Cheshire's fledgling blogosphere
I've mentioned before that during 2007, I heard from more than a few of Cheshire's "power brokers" about TWL. Basically, none of them were happy with this blog. Or more precisely, they weren't happy about us shining the light of day where it often hasn't shone for years.
And in 2008, I'm really hoping we can grow Cheshire's fledgling blogosphere by leaps and bounds.
To that end, here's my attempt at a complete list of Cheshire-based blogs that seem to have content added fairly regularly:
Cheshire 06410
Cheshire Smart Growth
Friends of Boulder Knoll
Cheshire Town Post
Levers and Pulleys
Nutmeg Pundit
Tim White Listens
Underground Town Hall
My personal favorite is Underground Town Hall. Cindy does a great job of adding new content about local issues on a daily basis.
Does anyone know of any other Cheshire-based blogs?
Tim White
87 comments:
Too bad about the power brokers that do not like open discussions and comments. When money is a major motivator then your life will be miserable. If you have money do humanitarian projects for the community; turf is not in that group. Eventually even the big fish in the small ponds get caught.
Well, my personal fave is TWL ;)
I am constantly amazed at how often you (Cindy too) post new content.
I can barely find a sliver of time to fit in blogging between artwork (night job), programming (day job), and all the rest of it. I should throw wedding planning into that list (I love her, but we should have just eloped!).
Keep it up, Tim & Cindy!
-csh
http://www.cheshiretownpost.com
If it wasn't for the bloggers, we would never hear the things that the special interests don't want us to know.
For example, we would not have found out that Paul Bowman, Frank DiNatali and Doug Calcagni are the owners of the 107 acres that W/S wants to develop. They were always referrred to by the Town Council, P&Z, Cheshire Herald and all the other news media as the "Owners".
Now, why didn't these people want us to know who was behind the text changes to the Town Plan of Conservation and Development, and the Zone Changes to the Interchange Zone. Didn't they think the people of Cheshire deserved to know who is behind these changes that will forever change Cheshire from a residential town into a just so much more sprawl.
Thanks again bloggers for providing us with a means of sharing information. The sad thing is that so many in town still don't know your blogs exist.
"If it wasn't for the bloggers, we would never hear the things that the special interests don't want us to know.
For example, we would not have found out that Paul Bowman, Frank DiNatali and Doug Calcagni are the owners of the 107 acres that W/S wants to develop."
That's not even close to being true. The New Haven Register has identified Bowman and Calcagni as the owners of the property in stories several times since last fall.
As to Ms. Kleist's alleged talents as someone who reports fact, don't get me started. She's a legend in her own mind.
"The New Haven Register has identified Bowman and Calcagni as the owners"
This was after it appeared on the blogs and what about all the others mentioned above. Don't get me started.
Which blogs and when were the property owners identified? If you can provide me with dates and times (and blog names) then I will stand corrected.
It's easy to hate the media and say that journalists don't do their jobs. But there is a burden of proof that journalists have that most of the clowns who post on blogs don't even begin to think about.
Take for example Ms. Kleist's claim that "someone" gave her the document regarding the PZC's approval of the Shoppes at Cheshire. That document was sitting at the back of the room and anyone would have picked it up.
But Cindy like to pretend she's Woodward and Bernstein all rolled into one. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Blogs have a place in the public discourse. But when you read some of the things people claim about Michael Milone, for example, it borders on slander. And Tim, because he a personal vendetta against Milone, does nothing to keep the discussion in check. Instead, he's too busy catering to his little band of groupies who get ticked off when somebody posts stupid rhymes about the North End project or other issues.
Is the guy who posts that annoying? Certainly. But it's easier to ignore him and not even read his posts. Instead, the thought police on this blog get their panties all in a bunch.
Are there problems that need to be fixed in this town? Yes, but the way to do it is thorough compromise, not through some of the neo-con attitudes that have started to surface with alarming regularity on this blog.
And Tim, because he a personal vendetta against Milone, does nothing to keep the discussion in check.
I have no personal vendetta against anyone... though I do believe a legislative body should perform an oversight function of a chief executive. Look no further than what happened when the GOP controlled both branches in DC.
Oversight is necessary.
And as I've said before, if you believe a particular comment should be deleted, please draw my attention to it.
The reality is that, at this point, I don't read every comment here. I just don't have the time. Though I usually scroll through for question marks to see if there are any questions directed to me.
Tim it is evident to all who read your blog, that you would love to do away with the Town Manager form of government. Personal feeling... you want the job. Milone is in your way.
Your blog brings nothing to light, you continually sling mud. As an elected official I expect more. You were voted into office to effect change. You "bring to light" point after point problems, but offer no solutions. With regard to the north end development, everyone in town who has lived here for 5 years knew who the property owners were, you are not scooping anything. As 38 year resident (this apparently gets me credibility lol) I realize that Cheshire is not about the developments and the politics, its about the people. Something you seem to have forgotten in your attempt to "bring Cheshire into the light"
RE: "Tim... has a personal vendetta against Milone..." and
"Tim...you would love to do away with the Town Manager form of government. Personal feeling... you want the job. Milone is in your way."
Notice how these posters impute Tim's personal motives rather than address the substance of Tim's criticisms.
Much easier to sling mud at the messenger (with no evidence) and try to change the subject, than try to factually refute honest criticisms.
"It's easy to hate the media and say that journalists don't do their jobs."
It's not the journalists. It's the institutions that they work for that don't let them do their jobs for fear that they might offend an advertiser or politicians who threaten retribution. The news media should realize that the special interests need them, not the other way around. We just don't get the real news except from the blogs.
It's people such as yourself that uses this blog to put out misinformation and to attack honest people. As for Marty Cobern's famous P&Z Findings being on the rear table, that is an out and out lie. Nobody attending that meeting ever saw it on a table and you are just trying to make it sound like it was really open for discussion. The P&Z does not work that way. As for Marty's claim of writing it, that doesn't make sense. He certainly must of had the applicant's input. The writing of the Findings of the P&Z before the first deliberation meeting was an underhanded act and Mr. Cobern should be ashamed of himself. There should be discussions and concensus before writing finds. There were no discussions before this supposed draft was written.
