07/30/10 We Need “Pay To Play” Rules To Restrict Political Contributions From Contractors Seeking Preferential Treatment At Taxpayer Expense

Just as corporate lobbying corrupts the legislative process, the scramble for government contracts corrupts the executive branch and its agencies.

Connecticut has seen multiple pay-to-play scandals in recent years where campaign contributors illicitly received jobs and no-bid contracts.

Similar scandals have enveloped public officials in New York, California, South Carolina, Illinois and other states across the country.

A number of states have taken action to assure greater accountability in the public contracting system through common-sense solutions:

Campaign Contributions by Contractors:

Seven states currently have some form of pay-to-play contracting law to bar companies bidding on contracts from making campaign contributions to government officials.

Tightening Contracting Standards:

The tighter the standards for the bidding processes and the work done, the less likely incompetent or corrupt companies can buy contracts with campaign contributions.

Campaign Contributions By

Contractors Corrupt Elections

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy is the King Of Pay To Play contributions that prevent "clean elections."

Dan Malloy has for years fueled his political ambitions with donations from people doing business with the city of Stamford.

State elected officials cannot take contributions from state contractors, but it is legal and common at the municipal level politicians to swap contracts for campgain donations..

Over the last six years Dan Malloy's bids for re-election and for governor has brought in huge political contributions from over 25 contracting entities doing business with the City of Stamford.

Dan Malloy should know better, because he was the subject of a contract-steering probe prior to his 2006 bid for governor.

Rather than correct his ways Malloy continues the same reckless behavior,

Connecticut Needs A Governor

With No Strings Attached

In 2003, the Chief State's Attorney's Office opened an investigation into allegations that Malloy, who was first elected in 1995 and left office last year, helped award city jobs to contractors who worked on his home in the late 1990s.

Former Stamfor Mayor Dan Malloy was previously the Democratic party's nomination for governor in 2006. But he lost the primary mainly because of all of the pay to play stories coming out of the Stamford Advocate.

Malloy's 2010 gubernatorial bid last year while he was still mayor, the law firm of Robinson and Cole and AFB Construction Management which manages school and city facilities received no bid contract extensions.

Robinson and Cole and AFB Construction Management have donated to Malloy's Gubernatorial bid.

Waste hauler City Carting landed a contract after key employees bundled donations to the Malloy campaign early last year.

Malloy has repeately refused to

change or alter city ethics laws to avoid

accusations of conflicts of interest.

During Dan Malloy's 2005 mayoral bid, Malloy collected at least $23,750 from major development players, including land use attorneys and project consultants.

Republican opponent Chris Munger at the time accused Malloy of creating a "pay to play" atmosphere.

Dan Malloy's 2006 gubernatorial campaign received sizable donations from the developers of Trump Parc, employees of RBS and executives with Pareto Energy, an energy consultant the city hired in 2007.

Stamford needs ban on contractor donations to municipal elections

There's always the potential of conflict whenever you accept funding from anyone who does business with the government or who is lobbying,

PLEASE SEE:

07/29/10 We Report You Decide: Did Stamford Fire and Rescue Chief Robert McGrath Get His Promotion After Working On Dan Malloy's House?

Related articles that may be of interest:

• Lamont Leads Malloy in Connecticut (politicalwire.com)
• Polling and political wrap-up, 6/10/10 (dailykos.com)
• Hartford mayor convicted of corruption (msnbc.msn.com)
• Gov. Christie appeared at events with N.J. group that skirts campaign finance rules, records show (nj.com)
• Gov. Christie distances himself from Reform Jersey Now group that skirts pay-to-play rules (nj.com)
• Advocacy groups sidestep N.J. disclosure rules as non-profits (nj.com)
• N.J. watchdog group recommends stricter pay-to-play laws, disclosure of public contracts (nj.com)
• Eddie Perez, Connecticut Mayor, Found Guilty On Charges Of Corruption, Bribery, Larceny By Extortion (huffingtonpost.com)

