Monthly archives: June 2008

 

 

Waste Barrels Gone

  • By: Cindy

barrels

As I spoke about on the last post, I received word that the “Waste Barrels” on the abandoned site of the old Huxley gas station/garage had been removed. I had posted the photos of the waste barrels on the post “Waste Barrels” the beginning of the week. So here is the photo that shows not only the barrels removed, but the grass and tall weeds cut down. It sure makes for a more presentable look. I mean, this property is worth a fortune and it is located smack in the middle of Cheshire on Rt 10 for God’s sake, you would think the property would be kept presentable for a prospective buyer.

Now the next photo I should be taking is the site of the old Wachovia Bank also near the Seven Eleven, right past the Congregational Church. This property is on the corner of Rt. 10 and Cornwall Avenue.

This property is also “unkempt.” If one drives by the property, or better yet, while one is stopped at the traffic light, which is even worse, one can really take in the “view.” Weeds are covering the strip near the street and the lawn really needs reseeding. I thought this house was in the Historic District. Well maybe the owners are trying for an authentic “historic” look. Like it’s been ages since someone has taken care of the property.
I know the actual house was painted a few years ago, but I noticed when I drove by, that one of the shutters is falling off!! This is ridiculous. I feel like going over there with my small brush cutter and just mowing everything down myself.

To change subjects a bit, if any of you read the news, especially my news feeds on my site, then you know that you are seeing a disturbing trend–more crime. I think we are entering a difficult phase in our society. With rising energy prices, people who could live on one or even two jobs, are now finding it nearly impossible. Believe me, I know, I look for work all the time. I make good good money when I work, but I have gaps.

We had a discussion in our house about this and really at this time, do support and advocate the addition of another police officer. At first, I thought it was a waste of money and did not say anything when the majority party of the Town Council voted not to fund an additional officer. But now, I believe this was a mistake.

And you know the ONLY reason why the majority party DID NOT vote for an additional police officer was because the minority party WANTED IT. Oh, come on, stop the political game playing now, and don’t say you don’t engage in this activity because you do.

People are flipping out for little or no reason at all. Just watch the video on my “Featured Media” Home Page. This guy is unbelievable. I’ll be honest, if that happened at my job, I would have taken something and clunked him over the head, just to be able to do it!! YEAH!!! WEIRDO!!

There is no sound on the video, but it appears that another employee knocks over the ballistic man’s paperwork. It looks like the employee in the white shirt, maybe a supervisor, tries to pick up the papers and put it back on ballistic man’s desk, when ballistic man loses it, says something to the employee in the white shirt and then goes on a rampage.

APPARENTLY MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS VIDEO IS A FAKE. LOOK AT THE MONITOR THE BALLISTIC MAN THROWS. THERE ARE NO CORDS OR WIRES ATTACHED TO IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK? REAL OR STAGED?

Honestly, when I saw this video for the first time, I thought this might have been the reaction by someone in the Town Hall if I had gotten on the Town Council!!

HMM!! I wonder what bathroom that ballistic guy uses??

Speaking of flipping out–business is booming apparently for the Repo people, you know the people who reposess your vehicle when you bought something you really couldn’t afford in the first place and now with fuel prices going through the roof, you REALLY can’t afford.

Click here to read about that

And even our blue line has to tow the line and cut back. Here is an interesting read on this “Greencastle, Indiana” police department cutting back on personal use of police cruisers. I like the part about “letting a family member or a friend out of the patrol car in the event the police officer is called to an emergency.” WHAT??

I wonder if that is a problem here.

Click to read

When will gas hit $7 a gallon, if ever?

Click here to listen to NPR’s take on this issue.

 

Requests

  • By: Cindy

UTH will be undergoing some maintenance, so the site may be down for a while. Just keep checking back. Thanks for your patience.

Now I have a request to post a link to the “Police Complaint Center” which you may access below. This site has been around for a few years. It is relatively good, but as is sometimes the case, I think some of their “investigators” go a little overboard or push buttons, to say the least, in an attempt to get a reaction.

Now by posting this, in no way do I believe most cops are bad. Most cops are good and work hard and put their lives on the line every day. The Cheshire Police Department is no exception. Just because I yell at them once in a while doesn’t mean I don’t respect law enforcment. I DO!!

Believe it or not, I traced back some of my relatives and my great-grandfather was a Carabinieri ( the equivalent of a State Police Officer) in Italy!! So THERE!!

We have some issues and some misunderstandings, but hopefully soon, the Town Manager will let me speak to the Police Chief so we can iron out these issues.