We can all be thankful that someone had the decency to leak a copy to Cindy and we should thank Cindy for putting it on her blog. This incident shows how corrupt the P&Z process is. They were saying back in Feb of 2007 that it was a done deal and they certainly were right.
The only misinformation that is going around comes from people like Cindy and some of the regulars on this blog.
Contrary to what you've said, the documents that Cindy said were leaked to her WERE available at the back of the room. And if they were as incriminating as Mata Hari Kleist makes them out to be, why would they be lying out in the open where anybody could pick them up.
But it doesn't sound as good as having Cindy pump up her self- importance by saying someone "leaked it to her." I guess Watergate's Deep Throat has risen from the grave and is feeding Cindy with all her information.
And talk about attacking honest people: Marty Cobern may be a blowhard, but he's not dishonest. Just because he's on the side of the issue toy don't agree with doesn't give you the right drag his name through the mud.
As I said before, blogs have a place in the public discourse, but to say the real news comes from the blogs - at least the ones in Cheshire - is laughable. Most of the rumour mongering that goes on here and with the other blogs - especially Cindy's - is like throwing stuff against a wall and seeing what sticks.
Anon 9:45 a.m. is right when he/she says, "With regard to the north end development, everyone in town who has lived here for 5 years knew who the property owners were, you are not scooping anything."
It was widely known; I was just pointing out that one of the news organizations you claim is so afraid to print the truth actually did in this case.
It's very easy for MS. Kleist to play Lois Lane and Mr. White as, Perry White.She and Tim's bloggers often spew rumors and gossip. Newspapers could NEVER get away with the misinformation that is published on blogs. At least for the most part the newspapers are unbiased. Kleist and White are full of themselves and their own opinions. I highly doubt that most of the reporters at any of the newspapers that cover the town are as biased as these two. The newspapers have to watch every word they print for libel and ruining a persons reputation.
Tim admits here he doesn't monitor this blog. "I don't read every comment here, I just don't have the time." My question is, shouldn't you? And as for Ms. Kleist and her blog, I don't know anyone who takes her seriously. And really what are her motives? I don't buy the I care about this town stuff.She likes attention. Why doesn't she just do everyone's job, she knows more than anyone else. I agree wholeheartedly with the poster who said that she is a legend in her own mind.
WOW!
So, if these people (or maybe it is 1 person)think what is written here is propaganda(rumors and gossip), why are they here reading and writing back?
It sounds like the person writing is an informed individual, and may even be a member of the Town Council. Nahhh...I would think that if someone from our Town Council wanted to attack Tim and Cindy they would want to be recognized and not hide themselves.Perhaps it is a town official? Hmmm....
Blogs are wonderful, and if you are an intelligent human being you can usually decypher what is truth and what is fiction. They can serve as a sounding board and assist citizens in making their decisions about how this town is being run.
I only wish there were other members of the Council who had sites like this.Tim is the only one so it would naturally be slanted in his favor. He isn't dumb.
I am so happy that I stumbled across this blog several months ago, it has kept me more informed then the Town COuncil site with the delayed minutes and any other publication.
I would suggest that this person start his(or her) own blog so we can all know the "truth", since he(or she) appears to be the town expert.
Let us know when we can see your site. In the mean time keep reading and get better informed.
Anon 11:37 a.m.
For blogs to be the effective tool you say they are, there needs to be a thoughtful exchange of ideas. And quite frankly that's lacking here (and is totally absent in the other blogs Tim listed in the orignal post.)
Instead, we get dogma central. Town Council, Michael Milone, PZC = bad; Tim, Bill Kunde, Ron Paul = good. Too bad real life isn't that simple.
But you wouldn't know that if you follow the daily dispatches from the Boy Mayor wannabee (the Rascal king) and his own Greek Chorus. Everything would be better in town if only it were run by like minded people, a.k.a disenfranchised white guys. My guess is that there's not a single woman posting on this blog (unless you count Tim's girl Friday, the Kleister).
I'm all for open government, but it's a two-way street, a place where debate is valued and people aren't encourage to shun (and do worse) to people in public office just because those individuals didn't vote the way the Rascal king and his cronies wanted. Who did that you say? Just go back and read some of the postings after the last PZC vote on the North End project.
You don't like the way Marty Cobern voted on the North End development. Then vote him out of office two years from now. Give it your best shot and bring it with everything you've got. It's a lot tougher ousting an incumbent from office than it is spreading rumours. Just ask the Boy Mayor wannabee how tough it is get rid of an incumbent. I hear tell he has some experience in that regard.
But in the mean time. don't engage in character assassination by calling people corrupt and worse just because you disagree with them.
Tim it is evident to all who read your blog, that you would love to do away with the Town Manager form of government. Personal feeling... you want the job. Milone is in your way.
The internet is great... can you provide some links? The reality is that I'm undecided on whether we should change our form of government. At this point, I think it's probably a zero sum game.
As for wanting to be Chief Executive of Cheshire... no. My concern is really just a lack of oversight that has now existed for years. Look no further than my comments last night about a 90' baseball diamond that has gotten virtually nowhere in four years. And now we're told it'll be another year at least.
Did you see the Council leadership show any concern? No. And you won't. I've had that conversation with both of them already.
After I had those conversations (about a year ago) that's when I became more public with my concerns about the TMs performance.
But for an understanding of where we are today... here are some of the significant events that have transpired (and yes, this is written by me, seen through my eyes... but I am truly trying to be as objective as I possibly can be)
Here's my general approach to business/government... I always try to follow proper lines of authority... if I have a concern with staff, I address it with staff... always trying to being careful to never directly contact staff as that would be inappropriate. So instead, I email the TM and "cc" staff. That way there is no circumventing the TM.
The TM knows I do this and have done this since the day I was elected four years ago. In fact, he's thanked me for this approach during meetings, stating that he appreciates my approach to working with him.
