Role of the Town Clerk
Since there's so much hoopla over the role of the Town Clerk, I decided to crack open our governing document, the Town Charter. I figured it would be easy-peasy... but not so. The Town Clerk's position doesn't seem to have it's own section anywhere in the Charter. So it may be codified by state statute... I'm not sure. Nonetheless, I did find some seemingly relevant info.
Starting with the section on "Records:"
I'm not a lawyer, but my take on the above "All elected... boards... shall make regulations for... the execution of their duties..." is that Shenanigate falls squarely at the feet of the Council. Of course, I'm assuming that the Town Council is among the elected boards. If so, it seems to me that since appointments to boards and commissions is a Council duty, then the execution of that duty falls squarely on us... except to the extent that the Town Clerk is supposed to keep copies of the actual sheet of paper upon which the Council votes... and as was mentioned during the meeting when we began to investigate Shenanigate... the list which is so often relied upon... is nothing more than an extra duty taken upon the Town Clerk... a duty which she would no doubt be happy to relinquish. And at that point... I guess the Council could give the responsibility to the Town Manager. And that probably makes sense as this is public information... and we just voted (6-3, Ruocco, Schrumm, White opposed) to create a new position of Public Information Officer! (Btw, that's a touch of sarcasm on my part... in case you missed it. We don't need a PIO. It's unnecessary.)Tim White
61 comments:
The Democrats want to spend taxpayer money on a PR person to tell us how wonder stuff is in town....what a waste of money!
Good government is its own publicity. Anyway, the Town government has a spokesmen. The Town Manager
The problem with this issue is that in the past Cheshire was a one party town and the Dems only had minimum represtation on the boards and commissions. Now that it a two party town the way business was conducted in the past will no longer work. No one would question the republican committee chairman tell the clerck that something was wrong becuase it did not make any difference now it does.
Below is what you said Tim
Now you change your mind
Too bad-you are on the flip side of another issue
You lost my vote
And I intend to support Matt Hall on this...
"I will call for an investigation as to how that happened and who asked (the town clerk) to do it and why she did it," Hall said. (MRJ, June 13)
...because at this point, we either need to stamp out the alleged wrongdoing or we need to clear anyone who has had their name wrongly dragged into the mud. (Although, it should be noted that most of the comments about "tampering" seem to have come with the caveat of "could be a clerical error.") Furthermore, as you may have noticed in my LTTE in today's Herald... I have a low tolerance level for wrongdoing. And not that I'm saying anything happened here... I don't know. But I do know that I'm sick and tired of Scooter Libby, William Jefferson, Don Clemons, Lou DeLuca and on and on. If there is reasonable belief that someone goes "behind the council" and attempts "to cheat," I think the Council should consider publicly addressing the concern... then we can at least clear the air.
Regardless, in simple terms... I feel we must move forward with the investigation. But how do you feel?
Do you think the Council should launch an investigation into whether the system of town government:
was subverted by back-door activity to torque the system?
yes
no
undecided
pollcode.com free polls
And here's the latest online article covering Termgate (Herald, by Josh Morgan). Quite the editorial in the Herald this week, huh? I don't think they pulled any punches.
Finally, I'm not convinced at this point that any wrongdoing will be found in the Town Clerk's office... I expect investigating terms of appointments will likely be anything but straightforward.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
Posted by Tim White at 6/21/2007 08:50:00 PM 35 comments
Labels: town government
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As the keeper of records, I don't think it is unreasonable to ask the Town Clerk's office to prepare an accurate list of the members of commissions and their terms for official and public use. That the office produces error-filled lists, which in large part led to this entire political mess, should be an embarrassment to the Town Clerk's office and the Town Manager, and one hopes, instigate efforts to improve how the town maintains and distributes information.
In the six years that I've lived here, I've seen few improvements to the public's access to information. When I arrived, the town had a website and aired council meetings, and today, there's the same website and televised council meetings. Both the website and G channel are potentially tremendous resources to inform the public, but the information content of both has remained stagnate.
What is perhaps most frustrating is that the town could easily increase the informational value of both the website and G channel with several small improvements, many of which have been suggested by people on this blog. I think the lack of progress indicates that either the town does not see the importance of upgrading the website and G channel, or they lack the technical skills to make the improvements, or they do not have the manpower and/or time. I suspect that it's all three.
Therefore, I think that it makes sense to appoint someone whose charge is to facilitate and improve the distribution of information from the town. Clearly, previous efforts, if any, by the council or its individual members have not been fruitful, and the importance of improving the public's ability to access government information cannot be understated. As Jefferson wrote, " whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government." It's time for a more aggressive approach.
