Monthly archives: January 2009

 

 

Thank God!!

  • By: Cindy

Shepard Fairey's mural of Barack Obama

“WE ARE THE ONES WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR”- Barack Obama

CNN LIVE FEED FROM THE INAUGURATION

INAUGURATION STORIES

POLITICAL HOTSHEET

OBAMA COOL AND CALM ON EVE OF PRESIDENCY

Obama Imposter Arrested in France Internet Stunt

Barack Obama Takes OfficePhoto Gallery

President Barack Obama

It has been a LONG eight years. Can you believe it.  I have a few friends who are down in D.C.

Hopefully they will be able to shoot some video and photos.

I know my husband is depressed that Bush is leaving the White House. The REPUBLICANS ARE SORE LOSERS–ALL THE TIME!!

Well, you had your day, now it is time for ours.  So much hope is riding on this man. I know he will take it  one day at a time-he has to. And I don’t believe anyone expects a miracle fix from Obama either.

All I can say is–GOODBYE A##HOLE FROM EL PASO!!!!

UPDATE: I DID TAKE A FEW MORE PHOTOS FOR THE CHESHIRE: THEN & NOW PROJECT. This SHOULD be the final final version, but you never know!!

There is a MISTAKE-but it is being corrected. I am going to run this version, my son is making the correction: it should say “CHURCH PLAZA NOW-NOT CHURCH PIZZA.

BUT FOR THE REST OF MONDAY-I WILL BE RUNNING THE VIDEO  I TOOK OF NOW PRESIDENT OBAMA SPEAKING IN ROCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

 

The ANSWER to the Pool Problem

  • By: Cindy

UTH TV presents: “Dangerous Intersections & The Community Pool. This show originally aired in 2005 and I do talk about putting up a sign which the town of Cheshire finally did a few weeks ago–it only took four years!!

Again, my apologies-the quality is poor-especially at the end-but the message is what is important. You will have to TURN up the volume.

As most of you know, the boiler at the pool cracked. Apparently it had something to do with a “louver” on the boiler shutting. So what is a “boiler” and what is a “louver” Click here to find out

Here is an interesting piece about the end of the Bush era and beginning of the Obama Presidency

The Long Lame Goodbye

For laughs: here is a Saturday Night Live skit: “Gitmo-Going out of Business Sale”

Lastly: Lennie Grimaldi of “Only in Bridgeport” blog talks about Bpt native Jim Amann and his (Grimaldi’s) latest book: “Bow Tie Banker”

Click here

MORE NEWS UPDATES:

The Journal-Register is closing eight more of its small weekly papers-this is what happens when you run a newspaper just to make a profit and do not care about the CONTENT!!

Click here for story

New England Bankshares announced on Jan 14th it had acquired Apple Valley Bank & Trust for $7.3 million.

click here for story

The New Haven Independent is reporting the New Haven stretch of the Farmington Canal from Hillhouse Avenue to Cornwall Avenue in Cheshire, a total of 12 miles-has now been completed.

Click here for Courant article

After many months of research-I have come up with the answer to the Cheshire Community Pool’s roof problem:

Click here

No only kidding!! I don’t want to get another call from the Police!! (Don’t some of you wish though)?

Seriously, there is a product called ETFE which was used to cover the Aquatic Center during the 2008 Bejing Olympics.  This product is cheaper than a polycarbonate glass roof enclosure and is ENERGY EFFICIENT.

Seeing what happened at the pool this past Friday because of the cold-cracked boiler-NOTE: I DID HEAR about this around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, but the “source” mentioned the boiler and the pipes. I played it safe and went with the frozen pipes because the “source” was a bit hesitant. Lesson: trust your first instinct: the source was right on with the cracked boiler.

More ETFE information

How Bubble Wrap Could Power the Future

 

Suggestions

  • By: Cindy

UPDATE: A Cheshire woman who worked in the Hamden Police Dept. Records Room has been charged with theft.

Click here for story

I also have learned that because of the extreme cold, a wing of Norton School in Cheshire was shut down  Friday because of frozen pipes.

I don’t have to worry about  that happening in my HUSBANDS house here in Cheshire that I call the “Vampire Chinese Water Torture Home.“

There is NO SUN and all the faucets drip constantly.

I know I am making White-Bowman a multi-millionaire!!

That is why I CAN’T WAIT to get the hell out of this house NEXT SUMMER!!!

