2007 legislative agenda
This NH Register column (by George Hladky) gives a brief overview of the hot topics that will likely be deliberated in the upcoming legislative session.
Energy
Budget & Taxes
Universal Healthcare
Gay Marriage
Contract Reform
Eminent Domain
Prison Overcrowding
Of the last four items here, I think the item that may be of most interest to Cheshire is the prison overcrowding. The last numbers I recall hearing were that we had about 2600 prisoners and 3000 beds. That says to me that we may soon get more prisoners, unless fewer people get sent to prison. Personally, I think there probably are people in prison who should be elsewhere.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
22 comments:
Gee how come binding arbitration is not on the list? Maybe it is only an issue in Cheshire or some people want to make it an issue. Which it is not/
yeah, gay marriage ought to be dealt with before binding arbitration.....of course....
Hey, they forgot the big GOP issue this year---banning trans fats.
I grew up as a Ronald Reagan Republican, now the folks running the party are the Emeril Lagasse Republicans
Anon 4:31...If you were paying attention to the meeting with our legislators, you would have heard the town manager mentioning binding arbitration as an item he'd like to see "tweeked". Binding arbitration is an issue across the state. If it worked so perfectly, then why did our town council unanimously vote (w/exception of 1 abstension)that they weren't in agreement with the teachers' contract settlement?
I hope the legislators address the rapidly rising energy costs as they will drive the boe & town budgets through the roof (even more so than they are already).
I wish the legislators would address their own budgets and stop wasting taxpayer funds on frivolous items like turf fields. They should redirect money to fund the underfunded teachers' pension fund.
I watched that meeting and I was appalled to hear Ruocco say that all teachers need to do is teach the children and get them ready for college. You mean thats it? Can anyone really think this? How out of touch and sad really!
Anon 9:04 I watched the meeting also and if you were to review it again, I believe you'd hear Mr. Ruocco say that he wants the teachers to teach his children and prepare them for college - he does not want them to "parent" his children. I agree with him. Don't you want to parent your own children? I think the schools spend a lot of time and effort in worrying about how little Johnny or little Sallie "feels" about situations, trying to form their feelings, actions or emotions. That's the job of the parent - trouble is sometimes the parents expect the schools to deal with all those things (maybe because many of them are absent from the scene when the kids come home or they send them to daycare, or whatever). Hate to say it but many of the school kids are "babied" - they need to learn to deal with things - the good and the bad. And it's not the teachers' job to do it - it's the parent's job.
So if two students have a fight in school or if one of them is using drugs or acting out we should tell teachers "that is not your job"? That is a very unrealistic statement and shows a real lack of insight into what actually goes on in the schools. There is no choice=our professionals have to intervene as it is not only the law but it is also common sense. If a student is struggling with an issue and the parents won't or can't help then what then? It also will be a teachers job to help kids deal with life issues as they happen all the time in school whether we like it or not. Mr. Ruocco's comments came out of the blue as Rep Fritz never said anything about "taking care" of anyone's kids.He was taking on Schrumm's illogical position on Binding arbit. and got carried away. Very revealing and I am sure it will be used against him as he has made numerous statements like this in the past.
anon.10:34 I agree with anon.10:22. Obviously they're not refering to the basic discipline issues like fights, drugs, stealing etc. It is the job of usually the vice principal to handle these issues, involve the police, handle punishment whether it be suspension or expulsion. I think they're referring to the time spent on basic social courtesy, social behavior etc. You know, the things parents are supposed to teach their kids, the basic right and wrongs in life. If parents don't want to teach their kids these basic things, why did they have kids in the first place. You wouldn't want to the school or someone else to teach your kid how to ride a bike would you? You wouldn't want the school to have to handle the responsibility of teaching your kid basic common courtesy like please, thankyou, hold the door, respect your elders, treat people the way you want to be treated etc, be kind to other kids and so on.
I saw the same meeting and that's how I interpreted Ruoco's remarks. Of course, if anyone has an issue with what he said they can ask him to explain himself.
Here's a perfect example of what I don't want the teachers wasting their time on: My third grader came home and said they were told to write letters to the cafeteria staff asking them to discontinue what they call lucky tray day (prizes are given to students who have the marked lucky trays). Seems many of the students who win brag to the other students about winning and the ones that don't win feel bad about it. This lucky tray day is done throughout the district in all elementary schools. I've seen the way many of these third graders write. They can't spell for beans(spelling doesn't seem to be important like it used to be). Why didn't the teacher just say that sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. That's life. Then tell the kids who brag to knock it off. It would have taken just a minute to handle it this way. I'd much rather have the teacher teach my child math, reading, spelling, science and history. I wonder what subject went on the wayside while this went on.
Rocco wants teachers teaching. He is right. Some situations require more from teachers though.
but he does want to pay for quality/ If we pay teachers what he thinks they are worth it will be a disaster/
anon 8:30 I don't recall Mr. Ruocco saying anything about how much a teacher should get paid or how much they're worth. What exactly did he say about it since you seem to know?
I do recall at the legislator meeting with the TC that Fritz said that she didn't think teachers were getting compensated too much insinuating that that was what Mr. Ruocco meant, BUT he clearly responded saying it wasn't at all what he meant. Seems Fritz was trying to turn the conversation into something it wasn't. She thinks binding arbitration is great and she apparently thinks it's wonderful that the state doles out money for turf fields. Not sure how she got reelected.
Angry white men are very unappealing to us all. He is one of them and will not be back if he runs again. Neocons are out and he is one of them.
Anon 10:13
You know, if one were to call a politician like Mrs. Clinton an "angry woman" or Barack Obama an "angry black man" I am absolutely sure you would be the first person to yell "bigot".
But since "neocon" is a code word for "jewish conservative" perhaps there are some forms of bigotry you don't mind
Prejudiced remarks are prejudiced remarks even if they are directed at white males
I voted for Roucco last time, but may not this time. He is new,but I'm tired of these republicans. A well-known democrat would win.
angry white man is an accurate way to describe him-it is not an accurate way to describe Obama or Clinton.
Those referring to the "angry white men" should really stop their immature, prejudicial remarks. It's uncalled for and really ridiculous.
You are the one sounding "angry" to me.
Stick to the topics at hand, please.
anon 10:13 & 9:08
I agree, knock it off with the "angry" white men thing. Next thing you know you'll be putting targets on people...oh wait, you've already done that too.
Grow up!
The term angry white man is a perfect description of these three guys. The other male councilors do not behave the same way. If the shoe fits...
We are men angry and white
we take offense to any slight
We love George B
and Robert E Lee
And can't get elected to the General Assembly
And we hate unfunded mandates!
I agree-I have not lived in this town for long but is the deal with those three guys at the end of the line there. They are so angry-about what?
If I wanted Ned Flanders to represent me on the Town Concil, I'd move to Springfield
I know what you mean it is like the men at the left side of the table like to oppose anything. Like that guy (Shrum or Shum) he voted against the money to prevent underage drinking? I think he looks like he must have some issues and is now taking it out on the whole town.
Whoa=I like the people on the right side of my screen. I have been here in town about a year but man those guys seem to have to lighten up.
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