Press Statement - 2/23/10

Below is a copy of the statement issued to the Press regarding the RTM vote on our proposed resolution which during a narrow 22-23-1 vote didn't pass.

For a detailed timeline of the resolution process visit http://bit.ly/9x8ta4


Response to RTM vote - Item #6 2/22/10

Although the RTM chose monthly updates from the First Selectman versus forming a committee, our overall goal of promoting transparency and open government unanimously prevailed across party lines. We look forward to receiving monthly updates and will continue to evaluate the best method to receive information as the project moves forward. As members of the RTM, we will continue our outreach efforts to address the concerns and find the answers to our constituents’ questions.

David Becker & Kathryn Braun

Proposed Metro Center Sub-committee - Condensed Blog Entry

UPDATED FEBRUARY 23, 2010 AT 6:30PM EST.

Below is a summary containing the resolution, most recent draft resolution based on feedback received, and several articles that have been written. For supporting documentation (copies of the agreement, related documents, the legal opinion, previous meeting minutes, etc.) please send me an email and I will send you any related PDF files that I have.

1) This is an updated version of the resolution based on feedback received.

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The Resolution appearing as Item #6 on the RTM Agenda for February 22, 2010, shall be amended to read as follows:

Resolved that the RTM establish a RTM Special Committee pursuant to Rule 12 of the RTM Rules to Regulate, to be called the Metro Center Tripartite Agreement Review Special Committee, the purpose of which will be to review and assess status and possible modification of the three party agreement by and between the State of Connecticut, Town of Fairfield and Blackrock Realty that was approved by the RTM on February 25, 2003 and related updates or modifications that may be proposed by the parties thereto, and to make further report such information and recommendations to the RTM.

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2) This is the original wording we put forward.

Resolved that the RTM establish a RTM Special Committee pursuant to Rule 12 of the RTM Rules to Regulate, to be called the Metro Center Tripartite Agreement Review Special Committee, the purpose of which will be to review and assess status and possible modification of the three party agreement by and between the State of Connecticut, Town of Fairfield and Blackrock Realty that was approved by the RTM on February 25, 2003 and to make further report and recommendations to the RTM.

Sponsor: Kathryn L. Braun, R-8

Seconded: David M. Becker, R-1

3) Fairfield Citizen Article from February 12th

http://bit.ly/aOmSwJ

4) Connecticut Post Article from February 21st

http://bit.ly/9cqwIO

5) It was close but the resolution didn't pass. Votes were 22-23-0

6) Press Release issued by Reps. Becker (R-1) and Braun (R-8)

Response to RTM vote - Item #6 2/22/10

Although the RTM chose monthly updates from the First Selectman versus forming a committee, our overall goal of promoting transparency and open government unanimously prevailed across party lines. We look forward to receiving monthly updates and will continue to evaluate the best method to receive information as the project moves forward. As members of the RTM, we will continue our outreach efforts to address the concerns and find the answers to our constituents' questions.

David Becker & Kathryn Braun

7) Fairfield Sun Article from Feb 23rd - http://bit.ly/a2qZpe

8) CT Post Article from Feb 23rd - http://bit.ly/bAz9LR

9) Fairfield Citizen Article from Feb 24th - http://bit.ly/a0wZ5E

Fairfield Metro Center Subcommittee Resolution

FOR CURRENT INFORMATION...
PLEASE REFER TO THE CONDENSED BLOG ENTRY FOR THE RESOLUTION

http://davidmbecker.blogspot.com/2010/02/proposed-metro-center-sub-committee.html


Original Post:

Resolution text as initially proposed and filed with the Town Clerk on Feb 2nd, 2010.

Resolved that the RTM establish a RTM Special Committee pursuant to Rule 12 of the RTM Rules to Regulate, to be called the Metro Center Tripartite Agreement Review Special Committee, the purpose of which will be to review and assess status and possible modification of the three party agreement by and between the State of Connecticut, Town of Fairfield and Blackrock Realty that was approved by the RTM on February 25, 2003 and to make further report and recommendations to the RTM.