Certainly it takes me more time to craft a succinct email (than it takes presumably most Council members to simply call him), BUT the TMs time is important. And I don't want to waste his time or the time of staff. So I almost always force myself to draft/redraft emails for any contact I have with him. Plus he has a record of my concern. That way, since most questions/comments are not of an immediate concern... he can simply place the email in a folder and address it when he has the time. Or in the case of staff... they often reply to me before he does. But I've always made sure to keep him in the loop because he "owns" staff time. I don't. So I don't want staff ever "catering" to my questions... not when they have higher priorities, etc.
Of course, the same rule (email) applies to my contacts with the TM (when no other staff is contacted).
So...
back to my point...
Over the past few years, I've had numerous concerns with the TMs performance. Often times, I raised the issue with either the TM or Council Chairs.
After about 3+ years on the Council, I grew increasingly frustrated about a lack of support in addressing my concerns about the TMs performance (which was good on balance, but like everyone, he has shortcomings)
So I took one last crack at addressing my various concerns privately. Over the course of a couple months, I spoke with Hall, Ecke and Milone.
Hall (on the topic of challenging Milone's request for a PIO) told me there are "two schools of thought." My school being that you should ask questions and demand an identified taxpayer benefit for government spending. And then there was the other school of thought that everything is fine, so if the TM asks for something, you approve it.
Then I spoke to Ecke immediately after one of the personnel committee / special council meetings on the TM annual review. Ecke told me "Tim, the problem is you have a Chairman and a Vice Chairman who don't care." Those were his words. And as far as I know, no one heard them. So he could deny it, but I know what he said.
Finally, I went to the TM and he got upset with me. During a meeting (so minutes should be available), if I recall correctly, I asked him why, for four years, I had consistently seen headlines appearing in the local papers without ever having received an email from Town Hall. He basically responded to me by asking me if I had ever asked for a head's up... which I'm sure I had... but more to my point... why should I have to ask?
Whatever job I have, I know that if my boss' boss says "what's going on with this? what's going on with Tim White?" and I haven't mentioned it to my boss yet... I know that my boss would be rather annoyed with me... yet the TM seems to believe it's incumbent on Council members to ask him for information... while not knowing what's happening in Town Hall? That makes no sense. Not to mention the numerous times I felt somewhat embarrased when residents call me up and ask me what's happening with such and such and I say I have no idea... no one tells me anything.
Anyway...
back to my point...
In attempting to address my concerns about the TMs (generally good) performance, I tried to do everything privately... with the TM, with other Council members and with Council leadership... and I got nowhere... even though no Council member, D or R, current or former,, ever told me that my concerns were invalid. They'd say "I don't disagree." Or often they would agree with me.
But none of them would publicly challenge the TM... for some the concern was, I believe, a bit of fear. Others were indifferent. And I'm sure there were other reasons.
But the bottom line to me, going back a year, was that someone needed to get the TM to change a few things. And since I had gone to his boss (the Council) and had gotten nowhere, I had only one place left to go... his boss' boss... the voters.
I didn't really want to do that, but please... this is a very serious question... and this is independent of any particular person, it's just theoretical...
If Council member X thinks a Town Manager needs to change some things... and X feels passionately about something... and the Council disagrees for whatever reason... then is it appropriate for X to go the voters with the concerns? I believe it is incumbent on X to go to the voters.
And again... five years minimum to build a 90' diamond? It took seven years to build the pool! At least they had the excuse of digging through ledge.
And what was said last night by the majority? not a peep from the Council leadership. The Council leadership (I like them as people) have demonstrated to me that they are, at minimum, indifferent to governing. So if you want to understand me, that's it... I have differences with the TM on a number of issues... and I may be wrong on some of them... or, more accurately, may be in the minority opinion on some of those issues.
But until the Council ends the indifference, we'll never have a real discussion on my concerns... and we'll never know if I'm in the minority opinion. And again... just from last night... who is going to argue with me that five years is too long to build a ballfield? I can already hear the comments... "Tim, I don't disagree, but... everything's fine." That's the same thing Denny Hastert used to say... oversight is necessary... and it's not being negative or "anti" anything to perform oversight and demand answers/accountability.
And for those of you who've actually read to the bottom of this... herein lies my appreciation for Elizabeth and Laura... I don't believe either of them are indifferent... and as the TM said during the Vietnam War memorial ceremony... indifference is probably the worst thing that could exist in someone. (I'm paraphrasing, but he quoted someone... I'm sure he could tell you the quote).
Finally,
1) generally-speaking, the TM does a good job. But he's not infallible and direction is appropriate. And unlike other Council members, I don't think he's the only person who can do the job. I have no doubt that there are other people who could do the job... but that's a simple statement that you could make about just about any CEO in the country... there are always others who can do a job... oftentimes with more vigor as they are new to a job.
2) I'm undecided on a mayor/manager form of government. There are good & bad to each. I'll be thinking about it over the next few weeks, but really hadn't thought much about it.
3) as for wanting his job... nope. But if we had a Mayor form of government, I think Sheldon Dill could do a good job. He's listens to the people in town and has a good grasp of how people are feeling.
So there you have it... an insight into where I'm coming from. And so you know... this wasn't easy to write. But I can't sit back and let (what I view as) indifference to continue unnoticed.
For blogs to be the effective tool you say they are, there needs to be a thoughtful exchange of ideas. And quite frankly that's lacking here
So are you telling that what you are saying is not "thoughtful"
"don't engage in character assassination by calling people corrupt and worse just because you disagree with them."
And you are doing what here??
Obviously you are someone connected to the Democratic party in town. Why not come out and if you aren't a member of the Council give it your best shot to beat Tim...I don't think you will.
He is upfront with his thoughts and ideas, more than any other council member. I see too many council people just going along with what his or her party says rather than think independently.
How can anyone say they are 100% satisfied with anyone's job? Am I satisfied with all of Tim's decisions, n o, but he makes you think. Is the TM doing a good job?Yes...is there room for improvement?Of course.
Just like anyone in business who has yearly reviewss. It is all a part of checks and balances.
I commend Tim for the time he takes on this blog, especially having to deal with people who like to complain about what you write here and then get into name calling.
Keep going Tim, you have a lot of supporters.
As for deleting comments... please give me a set of rules and I'll consider them.
