Monthly archives: June 2008

 

 

Gouging

  • By: Cindy

Comedian George Carlin, whose videos I have featured regularly on this website, has passed away at age 71. Carlin told it like it was and will be missed by a lot of people.

I have just received reports from people who were in New Hampshire for Bike Week regarding gas prices and boy are we really getting gouged here in Connecticut.

In Tilton, New Hampshire, which is in the Lake Winnipesaukee region, a resort area, the gas prices at BJ’s was $3.85. At the Irving Gas Station across the street, near I-93, the price was $3.87 cents!!!

Speaking of gas prices we ALL are getting gouged in the United States big time, especially in the summer.

You see, in Canada, all gas stations have a sensor "chip" installed in the pumps to monitor gas temperature. This is not done in the U.S. and it should be because the U.S. gov’t defines what a "gallon" of gas is based on the 60 degree temperature.

The reason for the temperature monitoring is simple: when the weather gets hot, liquids expand, i.e. produce vapor. So when the temperature rises above 60 degrees, liquids expand and you get less "liquid" and more vapor. It is like measuring brown sugar. A "cup" of brown sugar packed down into the cup tightly, has more "volume" that a "cup" of brown sugar loosely poured into the cup.

Now, the problem with this temperature monitoring "chip" is that it costs approximately $12,000 per gas station to install. So you all know full well that gas stations are NOT going to bear the cost of this "chip" to ensure you get what you PAID FOR!!

The Federal Government which loves to waste our money, should bear the cost of this temperature monitoring chip to ensure people are getting what they pay very highly for these days.

Of course, hell will literally freeze over before our Government does something to benefit the consumer.

Even if you take away the gas tax in Connecticut, the New Hampshire gas prices are at least 45 cents cheaper. This is outrageous and our state legislatures are really pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes here with this phony "pay cash and the gas is 10 cents cheaper."" Big deal. Now it is $4.25 cents!! What a savings.

I mean think about it, New Hampshire is no where near a refinery. The oil and gas comes into NEW HAVEN CONNECTICUT harbor!! This fuel has to travel several hours to New Hampshire and their prices are STILL CHEAPER than Connecticut. Something to think about, like what is the REAL price of gas and oil?

Here is a link to New Hampshire gas prices. See for yourself.

Click here.

I also have a link to a topic that is not considered when purchasing a hybrid vehicle: What happens when one has to replace the battery?

Find out here

Here is a link to Connecticut gas prices

Click here

FYI: I hope the authorities find out what "happened" to 10,000 gallons of gasoline that is "unaccounted for" at the BP station near the Notch Store between Rt. 68 and Mountain Road. Oh, come on, you know what happened. Reports indicate the gas storage tanks are fairly new, gas prices are at an all time high, figure it out!!

Well, like a friend of mine said the other day, thank the current administration for turning us into MAD MAX. Remember that movie with hot Mel Gibson. I can watch that ALL DAY every day. I love the Road Warrior. It is my alter ego!! All kidding aside, do you remember that story line of that movie which is nearly 30 years old. The world had run out of gasoline. It was every person for themselves trying to exist in fuel starved world. HMM!!!

 

Consent Calendar

  • By: Cindy

THE VIDEOS OF CHESHIRE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION IS NOW POSTED UNDER "CHS GRADUATION 2008"

My daughter is singing in the Senior Chorus in Part 3. She is the last person standing to your right.

A local resident alerted me to a discussion by our Town Councilor Tim White regarding the possibility of our volunteer fire department becoming an all paid department. Apparently, this "idea" was put on the June 10th Town Council meetings Consent Calendar and was removed from that calendar on a motion by Councilor Tim Slocum. Apparently now, this "idea" will be discussed at the next Town Council meeting as a stand alone item where it belongs.

Now, I know a lot of you want to know what exactly is a "Consent Calendar." Well, here is your answer.

From: BOARDSOURCE

What is a consent agenda or consent calendar?

A consent agenda, sometimes called a consent "calendar," is a component of a meeting agenda that enables the board to group routine items and resolutions under one umbrella.

As the name implies, there is a general agreement on the procedure. Issues in this consent package do not need any discussion before a vote. Unless a board member feels that an item should be discussed and requests the removal of that item ahead of time, the entire package is voted on at once without any additional explanations or comments.