Sponsor: Kathryn L. Braun, R-8

Seconded: David M. Becker, R-1

Update:

Fairfield Citizen article: http://bit.ly/aOmSwJ

Letter to the Editor - Thank you District 1 Voters

Dear Editor:

Thank you to the voters of District 1 for your tremendous show of support and vote last week at the polls. I take your groundswell of support as a mandate to be your independent voice on the Representative Town Meeting, to make decisions that best serve your interests, not a political party, and to help lead our town to a bright future.

I have lived in Fairfield nearly my entire life, and I have a deep affection for it, and a strong commitment to our town. I pledge to hold the line on unnecessary spending, advocate for long-term planning solutions, to work in earnest to keep our seniors and retirees in town and to bring transparency to our government. I will be proactive, not reactive.

Thank you very much. Together, we can make our town better than ever.

I look forward to serving you during my term.

Should you have questions or something you would like to discuss, please feel free to call me at 203-424-0024.

Sincerely yours,

David M. Becker

Voter Question: How do you define "proper" funding for schools?

Earlier this evening I received an email from a local resident in my district.  He had a great question about one of my three key issues.  Below I have listed his question and my response.  I welcome feedback from readers of this blog on how to address the balance between a tight budget and proper funding for our schools.  If fortunate enough to be elected tomorrow, I will need everyone's help with this and many other issues.

Question:

How do you define "proper" funding for schools?

Answer:

I define proper funding as our school system having the financial resources it needs at all times to provide a complete and balanced education for all children in Fairfield.

My plan as your representative on the RTM is to add my voice to the call for a fully independent audit of the school board's budget.  Going door to door this past month, I have spoken to many fellow voters that share my concern for where their money is going.  Some teachers are low on school supplies and it is only November.  Situations like this should never be the case in our town.

It is my belief that we can properly fund our schools, while at the same time keeping taxes and our overall budget down.  There is a fine balance that can and must be achieved and I am hoping to have the opportunity to work towards that goal on behalf of my district.

Weekend Update Oct. 24-25

I've made two separate entries below for this weekend outlining the progress I've made_with the campaign.

Saturday Campaign Update:
Several meetings were in the morning. I was filled in on some local Southport issues from a few Sasquanaug members. There is plenty of work to do in that area.
During the rainy afternoon I took a break from the campaign. Asa new board member at the Fairfield Arts Council I felt that it was important to meet with their Executive Director now vs after the campaign. Lots of work ahead of me and I always like to jump right into things. After that meeting I attended an FAC sponsored book signing at Borders for Bruce Pollock's "By the Time We Got to Woodstock: The Great Rock ’n’ Roll Revolution of 1969"
Final stop was a meeting with Joe Demartino (running for RTM-4) (link below). He's running too and we both bounced some ideas around for our campaigns. Very helpful for both sides.

Sunday Campaign Update:
Today was a beautiful day in Fairfield! So...Lots of events and walking!
Started the day off at the Junior Women's Club "Halloween on the Green" event. One of my neighbors on Mona Terrace invited me to stop by and I was glad to accept. The kids were having a blast with all sorts of games and fun the weekend before Halloween!
After that I went to the Sasquanaug pumpkin carving event at the Pequot Library. I was introduced to a few local residents and was able to get some great feedback about local matters. This event was followed by the Sasquanaug sponsored Halloween dog parade...Bob and Erica joined in..Bob even wore a costume t-shirt supporting me!
Door to door campaigning was the best way to wrap up this eventful weekend. I hit several streets and many neighbors were home. I also ran into someone who knew me as a child which is always fun. Door to door campaigning clearly makes a difference. People are always pleased to see I'm making an extra effort and to get a chance to meet one of their candidates.

My Candidate Bio

This week I submitted my candidate bio to the RTC for their mailer. I also plan to add this to my new website which should be rolled out next week. If you would like further detail relating to the experience I have listed below please feel free to contact me directly.

-Lifelong Fairfield resident

-Graduate of Fairfield High School

-8 year active volunteer Firefighter, Southport Fire Department

-Financial Secretary and Board Member, Southport Fire Department

-Past President, Southport Fire Department

-Partner at family owned Fairfield real estate company, Becker Properties LLC

-Director of Operations and Technology, Confirmed Freight LLC, Stratford, CT
-Wife: Erica