Archive for April 18, 2005

In previous rants, I responded to comments by Chief State’s Attorney Chris Morano that he would consider prosecuting Fmr. Gov. Rowland on state charges for activity after his resignation, that is not part of his federal conviction. Well, it’s starting to happen. State legislators are investigating contracts he may have entered into, in potential violation of the state’s revolving door laws.

The revolving door law says that people in state government, whether elected or appointed, cannot lobby or do business with the state agencies they had dealings with, for a year after they leave state employment.

After Rowland resigned effective July 1st, he went on the Klewin [building company which had millions of dollars in state contracts while Rowland was governor] payroll as a consultant for 5 thousand dollars a month.

Klewin attorney Richard Zeisler told lawmakers today that Rowland did secure a favorable bonding deal for Klewin by setting up a meeting with an executive at travelers and he helped secure a meeting with contractors preparing to build casinos in upstate New York.

Stay tuned – this could get dirty – again.

Yes, I’m here. Yes, I haven’t updated in a few days – my apologies to regular readers. This weekend was spent enjoying the lovely weather and today was (un)fortunately busy.

I did notice one story this weekend – Danbury’s mayor has a proposal to deputize police officers to serve as immigration officers. The purpose is to crack down on illegal immigrants in Danbury and the rest of the state. The Mayor wants to get State Troopers and other jurisdictions involved in his effort. He’s written to the AG asking his legal opinion.

The Mayor says,

Rising numbers of immigrants have led to the conversion of "traditional apartments in our older neighborhoods into substandard rooming houses with overcrowded living conditions."

Illegal immigration also is linked to "unpaid health care services, unpaid vehicle property taxes, a rash of uninsured, unlicensed and unregistered motor vehicle operators and other social issues."

He was on the radio this morning and I caught a snippet of it – he said that there are close to 20,000 illegal immigrants in the city and they are, in essence, ruining the city. He mentioned that some cities, such as LA and NY have passed ordinances that prevents police officers from asking people they arrest their immigration status. He went on to state that such ordinances are "in violation of Federal law and unconstitutional".

I don’t know much about this, I’m afraid, so if any of my readers know about this please post a comment – what Federal legislation might he be referring to and are such ordinances, in fact, unconstitutional? I’d like to know more.

Also, in a subtle "screw you",

Danbury officials also are preparing an ordinance that would ban volleyball games attracting large crowds in residential neighborhoods. The games are a staple in Ecuadorean communities.

Splendid – attack "illegal immigrants" where it hurts the most – volleyball.