Yearly archives: 2009

 

 

Happy New Year 2010

  • By: Cindy

I wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

I can’t believe I have finally made it to the end-the last of my four children will be an adult this year. I have a new job and will be moving the end of June come hell or high water. I know many of my haters will be happy I will be leaving Cheshire, but believe me, NOT AS HAPPY AS I WILL BE-NO COMPARISON!!

Now, I did want to again urge the Town of Cheshire, Ct. to go with this Sprung Instant Structure as the permanant covering for the Community Pool. The cost is supposedly 20 percent less than comparable permanent structures and it is relocatable. Apparently, it only takes a few days to put this structure up-which I believe would be ideal for Cheshire because it would lessen down time and probably would have little or no impact on the sports schedules.

Here is yet another link to SPRUNG INSTANT STRUCTURES.

Click here for more on SPRUNG (SPEED TO MARKET)-1000 square feet constructed IN ONE DAY!!

SPRUNG FAQS

The problem with the Cheshire Ct Community Pool is the DESIGN OF THE PERMANENT BUILDING THE BUBBLE IS ATTACHED TO. The bubble should have been set apart from the main building as was done at the Madison Swim and Racquet Club (which is another YMCA owned facility).

They have the bubble over the pool and over their tennis courts all winter long. It hasn’t fallen down or deflated. WHY?? Because the bubble is not attached to the building-so there is no leaking roof problem either. Water cannot pool on the roof in the winter and cause ice dams.

If SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO RUN CHESHIRE HAD BOTHERED TO LOOK INTO THIS DESIGN THAT MADISON IS USING-I know we could have saved thousands of dollars-but Cheshire DIDN’T BOTHER. TOO ARROGANT OR LAZY OR BOTH!!

The Madison Swim and Racquet design has that “tunnel” between the main building and their pool. THIS ELIMANATES WATER POOLING AND ICE DAMMING. If the permanent structure idea FAILS at a referendum, the town of Cheshire should seriously consider adding this tunnel. It probably would be cheaper in the long run than constructing a permanent structure. I will run the photos I took this past fall of the Madison Swim and Racquet Club under “Featured Photos” so you can see what I am talking about.

 

Could This Happen Here?

  • By: Cindy

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I came across an interesting story from the Montreal Gazette regarding a French family which recently emigrated to Quebec. As most of you know, Canada has free health care for all of its citizens and permanent residents. HOWEVER-if you decide to become a permanent resident, as a family member is attempting to do, you must pass a physical screening and be able to support yourself for AT LEAST THREE YEARS.

That means, no food stamps, welfare or any sort of assistance for a three year period. I know some of you out there are probably thinking, wow-this country really puts its foot down on people who try to immigrate to Canada.

WELL NOT SO FAST. READ THIS:

Click HERE

Flying to Canada

Click HERE

I also happened upon a local blog in the Meriden Record Journal, I believe it is the Orient Lodge that is discussing problems citizen journalists sometimes have when attempting to gather news, especially police news from cities and towns. This blog is focusing on problems they have been having with the Woodbridge Police Department balking on giving citizen journalists information on burglaries and other police news from Woodbridge.

Click HERE for story.

I remember when I was the editor of the Amity Observer in the mid-90′s. I had problems getting police news from Woodbridge. BUT what I did was work with them. I was very persistent. I went down to Police Headquarters just about every day for several weeks, and finally was able to convince the Police Chief to read me some of the police news, which did include housebreaks and burglaries.

Now mind you, I did not get the opportunity to peruse the police log as I did in Orange, but to me, the information I was able to gather at that time in 1996 was a big step. I also worked with the Woodbridge Police-I did feature stories on their department and called attention to different programs they provided to the public. I tried to show them that I would be fair and balanced, and it worked, albeit it was not easy.

I believe that just sending out emails to some police departments does not work. That does not make it right-information that is public should be AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PULL TEETH.

That issue with Woodbridge Police, sounded a bit like the issues I first had with the Cheshire Police Department a few years ago when I tried to get information, especially those Summary Call logs. Now it is no big deal-I ask for the information and I receive it-and I am just a citizen, not a journalist.

