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Sunday Open Season Thread


by turfgrrl


April 1st, 2007 · 49 Comments

It’s April Fools Day! I suppose we should celebrate some fools here, but I suspect that sort of depends on the eye of the beholder. “The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.” –Mark Twain.

But we do have breaking news of sorts. The Democrats have at long last found a candidate who was willing to run against Dick Moccia. The Democrats long rumored candidate, Alex Knopp had this to say about whether he was running again, “that accusation is outrageous, scurrilous, libelous and obscene.”

The new candidate grew up in Norwalk is an honors graduate from the University of La Verne with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management. He is a Master’s Degree candidate in the Department of Public Administration, with a concentration in city management at the University of La Verne.

“Rick Ramirez is a terrific candidate, and we are pleased to have him,” said Norwalk Democratic Party Chair, Galen Wells. “He fully met our criteria of having a vision for Norwalk.”

Rick Ramirez married to Gina Ramirez and lives in Norwalk with their three sons, Ryan, Rene and Riley. Rick Ramirez has been in the law enforcement profession for over 12 years, serving with the City of Norwalk Office of Public Safety and Orange County Marshall’s Department. Rick is currently a Supervisor and Trainer with the Santa Ana Police Department’s Jail Bureau, and is also a Peace Officer with the City of Long Beach under the Park Ranger Program. The new candidate has extensive experience as a mayor, currently serving as mayor of Norwalk California.

“It’s a little unorthodox, ” remarked Norwalk Republican Party Chair, Jeff Konspore, “seeking a sitting mayor from another Norwalk to run for office here, but the residency requirements are met this way, so why not.”

Rumors are circulating amongst leading Republicans to quickly lock up the availability of Sue Lesch, current mayor of Norwalk Ohio. An unnamed source had this to say, “Look Norwalk Ohio was founded by prominent citizens from Norwalk in the early 1800’s, so its kind of a return of Norwalk ancestors, plus it would put to rest that the Republicans are not interested in historical stuff. They [Norwalk, Ohio] kept all their historical buildings intact, so we could create a historic district there.”

Current mayor Dick Moccia responded when asked about these developments, “As long as I get to be mayor either in California or Ohio in exchange, I say why wait till the election.”

We now return to our normally scheduled commenting …

Tags: Norwalk

49 Responses so far “Sunday Open Season Thread”


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  • 1 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 9:09 am

    Very funny turfy.

  • 2 indythinker // Apr 1, 2007 at 9:24 am

    Very good Turf!

  • 3 Watchdog // Apr 1, 2007 at 9:25 am

    I’m on the floor!

  • 4 annie c // Apr 1, 2007 at 10:37 am

    Bravo!

  • 5 itsridiculous // Apr 1, 2007 at 10:44 am

    Hizzoner may have had a touch of the Norwalk OHIO flu recently.
    Here are some symptoms of the newly-named Norwalk CONNECTICUT virus, which may in fact have started a decade ago on East Avenue, and cycles around every 2 years or so:
    You get out of bed and find yourself afflicted by CRS syndrome: Can’t Remember S_ _ t; You don’t read your mail for days, weeks, or even years; The muscle between your thumb & index finger is sore from routine ribbon-cutting; Sore throat from shouting down hecklers; Watery eyes (usually during emotional flood victim speeches); Intestinal problems every 4th Tuesday of the month (could be the anchovies?); General fatigue following another bout of the dreaded annual BOE flu (battle of egos, bored of education, baseball over erithmetic, blame others endlessly, boring over-estimates); Neck pains, generally caused by a gadfly, not to be confused with a tse tse [pronounced ’see-see’] fly, which comes from storm water runoff.
    CURE: Take two elections and call me in the….. on second thought, don’t call.

    HAPPY APRIL FOOLS FROM A HAPPY APRIL FOOL!
    A YEAR OF BRAGGING RIGHTS TO ANYONE THAT CAN IDENTIFY ALL THE SYMPTOMS TO ANY ACTUAL EVENT!

  • 6 anon // Apr 1, 2007 at 11:55 am

    John Fabrizi seems to be in hot water again. What’s with Democratic mayors condoning the sexual activities of adults who are attracted to minors? Is Knopp now going to issue a statement in support of the guy at Pagano’s? Are we supposed to take a mayor’s word that all is ok these days?

  • 7 indiga // Apr 1, 2007 at 11:59 am

    This just in…local politition noticed out on the streets after an evening in a local bar, shouting “I’m the Mayor! I’m the Mayor” at the top of his lungs, necessitating a visit by Norwalk’s finest who drive him back to his posh suite at the Norwalk Inn.
    Ahhh…every day of the Moccia adminstration is April Fool’s Day — and the jokes on us.

  • 8 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:13 pm

    Indiga, Moccia has shown to all events that have requested his attendance. He has been on time and he has been curtious. One can’t say the same about Knopp.