Beyond that I do recall deleting several comments that named the owners of the ND land. It wasn't until I saw the NHRs Luther Turmelle (IMO, a very good and reputable reporter) report the names that I let those comments stay. I'm sure that he sourced his info well (unlike in the blogosphere), so I then decided to let the comments stay.
As for calling any particular individual corrupt, please tell me where. I'm convinced there is no such thing here. Although there are comments about the PZC, I equate such comments to me calling Congress (the body politik) corrupt. I feel that's quite different from saying an individual is corrupt.
1:02 thanks.
And one more thing... Matt Hall has been very good on two politically dicey and time consuming issues so far as Chairman... Town Atty transition (done) and Charter revision (just raised).
So he's not indifferent to the Counci business by any means.
Nonetheless, the single biggest "day to day" business of the Council is the job of the TM.
'it appropriate for X to go the voters with the concerns'I grew increasingly frustrated about a lack of support in addressing my concerns"
theres the point they are your concerns, perhaps the town council a) doesnt share your concerns
b) wont support your concerns/issues as you bash all that dont agree or have thier won concerns.
As for going to the voters, Tim you represent them, they are not there to support your concerns. Hows that RT 42 project coming....
How about Boulder Knoll.....
Whats up with public safety / Officer/dispatcher shortages (as your girl Cindy appears to agree)
Its not for you to decide what is important, represent your district, all of it, dont just pander to your supporters. You are a HUGE disappointment Tim.
8:39 am
Fess up, tell us who you are. Obviously you have your own agenda, exactly the thing you are accusing Tim of.
"As for going to the voters, Tim you represent them, they are not there to support your concerns."
And what do you say to the others on the council? Matt Altieri doesn't vote the way he wants? I live in the same district as he does and have begged him to vote on certain issues and he still sticks to party lines that will help him. Mike Ecke?Does he even talk to citizens if they aren't wearing football equipment?
Come on 8:39, lets be honest here. If you want to critcize, make sure you are being fair.
Then you go and say that the council "may not share your concerns". Tim isn't asking them to support his concerns, he just wants the ability to "address" them so they can talk intelligently.
What makes you the spokeperson for the town? Tim was voted into office so there must be a majority out there who support his ways.
I am still amazed that you come to this blog if you are so against him and his supporters. Obviously you know where to go to get the accurate information from one of the few members of our Town Council who cares what his supporters want.
You sir, Mr. 8:39 am anonymous, are a HUGE disappoinment to us here.
Say what you will about Tim White, you won’t find a more TRANSPARENT member of the town council. Agree with him or not, at least he’s fully upfront about his reasoning. Who else explains his thinking in such detail, and puts it out there for the world to scrutinize?
He must be on to something when anonymous posters have to resort to accusing him of being personally jealous of the TM, or having ambitions to be mayor. Like someone said above: Notice how they impute Tim's personal motives rather than address the substance of Tim's criticisms.
It's started! Team Tim, like Rush Limbaugh's Ditto Heads, have begun circling the wagons.
Yes, Tim was elected to office, but that doesn't mean a majority of people in town supported him. He didn't win one of the at-large council seats; he was elected at the district level. That only means that a majority of the people who voted in his district voted for him. A real test of his popularity (or lack of it) would be if he ran at-large during the next elections. But my guess is he's not willing to risk that out of fear that he night lose. And, of course, there's always the possibility of another Nardello-White rematch as Tim seeks to further his political career.
As to Cedar Lane's comments, you can't just dismiss the link between his dislike of the Town Manager and his political ambitions because they influence the actions that he takes as councilman. He's not alone in that regard among council members (see Elizabeth Esty), but the members of Team Tim put him on a pedestal.
And yet he allows his Greek Chorus to attack Milone unabated on this. Milone is Machiavellian, Milone doesn't do his job properly. And on and on, with the insinuation that the Town Manager has smething to gain other than working for his salary.
No, Tim, Milone is not perfect and he's not the only person who could do his job. But the fact that during Milone's tenure, an overwhelming majority of the council has supported his actions and has not publically take him to task ought to tell you something. No, not that the majority of the council members who have served during that time are "indifferent to governing," but that Milone legitmately does a good job. There have been Democratic and GOP controlled council's during that time and while there may have been differences of opinion, nobody has treated him like a public opinion Pinata the way Tim has.
You're free to disagree with the job he does, as is anyother taxpayer. But consider this for a moments: Imagine that everything you do as an employee of People's Bank was subject to public criticism. And while some of that comes with the turf, nobody deserves the kind of abuse that you 've heaped upon him over the past year or so.
Cedar Lane, the fact is that there is VERY LITTLE subtance to many of Tim's criticisms. He's right on target in championing energy efficiency, but he needs to stop with all the palace intrigue.
By the way, I look at this blog because I think there is value in knowing what other residents are saying, even if I don't always agree with them. Just a thought for the "Tim White: Love Him or Leave His Blog" crowd to ponder.
No one has presented any evidence that Tim White "has a personal vendetta against Milone," or that he "would love to do away with the Town Manager (because of) personal feelings," or that he "wants the job and Milone is in (his) way."
No one, and certainly not 12:03 previous, has presented any evidence that Tim's motives are anything other than the reasons he states above.
So I stick with my previous abservations:
"you won’t find a more TRANSPARENT member of the town council than Tim White....he’s fully upfront about his reasoning. Who else explains his thinking in such detail, and puts it out there for the world to scrutinize?
"He must be on to something when anonymous posters have to resort to accusing him of being personally jealous of the TM, or having ambitions to be mayor. Like someone said above: Notice how they impute Tim's personal motives rather than address the substance of Tim's criticisms".
"Contrary to what you've said, the documents that Cindy said were leaked to her WERE available at the back of the room"
Wow!!!!!
This person just doesn't give up. They keep trying to convince people that Cobern's FINDING and APPROVAL document was available to the public. This is just part of the coverup attempt to make it appear that Cobern's FINDINGS and Approval document was available to the public. Cindy made it available to the public and anyone that tries to say differently is dead wrong. They are not only lying about this, but they go out of their way to attack the bloggers and posters who they would like to silence. The truth hurts.
