Monthly archives: November 2007

 

 

D-Day

  • By: Cindy

I want to thank all the people who have contacted me and supported me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I don’t know how I will do on Tuesday. We will see.

Despite what some people are trying to say, I tried to be honest and not step on anyone’s toes. I don’t dislike anyone who is running-I wish everyone luck.  All I can say to a certain someone out there who talks trash, I have and will defend myself and I stand up for myself. No one can take that from me. And I also have people in town that will defend me and are witness to my honesty and integrity.

Many people are afraid of people like myself, because I say what I feel from my heart. I care deeply about Cheshire. I pray God that He will shine his light on our town on Election Day. I have to write this with tears in my eyes because of some liars out there who are trying to bring myself and my family down. It is pathetic.

I want to thank Donna T. for her support. I had to fight from the ground up. I will fight to defend myself and my family. I don’t step on people, but I won’t allow people to distort and step on me either.

I probably will never do this again. It was way too much. Believe it or not, I am very sensitive and shy and do not like to upset people. I hope to God the people who are elected to run this town, understand the responsibility they have and who they owe their allegiance to–the people, not personal interest groups or to themselves.

I always tell people, if this was your last three minutes on Earth, what would be going through your mind. Then that is what is most important.

 

The Roman Army

  • By: Cindy

When I went to visit the replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, I was reminded of our military and the brave men and women who have served in all the wars and conflicts our nation has engaged in.

The United States Military is the best military in the modern world no doubt. But the Roman Army was the best military force in the Ancient World.

The Roman Empire at its peak, ruled over 43 countries. An outstanding feat in its day and to this day. The Roman Empire lasted over 2,000 years. The United States is 231 years old!!

I hope you are enjoying the video I put on the Roman Army. Now here are some interesting facts.

 Despite what you see on TV or in the movies (most recently, the Gladiator), Roman soldiers were NOT allowed to marry until they left the military service, which lasted AT LEAST 25 years!! Here is the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/romans/army.shtml

Now it looks like another “discussion” may be brewing with the New Haven Register over their comments about moi (me). (Remember the last one was about the “sign” on the telephone poll.

 Apparently Mr. Turmille, the Register reporter who covers Cheshire, was at the Candidates Debate night on Oct. 25th. And, he heard me give my answer about the Cheshire Community Pool issue.

 Now look, I am not trying to take anything away from anyone. I don’t bash anyone, I state my platform and move forward. But, nowhere in the Nov. 3rd article on the Cheshire Town Council Debates does he even mention anything that I said about the pool. I have been saying for years, at least since 2005 when I aired my public access show “Dangerous Intersections and THE POOL” about putting in a snack bar, putting up a sign on Rt. 10, getting sponsors.

But because the Register considers me to be a “gadfly” which is an irritating person (well, I guess I am a persistent irritant to many), I guess my opinions don’t count. I just got a small mention at the bottom of the article about my gadflyness.

You know, I don’t understand people. I remember when I covered Orange, there was a man named Dan Presnick, who passed away not long ago, that would go to EVERY meeting. Sometimes he would make a scene. Sometimes he would get arrested. I used to bring a camera to the Selectman meetings because one never knew whether he would be escorted out of the meeting in handcuffs.

I remember he would always come into the room yelling. But you know, deep down, I saw what he was trying to do. I NEVER EVER called this man a gadfly or a troublemaker. I saw him as someone who cared about his community. He cared so deeply that he became emotional about it. Many people tuned him out, right or wrong. But it was funny, when he died I remember people praising him in the media. Some of the same people who looked down on him.

Oh, but in reality in Cheshire, the powers that be have to admit that some of the troublemakers suggestions are not off base. For example, this overtaxing issue. My HUSBAND figured that one out. Now everyone else is jumping on the bandwagon.

I am not saying the other candidates don’t care about our community. They do. I have nothing against anyone. But it seems these days when people try to speak out and they are not in the status quo, we are “troublemakers” or “gadflys” or “not credible.”

Well you know what, I have been getting a ton of phone calls about what I said at the Candidates debate about the pool, i.e. putting up a sign for starters. And the Register may be right. This pool may be what does decide who gets on the Town Council. Maybe not.

There is also the issue of  who should take credit for the senior tax freeze. It is a popular topic now, but a few years ago, you might as well have been talking about crabs, (and I don’t mean the crustaceans), that is how popular that topic was then.