This is very gratifying to me. We have our differences but I believe I was able to get this information because I was persistent and worked with the CPD. One hand had to wash the other at times and that is what I did. I believe I was successful because of this. I also taught them that the world wasn’t going to come to an end because they were talked about-AND  NOT ALWAYS IN A GOOD LIGHT. We have come very far and I hope it will continue.

More later-stay warm.

 

Ticket to Ride

  • By: Cindy

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She’s Got a Ticket to Ride-AND SHE DON’T CARE”

The Beatles

I won’t be posting as much over the next two weeks.  I couldn’t believe it but I just received that Supplemental Car Tax Bill from Cheshire Ct. What is that?

I am testing a new feature: “YOU ARE BANNED” from the website. So whomever or whatever I am angry with at the time-WILL PAY THE PRICE OF NOT BEING TO ACCESS, ALBEIT TEMPORARILY, The GREATEST GIFT EVER TO CHESHIRE-THIS BLOG.

OK THE BAN IS LIFTED FOR A CERTAIN IP ADDRESS. DON’T MAKE ME ANGRY OR YOU WILL HAVE TO DO WITHOUT YOUR FIX!!!

Anyway, the bill got “lost” in transit so I had to call the Tax Collector’s office. I found out the bill isn’t due until February 1, 2010.  I asked if I could pay by credit card-FORGET THAT-THEY TAKE 3 PERCENT-So I guess I will pay it later-RIGHT ON THE DUE DATE.

I then found out that bill isn’t the whole car tax bill. I will be honest, I never pay the car tax because I just don’t.

I usually have the cars registered in my company’s name and they take care of it. But this car is for my daughter so I registered it in Cheshire. BIG MISTAKE!!

GOD, I found out the bill is going to be something like $200. I hate to pay it  especially to this stupid town, that will probably blow it on the pool or that police department,  but I don’t want her to have a problem. I really get upset when we are all paying our more than fair share of the property taxes and OTHERS still drive around with these out of state plates and get away with it.

You can get away with it  in Connecticut AT LEAST ONCE-if you hand in your plates to the DMV and then  transfer the title over to a friend and have them get new plates and register it. Then you can take the car. But the tax bill is due again, you may have to find another friend.

OH JUST PAY IT!!

Speaking of the pool, I really think the town of Cheshire is going to go for this Openaire which is fine. But remember, as I stated previously, the towns of Milford and Orange DID NOT PAY FOR THIS POLYCARBONATE GLASS ENCLOSURE WHICH AT THE TIME SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WAS A LITTLE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS. THE YMCA FUND RAISED AND IT WAS PAID FOR THAT WAY.

And probably, the taxpayers won’t go for an expenditure that high. Let’s see if the Republicans use the same scare tactics on the same elderly people they used to win the local election THEN DO THE SAME THINGS THE DEMOCRATS WERE DOING-CONSULTANTS-THE POOL, ETC!!

That reminds me of that line in The WHO song: “We Don’t Get Fooled Again” remember it?-

“Meet the new boss, SAME AS THE OLD BOSS”!!!

I will be honest with you, the Openaire structure is nice, but when I went to Milford to see it-I DIDN’T REALLY LIKE IT. I thought it was too confining. And hello, some Town Council member who went to see it for himself, THERE ARE NO SLIDING DOORS THAT OPEN ON THE SIDE. If you look at the photos I am still running, it shows regular glass doors that open like a regular door. And there were only a few of them surrounding the structure. That does not let in much air. The structure only opened on the top and to keep out the sun, they had to place an awning over it.

When I went last summer, IT WAS VERY WARM IN THERE. I also learned the water in the pool HAD TO STILL BE HEATED-so you won’t be saving any monies there. I don’t know, it did seem confining to me. IT WAS NICE ARCHITECTURALLY, but it was warm and confining.

I still believe the best option is to make the Community Pool ONE SEASON and STRIKE UP AN AGREEMENT WITH ELIM PARK. I am sure my boyfriend Ron Dischinger, whom I really love, he is so cute, will at least consider it.

If not, then put up a permanent structure AT THE HIGH SCHOOL WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!