The surfacing of this document before any dilerberation discussions exposed the dark side of P&Z process. It appears to have been orchestrated from the start.
The only thing that's transparent here is:
A) Tim's interest in getting rid of Milone.
B) The mindless blind loyalty towards him by Cedar Lane and others.
The "evidence" for Item A is his own words. To whit:
White - "But none of them would publicly challenge the TM... for some the concern was, I believe, a bit of fear. Others were indifferent."
Or maybe nobody else had significant problems with Milone's work. And even Tim knows that the majority rules in government.
Wait, there's more...
White: But the bottom line to me, going back a year, was that someone needed to get the TM to change a few things. And since I had gone to his boss (the Council) and had gotten nowhere, I had only one place left to go... his boss' boss... the voters.
And the voters really rose up and turned out to the council meetings and said fire Milone now, right Tim? Last time I checked, there weren't any petitions circulating in the regard.
So having been rebuffed by his colleagues on the council and faced with what is largely public indifference, Mr. Transparent resorts to presiding over a trashing of Milone online.
So you end up getting stuff like this:
White: I had consistently seen headlines appearing in the local papers without ever having received an email from Town Hall.
For gosh sakes, Tim, he's the Town Manager, not a clipping service. He should be doing the town's business, which shouldn't mean that he has to keep you updated on everything the local press corps in writing about. Chances are if a reporter calls you, it's going to be about something covered in a meeting.
As to Anonymous 2:02 p.m. and "the truth" Cindy - and apparently you - wouldn't know the truth if it hit you in the head. Nobody's try to silence you or the Legend in Her Own Mind. You can blather on about whatever you want. But all she did was pick up a document that was available at the back of the room and spin it into something sinister.
If it was "a leak" as she claims, who would leak an allegedly confidential document to her? A town employee? Doubtful, since Cindy has a reputation among town hall staff of being a loose cannon and if I'm a town employee I'm not going to risk losing my job for someone like that.
So, who was it that "leaked" the document to the Mother of All Ex-Journalists, members of Team Tim? Inquiring minds want to know.
There was no document in the back of the room. If one attends these meetings they know who patrols the "BACK OF THE ROOM". This is all BS. This process was flawed from the begining and the truth will come out as it always does.
If one attends these meetings, they know that the long table, located near the rear of the council chambers, usually has agendas on it. Several copies of the document, which "Scoop" Kleist claims was "leaked," were sitting on that table at one of the last two meetings prior to the PZC vote.
The weekend is here! I'll try to address some comments now...
Tim admits here he doesn't monitor this blog. "I don't read every comment here, I just don't have the time." My question is, shouldn't you?
That's a very good question that I've pondered for two years now.
1) whenever people direct me to a particular comment, I'll consider deleting it. (I did this when Marty C directed me to an entire thread... at that time, I deleted a comment that included his name)
2) I try to follow the lead of the MSM blogs. When you see the comments that they let fly... everything here looks like kindergarten. My general idea is that opinion is fine, but statements of fact are trouble. That's why I consistently deleted comments about the ND owner names... until the NHR ran a story.
"With regard to the north end development, everyone in town who has lived here for 5 years knew who the property owners were, you are not scooping anything."
It was widely known;
I've called Cheshire home for 35 years (left for college + a few years working abroad) and I had no idea who owned the property... although I never asked anyone either.
Hows that RT 42 project coming....
How about Boulder Knoll.....
Laura's working on Boulder Knoll.
As for Rte 42, we're not in construction season. Beyond that, it should be moving along... if I recall correctly, easement agreement letters were sent out last fall (finally!).
So the town portion of the project should be completed shortly.... though your comment does raise another concern of mine... but I'm not getting into it now.
nobody has treated him like a public opinion Pinata the way Tim has.
Seriously, I can't respond to such a broad and unsubstantiated accusation.... but to prove your point and not have me simply ignore this comment... you can to substantiate it. So please provide some links... to the best of my memory, I have never criticized the TM on a personal level... my criticisms have been directed at particular actions/policies... such as "five years to build a ballfield."
Imagine that everything you do as an employee of People's Bank was subject to public criticism. And while some of that comes with the turf
IMO, there's a difference between high level political appointments (AG Gonzalez, SecDef Rumsfeld, Chief of Staff Moody) and non-political appointments.
nobody deserves the kind of abuse that you 've heaped upon him over the past year or so.
again, if you substantiate this broad assertion, I'll try to comment. But opining in such generalities leaves me without anyway to thoughtfully respond.
Besides, as I've said above "on the record," generally, he does a good job. My concern is about a lack of oversight.
Or maybe nobody else had significant problems with Milone's work.
Visconti and Schrumm both voiced serious concerns last year.
"were sitting on that table at one of the last two meetings prior to the PZC vote."
Copies of the agenda are put on the table in the rear, nothing else.
Now you say it was there at one of the two meetings before the vote. Marty's Findings were distributed
to members of the P&Z at the Jan 16 meeting. Did all members get a copy, I don't know. There were no copies on the rear table, only the agenda. Cindy put Marty's Approval document on her Website on Jan 18.
She didn't spin it into something sinister. It was in itself a wake up call it was shocking how these biased findings were developed not by the commision members as a whole, but by one or more individuals and looks like they were designed to influence the other members and not for a real discussion.
As it turned out, there was never ever a public discussion on the 21 items.
And the voters really rose up and turned out to the council meetings and said fire Milone now, right Tim?
Looking at 01, 03, 05 and 07 vote totals, I had a significant amount of support in the past election that had not previously existed.
I don't recall running on a campaign platform of firing the town manager. So why would you suggest that? Can you provide some links? It should be easy enough to use the search engine in the upper left corner.
Anon 3:58 Maybe there was one copy and you picked it up? If there were several copies it would have been noticeable and not missed by many. Well, I guess you were lucky and that covers the P&Zs behind. One would think that something of this importance should have been mentioned (that copies where available) to everyone in attendance. If that was the only copy all could have shared it with you since there was such a small number in attendance. The reason for such the low attendance was the decision was not a big surprise. No Channel 3 news? Why not?
