New Haven Independent

Posted by: E. Cleveland | October 26, 2007 3:12 PM

This commercial is exactly the same as Morris' "expensive and deceitful ads" from her last campaign. This commercial is truly deceitful and I assume it was expensive. So much for John Opie taking the "high road." In these pages I have been constantly trying to rebuke those people using fake names for their "swift boat tactics" to undermine the DaRos campaign. I wonder if one of those fake names was really John Opie all the time.

Posted by: Douglas Denes | October 26, 2007 3:48 PM

Not John Opie's finest moment. Is this cluelessness the reason John lost to Cheryl, and caused our present nightmare, in the last election?

Posted by: Moshe Gai | October 26, 2007 4:45 PM

Now the real faces are coming out of the sand and Opie's face is full of mud. Is this what you call high road? Shame on you John for stating UNK started the Tabor mess. You have no integrity.

I guess after all even in local politics there is a fundamental difference between a Republican and a Democrat (with Cheryl being the exception). I am confident this tactics will not work in Branford. This town has proven to be a town of people with integrity and in the end this ad will hurt Opie more than it will help him.

And let us not forget what President Johnson always said: "I do not engage in pissing contests with skunks".

Thus Spake Moshe Gai

Posted by: eyeright | October 26, 2007 8:05 PM

Clever spot! Impressive! Well done and rare at the same time!

John Opie gets it. People are tired of the fighting and squabbling. Thank you Mr. Opie.

Now back to the squabbling and fighting!

I am very surprised that Opie was able to clear the rights to the theme song from The Andy Griffith Show for a political spot since this doesn't fall under the fair use provision (especially when a recently released DVD boxed set of the show was unable to clear the theme song with the copyright holder).

You did clear the rights didn't you John? If you didn't you could be on the hook for up to $150K, but that's chump change compared to Unk's tab on Tabor for the citizens of Branford.

On the other hand, maybe the rights holder lives here in Branford!?!? In that case, how about organizing an Andy Griffith Show Day as a special event here in Branford as part of your campaign promises. Unk can be Gomer, Morris can be Aunt Bea and well, Opie can be Opie.

If you do, you'll get my vote!

Posted by: stan konesky Jr | October 26, 2007 10:05 PM

First, I respect John Opie very much and would never say anything negative about the man. However, his team obviously never reviewed the ad for negativity of substance or implications. Whoever designed this ad implies a reference to be associated with Mayberry RFD 1960(theme music) not Branford 2007. I am very surprised.
This ad and my preceptions of its'content are the sole reasons I have chosen to write this reply.

This election is about who would be the best leader to guide and direct Branford for the next two years with an understanding of the problems and solutions that face us today. Branford is about 30,000 people with diverse backgrounds, interests, concerns: as education with overcrowding and costs, open spaces, traffic, the environment with pollution, town services,taxes, economic development, quality of life for all and on and on.
This video correlates the Republician candidate to Mayberry RFD, 1960 which brings back memories of their citizens as Gomer Pyle, Barnie Fife and young Opie along with a sweet Aunt Bee. Funny, comical and entertaining but NOT what Branford is all about in 2007.
Finally, the video is of animated figures using a sandbox theme.
Branford needs a real live individual for selectmen with no animation but proven actions. We all know Branford is not the small sandbox or Mayberry 1960. Branford is looking for proven leadership for now and the future. Our quality of life can not be equate to a cartoon or animation.
Unk DaRos is as alive and real as can be. He does not live in Mayberry RFD 1960 but in Branford, 2007.

Posted by: scjerry | October 26, 2007 11:23 PM

I've seen these political ads by John's PR guys.

John, perhaps at the urging of his ad men, appears to want to please everyone without really saying anything, and attempts to be self-effacing by presenting a caricature of himself in the advertisements.

I think the ad falls embarrassingly flat as a result because I know this is not the real John.

John, I'd fire your ad men, if I were you.

