Monthly archives: October 2007

 

 

Information or Indoctrination? You Make The Call!!

  • By: Cindy

I had a real interesting night. My first stop was to the Cheshire Police Department to check up on Chief Cruess’s first late night office hours. From now on, (hopefully), the Chief will extend his office hours until 7 p.m. every first Thursday of the month.

I arrived at headquarters (God, I sound like the guy from Dragnet), around 5:45 p.m. The dispatcher asked my name and I told him I was here to see Chief Cruess. Within a few minutes, the Chief came to the door and I went into the back office to talk for a while.

The Chief seemed comfortable with me and we spoke about the extended office hours and different issues in town. Now I know there was not a large crowd tonight, but that is to be expected. Many people are not willing to go speak to a police chief about police issues. I have hope this will be a learning experience for both the police and the public. Chief Cruess does come across a little “coppy” at times and seems a little intimidating, but I believe the more people he speaks with from the public, the more relaxed he will be.

I was in his office for 20 minutes or so. He handed me some literature about a woman’s defense class he attended at Southern Connecticut State University. He spoke about possibly offering the same type of class through the Parks and Recreation Department which is a good idea. He also handed me a plastic card-like device that one puts over their license to see if it is “real.” (I wonder why he gave me that–does the Chief think I have a phony license)? Only kidding. I will post the literature about this device in a few days.

Then, it happened. While I was in his office the phone rang. I told him to answer it. It was someone ELSE WHO CAME TO SEE THE CHIEF!! I walked with the Chief out of his office to leave, and he asked me if I knew who it was. It’s funny, so did the Town Manager. No, it was not a set-up my people. The Chief opened the door to the lobby and there was a very distinguished gentleman waiting to speak to the Chief who seemed a little anxious, but he will learn to be savvy and comfortable with this. Take it as it is–a learning experience and a chance to enhance relations with the public.

 I know many police officers don’t realize this, but it is a traumatic experience to deal with a police officer, (then again, it is a traumatic experience to deal with me). But I left the station with a smile, happy that someone took advantage of this opportunity. I hope more of you will.

The Town Government really should advertise these extended hours at the Police Department AND at the Town Hall on Channel 14. I hope the Police Department will have an open house in the near future as the Fire Department will be doing in a few weeks. They even put signs around advertising. I think I see the CPD FINALLY coming out of its shell!!! Oh there is hope for Cheshire yet.

I’ll be honest. A few years ago, the Chief and I would never have felt comfortable enough to speak casually as we did tonight. I am happy, because both of us have come a long way and so has the Cheshire Police Department. We all still have a ways to go in fostering open communication between the residents of Cheshire and the police, but with perserverance and committment it will be attained.

I would like to see, and I did suggest this to Town Manager Michael Milone, that two members of the Town Council, one Democrat and one Republican, be in the room when the Chief has his extended office hours. I think it would make people feel more comfortable to see civilians. They may open up more. We will have to see. I know the Chief said he would like to see Lt. Deegan, head of the Traffic Division sit in on the office hours which is a great idea, because most of the issues might be traffic related.

My next stop was the “information session” for Town Council candidates, (of which I am one, even though some of you still can’t believe it.) I thought the room would be full, but I believe there were only seven candidates in attendance, along with Michael Milone, Arnett Talbot, the public information officer, and Personnel Director Lou Zullo.

At first I thought this was going to be an indoctrination session, but in actually was informative. Michael Milone was very thorough and went over the function of the Town Council, Freedom of Information, current town issues, upcoming town issues, budget issues, Water Pollution Control Authority issues, the Post office situation, the pool, the bond rating and how Moodys and Fitch arrive at their decisions as to how a town rates.

Let’s face it, Moodys and Fitch’s ratings of our town have gone up since I moved here, I am such an asset, they just can’t ignore it, but of course, you will never see the town admit it. Now what we discussed was of course general information, but it is really too lengthy to get into on this post.

All I can tell you about the Sewage Treatment Plant and Economic Development will be in my Candidate Statement to the Cheshire Herald in their upcoming election issue which should be hitting the stands in a few weeks.

I know when people find out I am in the Herald, their sales will be at an all time high!!!