  • 9 indiga // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:17 pm

    Now we know why y’all support Moccia — he shows up, makes nice and looks good in the photo-op. Hey, it may not be what I want in a leader, but if it’s enough for you — so be it.

  • 10 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:24 pm

    No. Indiga I want ugly (both inside and out), grumpy, rude, pompous, condescending, disloyal, self absorbed, backstabbing, lying, discourteus, rigid, tyrannical, despotical, manipulaing, surreptitious, and all of the things that cover up had. Indiga must miss that. I think the term is enabler.

  • 11 Anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:26 pm

    Yes, it’s a sad day that we taxpayers still have to keep paying for Knopp’s follies and failures. Oh but that’s not foolish enough for you.

  • 12 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:29 pm

    #7, indiga -that’s just downright rude and disrespectful.. Those who do not understand the wit of some of the posters here may take you seriously(I would hope you are not serious in your post)and for your information, the mayor does not live at the Norwalk Inn. If you would like an answer to that question, I think you should ask him directly instead of making false accusations. It is not my place to speak for the mayor nor anyone elses so I suggest you contact him and get the answer to the question of the day “Mayor Moccia, where do you live? enquiring minds want to know”
    We do understand that some people cannot accept that Norwalk is moving in the right direction and must make bad taste remarks because they just can’t take being in the background for the time being. I really think that if you find some so much wrong with the way the city is being run, perhasps you should step up and run for office and then perhaps you can do a better job. but then perhaps you are already part of the equation.

  • 13 indiga // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:33 pm

    Well, if you want that, then you get Coffey.

  • 14 indiga // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:36 pm

    And anon 12…I assume you will also chide all those that made rude personal remarks about Galen Wells, Alex Knopp, etc. on this site? Or is it just when the remarks touch a nerve on your side?

  • 15 Anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:44 pm

    There are many lies that circulate round town … much of them come from the lips of Galen Wells. Be careful of your sources Indiga.

  • 16 indiga // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:48 pm

    anon 15 - I am careful of my sources on both sides of the fence. I trust only those who have been there and seen it and are not running for office or close to those that are. I hope you do the same.

  • 17 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:55 pm

    indiga -I would say that personal remarks made from and about anyone are rude and disrespectful. if you are to make comments about someone’s political agenda’s, their way of doing things that you disagree with or the course someone is taking in the wrong dirction, this is acceptable. To make personal attacks on anyone is disgusting at best, whether it be Galen Wells, Alex Knopp, Mayor Moccia or anyone for that matter is unacceptable. You may have your own oppinion but when you compromise the integrity of another human being there must be some boundries.

  • 18 itsridiculous // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:59 pm

    So much for a peaceful Palm Sunday, April Fools Day, and a day of rest. I don’t know of ANY mayor in Norwalk that was anyone to brag about! All of them have had serious flaws, and we can all Monday-norming-quarterback them to death. Let’s face it: the votes in Norwalk are almost always for the lesser of two evils. To the other topic- regardless of where the current mayor resides, at least it has to be SOMEWHERE in Norwalk, unlike our Superintendent of Schools & Director of Public Works, and no doubt others. I believe people at this level of government must RESIDE in the cities or towns they serve. Do any out-of-towners truly have a vested interest in the city of Norwalk. I think not.

  • 19 indiga // Apr 1, 2007 at 1:01 pm

    anon 17 — Personally, I have nothing against someone who has a few drinks and gets happy. So what? Look at some of the stuff that’s being said about Alex Knopp on this site. Maybe if Knopp loosened up and had a few drinks with the good old boys in town instead of trying to manage the city in a professional way, he wouldn’t have lost the election.

  • 20 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 1:02 pm

    When you stand up in a room full of people and say something never happened, only to admit that it did happen months later in the newspaper, you have a credibility problem.

  • 21 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 1:06 pm

    indiga you’re saying Knopp ran Norwalk professionally? Ask around city hall, he was the most unprofessional of all, interfering with procedures that were designed to comply with regulations and reporting requirements.

  • 22 anon parent // Apr 1, 2007 at 1:09 pm

    itsridiculous-very very good! This is the question on alot of peoples minds at the hearing the other night. More than one person made comments like what does he care about our kids, he sucks in a huge paycheck, gets his cronies top jobs and doesn’t even live here. How can someone who lives out of town have any vested interest other than their own pockets and those of their families and friends that they can get on the payroll. Did anyone notice that of all of the speakers on that night not one of them didn’t question Corda’s cuts in programs? It’s about time we started looking within our town for qualified people to run our departments or we may just as well outsource the entire town. By the way, Happy Palm Sunday and the beginning of the Holy week to all. Happy Passover to those of the Jewish faith and No Tax Increase this year! APRIL FOOLS!