Tim,
I watched with great interest a rerun on the community channel of the town council meeting of June 26th in which our Town Clerk and Republican Nominating Chair said their peace to Matt Hall, et al. on this latest drama. What a bunch of horse shit. An innocent clerical clarification, as past practice indicates was the norm, was turned into a witchhunt by the Cheshire McCarthy Era hoodlums,AKA Matt Hall and Elizabeth Esty. I wish I was in Tim Slocums shoes that night...I would of told all of them to kiss my irish ass and invited an investigation. Comparing this 'event' with the likes of John Rowland, Lou DeLuca and Scooter Libby only serves to create drama, friction, fractionization and hurt feelings by some loyal town employees and volunteers. It is quite unfortunate that this great town has a mayor and underlings that react this way over a misunderstanding. God forbid something tragic really happens where public safety is in danger and we have to look to Matt Hall for guidance. I thank God that we have a competent Town Manager and other voices of reason sitting on the dias. Keep em honest Tim !!!
"I thank God that we have a competent Town Manager"
You really beleive that? Why didn't the TM ask the town clerk what it was all about? He could have gotten the answer weeks ago and save all this mud slinging.
"As the keeper of records, I don't think it is unreasonable to ask the Town Clerk's office to prepare an accurate list of the members of commissions and their terms for official and public use."
I agree. I don't think it's unreasonable either. But if it's not in the Charter, the request probably could be denied. And I think it would make more sense for the TClerk to do it, rather than the TManager to do it. But after Tuesday's meeting... I'm not sure how this conversation would proceed.
"In the six years that I've lived here, I've seen few improvements to the public's access to information. When I arrived, the town had a website and aired council meetings, and today, there's the same website and televised council meetings. Both the website and G channel are potentially tremendous resources to inform the public, but the information content of both has remained stagnate."
You're not the first person I've heard make this observation.
"What is perhaps most frustrating is that the town could easily increase the informational value of both the website and G channel with several small improvements"
ED... I agree... and I have to run... but this weekend I may do a post dedicated to addressing your very observant comment.
This issue is another example of politics. What happened to the the time when if a person had a question or issue with another they would sit down with the other person and have an intelligent, honest discussion of the matter. What are the issues, what is the process, what needs correction, what can be done to make the process better. Basic, simple one on one, personal conversations have been replaced with email, voice mail, lack of desire to have face to face meetings. It is now believed to be easier to circumvent and find a way to address your issue, problem without causing harm, creating a disturbance, insulting the other person, violating a personal right. Do not cause confrontation, unless required and that comes when you are called out to defend your position in a public forum.
It makes no matter who or what party the participants are involved with. All that matters is we have gutless politicians attempting to run our town based on what they think will create more votes for their party. They believe the party comes first, the good of the people in the town do not really matter. What we need are people who are willing to run based on principles. ethics, morals and what is the best for the town, not what is best for for them, their relatives, friends or special interest. This behavior only encourages great partisanship, less willingness to compromise and overall loss for the town.
7:33PM EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT! Your right this should have been settled with nothing more than a discussion. It's unfortunate we have to try to dig up dirt where none exists.
"you are on the flip side of another issue"
what do you mean?
First you said that you were going to support an ivestigation now you say you are not. We are watching you Tim boy and you are waffling/
Tim realises this is a waste of time. Meanwhile, the powers that be will stick homeowners with a decrepit dam, allow the north end to become wall to wall rental housing, and hire a PR hack to use taxpayer $$$ to tell us how wonder they all are
now Matt Jalowic is going to sue if the PZ says yes. I thought that the Republicans were against the trial lawyers and said that all this should be played out in the legislative and elections. Looks like the neo cons are off their playbook and are crying like the babies they are. Another flip flop from sChrumm and the boys,
nothing wrong???come on....the system was cozy and there was no oversight....kudos for MH and EE for having the guts to bring it to light
There was nothing to bring out. Hall and Esty were made to look like fools. All they had to do was ask the Town Clerk, instead they made this cloak and dagger insinuation.
I will be starting a blog soon called Citizens united against cheshire fools
We will target anyone who tries to play silly games
we will organize tear down brigades for all anti north end signs
we will run major attack ads vs schrumm orsini ruocco and slocum
We are ready to make sure the progressives win
Watch out we are watching
Anon 4:30 PM
I'm thrilled to have made your Fools List. Noting your high standards I also find myself in excellent company. Get going on that blog. If it goes anything like Aire America you'll be forced to post on "Tim White Listens" anyway.
The town needs "progressives" like you. You help the conservative cause more than you can imagine.
To heck with the liberal, progressive, conservative crap. Just for the record I'm a liberal who likes Air America. But I have to say I'm first and foremost a Cheshire resident who feels what Esty and Hall did was wrong.
"I will be starting a blog"
And you will attract all the idiots that share your point of view.
Make money and screw everyone else.
