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REDDING REPUBLICAN TOWN COMMITTEE MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m. Attendance: A quorum was present: Gary Miyashiro Guests: Chris Hocker Minutes Minutes of the August and September meetings were unanimously approved. Minutes of the October meeting were unanimously approved with one amendment. Treasurer's Report Gary Miyashiro presented the Treasurer's Report and noted a balance of $370.87 as of December 1, 2007, which incorporates all expenses related to the recent election. Gerry Casiello moved to approve the Treasurer's Report, which was seconded by Tom Derderian. Unanimously passed. Election Finances Ward Mazzucco led a brief discussion of election-related finances and follow-up. Ward also reminded members that they are encouraged to donate to the RTC each January and hoped everyone would do so again in 2008. Jason Bartlett Presentation and Discussion Ward Mazzucco introduced Jason Bartlett, our State Representative from the 2nd District. Representative Bartlett thanked the RTC for providing the opportunity to speak to the group. He emphasized his roots as a Redding native and his desire to keep his constituents informed of developments in Hartford. Rep. Bartlett noted that he is anxious to learn what is on the minds of RTC members and hoped that his appearance would serve to open the lines of communication. Jason recapped the 2007 legislative session and highlighted several matters, particularly his work with Natalie Ketcham and others to obtain $75 million in bonding from the federal government through the establishment of a special taxing district, which required General Assembly approval. Rep. Bartlett also discussed his support of the Redding Planning Commission. The discussion then turned to a wide-range of topics including: the upcoming special session on crime prevention issues arising from the Cheshire murders this past summer; the possibility of repealing the $250 small business enterprise tax; affordable housing trends and possible amendments to Section 830(g) of the Connecticut General Statutes and transportation congestion. Regarding affordable housing, Natalie Ketcham summarized some of the ideas that have grown out of her work on the Responsible Growth Task Force including addressing affordable housing as a regional issue rather than on a town-by-town basis. The discussion then turned to other issues of concern including education and fiscal accountability. Representative Bartlett closed by encouraging RTC members to contact him regarding any issues or topics of concern. He noted that the best way to reach him was through email at jason.bartlett@cga.ct.gov. Ward Mazzucco finished the presentation by thanking Rep. Bartlett for his support of Judge Downey's nomination to the Appellate Court. Calendar for Next Year's Meetings and Caucus Ward Mazzucco presented the schedule of meetings for 2008. RTC meetings will occur on the first Monday of every month, except January. The January meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 8th in order to meet the deadline for holding a caucus. The purpose of the caucus is to re-elect RTC members. The caucus is open to every registered Republican in town. Ward also mentioned that a notice regarding the caucus needs to be published in the Pilot and that he would coordinate with Michael Thompson. A motion was made by Tom Derderian to adopt the proposed schedule of 2008 meetings, which Burdon Hickock seconded. Unanimously passed. RTC Vacancies Ward Mazzucco noted that we will need to add some new members to the RTC and asked anyone with suggestions to contact Gerry Casiello. Laura Hoeing and Christina Kearney volunteered to recruit new members. Presidential Primary Ward Mazzucco reminded everyone that the Presidential Primary is February 5, 2008. He noted that the Wilton RTC wants to organize a candidate forum prior to that time and might need some volunteers to assist. More information will be provided as it becomes available. State Legislative Races Ward Mazzucco mentioned that he had received a reminder from State Chairman Chris Healey to begin looking for candidates to run for General Assembly seats in 2008. Due to the passing of campaign finance laws, the State will provide each candidate with $30,000. Anyone interested in running should let Ward know. Meeting with Democratic Town Chairwoman Ward Mazzucco informed the group that he and Natalie Ketcham had met with Democratic Town Chairwoman, Karen Dolan, in an effort to improve communications. Election Results Discussion of the election results followed, which Ward began by offering congratulations to all who ran and who helped make the election a success. A discussion ensued comparing voting results from the 2007 election with those of 2005. Chris Hocker and Christina Kearney made brief comments and thanked everyone for the help provided to their campaigns. Chris noted the work of Frank Taylor in particular. Christina agreed that Frank was a valuable asset throughout the campaign and also thanked Julie Gorman for the assistance and guidance she provided. The discussion concluded with suggestions by Ward Mazzucco and Gerry Casiello that Frank Taylor, Art Poltrack and Chris Hocker be invited to join the RTC. Vacancy Committee Gerry Casiello then reported that a candidate, Walter King, had been found to fill a vacancy on the Board of Ethics to replace Dr. Eric Einstein. Mr. King has lived on Poverty Hollow for the last 10 years. He runs a CPA firm in Westport. He is a forensic accountant and expert witness. Gerry moved to nominate Walter King to fill the vacancy on the Board of Ethics, which Richard Emerson seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Wounded Warrior Project It had been suggested that RTC members email holiday wishes to soldiers in Iraq through various programs. Urs Furrer informed those in attendance that for security reasons and others, sending emails and post-cards to "unnamed" soldiers was prohibited by the military. Urs suggested that instead of sending emails, etc., that the RTC donate money to the "Wounded Warrior" project, which is a not for profit organization that helps veterans who need financial and other assistance once they have returned to the United States. Urs asked that donations in any amount be sent to him and that he would bundle them and send the total amount of contributions to Wounded Warrior in the next week or two. Burdon Hickock mentioned that the Joel Barlow lacrosse team had participated in a fundraising effort called "Sticks for Soldiers", which is affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project and raised a good deal of money for the program. He said everyone had a positive experience and thought the project worthwhile. Tom Derderian asked what had happened with the "Adopt a Platoon" program that the RTC had donated to in years past. Urs noted that the soldiers the RTC previously supported had all returned safely to the United States and that there would be some administrative effort needed to re-register with the program. Natalie Ketcham asked if Urs knew whether any of the soldiers had resettled in the area. Urs thought that at least one had. Natalie asked if Urs would try to locate that soldier, as there might be opportunities for him to come to Redding to provide some insight on the efforts in Iraq. Urs said he would be happy to try to locate the soldier. January 2008 Meeting/Caucus Ward Mazzucco reminded everyone that immediately following the January 8th RTC meeting a caucus would be held starting at 8 p.m. Ward emphasized that everyone should be there promptly at 8 p.m. so that the new slate of members for the RTC could be voted on. Ward noted that the regular RTC meeting would occur prior to the caucus in order to finalize the slate of candidates. Ward promised to confirm the time of the January meeting in the near term. Adjournment: Gerry Casiello moved to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Richard Emerson. Unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m.
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