I just received a phone call from our local police department stating that “someone” allegedly saw my husband posting signs on telephone poles. It’s amazing what some people “see”. It’s too bad they don’t see what has been going on with the town government for the past 50 years. They don’t “see” that. Hmmm.
The police were calling to tell me that the sign postings were not legal in Cheshire under Town Ordinance Section 22—unfortunately I did not get the rest of the ordinance numbers but I know it was Section 22. Now if you read my last post, you read that I contacted AT&T and they said they “discouraged” this use of posting signs or whatever on the poles they owned because of safety issues to their workers, but were not overly “perturbed” about it.
First of all, I don’t believe in trespassing or putting items on poles, telephone or whatever or putting flyers on peoples’ car windshields, etc. When I wanted to film the The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, I called and got permission and the person accompanied me when I was filming. When I use music for my shows or websites I get permission and if I have to pay money I do.
But, the real point, is that there are many different signs posted on these telephone or electric poles in every town. I am again saying its not right, people should not be putting “Lost Dog” “Sell Your House.” or “I will be walking so I can live better” (sic) signs either. Law enforcement is for ALL people. If one entity is told they cannot do something because it is illegal, then ALL cannot do it. And as far as the person taking down the signs, that to me is illegal too, because the poles are not that persons’ property. The police said these poles in question were owned by CL&P. Then it is the responsibility of the person or persons upset with these sign postings to contact CL&P and have one of their representatives take down the signs.
The police said they hoped they would not have to patrol around to prevent these sign postings from continuing. All well and good. Now, the Undergroundtownhall “staff” will be going around taking close up photos of the other postings on the poles and reporting them to the proper authorities. You know I love music and love to use lines from different songs to make point. Well here is one that comes to mind– the old Frank Sinatra song “All or Nothing At All”!

I don’t feel very good today, I guess all this pollen flying around is making me miserable, so I will be short. I know this issue has been mentioned elsewhere, but I just have to make a comment on it. I know the people involved, but for political correctness, I will use clever words.
It seems A Senior has been putting up signs expressing his opinion regarding the proposed zone change petition by W/S Development which could result in a substantial amount of housing and possibly a “lifestyle center” to boot in the north end of town near I-691. Now this person is entitled to his opinion. A Senior has put up the signs which say to the effect “No Mall” “No Zone Change” etc on A Seniors property. A Senior has also been putting them on the telephone poles as well. When A Senior puts up the signs on the telephone poles a Major Businessman goes out either late at night or early in the morning and takes them down. I did call AT&T and asked about putting signs on telephone poles, i,e, tag sale, lost dog, etc. and other signs that people have been doing for years and years on end, and she indicated that AT&T did not encourage this for workers’ safety (i.e. they have to climb the pole), but they were not perturbed about it. The poles are AT&T property, so it is their call. I did ask the Town Planning and Zoning about the issue, and I am supposed to get back to them on Wednesday. But as I stated earlier ,the poles belong to AT&T. Let me make this clear, this is a two-sided issue. Not as much as putting up a sign, but the fact that they are being taken down by someone is more disturbing. Somebody doesn’t feel comfortable and takes it upon themselves to remove them. The signs are not vulgar or offensive–I guess they are to this person-but this is almost censorship.
This sort of reminds me of the Stew Leonard issue that I covered over 10 years ago when I was editor of the Amity Observer. But even in that hotly debated issue, people put up signs on the lawns or poles, and the opposition would just put up their side of the issue alongside the opposing viewpoints signs. This would be a lot more mature instead of ripping the other persons signs down. All sides are entitled to their opinions, as long as it is professional. I guess we will have to see what happens. Oh I have to run now because my toilet is clogged and my air conditioning doesn’t work and a Major Businessman’s company has come over to fix it!

I LOVE TIM WHITE!!
As most of you know, I already love and respect John White, who stands up for the American Way, truth and justice for all and I mean ALL! The other night I happened to go on TimWhitelistens which is Tim White’s blog. Tim White is one of our council people who is also like his father-open minded and respectful of other people’s opinions. Tim is not afraid to post other sides. I happened to look on “other blogs” and saw “Undergroundtownhall.” I couldn’t believe it. It is an honor for a humble shy person as myself to be listed on Tim Whites webblog. I always knew Tim was a person with intelligence and good taste. Now everyone else can see that he is. I also noticed he had a link to the Ct Post (Bridgeport) of which I was a member of the editorial staff for 11 years. The Post is still one of the best papers around even though I am not on it anymore . I hope Tim will take the initiative and ask more questions regarding this Police Commission issue. I have hope that Tim will be in the forefront.

As many of you know, my family has had many veterans. We have had veterans in every war since WWI. This is usually personal, because I have had a death of a family member in a few of these wars including the latest.
On Sunday, I went to the Cheshire Memorial Day parade, which I did not attend the past two years because of personal obligations. I filmed approximately six minutes of the parade. I know many of you asked what happened half way through the filming. I was crouching on the side of the road near the Congregational Church to get a better angle, and when I went to get up my old legs gave out and I fell. Luckily I did not damage the camera but the sound went out for a few minutes.

As I think of Memorial Day, I remember attending the funeral of my “Uncle” Dan in January of this year. My “Uncle” Dan, was not really my uncle, but I very close to him. He taught me my love of cars. I used to go down to Airway Motors on Barnum Avenue in Bridgeport when I was a kid and hang out there with him.
Well, in January of 2007 “Uncle” Danny passed away. He was in his mid-80’s and was a World War II veteran. In fact, “Uncle” Danny was a paratrooper under General Patton. He fought in Sicily and Italy. “Uncle” Danny rose to the rank of Sargeant. One day after a battle, “Uncle” Danny and his men were going through a town in Southern Italy. They went house to house searching for Germans. “Uncle” Danny entered a home and happened to spot a wedding photo. It was a wedding photo of his oldest brother! Can you believe that! What are the odds of a person being sent away to war and stumbling into a home with a wedding picture of his brother sitting on their mantle. Pretty remarkable. Anyway, it turns out “Uncle” Danny would sneak over to the house at night and give his relatives some of his rations and extra food. Unfortunately, the military did not look favorably on his kindness. He did what he did because these people were starving. The military demoted him to private, but he was honorably discharged with the purple heart for being wounded in battle.
No-one but his closest relatives ever knew about this remarkable story until it was told at his wake. Amazing. I will miss “uncle” Danny. He was a kind man and a loving father and just an all around great guy.

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!

After a delay of a few weeks, Arnett Talbot, executive secretary to Town Manager Michael Milone was gracious enough to send me a copy of the accounting of the Police Department Gift Account. I am providing a link so you can download it for yourself. My computer is in the process of being repaired so this will be short. See you soon.

Police Gift Summary