Ken Dixon's Blog-O-Rama

The Blogster just heard that second-term state Rep. Jason Bartlett, D-Bethel, vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, was busted this week in Newtown for motor vehicle violations, including driving without a license; a suspended registration; and no insurance. To top it off, he was using a hand-held cell phone, with an outstanding cell-phone violation hanging fire. Talk about fodder for a potential Republican challenger in 2010.

Geary Maher, who’s soon retiring as director of the Legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, is retiring while the gettin’ is good. Right now, he’s painting a very-grim picture indeed for lawmakers during a hearing in the Legislative Office Building.

Forget the generally minuscule $386-million deficit in the current budget. Starting in the budget that begins July 1 of next year, the state has a baseline deficit of $287 million, plus a potential for nearly $2 billion more in red ink if rosy projections fall apart, like a planned unrealistic $530.4 million in agency savings called lapses that over the last 10 years have averaged $218 million a year; like $200 million in budgeted savings within the state department of Social Services; like $1.29 billion in securitization: borrowing against a future, yet-undetermined revenue stream.

That brings us to Fiscal Year 2012 and 2013, which will have deficits of $3 billion and $3.2 billion respectively, according to OFA. Those tsunamis of red ink are expected because lawmakers this year are using the $1.4-billion Rainy Day Fund; the $1.5-billion federal stimulus program; plus the bonding of $925 million to retire the budget that ended June 30. (yes, that move was like getting a new credit card to pay off the exorbitant balances on your other cards) All those one-shot revenues that the Republican governor and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly are burning up, will make the state’s fiscal outlook very, very bad for the next few years.

And remember that bone to taxpayers: reducing the 6 percent sales tax down to 5.5 percent next January 1 if tax revenues can stay level? Well, they’re not coming in as hoped, so don’t plan on that meager relief as we head into the 2010, election cycle. For those of you who want to keep score at home, Democrats currently control the House 114-37 and the Senate 24-12, for now.

“I want to thank Chairman Healy for his kind words and encouragement of my potential candidacy in the Fifth Congressional District.  Over the last several days I have been exploring this option with Chairman Healy and other leaders in the party who have reached out to me in support of this move.  My goal has always been to best serve the people of Connecticut by reviving our economy, reforming government, and restoring fiscal responsibility.  Over the coming days, I will make a decision on how I can best continue to fight for those principles and serve the people of Connecticut.”

Masons are in the Capitol rotunda today preparing a plinth for the “Genius of Connecticut” statue, which is expected to arrive next month from the New York art foundry that poured the replica of the plaster version of the winged goddess that sits inside the north entrance. When it arrives, the 16-foot-tall bronze, identical to the original that stood atop the Capitol for 60 years before getting slightly unhinged during the Hurricane of 1938, will fill the rotunda until an additional $100,000 is raised to literally hoist it and fasten it above the dome.

The Blogster believes that supportive lawmakers such as Rep. Buddy Altobello, D-Meriden, a member of the Capitol Preservation Committee, should lead a statewide effort among school kids – like a buck a head – to raise the cash to get the Genius up to the roof. Schools that raise the most money, say, could be invited to witness the historic hoisting and bused up to the Capitol for the occasion.

Richard O. Belden, R-Shelton, the longest-serving member of the General Assembly before his death in 2007, will be among those inducted tomorrow into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, during a 5 p.m. cerremony in the atrium of the Legislative Office Building.

            “It is most appropriate that we pause each year to recognize and honor the heroes of the past and present who have so vitally shaped our nation and way of life,” Gov. Jodi Rell said in a statement today. “These individuals not only answered the call of their nation, they have answered the call of their communities. It is what they have done beyond their military service that truly sets them apart as individuals worthy of this special honor. The example they have set, the courage they have shown and the public service they have given is most worthy of the respect and admiration of all Connecticut citizens.”

             Belden will join 40 state veterans in the Hall of Fame, including former President George H.W. Bush, former Governor William A. O’Neill, five Medal of Honor recipients and the first woman inductee, Navy Veteran Barbara Miller. Below is the background on each of the new inductees, as provided by Rell’s office.

