New Britain herald., 1924-09-09
Mayor Again Accuses C. 0. P.
 Council Of Playing Politics

ordinance such as the one now be- fore us l believe we would be trans- sressing upon powers given the fire board by the legislature, and I. doubt very much If our action would be legal
 The clrbrter provision mentioned above reads as. follows; The board of fire commissioners shall have the general management and control of the fire department of said city. shall make all necessary rules and regulations for the govern ment thereof, shall have power to appoint the officers, members and emp loves in said department and to remove, suspend or otherwise penal ize such officers, members or em- ;ployes tPage 69, Section 2.)
 As you can see from the above, the legislature was very specific in. its grant of power to the fire board in making appointments, leaving open no ground for question. The following charter provision, under Section on Page TO. has been called to my attention: The Com mon Council may--do any other lawful act to render the police force or fire department more efficient"
 This is but general statement that is qualified by the more specific statement giving the fire board the power of appointment and control over the personnel of the depart ment.
 If it is not the wish of the cpun- cil that the fire board shall enjoy such power, then a charter amend ment would be in order but as the charter now stands I feel there is no avenue open to me but to veto thissresolution.
 Respectfully submitted.
 "A, M. PAONESsA, Mayor"
 Republicans Seek Delay
 Before action was taken on the mayors message, republican mem bers' realizing that there were not 1 the necessary 21 anti" votes on 1 hand. sought to have the matter laid over to the next meeting. The char ter provides that two-thirds of the entire coupcit membership must l favor overriding veto, otherwise 1t IS sustained. There were 23 mem bers on hand. six of whom were democrats already on record as in favor of sustaining the veto.
 At this point Mayor Paonessa, who had previously turned the gavel over to Alderman William H. Judd, took the floor and opened his attack on the republican program. He de- clared that laying the question over to the next meeting was nothing but ! political move and he charged that some members of the council are serving private political inter- ests instead of giving their best ef- forts to the city's benefit. He sub- mltted that question of city finance and of charter requirement. was con- cerned and there was not sufficient ] reason for delaying action. If you [ don't take action tonight you're ! playing politics" the executive con- cluded,
 Councilman Nair then jumped to his feet and objected to what he claimed as an insult" hurled by the mayor at members of the council. He declared that the council mem- bers are working for the cty's in- ] terests and giving much of their time and that the mayor has established as a standard his own methods of doing business, grouping those who oppose him in any measure as not working for the city's interests and l those who upport him az being in- l tcrested in the Citys welfare.
 On vote by exclamation, the mo- ton to continue to the next meet l ing the question Of Dr. Witte's sal ary. vas lost.
 1 Councilman Nair raised question 1 Of Mayor Paonessa's ability to veto the ordinance. He argued that the council had voted the increase at the 1 July meeting and ordered an ordin- anCe submitted, which was done at the August meeting. He claimed the salary had been voted and was not vetoed, therefore the ordinance becomes effective. He called on Corporation Counsl J. H. Kirkham ] for an opinion.
 Cant Be Done, Ktrkham Judge kirkham had minutes of the past two meetings read and | then told the council that it had
 passed the increase and then acted 1 upon the same resolution at the next meeting
 NO, not the same resolution,
 another one" City Clerk A. l.. Thompson interrupted.