Below are two pictures of the location of the proposed 20 ft. Retaining wall and the approach to the wooden bridge. Note the 10 mile river in the back ground. This area is the flood plain of the river where the wall and approach to the wooden bridge will be built. The 20 ft retaining wall is necessary because there is a 30 ft. drop from route 10 to the river. The proposed map at the town hall shows a retaining wall all around this area north of the pond. They will cut down 4 to 6 ft.along Rt.10 and build up 20 ft. along the river by the pond. The cost of this retaining wall will be expensive as it is located in the mud of the flood plain. My guess is the expense will be too high and it will never be built as proposed. I am amazed that our elected officials would back a plan like this.

Photos and text by Bob Korten

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

Now if you remember a few posts ago I questioned why the disabled were not included in the current Elderly Tax Freeze program. My husband asked that question also at the “public hearing” of Feb. 13 where no one had any answers or any figures on costs or anything. “Oh we just want it, so let’s pass it.”

It’s funny, when it came to the Police Commission idea, they had plenty of facts, figures and answers. When it suits them then there are no questions or conveniently no answers.

Maybe that is why all of a sudden this charter revision looks so good. I wonder why now. Why? Because we all know what is going to happen within a year. And some people might look bad. So let us try to distance ourselves now. Speaking of Perry, the town better hire Perry, Perry MASON. Now you know what I am referring to.

I know a lot of you can’t stand or sit the Underground Town Hall. GOOD!!

You want to get rid of Underground Town Hall, GET A POLICE COMMISSION OR EXPAND THE POWERS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION straight up.

Every town should have one as you can see by the news every single night now. Why should some departments get questioned and these people get a pat. All of a sudden they care about what people think?

The Herald had this cartoon about Cheshire in the 1930’s and they wished it would be like that now. I have news for the Herald. Cheshire never left the 1930’s especially when you take into consideration some of the sexist talk coming from I know who on you know who’s blog.

I wonder how these so called “men” treat their wives. Calling women “girls.” They think they are on top in the board room with their talk. I’ll be on top of them anytime in the most important room!!!

So to finish up with the Elderly Tax Freeze issue, Michael Milone our Town Manager, wrote my husband a letter which we received Thursday.

Basically Mr. Milone said:

“The current Elderly Tax Freeze program does not extend to disabled residents because State Statute does not extend this program to disabled residents. However. those residents who meet the “disabled” eligibility criteria do qualify for tax benefits under the Town’s credit program-circuit breaker program and deferral program.

The Elderly Tax Credit program was estimated to cost the Town approximately $436, 000 this fiscal year while the actual cost was $402,000.

For F.Y. 2008-2009 the combined “Elderly Tax Credit/Freeze” program is estimated to cost approximately $475,000 and about $32,800 of this total is the estimated cost of the freeze portion of the program. However, and as you know, the actual cost of this combined program won’t be available until a few weeks after the application period closes on May 15, 2008.

Your (Derf) last inquiry dealt with the Sewer Use fee and whether it can be constructed as a tax. I don’t think it can be as currently constituted, but I have asked Town Attorney Dwight Johnson to research this and I will get back to you with that information.

I hope I have answered the questions that you raised, but if you need any additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my staff.”

Very truly yours,

Michael A. Milone

Town Manager

The “letter” is now available for the general public. I did redact some parts out of it to protect the identity of the letter writer. This is the letter that was in my mailbox that accompanied the W/S Draft Findings.

Click on the letter to enlarge it for reading.

ws-letter.jpg

I did not attend the Citizens Police Academy tonight. Instead I attended the wake of a man I grew to deeply love and admire–my friend Joe Zdonczyk. Joe passed away Tuesday after a short bout with cancer. I had spoken with him a few weeks ago after he had gotten out of the hospital.

I met Joe about three years ago at Stop and Shop in Cheshire. He was gathering signatures which would allow him to run for Governor. He successfully gathered over 30,000 signatures mostly HIMSELF. Pretty good for a 79 year old man, in fact a respectable feat for a person of any age.

We started talking and I told him about my issue in trying to get my Underground Town Hall shows on Channel 15. Joe had two shows on Cox Cable 15 in Cheshire: “Stop, Look, Listen and Enjoy” and “You and Me Against the World” which I appeared on with him a few years ago discussing the problems I was having in Cheshire with the airing of my shows and attempting to start a Police Commission. Joe went out of his way and he cleared the way for me to get my shows on the Cable Public Access without any more delays.

When I was attempting (and still am) to get the Police Commission, I called Joe because I respected his opinion and I knew other people did also. He was respected and always acted in a dignified manner while at the same time, being firm in his belief in the Constitution of the United States and peoples rights.

I knew if I could get Joe to come to the Town Council meetings or the Ordinance Committee meetings, it would make an impact (and it did). Whenever I called for this man to help me, he did and he did it gladly and gracefully.

