Subversion or smokescreen?
Taken from some of the recent press:
Esty said Wednesday that the Web page change means the appointment process "was subverted by back-door activity to torque the system." She noted, "It's bad behavior and abuse of the system." (MRJ, June 13)
“Someone went behind the council to do this; an attempt was made to cheat,” Esty said. “The process was tinkered with, and if you give someone the result they tried to get by cheating, then you reward that kind of behavior.” (NHR, June 15)
"Whoever puts stuff on the Web site should be more careful," said Schrumm. He questioned whether the Web site is truly an official record, as the Democrats claim. "It's not unusual that dates (of terms) get screwed up. It's a smokescreen," Schrumm said. (MRJ, June 14)
But while the tone is heated, I'm only certain of one thing:
The Town Council will launch an investigation to determine why public records for a committee appointment were changed by the town clerk without "any notice or consultation" and "without approval of this council." (MRJ, June 13)
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:
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
35 comments:
Tim, If this investigation reveals nothing more than a clerical error (seems to be many on the website) then do you think Hall and Esty owe an apology to anyone?
If the investigation concludes with a clear cut "clerical error," then yes.
But my guess is that the answer will be anything, but straigtforward.
"And I intend to support Matt Hall on this..."
Do you really mean this? I can see that at this point you would want an investigation, but it should also be a total investigation, including why Esty and Hall waited until now when she say she found it in Feb. What proof is there that this actually happened. Any DNA?
And, let's find out if Esty and Hall did this for political purposes.
Keep the questions coming. We'll see if we can elevate the discourse between now and Tuesday.
As for supporting the investigation... I see little room to avoid one at this point.
I know if my name had been in any of the recent newspaper articles, I'd be chompin at the bit to clear my name. And I think the investigation would offer that opportunity.
At first, it sounded to me like one side screamed foul in order to blow an error out of proportion. I assumed that if the accusation wasn't politically motivated, it would have been made in a more discreet/appropriate manner until evidence of real wrongdoing was uncovered (or not).
Then, I noticed that some others were ready with their daggers drawn, looking to cash in on an accusation made too quickly, too loudly. The counter-accusers were ready to strike either by rabbit-punch or uppercut. They'd settle for a quick counter-accusation of cry wolf, but they're hoping for a complete flop of a flat-out wrong accusation. So, I took another look at my first assumption.
You see, no intelligent council member would risk minimal (downright petty) temporary gains if they thought it would more-likely turn out to be a legitimate error -- they'd have to have known that the backlash would be too damaging. No, they weren't too quick to attack, they were too quick to cry for help, and that's very telling in my opinion. Either they distrust certain elements so very much that they'd assume it absolutely has got to be wrong-doing, or perhaps they know that unless they raise a fuss, no proper investigation would be done. In both cases it speaks to rational or irrational distrust.
My conclusion is that something is terribly wrong. Either some folks have proven themselves to be absolutely rotten, or certain people have been made to feel entirely powerless. If there are real crooks or bullies in the council or elsewhere, then certain members need to spell that out for the residents in the most direct manner possible.
Tim, Is this investigation going to happen "behind closed doors" or out in the open for all to witness? Who will conduct the investigation?
And I agree with some of the comments here, in that Esty needs to answer a few questions also.
Maybe a sub-committee will be used? Esty, Hall and one of the republicans? Maybe an independant thrid party or maybe the whole council together? That will be interesting.
What makes sense is that Esty and Hall made the accusations to create an atmosphere that people against the rezoning of 400 acres, big assumption, deviously tried to subvert the system by changing a term date on a website. By doing this, they themselves could subvert the system by getting people angry that the Republicans were trying underhanded actions against their project. And, just maybe it would get some of the P&Z members angry enough to vote YES.
Are the main accusers going to run the investigation? Bad idea. I think we should contact Attorney General Blumenthal and have a real investigation which includes why they waited to make the accusations until shortly before the P&Z final meetings.
Also, why did Hall have the vote on his choice to replace Pelton before his grand stand accusation?