Why does Cheshire insist on doing everything ASS BACKWARDS!!

I always wondered what these real estate agents tell prospective buyers with young children who are considering moving to Cheshire. Maybe I will pose as a prospective buyer some day and see what they say. I COULD JUST IMAGINE THE BULLSHIT!!

“Oh we have such nice amenities in Cheshire-LIQUOR STORES AND COFFEE SHOPS”!!

THE ANSWER TO THIS POOL IF THEY INSIST ON KEEPING IT FOUR SEASONS AND DON’T WANT TO BUILD AT THE HIGH SCHOOL IS THIS SPRUNG STRUCTURE. IT IS ALMOST LIKE A POP UP TENT. BUT IT IS SNOW LOAD SEASONED BECAUSE THEY CONSTRUCT THEM IN ALBERTA CANADA SO THAT IS NO PROBLEM.

I ran a link to this company last year, but here it is again.

SPRUNG INSTANT STRUCTURES-(ALSO RELOCATABLE)

Click HERE.

Finally: I just wanted to add a note: I am happy that Town Councilor Tim White has been focusing on the homeless. As you know, over the summer, into late July and August I went to several towns , (including Cheshire) with a few people  and held up a “homeless” sign. I worked with John Burgeson of the Ct Post for 11 years, he is a real standup guy and I miss working with him. Did you notice what his article said: nearly 30,000 people in Bridgeport are at risk of being homeless and some of them are-THAT IS  THE ENTIRE TOWN OF CHESHIRE!!

In fact: here  are snippets of the first article that ran on July 20, 2009:

HI EVERYONE: I HAD TO TAKE A FEW DAYS OFF FOR BUSINESS: I WILL BE BACK POSTING ON MONDAY!!

For most people in Cheshire, the title to this post is something that happens to someone else-someone you see on television-someone you read about in a news article.

But for me it was real-and will be real again.

Starting next week-I will be “homeless.”

I will be going to several towns-CHESHIRE INCLUDED-with my sign that says “homeless” and my sleeping bag. I will not be going to big cities-I will be going to towns that are middle to upper middle class-I want people to see that a homeless person is not a “bum”-someone that has their belongings tied to the end of a stick.

The sad fact-many homeless people are WORKING PEOPLE-they may have lost their job or jobs-fell behind on their mortgage or rent-could not pay up-and out they went-onto the street-into a homeless shelter-if it is not full-or of they are extremely lucky-moved in with a friend or relative.

Everyone SHOULD have a place to stay that is safe-THAT IS A PERSONS RIGHT.

Everyone who desires-should HAVE EMPLOYMENT AND THE DIGNITY OF EARNING A LIVING WAGE!!

I will be blogging about my “homelessness” but I will not be taking my camera-just words will do.

I did find an interesting “blog” from a person who was actually homeless-this was from a few years ago-but his writings are quite revealing. One does get a taste of how it really feels to be homeless-the hassle of finding a place to sleep that is safe-the humiliation of having to ask for help. It runs both ends of the spectrum-it is true survival.

That is why I found it totally shocking and insensitive that while the city of New Haven was closing a few homeless shelters, the former speaker of the Connecticut House was giving away over half a million dollars to Cheshire for artificial turf!!

Come on-look-I am totally for sports-I think the turf would look nice at Cheshire High School-I think our town should have artificial turf-BUT NOT NOW AND NOT THIS WAY!!

I will be more than happy to knock on doors to fundraise-the kicker-the town has to waive this $100 solicitor fee.

That is what put a damper on my spouse and I raising money for the fireworks-THE PERMIT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE-WE WOULD BE $200 IN THE HOLE TO START OFF!!

I know there will always be people that are down and out-that is life-but this town and other communities have got to start prioritizing-and artificial turf and this bottomless pit spending on this pool HAS GOT TO STOP!!

DRAW THE LINE NOW!! TAKE HOLD OF THE SPENDING-PRIORITIZE PLEASE!!

Here is the second article IN ITS ENTIRETY: “NOT A BEAUTIFUL DAY” posted on July 28, 2009:

There is an old song by the group U2 called “A Beautiful Day”

Well, that was the exact opposite of what I experienced on Monday when I was “homeless” for a day.