The progressives main goal is to convert the northend to solid asphalt and roofing for the benefit of themselves.
you mean the conservative agenda which has been completely discredited and that is why we have a president with approval ratings the lowest since they have been keeping records Rove, Chaney and all the cabniet who have to hide out and Rush whos has no more ratings and is a drug addict.
Yes I guess if that is the history of the conservative agenda then no wonder you are proud of it
"I will be starting a blog soon called Citizens united against cheshire fools
We will target anyone who tries to play silly games
we will organize tear down brigades for all anti north end signs
we will run major attack ads vs schrumm orsini ruocco and slocum
We are ready to make sure the progressives win
Watch out we are watching"
-tear down brigades
-attack ads
-surveillance
progressive? go hijack some other label. That one just doesn't fit. :)
"Progressivism historically advocates the advancement of workers' rights and social justice. The progressives were early proponents of anti-trust laws and the regulation of large corporations and monopolies, as well as government-funded environmentalism and the creation of National Parks and Wildlife Refuges."
2 bedroom units will reduce the number of children. Ha, Ha, Ha ....
How stupid do you think we are? Shame on you Voelker, you know better. People will convert other rooms to bedrooms and we'll have hundreds of new students to fill our classrooms. If you don't know it, takes time to build more classrooms so more redistricting and over-crowding. Small price to have more fast food restaurants.
They say the residential will attract high end empty nester. Ha, Ha Ha, ...... Why the hell would high end people want to live next to a mall? Oh those summer days when it's 95 and the light breeze blows over over to their apartment after passing over 1,000,000 sq ft of parking and roofing. And, I'm sure these people and the young professionals want to listen to the late revelers as they race there engines and honk their horns.
No upscale person is going to rent, it makes no sense, they'll want to buy in a nice neighborhoods where there are trees and wildlife where it's cooler and quieter.
Wake up! Bowman and Calcagni are the ones that want the residential and they can make big bucks selling Cheshire's school system.
They get the bucks while you pay for the education.
When you get your tax bill, remember the all the elected people that voted for this at election time and throughout the rest of the year. They still don't know what they voted for.
be very careful as we are strong in numbers and we are watching.
We see the lies and decption
We like the north end
We are ready to see this through
We know that you will lie and say that it will be a disaster
It won/'t
Get back
Won't be a disaster? What planet are you from? Rental units are the worst possible residential option proposed. At least if it's condos people own them and care about their upkeep. Rental is a totally different issue altogether. All your going to get are people trying to rent to get into our school system, clog it up, raise our taxes and then leave after their children are done. Wake up! Anyone and everyone you ask in town is against the residential.
They better be very high rental units or we will end up with a new ghetto.....yo....
Hey Hey Ho HO
We won't go
We won't show
WS and and the boys gonna coook you up something real nice
shopees and stores and resturants
Good for taxes
Good for town
Everyone wants it
PZ gonna say ok
Get back to the farm old timer
Step back auntie Mae
Come on and say it
I want it
I want it
Ya know ya do
Some of the comments opposing the residental portion of the shopping center seem a little too elitist and racist for my taste. Maybe that's just Cheshire in a nutshell... I certainly hope that's not the case.
3:34PM No one is trying to be elitist or racist. The main concern with residential is that Cheshire doesn't need to make commercial land residential. This proposal is for only 100 acres out of 400. When the developers get their hands on this land watch out. Our schools will become overcrowded and our taxes will go through the roof. Bottom line is it's something we should not do. Everyone that I talk to in town is against the residential.
"This proposal is for only 100 acres out of 400."
The zone change is for 400 acres, and no matter how many times they say P&Z can set the rules for the other 300 acres, they know it is not so. P&Z might set the rules, but first of all they are giving W/C exactly was W/C has written. If they deny another applicant the same thing they are planning to give W/C, a court would rule with the applicant and all 400 acres are malls and housing.
Many towns are trying to curb their residential development knowing it is a tax loss. If the P&Z approves the residential portion of this proposal they should all be voted out of office. Their are many people waiting to see who votes for the residential.
Gimmie nice condos
Real nice
WS and the boys gonna getcha what ya want
Bigger and better than before
Hickory dickory dock
The anits are are in a tizzy
They are on their front porches
They live in the 19th century
And want everyone else to live their too
NOt gonna happen
So move to putnam while you can old timer
Speaking of the Town Charter, here's a section as it reads from the Code of Ordinances relating to Standards of Conduct. Seems to me that Ms. Esty held a hostile attitude toward Soltis and Slocum in her accusation which she said she "believed to be true" (her words as she read the motion to conduct the investigation). I think Ms. Esty should be held accountable as she definitely did not conduct herself with any amount of "fairness or in an openminded manner".
