Here’s Your Microphone, Plus: Finch’s UB Gaffe, And No Extra Juice For Gas Company

I hadn’t chatted with Carmen Lopez in a long time, but we had a chance to catch up on Thursday about this and that.

The retired Superior Court Judge who lives in Black Rock is making a play for one of the available Board of Education slots. Working with the BOE is hardly foreign to her. She’s volunteered numerous hours recently to help address a variety of issues including the school system’s dropout rate.

She also realizes that she’s battling a wing of the Democratic party led by Mayor Bill Finch that doesn’t want her on the BOE. As she pointed out, “I guess they don’t like my candor.” Carmen and the mayor got into it a week ago when she served as MC of the Puerto Rican Parade dinner at the Trumbull Marriott attended by roughly 300 with lots of dignitaries from outside the region.

Carmen, at the request of dinner organizers, tried to keep the political rhetoric to a minimum and with the focus on the weekend festivities. She said that she politely asked the mayor to keep his remarks short during the speaking portion of the event to keep the agenda running on schedule.

The mayor, she said, wasn’t happy and commenced to “hijack the event” with an exhaustive political speech extolling the virtues of the Finch administration without regard to protocol. The mayor went out of his way to speak highly of a number of dignitaries including Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez.

Some in the crowd, she said, had become restless, and when the mayor was finally done sarcastically said: here Carmen you can have your microphone back.

Carmen (being Carmen) told the crowd, in so many words, that’s the problem with politicians, they don’t always show respect to an audience. Carmen, from those in attendance, had a good part of the crowd on her side. She told the mayor if you want to MC the festivities go right ahead and she departed the event that was running late.

The mayor’s office is free to share its version of the event. So all of this has added to the drama of the Democratic Town Committee endorsement session next Wednesday night. Ah, a little soap opera before the vote. That’s the Bridgeport way.

Party Time

Thursday July 23, 5:30 p.m. Taco Loco on Fairfield Avenue in Black Rock for the next OIB party. Come say hello, first cocktail on OIB, plus neat eats. We have lots of stuff to talk about. Speaking of that, Finch has allowed tongue to get ahead of brain as so many OIB friends have duly noted regarding his UB comments. He’s good at that. Bronco Billy strikes again! Check out my CT Post commentary link under Favorites. See CT Post editorial below:

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch needs to stifle his long-standing petulance when it comes to the subject of the University of Bridgeport.

“You know, organized crime does good things and bad things,” said the mayor, drawing a bizarre analogy between, we assume, La Cosa Nostra and the Professors World Peace Academy, which took control of the university in 1992 and is an offshoot of the Unification Church of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

It’s been 17 years since the PWPA bailed out UB and kept it from closing, triggering at that time the outrage of Finch, who had worked at the university.

There’s been no indication that the school turned into the cultish Moon recruitment and training camp, as predicted at the time by critics like Finch.

Of course the mayor could be right: Maybe the evil-doers are going to wait another 17 years or so before springing on an unsuspecting city.

Finch is entitled to his personal opinion and to harbor whatever beliefs he wants, but as mayor he should be more temperate in his remarks.

The University of Bridgeport, in the eyes of most people, is an asset to the city. Tainting it with references to organized crime is beyond distasteful.

It is, unlike any number of self-proclaimed developers who have strutted through, investing more than flapping jaws in the city. The university is investing money as it refurbishes campus property and acquires and spruces up other properties in the city’s gritty South End.

The people of Bridgeport would be better served, in fact, if Mayor Finch’s City Hall worked more closely with the university, rather than viewing it with what is apparently official disdain.

The University of Bridgeport is growing and Mayor Finch, regardless of his personal belief, should be pleased and wishing for the university nothing but the best.

News release from DPUC

DPUC Decision Denies The Southern Connecticut Gas Company’s Request for a Revenue Increase
The Department of Public Utility Control today rendered a final Decision that denied a revenue increase for The Southern Connecticut Gas Company. Southern originally requested $50.1 million, a 15.2% increase in revenues. However, during the course of the proceedings, the Company reduced its request to $34.2 million, a 9.6% increase. The reduction in the Company’s request was primarily due to the decline in the cost of gas. The Department’s Decision approves revenues of $376,174,556, a decrease of $12,461,265 million or 3.2% from revenues at present rates.

The exact affect of the approved revenues on each rate class (residential heating and non-heating, various commercial/industrial, etc.) will not be known until early to mid-August. The Company will be ordered to file new tariffs (rates) by July 29, 2009, which will produce the revenue permitted by the Department’s Decision. If approved by the Department, the new rates are scheduled to become effective August 19, 2009. New rates will eliminate the need for the overearnings credit of $0.0621 per hundred cubic foot (ccf) currently on customers’ bills. However, a temporary surcharge of $0.0161 will be levied for approximately one year to allow the Company to recoup a small amount of the interim decrease approved by the Department last year. For an average residential heating customer using 1,000 ccf per year, the surcharge will amount to $16.10 for the year.

Lead Commissioner on this matter, Anthony J. Palermino, noted that: “In this case the evidence presented by the Company did not support the need for an increase in revenues. In numerous circumstances, the Company failed to provide justification or sufficient evidence in support of their requests. The DPUC always strives to find a balance between the financial needs of the Company and the interest of its ratepayers. I am pleased, in these times of strained budgets, that Southern’s ratepayers are spared an increase in their cost for this essential service.”

In any request for an increase in revenues, the applicant must prove that it requires the additional revenue to meet its obligations. State law directs the Department to calculate rates that are adequate to ensure safe, adequate and reliable service. In this case, the evidence presented did not convince the Department that Southern requires additional revenue to meet its obligations to its ratepayers.