I hope you enjoyed the voting video. Unfortunately, I see a few problems with this system. I will comment on it over the weekend, because as you know, EVERYTHING has to go my way or it is the highway!!!

P.S. Thank you Microsoft Corporation for hitting my website tonight!! YEAH BABY!!

 

Trying It AGAIN!!

  • By: Cindy

As you all must have realized by now, I have absolutely NO patience for the Internet. I just posted something and it did not save so here we go again.

For all of you early birds or late night owls, you saw my take on the MTV Mash: Prodigy vs Enya video. It was changed to ATCG Mash: Town Manager vs Kleist. It was only on for a short time, but it will be back on SOON!! I need the space to post more important information.

I am posting a video on how a disabled person can vote on Election Day using the State of Connecticut’s new phone service. OH MY GOD!!! The State running a phone service, oh well, who am I to judge, I have my own problems!!

The video shows a voter with the aid of an attendant dialing a number and then hearing the names of the candidates. The voter then has the option of pressing a certain number corresponding to that candidate and his or her party.

I contacted the Secretary of State’s office concerned about the write in candidate option, which of course most of you know by now, I am a part of. I was told that the recording on the phone will offer the voter the option of the write in candidate. At that time the voter will be able to speak the write in candidates name. It is up to the write in candidate to make sure the disabled voter knows my name is available as they will not offer it.

I will ask the Secretary of State right before the elections on Nov. 7 if I can hear the recording to make sure the write-in option is offered.

I will be out there with other people on election day at the polls with the Jarjura move, pencils with my name on it and signs with my name and an illustration of how to write in my name on the regular voting machine–you will have to fill in the oval first THEN WRITE IN CINDY KLEIST in the write-in box.

All I hope is that when the voter using our “new” phone system places the call, they don’t get an answering machine!!!

Also, tonight, Thursday, is a candidate information session for all prospective candidates in Room 207 of the Town Hall. Town Manager Michael Milone will be making a presentation. There will be packets handed out to each candidate. I have NO IDEA what this is about, but thanks to a few phone calls and e-mails from friends, I found out about it.

When I contacted the Town Managers office, they did return my call right away and told me I could attend and a packet would be waiting for me. They were very good about it. The only problem was, that I would not have known about it if it were not for Tim White and Lou Murray, who is running in the First District as the Republican Town Council Candidate.

Thank you Tim and Lou.

I am going to take it that I was not notified because the town is not sure of my status as a candidate. The Secretary of State’s office does not notify the town of all write-in candidate’s names until the deadline which is Oct. 23rd. That is when the Town Clerk’s office will “officially” receive my name, but I am registered. The Town Managers office also asked me to put out the word that if any one else is a write-in candidate, that they are also welcome to attend tonights session. We will see how it goes.

Another big event in Cheshire tonight is the Cheshire Police Chiefs first extended office hours until 7 p.m. Chief Cruess’s office will be open to the public to discuss police related issues every first Thursday of each month.

As I have indicated before, this is a small step for the CPD and a giant leap for Cheshire. I hope the Chief and the Town Manager will give this time to take hold. Let’s face it, most people are not like me, not afraid to speak my mind!! I will be stopping by to see how it is going, so to speak. It is too bad the world is not full of people like myself, it would be so wonderful. Oh well, God broke the mold when he made me!!!

Here is the video of the State’s new phone voting system:

Connecticut’s New Phone Voting System for the Disabled

POLICE MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 2007

Click here for the report. Thanks to Arnett Talbot in the Town Managers office.

 

The Heat is On!!

  • By: Cindy

Well again, I just received a phone call from a concerned resident stating they saw a presentation on Channel 14 (the Town Government Channel) regarding the upcoming election and the woman giving the presentation apparently is questioning the legitmacy of my write-in candidacy. P.S. I do have several signs around town and my children have also made some of the signs–thanks to them.

As I stated in the earlier post, I AM registered with the Secretary of State’s office–I confirmed this TODAY, (Tuesday, Oct. 2). I just e-mailed the League of Women Voters, I said I hoped it was not them that is doing this. Whomever it is, (I have not seen the program) needs to get their facts straight before they start talking their mush. I have been “registered” since Sept. 25, I have a certified confirmation notice in my possession.