I started out in Cheshire early in the morning around 8 a.m.-of course I had NO CAR and NO MONEY even for a bus-so I had to walk-which wasn’t that bad except it was very very humid and in the high 80′s.

The first thing I did was to get in contact with Social Services in Cheshire-they were very accommodating-and gave me some insights as to how I would have to get in touch with different state agencies-like welfare and job services.

Then, I called 211 and asked for shelter-I told them I might have to walk if I could not get enough money by picking up cans-OF WHICH THERE WERE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

You can tell the economy is bad-there aren’t even any cans to pick up!!

So I was directed to the single adult shelter-run by the Salvation Army in Waterbury. FYI-The St. Vincent de Paul Shelter in Waterbury that shelters families WAS FULL!!

You have to remember, 70 percent that is right-70 percent of all Americans live PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK!!

This is why this ridiculous spending with this pool and other non essential show off items like the astro turf, and the track for starters-MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH-considering what I had to go through on Monday just to make it through the day!!

Keep in mind-people do this EVERY DAY!! I used to do it-and unfortunately, now I am grappling with flashbacks-I don’t think this was a good idea for me-I mean it IS A GOOD IDEA-but for me-it just brought back BAD MEMORIES!!

After spending hours picking up some cans-I did scrounge up enough money to get on the bus to Waterbury-but had to walk several miles to the shelter which is not really open until 7 p.m.

So for the next few hours-I went to air conditioned places-like Brass Mill Center-then was able to get back on the bus to Cheshire.

Once there, I got my sleeping bag and my sign that said “homeless” and proceeded to go out on Rt. 10-the first place I went was near the Stop and Shop Plaza more near the side of Webster Bank where there were some trees for shade.

Well, I swear to God, I wasn’t out on the street more than a MINUTE-when GUESS WHAT I SAW-YEP–THE CHESHIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT-two vehicles drove by back to back-one of them being that big gas guzzler SUV they still insist on driving-and to be fair, I see other Police Departments in other towns driving big SUV’s for patrol.

WHY??

Don’t believe the whitewash on the news-it is VERY distorted. Just go down to any Dept of Labor for a dose of reality-there is a security guard and A COP stationed there at all times now-don’t forget 15,000 people just exhausted their benefits!!

I would love to find out what will happen to most of them-but of course that is impossible.

Then about 30 seconds later-ANOTHER patrol car drove by followed by yet ANOTHER PATROL CAR!!

Now, I am known in town-can you imagine what would have happened if they did not know me and I WAS REALLY HOMELESS!!

I am sure I would have been “encouraged” to get off the streets as quickly as possible-as what happened to a friend who went to a lower Fairfield County town last year with her homeless sign-the police came up to her right away-and offered to DRIVE HER TO STAMFORD-to a homeless shelter because it “wasn’t safe to be on the streets in this particular town-(that has the highest per capital income in the U.S.)!!

GET IT!!

I called the Herald but of course do you think THEY WOULD DO A STORY ON A HOMELESS PERSON SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN CHESHIRE??

Doesn’t look right-doesn’t fit the bill-doesn’t fit the image-I will tell you one thing-when I sat down and pulled out that sign-I nearly caused a three car accident!!

People actually slowed to a near stop and stared!!

Why??

Because this DOESN’T HAPPEN IN CHESHIRE THAT IS WHY!! The homeless problem is somewhere else-people aren’t DOWN AND OUT in CHESHIRE-isn’t that true (to a certain UNION REP)!!

Then on top of it-I am sure I did not fit the “stereotype” of who SHOULD be homeless-bums, drug addicts- vets,trailer trash white chicks-blacks and other minorities-NOT A MIDDLE AGED WHITE WOMAN!!!

While I was out there-I wore reflective sunglasses so I could look at peoples reactions, without them seeing me looking at them-VERY INTERESTING!!

Most women-stared at me-and looked sad-most men (not all) just glanced fast and drove by-I actually had people walk and jog right by me-and not even slow right down-not even ask if I were OK!!

