The diffusion of information
... you should understand what I deem the essential principles of our Government, and consequently those which ought to shape its Administration... the diffusion of information and arraignment of all abuses at the bar of the public reason....
-Thomas Jefferson, 1st Inaugural Address (Yale, Avalon Project)
Recently, I sent an email to the eight other members of the Council. Unfortunately, not all members responded. And while I'm sure that's because they simply didn't have the time to respond... the internet is a great tool and there are other issues of interest to the blogosphere. So I was thinking about trying again. I think we should try a different question, but as far as I'm concerned, the question can be about almost anything.
However, I'm not going to forward questions, such as:
1) Tim, why do you hate grandma, kids and apple pie?
2) Why do Democrats hate freedom? or
3) Why do Republicans enjoy bombing innocent children?
No. Those questions would be unacceptable.
Serious, respectful questions only. Maybe we can toss the idea around here, then I'll send it to the Council members.
And a few more rules apply... we have to accept that some people are busy and simply may not have the time to respond. And all responses must be posted here unedited... that way nothing can be taken out of context. And generally, since people here seem to be most interested in local issues, then in state issues... let's start with some of those questions... rather than asking people about national issues.
How's that sound? Anyone game? Any questions?
Finally, please consider this an open forum.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
27 comments:
Here's a questions for the council:
Are you in favor of accepting $525,000 from the State for a turf field? Please give 3 reasons "for" or "against."
I think it is a great idea Tim!
Many of us can't get to the town council meetings and even if we could, it is difficult to get up and speak.
I would ask them if they really do go and speak with those who live in their districts to get a true sense of what we want before they vote on something as substantial as the ND or state funded "turf", or do they just vote along party lines based on what their cohorts are doing? Are there any elected officials who would cross party lines if they truly felt that was what their district wanted?
I think you're giving them an out Tim. No one is so busy that they can't find 20 minutes in a day to answer questions, especially constituents. Stay up later, get up earlier.
No excuse for not replying, everyone has time to reply. If an elected representative does not reply they should be removed from office. We the people elected them and communication is one key critical requirement of the job.
That's a good question to start. Let's hope we get some answers. The district question always is a concern of mine. Let's be honest and listen to the concerns of all the people.
What actions are you as a council member going to take to prepare the Town of Cheshire for the future expansion of the NE quadrant?
How are you going to improve our great school system and make it even better
Question for councilors regarding the new "fund balance policy." -
Just a few years ago, a 5% fund balance was "OK" with the council. Now you are saying with your new policy that you want an 8 to 9% rainy day fund balance. Reasons given were so that you could "top off" the fund and have enough in there for unexpected expenses. With rising taxes, cost of groceries, and outrageous increases in gasoline, fuel oil, and electricity, how is the average taxpayer supposed to "top off" their reserve funds?? Aren't you being a bit greedy with what is really our money?
Questions for anyone who knows the answers:
What ever happened to the Cheshire police officer accused of inappropriate conduct recently?
How come if a part time custodian at Dodd has inappropriate contact with students, we are not hearing about it in the news? Instead he is just let go and it's swept under the rug. Wouldn't this fall under a board policy requiring that it be reported to the police and the State Dept. of Education?
Funny how we hear about issues in surrounding towns, but when it happens here, it's all "hush, hush." Seems like the reputation of the town and school system comes before the protection of children/public. We have a right to know.
It's clear that Michael Ecke and Matt Altieri have a conflict of interest when it comes to the subject of artificial turf for CHS. Many people in the public feel this way.
The two of them will be recusing themselves from any vote on the turf funds, correct?
The state's leading lobbyist for cities and towns is ripping Gov. M. Jodi Rell's revived plan to place a state-mandated cap on property taxes as "wrong for Connecticut."
In strong language, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities says Rell's proposal is "a cure worse than the disease" that might look good at first but ultimately is not real property tax reform.
"A state-imposed cap would be the ultimate 'nanny-state' act," CCM says in an eight-page report with 21 footnotes. "It would tell local taxpayers that the state knows better than they how much their town should tax and spend."
CCM was reacting to Rell's statements in an interview this week that she will revive an idea that was rejected six months ago by the Democratic-controlled legislature. Rell's plan last year would have required cities and towns to limit property tax increases annually to no more than 3 percent, but her spokesman, Christopher Cooper, said Rell will be flexible this year on various aspects of the plan. The final proposal will not be unveiled until after the state's Property Tax Cap Commission completes its report next month.
