Let’s go to WTNH to watch the latest on the Madison Police Commission which had to fire a few of their officers for misconduct. What a shame, and what a demoralizing day for the rest of that department. Remember: “Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.” by Al Gore.

http://www.wtnh.com/global/story.asp?s=7774212

One of the more interesting items that caught my attention when I read the DRAFT FINDINGS-And I have always said DRAFT-but still the public should have had a copy of it to follow along, was the idea of an underground parking garage to be located near the theater.

I found an interesting weblink to an underground parking garage that employs a different use for the roof. I hope you will enjoy reading this and get some information at the same time. Maybe we should use this suggestion if and when the Lifestyle Center ever gets built.

BREAKING NEWS–THE 2008 ACADEMY AWARDS WILL TAKE PLACE IN CHESHIRE CONNECTICUT!!

This only makes sense, since we have so many ACTORS here!!

FYI: Don’t submit comments to my website telling people to go to your website to read the drafts. No, you can read them on my website, thank you. I have an easy link off the the right of this post under “featured articles.”

P.S. Town Government: I guess I will HAVE to go out again this weekend and take some more photos of those ILLEGAL signs that are popping up again on the telephone polls.

My suggestion: try CONTACTING the party that put the signs up instead of just taking them down!!

Ok: here is the link to the Underground Parking Garages with the unique roofs.

http://www.greenroofs.com/Greenroofs101/underground_parking_garages.htm

The website is sort of confusing, but if you click on the HYDROTECH “roof” icon with the greenery on it over on the right hand side of the page, it directs you to different links on the same subject. Something to take into consideration.

I don’t know if this underground garage idea was part of the original application. I know an above ground garage was mentioned. UPDATE: Apparently this WAS mentioned. I will not say anything more on this issue until  MONDAY’S P and Z decision. Then ALL GLOVES ARE OFF!!

I don’t recall it. I asked a member of the Town Council to ask someone on Wetlands but the answer was “vague.” Something like: we will have to wait to see if the plan gets changed.

Now to switch gears for a minute: You all read about me taking the CHRO to the Freedom of Information, now you can read about me taking J.C. Penney to the Department of Labor Board of Review several years ago. The case was reversed on a quit when I was assaulted and had to leave the employer. I argued this case MYSELF. This is case law in Connecticut. I fought this from April 2001 to December 2001.

Cindy Kleist–DOIN IT RIGHT!! Heads up ALL YOU LAWYERS!!

1.

CYNTHIA A. KLEIST v. J.C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC., 1244-BR-01, decided 12/19/2001; Digest No. VL 4-00, VL 6-18, VL 6-180 Abstract: Voluntary leaving. Board ruled that it was not a reasonable alternative for claimant to continue to work with coworker who sexually assaulted her and that employer had an obligation to identify and implement a reasonable alternative. http://ctboard.org/adlib_docs/2001/1244br01.html

On Wednesday, there was a meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) to discuss the restructuring of the sewer use tax. Presently, the tax is a flat rate of $290 per year. Now the fee is scheduled to go up $15 to $305.

If there is one person in your household, like our friend Ellen, she pays the same rate as a family of four, eight ten or 20. I don’t know what the business rate is.

It is interesting to note that the state Department of Correction pays a contracted rate for so many gallons of usage which they have exceeded time and time again, and have not really made up the difference.

At my home in New Hampshire we have a flat rate of $250 per year for water usage. We have septic in Cheshire and in New Hampshire so the sewer usage tax does not apply to us but I know how unfair this is based on our water bill. This flat rate, be it water or sewage, is not fair to our family because we are not there all of the time. We do not water anything because we are hooked to an artesian well so water is always restricted. So I know how it is.

I believe last year the state gave the town some extra money because of the inequities of the over use, but the did divvy up some of the state surplus money and the town got some extra because of this. But this was a one time deal.

In fact, my husband had juggled around some figures last summer when this topic came up, and it was very interesting to learn that when my spouse divided what the state pays by the number of inmates they house in Cheshire, the state sewer usage fee comes out to $179 per inmate. So I guess my girl Ellen has to front  for them.

Ms. Ellen said she told the WPCA she thought the sewer usage flat tax was unfair. She told the WPCA that they needed to give one family households a reduction.

Ms. Ellen said the WPCA was working on a possible metering system through the Regional Water Authority. Ms. Ellen left before the WPCA discussed the options: like giving single households a reduction, but we will see.

Ms. Ellen said no one should pay more than the prisons. She is right!!! The town has got to stop patronizing this prison. Make them pay their fair share. They use up most of the water in this town anyway!! If they did not want people to live around the prison, the state should have bought up the land. They have the cash believe me.

Now, let us address a certain Commission that may be e-mailing each other to discuss a certain subject.

Would these e-mails be public domain. Let us see what the Freedom of Information Commission says.

Remember everyone, I filed an FOI complaint against the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities approximately 12 years ago and WON!!