I had a couple of people laugh-but I really think it was an uncomfortable nervous laugh-NO ONE YELLED OR SAID ANYTHING THOUGH!!

I wonder if they talked about it when they got HOME-I hope they did!!

I am sure a few stuck ups that live in Cheshire called the police asking if they could get me off the streets-I AM SURE THAT HAPPENED!!!

A young high school girl and boy actually came up to me-told me they only had two dollars and were willing to give that to me!! SAYS A LOT FOR THEM AND NOT FOR SOME ADULTS DOESN’T IT!!

The boy told me that no on in Cheshire would help because he said the town was”heartless”

Strong words-don’t you think-for someone that young!!

He was probably right in a way-you see if it isn’t on national TV or out in the spotlight-most people can’t be bothered ACTING like they care!!

But in all honesty, I really believe most people were just caught off guard-they didn’t expect this-they did not know what to think-let alone stop their car and approach-probably not a good idea for many people.

I actually ran into two people-a black man and a white woman-who were waiting for the bus at the stop across from the Town Hall-they told me they have been homeless from time to time-it is hard-because many times you can’t stay with relatives and friends-it is too much of a burden-and I am sure the economic times are making people less receptive to taking people in.

When you are out on the street-you have to watch everybody and their every move-it is very draining. I felt really bad when I left to go home for the day-I thought about the people that don’t have a home-have to put up with the shelters at night-no privacy-little dignity-the stigma attached to it-then try to find a place to crash during the day-THAT IN ITSELF IS A FULL TIME JOB!!

But you know what upset me more-the Police Department that kept driving by all the time!! WHAT THE FUCK DID THEY THINK I WAS DOING?? CHRIST I WASN’T OUT THERE ONE MINUTE AND THE TOWN GOVERNMENT FELT THREATENED!!

“OH WHAT IS SHE UP TO NOW”!!

Yeah, I am probably one of the few people that don’t act like I have a stick up my ass-GROW UP AND GET A LIFE!!

That reminds me of the incident a few years ago when a homeless man tried to sit in the Cheshire library-YOU CAN TAKE IT FROM THERE!!

If the cops drove by me several times in less than a minute-you can imagine what this guy must have gone through.

In fact, the black dude waiting for the bus told me he notices the cops going up and down Rt 10 “an awful lot when I am sitting here”

IT FIGURES!!

I don’t know when I will continue this experiment-the Cheshire experience was very draining and depressing-I will keep you posted.

But it does put into perpective-how little our town officials AND MOST TOWN AND CITY OFFICIALS know and or care about spending priorities-

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK!!!

 

Fail

  • By: Cindy

I always get a kick out of those “fail” photos that are posted from time to time on “Failblog.” I am providing a link.

Click HERE

On the same note: I got an email from the High School about my son’s meal balance. So I decided just for the hell of it, to look at their lunch menu. I remember when the kids went to elementary school, they would post the menu and for some reason-those “breadstick dunkers” and that cheese stuffed pretzel would always be on the menu. I wanted to see if they were still being served. GUESS WHAT?? THEY ARE!!

I kept seeing WW Roll on the lunch menus, and I wanted to find out what that meant-I believe it is “whole wheat.”

But when I Googled that abreviation, I came across a lunch menu for November 2009 from Bozeman, Montana Schools.

WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THIS LUNCH MENU–OMG!! ARE THESE PEOPLE FOR REAL??? THIS IS THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LUNCH MENU. I COULD NOT FIND A HIGH SCHOOL MENU BECAUSE THE KIDS PROBABLY ALL DIED OF HARDENING OF THE ARTERIES BEFORE THE NINTH GRADE. I AM NOT JOKING. IT IS PATHETIC!! TAKE A LOOK AT “CHOICE ONE.” IT IS NASTY!! YEP, LETS HAVE CHICKEN AND MASHED POTATOES WITH A SALAMI SANDWICH!! YUM-SUCH NUTRITIOUS CHOICES!!

OK, they did offer  some fruits and vegetables but come on-would you want your kid to eat this ***t?? WHAT IS A RACING TACO??

Click HERE

More later.