Because no questions or comments on these items are allowed during the meeting, this procedure saves time.

Items included in a consent agenda

Routine, standard, non-controversial, and self-explanatory are adjectives that well describe consent agenda items. The following are some examples.

  • Committee and previous board meeting minutes
  • Office reports
  • Routine correspondence
  • Minor changes in a procedure (E-mail is added as an acceptable method of communication to announce a change in a meeting schedule)
  • Routine revisions of a policy (Changes in dates or dollar amounts due to changes in laws)
  • Updating documents (Address change for the main office)
  • Standard contracts that are used regularly (Confirmation of using the traditional in-house contract with a new vendor)
  • Confirmation of conventional actions that are required in the bylaws (Signatory authority for a bank account or acceptance of gifts)

So, if one reads the BOLD print, one could use their imagination about why one would want the "idea" of the change from a volunteer to a paid fire department to be put on the consent calendar. Get it?

This step to an all paid fire department is a big step for Cheshire. I lived in cities and towns that had both, and frankly, I believe the volunteers did just as good as a job. I used to drive the Volunteer ambulance for Naugatuck years ago. I know, now I will hear–SO WHAT??? WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING? Answer: nothing–I just like to show off and brag– that is what!!!

But the bottom line, I believe is that SOMEONE or SOME ENTITY may feel a little more secure with a paid fire department over an all volunteer department. I don’t believe that reasoning is logical. Volunteer fire fighters are just as capable and dedicated as I have seen over the years as their paid counterparts. Example: The Town of Trumbull has a volunteer department and has had no problems responding to situations at Trumbull Shopping Park. I even had a video last year of them responding to the mall. The problem is that unlike Trumbull, which has several fire stations within a several mile radius of the Mall, and even in a dire emergency, they could use the Bpt Station on upper Madison Avenue near Puglio Park near St. Andrew’s Church, Cheshire does not have ANY fIre stations anywhere NEAR this proposed Lifestyle Center. The closest is in another town–Southington.

That is the issue: whatever money the town may make on this Lifestyle Center in the first year would probably be eaten up by salaries to pay the professionals. We need a fire station near this facility in the north end part of town in plain English!! Go call Trumbull and ask them how many stations they have within Westfield Shopping Town.

Speaking of driving, I got into a small accident today–the other driver left the scene, but luckily I was able to get the license plate. The accident was in Southington, but when I dialed 911 I got connected to Cheshire. The CPD came out within minutes and parked behind my vehicle so no one would hit my car. I thank them for that. And they were able to track down the other vehicle. Again, thanks to the CPD for their efforts.

Now in other developments, I did receive a reply from the Cheshire Police Chief regarding my post on THE Meeting where I had a link to an article that claimed that a motor vehicle stop program used by the Oakland Police Department was not detering crime.

The comment made by our Chief stated that Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Police Department’s motor vehicle stop program has been successful in reducing crime.

Apparently, the Oklahoma City Police Chief spoke recently on this very subject in Connecticut. Chief Cruess is going to forward me that information and I will run it when I receive it.

In the meantime, let us ponder these essays on the value of motor vehicle enforcement. I believe it can be a red herring and deter good people from coming to town at the expense of "reducing crime." I believe it has to be done with moderation or a municipality may end up cutting off its nose, so to speak, to spite itself.

MYTH
Police officers should be arresting criminals, not writing traffic tickets. 

FACT
Traffic enforcement regularly identifies criminals and results in
their apprehension.

...A license plate violation resulted in the apprehension of the
suspect in the Oklahoma City federal building bombing.

...During 1994, traffic enforcement stops in Grand Prairie, Texas
accounted for 66 percent of all warrant arrests and 50 percent of the
arrests made for non-traffic related offenses.

...In Peoria, Illinois, during 1994 and 1995, an increase in traffic
enforcement contributed to a six percent decrease in violent crimes
and a 12 percent decrease in crashes.

FACT
Drugs, weapons, contraband, fugitives, and illegal aliens are
frequently found in vehicles during “routine” traffic stops.

...During a traffic stop, a Glendale, Arizona officer recovered a
stolen vehicle, which led to the location and identification of shops
where parts from stolen vehicles were being sold.

