Well tonight, (Thursday), I went to the Ordinance Committee meeting that took place in Room 210 of the Cheshire Town Hall. Of course, the local newpaper that I affectionately call the “Soviet News Agency Tass” did not attend, so if someone does not read my website, they won’t know the meeting even took place. The main topic, (or the reason I attended), was a discussion on expanding the powers of the Public Safety Commission

According to a “draft” that I received at the meeting, “The Ordinance Committee recommends that the Town Council request the Public Safety Commission make itself available to the public to field questions, comments, concerns and suggestions regarding the Cheshire Police Department for a trial period from the date of this resolution through the end of 2007. The purpose of this requestion is to permit greater understanding of the type and number of public comments and concerns , to help determine whether there is a need for a citizen-constituted body to field public questions and concerns, and to provide further insight into these matters in the event of charter reform which might contemplate the creation of a police commission.”

Several weeks ago, I told you how upset and disappointed I was when the Ordinance Committee basically doused the idea for a commission. I held fast in my heart that this Ordinance Committee would see what I really have been pushing for over the past four years. Not a bashing or trashing of our police, but a way for our community to come together and discuss issues. This issue has been VERY controversial. Many took my idea the wrong way. I will say now and will continue to say that I in no way wanted to ever propose something that would demoralize our police officers. But, I believe in open and honest government. All towns and all departments should have a commission. This is the way our government was set up. The people govern and keep the government in check.

I was happy to hear what I heard tonight. The Undergroundtownhall congratulates the Ordinance Committee of Elizabeth Esty, Dave Orsini and Michael Ecke for taking this step, which was not easy. Now, we are not out of the woods yet. The Ordinance Committee will be sending over the draft document to the Public Safety Commission and then meet with them either in July or August to discuss the proposal further. Town Council and Ordinance Committee member Michael Ecke stated that some of the Public Safety Commission members were looking to expand their duties. I don’t know if hearing complaints or suggestions regarding the police department will be accepted by them, but I hope they will seriously consider the idea.

I really hope the Public Safety Commission will be open to discussing ideas more than complaints. My original proposal for the Police Commission involves more than complaints. In fact, as I have said in the past, most Police Commission meetings I attended in various towns never heard complaints, or if they did, they were few and far between. The main duties were to discuss budget items, and issues in the community and sharing ideas and networking with other Police Commission towns. That is still my hope.

Police Chief Michael Cruess told the Ordinance Committee that he is considering beginning in September, and then continuing every other month, having “office hours” at the Police Department, much in the same way the Town Manager has extended office hours at the town hall once a month. The Chief said he will have different departments present at the office hours: i.e., one month-traffic-one month-youth officer, so people can come in and discuss issues. The Chief also said he is looking into a program similar to Norwalk, which incidentally to me has a real good police department, very open to the community, where the department would make available on their website, different complaint forms and pamphlets.

This is a step in the right direction for the town. Take small steps, see where it goes and take it from there. I just hope this town learns to ADVERTISE these events. Cheshire is blessed with enough revenue to operate their own Town Government Channel (14). They just need to learn to open up and put the relevant information on it. I hope they will use the media to advertise these events, because if the Town Government advertised every event like they do “Vinnie Carr’s Dance Party, we would not be having this discussion would we. I am hopeful and cautiously optimistic.

THE SIGN SAGA CONTINUES

I want to stop talking about these signs on the telephone poles, but I can’t because developments keep occurring. The Undergroundtownhall “staff” has spotted signs in another bordering town that say “No Mall” on telephone poles! I checked it out myself and indeed, I saw the signs too. I guess if one cannot put the signs up in Cheshire, they will be put up in other towns. More power to you!!!

In Politics, unnamed sources have told the Undergroundtownhall that “several” (meaning more than two) current Town Council members will not be seeking re-election in November. The Undergroundtownhall knows the names but will not disclose at this time because this information cannot be verified. The sources said one Republican and three Democrats will not be running. As I said, I can’t verify this information, but I do trust the “sources.” Enough said. Another source told me a rumor is going around that I will soon be leaving Connecticut for good and the town of Cheshire is planning a fireworks display for that very night to celebrate!

