I just went out and got the Cheshire Herald, our local newspaper. Under the fold there was the headline “Council Nixes Proposal.” The nix–in case some of you just arrived in town or just fell to Earth–was MY proposal for the Police Commission. The Cheshire Herald keeps saying my husband and I started this idea almost four years ago. That is not accurate. I went out and interviewed Martin Ruff and put the show on Cable TV. I got my cousin Joe Ianniello who was Bridgeport Police Commissioner and is now on the Ethics Commission and who incidentally is a Republican and very conservative. He believes in tough law enforcement. But he also believes and openness and fairness as I do. I worked day and night on this proposal–because I believed in my heart it was for the good of the town and the Cheshire Police officers. I know many of you who are e-mailing and calling are disappointed. The Police Chief wanted to know where “everyone” was when these meetings took place to discuss the Commission. I can assure you that when the idea first came along for a Board of Education or  a Planning and Zoning Commission that people were not out in the streets carrying signs chanting “give us a Board of Education–give us Planning and Zoning.” But our town has both of these. The problem is that no one in town government would support the idea. Many of the people who helped me could not come out in the open because of their affiliations and I appreciate your efforts. But, we still have some fight left in us. Our government was set up to be run by the people. Right now we have good people running out government, but what would happen if we got a power monger. Then we would have to act in haste. Number 2- The people on our Town Council keep saying Cheshire’s Town Manager form of government is not “compatible” with a police commission. Not true! Southington has a town manager form of goverment with a police commission and so does Berlin. In fact, Berlin recently changed from a Selectmen form of government to Town Manager and they KEPT their police commission. Now, I went to Berlin not long ago and got told by some people in government there that they were looking to eliminate the Police Commission. But for the present time–they still have it.

I don’t know what to say to all of you anymore. I should have known this was coming. All I can say is that I tried with every ounce of effort a human can expend to change things in this town and make it more open.  I did ask and receive a copy of the Police Gift Account but it took two weeks. It is on the website. I do keep tabs and make sure the Police Montly Reports found on the Cheshire Police Department website is kept up to date. You do see more police news and not just the police log. The fact that government in this town is even mentioning a “Police Commission” is a step in the right direction. They are at least addressing the subject.

Now as far as this “idea” about expanding the powers of the  Public Safety Commission, I brought this up last May 9th at the Town Council meeting. I will soon be re-posting that speech on the website. And at least, my people, we are getting them to admit there are some complaints. A few years ago, when I met with Michael Milone and Chief Walberg, they said there weren’t any. But as you know a police commission is not just complaints. The many police commission meetings I have attended in other towns I only heard one! And it was about speeding!  In fact, the Police Commission meetings in North Haven that  I aired on Channel 15 last year, is sponsored by the North Haven Police Union! The Police Commission would have given our town a chance to network with other towns that have commissions, attend conferences, allow our officers to attend free training and seminars along with the Commissioners. They hand out awards to officers. It is not all negative. In fact, a few years ago one of our officers received a commendation from a town that has a police commission for helping a state police officer that needed assistance. Did you know about this? Probably not.

I also noticed in the Herald a story about the new Black and White police cars Cheshire will be converting to. I think it is a good idea. All police cars should be Black and White. They stand out. But, I called the Town Managers office a few weeks ago to ask about it and got told they were not changing the colors of all the cars. Now I read in the Herald that they are! The entire fleet is changing back to Black and White cars by 2008. What will be the cost? How many cars are in the fleet?  Why aren’t they using the $177,000 balance in the gift account to pay for it? I still have not gotten an answer about the 43 year old person found dead in his car in April? Well what happened? Do you see now?

And as far as the sinkhole issue on peoples property, it is about time they are helping this resident. If the town can run to have an “emergency” meeting to help get funds for the arch on someone elses private property, then they can assist the people with the sinkhole problem. It is only fair and just. I spoke about this on a recent post.

I know many of you are depressed over this decision as I am. I feel like someone just drained all the blood out of my body. I want to say to Rebecca B. and Ed T. we did it. Now they know how we felt.  Now they don’t laugh. I have tears in my eyes now over this. But now my people go out–go with your cameras–go and see with your eyes. Keep strong and vigilant like the others used to brag that they were vigiliant! Now they see how we are. We will never surrender!