I am going to tell you who got the freeze: who had the courage to step up and initiate this: Tom Ruocco-Steve Carroll-Dave Orsini-Mrs. Ellen Carson-Mr. Phil Coppetto-Mr. Bob Korten-Mr. Derf Kleist and Ms. Gadfly Irritant. Are names missing–hell yeah!!

I might get 10 votes, but you know what, I am glad I did what I did. Even though the Herald says I am too assertive for Cheshire and the Register calls me an irritant!! Whatever.

When you went to the Wall, do you want to know why it was not longer with more names? Because the irritants and the troublemakers went out in the streets and stopped it. They stopped the war!! Now, I am supporting all military personnel. I love all of the veterans with my heart and that part of the Vietnam era  where some people spit on our veterans was shameful and disgusting.

These men were drafted and did their duty for their country. If anyone should be getting a lifetime tax exemption it should be the Veterans. Our government should be giving Veterans free housing also. Our government does not do nearly enough for them. No one in their right minds would begrudge paying more to honor them.

But there is a place for in our society for watchdogs and people who speak out. As I have said in the past on this and my older Undergroundtownhall website, women have the right to work, have bank accounts, own property and vote because of the irritant gadflys and the troublemakers who took the time to speak out. We have unions that many of you town employees are members of, because of the same gadfly troublemakers OK??

We do not have involuntary servitude in this nation because of the same troublemakers. And um, the name of our country–the United States–was formed by the following people who in their day, as I said before, were considered wanted men in England, troublemakers and gadflys–George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, Ethan Allen, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Payne, etc. OK??

Thank you and you know I will be calling Luther Turmille on Monday.

 

In The Doghouse

  • By: Cindy

Ok, unless you live on another planet, the big news today, besides $100 per barrel oil, is Dog the Bounty Hunter’s racist tirade secretly taped by his son Tucker.

I guess Dog’s son Tucker is dating a black woman and Dog doesn’t like it!! This is awful, the tape is disgusting. I am upset because I really liked Dog the Bounty Hunter show. I used to watch it faithfully. I thought he was a good role model, I guess not.

So here is the tape of the now infamous “Dog Tirade.” The full version and shortened edited version is available. WARNING: foul language.

So now we have no more Mario Batali on the Food Network; the Man vs Wild is a fake and now Dog the Bounty Hunter is bounced from A&E.

 I guess I might as well cancel my cable.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307498,00.html

In other developments: I did see a copy this week’s Herald again.  Boy, I haven’t read the Herald this much since I moved to town 22 years ago!! My ad was in again, so if you do not know how to place a write in vote by now I don’t know what to say. (well I do, but I don’t want to end up like the Dog).

The Herald also endorsed a Democratic slate for the Town Council: Hall, Esty, Altieri, Ecke, Bob Behrer, Ms. DeCaprio and Ms. Fabiani.  They said the town wasn’t ready for me!! Can you believe it. Of course the town is ready for me!! What kind of statement is that!!

Well, if the town is not ready for me, I hope God isn’t either, that is all I can say.

I called a friend who read the statement and thought I should take it as a compliment. She seemed to feel the Herald was trying to say that I am too straightforward and am not influenced by any one person or groups. I have my own thoughts but at the same time, have the best interests of the town at heart.

Well, we will just have to wait and see what happens on election night. I am going to be careful what I say on Nov. 7 because you never know, someone might be taping!!!

This whole campaign took a lot out of myself and my husband who assisted me. I hope all of you will take my campaign for what it was, someone who stepped up to the plate and tried to make a difference–a different voice and a different point of view.

I did make it to the Wall. It was so moving and brought back a lot of memories. I urge everyone to take time out to visit.

The display in the tent of all the posters the kids made of the soldiers from Connecticut killed in Vietnam made the difference for me. It added a personal touch. Mr. Zingarelli should be proud of his efforts. This was an outstanding display of honor, tribute and emotion.

When you look at the posters, one thing that jumps out is how young most of these soldiers were. They were 19, 20 24, 28. It was heartbreaking.

 A young life forever lost. These men died so we can have the freedoms we have in this country today: freedom of SPEECH-ASSEMBLY-PETITION among others.

The Wall came to Cheshire, now Cheshire needs to embrace the Wall and all that itstands for.

I will have the video and photos my daughter took of the Wall on Monday’s featured media on the Home page.