Also, apparently the Soviet Swim Center was having frozen pipe problems on Friday.

Oh here we go, another $35,000 down the drain (no pun intended).

L:ooks like UTH was right on the money with the pool costs!! AND YOU READ IT HERE FIRST!!!

I want to thank Susan Raff from WFSB Channel 3 for coming out to my home on Thursday afternoon. I don’t know when and if this story is going to air. I think they will try to tie it in with Gov. Rell extending the unemployment benefits, for those still totally unemployed, for an additional 13 weeks, then go to the call center issue. I don’t know.

The news business changes from minute to minute. This story would probably have aired on Thursday during the 6 p.m. newscast, but as most of you know-that plane crash in NYC knocked every other story out of the box. So be it.

The bottom line: at least the people  in charge know the media is watching-so hopefully things will continue to change for the positive. At least they have extended the  claim filing hours on the computer and the phones. It doesn’t say “system unavailable” after 7 p.m. So that is a positive sign.

click here for CTDOL website

You will notice on the upper right hand side in a yellow box there is now a reference to “extended” claim filing hours-that is new. Also, in the yellow box it states that a claimant will not lose out on a claim if they have problems getting through to a representative-that is new as of Jan. 14th, as is the extended filing hours.

I know that Cong. Chris Murphy got into the act and toured one of the call centers-so that should make some sort of inpact.

And when Channel 3 was at my home, I showed them some inquiries to my blog regarding not being able to get through to the Telebenefits line.

And I also was shown an email by a woman who has been unemployed for four months, and has only been able to get to a customer service representative ONCE!!

UPDATE: The Ct Dept of Labor Call Centers will be OPEN on Monday!!

Well, one good piece of news: at least the roads were plowed and sanded. But I found out from my spouse that he had to call Thursday morning for the plow to come down our street AGAIN!!

Our area is in a high elevation and doesn’t receive a lot of traffic-so it would be prudent to plow our area and other areas in town which fall into the same category-FIRST!!

Don’t wait until the school buses have to go out and attempt to navigate icy roads. But then again, how many times can you keep saying the same thing?

As I stated in previous posts, the town of Cheshire is taking under serious consideration-posting videos of the Town Council meetings on the Cheshirect.org website. Hopefully this will take place within a few weeks I hope. I don’t know what the big holdup is.

Another thing I would like to see is a splash page with a little welcome video from Town Manager Michael Milone.

The Town Manager is very comfortable in front of the camera-he has experience from his “Your Town Government” shows he airs every once in a while. So this would not be out of his comfort range.

Also, a nice little vignette about Cheshire-would fit the bill. This is exactly what is being done on the Town of Trumbull website I am linking you to.

First Selectman Ray Baldwin does a fair job. Although he does look a little uncomfortable in front of the camera, but I do give him credit for doing this video. It is more than Cheshire does.

This town needs to start reaching out to its communicty. Start with the website. Put some photos of Cheshire on it. Put a few videos about Cheshire and the different events that take place in town. The Cheshire Chamber of Commerce splash page is excellent. Take a hint Cheshirect.org!!

This is a link to TrumbullNET which is part of the Town of Trumbull, Ct. website. The video box has several categories as you will see. The first is “welcome” that is when you will see and hear First Selectman Ray Baldwin Jr. talk about Trumbull. Then the virtual tour of the town begins.

You will also notice there are “ads” from different businesses on this site. If you click on these ads a video advertisement of that business comes up. It is like a commercial Good idea.

Helps to defray costs and spotlight local businesses.

GET GOING CHESHIRE and while you are at it– DUMP THAT WEASEL MUSIC! on the “Your Town Government” shows!!

GO TO music.download.com AND FIND SUITABLE BACKGROUND MUSIC WILL YOU!!

Click here for TrumbullNET

Another idea I came across is from Fairfield, specifically the Fairfield Police Department. I think this idea is great. It is called “Cop Cards”

It consists of photos of police officers. The cards are offered for a fee to businesses. The names of the businesses are then imprinted on the back of the cards which are given out to the public. GREAT WAY AGAIN TO RAISE MONEY AND SPOTLIGHT THE BUSINESSES IN TOWN.

It also helps the police  stay in touch with their community. Cheshire PD needs to be doing this and realize they will not break out in a rash if they interact more with their fellow residents!!

Click here for Cop Cards

 

The Right Path

  • By: Cindy

UPDATE: Susan Raff of Channel 3 stopped by my home at 1:30 p.m to discuss the problems I and many people, including my friend have had getting through to the Telebenefit Unemployment Line.