  • 23 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 2:10 pm

    Current mayoral odds

    Republican:

    Dick Moccia: 3-2, odds on favorite, living situation aside

    Doug Hempstead: 7-1, has to be thinking: that should have been me

    Scott Merrill: 20-1, has run for big office before, tax plan makes sense to some

    Dems:

    David Watts: 10-1, coming on strong for role in uncovering summer jobs scandal, needs to show he has a mainstream platform

    Bill Krummell: 10-1, common council member served three terms, runs well in R stronghold, needs to shake “ghetto” scandal

    matt miklave: twelve to one common council member leader of loyalists or outers depending on what you wish to call the five

    alex knopp: twenty to one two scandals in one week seem to have sunk knopp does not look like can get it done

    bruce kimmel twenty five to one boe did a bad job on budget seems to have made it difficult given the way they cannot control their budget costs

  • 24 itsridiculous // Apr 1, 2007 at 2:25 pm

    Will somebody please tell me who IS running for mayor? It is already April 1 and barely enough time to cover ALL the scandals, but we’ll soon start looking for all the skeletons in the closets. I don’t know which would be worse: running in the mayoral election or actually getting elected:

    Campaign ads: $10,000 dollars.
    Antibacterial wipes for hand-shaking:$100 dollars
    Foot balm after stomping for votes-$20 dollars.
    Moccia’s “what have I done” expression when he realized he had actually WON the election - priceless.

  • 25 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 2:44 pm

    No one wants the job except Alex and no one really wants Alex back.

  • 26 savit // Apr 1, 2007 at 5:07 pm

    It’s sad that Norwalk Republicans (and the Coffey Democrats) see historic preservation as an April Fool’s joke. “…They [Norwalk, Ohio] kept all their historical buildings intact, so we could create a historic district there.” The Norwalk Inn has poisoned the subject. Bye-bye Norwalk Green. You get the presevation that the current administration wants — and this one wants none.

  • 27 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 6:08 pm

    #26-HOW SAD THAT YOU HAVE YOUR FACTS WRONG!
    Neither the Republican’s nor what you call the Coffey Democrats had anything to do with the April Fool’s Story, read it again, it was at the discretion of Ms. Turfgirl to make light of April fools day and the upcoming elections meant only to bring a little chuckle to those who read this blog. Too bad your sense of humor is second only to your partisan beliefs. A lttle laugthter goes a long way and steers fellow readers from being rude and disrespectful to others. perhaps you’ve lost your sense of humor somewhere along the line and perhaps your only reality is to belittle others and use only half truths when you make your comments. HOW VERY SAD!

  • 28 savit // Apr 1, 2007 at 6:55 pm

    Gee,27. No offense. I do see the humor but that doesn’t mean it isn’t based on truth. In fact, that’s why it’s funny.

    Truth is that, when it comes to historic preservation, the Mayor just doesn’t get it. Nolin keeps finding reasons why it won’t work here. Coffey and his cohorts see no value to saving anything if there’s money to be made in tearing it down — even if money could be made by reusing. No way. Ears closed. Not listening. Think about it — if you support zoning laws, you’re already supporting the “state” telling people what they can and can’t do with private property. Same with conservation laws. All these are good things and ways to balance growth with what’s good for the people who live here.

  • 29 anonymous // Apr 1, 2007 at 7:08 pm

    I’m not saying preservation isn’t good what I am saying is that it always seems to be dumped in the laps of this aministration and council. The only reason you can’t attack the former administration on this subject is because there was always a committee formed when the former mayor didn’t want to do something contoversial and get his hands dirty. But he ran them all from behind the scenes so no-one knew he was involved. I won’t even get into East Avenue because its always said that the Republicans are helping the Inn owner because of his affiliation with the party and that the repubs frequent the spot, as an independent voter, I frequent the inn myself for lunch an occational dinner, and even holiday brunches. Does that make me one of the bad guys? I would imagine if you look at the players there have been people from all political persuasions that have been for or against preserving that particular piece of property. Look at Fodor farm, they were so ready to do battle with anyone who cared to listen and lo and behold they didn’t even have their ducks in order when it came to meeting deadlines. I’d say, ya snooze, ya loose.

  • 30 anonymous mom // Apr 1, 2007 at 7:34 pm

    Anon Parent:

    I’m with you on your comments about requiring that department heads reside in Norwalk. Someone should take a really good look around this topic. There are many, many qualified present city residents who are presently employed by the City who could have filled some of these positions and other supervisory and managerial spots. But the City chose to go outside their own talent pool and hire not only out of towners, but some from other countries. The one’s from other countries (Iran and Nigeria for a quick instance now employed by the DPW). No one understands this logic at all. It just all boils down to whose friend you are. This is totally unfair because a resident employed by the City has a vested interest as both a government worker AND A TAXPAYER! Someone should really grab ahold of this topic and look around. Where is the media?

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