Daily Five: Republican Caucus Tonight

1. Today should be sunny, with a high of 80, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight should stay clear, with a low of 66, according to the service.

2. Tonight at 7, the Republican caucus is at town hall. First Selectman Dan Steward, , will seek a fourth term, and receive the nomination. However, the board of education and the board of finance has several members up for re-election, as well as all of the RTM members (the term for an RTM member is two years).

On the board of education, the terms of Democrats Donald Blevins, Sheri Cote and Jessica McLaughlin, and Republicans Kevin Brunelle and Jody Nazarchyk are ending. And on the board of finance, terms come to an end for Democrats J.W. “Bill” Sheehan, Roz Dupuis and George Peteros, and Republican Alan Wilensky.

3. Speaking of Steward, last fall he settled a contract with the GGA union, which covers people in recreation and parks, youth services and the building department, among others. The contract took more than two years to negotiate, with raises held around 2.25 percent for four years. Co-pays for GGA members stayed untouched, at $5.

Steward has said that the low co-pay is one of reasons medical claims are high, as low co-pays allow people to go to the doctor more. He didn’t address the $5 co-pays during negotiations because he didn’t have enough research regarding what figure to use for a co-pay, he said.

Steward went on to say he wanted all the unions in town to have the same co-pay, around $20 to $25, and will request a letter for all contracts to be changed. If this doesn’t happen, and health insurance continues to rise, the “taxpayers will come screaming,” and the town will be forced to cut the budget, he said. That will mean the unions will get no raises, and layoffs will probably have to happen, Steward said.

“We had wonderful benefits before the employees were paid well,” he said. “Now they are paid well and still have wonderful benefits. Eventually, something has to give.”

4. The has begun, as new brick is being put in. If you haven’t seen it yet, a picture of the new, red brick is on display on Crystal Mall’s Facebook page, and shared above. Do you like it?

5. On this date in 1948, President Harry Truman issues a peacetime military draft, as the Cold War with Russia begins. And on this date in 1977, the CIA releases documents showing it has been engaging in mind control exercises.

Quote of the Day

“Most people are prisoners, thinking only about the future or living in the past. They are not in the present, and the present is where everything begins.”

-Carlos Santana

Trivia of the Day

On this date in 1984, what Miss America winner was asked to relinquish her crown after nude photos of her were printed in Penthouse?

Yesterday’s Answer: Three people died in the “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.”