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Norwalk: Krummel Hopeful That Dems Will Find Common Ground


by turfgrrl


November 27th, 2007 · 30 Comments

So far, Bill Krummel has gracefully adopted the role of senior statesman after his support for council president eroded under the stream of interference by Democratic party meddlers. Krummel respects the process of government, which is why his latest comments strikes me as being complete odd.

After noting that the Democratic agenda, basically a recap of what Hempstead said last week, is infrastructure, budgets, and the demo delay, he tossed on something about delaying board and commission appointments. “One of the things that I’m particularly interested in is modifying the system we have of nominating for appointments to committees and boards,” Krummel said to Robert Koch of The Hour. “I discussed that with (council President Fred A. Bondi) last week about the desirability of having nominations presented to the council the first council meeting of the month and then having action the second meeting.”

So lets see, Krummel has spent many years not doing anything about infrastructure in his years on the public works committee, including years as chair, and he has decided that the inside baseball process of appointing volunteers to boards and commissions needs a delay of game.

Why is this even an issue? I suspect that its not just me who finds a delightful irony now that Laurel Lindstrom gets to vote on appointments after her experiences serving on boards and commissions. We’ll see if the Democratic members of this council figure out that focusing on the real issues facing Norwalk, instead of the fabricated issues by party-poopers, lead to job satisfaction and voter approval.

Meanwhile Fred Bondi suggests a new initiative in expanding tax credit programs for seniors amongst the usual suspects:

Bondi said he is hopeful that Democrats can work together to expand tax credit programs for seniors, revise the city’s demolition delay ordinance, finish remodeling schools, and move forward flooding remediation as well as redevelopment projects.

“The big thing is the redevelopment in the city. I think that’s important … because that’s going to bring us a lot of tax dollars,” Bondi said.

source: The Hour, Council Dems optimistic about working together, By ROBERT KOCH, November 27, 2007

Tags: In the News · Norwalk

30 Responses so far ↓ “Norwalk: Krummel Hopeful That Dems Will Find Common Ground”



  • 1 MGeake // Nov 27, 2007 at 9:20 am

    I have to say that I am very encouraged with this development.

  • 2 anonymous // Nov 27, 2007 at 9:38 am

    What development are you encourages with ? East Avenue ?

  • 3 anonymous // Nov 27, 2007 at 9:52 am

    I guess the blog and the Hour are now backing Hempstead for a run as mayor in 2009??

  • 4 MGeake // Nov 27, 2007 at 10:21 am

    #2 That the Majority Leader and the Council President appear ready to “bury the hatchet”, and neither plans to bury it in the other’s back.

    If the municipal election results showed anything at all — other than voters don’t come out for rainy odd-year elections — it’s that most Norwalkers don’t give a damn about party politics or affiliations. They want results, not petty infighting that blocks progress toward results.

  • 5 Anonymous // Nov 27, 2007 at 11:03 am

    Here, Here Michael…that last line

    “most Norwalkers don’t give a damn about party politics or affiliations. They want results, not petty infighting that blocks progress toward results”

    is priceless. Good for you and those who adhere to this prophetic sentiment!

  • 6 Anon // Nov 27, 2007 at 11:17 am

    What Krummel says here reflects his and the other “Axis-Rats’” new-fangled policy concerning Council committee appointments, and trumpets their objection to Bondi having nominated two Republicans as committee chairs. The objection was that committee chair assignments ought to go to the majority party, as they do in Congress. He intends to attempt adherence to that policy when it comes to commission appointments of volunteers. He wants Rat majority membership on commissions. The delay is to allow a vetting process of nominees; read: an opportunity to trash and destroy Republican nominees by discovering dirty laundry and skeletons in the closet. Recall that a question concerning this was asked at the at-large Council candidates’ debate. Amanda Brown’s answer, unknowing to the Republican candidates and most others, parroted the new-fangled Rat position.

