(Note: There's a lot of arrogance toward a property owner's simple right to refuse to sell, in this article. The bullies are swaggering around and trading words, but the bottom line is still that the Bugryn property has a family living on it, a family that does not wish to sell their home and land.)

January 26, 2003

By Steve Collins and Jackie Majerus, Staff Writers

The Bristol Press

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Bristol, CT 06010

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Bristol, Connecticut - City officials said Friday that their effort to create an industrial park on the Bugryn family’s former property is a necessary step in building the community's tax base -- and they took offense at a state lawmaker's claim that it was "immoral and unethical."

"Should we turn back on this, we'd be in a position where tax-based growth for industry would come to a halt," said Jonathan Rosenthal, the city's economic development director.

State Rep. Roger Michele, a Bristol Democrat, said the city should have to pay the Bugryns triple the appraised value of the family's 32 acres if it wants to take it for economic development purposes.

Saying he may seek to change state law to make it harder to take land for economic development purposes, Michele said Friday the practice "is like a reverse Robin Hood, stealing from the poor to give to the rich."

City Councilor Ellen Zoppo said that Michele "is completely out of line to be making irresponsible comments" about the Bugryn case "after the city of Bristol has been through every level of court and won."

She said that Michele's attention ought to be focused on "other more pressing local issues such as the closure of the Bristol Technical School, our lack of education funding from the state, and the closure" of the Department of Social Services office in town.

"Maybe it's this type of illogical and completely disconnected sense of reality from state officials like him that landed us in this budget crisis to begin with," Zoppo said.

"I think I'm in agreement with the majority of the people who talk to me," Michele responded. "I have the right to have my own opinion."

As for focusing on more pressing state matters, Michele said, "I am not a single-minded person. I can work on many issues at the same time."

City Councilor Art Ward said that Michele's "first and primary goal on the state legislative agenda should be to resolve the state budget deficit issue" and not push for a legal change that would wind up costing taxpayers in Bristol an extra $2.4 million or more on the Bugryn deal alone.

But former Mayor Bill Stortz, a Republican, called Michele's approach "a breath of fresh air" that deserves "serious consideration."

"It is about time that someone took a realistic and humane approach to the Bugryn situation. It has been mishandled by the city from the beginning," said Stortz, a potential mayor candidate this year.

Stortz said the city's "heavy-handed" approach to the Bugryns displayed a "growth at any cost" attitude that "in this case and others is not right, not good, for Bristol or the people of Bristol."

"We can do a lot that will benefit Bristol, create growth, without affecting and destroying the lives and businesses of our people," Stortz said.

But John Leone, another former mayor and president of the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, said that Michele's idea is "wrong-headed."

With the use of eminent domain to take land for industrial use, he said, the city wouldn't have manufacturing companies on Middle Street or the 22 Technology Park.

"Imagine if those lands were not developed for industry," Leone said. "We'd have no tax base" and would be nearly bankrupt, he said.

"The three top taxpayers in the city are all sitting on land taken by eminent domain," said Rosenthal, naming ESPN, Covanta Energy and the Otis Elevator testing facility.

The use of eminent domain is crucial to the city's growth, according to Rosenthal.

"If it's Mr. Michele's intention to stop the growth of Bristol's industrial tax base, he'll be well-served by pursuing" his effort to change state law, Rosenthal said.

Leone said the chamber strongly supports the city's effort to create a new industrial on the Bugryn property because there are companies looking for land in town that could use it.

"The industrial park is something that's needed for the community, Leone said, adding that he's sure the Bugryns will be well-compensated when court cases are finally over.

Michele said that the city's overall needs are broader than securing more industrial space.

"To me, this is a quality of life in Bristol issue," Michele said. "If we go around with the reputation of going after property owners, we're not going to be drawing in people. We want to make the community as resident-friendly as possible."

Rosenthal said he's "concerned about Mr. Michele's timing. After five long years, he speaks at a time when we need to have cooperation to settle the few remaining matters."

He said the renewed controversy could delay a settlement "and harm the taxpayers."

Ward said that he's upset that Michele spoke out at an inappropriate time and did it without talking to city leaders.

In an email to Michele, Ward told the lawmaker, "I find it harmful that you have not only resurrected unnecessary controversy while this decision awaits proper resolution but that you have also opted to exercise your decision with total disregard and lack of consultation with your local elected officials."

Michele said that people have complained to him about the city's handling of the case from the start.

Rosenthal said that Michele doesn't understand the time the city's put into trying to settle with the family.

"He's never contacted this office," said Rosenthal. "I don't think he's aware of the incredible effort the city's made. There are critics who say we haven't moved fast enough."

If the Bugryns spent as much time negotiating as they've spent complaining to the press and to legislators, Rosenthal said, there would be a settlement now.

"Early on, we offered life use" of the property, said Rosenthal. "They chose to go this route."

Rosenthal defended the lengthy court cases involved in condemning the land and evicting the Bugryns from it -- the process that Michele called "immoral and unethical."

"This action has been approved in a court of law," Rosenthal said. "He can call it what he wants, but it is none of those things. It's gone through the courts. What the legislator is saying is just wrong. It's legal and it's allowed by law."

Paying property owners triple value for land taken by eminent domain, said Rosenthal, "would essentially shut down economic development."

"Under Mr. Michele's calculus, then it would be morally right that a parcel owner is paid three times its value?" Rosenthal asked. "Is this a financial question or a moral one?"

Supporters of the city's effort to create the industrial park said they're not worried about anyone agreeing with Michele to change state law.

"I don't think the legislature is likely to take this up too seriously because it would hamstring every community in Connecticut," Rosenthal said.

Leone said that lawmakers need to spend their time straightening out the financial mess in Hartford.

©The Bristol Press 2003

http://www.bristolpress.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=6824660&BRD=1643&PAG=461&dept_id=10486&rfi=8

Three 'Post your opinion's:

Warren Corson III

January 27, 2003

"It is about time that someone took a realistic and humane approach to the Bugryn situation. It has been mishandled by the city from the beginning," said Stortz, a potential mayor candidate this year. Give me a break! Stortz fails to realize that this case is not new -- the courts have made their decisions. Let's not pretend that this case is anything but a potential springboard for the Republican party, yet another instance of mistruths and falsities -- is this a reflection of times to come? Perhaps these individuals should have showed concern before it became clear of their intent to run for office? But what do we expect -- when a city is doing well in one of the toughest financial times this country has faced in a very long time -- than for the adversaries to mix emotion with falsehoods. Let's take a moment to compare the ex-mayor's record and that of his party's. Actions should speak for themselves.

Anthony Ungaro

January 26, 2003

Despite all the cheerleading by city officials it comes down to a perversion of eminent domain. Mr. Michele has it right concerning the highhanded taking of people's property for a private enterprise. This isn't to build a school or hospital.

Chris Athorn

January 26, 2003

I think it is time for Roger Michele to retire. This is not the first time his suggestion has been to throw tax dollars at a city problem. He is way off the mark lately. The City is going through the correct channels on this property issue and the courts will decide a fair resolution. This is costing the taxpayers enough court and legal expenses already. One of my questions is who in Roger's voting district continues to vote for him?