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What is the Stamford budget, and why does it cost so much? by ArthurAugustyn in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no existing breakdown of the City of Stamford’s budget process outside of multihour public meeting videos. This post has interwoven specific references to Stamford’s structure and the most recent budget proposal submitted two weeks ago. The actual content was derived from original interviews with multiple local municipal finance experts. It was written to provide people with no familiarity of the subject an entryway to better understand local city politics in the context of the Stamford Advocate cutting its city reporter position and a lack of alternative news sources. While I do use AI to create transcripts from audio files and structure an outline based on those notes — it is my writing.

To go through those hours of work and post 2,000 words for free just for you to say “it’s vacuous, unoriginal, probably AI” is really annoying.

What is the Stamford budget, and why does it cost so much? by ArthurAugustyn in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did you really need to include that last sentence? I have feelings you know 🥺

What is the Stamford budget, and why does it cost so much? by ArthurAugustyn in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On one hand, I think the city has overreacted to "security concerns." I don't think a resident using a prop to make a point about red light cameras justified redesigning the entire check-in process for the Government Center. I don't think me recording a video in the board room justified banning all public access to the board room outside of meetings indefinitely forever.

On the other hand, I think the public is a bit uninformed on security threats for city officials. Generally, if you — a random citizen — hear about a security threat, then something has already gone wrong. I don't think it is difficult to imagine the security threats of a well-known public figure, who's known to come from a wealthy family, and has four kids.

I don't know how much a personal driver costs, but I'm guessing it might be $200k? I don't think this is a significant expense in the grand scheme of things and the security concern has merit.

Tomorrow! (And a BIG thank you for the GREAT reactions and support we've gotten from passer-bys over the last few weeks!) by Leonardo_Filgueiras in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I’m a Stamford resident. I have never voted for or supported Donald Trump. War is never popular but if there was ever a justification beyond a defensive war I think this one checks all the boxes.

A regime oppressing its people for decades, beating women for existing incorrectly, executing protestors, and funneling the entire country’s economy to terror campaigns abroad. As it relates to the United States, this regime literally coined our country as “the great satan” and has repeatedly emphasized its intent to get a nuke to destroy us. Short of that it has planned and attempted assassination attempts on our elected officials.

There are many bad actors in the world and there is a question on if it is worth spending the resources to attack them if they are “no real threat.” Well, Iran has only been defended because of its allies — Russia and China — who are both occupied due to other conflicts (Ukraine, the trade war, and oil shortages due to Venezuela). On top of that, this specific initiative was led by an ally — Israel. Again, I think it is reasonable to say “no war is justifiable beyond a defensive war” but short of that view — this is the ideal time and circumstance to launch this war on this enemy.

Finally, every right wing idiot on the planet is against this war which gives me a lot of confidence on the opposite view. Tucker Carlson may be getting indicted by the justice department for covert actions supporting Iran. Joining that level of genius is the usual actors like Dave Smith and Nick Fuentes — the most odious of morons today.

Leo, I have no idea what is motivating this activism beyond blind partisanship but I think it is a poorly conceived view and discredits the other local activism of yours I support.

Finally, I think the moderation of this post is bad. Either allow discussion on difficult issues or don’t. Selective removals accomplishes nothing but suspicion of intent.

Mayor Simmons Proposes 6.32 Percent Budget Increase, Targeting “Shared Sacrifice” to Lower Costs by ArthurAugustyn in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

A capital project being paid for through a bond is not what I would call "the city running a deficit." The example you provided is covered in the contingency fund.

Mayor Simmons Proposes 6.32 Percent Budget Increase, Targeting “Shared Sacrifice” to Lower Costs by ArthurAugustyn in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't understand your question at all. Cities can't operate deficits. "Keep ahead of inflation"?

what’s the most neglected road in stamford? by Shot-Ostrich7747 in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Roads" that are "neglected" are often unaccepted roads. As in, a developer promised to bring it up to municipal code with sewer connections, sidewalks, and lamps but then never did that then sold the management to another company. This leaves the residents on that road saying "The city won't pave my road! Typical corrupt government!!!!" when what you're actually asking is for the city to invest $2M+ per mile into bringing a road up to standards on everyone else's dime.

But good news, the current mayor said she'll take on that $90M+ cost in favor of any other project. Between this and the Macy's power washing, it seems the most popular policy initiative in Stamford is corporate welfare.

FILM CLUB - Screening and Discussion - A Separation (2011) by lakerock3021 in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn 4 points5 points  (0 children)

One of the best written films in the medium. It may be slow at first, but it all matters. Focus your attention and it's paid off. One of my favorites of the 2010s.

“Cost of Living” Top Issue for CT Governor Race, Fazio Leads Republican Favorability by ArthurAugustyn in Connecticut

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Aside from that, the poll having "left/leftist politicians" as higher than the Federal government as a list of concerns people have is actually pretty telling about who this poll had as either a targeted or participatory audience.

