On Saturday, June 28, my curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to go to Mixville to see if it was as “awful” as some people are making it out to be. Also, I wanted to see if those dogs had driven away the geese as I recently read in the newspaper. As I drove in, I’ll be honest, I did not expect to see that many people there.

I’d say it was around 4 p.m. when I arrived. The place was PACKED!!. Albeit, it was sweltering so it was good to see the park being used. I was sweltering too because my air conditioner was not working AGAIN!! But alas, I know why. Partly old age nearly 25 years old, and partly that for some technical HVAC reason, when we had our new furnace put in over the winter, I guess the new components are not “compatible” with the old air conditioner. So—REST IN PEACE old air conditioner. Out with the old and in with the new (hopefully within a few days, because if you think I am a bitch normally, I am even BITCHIER when I am HOT!!) Thanks AGAIN to White-Bowman for their fast service!!

The pavilion at the far end of the park was loaded with picnickers; the area where the picnic tables and the grills are were all taken, the parking lot was FULL and even the beach had a decent amount of people: I would say at least 30, who were swimming or just enjoying cool breeze. I did not notice ANY GEESE which was great. There was one lifeguard on duty which was good because that entire swimming area, even the area near the old snack bar, where the basketball courts are, had people swimming. So the lifeguard had his hands full.

I know a lot of people think the water at Mixville is “yucky” but I would rather swim in natural water than a chlorinated pool. After about 45 minutes, between the sun and the chlorine, I start getting a headache. If you don’t like the way the bottom of the pond feels, then wear those water shoes and be done with it.

Now the Town Council just appropriated approximately $20,000 more to fill an economic gap in the Community Pool. The money was taken from the Park and Recreation budget. I know Councilman Ruocco expressed dismay over the additional appropriation, which seems to be more and more each year.

Listen up, when I was a girl in Bridgeport, the City charged people who were not City taxpayers, a fee to enter Seaside Park. When you paid your property tax, you received a blue sticker that you “stuck” on the left hand side of your windshield.

When you entered Seaside Park from Park Avenue, (which was the only vehicle entrance, unless you walked in) their was a booth, you slowed your car, the guard saw your sticker and you entered. If you even dared try to enter without paying or without the sticker, the Bridgeport Police, who were patrolling, pulled you over and you got told very nicely but firmly to LEAVE!!. You didn’t think twice about giving them a hard time either, because there usually was a police dog accompanying this park patrol, so that ended it right then and there.

I suggest Cheshire adopt the same agenda, sans the Police dog. When people in town pay their property tax, they can be issued a sticker which also acts as a receipt, which they can put on their windshield and will allow them free entrance into Mixville.

Everyone else, should pay. I am glad all people are using the park, but I notice it is getting to be people from out of town. How do I know this? I saw a large group that I know personally that reside in a neighboring town and they told me they have been coming every weekend now that they don’t have to pay.

I think that the town of Cheshire could recoup some of the money it is not making at the pool by charging out of towners a small fee. Not a large fee to scare people away, but enough of a fee to take up some of the slack at the pool.

Now, as many of you know, East Haven is now charging non residents over $100 to use their beaches and is ticketing any vehicle that enters the park without a sticker. This is what Bridgeport did, I suggest Cheshire follow their lead. I mean, we can’t charge $100 but $3 to $5 a person with the $50 season pass to be made available, is also an option. With the price of gas, people who want to visit our Mixville and swim I believe would be more than willing to part with a few dollars to enjoy a spot to cool off without having to hit the highways and travel any long distance.

Cheshire should take advantage of this right away.

Click here for East Haven Story on Beaches

By request-I will be featuring under “Featured Video” some of the OLD Beatle songs before Brian Epstein died and they got all screwed up!! This song is from the movie: “Help” and features HOT HOT PAUL!!–DAMN!!