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07/28/10 After Greenwich Roundup Reported On How Dan Malloy Was Desperately Playing The Race Card In The Democratic Primary Emails Like This Came In

Image via Wikipedia

Great Job Dan

Keep Up The Good Work

READER SUBMITTED COMMENTS: Reverse Racism is hijacking our culture and our heritage

The Two Wrongs Make a Right Thesis goes like this: Because some Whites once enslaved some Blacks, the decedents of those slaves, some of whom may now enjoy high incomes and social status, have a right to opportunities and offices over better qualified Whites who had nothing to do with either slavery or the oppression of Blacks, and who may even have suffered hardship comparable to that of poor Blacks. In addition, Strong Affirmative Action creates a new Hierarchy of the Oppressed: Blacks get primary preferential treatment, women second, Native Americans third, Hispanics fourth, Handicapped fifth, and Asians sixth and so on until White males, no matter how needy or well qualified, must accept the left-overs. Naturally, combinations of oppressed classes (e.g., a one eyed, Black Hispanic female) trump all single classifications. The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment becomes reinterpreted as "Equal protection for all equals, but some equals are more equal than others."

http://www.csus.edu/indiv/g/gaskilld/business_computer_ethics/The%20Case%20Against%20Affirmative%20Action.htm

Thomas Sowell: Liberals confuse achievement with privilege

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Thomas+Sowell%3A+Liberals+confuse+achievement+with+privilege&articleId=2631b4c2-bf54-4a28-823b-90d7f3c0c853

Signed

PLundstedt

gamgllc@earthlink.net

COMMENT FROM:

GREENWICH ROUNDUP

Is affirmative action a good law or bad one?

Well, it's niether good or bad.

It's a means to an end. Historically, there has always been a stigma placed on being a non-male-caucasian American in The United States. This stigma has led people to deny opportunities to non-caucasians and women. Affirmative Action was put in place to force the hand of corporate America, to right an obvious wrong. It's usefullness has waned with every passing year as people look past racial and gender barriers, and though there are still instances in which it is needed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make an argument for it's existence. Though, theoretically, as long as there is any 'unjust' disparity in hiring practices there will always be a need.

Incidentally, all applicants have to meet the pre-requisites for a job in order to be hired for any position. Affirmative Action does not help unqualified people gain positions they shouldn't have.

Affirmative action did what it was designed to do.

I remember when it was acceptable to call a "colored person" who was older than you "boy" or "girl."

No one could imagine that the races would be even close to being on an equal footing only 50 years later.

So if you believe in promoting racial equality, it is a good law.

If you believe that we are now equal and that a further handicap in favor of minorities is now unnecessary, it is bad.

Most people don't realize that in companies that hire purely based on acheivement, regardless of race, they never have to worry about affirmitive action, they are never in threat of falling below the ridiculous quotas.

Companies that have issues need to wonder more about why minorities are so underepresented in their companies.

But we, as a country, need to address the racial problems we still have. I wish we didn't need Affirmative Action. And I honestly beleve, that we don't in most companies. The law isn't their for most companies.

It's there for those few who insist on holding on to the old way of thinking here in Greenwich and across the country

The Fact's Are The Facts:

Last May, Greenwich Parks And Recreation Department employee Ron Harding filed a complaint with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities alleging he had persistently been denied a chance to get a position with the higher-paying -- and all-white -- tree service division of the parks department.

Forty-eight complaints have been filed with the agency against the Town of Greenwich in a five-year period beginning July 1, 2004.

Greenwich has seen several racially tinged controversies, probably none as prominent as the 1995 scandal in which five Greenwich High School seniors carried out a coded joke on the pages of the high school's yearbook. Letters beneath their photographs on different pages formed the phrase "Kill All NIGGERS"

Racial relations are smooth on the surface but tension arises on a regular basis.

Eight minority Greenwich police officers -- six black and two Latino -- alleged they were overlooked for promotions to higher-profile and higher-paying positions that instead went to white police officers.

