When I was writing a few days ago about the “Slowdown” Days motor vehicle speed enforcement program being implemented by the Cheshire Police Department that is to take effect on Monday, I became curious about a statement Lt. Kerry Deegan, head of the Traffic Division made to me when I asked him about overtime and manpower to implement this program.

Lt. Deegan said he was delayed in getting back to me because he was tending to his sunflower garden. He grows the flowers and sells them with the profits going to cancer research. This is such a wonderful endeavor. I asked Lt. Deegan to expound on this program. This was good chance to see how some of our officers get involved in their community.

I have a home in New Hampshire and my towns local police department there does something I have never seen a police department do on their website. They have photos of each officer along with their background information and a favorite saying. I think this would be a great idea for the Cheshire Police Department and all police departments for that matter. So here is the story in Lt. Deegan’s words:

The field has been plowed and rototilled. All of the seeds are planted; I believe there are about 15,000 three foot sunflowers and maybe 50,000 tall sunflowers. If all goes well about 80% will bloom. So right now, the flowers are very small (about an inch) with a planned harvest during the 3rd week of August. How I got started? I wanted to run a fundraisers for the Cancer Society and I wanted to grow something and not steal business from our local farmers (ie: pumpkins, corn, etc…). The Buttonwood Farms in Griswold CT grows about 10 acres as a fundraiser for make-a-wish. http://www.sunflowersforwishes.com/

Last year I grew 800 flowers. A friend and I have personally spent about $800 for the seed and the setup costs. I am in the process of starting a non-profit 501-c-3 organization. I am hoping to sell the flowers for $1 each or maybe $5 a bunch… The flowers I will be selling will be the three foot variety, not the 15 footers of which there will be plenty of. If all goes well I would like to expand it next year.

POWER FAILURE AGAIN!

Now again for at least the second time this month, the power has gone off in our area: the Northend of Cheshire. When I first moved here in 1984 ( to the dismay, I know of many people), The power went out like clockwork at LEAST two times a month. Well my husband and I started keeping a log. We had like three complete notebooks and finally about 10 years ago, we went in front of the Town Council. At that meeting, there was a representative from Northeast Utilities who assured me the problem would be corrected. Where I reside in Cheshire we have underground lines. NU blamed the outages on that fact. They came and dug everything up and for a while it was fine. But low and behold, the problem has started again. I think they are shutting the power off to shunt it off to the jail, but of course this is my opinion. Everytime I call they never know what the problem is. When are they going to find out? I am going to start keeping the log again because NU claims they don’t keep records or at least that is what I was told several years ago. Everytime the police have to go around now and put up temporary stops signs because the traffic lights of course don’t function, the town should bill NU for their time. Then maybe the nonsense would stop.

Some people were questioning over the past few days whether I had flipped out and lost it based on some of my videos on my site. I know some of you think I personally flipped out and lost it years ago, but that is your opinion.

No, I am fine. I have very strong feelings about certain issues –i.e. my family for one. I like to express my anger through art and I used certain artists this time on my site. I know these artists push the envelope but that is how it is and this is how I felt. But I always have a lighter side even when I feel angry. Now a few of you asked about the LL Cool J video. This is an old rap video. It basically or actually I should say, is about competition: “knocking out” the competition. It is NOT about physical violence. I am very competitive. I work hard at trying to make my site good and interesting to read. I do not have to do this. I’m not running for office and I never will. I do this as I have said before, as an alternative to what others are saying. I always was interested in government and the news and I always will be.

As far as the Marilyn Manson video: I do like some of his music–not all. I am not a calm person. I am very intense. He pushes the issues and so do I. The Beautiful People video is all about being phony. The “Beautiful People–the Beautiful People–it’s all relative to the size of your “steeple.” You can’t see the forest full of trees–you can’t smell your own sh-t on your knees.”!!!

Some of these people talk about too much government and things being political. That is why some of these people did not want the police commission. They said it was “too much government and too political.” Can you imagine? They kept saying they did not want another “layer” of government. So I guess when they appointed the Senior Tax Freeze Study Committee, that I supported, I guess that wasn’t another layer of government. These people said they were too busy to deal with that issue, that is why they appointed this committee. And I guess this latest flap with the Town Clerk’s office is not political–oh no–how could I even dare say such a thing?

Now in other news-I did get a response from Lt. Kerry Deegan of the Cheshire Police Department. I thank him for his answer.

I asked about the “Slowdown” days which will begin on Monday, June 18 and run all week and how many extra officers will be used for this program and what it will cost in overtime. This is Lt. Deegan’s response:

To answer your question(s);

We have assigned 4 police officers scheduled 7a-3p and 4 police officers scheduled 3p-11p. The vast majority of these police officers had their work schedule changed and overtime is at minimal. I cannot give you exact dollars of cost until after the project and I know which officers ended up working the detail. (The officer’s rate of pay varies by grade level.)

I have been getting a lot of calls and e-mails from people about this sign on poles topic that I am speaking about for the last time. I really don’t want to belabor this issue anymore because some people have taken it upon themselves to lower their standards and resort to name calling and false accusations and insinuations about my family. All of this is centering around the W/S zone change petition and the proposed “Lifestyle Center” near I-691 in the north end of town.

As far as the W/S issue is concerned, I personally like the Lifestyle Center in Canton. I am concerned about the housing idea part of it that is being proposed in Cheshire, only because of the impact it could have on the school system. But I believe our P and Z is competent and will weigh this issue carefully. As far as my family is concerned, we get involved because we care very deeply about Cheshire.

It’s easy to make comments anonymously on another website. Whatever. But remember, all comments are not anonymous. Every computer has an IP address and it is stored. All these comments can be traced.

These people act brave under the anonymous “mask” but when it comes time to speak about the real issues and they know what they are: they cower .

