OK, I FINALLY got my OLD computer back-it is nice to get it back but I did get spoiled using my friends computer. She has VISTA operating system and the Dell Studio so it was a lot faster than mine-but I will survive using my OLD computer!!

Guess who else is going to survive using their OLD police cars?? Yes!! You answered correctly-go to the head of the class people!!

Well, as most of you know who read my blog-I have an annual trek. Some people go to the same vacation spot each year, some go to the same holy site for spiritual guidance-I go to the Cheshire Town Hall this time each year to the Police Operating Budget hearing so I can get agita!! (heartburn, for all you Illuminati out there)!

Actually, it wasn’t that bad this year at all-the bottom line is the police operating budget for 2009-2010 is only going up 2.8 percent which is less than inflation!! So this is a fair budget and I do not think it compromises public safety AT ALL!!

According to Cheshire Police Chief Michael Cruess, the biggest cut is the overtime-it was reduced $29,000 making this the lowest since the 2000 budget.

You have to realize that overtime or “extra duty” in cop talk, because let’s face it, these cops can never talk English they always have to sound military, comes to $44 an hour with the town of Cheshire charging an $8 administrative fee-SO this is one area that needs to be watched-not only in the Police Department but in EVERY DEPARTMENT IN EVERY TOWN.

Only work overtime WHEN IT IS NECESSARY!! We have to pull in the belt because according to our newest state rep-the state is losing one out of every four dollars-and the biggest offender of wasteful spending-the STATE OF CONNECTICUT.

I don’t EVEN want to tell you how many NEW $10,000 Dell laptops were never USED at a certain Department a few years ago-that is right-they overbought and NEVER EVEN OPENED THE BOXES!! The state is another one-they can’t be thrifty, they buy top of the line and overdo it-So, just like the people are pouncing on AIG (All Investments Gone) for their ridiculous bonuses, the people of Connecticut need to pounce on their state reps to keep this nonsense spending in line.

Now, back to the budget hearing-I had to hear the complaining-alright I won’t say “whining” about not being able to get their little toys (the police cars) for one year. FOR ONE YEAR-YOU WON’T DIE-No one is asking the CPD or any PD for that matter to drive around in 1950 automobiles-hey now that I think of it-they do in Cuba!! They make their own parts for the cars and most are still running from 1959. Maybe the town of Cheshire should make an arrangement with the Cuban government to have some of their people come here and work on the CPD patrol cars-THEY SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING!!

This argument that we have to keep buying new cars all the time is asinine.
“Oh the police cars are not like the civilian cars because they have to be ready to go on the dime” Well yeah, OK but like isn’t that like any CAR?? When we get in it-like we want it to START and GO??

“Older car parts get expensive” NO NO NO!!

You need a car part on any of your OLD patrol cars-because a car is a car-I will take you down to Georges on Knowlton Street and you can salvage through their lot and pick out ANY CAR PART FOR ANY CAR at practically NO COST!!!

Thank you!!

And as far as the argument that because it is a POLICE CAR and has to deploy at a moments notice and is used around the clock, that is WHY IT MUST CONSTANTLY BE REPLACED-consider this:

THE STORY OF THE BOEING B-52 STRATOFORTRESS

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, still in service today, more than fifty years after its first flight, is one of the most successful and versatile aircraft ever designed.

Click here for more info on the B-52

IF ANYTHING HAS TO BE ON THE GO AND READY FOR ACTION AT ANYTIME-IT IS OUR MILITARY PLANES-This plane was conceived in the 1940′s and is still going-it is funny-they get the PARTS FOR THIS!!

It was interesting to note that before the discussion on the Police Operating budget ensued, Town Manager Michael Milone said he “discovered” the erroneous addition of a police officer to the department, so it looked on paper like we had one more officer than in actuality.

Michael Milone “discovered” this error. OK, Christopher Columbus accidentally “discovered” America- what does that mean??

It means-oops we had better not DARE hire anyone else at this time-or we know what we will hear!! YEP!!

I know we have 45 sworn officers,  and four sworn non  union personnel which are the Police Chief, the Deputy Chief and two Captains.

Look, we are NOT going to allow public safety to be compromised-NOT AT ALL. The biggest point of all of this was that the Diane von Furstenburg Police Department is going to have to belt tighten a little and they will SURVIVE!!

If they really need something, they will HAVE to take it out of the $165,000 they just received from their “China” (Elim Park).

Now this part is where the whining guilt trip starts and I don’t go for it-My husband does this when I forbid him to have something he wants- so I know this tactic WELL!!

“Oh we have to cut things out-like the ATV patrolling open space” TOUGH-we will get by for a while.

“We have had to cancel the car seat program, and the ATV Motorcycle patrols may have to be cut down”

Oh, brother a real tear jerker.

I love this GUILT ONE-Lay it on us-”oh additional speed enforcement may have to be curtailed”

That’s OK, we have enough now we don’t need any more.

Now one area I really do not want curtailed and I did say this at the meeting Wednesday night, is the “Community Policing”

This involves the Citizens Police Academy, which despite me being banned from it-is still a great way for the citizens to interact with the police in a positive manner.

Let’s face it, the only way to interact with the CPD now requires the wearing of handcuffs!! NOT GOOD!!

Also, the Bike Rodeo needs to stay in place. I know Michael Milone and the Town Council can find a way-one way, CUT OUT THESE TAKE HOME CARS!!

FUNNY that is not on the list of eliminations or reductions-IT SHOULD BE!!

I do have the list of Revisions to the 09-10 proposed town operating budget-Scheduled for “elimination” is the first Thursday evening hours. This is a real shame because it WAS an opportunity for people to discuss issues with the T.M. and the Police Chief. But sadly, hardly ANYONE took advantage.

Unfortunate-but this tells volumes about this me, myself and I town now doesn’t it.

Bulky waste collections are also on the chopping block. NOT A GOOD IDEA-FIND A WAY TO KEEP IT!!

Sunday library hours are scheduled to be eliminated as is local satellite hazardous waste collection.

This is stupid-who has a satellite that they want to get rid of?? I don’t get it!!

Oh, this is pathetic-the possible elimination of the Fall Festival Fireworks?? Come on. I guess I WILL have to attend this years Fall Festival and start arguing about money with my spouse-that is real fireworks!!

Private camp subsidy (whatever THAT IS) is scheduled for elimination and employee events.

Proposed “reductions” are:

Vacant position freeze-overtime-roll back of staff hours-equipment purchases (automobiles, trucks,, mechanicals, computers). Just call the state Michael Milone and get those unused Dell laptops sitting in the back room of the Hamden Labor Dept!!

It figures-Youth and Senior Services Program. No, this cannot be cut-this is the EASY WAY OUT!! Look harder and dig deeper Mr. Milone.

Community Policing Program-NO!!

New Fire Hydrant and Street Lights. Well, I did have a post a few months ago on my Boing Boing blog that featured solar powered streetlights. I will see if I can repost this article.

Municipal facility property maintenance. God almighty, this town looks dumpy now, don’t add to it!!

Youth Counseling Services Absolutely NOT!!

Utilities

Consultants-NOW YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK!!

Professional Development Training, conferences and seminars-GOOD MOVE-HAVE THEM HELD LOCALLY!! We don’t need to go to San Diego, the Catskills or Lake George or wherever out of state to learn something!! STAY IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD!!

Alright-have to go now-will be back with MORE THOUGHTS later!!