COUTU ON NORWICH ISSUES 1. I volunteered to be a member of the Norwich Ethics Review committee even before deciding to seek a seat on the Norwich City Council to better assure integrity in our local government processes. This committee rewrote and expanded our the City's current policy and shared its completed report and recommendations for review and action by the City Council.. 2. I remain committed to reviewing and, as needed, revising the City Charter to better outline the roles and responsibilities of all within our city government. A good first step is agreeing to undertake a review which as a member of the City Council, I helped support with my vote on a resolution calling for a request for proposal. 3. Government spending and taxation at all levels is out of control. I continue to count every penny and watch where it goes. Comparing our bad municipal spending habits to other cities or trying to match the Jones’ does nothing and is unacceptable. Reform needs to start with us, here in Norwich. We've grown used to looking at future expenses into the hundreds of millions in the coming years for our schools, sewer treatment plant, infrastructure, a new police station and a new animal shelter along with the annual 2-4 million dollar increase in fixed costs that are associated with education, personnel, utilities, public safety and insurance. Recently we have spent over $25,000 on flowers. There was no bidding and no line item for these flowers. Also, we hired a master gardener and 1/2 employee to water plants. The problem is these are not good times and when we spend $100,000 on flowers one has to question priorities and the process. Sachem fund for Economic Development is a good things, but giving 400,000 of tax dollars to non-profits is not a good idea. Instead we need to cherish tax dollars as if they were our own. If 400,000 would have been in the budget to off set taxes, we would have had less then 1% tax increase. 4. Norwich taxpayers deserve relief and need MORE from the Mohegan-Pequot Fund and less spending beyond our means. The initial breakdown for town to state funding was 80/20% now we are at 20/80, which turns out to 80 of the 400+ million dollars. If the employees from these casinos are struggling to survive, customer service will decrease and the whole state will lose with less Mohegan-Pequot slot revenue. Additionally, our public utilities and emergency services are overwhelmed. Both casinos are in the process of massive expansions. This will mean more traffic and expenses associated indirectly from the casinos. We need a regional team from Putnam to Stonington to work hard in Hartford to address our case. At our first Legislative meeting in January, I proposed quarterly meeting with Senator and State Representative. I have and will continue to actively support Governor Rell's Proposal for Municipal cap on expenditures and have established http://www.CT3NOW.org. 5. Focus on our city's foundation, which is the infrastructure. As our city expands with new developments, condos and homes we put strain on our infrastructure. During my years as a volunteer Firefighter it's obvious that there are numerous places throughout the city that lack the capacity to generate enough water during a fire. We don't need a quick fix, we need a long-term solution. Unfortunately, before my tenure the previous city manager used one million of the 5 million dollar capitol bond to propose a reasonable budget. Taking funds from capitol improvements is not a smart move and I will not support this in the future.  NOTE:  Norwich's 1400 hydrants are much more then any community in Eastern Connecticut and in the big picture the city has improved our water supply over the long term. To date I have supported the following: purchasing land to protect water supply, purchasing fiber optic loop around Norwich, which will support public safety, business resources and educational communication. The fiber optic system should also facilitate a wireless zone inside the Mohegan Park and the downtown region. This will be a win-win for our family and business communities. I will continue to support Norwich Public Utilities expansion of clean power generation capacity. As a member of public works support plan to pave 8 miles of Norwich Roads by Department of Public Works. As a Alderman, I support renovating the Dog Pound (Regionalization sounds great, but plans did not evolve) These investments in our infrastructure are in line with my call for a "Family & Business friendly community" theme. 6. Support established businesses and the downtown area. We also need to take care of businesses that have been here for years. Established companies and residents should not be forgotten as we focus on the next potential development. As chairman of APED we are working hard to complete an economic development incentive package. I will propose resolutions to support city based business bidding preferences and improved zoning laws to support local businesses. 7. Norwich needs to continue to become a family and business friendly community. We should strive to have an event every weekend be it cultural, sporting, ethnic or, religious across every corner of our city, from the harbor to Dodd Stadium. Unplanned development detracts from Norwich. The recent condominium projects along the Thames River take away from the beauty of our harbor and numerous projects are stalled. In recent years over 1400 condominiums have been constructed but, as a city, we've yet to see a reduction in individual property taxes as this development has been added to the assessor's rolls. We need intelligent development and smart growth. Norwich should develop a kayak and sail boating programs with a fishing pier in the harbor. The kayaks could dock and utilize the restaurants and pubs downtown. This will assist with attracting people to our vibrant downtown and future tourist attraction. What better place can thousands of people from the cruise ships go then the beautiful Rose of New England. Norwich should allow dogs into sections of our parks and expand the Heritage Walkway to Mohegan Sun and around the remainder of our harbor. As Chairman for the Administrative, Planning and Economic Development, APED, sub-Committee of the City Council, I've proposed Family Business friendly community as outlined above and am advocating for an