Mostly subversion-hey when tim slocum has to write a response on this blog-he is is trouble. He and the town clerk have alot of "splaining" to do. They are in hot water and they know it
The haters of the north end got them in this trouble and they either will take the fall or take the haters down with them
Tim-
Declaring your support for an investigation, before you know the parameters and scope of that investigation, is premature. Esty and Hall have made some pretty strong accusations, but unless they can provide adequate proof that this was anything other than a clerical error, you cannot support an investigation.
My take on this now is that they will launch an investigation into the "process" and not any "persons". Since re-stating or clarifying the process does not require an "investigation" - the only purpose to calling it an investigation is to distract people's attention from the original - and at this point, unproven - allegations.
Before any discussion of n investigation, it is important that councilors explain the basis of their allegations. It is simply not acceptable to publicly accuse individuals of cheating and tampering with the process - and then simply turn the discussion to another topic (i.e. the process).
In the end, you cannot support an investigation without some evidence of a wrong-doing. Otherwise this thing becomes the 21st century version of a Salem Witch Hunt.
If passed the entire 400 acre zone will become one of the largest shopping centers in New England with multiple malls to choose from and with hundreds of more students to over-burden our school system.
Will the children raised in a mall atmosphere have behavior problem? Who cares? Is it a good place to raise children? Who cares? Will our state taxes have to pay for over $10,000,000 in intersection and road improvements? Who cares? Will we have to build another firehouse for a few million and have a paid fire dept? Who Cares? Will the sewer treatment plant have to be a problem? Probably not so long as the DEP keeps adding 10% capacity with the magic pen.
And there are so many more things that the promoters don't care about as long as they make the big bucks. They don't give a damn about Cheshire or its citizens.
Who cares about the cost. Let's get those big box stores and the yummy fast food restaurants.
Let's make Cheshire the Mall Capital of Ct.
As if we are not paying enough taxes. Why to we have to support the wealthy developers.
Hopefully the P&Z will see what a disaster this is.
So you won't be eating in any of the new resturants in Cheshire? Too bad, it must be hard to be against everything you could use some cheering up!
Is this thread about termgate or the North End I am not sure? Or are they one in the same with people like you doing anything to stop this project even if it is morally wrong and maybe illegal? Of course the end will always justify the means.
"it must be hard to be against everything"
It is not hard for you and the rest of the good ole boys to be against the town, against businesses that can provide good jobs instead of part-time minimum wage with no benefits. Against maintaining the character of Cheshire as a family town. You people don't care about anything or anyone so long as you can make more money at other peoples expense.
Your against our current business owners and don't care if the get put out of business by the national chains that don't give a rap about anyone.
You are all just a bunch of greedy developers and realtors.
Funny you say that, I think that I read in the Herald this week that 64% of the people, who responded in their poll, wanted more resturants and entertainment in town. Are you sure that people don't want this developement or is it you pushing your ideas and values on everyone else?
"something is terribly wrong. Either some folks have proven themselves to be absolutely rotten, or certain people have been made to feel entirely powerless. If there are real crooks or bullies in the council or elsewhere, then certain members need to spell that out for the residents in the most direct manner possible."
YOU ARE VERY PERCEPTIVE YOUNG SKYWALKER.
"I think that I read in the Herald this week that 64% of the people,"
97% of the people thought Cheshire needed either more stores or restauarnts. How crazy. How could anyone print such crap?
The Cheshire Herald's polls are totally irresponsible and should never be run on any issue that could affect P&Z deliberation on the Zone Change.
They know their type of poll is not worth BULL CRAP. A reputable newspaper would not run a poll like this. It is 100% flawed. If they want to run a poll they should get someone who knows how to run it and be prepared for the expense to get meaningful results that are statistically correct. Selection of participants should never be voluntary and must be selected at random.
This poll appears to have been done with the purpose of misleading the public and to coerce members of the P&Z Commission with bogus information. Stop trying to disrupt the democratic process with these shenanigans. CH is out of control and needs someone with integrity to run things.
Anyone can go to their website and enter as many votes as they want, I know that because I entered at least 15 responses to this week's question. Go ahead, enter as many votes as you want. Spend the day on it.
Did the mall promoters suggest the question? In any case,
I'm sure the promoters sat down at their PC's and pounded in the votes. How many votes did Justin enter? Was it 97%?
