[Editor's Note: The contacted East Haven Patch Sunday morning to let us know that, although Mayor Maturo was asked about two weeks ago to attend by President Herman Zuniga, unfortunately the mayor already had plans to be away. Maturo then asked Zuniga to change the date, but he was told that was not possible, according to the Mayor's Office. However, several other town officials were present Friday night, including: Frank Gentilesco, assistant director of administration & management; Arthur DeSorbo, director of administration & management; Richard Anania, chairman of the Town Council; and Town Attorney Joseph Zullo.]
I had the chance this week to attend not one but two dinner functions at the Senior Center.
The first being a pasta dinner fundraiser for the Foxon Bison's Baseball team program.
This event brought back memories of when I was a child growing up in the Adirondack mountains in beautiful upstate New York.
IT was my pleasure to attend this event and make my contribution to the program that the children of our community are involved in.
As they will no doubt go on to learn valuable lessons that will serve them well in their adult life such as team work, setting goals and working to accomplish them and many other lessons that will carry them through their adult lives and help them to be productive members of The Est Haven Community or wherever they may decide to call home.
The second dinner I attended this week at the Senior Center was the Community Gathering Dinner hosted by the Community Immigrant of East Haven.
This event was attended by roughly 120 residents of the East Haven Community but for some odd reason the Mayor who was also invited was "Out Of Town".
I enjoyed meeting many of my fellow residents whom I had never met before and as I looked around the room at people dancing and eating good food I could tell a good time was being had by all that attended.
The conversations were upbeat and I have nothing but praise for this event.
It is with my most sincerest hope that community events like this one will continue as I feel it is a positive step in the right direction of building our community from the inside out.
For far too long have old prejudices have existed and prevented us from truly becoming all that we can be as a community attending this event I could feel some of those walls that have stood in our way for far too long start to melt away.
I would like to thank The Community Immigrant Of East Haven for hosting this special event and I would like to thank Mr James Albis East Haven's State Representative for attending this event along with State Senate Candidate Mr Steve Fontana for attending the event it showed these two gentlemen care about the community and the residents that live within it.
I absolutely agree with you, too. I'd LOVE to have some of the questions answered. Great idea!
Let me clarify..all the negativity, and political mumbo jumbo is getting old. Of course I have questions which is why I suggested an article.
I read through the Town Charter and found nothing stating the Mayor's hours or vacation but you can access this information at the Town Hall. To the best of my knowledge as long as the Mayor is in direct contact / access with his or her administration, the Mayor has the right to work from any place he / she sees fit to conduct business. This was the answer we "members of the Town Council" were given when we asked this question a few years ago. It made sense then and it makes sense now. Our Mayor attends meetings in Hartford, conventions out of state and believe it or not sometimes gets sick. As long as his staff or members of his administration can get answers to questions or issues, then he is doing the job in my estimation. In the private sector most folks are entitled to atleast one week vacation, but management positions usually receive two to four. We are all entitled to a vacation, why is it when the Mayor takes one everyone has to make it a crime against the town. I wish everyone would just get behind the Mayor, support his efforts to better our town and when the next election season rolls around, when you can chose to re-elect him or oust him.
Personally I get it. However there are others on the Patch that are taking issue with alleged time off abuse by the Mayor. Seems somehow the event held last Friday is being confused with a Town sponsored "business" affair. I believe further that this Mayor works many evenings and weekends in an official capacity which no one necessarily knows about. While he may miss some after hour town events, there many in which he has been seen. Lastly, I also believe that the Mayor should be accountable to the taxpayers with regard to "getting the job done" that is to say, have the business of town government handled in an efficient manner. That does not in my estimation mean he is required to answer to anyone exactly when or where he is at any given time. As long as his staff is aware and can get in contact with him if necessary, that's all that matters. If enough people disagree with this assessment they are free to vote for another candidate next year, until then we all might be better off to work towards that "unity" everyone keeps talking about.
It's not about politics though, it's about attack the politician. So be grateful you're not one, especially one named Maturo.