In December 2009, the town and the eight officers agreed to settle the case just before a judge was to uphold or overturn an earlier jury verdict awarding five officers damages -- a move that officially closed the book on the four-year-old case.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights noted major disparities between Hamilton Avenue School and other public elementary schools.

There was a time that Jews like Greenwich Roundup were not allowed to live in Greenwich.

You could rent a store in Greenwich, but you couldn't own a house in Greenwich.

Temple Shalom was started by Greenwich Avenue merchants who were not allowed to live in the town they worshiped in.

06/18/10 Greenwich Resident Michael Metter's Spongetech And The Infamous Universal Express Are Linked

Business Talk Radio Network Owner Michael Metter Is Once Again In The News

Spongetech and Universal Express link emerges Crain's New York Business The penny-stock fraud case involving Spongetech Delivery Systems and its chief executive, Michael Metter, looks to be the biggest case of its kind involving a New York-based company in many years. It also turns out the case has something in common with another infamous fraud, Universal Express. Spongetech was a maker of SpongeBob SquarePants sponges; prosecutors last month charged Mr. Metter with conspiracy to commit fraud and obstructing justice. The government alleges that no fewer than 99% of the purported sales at Mr. Metter's company were phony, while he made millions from selling shares at inflated prices. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil fraud charges against Mr. Metter and some associates. Here's a story about Mr. Metter and his background. (subscription required) This case is potentially the most engaging stock fraud in the city since the SEC cracked down in 2007 on a tiny and truly bizarre New York-based company called Universal Express. Universal Express was a luggage delivery outfit whose management team seems to have devoted relatively few resources to shipping suitcases and a lot of time to selling billions of near-worthless shares, issuing blizzards of press releases and blaming short-sellers for their woes. When a federal judge ordered CEO Richard Altomare to cough up $1.7 million in penalties, Mr. Altomare refused to pay and continued selling Universal Express shares in violation of the court order. The fed-up judge eventually sent Mr. Altomare to prison. Until now, Spongetech and Universal Express seemed to have little in common except for the fact that both were advertisers at Mets, Knicks and Rangers games. But last week, the two companies were linked more closely when one of the folks ensnared in the SEC's Spongetech case cited Universal Express to help make his argument on why a federal judge should deny the agency's request for a preliminary injunction and asset freeze. The defendant is a lawyer named Jack Halperin, who the SEC alleges contributed to the Spongetech fraud by issuing "false and baseless" opinion letters that enabled Mr. Metter and associates to distribute worthless shares to gullible investors. It's the SEC's claims that are baseless, Mr. Halperin argued in his filing. In order to prove fraud, the SEC must establish "scienter" or recklessness amounting to scienter, Mr. Halperin's attorneys wrote, citing the SEC's case against Universal Express. Scienter, Mr. Halperin's lawyers helpfully explain, means "a mental state embracing intent to deceive, manipulate or defraud" investors. Mr. Halperin, a lawyer with 38 years of experience, described himself as an "unwitting victim" of the Spongetech scheme who provided good-faith legal services at his ordinary hourly rate.

Some Background Information On Stock Scammer And WGCH Radio Station Owner Michael Metter

Entries tagged "Michael Metter" - In the Markets The penny-stock fraud case involving Spongetech Delivery Systems and its chief executive, Michael Metter, looks to be the biggest case of its kind involving ... mycrains.crainsnewyork.com/cgi-bin/.../mt-search.cgi?...

Atomic Bob's Stock Forum - The Golden Thread 06/16/2010 42 DECLARATION re 39 Memorandum in Opposition, 40 Memorandum in Opposition Declaration of Jesse Z. Weiss by Michael Metter, Spongetech Delivery ... www.atomicbobs.com/index.php?mode=read&id=530145

SpongeTech(R) Delivery Systems, Inc. Enhances Management Team with ... "We are very excited to have someone with Jim's background and experience join our growing company," said Michael Metter, CEO of SpongeTech. ... finance.yahoo.com/.../SpongeTechR-Delivery-Systems-prnews...

