The Concerned Taxpayers of East Granby, Inc. (CTEG) is a nonpartisan organization that provides a forum for East Granby taxpayers to discuss issues affecting them. The major focus of the group is a balance of quality and affordability of services. We promote open government and involvement of taxpayers (residents, business owners and non-resident property owners) in the decision-making process.
Constitution Oak, Memorial Day 2010
CTEG to Host Series of Candidate Meetings
Elaine O'Brien, Democrat running for the 61st District, Connecticut House of Representatives, will be the second in a series of candidates to meet with CTEG this fall. The meeting will take place on Monday, September 20th, at the East Granby Public Library, beginning at 7PM. CTEG has invited all four candidates running for the State House of Representatives in the 61st and 62nd Districts to introduce themselves and share their views on the upcoming legislative session.
The group's previous guest was Malvi Lennon, Republican Candidate for the 61st District, on August 16th. The next guest is Bill Simanski, Republican candidate for the 62nd District, on October 18th. Incumbent 62nd District Representative Annie Hornish has not responded to CTEG's invitations to participate.
The 61st District includes portions of East Granby and Windsor as well as the entire town of Suffield. The 62nd District includes all of Granby, most of East Granby, a portion of Barkhamsted, and all of New Hartford.
All meetings are open to the public, with no reservations necessary.
Third Annual CTEG Grill Party and Fundraiser
This event is scheduled for Sunday, September 26th, starting at around 1PM, and will feature lots of great food and a silent auction. Proceeds will be used for operating expenses, to fund various projects, and to be used for various contributions CTEG makes to such organizations as the East Granby Public Library and the Yankee Institute for Public Policy.
More details about this event will be posted soon.
Motor Vehicle Assessment Appeals
The Board of Assessment Appeals will have an open session to evaluate appeals on motor vehicle assessments on Monday, September 13th, from 6:30 to 7:30PM. No appointment is required, but the vehicle in question should be brought to the Town Hall parking lot. Assessments in this most recent tax bill are based on the NADA pricing guide, as required by the State of Connecticut, and are valued as of October 1, 2009.
If your appeal concerns high mileage only, you may bring your vehicle to the Town Hall for inspection by the Assessor during regular business hours until October 15th, 2010.
For more information, call Sandy at the Assessor's office at 860-653-2852.
Yankee Institute Launches New Website
Raising Hale is a new website sponsored by the Yankee Institute for Public Policy.
Find out how the state is balancing its budget on the backs of college kids, how much a high school diploma costs, and learn about the tangle of links between the state's SustiNet Board and the foundation set up to advocate for it.
The Yankee Institute's investigative reporter, Zach Janowski, will be publishing news and information that
hasn't been covered in other news outlets on a wide range of topics related to
Connecticut, its state government, and the political issues that are at its
core.
Flags for East Granby has completed installing flags in the Village Center along Route 20 and 187, as well as along School Street. This project is a grass roots, community-based effort for which no taxpayer funds will be used.
CTEG, and many of our individual members, are proud contributors to this worthwhile project.
Friend to Friend Food Pantry Needs Your Help
If you've driven down Center Street recently, you'll notice a new sign in front of the Senior/Community Center. Friend to Friend Food Pantry, devoted to helping East Granby residents who need assistance with groceries, now has a listing of the items they need most. For more information, call 860-653-4371 or visit their website here.
Ignoring it Doesn't Make it Go Away: Connecticut's $51 Billion Unfunded Retiree Liability
This report from the Yankee Institute discusses how Connecticut's reported $16 billion unfunded pension liability is actually closer to between $51 billion and $81 billion - at least three times as the state's estimate. Unrealistic assumptions about discount rates and rates of return have resulted in underestimating the real scope of the program.
The Yankee Institute concludes that Connecticut should move from a defined benefit to a defined contribution pension plan for government workers as soon as possible to get retiree liabilities under control. According to Executive Director Fergus Cullen, "benefit reform and modernization needs to be a topic of discussion for state level candidates of all parties in this year's elections".
For a downloadable copy of this report, click here.
The Gorilla in the Room
ConstitutionFacts.com Announces 2010
Constitution Day Poster Contest
Students all
across America can participate in the 2010 Constitution Day Poster
Contest sponsored by ConstitutionFacts.com and other organizations. The
poster should be on paper size 8 1/2" x 11" and can feature any aspect
of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and Amendments.
Entries must be postmarked by October 1, 2010.
Constitution Day
(also called Citizenship Day) is September 17th. It recognizes the
ratification of the U.S. Constitution and those who have become U.S.
Citizens. The U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution on
September 17, 1787. The law establishing the holiday, enacted in 2004,
mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions provide
educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on
that day.
Winning Entry in the 2009 Constitution Day Poster Contest
For
more information about the contest, see the Poster Design Contest page
of ConstitutionFacts.com here.
Or, a downloadable printable copy may be accessed here.
Check Out Our Links!
We've
added some new links. We've got a wide variety of links to other
websites that can keep you up to date on taxpayer issues, connect you
with your local, state and national elected officials, update you on
various state commissions, unions and other organizations.
It's not time to panic - it's time to act. Get informed and get involved.
CTEG is a proud member of the Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations
UPCOMING CTEG EVENTS - CTEG Meetings are Open to the Public. Everyone is welcome to attend and/or join. Updated as of September1, 2010. Visit our EG Meeting Calendar page for listings of other town meetings and events. Wednesday, September 8th 7PM CTEG meeting; Library Monday, September 20th 7PM CTEG meeting w/guest; Library Sunday, September 26th 1PM CTEG 3rd Annual Grill Party & Fundraiser
Future CTEG meeting dates are on the EG Meeting Calendar.
For more information about CTEG, or if you'd like to join, please email us at info@EGTaxpayers.org, or call:
Ed Zawistowski at (860) 658-0268; Vi Beaudreau at (860) 305-0875; Yvon Lemieux at (860) 372-8111; or Bill O'Neill at (860) 463-5822
There are no annual dues, but contributions are extremely welcome.
(c) 2008-10 - Concerned Taxpayers of East Granby, Inc. (CTEG) Site issues or suggestions? Contact webmaster@EGTaxpayers.org