These people know who I am. I put my name on my statements, put your name on your statements and then speak. But this sign issue has brought out discussion good or bad–at least people are speaking! Cheshire does have a pulse! In all honesty I don’t think these no mall or no queen street signs will make a significant impact on the Planning and Zoning decisions.

I work nights so I cannot attend or view the Town Council meetings or Plan and Zoning meetings. But my significant other did tell me that the Council said there will be an Ordinance Committee meeting to discuss expanding the powers of the Public Safety Commission to hear complaints. They know I am not happy with this because the original idea for the police commission does not just focus on complaints. I will be sending someone to this meeting. I have no idea what the date is but I hope this will be publicized.

I will be running shortly the W/S Development video again before the P and Z vote. As I have said in the past I try to run all sides!

And as far as this Slow Down Speed Enforcement program to begin next week, I have received calls from a few people who claim they tried to call the number listed in the press release and no-one is answering. I did e-mail Lt. Deegan to ask how many extra officers will be employed in this endeavor and the cost but I have not heard anything. I don’t see the “anonymous” asking that question.

Everytime I see the movie “Patton” on television, I always remember one of his lines when he goes to a battlefront– “My God–I love it so. This is what I live for.” Yes!

I just received the following announcement from Chief Michael Cruess regarding the new enforcement program to control speeding in town. I am so encouraged for the Cheshire Police Department because they are reaching out to the people. Now all of you have fair warning including Cindy “Indy 500″ Kleist! Please let us try to obey the speed limit and not blow the horn or pass (and that includes law enforcement) or tailgate or give the visual sign when some of us try to obey the law! Of course my crew will be out with the cameras. Thanks again to the Chief for his kindness in this matter. Here is the official press announcement.

Cheshire Police Department

Press Release

June 12, 2007

“Slow Down Days” – A Speed Enforcement Program

Cheshire Police Chief Michael Cruess has announced today that the Cheshire Police Department will soon begin an innovative speed enforcement program unlike any program in the past. The program is called “Slow Down Days”. One of the biggest complaints reported to the Cheshire Police Department is speeding on residential roads. The Cheshire Police Department has been recently inundated with speeding vehicle complaints reported “all over this community.”

These reports of speeding vehicles are said to occur especially during the early morning, lunch hour and late afternoon time periods. These times are consistent to that of “commuter hours.” “I am seeking the media’s assistance in sending a message loud and clear, to obey the posted speed limits, or pay the fine.” With school children beginning their summer break and the warm weather upon us, the Cheshire Police Department will begin an innovative speed enforcement program unlike any program in the past” says Chief Cruess. The Chief further remarked, “Hopefully, through public awareness and enforcement we will attain compliance on a voluntary basis versus enforcement, thus making Cheshire roads a safer place.”

During the week of June 18^th through June 22^nd the Cheshire Police Department will have extra officers assigned to this program for speed enforcement only. Upon the completion of this week an assessment will be made of the program and future “slow down days” will most likely be implemented. Please assist us in making the streets of Cheshire safer by slowing down.

Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Lieutenant Kerry Deegan of the Traffic Division at (203) 271-5545 or Kdeegan@cheshirect.org .

I am taking a break from the sign saga and posting a response I received today from Cheshire Police Chief Michael Cruess. I asked the Chief how many cars we are painting the new black and white colors, if we are going to bid and whether we are using money from the Police Gift Account that I had recently posted on my website or from the Police operating budget. We did briefly touch on the sign issue and the Chief was kind enough to set me straight on the correct State Statute regarding the posting of signs on telephone poles. I want to thank the Chief for his timely response. Anyone that knows me knows that I say what I have to say from my heart and then I move on. The Chief and I speak quite often and he knows I am interested in the operations of the Police Department. Here is the Chief’s response.

Cindy, we currently have two black and white cruisers that were purchased from the 07 budget. We have received very positive feedback on them. I have been authorized to purchase three vehicles within the 08 budget. These will be black and white. We will not be painting all the cars black and white but will attain this through attrition. I do have a white Ford Explorer which I may look to get painted as we would only need to paint a portion of this vehicle to make it consistent with our black and white scheme. I would use the request for quotation forms where we seek three quotes (as this would definitely be under the dollar amount required to bid). Depending on the cost we may or may not proceed. We recently received a Jeep Grand Cherokee at no cost seized from a drug dealer. This will replace the Honda Passport currently in our fleet (also seized from a drug case years ago) After minimal costs (from gift account) for minor repairs we will be seeking to have this vehicle painted black and white. This would be our DARE car. We would be seeking someone to paint it at a minimal or no cost. Should that not occur I would again use the request for quotation process. Most likely gift account money would pay for this paint job. As you have been interested in the past I just received from Ford aflyer stating that in the year 2008 they are offiering the Ford Crown Victorias (police cars) with E85 capability. We will be purchasing these flex fuel vehicles for our cruisers if possible.

As for the posting on poles issue I wanted to let you know that the statue mentioned is CT Statue 23-65(a). We always try to enforce all laws as evenly as possible. Not being a utopian state this does not always happen 100% of the time. After the newspaper articles I have noticed a drop in items on the poles. Voluntary compliance is always our goal and makes life a bit easier. We are hoping that those who have posted will voluntarily comply. If not we will contact those we can and the utility companies for the rest.

As I noticed in your blog you mentioned the letter we sent regarding voluntary compliance with people slowing down. Again we are aiming at voluntary compliance. Shortly we may be undertaking a “slow down” week (similar to a project in Norwalk) where after publicizing a slow down period we do a wave of enforcement in areas where we have experienced the highest number of speeding complaints. This is similar to the WAVE program and seatbelts. If you’d like I could e-mail you the press release when I put it out. Let me know. Thanks