It’s too bad this is a municipal election year because one of the most important issues facing Norwalk is about to spun in campaign lingo. Today’s Advocate reports that a $2.4 million dollar surplus is prompting mayoral candidates to weigh in. First the spin, opening graf.

A surge in budget surpluses over several years has prompted city officials to start dumping some of the savings back into operating budgets to keep taxes down.

Dumping the savings? How noble. The real examination of infrastructure needs is glossed over though, with Walter Briggs making one nebulous statement and Mayor Moccia making another based on the assumption that DPW director Hal Alvord has but one focus.

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It was all talk before, now its been officially vetoed. The bond package that the Democratic majority sent to Rell has been vetoed by the Governor. The war of words can be summed up; Rell says state credit card is maxed out, the reality is that the bonding package is only a spending wish list, that ultimately Rell controls.

Rell has complained that local officials do not understand that the bond package is a “wish list” of projects, some of which never will be funded. She wants the package to reflect real spending priorities, which would shift pressure for local projects from her to legislators.

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