Richard O. Belden (posthumous award; formerly of Shelton)

            Dick Belden served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 through 1961. Known as “The Dean of the House,” Representative Belden served in the Connecticut General Assembly continuously from 1974 until his death in office in 2007. He held many key leadership positions in the Legislature including Assistant House Republican Leader, Deputy Speaker of the House, Ranking Member of the Finance Committee and Member of the state Bond Commission. He was Director of the Connecticut  Resources Recovery Authority, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Institute of Municipal Studies and held many other significant statewide posts. Mr. Belden had a 38-year management career at Sikorsky Aircraft. He was a trustee of St. Margaret Mary Church in Shelton and a volunteer at Griffin Hospital Parent Child Resource Center, Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys and Girls Club, Hewitt Memorial Hospital, Valley Substance Abuse Council, Emmett O’Brien Regional Vocational-Technical School and the American Legion Sutter-Terlizzi Post #16.

John “Jack” Joseph Dougherty of Branford

            John “Jack” Dougherty enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966. In Vietnam, he served as an infantryman and squad leader with the 3/4 Marine Division and participated in Operation Robin South Hill 685 (Phou Noui), during which he was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. A volunteer since 1982 with the Boy Scouts of America, he is also an active member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Devil Dogs. He serves as finance officer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and has been a devoted member and officer of the Marine Corps League, serving as Detachment Adjutant and Senior Vice Commander. The Marine Corps League named him the Connecticut Detachment “Marine of the Year 2008.” Mr. Dougherty has also received the New England Division Roland G. Knapp Award in 2008, the Marine Corps League Distinguished Bronze Service Medal and the Distinguished Silver Citzen Medal. He is a lector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Branford and is employed as a program coordinator for Schultz Electric Company of New Haven.

Robert L. Genovese of Naugatuck

            Robert Genovese served in Vietnam in the U.S. Air Force. He is co-founder of the “Veterans Who Care Committee,” which for over 20 years raised funds for children of Vietnam veterans born with birth defects due to the effects of exposure to Agent Orange. The organization also offered emergency financial assistance to veterans in need while awaiting permanent benefits. He is past commander of VFW Post #1946; past commander, Union City Chapter #11 Disabled American Veterans; and organizer of POW/MIA remembrance vigils in Naugatuck. He was Honorary Grand Marshall of the 2008 Connecticut Veterans Day Parade. As a consultant on the Connecticut production of the movie “Jackknife” starring Robert DeNiro and Ed Harris, Mr. Genovese was instrumental in assuring that returning Vietnam veterans were protrayed accurately. A former accredited veterans service officer/counselor with the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs, he also serves on the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Victims, Inc., and is a member of AMVETS, Catholic War Veterans Post #708, American Legion Post #17, Italian-American War Veterans Post #8 and Veterans of the Vietnam War. A long-time member of the Naugatuck Elks Lodge #967, he was named Volunteer of the Year 1998-99 and is a member of the Elks National Service Commission. He also is a member of the Knights of Columbus Ojeda Council #33 and St. Hedwig Roman Catholic Church.

Dr. Harvey J. Grinsell, Jr., MD, of Putnam/Woodstock

            Prior to completing high school in 1945, Dr. Harvey Ginsell enlisted in the Navy during World War II as a pharmacist’s mate. He was called back into the Navy as a lieutenant upon completion of his medical degree from Tufts Medical School in 1954. He served as a medical officer for the Arctic Fleet through 1956. He co-developed an antidote for hydrocarbon (lead) poisoning and conducted research on methods to diagnose spinal meningitis. He was founder and director of the Day Kimball Pediatric Center, the first known hospital-based program of its kind in the nation. He served as medical director of the John Dempsey Regional Center, where he co-developed one the state’s first early intervention programs for infants with developmental disabilities. He established in-school medical exams, immunizations and screening for children in rural eastern Connecticut towns. He brought the federal Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program to rural eastern Connecticut to improve maternal and childhoon nutrition. The Quinnebaug Valley Association for Retarded Citizens named Dr. Grinsell “Man of the Year” and the Danielson Junior Chamber of Commerce gave him their “Distinguished Service Award.” Dr. Grinsell was honored by the Town of Plainfield for establishing the Plainfield Day Kimball Pediatric Center at Plainfield Town Hall.