Cooper rejected the criticisms, saying it is CCM that is displaying a "nanny-state" attitude.
"The CCM report is telling property owners that they know better than what the homeowners know," Cooper said Friday. "The mayors want simple cash payouts that they can spend. The governor wants the cash in taxpayers' wallets."
CCM's mantra is "give us more money," Cooper said. "They don't represent local taxpayers. They represent the local government bureaucracy."
Gian-Carl Casa, one of CCM's chief lobbyists at the state Capitol, said the group had been working extensively on its own eight-page report in anticipation of the recommendations by the Property Tax Cap Commission. Insiders are unclear what the commission's report might say because it is co-chaired by two leaders who have sharply different views on the tax cap. They are Michael Cicchetti, Rell's deputy budget director who supports the cap, and Rep. Cameron Staples, a New Haven Democrat who opposes the cap.
"It seems the committee has been fairly split down the middle," Casa said Friday.
The membership of CCM, which represents 144 of the state's 169 cities and towns, is "overwhelmingly" against the caps, Casa said.
"I haven't found one yet who supports it," he said.
Reflecting that notion, the report's summary states, "It is an easy non-solution to property tax pressures."
CCM is heavily involved in seeking money for cities and towns every year at the Capitol, but the latest report is more frank than usual.
"It lays out in a very blunt way the concerns we have," Casa said. "I would say it's bluntly worded."
BILL 9:14
NOT EVERYONE HAS TIME TO REPLY TO A SELF SERVING PERSONAL BLOG. (NOT LIKE ME, I HAVE LOTS OF TIME). THIS IS NOT A TOWN SPONSORED BLOG, WITH EQUAL AND FAIR REPRESENTATION OF FACT. IT HAS PROVEN TIME AND AGAIN TO BE VERY SELF SERVING AND SELF APPRECIATING ON TIM'S BEHALF. I AM ALL FOR A RESPONSE FROM ALL PARTIES ON ALL SUBJECTS, BUT AS LONG AS THIS BLOG REMAINS A DIGITAL PUNCHING BAG FOR ECKE, ALTIERI, ESTY, ETC. IF I WERE THEM I WOULDNT WASTE MY TIME EITHER
To suggest that
"if something is town-sponsored, then it is equal and fair"
is a myth.
If the town was equal and fair, then Cindy Kleist would have been offered the use of town facilities for a political fundraiser last fall. Or even better, there would have been a public announcement that anyone running for office could use town facilities.
However, since that announcement was never made, we will never know if people decided against running for office because they felt they had been discriminated against due to their lack of party affiliation.
The town gives people the perception that everything is fair and equal, but that's not the way it works in at least some situations.
As for my objectivity, I never said I was. I just suggested that thru this media (or some other) our elected officials could do more to offer their views to the community.
For me, I love blogging because in the interests of everyone else's time, I often reserve comment during meetings. However, that could also be viewed by some as avoiding a difficult topic. And that's no longer acceptable. With technology today, we can and should go on the record... IMO.
Finally, when have I been critical of Elizabeth Esty? I have philosophical differences with her, but she cares a great deal. So I like and respect her and don't recall ever being particularly critical of her.
Anon:10:45
Members of the Town Council and BOE have the responsibility to communicate. This blog does become at times an avenue for people that hate to voice their opinions and that is not right. People should also sign their name when they post. The council members have not been asked through a Tim White email to reply much in the past. As long as it doe snot become a regular expected behavior; at least once in awhile would be nice. Maybe if they responded others would respond in a proper manner and the nasty comments would stop. Lack of communication causes rumors to start and incorrect opinions to be broadcast. Open communications will stop that.
Why are all council members afraid of public input? After they get elected most never stand in front of Stop&Shop or Everybody's to obtain info. They say they have "heard from citizens" when they arrive at a reason for their vote but this is not believable. How could they? I never see them after NOV. This is a great place to get some input. Yes some people are less than fair with their commments but you ignore them. Get going you have 4 blogs to voice your opinions. Go for it what are you afraid of?
why are the drapes so old in the council chambers?
The Cheshire Town Post blog is "unowned" and "nonpartisan."
It's a perfect place for anyone, including elected officials, to share their views.
"Finally, when have I been critical of Elizabeth Esty? I have philosophical differences with her, but she cares a great deal."
