A few years ago a woman named McCue decided to do something great for New Britain. She recreated a rose garden at the fountain in Walnut Hill Park. This park has been a real refuge when life is difficult and a walk around the park fulfills me in many ways. But, I digress.

Our Parks and Rec department was in charge of this party. Here are a few suggestions for next time:

1. Make sure your porto potties have toilet paper in them for the entire night of the party. No TP after 8pm...in any of the 10 blue monsters, including the handicapped one.

2. When you put the "FREE" ticket in the Hartford Courant next year--make sure your text about turning in the FREE ticket to City Hall is in bold print. Or, just forget having the free ticket since most people who go are working stiffs and can't drop in to City Hall from 8:45 to 3;45.

3. Remember where you are --you are in New Britain, CT and don't have the prices so high on everything that things are out of reach for the common person. The 14 dollar lobster roll with nothing else on the plate may seem like a big deal--but at Bill's in Westbrook, CT. you pay only 17.95 for a lobster roll, with French fries and slaw. So next year, put it down to 13 or 12 and you will get more than just the Republicans buying the lobster roll. (In case you think I'm cheap--I wasn't even paying for my food! My friend Martha was!)

4. Read the weather report...when it says it's rain---rent tents!!!! You know how to, just didn't know why you only rented a tent for the musicians and their equipment.

5. Get P&R umbrellas and sell them at the event. Ten dollars for a good umbrella that you only spent a dollar on is a good fundraiser!

6. Hire me to run your fundraisers, cause even though you do it for the city of New Britain--you stink when it comes to doing fundraising for my city.