not an easy task. But people need to know that it’s correct.’
He acknowledged that this revaluation was unique, calling it ‘the perfect storm’ that sent residential and commercial values soaring.
Forker told the finance board that the state requires his office to consider three approaches to assessing the value of commercial properties: sales approach, cost approach or income approach.
The sales approach includes a sales review, land valuation and sales ratio reports. The cost approach updates construction costs for commercial and industrial buildings. And the income approach compares income valuations with recent sales and considers projected values.
The assessor ultimately determines which approach to use.
Finance board member Tim Abbazia, a Democrat, said he believes the state guidelines aren’t adequate to capture the true value of commercial properties.
John Louizos, a finance board Democrat, said the effects of supply and demand of the market are not known until a sale occurs.
Forker responded: ‘I think some of those rules and regulations for revaluation should have been modified years ago.’
He recommended that a commercial appraiser be hired for subsequent revaluations to verify the values. Forker also agreed with elected officials that revaluation should be done more often, at least every two years. ‘It’s just a fairer process,’ he said.
Yes Stamforddinho you facts are indeed correct. I have intimate knowledge
of this. Stamford is way too expensive to live in. It has become a predominantly transient locality with “residents” having fewer ties to the city.
You have to be affluent or poor to survive there. No one in betweeen like
the middle class can afford to live in Stamford anymore. It is the nature
of the beast with its proximity to NYC and all. It is ironically a well run
city with one of the lowest crimes rates in the nation for its population and
its continued triple A bond rating.
Anyway I think until fairly recently Joe Tarzia was still voting on the Board
of Ed budget even though he is a Stamford teacher. For years he just
did not care and never abstained. It is not his message it is the messenger
that has hurt him all these years. Passion is good, bitterness is not.
You must log in to post a comment.