Loftus Not Fit for Public Office at Any Level
As a former member of the Woodstock DTC, I have watched with amusement the candidacy of Bill Loftus for state representative which already has the air of desperation. The Woodstock DTC voted NOT to endorse Mr. Loftus when he first presented himself as a candidate. Only after Don Williams leaned on the DTC chairman about “party unity” was this issue raised again for a revote- which barely carried and in turn caused the resignations of a number of DTC members.
Having watched the antics of Mr. Loftus at countless Boards of Education and Finance meetings over the years in which citizens who raised reasonable questions were openly ridiculed and held in disdain by this candidate, and having studied his positions and statements carefully, let’s review some of his contributions to town governance:
• During budget season at a Board of Finance meeting, Mr. Loftus was quoted as saying that the BOE “can say or do anything ” with regard to getting a BOE budget approved and went on to say “then do whatever we please with the money”. While technically correct, it was then explained to him by one of the members of the BOF that this was both unethical and immoral. Mr. Loftus had no response.
• Mr. Loftus has and continues to repeatedly and vehemently deny any involvement in the creation of the ‘Breen Proposal’ in which the BOE spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars in legal fees in an end run to the Connecticut legislature to bring Woodstock Academy under the control of Woodstock Board of Education. When confronted and cornered with evidence to the contrary in open meeting, his response was to say- “how is it different than what goes on in the rest of society?” It’s hard to believe this could come from a ‘professor of ethics’ as he bills himself.
• In response to a straight forward and lawful Freedom of Information request for documents to the BOE, Mr. Loftus appeared to relish his role in crafting a response designed to confuse and obfuscate the issues of the request which were relevant to his and the BOE’s obvious involvement in the ‘Breen Proposal’. Despite the best efforts of the requestor, no documents of substance were ever produced in response to the request.
Is this what we’re looking for in someone we elect to act on the needs and business of the district at the state level? I think not. This behavior is indicative of what is wrong with politics in general and why as a state we are in the dire predicament we are facing. When it becomes more about winning and less about doing what is right and representing the interests of the constituency, we all have gone very wrong.
The episodes described above are just a small sampling of the true colors of Mr. Loftus and are derived from video/audio tape and/or documents received as a result of FOI requests, all of which can be found right here on this blog.
Craig R. Powers
The author is a member of the Woodstock Board of Finance
Also having witnessed Mr. Loftus's antics at various Town and Board of Finance meetings over the last several years, including the BOF meeting referenced in the article, it is not surprising that the town DTC initially failed to support or endorse him.
I was a bit surprised to learn of he is a professor of ethics. Perhaps the lesson in ethics he was given that night by a long time Board of Finance member enlightened him - but then I think not.
The last thing we need more of in Hartford is more slippery characters who say anything to get elected and then do as they please once in office. As Craig points out, that is in large part what has created the giant fiscal hole we, as a state, are now standing in.
Area people seem too confused; they say” the politicians must go”. They are so frustrated; angry they are willing to vote for anybody who runs against the existing candidates.
People isn’t it better to put up with the worthless elected officials than to put people like Loftus, George McCoy, and Linda McMahon?
They only care about power; they will raise taxes and put us all out of a home.
Maggie, It's important to know that Prop 46 is not "safe". While I'm not wild about the ordinance as written, it has been circumvented to the point of rendering it useless. In fact, very soon George McCoy will present the subcommittee report which I expect will finish 46 for all intents and purposes. Folks might want to pay attention to the next BOF meeting (whenever that may be). Lots of cancellations recently. It will probably be very close to Thanksgiving so as to stay under the radar as much as possible.
It is interesting to note that Bill has a convicted felon working for him. Armed robbery I believe? He is his "driver" while Bill is going door to door and puts signs up on other peoples property for him. I almost fell over when I saw this man walk into the debate last night. Bill needs to be a little more careful as to who he has on his "team".