I”ve noticed on the CtDOL website that as of JANUARY 14th, there are extended hours to file for benefits on the computer!! Also the lines don’t seem to be as tied up!!

But, at 3p.m.Wednesday I could not get through.

LUCKILY, SUSAN ALSO HEARD “ALL CIRCUITS ARE BUSY” when we called to check on the Telebenefits line around 2:30 p.m. Thursday!!

I notice my street is getting plowed NOW!! In fact, they have been up and down this street so many times I think the pavement is coming up!!

What a difference A FALL makes!! Besides it would be embarrassing if Channel 3 got stuck in the snow wouldn’t it!! Keep up the good work DPW!!

As I have stated before, I have a close friend that will soon be bald from pulling her hair out from the stress of being laid off on top of having to walk on thin ice praying she will not have to ever again try to contact the Telebenefits line and hear “all circuits are busy” or ” due to heavy call volume, your call cannot be processed at this time. Please call back again later.”

I myself have had to collect from time to time and I have had to go through this latest round of waiting to be connected, hangups and busy signals, so hopefully after speaking with Channel 3 the problem will be alleviated.

You see, I get what I am entitled to-believe me. It would not bother me to sit all day and all night at that State Capitol or at the Labor Department Commissioners office-no problem. But as you know, most people don’t have the stamina or resolve that I do. NO ONE will deny me my due in life-NO ONE!!

The Federal Government is paying for the extended unemployment. So I don’t know why I am hearing the two call centers are not fully staffed. WHY are there EMPTY DESKS when people are waiting hours on end to speak to a customer service representative-but that is the reward you get IF you can ever get through on the line.

WHY?? Someone in this state has to answer for this. As I said to my friend, it isn’t the cog (the state workers) it is the Big Wheel. I know Connnecticut has a “hiring freeze” but this program is now being funded by the Feds, so what is the problem? Why this mentality of letting people become more and more frustrated. Doesn’t anyone care?

Now I am hearing our State Legislators were asked  to take a five percent pay cut-THEY SAID NO!! 35 said yes, 111 said no. This was in the House. They apparently get $28,000 a year plus full medical benefits, plus mileage plus thousands of dollars in expense reimbursement. DO YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN? OUT OF TOUCH!!.

Most of these people HAVE OTHER JOBS-THIS IS JUST EXTRA MONEY. BUT WILL THEY MAKE A CONCESSION–NO!!

Then they expect the unions to cut back? And you expect these people to ‘understand the plight of the unemployed? BEYOND SHAME!!!

The day may come when the Government won’t or can’t fund this unemployment program anymore. While the money is available, KEEP THE CALL CENTERS FULLY STAFFED!!

Is Connecticut, as is many other states who have experienced these call center meltdowns, waiting for President-Elect Obama’s miracle cure? What if it doesn’t come to pass? WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR?? The Second Coming??  This is affecting peoples lives, their health their very existence.

PLEASE STATE OF CONNECTICUT–WAKE UP!!

Now I have decided to add a few more photos to the “Cheshire: Then and Now” project. I will be adding Wallingford Road by the Town Hall and South Main Street looking North.

What a beautiful town Cheshire WAS!! As I stated before, some parts of Cheshire are still nice, but the infrastructure ISN’T.

Look at the old photo of S Main Street looking north from the Foote House-this is across from Seven Eleven now. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. THE NICE TREES THE NICE HOMES. VERY INVITING.

I am fascinated with this now and want to keep going with the project. The way it is progressing, it might turn into a mini-series.

Anyway, I do not intend to influence a certain commission, but I hope they LOOK at the old photos, especially of West Main Street- before they make a decision on that certain housing development-remember-we have zoning FOR A REASON.  That area needs a serious makeover as it is-jamming more housing into it isn’t going to help!!

The other issue I wanted to talk about centers around out of state license plates. With tough economic times, I know many communities are trying to go after people who move here from another state and just don’t bother registering their vehicles here-resulting in a loss of property tax revenue.

I did call the  Town of Cheshire Tax Collectors office  asking about this very issue, but  unfortunately, there is really no way for them to enforce this law without turning everyone into a “tattletale” remnant of cold war East Germany with the Stasi.