Economic Development Incentive Package as chairman of APED. 8. Focus on health and educational accountability to challenge our community, parents and children. Last November, tax payers approved a referendum for a $40,000,000 renovation to the Kelly Middle School and have been unstinting in their support of education with increases in annual budgets of over $10,000,000 per year since 2005. At our current rate of growth, the Norwich education budget will be close to $200,000,000 in 13 years.. All community organizations need to operate more efficiently. We live in the age of technology and we should consolidate Human Resource, Finance, Purchasing and IT departments. We also need to focus on regionalization to reduce fixed costs. With an average spending increase of 5.4% since 2004 we need to acknowledge this rate and pace of increased spending is unsustainable and that if it continues, tax payers and businesses will leave. Personal responsibility, smart business and accountability need to be emphasized. We need to lead by example and keep the tax and spend ideology that is destroying Connecticut out of Norwich. 9. Establish organizations to provide opportunities, education and excitement for college graduates, professionals and residents. Myself and a team of young professionals are working on this as we speak. This will include discounts for our students in Norwich and a wireless network in our city and Mohegan Park. -Working hard to lead by example and show the younger generation hard work can produce results- NEW ISSUES TO FOCUS ON 2008 10. Promote visual improvements of the cities walls, bridges and other assets. If we are truly the Rose of New England we should have artists painting our assets and beautifying our city. I think the expansion of the Heritage walkway with beautiful lamps overlooking the river can be a start. We also need stricter design standards and large Roses on all bridges as you enter the city. Like many other cities in the country we should have a charitable drive to fund the painted roses by various organizations around the city. These statues would be donated and placed in strategic places around the city. The model for our charity auction is similar to Boston's Cow Parade. Recently, I contacted numerous organizations including Norwich Free Academy and Chelsea Gardens in an effort to generate a community wide effort to make Norwich the Rose of New England. The response is up beat and we are moving forward. 11. Downtown accountability 2010. The council is working with Human Services, the City Manager and the Police Department to change the safety perception of our downtown. To date we have a team of committed leaders following a supportive housing blueprint that has worked in numerous cities across America. As an Norwich Alderman, I researched our options with Human Services, small business owners and other interests, which influence my decision to support supportive housing. As a fiscal conservative my only concern is the total cost, since all dollars are tax dollars. The over riding factor is the city of Norwich, Connecticut, Federal Government, organizations and businesses have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in our downtown and we have to change the safety perception problem. 12. City Plan Night, June 6th, 2008 - Norwich does not have a MASTER PLAN. We have a Plan of Conservation that provides a general direction that we should focus on. The Plan of Conversation was updated 6 years ago. During this time our budget has increased over 25 million dollars, we have an additional 1500 homes and our demographics have changed. There are at least 10 other plans including the Harbor Management, which should be reviewed and included in the MASTER PLAN. On June 6th, which is the first Friday, Administrative Plan for Economic Development (APED) and the Rose City Renaissance will facilitate a City Plan Night. This event will bring out all the plans, past and old, so all members of our community can review and participate in the first step of establishing a new MASTER PLAN. If you have a plan or would like to participate email chris. 13. Committed to Veterans we are going to re-establish the Greater Norwich Veterans Council. Their mission will be to assist with the planning, development and implementation of anything that will support Veterans in the region. Additionally, I have proposed an ordinance to increase the Veterans deduction from 5,000 to 8,000 dollars and $2250 in support of the Traveling Vietnam Memorial that will visit Norwich, Connecticut during our 350th in 2009. This should result in 100,000 people including thousands of students to view the memorial that represents the sacrifice of tens of thousands of our American Heroes, who risked it all for our freedoms.    PROMOTE OUR ASSETS AND OURSELVES: Outstanding Fire Departments who respond quickly when there is a problem  Public Information - Reminder, Norwich Bulletin, WICH, Resident, WXLM and The Day Public Utilities - 20% lower then CL&P and we get million back 7 million yearly.. This money is dissolved in the budget and a portion should be retained in a rainy day fund. Mohegan Park and our beautiful harbor Norwich Tech, Norwich Public Schools, NFA and Three Rivers Community College Your vote counts in Southeastern Connecticut. In the past 10 years multiple elections have been won by less the a few hundred votes. If you reach out to others, you could be the difference. Religious, ethnic, and civic organizations Downtown entertainment, Art district, Otis library, YMCA and restaurants First class entertainment at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods 40 minutes or less from Mystic, Long Island Sound and Hartford 110 miles from Boston and NYC Greater Norwich and Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Fraternal organizations including Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Lions, Rotary, DAV, Italian Americans, Polish American, Vietnam Vets, and Knights of Columbus Events including PBA, Independence Day celebration, Italian Festival, Defenders, Veterans Day, concerts and Juneteenth parade.   "Time for results and leaders to speak up, not politics!" Send Chris an email to talk about the issues or call 860.857.5762 This website was designed and paid for by Christopher D. Coutu.  Christopher is responsible for its content. RETURN