I do however feel that it is an abuse of the office, if our mayor is taking excessive time off. And/or jogging during what should justifiably be office hours. Yes. I hold him accountable for that. Lots of people have the ability to work remotely. That doesn't mean that it's acceptable to do so on a regular basis. Also, how much remote work gets done while swinging a golf club? I'm going to go ahead and say, "Not much". Also, I'll add to my note above... My husband is in management. He actually gets about 4 weeks worth of vacation time, per year. He does not get to take all this time, however. He has too many responsibilities. I do believe that the office of mayor has an equal, albeit different set of responsibilities. As far as I'm concerned, if a person is serving in the capacity of mayor of our town, while they are entitled to take some time off...That does not mean that they should, every chance they get. I've never seen a person take so much alleged time off in such a short time span. I would most certainly like to know how that is justifiable. And, yes. I will be voting for someone else, first chance I get. I'd like the person in that office to take it seriously enough to show up. Just generally. More often.
Listen. I'm just asking questions because I have this opportunity to do so. If you're completely satisfied with this sort of (or lack of) representation, more power to you. I am not. Sorry to disagree, again.
Did I say I was satisfied? I don't think I said either way. What I do know, is I'm not micromanaged, and I don't micromanage other people - nor do I have the ability to keep track of the Mayor's comings and goings in East Haven when I work in New Haven. I'll let some of you posters tell me his schedule.
As far as "micromanaging"... Nope. I'm no micromanager. I'm just a boss, wondering where our employee is spending some of his time. Do I have too much free time on my hands? Not typically. But, I focus on what's important at any given time. Currently this is how I'm spending some.
However, since you have cleared up your feelings on this matter, I would like to reiterate that all these "alleged" off time abuses are just that, alleged. Just because the Mayor is seen jogging or that he didn't attend a youth sporting event, it does not mean he's not doing his job. As you said, you'll exercise your voting prerogative next November and that's great, in the meantime maybe it's prudent to keep working towards town wide unity and stop constantly taking these "non-political" jabs at the current Mayor as it serves no purpose other than have every out of towner talking about us as though we are still not united.
I'm not defensive. I just like to provide full disclosure. And, I was reading between the lines of your points. If I misunderstood, well then I guess I misunderstood. Regardless, I'll be over here asking questions.
I don't think any out of towner will ever question me questioning this mayor. Most out of towners think more people should be questioning the man. Hate to tell you. I am totally about bringing our town together. Always have been. I will not, however, become a wall flower and stop speaking my opinion regarding our representatives. It's funny to me that some people would rather have me "shut up" than they, themselves "speak up". That's rather counterproductive. I'm still really curious about a lot of stuff going on (or not going on) at town hall. And, I used the word "alleged" myself, as you see. I'm not sure exactly what to make of the multiple reports from multiple sources. However, I'm really not impressed. If I were you, I wouldn't be, either. I'm a very nice person. Ask anyone who knows me. I'm fair. I try to remain impartial and balanced when forming opinions based on facts, not emotions. And, I'm vocal. Luigi, you are too. Do not expect less of me. :-)
I believe that Julie tried to get an interview with the Mayor before and he was not in his office working and if I remember right it was early afternoon and he had left for the day.
I'm sure you're a nice person. (fair and impartial maybe a little stretch). Do you get the last word at home too? ( LOL.. just kidding). Look I think the questions you've raised were valid, but I think the answers from Mr. Carbo were satisfactory, sorry you did not.
If this Mayor is trying to claim a disability then can you tell me why he is out swinging golf clubs and jogging as both efforts put stress on the back which the Mayor claims to have a bad back? Maybe if he wasn't jogging and golfing so much The Mayor would actually be able to perform the duties that come along with being Mayor. If people remember right from his last term as Mayor the Mayor claimed that he could run the town by cellphone all the while buildings in town were decaying and at least one park was feature on the news as it had become unsafe for children to play in and parents were against sending their children to a park to play in. This is not about politics it's about common sense...The Town residents are paying 75,000 dollars a year for services to be performed by a Mayor then that Mayor had better deliver $75,000 dollars worth of services and not take multiple vacations but be there for the residents of the community.
Normally, I'm completely willing to give you the "last word" on these boards. I'll be satisfied having the last laugh. ;-)
You said he should get involved in the Town and do some good not just question if the Mayor is doing the job he Elected to do for the fine people of East Haven. Mr Hoff I must say is a fine and caring person he has organized many food drives for the EH food pantry,Is very very involved in his Church and serves the Town on the American with Disabilities Act Commission. So please you may not like his commemts but stop trying to discredit his ability as a caring individual in this Community.
Common sense?......that's RICH. Given the state of WAR we're in the Mayor should be in his war room planning his bomb strategies. Please, GET REAL!
He answers for us all. Makes you really want to live in this Town when we have the Luigi's among us. End of Comments today,
DITTO Mr. Spellsmaster.
I can't wait!.... Have a good one.