  • 7 anonymous // Nov 27, 2007 at 5:52 pm

    Atta boy, Mike. You are going in with your eyes wide open. Wow, do you ever have my respect! Hang in there… you’ll see for yourself who you can trust, and who you can’t, and you’ll find that the good guys aren’t all on one team!

  • 8 Al Bore // Nov 28, 2007 at 7:55 am

    Lets hope Krummel will run for mayor in 09 I think he would be a great choice.

  • 9 Wake up already! // Nov 28, 2007 at 7:59 am

    I think you’ve been nipping at the egg nog there #8 a wee bit early. THe man is lucky he can keep awake during a council meeting. Look at him during the meetings…you kinda’ want ot send him into the Dem Caucus room for a nappy.

  • 10 Anonymous // Nov 29, 2007 at 8:00 am

    I find this morning’s report by The Hour that Mr. Krummel had to ask the Corporation Council what constitutes a quorum for a committee to be absolutely amazing (and more than a little disheartening).

    This is the man who wanted to be Council President, and he doesn’t even know the rules.

    Maybe this explains the condition of our infrastructure after his years in charge of Public Works!

  • 11 anon // Nov 29, 2007 at 8:24 am

    SSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Listen……….hear that?……
    ….silence……….See?!!
    ..you don’t hear Pouruban or Miklave
    anymore!! Oh Happy Day!!

  • 12 anonymous // Nov 29, 2007 at 8:34 am

    Hey anon! You forgot to put in some swipes about Knopp! Blame Knopp, blame Knopp! Just think, we can keep complaining about Poruban and Miklave for years! Oh such fun!!!!

  • 13 # 1 of the Miserable 25 // Nov 29, 2007 at 8:41 am

    Well it appears the Fred Bondi’s antics have even caught the attention of the Advocate. He just does not get it. Dems who voted for him are not saying “Thank you for shafting me, Please do it again.”

    ———————————–

    Bipartisanship on council has potential

    Published November 29 2007 Advocate

    Interesting, this business of naming minority party members to lead Common Council committees. Unprecedented, no; but certainly not common or without controversy.

    Longtime Common Council member Fred Bondi, a Democrat, broke with tradition in his first act as newly elected council chairman this month and chose Republicans to chair the council’s Personnel and Land Use committees.

    Whether that signals a desire to put experience over party or a continuation of recent discord among Democrats is tough to say, but the move has its advantages and disadvantages.

    First, the downside. Voters in this city elected a Democratic Common Council. Although people as a rule consider party less when voting inlocal elections, its reasonable to assume that with the choice of a Democratic council came the expectation of Democrats in leadership positions. This decision defies that expectation.

    Democrats, however, will maintain a voting majority - although they often voted in separate blocks last term.

    Mr. Bondi’s decision also sets up some potentially messy logistics. Committee chairmen help plan the council’s agenda. But that is usually done during caucus meetings, which cannot include members of opposition parties. Obviously, a different system will have to be established. It’s possible that could exacerbate past tensions that have existed among Democrats.

    Fortunately, however, there is a considerable upside to the decision, one that could overshadow concerns.

    The two Republicans Mr. Bondi chose to lead the committees, Rick McQuaid and Douglas Hempstead, are two of the most able and conscientious members of the council. Both men are heavily invested in Norwalk, with long resumes of service to the city. Bringing their levels of experience to leadership positions could be a great benefit to our community - especially since they have proven themselves to be public servants who really do put the common good over party.

    It might be an unorthodox Common Council with them as committeechairmen, but it’s probably a better one?

  • 14 anonymous // Nov 29, 2007 at 8:42 am

    Yes, #11, I’m listening. All I hear is the continuing stream of republicans bashing their fellow citizens of Norwalk. Real classy.

  • 15 Andrew // Nov 29, 2007 at 9:18 am

    And the democrats haven’t been doing the same thing #14?

  • 16 anon // Nov 29, 2007 at 9:23 am

    Obviously #14 your NOT listening closely enough. Dem’s from their districts ALSO didn’t like their petty partisan BS and DIDN’t vote for these egotists. I was just commenting how nice it is to not have to listen to their partisan crap anymore. AND WHO SAID I WAS A REPUBLICAN ANYWAY!