No Comment!!!

I really am starting to wonder about myself. On Monday, I was opening the trunk of my car and when I lifted up my head, and not realizing that I was close to the edge of the trunk, whacked my head. Ouch!! Now last night, Wednesday, because by now it is Thursday morning, I was leaving work, had my mind on other things, went to open this humongous gate with a large metal strike plate on it and guess what? Whack right on my nose and my forehead, in the same exact place I hit it Monday night!! Oh do I hurt!!

Anyway, there are some developments. The Ordinance Committee of the Town Council is meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Room 210 of the Cheshire Town Hall. There are several items on the agenda, one of them being a discussion on expanding the powers of the Public Safety Commission to take complaints against the police for a trial period of six months. You already know I really don’t like this idea because it is too negative. The Town Government does not want a police commission so this is their compromise. I wasn’t going to attend, then I decided to attend, now I don’t know if I can attend because of my accident.

To follow up on the “no sign posting” on telephone poles that is now being enforced by the Cheshire Police Department, I contacted Police Chief Michael Cruess to ask for an update and he provided me with the following information:

Officers went to three residences last weekend and spoke with homeowners re: tag sale signs. They were removed. S. Main St appears much better than it did a few weeks ago.

The Chief also provided me with this “interesting” news article regarding of all things, the posting of signs on light poles in the Omaha, Nebraska area:

Posters advertising positions with the Omaha Police Department were posted illegally.

“OMAHA, Neb. –

The signs appeared on light poles along Omaha’s 13th Street early Thursday. And by Thursday evening, they were gone.

They were posters advertising positions with the Omaha Police Department. The white fliers with color photos were the work of police recruiters who likely thought they’d catch the attention of thousands of visitors attending the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium.

“Equal opportunity employer,” the poster stated.

But there was a problem. The signs were posted illegally.

The KETV Newswatch 7 I-Team brought it to the attention of Omaha police and City Councilman Garry Gernandt, a former Omaha police officer.

“Oops,” said Gernandt, when he learned about the signs posted in the city’s right-of-way.

It’s one of Gernandt’s pet peeves. He said he was a little embarrassed because the Omaha city code specifically prohibits any signs on public property.

“What’s that going to cause? Rear-end accidents, dangerous situations. It’s put in the code for just that reason,” said Gernandt.

Public information officer Sgt. Teresa Negron said as soon as the department realized it had posted the signs in error, they were removed.

It’s still unknown whether police will cite themselves for the violation.

“They wouldn’t have to go very far, would they?” said Gernandt, laughing.

Gernandt said police usually give a warning to violators before ticketing them.”

So I guess Cheshire is not alone with this problem after all. I wonder if Omaha is considering a lifestyle center.

RETURNING TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME.

If any of you are as old as I am, ( oh no, I must have a concussion, because I forgot, I am extremely young), then you will remember the movie “Midnight Express.” In that movie, which came out in the mid-80’s if my memory serves me correctly, an American named Billy Hayes goes to Turkey in the early 1970’s in an attempt to smuggle hashish back to his friends in the United States. Well, he gets caught by Turkish police at the airport and ends up spending several years in a Turkish prison. The movie “Midnight Express” which was directed by Oliver Stone, brought Billy Hayes plight to light and dramatized his ordeal. The movie was very controversial at the time. In fact the Turkish government would not allow the movie to be filmed in Turkey. So Oliver Stone filmed it in Malta.

Turkey until most recently, banned this movie stating that it did not accurately portray the Turkish people and the Turkish government. In other words, it made Turkey look bad.

The Billy Hayes incident took place during the Nixon administration. The relations between Turkey and the U.S. Government at that time were strained to begin with, and in my opinion, the Billy Hayes incident made it even worse. Now, Mr. Hayes has decided to return to Turkey to try to mend fences. I am sorry but I think Mr. Hayes needs to stay in the United States. If I were he, I would not be going back to Turkey. First of all, the “Midnight Express” movie seemed to me to paint this man who was a drug smuggler as some sort of martyr.

