$500 Reward Offered by William Duff for Information Leading to Arrest of Walnut Hill Bridge Vandals

Reported by Paula Antolini

A press release was just received from Bethel resident William Duff regarding the  recent incident of graffiti on the Walnut Hill Road / Limkiln Brook bridge.  He is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the the arrest and capture of the vandals.

*****

PRESS RELEASE from WILLIAM DUFF:

$500 Reward for the Arrest and Conviction of Vandals

 
Over the weekend, First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker, on a Facebook post, insinuated that Bill Hillman and myself were influential in inciting the vandalism that occurred on the Walnut Hill Bridge construction site.

Pasted below is the email that Bill Hillman sent to State legislators as well as what Mr. Knickerbocker posted.

Please also see attached flyer. I am offering a $500 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the vandalism.

Sincerely,
William Duff

P.S. The following are emails between a number of public officials in the wake of  Mr. Knickerbocker Facebook postings.
 
*****

Letter from Bill Hillman:

Dear Representatives Carter, Scribner, Senators Boucher and McLachlan,
 
There have been accusations and counter accusations regarding who (the State or the Town) is at fault for the protracted construction and redesign of the Bridge, which was recently vandalized (http://www.bethelbulletin.com/vandals-target-bethels-limekiln-brook-bridge-graffiti/)
 
On social media, this has played out with Will Duff posting the contents of an email from a State engineer stating what the Town’s responsibility, and Matt Knickerbocker’s denial.
 
I have been told third and fourth-hand that Bethel “never contacted” any of you to get assistance to speed things along with the State.
 
As you will note in a copy of Knickerbockers  recent facebook post; he is now asserting that Will Duff and I (we have been opposing the Town Budget, and have both used the slogan, “no Bridge, No Budget); Matt is laying part of the blame for a criminal act of vandalism on the two of us. IN FACT, I heard about the vandalism today after I completed attending a CERT first responder’s seminar, preparing to assist Bethel should a town wide emergency arise!
 
This is low, most unbecoming an elected official and I now must follow through to get the facts. 
 
Before I invoke FOI with Town Hall to obtain  any and all emails that Matt may have, in his official capacity, exchanged with any of you regarding the bridge constriction, I am simply trying to find out the straightforward answer.
 
Did he ever seek your help, urgently demand direct assistance from any of you, was there help to give?
 
Thanks.
Bill Hillman
 
Cc Will Duff, Billy Michael, Paul Szatkowsky

*****

His slanderous post is shown below, Facebook post as I found it:
 
Matthew Knickerbocker:
"The images are much worse that can be posted here without violating FB's terms of use. They are obscene and vile. It starts with a big "FIX THE BRIDGE ***HOLES" painted onto the fresh asphalt. This morning I called one of the senior managers of the company to apologize. She was polite but clearly disgusted, and I wouldn't be surprised if they decide not to bid on Bethel opportunities in the future. She made a point of saying that in all the contracts they have had with municipalities, they've never experienced anything as like this. Some projects run smoother than others; some run into bad weather delays and some don't. But never have they had a job where politics and unfounded blame and accusations were injected into the mix by people trying to score political points, The images I cannot show are obscene drawings with derogatory references to union workers, They are so disgusting, one of the neighbors covered them up with old sheets so his kids wouldn't see them. Here we are literally just days away from this bridge being open, and just how motivated does anyone think those workers are going to feel when they show up for work on Monday? Think they'll feel like going the extra mile to help us? I'm sure they will, however, because I've spoken to them and they are pros. But this is an embarrassment for our town. My personal opinion is that we have to thank, at least in part, the individuals who restarted the whole nasty affair all over again with their idiotic "No Bridge No Budget" campaign. Doing their best to advance their political agenda by keeping people misinformed and pissed off. Nice going, fellas."
 
*****

In another thread, separate from the above, in blaming the state:
 
Matthew Knickerbocker:
"How deeply disturbing it is to see Mr. Duff and Mr. Hillman continuing to perpetrate this misinformation to the public to further their own political agendas. And to actually hold the town budget hostage to a state-sponsored project over which the town has no control is utterly reprehensible. Here is the truth: NOTHING HAPPENS with this project until the state DOT approves each and every step, starting from the day the bridge designers began working on the plans, to putting the contract out to bid, to starting each discrete phase of the construction, to work order changes, to mid stream design changes that are a part of almost every job in this state. Nothing can be built before the state engineers review it and sign off that it is within their budget (where on earth did this ridiculous idea come from that the state "just writes the checks"??). It DOES NOT MATTER if it was the town who "selected" the designer and contractor; every step still goes to the state for pre-approval regardless (and for clarification, the "selections" can be made only from a list of state-authorized contractors). This also includes the test borings that were done prior to the design phase to locate the bedrock depth. That was approved by DOT according to THEIR specifications. That is precisely why the is not held responsible for that extra cost. The state is paying for ALL of the cost overruns and overtime related to the rock problem, because if it was a mistake on the part of the town-selected designer, you can be assured the state would make the TOWN pay for the extra costs and would then tell us to go sue the designer to get reimbursed. But that is not the case. It was not a mistake. The state considers that situation to be an unknowable condition and is paying all costs. So, "NO BRIDGE; NO BUDGET"?? How completely irresponsible. Do readers understand these individuals apparently will say anything to get a "no" vote? Here's one of the many things at stake in the budget yet to be passed: YOUR (not the state's) highway construction and repair budget. Work is progressing every day on the bridge, at state expense and under state review, and it will open when it's done. But watch what happens to your town if we start voting down budgets again. You won't like it."
 
*****

Yet Mr. Duff posted this:

Billy Duff
From: Weldon, Thomas E
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 4:36 PM

Subject: RE: Bethel - Project 09-91 - Walnut Hill Road bridge replacement
Importance: High

The entire design and construction of the Project is the sole responsibility of the Town of Bethel. An unforeseen condition occurred when the top of rock elevation anticipated for a portion of Abutment #1 and WW1-A was not as indicated on the borings. Since the Town of Bethel and there Consultant Design Engineer (Kleinfelder) is responsible for analyzing the situation and coming up with a viable solution, the delays and the cost of any residual costs as a result of these delays fall totally on the Town of Bethel. The original issue was identified on July 24, 2013 and we still do not have the situation resolved as of this date. The total blame does not fall fully on the designer or The Town, the Contractor, I believe has some responsibility in this as well since other options to keep the project moving were discussed but never moved forward or acted upon. Our Consultant Engineering-Bridge Section has been involved in the review of the revised plans in conjunction with CDOT Soils and they have made every effort to turn around their comments and/or approvals in a timely fashion. If needed, I can create an entire timeline for you as to what has been occurring on the project since July 24th to this date.

Tom

Thomas E. Weldon
Transportation Engineer 3
MSAT Team Leader
District 4 Construction
359 South Main Street
Thomaston, CT 06787
June 2 at 6:31pm

*****

Poster reads:

$500 REWARD*

For information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the recent acts of vandalism perpetrated on the Walnut Hill Bridge over Limekiln Brook that occurred on or about June 7, 2014.

###

Note: Facebook posts from Matt Knickerbocker were made on June 7 and June 8, 2014.