  • 17 anon // Nov 29, 2007 at 9:28 am

    Amazing #15 how these “rightous dems” don’t see Norwalkphil or over&outs or the many other partisan attackers on this blog. They have horse blinders, or should I say “donkey blinders’ (actually more like jackass) on, and they only cry foul when it’s about them. Classy, reaL classy. As for #12, Knopp WHO?

  • 18 anonymous // Nov 29, 2007 at 9:30 am

    nothing like a bit of righteous indignation from republicans! if the shoe fits, donkey-man…

  • 19 anon // Nov 29, 2007 at 9:40 am

    #18 AGAIN, I repeat “Who said I was a republican?” there are independants out their you know. As you can see from ths past election, many of us split our voting. Many of us, No, the majority of us saw dems like Bondi & Geake who stand for whats right while Miklave & Pouruban were tossed like stale bread. And people like you , norwalkphool, over&out, veto moccia, etc can sit there and point your fingers at the rest of us….boo hoo..while we just grin at you.

    nothing like a bit of righteous indignation from democrats! if the shoe fits, jackass-man…

  • 20 anonymous // Nov 29, 2007 at 9:48 am

    19 - it is too bad that you choose to use this site, which was originally conceived as a vehicle for public discussion and debate of the merits of ideas, as a launching ground for personal attacks on others. All these attacks do is speak to your lack of character and integrity.

  • 21 Anon // Nov 29, 2007 at 12:22 pm

    Awe, how sweet #20, you’re just so much above us all. Let me ask you, how come we don’t see your rightous literary tidbits when we were constantly baraged by Norwalkphool, Veto Moccia et al ? Huh? Didn’t see any of your rightous Horse $h!t then, did we? Maybe I’d agree with you once I see you chastise the above mentioned. Until then, you can stuff your pompous rightous attitude you know where. Have a nice day.

  • 22 anonymous // Nov 29, 2007 at 12:29 pm

    Because I’m afraid of people like you attacking my family and property…

    What a great person you are! I’ll value all your future comments.

  • 23 turfgrrl // Nov 29, 2007 at 12:32 pm

    Cut out the name calling.

    The Management.

  • 24 Anon // Nov 29, 2007 at 12:35 pm

    What?? What other kind of dumb remarks can you make?
    Until you and the above can talk “in a nice way” to the rest of us, you’ll receive just what you dish out. You never answered my question, so I’ll ask once more,
    How come we don’t see your rightous literary tidbits when we were constantly baraged by Norwalkphool, Veto Moccia et al ?
    Now, no start A$$ answer like” ohh I don’t want to to attack, blah, blah” ANSWER THE QUESTION 2 face.

  • 25 Anon // Nov 29, 2007 at 12:38 pm

    Turf, what is good for the goose, is good for the gander.

  • 26 Not the same anonymous // Nov 29, 2007 at 12:56 pm

    What was that term someone used to describe people like #24? Coprolalic?

  • 27 dem4life // Nov 29, 2007 at 1:11 pm

    This is exactly the type of posts that drag this blog down. If you have nothing interesting to say and can’t spell then keep silent.

  • 28 sick of dimwits // Nov 29, 2007 at 2:13 pm

    I’m pretty sure that 19 is your typical Republican who stopped thinking in the 8th grade.

  • 29 sick of demwits // Nov 29, 2007 at 2:53 pm

    And whats your excuse 28? Did you even go to school?
    I agree with Anon, So where are your posts about the dems who knock republicans? You didn’t post any of those did you? Another hypocrit. As for dem4life, he atleast has pointed blame to the dems when he didn’t agree with them. I have to give him credit for that. And yes, dem4life, I do agree with you that talk vicious talk is not necessary, but I also have noticed that when the extreme dem bloggers that Anon mentioned are never blamed for being rude, only republicans.

  • 30 Anonymous // Nov 29, 2007 at 2:54 pm

    There’s a difference?

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