Some quick thoughts on last nights election results

So the results are now in. Mayor John Destefano won the Democratic nomination in a tough 4 way race. He did not win a majority (over 50%) just a pluarity (around 43 - 44%). Even more significant was the sweep by the Unite Here affiliated trade unions Yale 34 & Yale 35 of all of the aldermanic races they ran. Not only did they sweep the won by large majorities - other then in Westville's Ward 25. I feel that this new board make up will push an agenda that focuses on keeping the status quo for municipal employees and if that means our taxes will go up so be it. I am still trying to process all of this. More soon. Perhaps we should make the Internationale the anthem for New Haven,

Fighting SCG on overeanings and on Increases

My comments to the DPUC hearing 8/29/08

Dear Honorable Board of Commissioners:

I come before you this morning to express my feelings of disgust with SCG overcharging us ratepayers & strongly protest any increase in rates. I represent a number of interests. I am a homeowner in New Haven that heats our home with natural gas. I am representing my family business of which I am part of the 3rd generation. Lastly I come before you as a member of the New Haven Board of Aldermen where I represent the 28th Ward.

As a homeowner I know how hard it is to pay my SCG especially in the winter. In an effort to be more energy efficient a few years ago I had installed new windows in my home – with argon and low e. We keep the thermostat down as low as my kids can take it. We wear sweaters and slippers in the home so we don’t have to turn up the heat.

As a manufacturer still based wholly in West Haven we are a substantial user of natural gas. We have consultants that track the natural gas & fuel oil markets and advises us when it is more advantageous to use one or the other. Additionally we purchase our natural gas in bulk from someone other the SCG. We are competing in an international business climate and on top of the fuel increases and on top of raw material increase we have to contend with some of the highest utility rates in the nation. This makes us less competitive going up against companies in other states never mind compared to overseas. One of our Stratford Connecticut bases suppliers closed their doors this past January – one of the primary reasons was the high utility rates cut their margins and they were unable to raise prices enough to survive.

As an Alderman in New Haven I meet people of all walks of life – rich, poor, middle class; black, white, Hispanic. Across the city folks from all walks of life - regardless of race or economic class – people are worried about paying their heating bills.

This all being said to then hear that SCG are overcharging us that is horrifying. People fear that they will not be able to pay their heating bills and SCG knowingly overcharges us.

I appreciate that the DPUC is holding this hearing, and hope that we can look at the underlying problem answering how & why this overcharging happened. I believe that the monthly bill we get from SGC in unnecessarily complex and most consumers have no idea as to what they are looking at.

I understand the need to maintain a strong public utility – but the utility should not be allowed to take advantage of the market.

We need to simplify the monthly billing statement. Take out the alphabet soup abbreviations. A simpler statement will enable the average consumer to review their bill and really comprehend what & why they are being charged and SCG will be less likely in the future to be able to overcharge.

In closing I ask that you the DPUC order SCG to refund us what they overcharged us with interest (as they charge people who are late in payment). Additionally I ask that this commission look into the possibility of lowering the current profit rate to something that is more bearable.

Become a Lobbiest for New Haven & Yourself

Last night Mayor John DeStefano gave his annual State of the City Address. In it - he spoke about a number of important issues and outlined his priorities for the next few years. The top items that I took out of it were:

1. Public Safety
2. Property Taxes
3. Economic Development
4. Unified City
   

These are all important issues and over the next few days I will be posting about them.

Regarding the public safety issue - JD focused on the new cops that are coming online and the changes for the up tier of police management.

From the Chief to the new assistant chief and the 2 civilians that are due to come on as well. This means that 3 out of the 4 top police officials will be new within the year. I hope this is good and works out for the best.

A bright point was when the Street Outreach workers stood up and told us what they are up to. They do good work. I hope we can find the funding to keep them going (currently they are funded from grants and nothing from the PD general budget).

The fact is that we need to create a city where the average citizen is not afraid to walk down the street or be afraid that your home will be broken into. I know that we are not at the low point we were at in the early 1990s but we must always try to become better.

The Mayor also spoke about the reentry of criminals into our back yard (literally) from all around the State to the Whalley Ave Jail. JD says that we need to push our delegation and Jodi Rell to get some action.

To that point I can tell you that the WEB Management Team is working on this issue and I am personally involved with State Rep Toni Walker and working with her on the issue as well.

That is all for now I will post more later.

You can read the New Haven Independent coverage here and the New Haven Register's coverage here.

Yours,

Moti