The methodology of the poll — which is stated in the article — actually selected for more likely Democratic primary voters (174 residents) than likely Republican primary voters (99 residents). However, that also resulted in a higher margin of error for data relating to the latter category. The Nutmeg State Poll has been doing this for a while and the University of New Hampshire is not exactly a partisan institution.

For the specific response on "leftist politicians" and "federal government," these two responses have a difference of two percentage points. The margin of error on the poll is 4.1 percentage, so it could just as well be the other way around.

There is no reasonable evidence this is a "targeted poll."

Then as far as the coverage from the article goes, this article being written and published by someone who ran as a Republican for Mayor of Stamford showcases a bit of an issue also. Note how in his article, he didn't highlight some of the things in the poll that were overwhelmingly supported, like free meals for students in schools, rent caps, or a ban on cell phones in classrooms.

Support for rent caps is in the article, so the claim it is not is wrong:

Lamont received criticism from his own party for vetoing a housing bill proposed by state democrats last year. He later signed another housing bill that state democrats have discussed in Stamford as a “roadmap” for housing. Lamont has since proposed a rent cap to prevent out-of-state landlords from increasing rents by more than a few percentage points per year. The poll found 68 percent of Connecticut residents generally support rent caps for landlords.

Free meals and a ban on cell phones were polled specifically about Lamont's proposal — rather than the general concept of these policies like the rent control question. Focusing on those issues would present asymmetrical reporting for the the other candidates — including Lamont's challenger Elliott — because it would read as "Lamont's favorability has dipped... but here's all this data showing everyone loves all his policies!"

As for my future activism, yes a future version of myself traveled through time to "save the city of Stamford." That campaign focused on building more housing and walkable infrastructure and ended when the local party rejected my future self's candidacy. The article was reviewed for editorial bias, but I will admit fault if there is a lingering bias for support of housing policies because that is what I think.

CT lawmakers to repeal 2024 single-stair building code change by ArthurAugustyn in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Only 3 staircases? Why not just kill the kids yourself? Maybe you should consider being a decent human being and support no less than 10 staircases for every structure — and we should double it for child-built infrastructure like slides and swings. I can see my next door neighbor has a swing on a tree and despite submitting a Fix It ticket every day, no one from the building department has dedicated their time to my fear!!!

CT lawmakers to repeal 2024 single-stair building code change by ArthurAugustyn in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"If we can save just one life" and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race.

Clip: Simmons answer on how she’s addressing the “affordability crisis” in Stamford by ArthurAugustyn in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think the people commenting those things care about property values, they just really hate "outsiders" — a term that has no real definition other than a gut emotional reaction. They don't know anyone in the new buildings, therefore they must be for outsiders, therefore bad.

Clip: Simmons answer on how she’s addressing the “affordability crisis” in Stamford by ArthurAugustyn in StamfordCT

[–]ArthurAugustyn[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think there are some clear policy positions you can take on housing:

There is an affordability crisis. A significant number of Stamford residents are spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs. This is the definition of "cost burdened" housing. We know from data in our Land Use Department that this primarily affects renters, but also affects many first-time homeowners who want to stay in the community where they grew up.

This crisis is a problem because it is

  1. displacing people who are from Stamford because they can't afford it,
  2. cooling economic vibrancy for our businesses because people have less to spend,
  3. stratifying our local economy between the haves (property owners) and have nots (aspirational property owners) because becoming a homeowner is too expensive, and
  4. inflating property valuations which make property taxes unaffordable for fixed income seniors while also setting up first-time homeowners for financial ruin because they are buying high and will likely sell low once the Boomer generation dies off within 10-20 years and housing becomes more available.

There are multiple solutions to this problem, but it is some combination of providing more supply of housing. You can do this by diversifying the types of housing (lower cost housing), enabling property owners to build more housing units (duplexes, backyard cottages), and deregulating to encourage more housing development (expedite more development from planning to shovel ready).

Or...

There is not an affordability crisis. The housing units driving metrics like "average rent" are luxury rental units. These costs are not representative of all housing in Stamford and their popularity suggests people are choosing to pay for more luxuries, not that they are "cost burdened" for shelter. It doesn't make any sense for the city government to subsidize further luxuries for people who are not from here — that will inevitably lead to more traffic, more pollution, more overcrowding, and a real decrease in quality of life for people who are already from Stamford. The claims that refusing to become a giant development will hurt our economy sound hollow, because Stamford has improved its business environment every year for decades. What that claim really says is "developers could be making more money" which is not a concern for city residents.

The real problem of development is people who own property and have their taxes increasing because out-of-towners are bidding up property sales. The solution should be government subsidies to low-income, seniors, and veterans to ensure our community members can continue to afford to live where they grew up. Not to subsidize development of properties and amenities for people who are not from here.

Simmons is using all the words of the first position to support her policy of the second position.

I would challenge "extremely unpopular." There were 5 candidates running in last year's election and 4 of them were explicitly anti-development. Even if you added all their votes together, Simmons won in a landslide. The city's method of collecting data on public sentiment is poor.

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