 So I am very knowledgeable about FOI issues!!! In fact, my case should be in their docket. Here it is:

http://www.state.ct.us/FOI/1992FD/19920226/FIC1991-087.htm

Here is the FOI take on this issue:

Report of Counsel DR 94

Bust it MC.

As many of you know, the Hartford Courant obtained through the Freedom of Information, the transcripts of the 911 call of the Cheshire Police Departments response to the Petit Home Invasion.

The accompanying story states that there was at least a “five minute gap” in response time between the call at the Bank of America and the arrival at the Petit Home.

I read this story several times which is listed here below. The Courant says there is a five minute gap, then a seven minute gap. In July, when the story broke, they said there was a 30 minute gap. WHATEVER!! WHAT DO WE KNOW–NOT MUCH!!

I am going to let you read the story and the transcripts and decide for yourselves. I know a lot of you want me to comment on this story but I really don’t know what to think or say. I thought about it all day at work. I read the story and the transcripts. It is true the caller was put on hold a few times from the bank-but when you read the transcripts what she supposedly said is blacked out.

Oh the CPD should have rushed the house-They should have launched a smoke bomb. They should have called the home phone and if there was no answer they should have gone in. Well, I am sure they would have. But the officers on the street, the rank and file were doing what they were told. Plus the public and I am sure the street officers did not know what was said in the note she wrote at the bank!!! That is the key here.

The transcripts indicate that the officers were trying to determine who was in the house. But then the fire broke out and Dr. Petit ran out. That is when you read an officer saying, “Let’s go in.”

What I don’t like, is the officer that was apparently injured that the public did not find out about until the transcripts were released. That is why, we need a police commission. They could have discussed this issue, even if it were in executive session. The public is paying for the comp, we have a right to know. And that would not jeopardize any criminal case

You see, to me that is the key to this whole incident. What was said in the note and what did the caller at the bank tell the dispatcher. It seems they responded to me, as quickly as they could. In fact, an officer was in the area of Higgins Road and went over to the house FIRST, then to the bank. But, here is the key, the officer was told NOT to go near the house. There was also a response by a few detectives in unmarked cars and I am sure our police chief, who must feel like he is being dragged over the coals, went by the scene also.

When we had that problem with our son in Montreal, we had not heard from him for several week, we told the police EXACTLY what the problem was. They must have called his phone and cell and when they could not get in touch with him they went in to his apartment fearing the worst. They told my son they thought he might have been held against his will. They took everything into consideration. What really happened, my son’s ringer on his phone broke and he never got it fixed and then his cell phone that he puts money into, ran out of minutes.

But the MPD’s hands aren’t tied by image mongers. They are laid back but when they have to crack the whip they do it and they don’ t care who says what!! Maybe Cheshire needs to take a lesson from Montreal Police. Nearly 4 million people, 500,000 college students: 30 murders last year!! Because they take ACTION when necessary and don’t care what someone thinks or worry about whether what they are doing will affect their bond rating!!

I mean, I have my differences with the Cheshire Police Department big time, and I am the only one who will stand up and say how I feel, but I don’t believe EVER EVER EVER that the Cheshire Police Department is incompetent. I know many officers on this force and they are quite capable of handling any situation. But when you are told NOT to do something, they have to obey their orders.

The transcripts show the SWAT team being assembled, the CPD calling the Trooper One helicopter, and the CPD setting up a perimeter. I know one of the officers was in the back of the Petit house for nearly 26 minutes observing. This is what he/she was TOLD TO DO.

What do people want? Do you think any of these officers are happy the events turned out this way? I sincerely doubt it. The Hartford Courant makes the Cheshire Police Department look like a bunch of bumbling idiots. The transcripts don’t seem to take on that feel at all. Maybe you will feel different after you read it–I didn’t.

You know what the problem is in this town that I have said time and time again: somebody is worried about how the town will look if they do something. Well, Town Government, and I don’t mean the Police Chief, how do we look now???

I know our police chief must have driven by the house because he strikes me as a hands on chief. He is a manly man. He would have gone right in there, but someone else is calling the shots

I know Walberg would have. Somebody down the Main Street better stop worrying about an image, and start letting this police department do its job. Stop making these men give out pansy tickets and let them start doing manly police work!!!

How can they do anything when their hands are tied. And lets face it people, Cheshire is a SMALL town, they are not used to this type of situation. Most towns aren’t. But it gets worse when the powers that be have to waste time analyzing how we will look in the public eye if we do something.

Was there a tip? Was there a letter found written by one of the alleged perpetrators? The Courant is alluding to this. I don’t know. I have heard many things but because I am not a member of the Press I can’t reveal anything because I am not protected by the First Amendment.

“uhh will be on the news–oh my god–be careful–ohh what will people think?? OH GROW UP AND ACT LIKE A MAN!!

I feel sorry for most of the officers on the CPD because I know they tried their best. I said most because there are a FEW that need an attitude change, but that is how it is.

The bottom line: next time there is a problem, and I hope there never is, call Cindy. She will go right out there and I don’t have to listen to the Town Government!!