 

Rounding the Bend

  • By: Cindy

Well all of the candidates are nearing the end of the road so to speak as far as campaigning is concerned. As for me, I will be making my rounds, putting up a few more signs and getting ready for Tuesday. I will be at Stop and Shop in the afternoon, so stop by and chat. Please make sure your car is in park!!!

I did receive a call from a man whose name unfortunately escapes me, probably because I was at work in the middle of a project. But, as I stated in my flyers, my door is open and I did take the time to speak with this gentleman for about 20 minutes. He said something to me that is really the basis of election: he said he liked my ideas that I had put on my flyer.

Then after we spoke for a while, he actually asked me whom I could work with on the Town Council. My answer to him and to all: I would work with anyone on the town council. The meaning of being elected to the Town Council is to REPRESENT the people of Cheshire–ALL THE PEOPLE. So, my first concern would be doing what is best for the town and for its residents.

I am not afraid to speak my mind and offer suggestions for the betterment of our town. I know many newspapers and candidates alike are discussing paying police officers more money and/or hiring more police.

Now my last post concentrated on just that, the different police starting salaries in various towns throughout Connecticut and New York City. You can see there is quite a disparity, especially in New York City. I alluded to that at the Candidates Debate (although I was off by a thousand dollars). I understand peoples’ concerns that they do not want to see their town be a “training ground” and in a few years, see all the time money and effort go off to another town.

But, unfortunately, that happens in the business world all too often. I remember a few years ago, Bridgeport was down 50, yes 50 officers. They should have been at the 350 level for a city of its size, but because of budget constraints, they could not hire and frankly could not find enough candidates.

In the mid to late 80′s Bridgeport’s murder rate was over 100 every year. Then, the City hired a new police chief (he was originally from New York City) and I can’t recall his name at the moment. But he used his experience and brought Bridgeport’s murder rate down from over 100 to 12 in less than three years.
I know the police put up Jersey barriers in certain high crime areas of the City, (yes, Bridgeport has nice areas people, just go down to St. Mary’s By The Sea near Captains Cove) or even the North End. This eliminated many drug dealers.

They eliminated overnight parking in the downtown; loitering and just doubled up on patrols in the area they knew needed attention. All this was accomplished with a significantly downsized police department. It really boiled down to quality not quantity and tough street policing.

Honestly, I am for hiring police officers and keeping the department up to snuff, but if we are going to hire officers to hand out tickets, then I am not for it. If we have problems that need to be addressed, more officers to patrol at night when most crime still happens, then I support it.

I just wanted to get back to that gentleman who said he would be writing my name in on Nov. 6th. I thank him for his support. I want people like him to support me, because they believe in what I believe in. No-one should be voting for a candidate because they personally like him or her, or they live in the same neighborhood, or their kids go to school together or play together, or the candidate works with you. Vote for the person because you believe in his or her ideas, and you believe he or she can do the best for the town.

Leave personalities out of it. I worked with this girl years ago, her first name was Lisa. I could not stand to be in the same room with her. She was rude, she constantly called out of work (if this girl took 60 sick days a year, that was about par for her). But, she was the best copy editor and typist I have ever seen. I would hire her for my business in a heartbeat.

And as far as the Cheshire Herald goes, yes they are getting better and I have been encouraging them and meeting with them. That is why you saw the weekly meeting schedule in the paper the last few weeks. Did it hurt? No. The town is still here and guess what, people might be able to show up at a meeting and voice a dissenting opinion and nothing bad will happen!!

I will be going to The Wall, (the Vietnam one, not the Pink Floyd one) tomorrow and will be posting photos of this experience. I hope I can find my friends name on it.

See you all later.

The Waterbury paper did not endorse me so I am canceling my subscription. Oh, that’s right, I never had one in the first place.

Now for all of you privacy advocates out there here is an interesting idea that unfortunately may come to fruition sooner than you think:

“Your US driver’s license has a magnetic stripe with unique ID in it, and your debit card carries a magnetic stripe with account information on it, so why not link the two together and allow people to use their driver’s licenses as debit cards? That’s precisely what a young company National Payment Card is doing in select locations, according to Business Week: ‘Gas-station owners are pleased with the program too. Because NPC processes the payment as an e-check with the Automated Clearing House (ACH), a network most commonly used for direct deposits, participating retailers bypass credit card companies such as Visa and Mastercard.’”