White: I had consistently seen headlines appearing in the local papers without ever having received an email from Town Hall.
For gosh sakes, Tim, he's the Town Manager, not a clipping service.
I should have been more clear. I'm not concerned about random press clippings. But if a reporter speaks with the TM and the TM has reason to believe there will be an article appearing in the local papers, then I believe it is incumbent on the TM to give the Council a "head's up."
As for the TMs office telling the Council about anything and everything Cheshire... no, I wouldn't want that... I just want to be given a head's up about issues that may very well generate constituent questions/concerns. And if you feel that's inappropriate on my part... well, that's a difference of opinion.
above two comments are mine. sorry for not signing.
Furthermore, in the past year, there was a Cheshire employee who had some serious problems in Wolcott... headlines were everywhere. I felt the Council should have been made aware before reading it in the newspapers. But that was deemed a personnel issue. So the Council didn't need to know, even though residents contacted me on other issues and made veiled references to the incident... leaving me wondering what was happening with the CPD?
Before that, someone was at the pool when a life threatening illness began showing signs. Ask the press if they were even made aware of that... no they weren't... although, on that particular day, both the TM and Asst TM were out of work (which makes me wonder why we spend $4,000/yr on that stipend and have an Asst TM in the first place).
Regardless, the press did find out. And when did the Council find out? I recall being told it was not a Council issue... it was deemed a Chesprocott issue. Does that make any sense? It doesn't make any sense to me how such an incident at the pool is only of concern to Chesprocott.
Tim-
From Wednesday's meeting, it seems apparent the Democratic majority is thinking it is time for a charter revison? Assuming they have 5 votes (they need 6), how do you stand on the issue of charter revision? Yea or Nay?
I'm undecided, though have been raising the idea that we should consider a charter revision since November '06 (as you can see... building support can take time)
see here for my blog history. Btw, aren't blogs great for this?
Anyway, I'm glad Matt Hall brought it up for discussion. And based on what he said, I think the idea of having a Council committee discuss it is good.
I know I mentioned forming an "ad hoc" committee. But Matt's idea of using the Ord Review is fine with me. I just want to make sure we have a thoughtful discussion before we vote to revise.
On balance though... I'm not sure yet. As I've been mentioning for a while now... there are benefits to opening the Charter. The question I have not fully considered is the downside.
Finally, 5:52 anonymous is my comment... I was having technical difficulties before.
sorry again... 5:48 is not my comment.
Using the petition for the senior tax freeze to open the charter is lame at best. The verification delay by the clerks office was the problem. By the way, if the D's delivered on their election promise the petition never would have happened. Be careful what you wish for in a charter revision. Look at the changed to the Plan & Conservation.
Using the petition for the senior tax freeze to open the charter is lame at best. The verification delay by the clerks office was the problem.
Could you explain further? I don't recall. If you do a nice job, I'd like to use it for a front page post.
By the way, if the D's delivered on their election promise the petition never would have happened.
Very, very true.
"everyone in town who has lived here for 5 years knew who the property owners"
What a joke your comment is. Maybe your right if your talking about people who work in the town hall or realtors, but 99% of the remaining people didn't know it was Frank DiNatali, Paul Bowman and Doug Calcagni. I haven't seen this information in the Cheshire Herald and don't understand why the media never interviewed them.
Since everything is such common knowledge, tell us who owns the rest of the interchange zone. Let's let everyone know this common place knowledge.
Thursday, February 14, 2008 1:04:00 AM
"And Tim, because he a personal vendetta against Milone, does nothing to keep the discussion in check."
I think a proper name for you should be "Attack Man" or "Angry Man". You accuse Tim of near slander while you attack him, Cindy Kliest and everyone that doesn't share your views. If you don't like what they say or their blogs, don't read them and don't post your attacks on them. Create your own blog and don't bother the rest of the world. Post all your rhymes on your own Developer's Blog.
You are simply annoying, not believeable and add nothing.
2:02 PM
I was opposed to the project so make no mistake here. Marty's findings were on the back table. No cover-up conspiracy theory man sitting at computer in his boxer shorts. If you'd gotten off your fanny you could have had your own set to read.
I watched the Council meeting last night. Slocum asked about the playground and the DPW working weekends. Milone said yes because it needed to happen fast.
Then White asked about the adjacent 90' baseball diamond. Milone said unexpected delays such as the northend culvert repair slowed the project. White then asked, "for four years?!"
So, is this an example of a "personal vendetta" which White supposedly has against the TM? Or was White asking a perfectly reasonable question about excessive delays and resource allocations?
So why did the TM decide to fasttrack the playground and slowtrack the ballfields? His answer doesn’t begin to explain the four year delay. And what did Hall & Ecke say? (crickets).
Is the TM choosing what to fasttrack and what to slowtrack based on political considerations such as his favorites on the council? It sure looks like that.
Few corporate boards would allow their CEO as much free reign as the town council allows the TM. White’s call for greater council oversight of the TM is reasonable and professional on the face of it.
Check some of the old TC meetings put on the Cheshire Town Post blog regarding "Senior Tax Freeze".
anonymous 3:08:00 PM
Try being involved in the Community instead of siting inside blogging all day. Go to the Notch, Relay for Life, High School Athletic events, a Golf Tournament (chamber, Vic house). It is common knowledge that Calcagni and Bowman were owners of the property, but the real issue is who cares who owned the unused, non tax generating property for the past 25 years. Someone trying to develop thier property, what an outrage. I know if I sell my house or property in town, I should get an OK from the people as to who can buy my property.
While bashing the property owners for doing what property owners do, should we also bash them for thier community envovlement (follow me here):
Relay for life organization
Youth sports sponsorships
Cancer foundations
Fall festival Fireworks
Cheshire First night
just to name a few...
I am not a personal friend of any of the Bowmans or Calcagni's, but what have you and your family done to match thier contributions to the community.
Anon 3:48
“Is the TM choosing what to fasttrack and what to slowtrack based on political considerations such as his favorites on the council? It sure looks like that… And what did Hall & Ecke say? (crickets).”
And in a few months, when voting to give Milone a raise, Hall will again say that Milone's litter box smells like ice cream.