Here is the Courant Story:

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-petit0122.artjan22,0,1836193.story

Here is the 911 Transcript:

http://www.courant.com/media/acrobat/2008-01/34861435.pdf

After due consideration of the entire record, the Commission finds that the applicant’s proposed Zone Map Change, Interchange Special Development District Project Plan, and Aquifer Protection Application are not reasonably likely to have the effect of unreasonably polluting, impairing or destroying the public trust in the air, water or other natural resources of the state. Furthermore, it is the opinion of the Cheshire Planning and zoning Commission that this application meets all of the standards laid out in Section 45.B6 of the Zoning Regulations, and that it may, therefore, be approved by the Commission.

I have been getting A LOT of phone calls about this document. You see, Cheshire is not used to this. Where I am from, the press would have been right on it and published this and questioned this the minute they saw it. But not here.

That is why things are the way they are here. The bottom line: most people don’t care. In fact, I had one woman tell me that if and when they build the Lifestyle Center she will “just avoid the area.”

This document would have been fine, if it were not for the sentence “It is the opinion of the Commission that this proposal meets the requirements of this standard.” Then it would have been a true “findings” document. Then it truly could have been made available to the public to at least follow along while the commission deliberated on it. But is seems someone else made up everyone else’s mind.

Do you all remember that public service announcement a few years ago where the woman goes to the fast food drive in to place her order and just as she is about to say something, a man jumps in front of her and places the order HE WANTS. The woman keeps saying, get out of the way, I did not say that; I did not order that; I don’t want that!!!

Then the voice over says: this is what happens when you don’t vote!!! This is what this “findings” document reminds me of. Someone else putting words in other peoples’ mouths and don’t tell me it isn’t true!!

This last paragraph really makes me wonder. “are not reasonably likely.” What does that mean?  What is reasonable about  pollution? What is reasonable about impairing the public trust?

Can you imagine me going to Peoples Bank for a mortgage and telling them that I reasonably likely will be able to make the mortgage payments? I don’ think I would be getting that mortgage. Either you can or you can’t. There is NO in between.

Imagine having open heart surgery and the surgeon telling you right before the operation that it is reasonably likely that he can perform the surgery correctly? You wouldn’t be having that operation any time soon, I am sure of it.

Oh, this is your pilot speaking–It is reasonably likely that I can land this plane!! Trip canceled.

This document just made a mockery of the public hearing because it is reasonably likely they did not really listen to the people who bothered to show up. “Oh, these people are a pain, they are just standing in the way of progress. They just have an ax to grind. They bitch about everything.”

Oh, do they? Or maybe, the powers that be in this town, that there are SOME people who REALLY CARE about this town. They CARE about the impact this development might have on the rest of the businesses in town and the environment. I know you are sick of hearing from us, but that is too bad. Some of us DO CARE and most of the people I have spoken with are very sincere about this. They don’t want to prevent someone from making money. That is not the point. The point is they care about Cheshire. They moved here because of its small town charm. I realize things must move forward and we must modernize, but there is a price to be paid, and many of the people who seem to be “against everything” actually made a lot of good points about the arch, the animals, the water runoff, the effect this development will have on our already overburdened sewer system; the flooding. And speaking of this arch, it has endured flood after flood for well over 100 years and last year all of a sudden, it became “compromised.” HMM!!

I have re run the photos of the arch that Bob Korten shot last April during the floods. The water was high, but the arch looked pretty damn good to me. They are on the PHOTOS PAGE. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE AND USE THE BACK ARROW TO RETURN.

Do you think it is easy getting up and leaving your house after a long day of work, commuting in bumper to bumper traffic, gulping down dinner and then going out in the cold to sit at these meetings late into the night—just to bust someones balls? No, this is being done because people care that is why. Now we have just gotten a slap in the face!!

You are going to need to put on a helmet to keep your brains from spilling out after I blow your mind Cheshire!!!

Many of us have an extra day off this week. Well, what if you don’t and your significant other does and you want to spend the day together? I have the solution:

http://www.myexcusedabsence.com/

Earlier on Sunday, I heard the Planning and Zoning meeting was to take place in Room 207 of the Town Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. I just received a phone call from a resident who told me the meeting is to take place in Town Council Chambers. Apparently there is no Town Council meeting that night.

Let’s see what happens. Let us all focus on issues that matter in this town, not personal attacks on people. Get facts (like I just posted) solid facts written on paper. This town has many issues that are more important than bashing someone. Who cares what someone is? Just because you have a drivers license does not make you qualified to drive a motor vehicle. It is a BIG MONEY MAKER–all these licenses and registrations. I know, I used to process the applications when I did a consulting job at FISERV in Wallingford years ago.

A hundred years ago, people did not need LICENSES to become something or do something and guess what? The job got done, probably a lot better than it is being done today–believe me, especially some of the caliber I see out there today you wonder how they got a license or a degree in the first place!!

Leave it alone!!

Now the latest headlines from WTNH:

http://www.wtnh.com/