...During 1995, through traffic enforcement efforts, the STOP program
in San Francisco resulted in 120 felony drug arrests, 84 loaded
weapons confiscated, 65 recovered stolen vehicles, 128 other felony
arrests, and 153 felony warrants issued.

...In October 1996, two suspects wanted in Ohio for a motel robbery
and kidnapping of a motel clerk were apprehended by an Indiana State
Trooper after stopping the suspect vehicle for speeding.

...In November 1995, an Albany, New York, police officer stopped a
vehicle without a front license plate. The vehicle was stolen and the
driver was wanted in connection with a New York City homicide.

...In July 1996, during a routine traffic stop, a Lincoln,
Massachusetts, police officer found a shotgun in the vehicle. The
shell casings matched those found at the scene of a double homicide.
Both occupants were arrested and charged in connection with the
murders.

http://chaskamn.com/policeold/crimeprev.htm

SAFE AND SOBER

...Safe & Sober combines public education with increased or additional
traffic enforcement in an effort to reduce deaths and injuries on
Minnesota roadways. Last year in Minnesota, traffic crashes cost 1.5
billion dollars, killed 600 and injured 46,064 people.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/lh/crime.htm

CanadianDriver
February 1, 2005
Traffic enforcement proven to reduce crime 

...In 1994, when police in Peoria, Illinois, decided to make traffic
enforcement a priority, something remarkable happened. As officers
issued 24 per cent more traffic tickets over the next two years,
traffic collisions declined by 21 per cent and total criminal arrests
increased by 34 per cent. Why? Because when officers pulled over
motorists for traffic infractions, they found weapons, drugs,
suspended drivers and wanted criminals. In other words, the Peoria
police discovered that policing the roads had the unexpected side
effect of making the entire community safer.

...Similarly, in 1993, New Year City under Mayor Rudy Giuliani adopted
and implemented its "Broken Window" approach to law enforcement. Built
on the belief that small problems lead to larger ones, the strategy
focused police efforts not just on serious offences such as murder,
assault and robbery but also on traffic violations, including lesser
misdemeanours such as jaywalking. The result, in just five years: the
city experienced a 44 per cent decrease in overall crime, including a
60 per cent drop in its murder rate.

 

CHS Graduation 2008

  • By: Cindy

Part 1

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Part 2

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Part 3

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A Joyful Night

  • By: Cindy

On Wednesday, Cheshire High School’s 54th commencement ceremonies took place. This was a happy time for my family–my daughter Cindy was one of the graduates. Cindy worked hard and garnered the love and support of her teachers and most of all–her family. Cindy always gave 100 percent and it showed. She got involved in high school activities, and conducted herself with grace and dignity.

I thank God for this day, and even though the weather was a little unsettled at time, we actually pulled it off and were able to stay outdoors for the entire ceremony. Albeit, the graduates and some members of the faculty and audience got rained on, the event went smoothly and much joy and pride was felt by all.

Many people think High School doesn’t mean that much anymore, because so much emphasis is put on college or university, but it still means a lot to family members of the graduates. It is the official right of passage from childhood into adulthood. You never forget your high school graduation-NEVER. No matter how far you go in life or what you accomplish, your high school graduation will always be there with you.

I have some photos I took of my daughter and our family at the CHS graduation. They are in the “Featured Photos” section. I took video, but I won’t be able to show it until Thursday. So be it.

Now, I know a lot of you are stressed out, as I am, especially since I had to delay my midwest trip until Saturday. But, I came across some STRANGE NEWS, so I am providing a link to it. I know you will get a few laughs out of it. So enjoy.

And to the 2008 CHS graduates: my “Featured Video” is the Beatles song–”In My Life” which was sung by the senior chorus at the CHS graduation of which my daughter was a member.

Click below for the strange news:

Strange News

 

Tornado Update K-State TV

  • By: Cindy

Here is just one of the updates presented a few days ago on K-State Television as a public service to the University and the city of Manhattan. A very difficult time for all. So sad. Listen to the moderator describe hail the size of softballs!! causing over a million dollars worth of damage to cars in the Manhattan area. And that was BEFORE the tornado hit.

FYI: Kansas State is in Manhattan, and Manhattan is in Riley County. People in Kansas always talk about their counties mostly because they are so large. Case in point, Riley County is the size of Connecticut.

Click here

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