I just returned from New Hampshire (unfortunately). I went to the Obama-Biden rally in Manchester, then up to my home in unnamed town, then to the Loudon Race track. Hint: I live about 15 miles north of that race track!!
Don’t worry even if you KNEW the street and town I lived in, you could NEVER find me!!
It is so nice when I am up there. My spouse and I go there, unlock the door, enter the home, work around the property. It is peaceful and quiet. We don’t know anyone up there–we don’t care. We don’t get involved in ANYTHING there at all. It is the exact opposite of what is going on in Cheshire.
In fact, if you want a hint of where I live in New Hampshire, the last photo in the “Earth Scenes” featured photos I run from time to time is the view out my front window.
If you were to call the town hall of that town and say our names, they would say “WHO”???
And you know what, that is the WAY I WANT IT TO STAY.
So, I got a few calls from my spies who happened to go to the Fall Festival and what do you think they told me? They saw the Town Manager and the Police Chief going around and meeting and greeting people. GOOD!!! This is their town-they represent Cheshire. They are the two most powerful, (besides myself) people in Cheshire. They make the first impressions. The Town Manager and the Police Chief make good impressions–they really do.
This is the best public relations any person or any town or company can ever do. People remember this.
I can tell you from first hand experience years ago when I took my family to Hershey Park in Hershey, Pa.
I love amusement parks. I can’t get enough of the roller coasters. There is not ONE that scares me and believe me, I have been on them all from Dorney Park to Dollywood to Six Flags to Disney World and Land, I have been there!!
But you know what I remember from that trip? And it was YEARS AGO!! I remember as I was leaving the park, there was an elderly gentleman standing at the exit to the park. Every person, and I mean every person he could physically go up to, he went up to and said “thank you for coming.” That was it!!
But you know what, that left a lasting impression–a positive impression. This person stood all day in the heat and make it his job to make sure you knew you were appreciated. Even if it were phony–it really stood out. Just the effort alone made it a special act in itself. Because think about it, why should a multi billion dollar company care whether you came to its amusement park or not??
Guess who also does this?? Yep–WALMART!! It does make you feel good when someone acknowledges you, doesn’t it? Sure it does.
I am happy to hear the Town Manager and Police Chief were doing this, going around to people. I know they did not break out in a rash from doing it either. And you know what, people WILL remember that simple act. Looking someone in the eye. Taking time out to shake their hand. Making them feel welcome in their own town. Or, even if they were from out of town, making a good impression for Cheshire. Cheshire welcomes you—We are glad you are here. Not “here is your ticket”!!! Because you know what, sadly, that is the only impression some people have of this town!!
It is OK to act human. It doesn’t make you less of a man or less of a law enforcement officer. It is good to get down one to one with people. Even if it is a quick handshake, smile and small talk. People remember that some town official that wasn’t running in an election, took the time to do this. Well done. Keep it up!!
To change the subject a bit. Last week, I decided to walk in the Lock Park with my spouse. We always go to the Cornwall Avenue entrance because I love to sit on the Gary Walberg bench. Anyway, as I was walking about 200 feet from that wooden bridge, I looked over to my left where the stream is and noticed the vegetation had been stripped!! All that was left were some trees and a noticeable amount of mud and silt.
About another 100 feet down from where I first noticed the clearing, I noticed a concrete drainage pipe and what looked to be an impression of a backhoe shovel that had dug out around that pipe. I could tell that area had been cleared out because dead brush could be seen around the banks. This denuding stretched for at least 4 tenths of a mile. It was quite a large area.
It is really noticeable because where it ends, the growth is lush. And you know me, my eyes do not miss a thing. I notice when there is a blade of grass bent out of shape. Someone in Town Government can attest to my eyesight, even in the dark in February!!
Now I DON”T know who cleared this out and whether they had permission to do this. But if they had permission, like where is the SILT FENCE or the HAYBALES?? Because this mud (silt) is now draining into the waterway. And my husband noticed that he doesn’t see the wildlife we used to see there, namely the ducks.
I hope to run the photos of this stripped out area of the Lock Park on Monday.
I am really upset also because they cut down the area that my fiddlehead ferns grow. I would pick them and fry them up at home and eat! them ! I hope they grow back for next June.
My husband was so concerned about this that he went to the Planning and Zoning office in Cheshire and spoke to Suzanne Simone, Environmental Planner for the Town of Cheshire who said she was going to look into this. PLEASE SUZANNE!! DOES ONE HAND OF THIS TOWN KNOW WHAT THE OTHER IS DOING??
When my son worked for a week in the Zoning office a few years ago in Bridgeport City Hall, then Mayor Fabrizi did something that should be done in Cheshire. He stopped in every department and spent a few minutes chatting and finding out what was going on. This is another GOOD IDEA!!
Also, once a week, take the Black Pickup Truck with the Town Logo on it, and Town Manager, get into the truck, start the engine and go around the Town. Go to the Public Works, the Police Department, the Parks and see what is going on there. I know the T.M. can’t spend hours doing this every week, but even if it were a half hour a week, drive around and let people see you. Take time out to talk with workers in the field. It is a great morale booster.
Speaking of morale booster, I still think this is a great way, (it is also real cute), of the citizens to get to know their police department. Could you see our Chief posing for a photo like this?
And don’t bother calling up there Chief, they don’t know who I am!!
Gilford, New Hampshire Police Department
Click on “OFFICERS”