Posted by: Mojito, T.E. | October 27, 2007 12:14 PM

Actually I think the commercial hits at the heart of the campaign. There is a family fight amongst the Democrat Insiders and the cost of this fight falls squarely on the taxpayers of Branford. There is no hiding behind the fact that two years ago, Unk and several current members of his ticket were all part of the Morris/Sullivan family. The fact that there are 14 individuals that ran on Cheryl's ticket and are now on Unk's team is alarming, given the criticism of her administration, so much for "cleaning house". This includes town wide positions for tax collector, the town clerk, the treasurer, and 11 of the 18 RTM candidates, that 60% of the RTM ticket. The facts are the facts Ms Cleveland, regardless of who brings them forward. Now I know you are an Unk loyalist and that is what it is, but the facts are the facts...

More facts... Unk stated earlier in this publication that he knew Morris/Marcus' background, I think he was even quoted as saying that it was not pretty, yet Unk still gave a quote of support in the Morris/Sullivan campaign literature last election. Unk also posted a huge Morris/Sullivan lawn sign on his property. Of the 14 members of Unk's team, they all supported via lawnsigns, sweatshirts, financial contributions the election of Cheryl Morris in the last election. Why? Because she was the party nominee? Partisan politics at its finest.

More facts... Under the DaRos Administration Branford Taxes grew by 33%. Under the Opie Administration that growth was reduced by 12% and under the Morris Administration it was further reduced by 5% (but look at the other cost we bear for that additional reduction). These numbers are in our budget books, you cannot run from the from the truth.

More facts... Under the DaRos Administration the Fire Chief received a golden parachute for poor performance costing taxpayers over $300K. This issue was covered in the press multiple times years ago.

More facts... Under the DaRos Administration the re-valuation project was botched. Again costing the taxpayers of Branford over $400K and 200+ lawsuits. This too was covered in the past press, and the lawsuits are on record at town hall.

The fact is that DTC Party Politics has led to the mess our town government is in today. They claim to have "cleaned house" of the Morris/Marcus faction yet staunch Morris supporters like Lisa Avitable (1st District RTM) and Scott Thayer (5th District RTM) are still are on the DaRos ticket. Why? DaRos could not find anyone else to take their spot? So better fill the ticket regardless of the individual? That's really looking out for Branford's best interest? More of the same party politics that Branford does not need.

Now, Ms. Cleveland would like you to believe that stating these facts are somehow a "swift-boat" tactic, but in reality they are just the facts.

Voters please remember that the individuals that run our local government in Branford both on the Board of Selectman and the RTM have never once voted on the war in Iraq, contrary to Ms Cleveland's desire for you to make that connection, it just is not there!

So Ms. Cleveland stop your "swift-boat" tactics associating candidates on a local level as somehow responsible for actions in Washington, DC. Local politics are just that local and the fumes from your boat should not cloud that fact!

So Ms Cleveland, provide facts not fiction regarding Unk's opponents, the readers of this publication deserve the facts, not your slanted opinion.

Posted by: Sandra Browne | October 27, 2007 4:01 PM

Cleveland states that Opie is running a deceitful ad. The ad is clever and represents most voter's opinions of the race so far. Opie needs undecided voters. So does Unk. I seriously doubt that the anonymous commentator on Marcia's column is Opie.
My vote would go to either Bruce Morris or Milici.
The three M's are still around. Let's focus on
removing them from power.

Posted by: Brian | October 27, 2007 5:37 PM

Thanks, Marcia, for getting down to the important issues facing Branford...if Opie's ad is "deceitful" what about Unk's take on things in town? Leader? I don't think so...nice guy yes...leader?????

Posted by: branfordcitizen | October 27, 2007 7:21 PM

E. Cleavland, the better supposition is that you are the person behind at least one of those "fake names". You provide both sides of the commentary thus becoming your own foil. In volume and frequency I notice no name more often than yours. Your unwavering loyalty to a folk hero has secured you a seat aboard a not-so swift boat. Actually read the transcripts. Then you might realize what your folk hero said while under oath.

Posted by: ctkeith | October 27, 2007 8:17 PM

Is that the same John Opie guy who opened his 2005 campaign for Selectman by declaring "MY ADMINISTRAION IS UNBEATABLE" and then went on to get his ass beat by Cheryl Morris.

The only success Opie ever had was as Judy Gotts water boy.

PS- Every Branford resident knows it was Opie who made the decision to forgo spending a lousy 50 grand on the environmental studies that made the Tabor verdict possible.

Posted by: E. Cleveland | October 28, 2007 6:08 PM

Dear Fake-Name Branford Citizen and Fake-Name Mojoto: People are ignoring you because of your fake names. I just skip right over your "comments" because of your fake names.