She certainly cares a great deal about helping the special interests in town. She and Matt Hall have certainly gone out of their way to support the life style strip mall. Their whole false claims of shenanigans was nothing more than a dirty campaign to smear the names Tim Pelton, Tim Slocum, and Steve Carroll. She claimed that if it had not been for the shenanigans, they would have reappointed Tim Pelton, the most knowledgeable person and chairman of the Water Pollution Contro Authority. Esty and Hall thereby succeeded in having the WPCA approve the W/S proposal even though the sewer plant is near capacity and exceeds the capacity during times of the year, resulting in raw sewage being dumper into the Quinnipiac.
Approval of the W/S proposal means that even more nitrogen rich raw sewage will now be dumped into the Quinnipiac when we have heavy storms.
11:55 you're right. Shenanigate was very ugly and could've and should've been avoided.
About smearing people's names, including the Town Clerk...
With the Charter revision on table, it'll be interesting to see who wants to change it from an elected to an appointed position.
I'm sure there will be plenty of reasons offered, such as "efficiencies" and "professionalism" et al. But could the primary goal really be a consolidation of power?
Anon 6:17 AM
I would like to remind the public that Town Council meetings are public and they are also televised. Minutes are posted on the town website. Subcommittee meetings are also open to the public. TC telephone numbers are listed on the the town website...cheshirect.org. Town councilors welcome communications from the all residents.
Like most of you we all work, sel-employed or for employers at least 5 days a week. Evenings and weekends we spend much time on the towns business. I for one do visit this blog. (Unlike Tim I do not support Ron Paul.)
I think it is reasonable to direct a specific question to each councilperson but not enmass to a blog with any realistic expectation that each would answer in some kind of order on a blog page. You never know...maybe an imposter would actually be responding on their behalf. Stranger things have happened though I'm not seriously expecting any TC identity thefts.
Be not afraid...call me anytime 272-0652 or any one of us. We're not a shy bunch and to be sure most of us agree on some things and disagree on others. And there should be no surprise in that. Personal contact is the best bet when given a chance.
Mr. Slocum said: Minutes are posted on the town website.
So, when was he last time you looked? Today is Feb. 11 and they still have Dec. minutes up...nothing from the Jan. 8th meeting. Perhaps you should look at the website yourself and find out who is not doing their job.
Those of us who have Direct TV can't get the televised meetings so the only way we reallly hear anything is through this blog.
The rest of the Town Council really needs to come into the 21st century. Computers are everywhere and are the best way to get the information acrooss.
Mr. Slocum, I would suggest the next time you make a comment like that you check to make sure it is accurate. When will the Jan. minutes be posted???February???March??
I don't believe it's Mr Slocums fault or job that the minutes are not posted. Call the Town Hall.
"Town councilors welcome communications from the all residents."
I'd like to think you're right about that, Tim S. I emailed the councilors and heard from all but one republican (I know one is only a "two finger" typer) and have not heard a word back from any democrat.
sz
4:40 PM
As I said...minutes are posted on the town's website. Another thing I mentioned Mr or Mrs Happy was my telephone #. If you would like to call me and share your email I will be more than happy to email a copy of the Jan. 8 minutes. I received my copy January 15 by email.
I will also remind the town manager that the public is eager to see these minutes and that when we receive them the website should also be updated.
How did government ever function before computers, email, TV, cable TV direct TV, newsprint, bows and arrows and sticks and stones?
How did government ever function before computers, email, TV, cable TV direct TV, newsprint, bows and arrows and sticks and stones?
Probably functioned a lot better than this!
Shouldn't we use what is available to us to get the word out to as many citizens as possible. I am sure it isn't Mr. Slocum's fault, but who is responsible?
Of course you would receive the minutes, but the "people" of this town should also be able to view them without having to call or email our council reps. Am I wrong in thinking this way?
In this day and age when we have so many ways to communicate, why aren't we using them?
We should be using technology.
What's truly ridiculous though is that the Council meeting minutes are always posted to the Town Website. And a link is created (on the Council homepage) to the meeting minutes.
Then, when the next month comes around... the link is deleted, but the minutes are still available on the town website... there's just no link... though if you look at the column to the left, you'll see a link to Council minutes... though you won't be able to figure out which minutes are which very easily.
IMO, it makes the Town look downright foolish to be living in the 20th Century. And I even made a motion last summer to add a link to meeting minutes on the town's homepage. But for those who watched... you'll recall the Chairman didn't want any part of my motion... open, transparent government at it's finest!
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