If there is one thing I cannot stand, is a person or persons that go behind someones back to make comments with the intention of causing trouble. That is just what I believe is happening with this issue I am writing about.

A few days ago, someone connected with Town Government, contacted me and told me that HE was told by a third party that our Police Chief in Cheshire was attending a Police Chiefs Convention in San Diego, California.

Now I know the Chief went on “vacation” the week of Nov. 9th and it just so happens the Police Chiefs Conference is taking place this same week. A coincidence? Who knows.

When this person contacted me, I asked him why he did not bring up the issue himself, Apparently he does not feel comfortable doing so.

First of all, I am not a gossip rag or an outlet for someone who is upset at their job or does not like their supervisor.  If the person who gave out this information initially,  (and I believe I know who it is),  is giving out the information because something wrong is being done, that is one thing.

But to go around and just gossip about this person, that is another thing.

First of all, if  money was set aside in this fiscal years budget for this trip-that is all well and good and there is nothing to be done about it now.

All department heads or supervisors I am sure, attend conventions. Our Town Manager has gone to them, I am sure our Supt of Schools attends them as does the Fire Chief. And our Public Works Director has probably attended a dump truck convention or two–who knows.

Conventions are a way for Department Heads to network and learn that is true. But, um, like San Diego is stretching it a bit far-IF THIS IS THE CASE!!

Now, I am not contacting the Town Managers office, because IF this IS true,  the Town Manager in his monthly report to the Town Council should have mentioned it. Hopefully, he will speak about this at the next Town Council meeting.  Our town is not CIA Headquarters and the Town Government should be open about these issues. Plus, let’s face it, my spouse couldn’t get a straight answer regarding the speed limit on Academy Road, so why bother with this issue, and I am sure the Tass News Agency will have a “story” in Thursdays paper.

There is nothing wrong with attending conventions and I am not going to get on anyone’s case about it now.

BUT, as all of you know, this country is in the throes of a severe economic challenge. DHL just cut 9,500 jobs, closing their service centers in the United States. Unemployment is at 6.5 percent–but you all must remember that this doesn’t count people who have exhausted their benefits; or people who are underemployed: i.e. you worked 40 hours per week and now you work part-time for less pay.

I just saw former U.S. Labor Dept Secretary Robert Reich on C-Span a few days ago and he stated that if the underemployed and people who exhausted their benefits were counted, the U.S. unemployment rate would be 11 or 12 percent!!!

If the US Government does not bail out the big three automakers, this country will add over 2 million more people to the unemployment rolls and that in itelf, without counting underemployed or people who have exhausted their benefits, would jump the unemployment figures to over 11 percent!!

So, all towns, not just Cheshire, have to cut back on trips, take home vehicle and gas usage. Because, prices are low now, but experts agree that oil will be back t0 $100 a barrel by the end of the year.

We need to establish a sizable rainy day fund. Cut expenses to the bare bones. The more people who are unemployed, the worse the problem gets. No one, unless you are a mortician, is exempt from this economic fallout–no one.

This issue is exactly why I wanted Cheshire to belong to the State Association of Police Commissions, We would have been able to recieve training and informational seminars for free. But what can I tell you–I tried!!

When I have to see Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch holding back tears in talking about his city’s economic plight and having to face daunting layoffs, struggling to keep his city intact, it stresses the point even more–all towns and cities in Connecticut and throughout our nation have GOT TO CUT OUT THE EXCESS SPENDING!!

If you want to go to a convention or seminar–FINE!! Pay for it yourself.

Look at the fallout from AIG. The government bails them out and they CONTINUE to go on lavish trips funded by you and me!! All of this has to be eliminated.  Let AIG go under–they deserve it. Put this bailout money to good use by helping our homeless veterans, homeless and jobless people and people who will not be able to heat their homes this winter. THERE ARE PLENTY OF THEM OUT THERE!!

And no, it is not liberal do gooding. It is what is RIGHT!!

If you are disgruntled or upset with your supervisor at work, you need to face it head on. That is what I do. When I work for a client, I set my parameters right then and there. If I believe something to be wrong, or my supervisor does something I don’t like, I TELL THEM TO THEIR FACE!!

If you don’t like what is going on just because you do not like a person or your supervisor, not because something is being done that is WRONG, that is a different pony, that is a persons obligation to bring to light misconduct or wrongs, but if it is just a personal feeling:

THEN MOVE ON. GET ANOTHER JOB OR SHUT UP!!

Click here for San Diego Police Chiefs Conference