Our officers are professional–some take the badge too seriously, like a big ego trip, but that is normal. They are the authority so they have to act like the authority RIGHT?? RIGHT!!

Now I received correspondence a while back from a resident who wanted to know if I like anyone on the CPD. I wrote this person back, (they actually gave me their name), and I told them I liked the CPD on a whole, but one officer I really like, is Officer Nastri. This man is a real police officer and a professional at all times. He doesn’t act macho and take advantage of his power. Every cop should model him or herself after Officer Nastri.

So there you have it. I don’t hate anyone but when things have to be said they are said, so be it. I hope I cleared that up and NOW GROW UP WILL YOU!!

Here is the link to the Police Complaint Center

UPDATE: I just received word that the “WASTE BARRELS” on the old Huxley lot have been removed. I will try to go over their Thursday or Friday. I was told the grass was cut and the barrels removed. So I will have to see. If this is the case, I wonder where they took the barrels? Well, we can’t ask for everything now, can we?

I trust they were removed in a safe manner.

P.S. So you all don’t think I am a complete cad when it comes to our law enforcement personnel, here is the link to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund site.

Click here

 

Pool Usage

  • By: Cindy

This photo was taken this past Saturday, May 31, at approximately 12:30 p.m. The question: why is NO-ONE at the pool? Answer: a swim meet had just concluded, that is why.

Now, I don’t have a problem AT ALL with the SWIM TEAM or any swim team or anyone using the pool, i.e. the YMCA, or any organization. The pool is there to be used and these people use it. GREAT!!

But, there are some people in town who are claiming that between the private uses of the pool and the swim meets, they can’t use the pool when they want to.

I even had someone tell me that when there are birthday parties at the pool, the shallow end is not available to the public.

So, let us try to put to rest all this mis-information as best we can here. I did contact the Cheshire Community Pool on Monday to try to find out exactly what the story is.

Now I know from my own experience that when I have gone swimming at the pool even in the Winter, even when there was a birthday party, I could swim where ever I wanted to–no problem.

Now as far as swim meets go, I have been at the pool when a swim meet takes place. The pool personnel may close off some of the laps for the swim meet–DUH!! but you are technically able to use the rest of the pool. I admit though, it is a little uncomfortable and I sort of felt out of place because my swimming is bad to say the least!! And honestly, I felt as if I were in their way. But technically, no-one told me or any other member of the public to leave the pool.

There are swim meets when the entire pool is closed to the public, but there is a sign at the pool notifying patrons when these meets will take place. Unfortunately, if you don’t go to the pool all the time or don’t make a mental note, you may forget. What needs to happen, as was relayed to one of the pool staff members I spoke with briefly Monday, is for the Staff of the Community Pool to put the swim meet schedule on the Community Pool website. Then at least, people would know in advance.

As far as the Scuba lessons, the birthday parties and YMCA activities, I don’t feel they interfere with my swimming. I mean, these people don’t use the kiddie pool where I swim!! so it is not a problem for me.

But some members of the public feel these groups use the pool too much and it is turning into a private pool. Then, you have the other side that feels they have as much of a right as possible to use the pool, especially if they paid for lessons.

“Well, I paid for a season membership,” one resident said, “Why can’t I use the pool when I want. I want to use the whole pool, not part of it. If that is the case, I want to pay a partial membership. It seems like everytime I go down there, some private event is taking place.”

The Town has to deal with this issue, because in the long run, the residents of this town are paying to support this pool, which is getting more and more expensive. Hopefully, serious discussions will take place. I suggest an informal round table where people from the community can get together and vent (and discuss).

Now, here is the schedule that appears on the Cheshire Community Pool website. Scroll down past the application to see the schedule.

Click here

And as far as pool fees go, I found a Community Pool website with a newsletter from Washington State. This pool has a “bubble” on it also. But, they charge a LOT more than Cheshire, like $80 a month for a resident family membership. I believe the town is Bellevue, Washington, which is a suburb like Cheshire.

Click here for their newsletter and pool fees.

Another town, Mamaroneck, N.Y., also had the bubble roof at their community pool, but just recently replaced it.

Click here to read about it

Ok, now you may have a problem getting to the library this month because of “Photography by Gordon and CIndy Kleist.”

The photos are IN THE MOSS ROOM upstairs to the left where the videos are!! I know the police will be issuing a traffic advisory because of the gridlock, but believe me, it is worth the wait.

And once again, If you wish to purchase a photo, we will donate the money to the Library, Cheshire Youth Baseball, Relay for Life, or any charity you wish. There is a $20 minimum donation.