As many of you know, I started following up on this municipal gas use issue that was brought up by Councilor White a few weeks ago. I also told you of a possible “mis-use” of mulch. The story was that mulch that was SUPPOSEDLY intended for the pool, got re-routed.

Now I contacted the Town Managers office recently asking this question. I did get a response from Arnett Talbot, the town managers executive assistant and public information officer.

Here is the response:

Cindy,

I checked on (company name omitted for the time being) – the Town has made two payments to them, totaling $1,190, for mulch at the Senior Center and McNamara Legion Field. They have not done any work at the pool. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks!

Arnett

I mean this is not private information, so that is why I ran it. But the question is: why is the town buying mulch especially from an upscale landscaping company? Oh that’s right, we don’t search around for a competitive price. I forgot, isn’t Cheshire the “Bid Waiver Capital of Connecticut” (You can tell I am feeling a bit better).

It doesn’t seem like much but a thousand dollars here, a thousand dollars there–it adds up!!

You mean to tell me the Town of Cheshire that has every vehicle and piece of equipment under the sun does not have a wood chipper? You mean to tell me the town could not go through wooded town owned property, and chip fallen tree limbs into mulch? Is that asking too much? I guess so!!

Now speaking of cars and equipment, a few weeks ago, I got a call from a resident wanting to know why he keeps seeing the school buses parked at Stop and Shop or various other places and the drivers are just waiting.

Well, I contacted DATTCO Bus Company in Cheshire and the woman I spoke with was very informative. She told me they have down time between runs to the different schools, so instead of constantly driving from one school and then all the way across town to the bus lot and then all the way back to their next run, they pick a central point, which seems to be the back lot of Stop and Shop near the Waverly Restaurant. This makes sense and really is a smart move considering what fuel prices are these days. It is too bad that a more centrally located lot cannot be purchased but what they are doing now is fine.

Speaking of conserving fuel, Mr. Tim White might be interested to know that I actually saw a Smart Car today on Rt. 10 near I-691. It was yellow. The Smart Car is that tiny tiny car made by Mercedes Benz that has been a big hit in Europe and Canada and is finally making an entrance into this country. It is arriving at the right time. Just look at the gas prices.

And one more thing before I go:

I just got a phone call from Mr. Giovanni DePaolo, of the state agency that licenses ambulances so we are still in the race here. Believe me, even if it is well intentioned, there could be SERIOUS consequences if a person does not use the right wording in front of a child. The state takes it very seriously.

Again, if the president of the ambulance company had spoken to me when I called back in DECEMBER of 2007, it is now April 2008 and my call has not been returned, this issue would die out. But let us see what happens. Hopefully a lesson learned for all and nothing bad. That is my intention.

Now as I told you last night, I will not be posting all the time. I will have guest posters because I still am stressed and feel bummed out. But thanks again to all the people who called to support me. That is the reason I am posting tonight because of you.

And speaking of the smart car, I think our town needs to get smart, (no pun intended) and purchase a few of these. Then when a car might go out of state, (I said MIGHT) at least you will get good gas mileage. And if you don’t want to get a smart car because it is not four wheel drive, then get a RAV 4 instead of a gas guzzling Ford Explorer for God’s sake.

Speaking of gas guzzlers, when I was at the hair salon a few weeks ago, someone there told me they saw a white Hummer parked in the Everybody’s parking lot that said “Police.” I told this person I did not THINK our police department had a Hummer. Talk about arrogant. That is insane!!

Oh and thanks to Councilor White for posting that e mail from a year ago from another town councilor discussing a town issue and obviously eliciting comments by phrasing some of the wording in a form of a question

Can you spell Freedom of Information? or Illegal? Thank you!! See you soon.

Ferrari vs Smart Car