The blog
Sorry I disappeared for a couple days. Despite how it feels sometimes, I do have a life outside of politics and blogging. lol.
That reminds me though of an earlier proposal I made... if anyone is interested, I'd be happy to have a guest poster here. I don't care if you're a Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal, political or apolitical... just as long as it's interesting. Depending on how fired up you get over a given topic, it might be worth your time. Just based on how many comments we seem to be getting now, we're clearly getting a lot more visitors. So it might be worth your time. You don't even need to reveal your name... just so long as I know. I don't want anyone posting stuff under my name, particularly if it gets inflammatory. Which brings me to another point...
My rule on comments is this... if I can imagine you saying it at a Council meeting, I'll let it fly. But if you wouldn't say it at a Council meeting, then it's getting deleted.
And now back to our regularly scheduled broadcast... anyone happen to go to the BOE budget meeting tonight? I didn't finish work until 9pm (very unusual for me) and couldn't even make my Human Services meeting... I'll need to call Deb Kelleher, HSC Chair, this weekend.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
19 comments:
I don't think that you have much of a life without the council and this blog!!
Tim has a great life all he needs to do is get married have kids and he will join the many in the stressed out middle class of Cheshire!
I went to the BOE budget meeting. There were only about 3 other people from the public there. Discussions focused on salaries & teacher positions requested (7.5 teacher positions and 1 administrator). To try to sum it up:
The board (and I won't mention names as it doesn't matter) questioned the need for the 7.5 teachers and mentioned the exact same thing - the decreasing enrollment of 57. One boe member asked the panel of principals to explain their reasoning and need for additional teachers. He got no response from the principals (a bit of a shocker since they're the ones that say they need these teachers). It was pointed out by the board that Cheshire is already at a record high for total teachers. It was also pointed out by the board that if 7.5 teachers were hired, over a period of 3 years that would add 1 million dollars to the budget (salaries, benes, etc). The reasoning behind adding the teachers was eventually given as that it will free up teachers to collaborate more with other teachers on issues w/students and would allow them to plan more. X-tra gym teachers would give more time to other areas like the library staff to prepare also and would take care of that bubble of incoming 1st graders. It seems it's more about the teachers than the kids and the board did point that out also. As far as the administrator position goes, the board questioned whether or not dept. heads that have the 092 adm. certification could cover the areas of supposed need. More information was asked for it this area from the super.
Chinese got the approval from a couple of board members and it was said that once any grant money that may be received for the program ran out, they may consider eliminating a "low enrollment" spanish class (for example).
The public input pointed out the possibility of shifting some other elementary teachers to 1st grade to cover the "bubble of students" and it made sense as 2nd grade class size was expected to be lower than it is now. There were other good suggestions by the public to alleviate adding more staff. And basically in all areas of requests for more staff it was pointed out (by the board) that we cannot continually add and add and add to the budget as it will put a hugh burden on taxpayers throughout the town. Consideration should be given to eliminating in some other areas if you want to add in others. This makes sense to me and I would think everyone. Hopefully the board will pursue those ideas.
Next Tuesday is another meeting and they will discuss medical benefits.
How come the senior tax committee is meeting the same night as the board of ed budget meeting next Tues. the 16th? Was that planned so that the seniors won't be able to make the boe meeting? Too bad because their input is important too.
Tim, Glad you're going to delete the silly remarks that probably wouldn't be said at a TC meeting. I hope that means you'll delete all those studid remarks about the supposed "angry white men." It is getting ridiculous with uncalled for comments like that!
4:57... I feel the "angry" comments are unnecessary. But in truth, I could see someone say that at a Council meeting.
For instance, I had one person tell me that I had a bullseye on... my back, I believe... although it may have been my chest or my forehead.
Also I recall someone suggesting, in a general sense, that all elected officials that were at a particular meeting were "on the take" and corrupt.
So while I agree that the "angry" comments are unnecessary, I'm leaning toward letting them stay.
On the other hand, comments about people using "psych drugs" or about the sexual preference of individuals... well... those are comments that I don't believe would ever be spoken at a Council meeting.
I'm not sure though... just playing it by ear. This blog really seems to be taking on a life of its own though... so not sure how I may feel even next week.
Oh yes god forbid we would not want to have a night where the senior citizens could show up and rail against board of ed spending. It must be a secret conspiracy against them so the meetings will go on too long and then they will have to go to bed.
An angry white man I can see
In the words of anon 10:23
He does not want to hear what they might say
He just wants to spend and have them pay
It's all about him and no one other
He'd probably want to overtax his own grandmother!
Anger anger anger
He needs help maybe even a class
He only sees what he wants to see
The world has passed him by
Goodbye graybeard!
anon 10:23 Seriously, though, aren't you interested in what the seniors have to say about the boe (& tc)budget? They're the ones who've been here much longer than most and have helped make this town the great place it is. Or are you not interested at all in what the seniors or anyone else has to say about the budgets as long as the boe & tc get all the money they want. You should read Tim's post that shows the editorial in the Waterbury paper about the school budget. It represents how things really are whether you want to admit it or not.
Seniors cry I want to pay no tax
What they forget is someone paid for them
We pay for their social security now
we pay for their meds now
This is the greatest generation?
We are paying for so much that they benefit from and now they want to be put off the tax rolls
no way jose
I agree. The seniors in Cheshire have it made. They have a great senior center paid for by the tax payers, they had their children's eduaction paid for, the lower income one get property tax credits, social security is paid for and now they want a freeze? They want the government to take care of them forever and they cry about it.
Cry Cry Cry
The seniors often wail
The have life by the tail
they get checks in the mail
the drive likek the average snail
but they want to bail
on taxes it will not fail
so let them and the angry ones flail
send them on to eat cale
anon 8:36, 10:14, & 9:17 Interesting remarks. Would you be willing to say them at the next town council meeting? Be honest. If you won't, I guess Tim should delete your posts. Right, Tim?
Whine, whine, whine.
The yuppies do it all the time.
They say they moved here for the schools.
But they're the ones who are the biggest fools.
They've only been here a few short years.
And if they don't get what they want, they'll be in tears.
Spend, spend, spend-what the heck.
For the Board of Ed they'll give a blank check.
The taxes will go higher than high.
Even the yuppies will start to wonder why.
Then when their kids are out of our school
Who'll have to pay for the turf & the pool?
It will be the longtime residents with a frown.
For the yuppies will be long gone out of our town!
Anon 9:29 I find it funny that you challenge people to talk at the council, but you did never say those posters were wrong.
Oh those seniors
they fuss and wine
they like their tax breaks
but only mine
we are paying for their meds
and their pizza too
but ask for the schools
goo on you!
anon 8:38 And I find it funny that you didn't say that you'd speak those same words at a council meeting.
Would it matter whether I agreed or not with your comments? I doubt it.
anon 11:22 Come on is that the best rhyme you can come up with. Guess you didn't go to Cheshire schools.
Yeah, the seniors have it made...they paid into SS for all those years and aren't getting nearly what they should be from it. Many have a below average income. Many choose between buying meds or buying food. Hope all of you who complain about the seniors have it the same..and soon.
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