Monthly archives: April 2008

 

 

Grievances

  • By: Cindy

I managed to get to the Town Manager’s office this morning before I went to work and received the latest grievances filed against the town.

It looks as if most of the grievances were filed by Public Works, a few by the Library and two by the Police Department. One, regarding the dress down day was already posted in the Waterbury Republican-American, but you can view the actual paperwork here.

Grievances

 

Interesting Reading

  • By: Cindy

Well, I will be following up on the grievances issue even if it is just to see what types were filed and what departments were filing them.

I may not publicize them, we will wait and see. The reason I quoted all of those Freedom of Information regulations was so that you would understand what is public information and what isn’t.

Now I did find some interesting reads regarding FOI cases and grievances filed against the town of Cheshire over the past dozen years or so.

There was one FOI case several years ago that caught my eye. It involved ALLEGED sexual harassment on the part of a town employee ALLEGEDLY against another town employee.

I know who was involved, but I will not expound on it further. You, the public, can do your own research. All I can say is that sexual harassment is disgusting. So is assault and battery. I know. I was the victim of this also, but I won!!

Most women and I am emphasizing MOST WOMEN, would not file a complaint such as this on a lark considering this case went to Federal Court under Title VII.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 

It is a tedious long, drawn out process. But the law is stacked against women most of the time.

I also sued in Federal court for Title VII sex descrimination and lost on one count.

There were 12 counts, I won 11 of 12. I waited FIVE YEARS. It was heartbreaking but these laws were reluctantly put into effect I believe to just shut people up. These laws are like the 25 mph speed limit signs.

They are there for you to see, but no-one pays them any mind. Those signs are practically invisible and ignored for the most part. It is disgusting. And you know what most men say, “oh she is making it up, or blowing it out of proportion.” No. I don’t believe that is the case most of the time.

I grew up around men and worked in men professions most of my life. So, I know how to handle it. Because believe me, men will be men. Most of them think below the belt. But there are women who don’t know how to handle it or won’t stand for any of it. Words may be one thing, but physical touching is another. One guy put his hands on me a few years ago and I quickly put and end to it with a swift kick in the joystick. Down on the floor he went. Case closed!!

Now here are the links to these other interesting cases.

Click here for first case

Click here for second case

This is some sort of union vote

Here is another FOI case

A Workers Comp case

I am sure there are many more, but I getting tired so let it be for now.

And one more thing: do the people who run the Town of Cheshire think that when I see the Herald I believe what is put in there, especially in the police log? Think AGAIN!!! Nice try, but no cigar.

 

 

The Right to Information

  • By: Cindy

Now I am going to again back up Town Councilor Tim White in his effort to have the Personnel Committee of the Town Council disclose how many grievances have been filed by the towns unions.

Usually, the FOI asks that requests for information be put in writing and the respondent has 30 days to respond. Beyond 30 days, the person requesting the information has the option to file a complaint with FOI.

Now I know from speaking with representatives of the Freedom of Information Commission that when a union files a grievance, it is public information. However, certain specific information may not be public, like medical information.

Here is the link to the Freedom of Information’s law on what can or cannot be made public, and I don’t see anything about grievance filings being exempt.

Click here for FOI Law

I did find an FOI case from 20 years ago filed by the New London Day which was attempting to get a police officers disciplinary record after his union had filed a grievance.

Click here for the Case

Freedom of Information Regulations in its entirety.

It was interesting to read the Waterbury Republican American story on the dress down day grievance that was published I believe at the end of last month (March).

There were two comments in the comment section under that story. One of the commenters was “Joe” who said “there is more to this story.” Do we know who “Joe” is?

If we do, we might have our fingers do the walking this weekend. I love juicy gossip.

BREAKING NEWS: Some of the people who run Cheshire must have visited North Korea!!

Click here to see

 

Veritas

  • By: Cindy

“Veritas” is Latin for truth. This is a word that seems to be in short supply these days, Cheshire included.

Now I received a few phone calls the other evening from several town residents who told me they were watching the Cheshire High School news and information show entitled “The 525 Revue.”

I saw this show a few times and it is really professional. The children have so much to be proud of. They cover issues at the high school, around town and even have public service annoucements and “skits.” It is very well done and well received as it should be.

However, a few people alerted me to the show that ran this past Monday, which would have been April 7th in which a reference was made to the “proposed” lifestyle center.

I only saw a few seconds of the segment, and to cover myself, I had someone else in my family watch it Wednesday night because I had to go to a meeting and wasn’t going to be home when it aired at 7 p.m.

Apparently a statement is made by one of the student reporters that the lifestyle center would be completed by September of 2009. 

 Now let me make one thing clear–I am not putting any questions on the student who gave out this information. The student received this information from someone. The student did an excellent job. The students’ work was of better quality than some of the major news channels!!

I would like to know who gave her this information. If it was heard incorrectly or taken the wrong, way  please write and I will correct it.

  I contacted the Planning and Zoning office Wednesday and asked them what the story was because I was under the impression the site plan was not even submitted by W/S Development yet.

The Planning and Zoning  office confirmed that W/S Development has not submitted a site plan map as of this posting. In fact, I was told by the P &Z office that W/S is not on the agenda for the rest of April.

The only concrete developments was the change from the original Interchange Zone to the Special Development District. And a few months ago the Planning and Zoning Commission and Inland Wetlands approved the first phase which would lead up to a site plan being approved.

I am going to take it as a misconception. I mean look, the site plan, unless it is absolutely outrageous and deviates drastically from what W/S has been posting on their website and placing in advertisements, will probably be passed, again, the town goverment seems to be jumping the gun and being a little overzealous, given the current state of the economy, I am wondering if this Lifestyle Center WILL be built.

Don’t get me wrong, I will go up there and shop. This does not bother me at all. I am concerned for the environment, but I grew up in a city with mixed use, dense housing and traffic jams galore, so that is not an issue with me.

Speaking of the Lifestyle Center and the arch, a local resident Al Sanders, sent me this information that I wanted to share with all of you.

As you might know, my daughter, Laurie Sanders was the first Cheshire Environmental planner and had large following for her enviromental articles in the Cheshire Herald and her many nature walks.  She has a radio  program on WFCR FM 89.5 that is broadcast Mondays around  6:35 Am and 8:35AM.
 
Her philosophy is that there is a balance between development and protecting the environment and that the best way to protect the environment is by making people aware of the natural world around them. The result is that her broadcasts are informative and upbeat and are used by educators and students. Field Notes has a very large audience and gets the most hits on the WFCR website. 
 
The following is a link to her March Broadcast that includes interviews with some Cheshire residents at the Farmington Canal Lock. I think you will enjoy it.
 
 
http://www.wfcr.org/field_notes/naturalareas/080331_FN_canals%20.mp3
 
To access the archives of all of her broadcasts click on the following link. Included are many broadcasts on interesting parks, trails and places where you could enjoy the natural work.  
 
http://www.wfcr.org/field_notes/index.html
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