All this is going to do is make people confused and I am really ANNOYED and sad in my heart. It is just plain wrong.

UPDATE : Apparently from what I have been able to determine from callers, the latest show on Channel 14 is a presentation by the Registrar of Voters office on the use of the new voting machines.  No-one on that show is saying anything about my candidacy. The comments about the legitimacy of my candidacy, i.e., did I have all the paperwork filled out,  were made at last Tuesdays, Sept 25th Town Council meeting by someone in the Registrar of Voters. Premature to say the least!!! I am going to try to view this presentation to see if the write-in category is mentioned. It is CRUCIAL that people realize the oval must be filled in along with my name written out for the vote to count.

(I also have not gotten a reply from the LWV on whether or not I can attend the candidates forum. Well, I told the LWV I AM SHOWING UP!!

UPDATE: TO THE UPDATE: I just received a reply late Tuesday evening from “D” of the LWV who said she is not the woman on TV. I never said she was. I said WHOMEVER IT IS doing this. She said I need to get my facts straight. OK let us move to a postive place.

But I hope “D” understands how I feel. I wished “D” had acknowledged my first e-mail because I felt ignored. Other candidates told me about the forum on Oct. 25 so what was I to think.

I feel sad because it seems the town doesn’t encourage people to participate in the government. Look, as I have said before, I am doing this because I want to. I am not trying to spoil anyone’s chances. I believe I have something positive to offer all and I mean ALL people of this town.

I also e-mailed the Town Manager and asked him to take the Town Council meeting  off the air or edit it with a notice that I am a registered write-in candidate. My main objective is to represent ALL people in Cheshire and do what is best for the people who live here, not one or two groups, all people. It can be done and it will be done. My name should not even have been mentioned at all until Oct. 23 which is the deadline for all write-in candidates to register with the state!!

Is your heart beating now Cheshire Town Government? Are you concerned. Are you taking notice? GOOD!! That is what my candidacy is all about. Am I inviting discussion–getting your blood racing–that is GOOD also. Sit up now and take notice!!

It is for your own good. I care enough to put everything out on the limb. That is my gift to my town-the town I have lived in most of my life, believe it or not.  I hope all of you will see it for what it is. To me, it is tough love.

 Cheshire needs to learn to relax and welcome all voices and all opinions. We should be happy that the other bloggers in town are taking an interest. It is a good thing and normal. This is how a Democracy works. I really believe in it.

I always credited my “grandpa” for getting me interested in government and journalism. And when he died, I put a copy of the newspaper I worked for in his casket. I made sure the story with my name on it was placed near his heart.

To me, this is the most intimate thing I can give to people I deeply care about, I would give them copies of my stories that I had written because that is from my soul. Don’t mess with it!!

IN OTHER NEWS:

I stopped working nights a few days ago and boy it is like another world out there.

One thing I have noticed–the mice are out playing big time!!! And we all know who the mice are!!  They are trying to sneak around–”oh shes at work”!!!

No I am not!!! The big Cat momma is on the prowl–lookout!!!

Now, I did attend the Inland Wetlands meeting Tuesday night in Town Hall to a sparse crowd. I did not see any of my Dem friends in attendance but I saw several GOP people. I wonder why?? Hmm!!!

Well the bottom line of all this technicalese if you will is that the representatives for W/S Development are trying to basically say that there has been damage to the property already because of ATV use, and the building of the arch way back when.

Both W/S and Westfield which is acting as an intervenor did discuss five areas of concern as far as what they believe is or is not “wetlands.

The soil scientist representing Westfield, recommended the town hire a third party soil scientist to clear up these discrepancies. He also stated the applicant should abide by the Connecticut Department of Environment Protection recommendation that in order to protect the 10 mile river which is a documented cold water fisherie, that a 100 foot riparian wetlands undisturbed buffer be established which would protect the ecological and biological water courses.

The soil scientist also told the Inland Wetland Commissioners that the development could be done with the proper protection.

Well, you all know how I feel. I am for development, our society must move on and there is nothing wrong per say with W/S Development. But this is a special piece of property and it must be done right. The Town of Cheshire has to hold the applicant’s feet to the fire, so to speak. If the Lifestyle Center turns out like the FIP Industrial Park which is in a beautiful nature setting, it might work out.