The following is CH'S disclaimer
"This is intended as an informal public poll, reflecting only the opinions of those who choose to participate."
It should read
Enter as many votes as you want, the results are meaningless and only intended to fool the public.
Let's hear it CH. Your good with questioning other peoples motives. Now that you've been caught with your hand in the cookie jar, what do you have to say?
Wow, so you won't be eating at any of the new resturants either?
any one of them have to be better than the Waverly.
Tim, what are you smoking? "Quite the editorial in the Herald". For other politicians and/bloggers to suggest "as yet unnamed" people asked the Town Clerk to change the website is one thing....for the editors to jump in and add fuel to the fire is another. Journalists should be above spreading rumors. Granted an editorial is opinion, but this so far is pure speculation. I agree that a thorough investigation is needed but for the Herald to write "perhaps some town officials, all of whom are sworn to uphold the law, apparently think it's okay to bend the rules to benefit their own purposes" is stretching their journalistic liberties a bit. It may, afterall, end up being a simple clerical error. Investigate, yes. But until there is evidence of someone doing something, they should stop the mud-slinging. Also, how come in the last paragraph the Herald editors wrote "oversight is needed and those who ask questions and challenge the system should be applauded" yet in an editorial a couple of weeks ago, they criticized the "anonymous" group of people who are doing just that? The editors are all hypocrites and a disgrace to journalism.
"97% of the people thought Cheshire needed either more stores or restauarnts. How crazy. How could anyone print such crap?"
Well said. Repeat-voting aside, their poll question was similar to asking someone if they would like a bag of cash. If you leave out the context, anyone would go for the bag of cash. If instead you asked if someone would like a bag of cash from a loan shark, they'd probably think twice.
by the way, can we refer to the cheshire herald as something other than "CH." I'll have to change my handle if this keeps up. :)
lol. I noticed that "ch" and it threw me off at first.
Prob easier for you to change handles than to convince the community to change from that acronym.
partly my fault btw. I always use acronyms for the other local papers... their names are just too long for me type when I'm posting on the fly on the way to work.
Well, I think I too would prefer to refer to the paper as the CH. So, I've opted for adaptation.
Somewhere out there I'm sure there's a Wally S. Jones who feels my pain.
7:47 "Wow, so you won't be eating at any of the new resturants either?"..."It must be hard to be against everything."
Please get it right...it's "restaurants." It's not that some residents are against everything. We just don't want Cheshire turning into some of the surrounding towns.
The Cheshire Herald can't wait for all those fine national fast food restaurant ad dollars.
Hmmmmm W/S is cooking up some good things for the Herald.
And, can't wait for those rental ads.
Gotta help these good ole boys.
Get out the way
Old timers gonna send you to your porch
WS and the boys goonna cook ya up somgthing realllll nice!!!!!!!!!
Shopping
rEStt
Stores
and more
Mabe ya gotta go old timer
errrrt the bells toll for ya
Tim Pelton is a good person and I don’t believe that he had anything to do with this mess, but you might find the following of interest:
A few years ago Republican Keith Robertson resigned from the town council. The Republican nominating committee recommended Sandy Mouris. David Schrumm said no, he wanted TIM PELTON and he said he would NOT support anyone else.
Coincidence? Nothing to do with the present situation?
I doubt it.
WS and the boys goonna cook ya up somgthing.
That must be Paul, Matt, Frank and Doug. Hope they have a high chair for you and maybe your mommy brought your bottle.
"Coincidence? Nothing to do with the present situation? "
Huh? Make no sense.
What are you saying? It's wrong to like Tim?
To Saturday, June 23, 2007 3:35:00 PM:
What turnip truck did you just fall off?
3:29 No one cares what happened several years ago on the council. Didn't I say give it up Liz.
Never realized that there was such a tie between Tim and David?
"What turnip truck did you just fall off?"
Were you hit in the head with a baseball bat?
Sticks and stones may break my bones but CAVE men will never hurt me!
When owners of a property charge $10,000/month rent for a restaurant how can one stay in business? Ask some of the restaurant owners why they go out of business. That's why there is such a turn over in this business. Downey's,Damons,Pasta Plus,Friendlies,etc.
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