Could you imagine if Joe lived here? He would be getting the same questions and the same treatment as others who try to stand up for what is right. “What’s his motive”? Yes, everything someone does always has to have an ulterior motive to some people. They can’t believe there are still people out there who believe in peoples rights to control our government and to speak freely without retribution. Well, Joe was one of those people.

I will always remember seeing him sitting in the back of the Town Council chambers. I would always look to see if he would show up. And you know what, he always did and I was never disappointed.

I will miss you Joe. I lost a supporter, a friend and someone I could count on-no questions asked. It will take me a while to remember not to call for you anymore. But I know you will be happy to know that many of us out there will remember you and continue your fight.

Founded Concerned Citizens Party

WOLCOTT — Mr. Joseph A. Zdonczyk, 79, of 63 Deepwood Dr., Wolcott, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, at Wolcott View Manor. He was the husband of Ana R. (Ca­beltes) Zdon­czyk. Mr. Zdon­czyk was born in Waterbury on Nov. 2, 1928; a son of the late Frank and Natalia (Majewski) Zdonczyk. He was an Army veteran serv­ing during World War II. He attended Catholic University in Washington, DC, and UConn in Waterbury. He was a resident of Wolcott since 1963 and was the co-owner of Dell Amusement in Waterbury. He was the founder of the Concerned Citi­zens Party of Connecticut, an affil­iate of the Constitution Party whose goal is to restore American jurisprudence to its Biblical foun­dations and to limit the federal government to its Constitutional boundaries. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Besides his wife, he leaves a brother, Ted Zdonczyk and his wife Mary of Cheshire; three nieces, Carolyn Soltis, Bonnie LaVigna, and Allyn DeMaida and their husbands; three grand­nephews, two grandnieces, two great-grandnieces, and one great­grandnephew. His funeral will be held on Thurs­day, Feb. 21, at 9 a.m. from the Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 N. Main St., Naugatuck, to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 100 East Farm St., Waterbury, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will fol­low in Calvary Cemetery, East Main Street, Waterbury. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Carolyn’s Place, 137 Grandview Ave., Waterbury, 06708. For more information, please visit www.fitzgeraldzembruski.com.

Now we are shifting gears a bit tonight. I did receive an email from a local resident who wondered if I would expound on selling your own home. Since I know how to do everything, this was an easy topic for me to expound on. As some of you know I did have a real estate license. So did my husband at one time. In fact, he sold his new home to himself because he had a brokers license.

Most of you are aware that I have from time to time, taken photos of these “we buy your house” signs that seem to be popping up in Cheshire and all over for that matter. I have had correspondence with the Police Department over this issue, especially the ones on the telephone polls.

Now several months ago, a neighbor did attempt to use one of these “we sell your home” services. In fact, it was an auction service. I contacted the Ct. Department of Consumer Protection a few weeks ago asking about the legality of this. I recall the person on the other end of the phone stating that it was fine as long as a real estate broker was present. But I remember in my neighbors situation, the actual auction was done over the phone.

Many people have for the past several years, taken it upon themselves to sell their own home. Now we are seeing the auction craze get popular. Is it safe to do this? Will you get your price or get burned? Let’s look at a few articles on this subject.

“There is a new trend sweeping the FSBO world, and this trend begins with an auctioneer. Many home owners are turning to auction houses in order to sell their homes in a hurry, but is auctioning your home really a good idea?

Unless you need to sell your home within a very short period of time, auctions are generally not recommended. However, many home owners are starting to find the auction house far more appealing after months of listing a home within a market that is just not moving. There are some definite benefits to selling your home at auction, but there are some drawbacks as well. In the end, make sure you understand both sides of the coin before you decide to put your house up for auction.

Usually, a home auction takes place on site. This means that all buyers interested in your home will be walking around your house before, and during, the auction. Think about this time as a sort of large open house. All the same tactics that apply to an open house apply during the time of auction. Make sure to keep pets out of the way; stage the property nicely; and keep things looking tidy and clean. Once all prospective buyers arrive, the auction will begin.

Keep in mind that there is no set price for a house sold at auction, which is why many buyers prefer this type of home sale. Therefore, you may walk away from the auction with more money than you anticipated, or you may come away with far less than you originally intended to have. Of course, you can set a reserve price for your home, but most home owners do not make a large profit when it comes to an auction.

Generally, selling your home at auction is not the way to go. If your home is not selling as fast as you would like, consider taking your home off the market, and re-listing when the market is a bit better. Ask yourself whether or not you can keep paying your home mortgage for another month or so, and then try to sell your home again. If you are desperate, and you need to sell your home right away, an auction may be your best bet.

Although auctions seem to be gaining in popularity, those that are seeking to sell their own homes usually do better when sticking to tried and true practices. It used to be that foreclosed homes were the homes up for sale at an auction, so keep this in mind. Auctions are a lot of work for any home owner, and most of the time they are simply not worth the hassle.