Connecticut General Statute 14-12(a)(2) states that if a resident of Connecticut operates a motor vehicle OWNED by him or her with out of state plates, it is a Misdemeanor Offense punishable by up to 1 year in prison and/or a $1,000.00 fine.

It sounds tough and it is-but the law really has n teeth sadly, because I am sure Cheshire and other towns could use this lost revenue. It is stealing and cheating.

In fact, I have a link to a court case a few years ago out of North Stonington where a resident attempted to sue two police officers from that town who kept pulling over his commercial painting van because it was registered in New Hampshire when the officers knew this person actually lived full time in North Stonington.

If a person resides six months out of the year in another state, then they CAN have the out of state plates. But in the above situation, that was not the case.

Well, the owner of the van sued the North Stonington P.D. for violation of his constitutional rights. The defendants, the Stonington P.D. asked the court for Summary Judgment (the case to be dismissed).

Here is what happened:

To rap it up: let’s look at what some other towns in Connecticut and in the country are trying to do about this out of state plate issue.

“Plates Signal Need for Registration Drive”

“Out of State Plates a Concern”

“Out of State Plates Serve Up High Costs”

“Car Tax Scofflaws In Waterbury”

“Out of State Scofflaws Get Free Ride”

In the spirit of “Cheshire: Then & Now” I hope you enjoy a project by some friends who took it a bit further: Montreal: Winter vs Summer or Montreal: Hiver/Ete.

 

Some Issues

  • By: Cindy

I have been getting a lot of support on UTH For Members Only regarding this “statement” about getting beaten up in the Town Hall parking lot if any of you did not support the senior tax freeze.

I am very upset about being questioned about this issue by the local authority.

NO ONE CAN QUESTION MY WORK-NO ONE.

NO ONE DARES QUESTION MY INTENTIONS-WHICH ARE ALWAYS TRUTHFUL AND HONEST.

Don’t you people know how blessed and privileged you are to be able to receive one of God’s gifts–Undergroundtownhall? Are you taking this blessing for granted? I think you are!!

Now I will throw a temper tantrum and NOT POST FOR A FEW DAYS.

OK. I lied. I am over my temper tantrum!!

Well as most of you know, the Town Council DID extend the “sunset” on the Senior Tax Freeze to Sept. 30th 2010, and approved a slight increase in the income levels of the Senior Tax Credits. The first program is just for Cheshire-the latter is state initiated.

Now even though no one DARED speak against the tax freeze, so  I didn’t have to take off my brass knuckle belt buckle, I did hear from a few of you who wanted to know what issue Town Council member Tim White was talking about regarding the Cheshire Senior Tax Freeze.

Councilor White wants the Senior Tax FREEZE not to be confused with the Senior Tax Credits (which he supported) to be “targeted”

I can’t speak for Tim and I won’t but I believe he wants the freeze to be applied to people who are really needing of it. Now of course, every senior says they are needing of this freeze and more than likely most of them are.

But unfortunately we cannot flush a program as this down the toilet because maybe several people out of the 400 or so seniors that are receiving this tax freeze in Cheshire may be cheating!! I mean that is akin to eliminating the Federal income tax because some people know how to skirt the law; or eliminating automobiles because some people speed or drive under the influence.

I respect his intentions but as we all know, the world is not perfect-just me!!

I am not going to get into details because Cheshirect.org, the Cheshire Government (oops,I almost said gooferment) website will list all the details.

What is great is that Cheshire”s income limits for the Tax Credit (the state program) allows for a married couple to make up to $50,000 and still qualify. The state income limit on this program for married couples is $37,300- so Cheshire is VERY generous.

FYI-For singles the state income limit is $30,000. Cheshire’s limit is $46,600.

I believe the Senior Tax Freeze costs this town a little over $400,000 a year and the cost hasn’t really increased. Boy-talk about “what a difference a day makes” Just think about it-when this idea was first proposed-the town government did not want it. Now they brag about it!!

Now I want to switch gears a bit and get into this property revaluation issue that is really getting under peoples skin.

Yahoo News has a great discussion on this very issue:

Click here for “Why Does Your De-valued Home Have Such A High Tax Rate?

This isn’t the first big recession if you will. Here in photos from Time.com-the recession of 1958.

Click here

To close: did you ever wonder how a police interrogation works? I know they are wondering about that very issue at the Cheshire Police Department.

So, to help them along, I have a link to a really well written article (no, believe it or not I DID NOT WRITE IT and it is still good), detailing what takes place during a police interrogation.

Click here