State law further directs the Department to set an allowable rate of return on equity so that a company can earn a return on its investment and attract additional capital. Southern’s current return on equity is set at 10%; but will change to 9.26%.

News release from Jodi Rell

Governor Rell Signs Bill Requiring Policy on Student Self-Administration of Asthma Inhalers, Epipens

Governor M. Jodi Rell today held a ceremony to mark the signing of a bill that requires the state Department of Education to develop regulations governing the administration of medication by school personnel and the self-administration by students of asthma inhalers and automatic epinephrine injectors – known as “epipens” – used to treat extreme allergic reactions.

“Those of us who are parents know that we can’t help worrying about our youngsters,” Governor Rell said at the ceremony at Hamilton Avenue School in Greenwich. “Whether we’re sending them off to school or to summer camp or to college – wherever they are bound, we will always be concerned about them. This is especially true for parents whose children cope with problems such as asthma or life-threatening allergies to foods or insect stings. This bill makes some important steps forward in the protection of our children – and I hope will at least bring a little bit of peace of mind.

“Connecticut has been one of only three states without a protocol for self-administration of asthma inhalers, and one of only 10 states without an “epipen” protocol,” the Governor said. “No longer. Minutes truly count in treating these sometimes life-threatening conditions. In too many cases, current policy means students in the throes of an allergy or asthma attack must wait until a nurse is contacted and then their inhaler or epipen is retrieved from the nurse’s office. That changes under this bill, and allowing these students this measure of independence may also reduce the number of days they are out sick, missing school and falling behind their classmates.”

The Governor expressed her thanks to state Senator Scott Frantz for his staunch advocacy of the new law. Sen. Frantz (R-Greenwich) introduced the bill on behalf of a constituent and shepherded the measure from its inception to passage.

This bill also adds licensed athletic trainers to the list of school personnel authorized to give students medicine that a doctor or other medical professional has prescribed. In addition, it requires schools or school boards to inform the public about their policies for managing students with life-threatening food allergies, usually by posting the policy on the Internet.

The legislation – Senate Bill 755, An Act Concerning the Use of Asthmatic Inhalers and Epinephrine Auto-Injectors While at School – takes effect August 15.

News release from Susan Bysiewicz and Richard Blumenthal

Bysiewicz & Blumenthal Increase Collection of Fines from Out-of-State Companies Operating Illegally in Connecticut

Joint effort reclaims more than $1.2 Million – 15% Increase over FY 2008; protects Consumers from Fraud

Hartford: Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced that during Fiscal Year 2009, a joint effort by their offices resulted in the collection of more than $1.2 million in fines from out-of-state companies doing business illegally in Connecticut. The FY 2009 collections figure represents a 15% increase over collections from FY 2008.

“It is no secret that this is a tough economic climate for Connecticut businesses,” said Secretary Bysiewicz, Connecticut’s Chief Business Registrar. “Unfair competition from out-of-state companies who fail to register their business is the last thing Connecticut entrepreneurs need. We have zero tolerance for those firms who skirt the law. These fines improve accountability for Connecticut consumers and give us a strong deterrent to level the playing field for in-state businesses that are struggling to succeed.”

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said, “These fines are a strong preemptive strike against consumer fraud and unfair competition. Enforcing registration laws enables my office to track down and crack down on out-of-state companies that abuse consumers or break state laws. The $1.2 million in fines – much larger than last year’s total – shows that no out-of-state company can evade laws that permit us to hold them accountable in court. Business registration is a simple basic requirement for companies — but key to fighting fraud. Law-abiding Connecticut companies should not have to compete against non-state businesses that flout state law. Out-of-state companies that end-run state law will end up paying fines.”

Under state law, business corporations, nonstock corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and statutory trusts transacting in Connecticut are required to register with the Secretary of the State’s Office and pay the statutorily established fee before they can do business here. There are approximately 47,416 of these foreign entities which have filed with the Secretary of the State’s Office.

The requirement to obtain authority to do business exists to protect domestic organizations from unfair competition and place domestic and foreign organizations on an equal footing. The law also protects consumers with a grievance against an out-of state firm by requiring businesses to appoint an agent for service of process in Connecticut to accept legal papers if court action is taken.

Secretary Bysiewicz and Attorney General Blumenthal launched their enforcement efforts in 2007, aggressively pursuing hundreds of delinquent out-of-state businesses and threatening legal action. During FY 2009 their joint effort recovered $1,201,133.36 in fines from 439 out-of-state companies, a 41% increase in the number of companies cited for violating the statutory requirement to register with the state in FY 2008. Fines and penalties collected from each business range from $165 to more than $22,000. The three largest settlements came from:
1. Deloitte Investment Advisors, LLC $22,275 DE

2. G.D. Van Wagenen Financial Services, Inc. $15,930 FL

3. Alliance Healthcare Services, Inc. $15,427 DE
Secretary Bysiewicz added, “Through this enforcement action the Attorney General and I were able to find and publicize the names of companies who were operating illegally in Connecticut. We will not stand for companies who want to make a quick buck, taking advantage of Connecticut consumers and businesses who do play by the rules.”

Connecticut Better Business Bureau President Paulette Scarpetti, said, “The crackdown on violators is good business both for consumers and Connecticut companies, and the number of fines handed out in recent months is an indication of the depth of the problem. The message to out-of-state, unregistered contractors is clear; if you want to do business in Connecticut, you need to play by the same rules as businesses within the state.”

Additionally, Bysiewicz led the drive to increase the fines for unregistered out-of-state businesses from $165/month to $300/month, an 82% increase. The measure was passed overwhelmingly by the General Assembly and signed into law last month by the Governor. The new penalties go into effect October 1, 2009. Secretary Bysiewicz estimates the new, tougher penalty will increase compliance with the law and could boost fine collections by an additional $1,000,000 annually.