Raynor James writes about all kinds of real estate issues for FSBOAmerica.org where you can list homes for sale by owner for 30 days free.”

Now lets look at the ups and downs of selling your home by yourself-Hence the acronym FSBO (For Sale By Owner).

Click here

For another viewpoint on this issue:

Click here

I have received many calls from people who want to get on UTH for Members Only. I will be in touch with a few of you I know I can trust.

Mr. Kunde is a person I trust. I owe the entire Underground Town Hall idea to this man. He will always have a special place in my heart. Any person who has the guts and determination that this man exhibits especially in this town, has my utmost respect forever. I have to be careful, because you can access the UTH Members Only by using a password that literally allows you access to my dashboard. So these people that have the password I know will NEVER tell anyone they have the access capability. They just can’t. Besides, if certain people found out certain people have this access right, I know they would be put under tremendous pressure and I do not want that to happen. This is a true “underground” network and it must and will remain this way.

I am going to release the letter  to the general public on Thursday. Unfortunately I cannot release the entire contents or the entire name for that matter.  I have to redact some parts of it or else this person is in serious trouble.

The password to UTH MEMBERS ONLY is not given out anymore.

If you can figure out who wrote the letter, more power to you. But I know this person will get grief beyond belief if he or she is found out. I spoke to the person last night, (oh here we go with the clicks on the phone.) No I am not using my cell or landline phone and I am not calling from my house or work. So don’t bother.

It is really too bad that people have to go to these lengths to get information out. And I am going to tell you, that I would have NEVER found out about the comments made against me and Tim if he had not mentioned Underground Town Hall on his website. Anytime anyone mentions my website it pings me and I look at what was said. It is a sad state of affairs here when we are reading comments, some of them obviously from members of the Town Government stating that I am a “loose cannon” and no one would give me information and risk losing their job”

That is entirely the point. Why would someone fear losing their job if they gave me information? Why? Because they know I will publish it if it is publishable. If someone gave me information and asked me to keep it quiet I would and I have. What are they afraid of? Something bad might come out in the open? YEP!!

“Why don’t I just do everyones job I know everything” THANK YOU!!! Did You Finally Wake Up?

Boy would we be saving a ton of money in this town. That might be a good idea. I will just do everything. Town Manager- fire department-police department-public works. Just pay me $8 milion a year and I will take it from there. I wouldn’t mind but they are so wussy they won’t put their name on anything. They accuse me and my husband of writing anonymous letters and then look what they do!!

Why don’t I do everyones job? I might as well because the only job you know how to do is with your hand (and you are probably crappy at that too.)

Then they try to call me somebodys girl. I ain’t anybodys GIRL!! I couldn’t possibly be your girl, because my womanliness  would put you into cardiac arrest in about five seconds.

“We don’t take her seriously, then what the eff are you doing on the website all the time!! Whats the matter, don’t have CONTROL over everyone. One of your obedient workers went astray?

Oh this is so much fun. I can’t stand it. I know God put me on this earth for this!! It’s wonderful. Ok, let’s get back to business.

As you know Orange is forgiving car taxes to people who have cars that get over 40 miles per gallon. Well I guess Tim White will be moving to Orange. That is funny-White in Orange!! Only kidding Tim, or Perry should I say.

Now the next topic is this weird ruling by Gov. Rell called “distracted driver.” Ok, I agree with some of her observations on why she wants the State Police to crack down on people talking on their cell phones. Some people cannot do two tasks at once. It is either the cell phone or driving. I know my husband couldn’t handle it-that is why he doesn’t have a cell phone. Once when I was going to Stop and Shop a man (notice I did not say woman) was on his cell phone and he walked right into me. Did you notice that women? Men cannot multi task. Do you think they can? Then try talking to them during sex.

Now that cell phone thing is fine but it degenrates into pure absurdity when our Governor starts talking about not having a pet in your car, not being able to put on the lipstick. What?? Is this woman crazy? Now I can’t put on lipstick while I drive to work? I can’t drink coffee. I can’t take my pet in the car. Did she have a stroke? This can’t be real. What is next, you can’t drive 5 speed because both hands are not on the wheel? And what about your child. I guess you won’t be able to take your youngster in the car because when the baby cries, wouldn’t that be a distraction? I have seen people turn completely around to see what their baby was doing in the back seat. So that is ok? What about talking? Can’t do that either? Just outlaw driving Rell. Clog the court with more nonsense. Don’t forget, criminal is in with motor vehicles.

 But I guess the court personnel don’t have enough to contend with so now we will be hearing “Ms. Kleist you are charged with driving while putting on lipstick. How do you plead?” No wonder Hayes and the other little stick punk that I would have snapped in two, got out on parole. The courts are too busy with this garbage!! Grow UP CONNECTICUT!!

Goodbye for now. See you Saturday night. I hope I do see you Saturday night because YOU ARE GETTING ARRESTED BY ME!!