However, I still feel we should develop the Ball and Socket Factory and promote West Main Street and the Watch Factory Shoppes or the town could end up with three dead end areas.

 Oh I forgot about the Area 51 pool.

Is it there? What is that? I don’t know-it has a bubble on it–what is it? Hmm–there is no sign. What could that be? I can just see it now. The Town probably won’t allow W/S to have a sign or it will be so small you will have to get out of your car to read what it says.

Cheshire needs to get out of its witness protection program mentality and start promoting its town and its assets to all people. We have a lot of nice open space and parks. Too bad it is all classified!!!

 

ELECTION UPDATE

  • By: Cindy

I have received “word” from a reliable source that my candidacy may not be real. You all know that I love to joke around, but the problem is, none of you know if I am kidding or not. Well, my answer to all of you–too bad!!! Try and figure this one out. Is it the real thing or a fantasy?

My answer: my write-in candidacy is REAL!! Last Tuesday, I went to the Town Clerk’s office to pick up the write-in candidate form. They had it ready for me when I got there.

I did contact the Secretary of State’s office and found out that if people write my name in that it has to be taken under consideration. Now a few of you have contacted me and stated that they understand the name has to be written in correctly. According to the Secretary of State’s office that is NOT TRUE. I asked this question because my concern was what if a person has trouble writing or can’t spell my name? I do plan on handing out pencils with my name on it like Mayor Jarjura of Waterbury did. Incidentally, he WON!!

The Secretary of State’s office informed me that as long as it LOOKS something like my name it WILL BE COUNTED. Oh, drats foiled that one didn’t I? Don’t all of you that don’t like me try to write my name in incorrectly, that won’t work. SORRY!!!

But in all seriousness, I would NEVER joke around about this issue. I am SERIOUS. I will try as hard as I can to call attention to the issues that need to be spoken about: Education, The Pool, the Northend Lifestyle Center (that belongs on West Main Street), the Police, (no not the rock group, the REAL GROUP) and whatever is important to the well being of our town.

I care deeply about Cheshire or I would not bother with this endeavor. I have always involved myself in politics because I like it. I don’t have to do this website. I have done it since the beginning of 2004 because I saw a need for a different point of view. I believe my efforts are starting to pay off.

I will contact the Secretary of States Office Tuesday to see if I am on the “list.” I did receive through certified mail on Sept. 26 that my application was received in the Secretary of States office. I know some people have contacted the Town Clerks office regarding this matter. I will post tomorrow and let you all know, since I am now doing most of my employment work at home these days.

Some interesting write-in facts from Wikipedia:

Mayors/City Councils *

o Tom Ammiano, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, entered the race for Mayor of San Francisco, California as a write-in candidate two weeks before the 1999 general election. He received 25% of the vote, coming in second place and forcing incumbent Mayor Willie Brown into a runoff election, which Brown won by margin of 59% to 40%. In 2001, the campaign was immortalized in the award-winning documentary film See How They Run.

o Donna Frye ran as a write-in candidate for Mayor of San Diego, California in 2004. A controversy erupted when several thousand votes for her were not counted because the voters had failed to fill in the bubble next to the write-in line. Had those votes been counted, she would have won the election.

o James Maher won the mayorship of Baxter Estates, New York on March 15, 2005 as a write-in candidate with 29 votes. Being the only one on the ballot, the incumbent mayor, James Neville, did not campaign, as he did not realize that there was a write-in campaign going on. Neville received only 13 votes.

o Michael Sessions, an 18-year-old high school senior, won as a write-in candidate for Mayor of Hillsdale, Michigan in 2005. He was too young to qualify for the ballot.

o Anthony A. Williams, the Mayor of Washington, DC was forced to run as a write-in candidate in the 2002 Democratic primary, because he had too many invalid signatures for his petition. He won the Democratic primary, and went on to win re-election.

o Michael Jarjura was re-elected Mayor of Waterbury, Connecticut in 2005 as a write-in candidate after losing the Democratic party primary to Karen Mulcahy, who used to serve as Waterbury’s tax collector before Jarjura fired her in 2004 “for what he claimed was her rude and abusive conduct toward citizens.”. After spending $100,000 on a general elections write-in campaign, Jarjura received 7,907 votes, enough for a plurality of 39%.