It is true, the conditions were abominable and harsh, and he suffered, but he knowingly and willingly tried to smuggle drugs out of the country! What did he expect– the red carpet treatment? Give me a break! It is one thing if a person is set up and used by drug smugglers, which has happened and is still happening. That is tragic. But this person smuggled knowingly, and in a country with strict drug laws that he knew about. Do us a favor Mr. Hayes and stay home and count your blessings that you got out of there in one piece. Talk about tempting fate! I wonder if we will be seeing “Midnight Express Two” in theaters soon.

If you read my last post, I briefly wrote about the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Prevailing Wage law, which briefly states that a certain rate of pay must be in effect on certain public works projects by the State or its agents, or by any political subdivision of the state (city or town).

For example: the Dodd Middle School gym refurbishing project will be prevailing wage. I don’t know if all projects in this town over $100,000 have been prevailing wage, but I know this one will be.

For all of you, especially the Town Government, that need to brush up on just what pay rates apply to prevailing wage in Connecticut (it differs from state to state), please go to the Connecticut Department of Labor website. Some of the law from this website is shown below with a number to call for even more information.

If you watched my show a few years ago on “How to Fight a Traffic Ticket” which I will be showing on this website soon, the person seen on the show, John Magnesi, who succesfully fought the ticket in Sturbridge, Mass., is one of the people who enforces the prevailing wage law for the Ct. Dept. of Labor. And that is how he spends his time at work!

Here is an excerpt from the Dept. of Labor website:

Connecticut’s prevailing wage law is codified in Connecticut General Statutes Section Section 31-53 and 31-53a. The law applies to each contract for the construction, remodeling, refinishing, refurbishing, rehabilitation, alteration or repair of any public works project by the State or its agents, or by any political subdivision of the State. Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-53(g) provides monetary thresholds which must be met before the la is applicable. The prevailing wage law does not apply where the total cost of all work to be performed by all contractors and subcontractors in connection with new construction of a public works project is less than four hundred thousand ($400,000) dollars. The prevailing wages law does not apply in connection with remodeling, refinishing, refurbishing, rehabilitation, alteration or repair of any public works project under one hundred thousand ($100,000) dollars.

Prevailing Rate: The prevailing rate consists of a base rate and a fringe benefit rate which may be paid in cash or benefits. Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-53(d) permits the Labor Commissioner to adopt and use the prevailing wage rate determinations as have been made by the Secretary of Labor of the United States under the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act, as amended. The agent empowered to let such contract shall contact the Labor Commissioner at least ten, but not more than twenty days, prior to the date such contracts will be advertised for bid, to ascertain the proper prevailing rate. Under Connecticut General Statutes, 31-55a the rates will be adjusted annually on or before July 1st of each year. These new rates will be on the Department of Labor website. Both the Contractor and the Contracting Agent must provide certifications to the Labor Commissioner. Prior to the award of any contract subject to the prevailing wage law, the contracting agent shall certify in writing to the Labor Commissioner the total dollar amount of work to be done in connection with the public works project, regardless of whether such project consists of one or more contracts. Upon the award of a contract subject to the prevailing wage law, the contractor who is awarded the contract shall also certify, under oath, to the Labor Commissioner the pay scale to be used by the contractor and any of his subcontractors for the work to be performed under the contract. Additionally, each employer subject to the prevailing wage law must file certified payrolls with the contracting agent including information, including but not limited to, employee names; occupations; hours worked; rates paid; and the employers compliance with various provisions of law. There are various civil, criminal and administrative penalties for violations of the prevailing wage law. Failure to pay the prevailing rate is a crime which may be a felony depending upon the amount of unpaid wages. Knowingly filing a false certified payroll or failure to file a certified payroll is a Class D felony for which an employer may be fined up to five thousand dollars, imprisoned for up to five years, or both. Disregarding obligations under Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-53 may result in an administrative debarment which may preclude any firm, corporation, partnership or association in which such person or firms have an interest from receiving an award of a contract until a period of up to three years have elapsed. Additionally, civil penalties of $300 per violation of law may also be assessed upon the employer. Effective October 1, 2005, Public Act 05-50: Any person performing the work of any mechanic, laborer, or worker shall be paid prevailing wages ~~
All persons who perform work on site must be paid prevailing wage for the appropriate mechanic, laborer, or worker classification;
All certified payrolls must list the hours worked and wages paid to all persons who perform work on site regardless of their ownership, i.e.: (Owners, corporate officers, LLC members, independent contractors, et. al); Reporting and payment of wages is required regardless of any contractual relationship alleged to exist between the contractor and such person.

