Well tonight, (Thursday), I went to the Ordinance Committee meeting that took place in Room 210 of the Cheshire Town Hall. Of course, the local newpaper that I affectionately call the “Soviet News Agency Tass” did not attend, so if someone does not read my website, they won’t know the meeting even took place. The main topic, (or the reason I attended), was a discussion on expanding the powers of the Public Safety Commission

According to a “draft” that I received at the meeting, “The Ordinance Committee recommends that the Town Council request the Public Safety Commission make itself available to the public to field questions, comments, concerns and suggestions regarding the Cheshire Police Department for a trial period from the date of this resolution through the end of 2007. The purpose of this requestion is to permit greater understanding of the type and number of public comments and concerns , to help determine whether there is a need for a citizen-constituted body to field public questions and concerns, and to provide further insight into these matters in the event of charter reform which might contemplate the creation of a police commission.”

Several weeks ago, I told you how upset and disappointed I was when the Ordinance Committee basically doused the idea for a commission. I held fast in my heart that this Ordinance Committee would see what I really have been pushing for over the past four years. Not a bashing or trashing of our police, but a way for our community to come together and discuss issues. This issue has been VERY controversial. Many took my idea the wrong way. I will say now and will continue to say that I in no way wanted to ever propose something that would demoralize our police officers. But, I believe in open and honest government. All towns and all departments should have a commission. This is the way our government was set up. The people govern and keep the government in check.

I was happy to hear what I heard tonight. The Undergroundtownhall congratulates the Ordinance Committee of Elizabeth Esty, Dave Orsini and Michael Ecke for taking this step, which was not easy. Now, we are not out of the woods yet. The Ordinance Committee will be sending over the draft document to the Public Safety Commission and then meet with them either in July or August to discuss the proposal further. Town Council and Ordinance Committee member Michael Ecke stated that some of the Public Safety Commission members were looking to expand their duties. I don’t know if hearing complaints or suggestions regarding the police department will be accepted by them, but I hope they will seriously consider the idea.

I really hope the Public Safety Commission will be open to discussing ideas more than complaints. My original proposal for the Police Commission involves more than complaints. In fact, as I have said in the past, most Police Commission meetings I attended in various towns never heard complaints, or if they did, they were few and far between. The main duties were to discuss budget items, and issues in the community and sharing ideas and networking with other Police Commission towns. That is still my hope.

Police Chief Michael Cruess told the Ordinance Committee that he is considering beginning in September, and then continuing every other month, having “office hours” at the Police Department, much in the same way the Town Manager has extended office hours at the town hall once a month. The Chief said he will have different departments present at the office hours: i.e., one month-traffic-one month-youth officer, so people can come in and discuss issues. The Chief also said he is looking into a program similar to Norwalk, which incidentally to me has a real good police department, very open to the community, where the department would make available on their website, different complaint forms and pamphlets.

This is a step in the right direction for the town. Take small steps, see where it goes and take it from there. I just hope this town learns to ADVERTISE these events. Cheshire is blessed with enough revenue to operate their own Town Government Channel (14). They just need to learn to open up and put the relevant information on it. I hope they will use the media to advertise these events, because if the Town Government advertised every event like they do “Vinnie Carr’s Dance Party, we would not be having this discussion would we. I am hopeful and cautiously optimistic.

THE SIGN SAGA CONTINUES

I want to stop talking about these signs on the telephone poles, but I can’t because developments keep occurring. The Undergroundtownhall “staff” has spotted signs in another bordering town that say “No Mall” on telephone poles! I checked it out myself and indeed, I saw the signs too. I guess if one cannot put the signs up in Cheshire, they will be put up in other towns. More power to you!!!

In Politics, unnamed sources have told the Undergroundtownhall that “several” (meaning more than two) current Town Council members will not be seeking re-election in November. The Undergroundtownhall knows the names but will not disclose at this time because this information cannot be verified. The sources said one Republican and three Democrats will not be running. As I said, I can’t verify this information, but I do trust the “sources.” Enough said. Another source told me a rumor is going around that I will soon be leaving Connecticut for good and the town of Cheshire is planning a fireworks display for that very night to celebrate!

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