Anon 4:01
“Try being involved in the Community instead of siting inside blogging all day”.
Rather like the pot calling the kettle black.
Dear Tim,
You know I never comment publicly on political matters, but it pains me to see you targeted by unfair accusations against your sincere motives. So I send this to encourage you.
DO IT ANYWAY, by Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
Well said Brother Mychal!!
I feel that this one person who seems to be attacking Tim here has a personal Vendetta against him and probably wants Tim's job.
I dare you to run against him!! With your "knowledge" of what is going on in this town as well as your wonderful grammar will go a long way in representing this town....not!
Give it a rest...perhaps you can go back to working on Hillary's blog.
Vendetta against him and probably wants Tim's job.
I dare you to run against him!! With your "knowledge" of what is going on in this town as well as your wonderful grammar will go a long way in representing this town....not!
Give it a rest...perhaps you can go back to working on Hillary's blog.
I apologize for typographical errors, not unlike capitolizing Vendetta, and starting sentences with a prepostional phrase, and lack of commas, but then aren't we all human. As it relates to wanting Tim's job, I'm sorry, no, my job is just fine, although I would like to be so irresponsible with my comments and be allowed to get away with it. P.S. Hilary is useless as well. My comments are not political in nature. It is just frustrating to be so attached to this Town, to see malcontents do nothing but take shots at those who can actually say they made a difference instead of saying they know how to make a difference.
Anon 4:01 There are many other people that have made Cheshire what it is. I have no beef with your assessment of what these people contributed but others deserve some credit. Betty of "IVES FARM" fame and many others who have donated land/time and money to this town for open space etc. deserve some recognition. Let's not base everything on how much they gave but that they care enough to give. My hat goes off to all that give unselfishly and expect nothing in return.
anonymous 11:01:00 AM
Kudos, many people made Cheshire what it is, you are 100 percent correct. And one mall can not make Cheshire something it isnt.
Cheshire is Cheshire because of the people, as I had alluded to earlier.
Saturday, February 16, 2008 4:01:00 PM
There are many people in town who give of themselves for absolutely no return and no thought of enhancing their financial positions. And, there are others who's motives for giving or serving on commissions are different.
To the arrogant jerk who seems to have issues with how this town is being run....MOVE OUT!
Either that or run for office and make the changes you want. I love people who complain about everything but won't get up and do something about it.
Perhaps you already hold an office though???
Give it up!
It looks like it is time for an English grammar lesson Mr. 12:46 am. Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
Stating that you should not be "starting sentences with a prepostional phrase" is not correct.(I won't mention the mis-spelling on preposition this time, that will be for our spelling lesson)
You can put a prepositional phrase in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. When you put it at the beginning, you should use a comma after the phrase.
Perhaps you should just stick to spewing your venom and try not to show your lack of grammar skills. We are all human, we just have different intelligence levels.
(By the way, when you want to shorten you are, it is you're not your)
Class dismissed!
"To the arrogant jerk who seems to have issues with how this town is being run....MOVE OUT!"
See, this is the level of intelligence this blog attracts, the "America: Love It or Leave It" Crowd recycled at the local level.
The other irony in this post is that I the people who complain about how the town is being run are the Team Tim regulars. Those of us who are pointing out the flaws in the logic of the Boy Mayor-wannabe and his loyalists don't have half the issues with town government that Team Tim members do.
Those of us who are pointing out the flaws in the logic of the Boy Mayor-wannabe
I presume I'm the Boy Mayor-wannabe? If so, you're wrong.
Also, as I've said, please cite these flaws. Links should be easy enough to find.
Anon 7:27 AM keeps repeating that Tim White wants to be mayor, and that he’s got a personal vendetta against Milone. But she/ he can’t cite any evidence to support these charges.
White still stands on his criticism of the council majority’s lack of adequate oversight of the TM. As I said previously, “Few corporate boards would allow their CEO as much free reign as the town council allows the TM. White’s call for greater council oversight of the TM is reasonable and professional on the face of it”.
In the face of White’s substantive criticisms, these are 7:27’s tactics: (1) change the subject by accusing the messenger of bad motives, and (2) keep repeating this mantra (without evidence), hoping that some of the mud might stick.
In 7:27’s last post, she/he sneers at “the level of intelligence that this blog attracts,” proving my point: 7:27 has engaged in nothing more than AD HOMINEM ATTACKS throughout this discussion.
I liked the Brother’s quote of Mother Teresa above. “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.”
Still, I wonder if there aren’t some people who are so much so that even Mother Teresa wouldn’t give them a good kick in the butt.
Tim--You may need to do another post on this subject. It seems to have hit a nerve.
To 7:27:
"The other irony in this post is that I the people who complain about how the town is being run are the Team Tim regulars."
I hate to burst your bubble, but I was turned on to this blog by several friends who never supported Tim, but found that this was the place to find out what is actually going on in this town.
Tim does a great job in passing along information that we otherwise would never get unless we were part of the inner workings of the TC.
Do we all agree with everything that Tim says? No, but that's the beauty of this country and the town. Intelligent people just need the information and they will make up their own minds about right and wrong.
I do feel that 7:27 seems to have a personal vendetta against Tim for some reason. However, he still comes to this blog so he must know it is the only place that he can get the truth.
There is nothing wrong with "pointing out flaws" in a person, isn't that what you are doing to Tim? Then why criticize him for questioning the TM? This country was built on checks and balances, without it we would not be democracy.
I personally love the idea of debates, but when it comes down to accusations that just aren't true, it shows you aren't well informed. You try to give that impression, but most intelligent people can see through that.
We welcome your comments, just try to be more factual.
"I am not a personal friend of any of the Bowmans or Calcagni's, but what have you and your family done to match thier contributions to the community."
I didn't get a $276,000 contribution from the taxpayers to fix my property. I don't think any taxpayer money should have ever been spent on the NE tunnel which is on private property.
Along with property rights comes responsibility.
"I am not a personal friend of any of the Bowmans or Calcagni's, but what have you and your family done to match thier contributions to the community."
How dare you question other people community contributions. There are many people who do things in this community who go unnotoced. Tell me what you have done?