Anthony @ Equity Investigations, Dear Anthony, Message Board - Msg ... 06/16/2010 40 MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 2 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction , Asset Freeze, and Other Relief filed by Michael Metter. ... siliconinvestor.advfn.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=26623382

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02/20/08 The Raw Greenwich News Feed - Greenwich Citizen News Links

Office thefts on rise; be vigilant
In a time of mounting economic pressure, Greenwich police are reporting an increase in office thefts and recommend that business owners and operators be vigilant to safeguard their property.

Det. Timothy Powell's alert includes such helpful tips as to "not bring unnecessary valuables to the workplace; know the serial numbers of laptops and all electronics; engrave an identifier onto property without serial numbers," and "lock the valuables you do bring to work in a locker or desk"

"Criminals can claim," said Powell, "or pretend to be with another employee, purport to be looking for another office, or give an appearance of authorized purpose, such as a repairman or delivery ruse."

A young footballer likes gifts that keep on giving...to others
... Feb. 7 by accepting clothing donations for the homeless in lieu of traditional presents. (Anne W. Semmes / for the Greenwich Citizen) Marc DeMartis, son of Gina and Vincent DeMartis of western Greenwich, celebrated his 10th birthday on Feb. 7 in an ...

Young Cardinal grapplers grow up at FCIACs
Just one season ago, the Greenwich High wrestling team placed seventh in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference championships.

Athletic training gaining ground
It's just about a quarter past 2 p.m. and a rag-tag, single-file line grows in the dank corridor outside the boys' locker rooms at Greenwich High.

Tracking the green trail of stimulus bill to our own backyard
... degradation affecting Connecticut waters and Long Island Sound. "We have 12 months," said Tom Baptist, the Audubon Greenwich-based executive director of Audubon Connecticut. "We're at a place at the table where priorities will be established for ...

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12/04/08 Could Danbury Be Safer Than Greenwich ??? = Danbury Is Much Safer Than Gov Wanna Be Dan Malloy's Stamford !!!

Crime Does Not Pay In Danbury

Danbury takes crown as state’s safest city
Nick

Good news for Danburians - you live in Connecticut’s safest city:

Danbury tops the list of the safest cities in the state, according to a ranking of the safest — and most dangerous — cities in the nation.

The rankings of cities with populations greater than 75,000 were recently released as part of the “City Crime Ratings” book published annually by CQ Press. Danbury came in at No. 55 of all cities in the nation and first in Connecticut.

“Danbury is fortunate to employ some of the best police officers in our area, who show a deep commitment to the safety of our city’s citizens and visitors,” Mayor Mark Boughton said.
“Our city is proud of this ranking, and we will continue focusing our efforts and commitment to our officers and their needs.”

Stamford came in second of Connecticut cities and No. 71 in the nation. Hartford brought up the rear as the most dangerous city in the state; its national rank is 359 of 385.

Police Chief Al Baker said Danbury has consistently done well on the rankings over the years and often fell in one of the top two spots for the state. Stamford, however, has come out ahead of Danbury in past years.

Read more here. Continue to pray for Hartford and New Haven, which reportedly was not ranked because it does not report certain categories of crime to the FBI.

Source: http://www.prayct.org/?psinvite=ALRopfXQFUZkwYRdyutmd6N35ulsOfhsZ02-NaHFwTzmL7UXCr02ab3gGK6wgq0kShEFjMM7vO6IaTVmHpz4MkrjR0QTaNVXdg

COMMENT:

Was Greenwich Included In This Database Of Statistics?

Would Greenwich Compare Favorably With Other CT Towns?

How does Greenwich Stack Up Against New Caanan, Darien, Westport and Fairfield?

PLEASE SEE:

06/24/08 Last Year Aggravated Assaults In Greenwich Shot Up 46%

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