Posted by: Pam Knapp | October 28, 2007 9:00 PM

Eliza Cleveland is one of the hardest-working Democrats in this town. She has had the courage to stand up and point out when our leaders have made grave mistakes, and has been outspoken regarding the lack of integrity in the Morris/Marcus administration. I admire people who stand up and call it as it is, and who have the courage to put their names to their words. What some people refer to as "infighting" is actually "courage." Courage to stand up against the leader of your party when he/she has illustrated unethical behavior; courage to fight for what is right, not cowardly following the party, right or wrong. Bravo, Liza!

And - as for copyright infringement - I highly doubt Opie licensed the rights to the Mayberry whistling tune. I would expect all candidates to adhere to basic laws and certainly hope Opie did so.

I agree with the comments of Stan Konesky, Jr. Mayberry, RFD in 2007? As sad as it is, the likes of Andy, Barney, Aunt Bea, Opie and pals just don't exist anymore. Yet, Unk DaRos does hold true to the spirit of hometown values, maintaining the charm of our New England seaside community, much in the fashion of the Mayberry comfort, while also exhibiting the vision needed to lead Branford in 2007.

Posted by: Moshe Gai | October 29, 2007 3:14 PM

Hello John (Opie),

Let me say from the outset that I will post our email exchange on "The Branford Eagle" so as to give you a chance to rebuttal.

I believe your two ads on "You Tube" work against you.

You show disrespect to your opponents. The people of Branford are very concerned with loss of integrity in this town and showing disrespect to an opponent is one aspect of loss of integrity. In your case you are also not true to your own word from the joint press release with UNK on August 13th, see below, and that places you at a major conflict with the good people of our town.

I should tell you that some Republicans neighbors who considered you a nice guy, have now some great misgivings. These two ads can not (and should not) be approved by a nice guy.

So you claim, see below, "I am only quoting UNK's own word". We all know how one can abuse an "opponent own's word" to send another message. The fact is the ad is yours and you are the author, and you must take responsibility to what you say even if it is a quotation. For example if your opponent would have used foul language would you quote him/her? Of course not, because it will be indecent and offensive. And so is your quotation, it is indecent and offensive just the same.

You depict your opponents as two people arguing of who made more damage to Branford. Now we all know Cheryl's limitation, but would anyone accept your quotation of her as admitting that "she finished the mess?" Yes even Cheryl deserves better than that.

And what about you my dear Opie? Would you say you did nothing on the Tabor property issue? If you say so, you will prove correct all the people who claim just that: "Opie did nothing".

And you portray Unk and Cheryl in the same sand box. You know full well they were never in the same sand box. On July 19th the Democratic Party kicked Cheryl and her entire mafia out of the Democratic party. Long before that they were all in effect ex-communicated, but in a democratic society we must wait for election to oust corrupt leaders.

So unlike your message of gloom and doom I finish my message with the same beauty of the sea of red hats from our Democratic Convention on July 19th. These red hats over shadowed any message of hate and indecency. The 'UNK 07' red hats from our Democratic Convention of July 19th reminds me of the first days after the rain in my home town in the desert when the hills are covered with red poppies (we call them Kalani'ot) and all the kids run out to the field to enjoy the dawning of a new day.

Look at the two attached picture they tell the full story of the beauty and the integrity of the pure and uncorrupt world of happy young people far removed from the deception of old wise men. Lets keep Branford this way, naive, pure, simple and happy.

Thus Spake Moshe Gai

*******John Opie's email to Mohe Gai***************
I still concur with Unk that the ball was dropped during the defense phase of this effort.
If you will notice, the commercial is focused on the bickering and accusations by both of them. I believe Unk's own words to the RTM were "I started this mess".
The balance are either exact words or condensed versions that reflect accurately the sentiments exchanged between them.
John
*********Moshe Gai's elail to John Opie***********
-----Original Message-----
From: Moshe Gai [mailto:moshe.gai@yale.edu]
Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 6:02 PM
To: John Opie
Subject: My Comment on John Opie U-Tube Political Cartoon

Hello John,

I just posted the following comment on your last ad on "You Tube". I would love to hear from you how you reconcile your two ads on "You Tube" with joint press release you issued on August 13th together with UNK:

On August 13th you had a joint press release with UNK Daros where you stated together with UNK that: "We've come together because the Tabor dispute is more important than the upcoming selectman's race", but in your desperate attempt to win the election you are not true to your own word. No "nice guy" as you claim to be, will put his name on two such a shameful ads.

