Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Norwalk Debates: District 140 State Representative

There are many problems in the 140th district, and despite lots of talk, little has changed. Three candidates, Rick McQuaid (R), Burce Morris (D), and Mytrice Riley-Wilson (D) sat in front of a small crowd to talk about the issues. The 140th district holds several minority neighborhoods, where the abstract issues melt down to the daily challenges of managing to earn a living, providing educational opportunities for children and preventing crime. The residents here are weary of the same old problems.

Bruce Morris talked a lot but had little to say, failing to answer questions and interrupting his fellow candidates. At one point candidate Mytrice Riley-Wilson, visibly annoyed just shrugged and passed on attempting an answer. It’s too bad, Wilson brought a fresh perspective to community responsibility. “We have to look to ourselves to solve some of these problems,” she explained, expanding on her journey to clean the streets and get involved in making her community better after choosing to live in Norwalk.

A typical Morris answer to subject of how can the state legislator affect the affordable housing crisis facing Norwalk. “Education is foundational to affordable housing, it’s foundational to crime prevention, it’s foundational even to health care,” began his long rambling response. He concluded with restating his strong experience in education. One member of the audience, wearing a fire department baseball camp, attempted to ask just who affordable housing was for these days, but gave up when Morris spoke for another 5 minutes without addressing the question.

For Wilson and McQuaid affordable housing and the cost of living in Norwalk were important issues. Both questioned who was able to afford the affordable housing when each cited anecdotes of people being turned away by banks when applying for mortgages. Wilson also pointed out that she knew of a woman who was qualified for a unit, succeeded in getting a mortgage yet could not afford the commons charges of the condo development of $500/month on top of the mortgage payment. Wilson pointed out that building condos and lowering the purchase price does not make the units more affordable.

Both Wilson and McQuaid spoke of the importance of tax credits to encourage companies to create jobs in the district. Morris rejected tax credits as an option and instead spoke about the need to create transportation solutions to the gridlock facing commuters from Guilford. Morris probably got confused about what city he was talking about since Guilford commuters are more likely to head into New Haven, not Norwalk. Morris’ ties to New Haven, according to McQuaid are still strong. “All his fund raising money comes from New Haven,” McQuaid said shortly after the debate, “Not Norwalk.”

McQuaid said that the state should reward businesses that hire locally instead of importing workers. “If you use people who live in Norwalk, the transportation problem that we’re talking about is changed.” Morris’ candidacy has not been without controversy this year. He’s accused (primary challenger) Common Council member Carvin Hilliard of distributing flyers against him, going as far as filing an official complaint which was dismissed. McQuaid pointed out after the debate, that Morris does not live in the district anymore having recently moved across the line.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Does Bruce Morris even live in his ditrict ? Why didn't he answer that question last evening. I think Rick McQuaid is going to win in a landslide. He is the better candidate.

Anonymous said...

this is what happens when party boss flunkies pick candidates to run. The dems have no intgrity.

Anonymous said...

I agree. Galen Wells comes out of the Alex Knopp's creepy school of politics that thinks the only way to govern is with the party boss leaders favorite lackeys and sycophants.(Don't forget they are childhood buds and Alex hand picked Galen to be the leader in his doomed second term, and Alex was awarded least trustworthy in Hartford when I served with him there) Hey it can be rewarding and lead to Hartford.

Anonymous said...

Bruce Morris is another Alex Knopp flunky. Alex appointed him to several high profile committees in which he did absolutely nothing. I previously served in the PTO and know how useless he is. Next thing we will hear is that Alex Knopp will try to run again. Good luck Alex, I think Richard Moccia will beat you by twenty points this time.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't there another candidate running this year with a fake address in Norwalk? Girodano maybe?

Anonymous said...

I was at the debate last night. That Bruce Morris was downright rude and spoke over the other candidates many times. I will vote for Myrtice Riley Wilson before I would pull the lever for that man.

Anonymous said...

This is a shame.. that Bruce Morris is running in a district that he does not live in. After Galen Wells, Ken Slapin, and Bruce Morris went to Connecticut Democrats stating that Carvin Hilliard did not follow their dumb rule. Then all three filed a false election complaint against Mr. Hilliard which they lost. Now these same people have filed a second election complaint against Mr. Hilliard. Mr. Hilliard should file a complaint with elections enforcement. Galen Wells doesnt care about the people of Norwalk, only her own agenda which is help a Hartford resident and questionable Norwalker win state office. What a joke?

Anonymous said...

How could Bruce Morris be running in a district he doesn't live in? Isn't that against the law? Where does he live?

Anonymous said...

It is too bad that Carvin Hilliard is not running. He is ten times the candidate that Mr. Morris is. Unfortunately, the party bosses prevented Mr. Hilliard from running. He has a record of accomplishment that Mr. Morris could only dream of duplicating. He has stood up time and time again for the little guy.

Anonymous said...

Bruce lives in the district...he just moves around it alot!!!!

Anonymous said...

McQUAID should win this seat! He should call on Mr. Morris to prove that he lives in the district. All of the town knows Mr. Morris doesnt live where he says he does. Galen and friends will do anything to keep Carvin OFF the ballot - even look the other way- which is a shame.

Anonymous said...

Bruce Morris lives in the district? That is news- "moves around a lot?" This guy moves more then Uhaul trucks-this time Morris moved outside of the district. Why would anybody want to elect a guy who moves so much that the people he serves can not find him? Who is he running from? Galen is a joke of a town chair- only 5 members of the DTC support her. When it comes out that Morris ran for state rep using a fake address Galen will have more egg on her face. Please, DTC dump Galen Nov 8, 2006. Norwalk is much better that you dumped Alex Knopp! All the City Hall workers are much happier. Including me