Brig Gen. John J. King (posthumous award; formerly of Hartford)

            Brig. Gen. John King began his career in the U.S. Army as a captain in the infantry from 1942 to 1946. He saw combat in Italy, where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action October 1944 at Camp diVenino, Italy. A recipient of the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Italian Military Valor Cross, he rose to Assistant Division Commander with the 76^th Division, U.S. Army Reserves. General King became a civil engineer with management responsibility for the construction and renovation of several landmark buildings, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Phoenix Insurance “Boat” Building. He was Corporate Vice President of the George A. Fuller Co. and Horn Construction, Inc., of Hartford. He was one of the main organizers of the Connecticut Armed Forces Day Parades from 1970 to 1984. General King also served as President Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of St. Joseph’s College. A co-founder and past president, he established the 100 Club of Connecticut, dedicated to the financial support of spouses and children of first responders killed in the line of duty. He was a corporator of St. Francis Hospital and a member of the National and Connecticut Society of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. He served as a member of the Connecticut Department of Public Works Advisory Council and of the Retired Military Officers Association.

Rev. William D. McGee of Winsted

            The Rev. William McGee served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps in the First Marine Air Wing in Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal (2 awards) and the Meritorious Unit Citation Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Ordained with the Southern Baptist Convention and Fellowship of Connecticut Congregational Christian Churches, he has a 30-year career in the ministry, founding and serving many churches, organizations and missions throughout the United States. Rev. McGee was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for over 5,000 hours of volunteer service. He has also received national recognition from the National Association of Congregational Christian Chuches for his work with youth. He is a former prison chaplain and currently serves as the chaplain of VFW Post #296 and as a volunteer chaplain for the Connecticut Chapter for the Missing in America Project. Rev. McGee founded and is pastoral leader for Men Walking With God International Ministries. He serves as a member of the Boards of Directors for Asian Faith Mission and for Agape Childrens’ Home, both located in Kerala, India.

Brig. Gen. Daniel J. McHale of Avon

            Brig. Gen. Daniel McHale began his military career as an enlisted Army diver in Vietnam. Retiring with over 35 years of military service, he rose to the rank of Brigadier General, Infantry, Connecticut Army National Guard. General McHale was Commander of the Connecticut National Guard’s Quick Reaction Force following the events of September 11, 2001, and coordinator of the state’s Katrina Relief Operations in 2005 and 2006. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit, Vietnam Service Medal and currently serves as the Connecticut Department of Defense Transitional Assistance Advisor, providing outreach, advocacy and benefits assistance to all generations of veterans and active duty personnel and their families. He is Co-Chairman of the Connecticut OEF/OIF Support Coordination Committee and a contributor to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. He is a facilitator for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for returning Reserve and National Guard units. He volunteers as a guardian for the “American Warror” Honor Flight Program, which takes World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to view the national WWII Memorial. The 1^st Vice President of the Connecticut Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army, General McHale also volunteers with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and “Give2the Troops” overseas care package program. He is a retired senior manager of the U.S. Postal Service and former Postmaster of Simsbury, Connecticut.

Theodore J. Plamondon, Jr. of Enfield

            Theodore “Ted” Plamondon’s 21-year enlisted military career spanned three decades with service in the U.S. Navy during World War II and with the Naval Reserves during the Korea and Vietnam War eras. He is a recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation, WWII Victory Medal and European Theater Ribbon with two stars. His volunteer service as a highly-involved local veteran includes 20 years as Chairman of the Enfield Veterans Council and service as a lifetime member. He organized and raised funds for Enfield’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades for over 50 years. He is Chairman of the Enfield World War II Monument Committee, Treasurer and Co-Chairman of the National Purple Heart Museum and spearheaded the dedication of a new monument honoring all fallen Enfield citizens from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He is a 20-year service officer and Chairman of multiple committees at his VFW Post #1501. In 1996, he received the Enfield Town Council “Patriot Award” and 2006 they named him a “Citizen of the Year.” Mr. Plamondon is a retired police officer for the towns of Suffield and Enfield, a former deputy sheriff for Hartford County and a state marshal.

Alphonse N. Sabetta of Shelton

            Alphonse Sabetta served as a U.S. Army staff sergeant during the Korean War, where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. He is past Commander and the current Adjutant of the Sutter-Terlizi American Legion Post #16. In 2008 he was inducted in the Connecticut American Legion Hall of Fame. Mr. Sabetta is the organizer of many annual activities for youth to raise awareness of veterans’ contributions and community service including oratorical contests, fundraisers and Americanism programs in the schools. He chaired the Naugatuck Valley Area Veterans Korean War 50^th Anniversary Commemoration from 2000 to 2003. He is a member of the local selection committee for Boys and Girsl State and serves as Chairman of the War Memorial Scholarship Committee of Shelton. He also is a member of the VFW and Korean War Veterans Associations. A long-time organizer, coach and official for youth athletics, his devotion to young people includes service with the Bob Cousy Basketball League, Little League, New Haven Board #10 Basketball Officials, Western Connecticut Football Officials, and Valley and New Haven Umpires Association. Mr. Sabetta is a retired maintenance supervisor for the Shelton Board of Education at Shelton High School.