Moshe Gai.

Posted by: buffalo bill | October 29, 2007 4:04 PM

Dems were deceiptful last election...not just Cheryl, but every democrat who supported her, dems were deceiptful in Aniskovich campaign and Panaroni complained about Peter Black's uncovering scandal with Panaroni land switch was an attack on his mother.
I think most people are losing the point of the ad....it's humor, political satire, and it is not deceiptful, does not cast Branford as Mayberry (in fact only Opie association). It shows how silly politics is acting....in fighting, finger pointing, and bickering.....
so get over the over analysis and get laughing.....

Posted by: dman | October 29, 2007 4:50 PM

I applaude you MOSHE. It would be wonderful to have a naive, pure, simple and consequently a happy town. It almost sounds utopian. Unfortunetly, I don't think this will happen anytime soon on this planet let alone Branford. What always seems to get in the way is "PRIDE". If you can figure out a way to remove that part of human nature there might be hope. Not everyone is honorable enough to "fess up" to the situation including RTM members.

Posted by: scjerry | October 30, 2007 8:26 AM

Mojito I'm attempting to understand your "fact" that under Unk's administration he increased taxes some 33% during his 6-year term. Just look at Opie's own website. http://opie2007.org/TheFacts.aspx . Opie's yearly average increases were 4.92%, while Unk's yearly average increases were 5.45%. Hmmm. 6 years of Opie would have produced 29.52.% . All of this ignores use of the compounding formula.

If you are using different assumptions, please let us know.

Somehow, I do not view the per annum increase difference between the two candidates with great alarm given that, Unk paid off the Town's public employee pension fund in 6 years instead of decades as in other towns, and faced dramatic increases in teacher union salaries, along with the expenses of major Town construction projects, leaving Opie with a free ride. Any subsequent administration could claim lower taxes because of the work done by the DaRos administration, particularly since the bond raters, who, as a result of his leadership, and as a vote of confidence, gave the Town the first bond rating increase in 27 years.

Posted by: Jay Avitable | October 31, 2007 12:02 PM

Although I avoid "The Branford Eagle" like the plague, I knew I would find something about Mr. Opie's YouTube appearance here. If there is anything that voters in Branford just might be able to agree upon, it might be that this video is demeaning to all three candidates. Funny, but demeaning. Unprofessional, yet entertaining. Harmless, but superfluous. I could go on... but I will not.

We have an unusual opportunity to choose among 3 candidates, all of whom have experience in the position for which they are running. If ever the voters in ANY election had an opportunity to make a decision based on merits rather than hype, this is it. Unfortunately, this is probably not the correct venue to seek rational, reasoned opinions.

I have made my decision for whom to vote (a matter of record in both "real" newspapers in Branford) based on my recollections, research and subsequent understanding of the records of the three candidates during their terms. I have no problem with anyone claiming I have reached the wrong decision (I am often wrong, about a lot of things), but I am confident that I have made my decision for the right reasons.

By the way, is there any place (real or virtual) in town for rational discussion and debate of issues of governance/politics, local or otherwise?
If anyone has a constructive answer to this question, I would welcome it (unless, of course, you are not using your real name, in which case you are not qualified to answer).

Is anyone here familiar with Vote Smart which seems to be promoting the way things are supposed to work in elections?

Posted by: scjerry | October 31, 2007 7:12 PM

To the point of this discussion, I agree with Jay on the characterisation of the Opie ads. But I'm sure we do not share the same reasons for our positions. I'm an advocate of DaRos's candidacy, in case there is some question. You seem to allude to your allegiance, but do not state it outright.

But of course I'm disqualified from answering because I'm not using my real name.

Posted by: Jay Avitable | November 1, 2007 5:13 AM

SCJERRY,

I did not consider you to be an anonymous poster, and hence not "disqualified". Now I am confused, perhaps you are not who I thought you are?

As for my preference in this election, I did not mean to obfuscate, I did not think it was relevant to the point I was making. I am voting for Cheryl Morris.