So now Amanda Brown is hiding behind the idea that the letter she waved at the Council hearing last Tuesday is addressed to the Mayor. She convieniently forgets that the date of the letter is May of 2008, long after the bid process had closed and thus evidence that CRRA was attempting to circumvent the bidding process. Contrary to her assertions, its still a violation of the bidding process to consider bids that come in after the sealed bid process.
Note that she is not answering how she got the bid letter. The rules of a sealed bidding process are pretty clear. Brown also said, on the record, that she obtained the letter direct from CRRA via a fax. Looks like someone will have to dig out the tapes of the Council meeting.
Here’s her letter to the editor:
Councilwoman: I had no communications with CRRA representative
To the Editor:
For the record, I would like to correct some of the statements made in an article on July 24 entitled “Council approves $13M Trash Contract.”
The reporter has quoted the mayor and his mischaracterizations about my actions, so now I must set the record straight. There has been no “communication between Brown and a CRRA representative.” The correspondence that I referenced at the July 22, 2008, Common Council meeting was a copy of a renewal letter from CRRA to Mayor Moccia dated May 15, 2008, with supporting in-formation about the cost per ton that the city would be charged should it choose to continue its current contract with CRRA.
The purpose for sharing the contents of this letter that was previously undisclosed by Mayor Moccia is that the pricing was significantly lower than what Mr. Alvord misrepresented at one of the public hearings.
This information was important to discuss among the Common Council members, and it illuminated the fact that pertinent information was withheld from us and the public. Our ability to render sound and prudent decisions was hindered by the lack of disclosure within this administration. The mayor, through Mr. Alvord has misled the council regarding the viable terms and/or opportunities available to the city should a renewal contract with CRRA been an option to resolving the MSW matter. However, we shall never know since any possible investigation was ended by the mayor when he broke a tie vote which would have sent the matter back to committee for further review.
I find it quite hypocritical for the mayor to call me “irresponsible” when he and Mr. Alvord have done everything possible to thwart the fact-finding process of the council members who wish to be diligent and knowledgeable about issues before they vote on them and affect the lives of the thousands of people for years to come. The actions that he claims are irresponsible clearly demonstrate what responsible leadership is. Council members are trying to ensure that Norwalk stays on the move and heads in the right direction.
Reviewing, researching and discussing information is the re-sponsibility of the council. We have no right to unilaterally represent the city of Norwalk in negotiations of contracts, and I have never done so. This fact will be displayed before all once the documents requested by Mr. Scialabba are produced in accordance with his FOI Request.
The mayor should be making sure that his staff does a better job providing information in a timely manner to council members and the public. More importantly, he should be implementing plans to fix the Meadow Street area, as he promised. It would behoove him to welcome the assistance of the Common Council members who are willing, able and competent enough to help him.
Amanda M. Brown
Norwalk
Amanda M. Brown is an at-large member of the Common Council.
source: The Hour, Councilwoman: I had no communications with CRRA representative
They’r toxic!
