(Hour 1a,b) The battle over converting Manchester’s street lights to LED fixtures so raged at last night’s meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, it left our Humble Host nearly speechless. This was government at its worst and the number of people who might benefit at taxpayer expense will truly blow your mind. This should have you asking some very serious questions about whether or not these folks are serious about improving the city or the special interests.
Find out who did whose bidding and what lies ahead. Here is the spreadsheet we discussed with all the contributions taken from public employee and private sector trade unions:
Hour 1a
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Hour 1b
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We’re turning the lights on the fiasco that has become Manchester’s mindlessly embroiled attempt to convert street lights to LED fixtures, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. One company’s bid was so high, Mayor Ted Gatsas invited them to leave the meeting. Not only did he not like the price, he took offense at the company’s representative comparing smart meters to a child’s head. That company, Siemens, the one proposing to use union labor from IBEW Local 490, came back at the 11th hour to submit a bid that was remarkably less expensive. Guess getting to see what your competitor proposed is a pretty good incentive. At this point, the question is whether or not the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen will stand by the process and its results. Integrity, quality control, and union politics are all in question here, folks. Question: How many people DOES it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: Apparently the same number needed to screw the taxpayers plus a company that plays by the rules!