The Bowmans, Fazzones and Calcagni's all have received prefferential treatment from the TC on many items that concern them and or there property.
There are people who will actually do things for this town and not want anything in return.
Okay, you want evidence that the Boy Mayor Wannabe has it in for Michael Milone. Consider this in a July 12, 2007 article from the New Haven Register:
The council voted 8-1, with Republican Tim White casting the only negative vote, to approve Milone's new contract.
"He's done his job, but it's not the job I had hoped for," White said Wednesday.
Now consider Milone's classy, non-attacking response:
"This is my seventh performance review, and it was one of the most spirited and constructive that I've had," Milone said.
And despite Tim's claim that it's easy to search his web site for his comments, I've only been able to find the original posts that start a given day's thread. It's when you look at his repsonses to members of Team Tim that he gets more personal. More posts to follow on Tim the myth vs. Tim the reality as I have the time to go back post-by-post. Tim is not the high minded soul you think he his.
As to the topic of ad hominem attacks, people on this board complaining about that sort of thing is like the pot calling the kettle black. Don't engage in it if you can't take a little of you're own medicine in return.
5:39 by virtue of your comment, you imply that my comment
He's done his job, but it's not the job I had hoped for
is an "attack." So I have a serious question, are there other words that would convey my thoughts and concerns, yet you would not consider an "attack?"
5:39 as for any claims I've made that it's easy to search this blog, I certainly never intended to mislead you or anyone about how easy (or difficult) it is to search this blog. All I know is that this blog (which is a free service for me or for anyone else) has a dedicated search engine.
So while I never tested whether it is "easy" (or difficult) to search stuff, I just figured the existence of a search engine made it easy to search the blog.
Okay, you want evidence that the Boy Mayor Wannabe has it in for Michael Milone. Consider this in a July 12, 2007 article from the New Haven Register: The council voted 8-1, with Republican Tim White casting the only negative vote, to approve Milone's new contract. "He's done his job, but it's not the job I had hoped for," White said.
However, I gave specific reasons for that vote. That NHR article continues, "White said he was disappointed Milone had failed to produce a cost-benefit analysis the councilman had requested regarding the town's financial reserves".
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-166313982.html
I also mentioned the Friends of Boulder Knoll and the disenfranchising effect (on voters) of the building use policy.
I'm at a loss. How does that translate into my wanting to be mayor, or "having it in for Michael Milone"?
Milone did a great job in helping to get us a mall.
Monday 727am/539pm claims that White’s vote to not renew the TM’s contract is “evidence” that White has a personal vendetta against the TM and wants his job.
Yet White clearly explained the reasons for his vote: based on ISSUES of performance, not personality. Here’s proof that 727/539 is full of crap: to be a Town Manager, you must have a degree in Public Administration. White has a CPA, not a PA degree. He knows he couldn’t become TM.
And here’s proof that 727/539’s attacks have been specious and politically motivated all along. He said, “As to the topic of ad hominem attacks…. Don't engage in it if you can't take a little of you're own medicine in return".
In other words, he admits engaging in ad hominem attacks throughout this exchange. My advice to Tim, don’t respond any further to such attacks on this thread. You can’t reason with unreasonable people.
Wow, 5:39 gets stupider everythime he writes something.
Because someone is standing up for the town and is questioning why the TM never completed an extremely important report, you think he has it in for him?
Let me ask you 5:39, I don't know what you do for a living, I'm sure it isn't anything too productive, but if you are told to do a report by the people who keep you employed and you didn't do it, would you be questioned?
Shouldn't he have been questioned?
I still don't understand why you still write here?
I dare you to remove the anonymous label so we can really see who you are.
By current Town Charter no member of the Council can be hired to serve in any taxpayer funded Cheshire public job, i.e. town manager, planner, police chief, dog warden, etc. while in office or for two years after leaving public office.
I'm not sure how Justin Adinolfi got around this issue while serving on TC and getting a consulting fee for cobbling together the 2003 strategic plan. (the town would have to provide a 1099 - misc. income/wages form required by the IRS.)
I'm sure Tim White is well aware of where the charter stands on this issue and while I may disagree with him on some of his concerns regarding the TM I'm sure he has no designs on being Mr. TM or Mr. Mayor.
There are reasons why the president's time in office is limited.
The same reasons apply at the local level.
Perhaps the Town Manager's term should be limited to 8-10 years. Not just this TM, but all who follow.
It is a principle of human nature that executives begin to get very comfortable and less accountable in their positions after so many years. And this extends down to the bureaucracies they control.
Every so often, fresh blood needs to be pumped into the executive position, and a fresh review made of agency management. I'm less concerned about term limits for legislators (council and boards) because they do not directly control agency management and appointees.
If one can prove that a TM has not done his job or there are conflicts he could be dimissed by the TC. They have the authority so why should there be term limits? He (TM) is not elected and can be replaced at will by the TC. What's the problem here?
While all of this is going on Mr Justin Adinolfi was appointed to the EDC. How does Mr (W/S) get appointed to that commission? Will we now see more of his vision of Cheshire be promoted?
12:52 "They (TC) have the authority (over the TM) so why should there be term limits?"
Because "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Lord Acton, 1870)
Maybe, but they (TC) has the power. Whether they have the nerve is another question.
" Mr Justin Adinolfi was appointed to the EDC. How does Mr (W/S) get appointed to that commission?"
If this is true, it is one of the most outrageous appointments ever made. This person has been the point man for the mall. Isn't he working for W/S.
Who appointed him? How does this happen?
reposted by me from a comment I deleted at 5:52:
See, this is what people mean about reputation trashing on this blog and the total lack of effort by Tim to stop it. If you've got evidence of any untoward or unethical actvity on the part, bring it to the proper authorities; otherwise, don't do it.
In Corrupticut, who are "the proper authorities?"
Anon 12:09 Ask Councilwomen Esty? She said it at the last TC meeting.
8:04 Unrelated to Cheshire, but that's very much why I believe state's attorneys should again be given the power of subpoena... because (except for the FBI) in CT, effectively there are no "authorities" as far as I can tell.
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