This is probably the largest crowd I’ve seen for these debates. That is a good sign that people are eager to participate in politics.

Q1 Increased enforcement of zoning, health and demolition existing laws.

Walter Briggs: We would look at each department and makre sure that we have adequate people and staff to enforce these laws. Would add 1 or 2 enforcement officers.

Dick Moccia: I did add an enforcement officer, but that itsn’t enough unless you follow it up in court. We have over 100 cases in court enforcing our laws or zoning violations..

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Ok, I’m here despite suffering from the combo of Eubola, West Nile Fever and Bird Flu. Most people say its just a common cold. Anyways. I will updating the debates tonight periodically.

I was just handed a press release that Mayor Moccia has received the endorsement of the Fairfield County Labor Council. As I glance around the room, and gee its hot and stuffy in here (make your own jokes) the political flunkie population per square foot is rather high. They are going through the debate rules right now.

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The District A debates centered around parks and traffic. Matt Miklave pointed out that the Moccia administration cut out traffic calming measures which he said didn’t have to be speed bumps. He said brick work in pedestrian areas can work to slow traffic. Richard Bonnefant said that smarter planning o locating city services could reduce traffic. Steve Sarapis (sp?) said that he has first hand experience with dealing with traffic and cited Ward street.

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I missed this one entirely. But post your comments.

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I’m not there but someone just told me that the Republican candidates did not show.

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I came in when Kelly Straniti was answering a question about the 180 demolition delay ordinance, and thinks that property owners need to become more involved.

Doug Hempstead has to spend more time spending more time offering incentives for people to preserve their homes instead of beating people over the their heads. Fodor Farm doesn’t make every body happy, he said as an example.

They are now answering a question about affordable housing.

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The District C was held in the common council chambers.

I came in after they already started.

David Parks spoke about things he was concerned about in the neighborhood and district.

Nick Kydes: Said that there are only 5 Republicans on the council, and that the most important issue is taxes. We pulled some of the Democrats over to our side to keep taxes low. We did not cut the education funding, we lowered the rate of increase.. We never had maps of where storm system pipes were in this city. We have allocated money to get software to get this mapped out.

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