o Julia Allen of Readington, New Jersey won a write-in campaign in the November 2005 elections for the Township Committee, after a candidate accused of corruption had won the primary.

o Beverly O’Neil won a third term as Mayor of Long Beach, Californiaterm limit amendment that says a candidate cannot be on the ballot after two full terms, but does not prevent the person from running as a write-in candidate. She finished first in a seven-candidate primary, but did not receive more than 50% of the vote, forcing a runoff contest. In the runoff, still restricted from the ballot, she got roughly 47% of the vote in a three-way election that included a second write-in candidate.

STAY TUNED!!!

 

Funk 49

  • By: Cindy

I have returned from my “mini-vacation” at my private villa in Corsica. While I was there, I was alerted to my boy’s blog, by a friend and I did see a mention about my candidacy.

Ok, to clear up the misconception—I am running for Town Council At Large. I could not fit all the words I wanted to say on my signs, but I am coming out with new signs that I am making myself. I will probably put “at large” on them, but I will have to see. I mean there is only so much room on these signs.

I have been getting good vibes from people. And many people, including my pal Tim White, wants to know whether or not I can participate in the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum on Oct. 25th.

Thanks to a “friend” I received the email to a League member, and did alert her that I would like to participate but as of yet I have heard nothing.

Well, to paraphrase an old Joe Walsh song: “If you’re gonna act that way–I think there’s trouble brewing.!!!!

Yep, you’d better believe it. I WILL attend the debates on Oct 25th and the League of Women Voters better have a good reason (legal) for me not to be a participant. Yeah, this is the way Cindy likes it. The Dog does it Hawaiian style–Cindy does it Connecticut style–skin on skin!! Let’s go!!!

I e-mailed my request several days ago. It does NOT TAKE three or four days to answer an e-mail. I left my home phone number as well. I can just imagine what type of phone calls were being placed the day she got my e-mail. They probably don’t know what to do because as far back as I can recall, and as far back even further as my husband can recall, there has never been a write-in candidate for any town government position.

Then again, there was never a petition of the magnitude that became the Senior/Disabled Tax freeze now was there?

If the Cheshire Herald is allowing me to participate in their candidate forum in the paper, then I should be allowed to participate in the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum. Don’t you think?

RING!! Town Manager’s office–RING–Town Attorney’s office. Oh no, what’s a woman to do!!!

Hopefully I will get a reply this week, or the town may have to move its debate to a non-public location (that is all I will say on this subject right now)!!

Remember, the next Inland Wetland Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Town Council Chambers. I will attend with a surprise!!!

Also, the first (and hopefully not the last) open house with our Favorite Police Chief Mike Cruess will take place this Thursday, Oct. 4 until 7 p.m. I will be stopping by to see how things are going.

My husband and I were talking about the Baryite mine issue the other day and I did not even realize that John Knott, whom all of you know I love so so much, ahem, is still on the town payroll. My husband said the reason for that was so that “unresolved issues” while Mr. Knott was still Town Attorney, can be resolved without having to pay for his services as a private attorney. OK, whatever for now. But hopefully, these unresolved issues will be resolved within the next several months.

Maybe some of you are waking up to the fact that this town government needs to be a little more responsive to the public. Some of you are monitoring the town of Cheshire website. Not only is the main website info out of date at times, I have to constantly harp about the Police Department’s website. The monthly reports are lagging, and are not kept up to date in a timely manner. We have a public information officer, well keep all the information UP TO DATE. Thank you!!!

Don’t harp on one issue, make sure all of it is up to date. It is amazing to me what is still “off limits in this town.”

I am tired from my trip-so I will post later on tomorrow.

Many of you still want me to comment on the Petit Home Invasion. You all know I have figured out this entire incident from start to finish thanks to good sources and good use of the mind.

I was watching a show on Charles Manson recently and the commentator made an intersting observation. He said most murders take place with revenge in mind. In other words, most people commit murder to take revenge. Think about that. Watch who you hire and watch what you say.