Landlords Form PAC to Oust Mayor Tim O’Brien
By Robin Vinci at September 19, 2023 | 8:00 pm | Print
Saying they were not endorsing anyone, rather trying to prevent Mayor Tim O’Brien from being re-elected, the Connecticut Property Owners Alliance Inc. (CTPOA) announced to a room of about 100 people at Whinstone Tavern Wednesday night that they had formed a Political Action Committee (PAC).
“For the first time in our 17 year history, we are going to dive into the middle of an election,” Bob DeCosmo, president of the CTPOA to loud claps from the audience. “From where I sit, we cannot fight these policies City by City across the state of Connecticut. What started in New Britain needs to end in New Britain because if this mayor’s policies get implemented every City is going to adopt them to raise revenue and the rental property owners and affordable housing will be thrown into chaos. I will resign as the president of this group if we do not win this election.”
DeCosmo said he would give 110 percent and needed all the landlords to also pitch in and give 110 percent.
“If we don’t pitch in, I don’t like the future of the rental housing business in the state of Connecticut,” DeCosmo said.
Last October O’Brien announced a series of taxes and then fees for property owners. Presently a City resolution calls for a $50 licensing fee. If an inspection is done and something is found to be improper the landlord will be billed $150 each time an inspector comes out.
“This isn’t a partisan fight between Democrats and Republicans. This is about policy,” said DeCosmo. “You have Democrats, Republicans and Independents all working together to protect the housing industry.”
DeCosmo said if the mayor gets re-elected fees will be implemented against landlords causing rental properties to rise.
“You have a crisis in New Britain and we are here to work together to get a new mayor elected,” DeCosmo added.
Mike Telesca, an Independent from Waterbury is heading up the PAC.
Telesca said, “It is about time the property owners in the state of Connecticut get together to form a PAC. The PAC is not just about this election although right now we are concentrating on this election. This is the number one item on our list.”
Telesca said the abuses against property owners, landlords and tenants must stop.
“We want to make sure these policies don’t go any further and those that do get elected are concerned about your issues,” said Telesca. “As landlords you need to deliver a block of votes.”
Telesca said the first thing that needs to be done is to get renters registered to vote. Number two is then getting them to vote.
“Time is a wasting. We have about 6 weeks to election time,” said Telesca. “This is not something you can go home and forget about.”
He said 500 to 1,000 votes can be brought out by this group.
“If you want to change what is going on in Connecticut, this is how it will be done,” Telesca said. “When fees come to landlords they have no choice, but to pass it on. Nobody can afford to run buildings at a loss.”
Republican Mayoral Candidate Erin Stewart did have a chance to talk to the group.
“We are here to let you know we completely disagree with Mayor O’Brien’s policies and what he has done to hurt the landlords in the City of New Britain,” said Stewart. “If I can get votes on the council, this will be one of the first orders of business.”
Stewart said her slate was made of many parties because she did not believe a one party rule is healthy for any Democracy.
“We don’t trust the mayor, we don’t trust the City Council and there is no reason for secret meetings and meetings that pop up out of nowhere. We are getting shut out of public participation at Council meetings,” said Stewart. “We are in this for the long haul and are not going down without a fight.”
The PAC is planning another meeting in 10-14 days.
“We need to make as much noise as possible about why this man needs to be removed from office,” said DeCosmo. “This guy has got to go.”
For more information call the CTPOA or the PAC 1-800-369-6153.