Daniel A. Vece, Jr., of Clinton

            Daniel Vece enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 before graduating from high school. He saw fighting at the Battle of Iwo Jima and is an organizer of the Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain. He is a member of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association and is a frequent national speaker with other Iwo Jima survivors. He served as First Selectman of Clinton and held office on the Board of Selectmen for 13 years. A lifetime member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Chief for 25 years, the Clinton Fire Department’s annual “Firefighter of the Year” award is named after Chief Vece. During his tenure as chief he helped bring regional 24-hour EMS services to shoreline towns and was appointed by Governor Ella Grasso to serve as Chairman of the Emergency 911 Implementation Committee, which made Connecticut the second state in the nation to join the E-911 Program. He is a former senior member of the state Economic Development Commission and Public Works Commission. He has received the Clinton Distinguished Citizen Award, the Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year Award” and the Clinton Spirit Award. He is an active member of the American Legion, VFW and Lions Clubs. Mr. Vece was co-owner of Shore TV and Appliance Store from 1957 through 1982.

Homer L. Wise (posthumous award; formerly of Stamford)

            Homer Lee Wise, a U.S. Army staff sergeant, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions on June 14, 1944, in Magliano, Italy. He landed in Salerno, Italy on September 9, 1943, and continued his valor in action throughout Italy, including Naples and Rome, until August 1944 when he participated in the invasion of Southern France. He was pulled from combat in November 1944 to be presented the Medal of Honor by Lieutenant General Alexander M. Patch, Commander of the Seventh Army in Epinal, France. Sgt. Wise became one of the most highly decorated infantrymen of World War II – a recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Italian Military Cross of Valor, French Croix DeGuerre and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Sgt. Wise was discharged in 1945 and reenlisted in the Army in 1947, serving in multiple recruiting and administrative positions in Stamford, Germany, France, Italy and Ft. Devens, Massachusetts. He received the high honor of being selected as one of six honorary pall bearers at the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in 1958 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1966 with the rank of master sergeant and then worked in the Stamford area, where he was known locally for his humility regarding his heroic deeds and frequent individual kindnesses to neighbors and strangers.

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One of the more-interesting aspects of World Wrestling Entertainment mogul Linda McMahon joining the mix for U.S. Senate is that it apparently puts political reporters on the WWE’s list for PR releases, so the Blogster just received news that former Minnesota governor Jess “The Body” Ventura will soon host ”WWE: A Raw Thanksgiving,”

The Blogster doesn’t feel like providing further details, but will quote one line of the copy in which potential viewers are asked to tune in ” to see if the WWE Hall of Famer gives the current WWE Superstars and Divas anything to be thankful for” and that the WWE is ”committed to family-friendly, PG content across all of its platforms.”

 Forget the wrestling metaphors, let’s get back to 60s pop music where we belong with today’s Quinnipiac University Poll. Rob Simmons, the former U.S. Rep from eastern Connecticut,  leads Linda McMahon, the WWE executive, in the GOP primary race and would beat U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd 49-38 percent, in the general election. But McMahon, if she were to survive the GOP contest, would apparently also beat Dodd 43-41 percent, which is within the margin of error among the 1,226 registered voters surveyed. Simmons would beat McMahon in a primary 28-17 percent. Since September 17, Dodd’s disapproval rating has grown from 49 percent to 54 percent. McMahon who’s flooded the state with media advertising over the last few weeks, has still raised her profile more than other Republicans, including Tom Foley (9), state Sen. Sam Caligiuri (4) and Peter Schiff (5).

A few print reporters including the Blogster drove down to New Britain this afternoon to catch Lame Duck Rell in the field. She swore-in the new GOP mayor of the city, then took a few day-after questions on her attitude toward the final 14 months of her tenure. As the ‘avail’ was winding down and the  TV types had calmed down from their gushingly leading questions about the depths of her feelings, hoping that maybe she’s sob again for the photographers, the governor tellingly said that majority Democrats can simply blame her if they want some public cover when it’s soon time to make massive spending cuts.

“They can turn around and say she made us do it,” Rell said. “So maybe that can help us get in line.” As she walked away, the Blogster asked if Democrats could be any less cooperative that they’ve been this year. “I don’t think so,” she replied.