The section reads as follows:
(3) Personal interest shall be defined as any interest which is incompatible with the proper discharge of one's officialduties in the public interest or which would tend to impair one's independence of judgment or action in the performance of one's official duties. It is either an interest in the subject matter or a relationship with the parties before the public officer or employee which impairs or reasonably might impair the impartiality expected to characterize a public officer or employee. A personal interest can take the form of favoritism or hostility. It is a personal bias or prejudice which imperils or reasonably appears to imperil the open-mindedness and sense of fairness which a public officer is required to possess.
Perhaps the council should investigate Ms. Esty.
She won by one of the largest margins in town history vs one of the towns elder statesmen. There is not one Republican who can beat her so go cry in your beer on another blog
Oh if you take your quote about from the town charter then any council person who has opened their big mouths about the north end development then they are the ones with a bias problem
Read em and weep
If her time is up maybe david schrumm will have enough guts to run against her, same distric? That would be great, I know how I would bet. It would not be close. Bye dave.
I am looking in my crystal ball.....there will be no development...and no Esty....my crystal beer mug told me....HAH !!!
"Many towns are trying to curb their residential development knowing it is a tax loss."
This will be a huge tax loss. They are selling Cheshire's school system and the easiest way is to do rentals, small one month security deposit, no closing costs, no loan qualification. Easy, just move in with your kids and start complaining about town services. And the two bedroom con job, don't believe it, they are packing their bags.
Did you know they are not planning any playground space for the kids. I guess the mall should be enough.
Brace yourself taxpayers.
"Oh if you take your quote about from the town charter then any council person who has opened their big mouths about the north end development then they are the ones with a bias problem
Read em and weep "
Monday, July 02, 2007 6:01:00 PM
The north end development was a topic on the council's agenda...whether or not to support the idea and send it to P&Z. Of course when an item is up for debate councilors will voice their opinions for or against. That's to be expected on a topic effecting the entire community. It's quite inappropriate for a council women to drag someone's name through the mud weeks ahead of a proposed investigation into alleged shenanigans and to find them guilty by saying she believed it all to be true before the investigation/discussion took place. The code of conduct was violated. This council woman was bias, unfair and unable to keep an open mind. Her foolish actions have compromised the integrity of our town government.
Read it and weep.
Toot Toot
Big Train a commin
North end goona be relllleee nice
Stores and shoppes and nice place to live
Big changes
Good stuff
Jump back old timer
the plaid shirt wearin crowd won't be happy
all 5 of them
I agree she is no good and dave schrumm is the only person that can beat her, we must get him to run against her.
Yes go for it Dave
You can do it and you will win
You must do it to save our town
You speak the truth about everything Dave
Wow that will be a great race my money is on dave he has a lot of experience, brave move.
Dave will kick her BUTT !!!!
Dave will kick her butt and she will be gone, that will be a great day. He is going to do it?
Damn straight.......
Will he run against her, it by our only chance of getting control, we keep David and we get rid of her, it would be a great move.
Might as well get rid of White too.....put a real republican in office...not this Lowell Weicker wannabe !!!
If he was really that confident he would have run against Esty last time. He was about 100 votes shy of losing the whole thing as an at large and Orsini almost did not make it by 50 votes. The siting chair and vice chair of the council who had won the election before get their asses kicked by newcomers. Also remember Steve Carroll got schooled by these same two new comers. And now you think Schrumm can best Esty.
Ha
Ha
Ha
Im am still laughing hold on
Ha
Ha
JUst a minute
Ok
Ha
I'm surprised people haven't really thought the committee appointment issue through to its logical conclusion. The current appointment stagger for the WPCA is 1-3-3 when it should be 2-2-3. By correcting Mr. Pelton's term to '08 - the stagger becomes 0-4-3. Also, the Rs retain the chair and prevent the Ds from getting the majority of what Scrumm has called the most important committee in town.
With 4 appointments in '08 - the next council would have gotten to appointment the majority on the WPCA. Gives the Rs a chance to if they win this fall.
What the Rs and our current town clerk have asked us to do is accept they are incompetent and didn't realize the effect of their honest mistake. This from some of the most politically astute people I know.
4:26 Give it up Liz.
Schrumm win over Esty, he should do it. With that 1st back R we could win the council and that is the goal right? Time for the R to do the right thing and try to win this election.
You say give it up -put you don't dispute the facts - are the facts wrong - simple quesiton
Schrumm vs. Esty, now that would be great, let tbe people decide!!
Won't happen David doesn't have the guts to take her on.
Esty has taken herself on...she stumbled badly with the latest "investigation"...and nearly sank Matt Hall at the same time. She is a typical liberal...point out how we are all in trouble and how they can solve "our" problems. All we have to do is accept the fact we are stupid and they are smarter and everyone will be happy. Have you ever seen a liberal be happy?
She voted for McGovern no doubt...and campaigned for Hillary....
If she is so weak now Schrumm should run against her and beat her so we don't have to put up with her anymore. It should be easy for him to win?
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