For additional information contact:
Wage and Workplace Standards Division
Public Contract Compliance

IN OTHER NEWS:
I have a download of the minutes of the May 21, 2007 Planning and Zoning meeting where the proposed zone text change was discussed which would allow residential and commercial development in the Interchange Zone near I-691. There is a meeting this coming of the Planning and Zoning Commission at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall but I will check to see if that is the actual date a decision on the zone text change will be made. Anyway, here is the link to the minutes and thanks to my friend.
Click Here to Download

Also: There was a timely story in today’s New York Times regarding a unanimous Supreme Court Decision which states that now anyone in a car can challenge a police stop, not just the driver. Here is the article.This basically complements the Fourth Amendment search and seizure law. There is a link on my issues page to the New York Times article on this subject. I feel this could go either way in a traffic stop. On one hand it could protect innocent people from illegal search and seizure, but on the other hand, it could hamper the police in law enforcement, because now they not only will have to listen to me complaining about being pulled over, they will have to listen to everyone else in my car complaining! I don’t know.

Sometimes I wonder about the Supreme Court. Let’s face it, they always do not make the best decisions. I think over the past 150 years we have had a few “strikeouts” when it comes to the mindset of the Supreme Court. One that comes to mind is the 1859 Dred Scott decision where essentially, the Supreme Court said slavery was legal in the United States! Good one! The other one was the 2000 Presidential debacle decision that awarded the presidency to George W. Bush over Al Gore. Did these people ever hear the phrase “what were you thinking?” Obviously not. Only time will tell.

I am busy with some projects, one of them being my trip to Concord, New Hampshire to attend an assertiveness training program. Many of my friends have urged me to attend this program because of my shyness. So hopefully I will come back in a few days and be a little more assertive than I am now.

I guess the Cheshire Police Departments’ “Slowdown Days” program is a big success. Just on the first day alone, several of my friends received tickets and one got her car towed. Whatever. As for me, I actually am trying to drive 25 mph. It is amazing how SLOW it really is. I had a passsenger in the car on Mountain Road today where I saw three Police cars ( I did see a car being towed) .I wonder if that was my friends car. But I also saw another car being towed earlier in the morning in front of TD Banknorth. That could have been her car also. Maybe she got towed twice who knows.

Our community is discussing this issue with the Town Clerk’s office. I am not. (I will be posting and discussing information about prevailing wage. Hmm. Do you wonder what that is. I will soon be informing the people in Cheshire, especially the people who run this town what it is.) Especially the ones who wanted their fingers to do the walking about how someone was spending their time at work). Being from Bridgeport, believe me, this Town Clerk issue is an ant on the bass without the b.

I remember when I worked for the Bridgeport, (now Connecticut Post) that believe it or not, without me not being on the paper anymore, is still one of the best. I had to go to the Town Clerk’s office to get the latest property transfers. Now Bridgeport, where I was born and lived many years of my extremely young life, has a Town Clerk and a City Clerk. Don’t ask what the City Clerks office does. I think they deal mostly with the Mayors office and the Common Council, Bridgeport’s livelier version of our Town Council. Believe me, I saw my share of fights at those meetings. That is what I miss about not living in Bridgeport!

