Monthly archives: February 2008

 

 

School Daze

  • By: Cindy

As most of you know, it is approaching budget season-a fun and informative time for all three of you in Cheshire that actually CARE what goes on here.

Now as usual, the big flak again is education. This year Schools Supt. Greg Florio has recommended an approximate $59 million operating budget. This represents an approximate $4 million or 7.9 percent increase over last year.

As you know, I very rarely question education. To me there is nothing nothing nothing on this earth more important. Some people make me laugh in this town. What do you want to spend the money on–Prison? Ok, so we will spend $38,000 per inmate instead of 7 or 8,000 per pupil. Sound better?

Now many of you are questioning why things are at an all time high. Well, Peter Massey made a good point at the last Board of Education budget hearing meeting which hardly anyone attended. I know my husband went to it. And of course Bill Kunde always goes and makes good points. Thank God we have someone like Bill. But the bottom line is Mr. Massey said the biggest cost factors are energy and special education.

There are issues with this energy cost buildup, especially, as my husband pointed out, at Dodd Middle School where they have single pane–SINGLE PANE windows . This needs to be replaced immediately–like NOW!!

Also, apparently there are some motion sensor light fixtures that aren’t motion sensoring anymore. They stay on all the time!!! Do you know how much energy that wastes? PLENTY!!!

What does bother me is this astro turf thing because it is not vital to education.

I am all for athletics, but come on, never mind a show off astro turf, we need to spend this money on infrastructure NOW. I hope the state does not even dare give this 500 and something odd million dollars to astro turf, when the homeless rate is at an all time high here in Connecticut and nationwide and our state capitol, Hartford, is the SECOND POOREST CITY IN AMERICA, not to mention there are people who cannot pay their fuel bills and are living in one room in this town!!!

This is disgusting and arrogant. Then they want to know why bad things are happening. GET THE WAKE UP CALL CHESHIRE!!

Now, Mr. Alan Sobol made a passionate and eloquent speech to the Board of Education the other night regarding the Superintendents budget request.

He basically said that this proposed budget is not fiscally responsible and he cannot support it. He said this is the first time he cannot support the board of education proposed budget for the first time in his nine year tenure.

He reminded the public and other board members that 64 percent of the town budget is set aside for education and that 80 percent of the town budget is funded by the taxpayers.

He added that there is a limit before we drive out our seniors and young people cannot move into this town. He told Board members that “we did our job last year, but that the proposed reduction to the Board of Ed budget of (a little over $500,000) will have a “direct negative effect” on the town by driving up the mill rate.

Sobol told his fellow Board of Education members that the Town Council, the Town and “this board” has been generous in the past, but this proposed budget will be an unnecessary burden to our taxpayers.”

Now our school system has over 5,000 students with a proposed budget of $59 million.

Wilton, Connecticut in Fairfield County, one of the wealthiest school systems in the state and with a population of 17,633 residents, (Cheshire has approximately 29,000 residents), proposed 2008–2009 Board of Education budget is $68,886.941. A 6.65 percent increase over last years budget and a 6.2 percent increase in per pupil costs.

Weston Connecticut, another WEALTHY Fairfield County town with approximately 2,100 students, and a population of 10,000 is proposing for their 2008-2009 education budget–an 8.40 percent increase. This is who we compete with. Are we out of line–really out of line?

Now I am going to run the letter I received from the person who left the draft of the W/S findings in my mailbox by the end of the week. I am having some software problems that my son and I are working on. Uploading has been a problem. But hopefully, we will have this rectified within a few days.

 

GIANTS WIN WIN !!!PUNK YOU PATRIOTS

  • By: Cindy

A Tribute to the NEW YORK GIANTS!!!

Billy Joel-New York State of Mind!!

 

Let's End Madness In Madison

  • By: Cindy

Courant.com

Let’s End Madness In Madison

Stan Simpson

February 2, 2008

“It’s a business …. doing pleasure with you.”

OK, OK, I’ve got another one: How do you further reduce the almost nonexistent crime rate in quiet, affluent Madison?

Fire all the police officers.

I’ve got more, but I suspect this isn’t going over well with the good cops in the MPD or the 18,000 residents of this shoreline community, known for its tranquility and prosperity. Seems like the only ones raising a ruckus around here are the cops. Four of the 26 have been fired in recent months. A fifth may be fired soon. And there could be more to come.

The on- and off-duty misbehavior includes patronizing prostitutes, cavorting with felons, witness tampering and workers’ compensation fraud. Another officer had resigned in 2003 after being accused of having sex with a teenager while on duty.

Before that, four officers were suspended for alleged sexual high jinks at a stag party. The low light of that night 10 years ago was a Madison police detective with his pants around his ankles being serviced by a prostitute.

There were no town homicides, rapes or aggravated assaults in 2006. There was, however, a spate of burglaries. The perpetrator? You guessed it. A veteran Madison police officer, making over $100,000 in salary, broke into local restaurants at night and stole about $900 worth of lobster.

“The police department has never been one of our most shining departments,” newly elected First Selectman Alfred Goldberg said. “Residents take a great deal of pride in this town, but the police department doesn’t make anyone’s top 3 list. We’ve had many fine officers here, but the culture is not what it should have been.”

The problems evolved from 1992, when Dennis J. Anziano, who was then the police chief, was fired. He was later charged by state police with misusing Madison’s tax-exempt status for personal use. Four years later, a consulting firm assessing the department found a force handcuffed by weak leadership and allegations of unethical behavior. Consultant Thompson S. Crockett wrote in 1997: “Fortunately, nothing has gone wrong of significant magnitude to severely embarrass the department or town. … But it’s only a matter of time.”

Ten years later, this is the pulse on the Madison sidewalks:

“It’s embarrassing” said Lyn Greenwood, a mother of two adult children. “Corruption in a police department is shocking, no matter where it is. We as parents are asking our kids to have certain standards — and kids are hypersensitive to hypocrisy.”

Frank Proto hears the chatter at his Head Start Barber Shop, particularly from the cops who aren’t causing the problems. “They’re the ones that are suffering the most,” he said. “A few of them come by to get their haircuts, and they feel embarrassed. They feel that everyone feels that everyone [in the police department] is bad.”

Madison doesn’t need yet another consultant’s report to state the obvious. The leadership in the police department is poor, the internal training is insufficient, and the hiring and promotion procedures need revamping.

A sweep of the bad apples and the department’s top commanders is the only way for Madison to restore public confidence.

Start with Police Chief Paul D. Jakubson, a 34-year veteran, who has been chief for 11 years. The department needs a new voice at the top.

Under Jakubson’s watch, it has become a bad joke.

EDITORS NOTE: I came across another Topix Forum that shares different views on the recent release of the Cheshire 911 Police Log regarding the Petit Home Invasion.

These are some opinions by different people. Cindy Kleists stance: I TOTALLY support the actions of the Cheshire Police Department. They acted correctly. And I feel sorry for Cheshire and Madison. They have good police officers and it is a shame!!

Click here for Topix Forum on Cheshire 911 Log Released.