I remember sitting in the Town Clerk’s office one day, collecting the information I needed to bring back to the paper, when the phone rang and someone in the office asked me if I would mind answering the phone! Someone called in with a tax question. I had to put the person on hold, get a hold of someone in the office to answer this persons question, get back on the phone with the person and give this persons their answer. This went on for at least an hour. And you thought you were short-staffed at your job! I am glad I wasn’t in the Mayors office. Could you imagine?

I am receiving video from people who are fed up with people driving through stop signs. I hope to be posting this shortly. Talking about Bridgeport brought back a lot of memories for me. People were lively. They still are. Maybe some people in our community should take heed of the advice my dad used to say every once in a while: “Move before they throw dirt on you.”

Believe it or not I actually made a MISTAKE- oh my God can you people believe it–Ms Perfect made an error on her website! I was writing about the proposed zone text change to the Northend property near I-691 and I left out some words. I stated that the No Mall Signs that a resident I really admire had posted on his property would not have that much of an impact. I meant to say they might not have that much of an impact on Planning and Zoning, but this person should realize his signs stirred up a hornets nest is this town. This person really got some peoples blood pumping. I guess the night of the living dead is over in Cheshire for a while. People started talking and writing about it. Some even took it upon themselves to remove the signs. This person should realize that an impact was made in town. Cheshire woke up out of its “sleep” and started discussing this. Can you believe it, some people actually took time away from bashing me about the Police Commission idea to focus on this subject.

A lot of people said I should not have run the W/S Development video. But I wanted all sides. Remember I ran and will continue to run all sides. I went to Canton and filmed some of my own -video all around the Lifestyle Center, not just what you saw on their video. I went to Trumbull and filmed the traffic at Hawley Lane. I ran environmental impact studies.

I like the Lifestyle Center in Canton, I never said I liked it for here. I said before and will say again, we need to develop the old Ball and Socket factory. That would be a great lifestyle center. They could even incorporate some housing units into this building, like Bridgeport did with the old Reads Department store building. I am working on a project with my son in our spare time which will elaborate on my idea for the Ball and Socket factory. I hope my son finishes it before my 80th birthday! The property in the Northend I don’t feel is conducive to a lifestyle center. It is too close to Meriden Square and Waterbury Brass Mill Center. This would have been great 25 years ago, but not now. Plus there is the Historic Arch and massive amounts of wildlife that need to be protected. I think it is a little too much a little too late.

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE MOANERS.

Yep, by the end of this week that is what I will be hearing. All of you moaning and groaning about getting a speeding ticket because of this “Slowdown Days” program. You will bitch and moan in your home or at the office or whatever about getting the ticket. “We need to do something,” etc. Well where were you when I was talking about the police commission? Out to lunch!! The Police Commission would not stop law enforcement- that is not its intention. And it is not just a bitch session either as some still think! I hear about it all the time. But good, that is what the intention of the Undergroundtownhall was and is. To annoy the people who need to be annoyed and inform the people who need to be informed. If our local paper would stop acting like the Soviet News Agency Tass maybe I would not have to do Undergroundtownhall. I like doing this anyway and I know some of you want to know who I think I am. The chair on the right hand side of God is empty! Oh now I will really hear it! Only kidding?

FYI- The Ordinance Committee of the Town Council is scheduled to meet Thursday, June 21 I am assuming in the Town Hall around 7 or 7:30 p.m, of course it will not be posted on Cheshirect.org website as usual, so I will have to call to find out. The purpose of the meeting is to expand the powers of the Public Safety Commission to hear complaints on a trial basis for six months. So if this goes into effect I hope people who have a complaint will go. I don’t know, how many people are going to go out in the public give their names and addresses and complain about the police? Who do they think they are me? I bet I’ll hear no came out over the six month period so that will be the end of that!!

Speaking of the Police which a lot of you think is my favorite topic but it is not–remember this is a PG-13 website—I found an interesting article in the New York Times on Friday, June 15th about–you guessed it! the NYPD’ s use of five different siren tones on their police cruisers. Apparently depending on traffic conditions the officers have the option of five different tones, ranging from an experimental “vibration” tone to the European high low tone and the yelp and wail.. To hear the tones go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/nyregion/15sirens.html