WRA on TWL and anonymous commenting
You can find a link to today's WRA Cheshire article by Lauresha Xhihani here. The article is basically about this blog and inappropriate anonymous comments of a personal nature.
Anonymous comments have pitfalls, but they also have great value. For more on my view on the value and origins of anonymous commenting, see here, here, here and here.
But there's still no reason to make personal comments. I strongly discourage such comments. And as I've done in the past, I will delete personal comments when I see them or when they are brought to my attention.
Also I note that I distinguish between comments criticizing policy and comments of a personal nature. For instance, I've had anonymous comments accusing me of everything from being an idiot to being corrupt to living in another town. In some regard though, they all related to my role as a Councilman. So I haven't deleted those comments because I figured they were all fair game.
Tim White
UPDATE: link fixed
72 comments:
Tim, 10-15-2009 11:55 PM
PLEASE fix your link to this mornings "Waterbury Republican" newspaper article which critizes your "Blog Style"!
The public deserves to read this VERY important article. I am sure that your "broken link" was an innocent mistake.
I am strongly offended that YOUR own blog permits such unethical,dishonest, and mean spirited personal attacks on ANYONE! You compound your own irresponsibility by your silence. This tells me, the reader, that you approve and condone these outrageous comments towards your fellow Councillor Laura DeCaprio.
I feel that "Freedom of Speech" from the 1ST Amendment is a lame explanation for your practice of allowing "anonymous posts". In my opinion, you actually leave the public wondering if TIM WHITE is the ACTUAL anonymous blogger who is attacking Laura DeCaprio!
Thanks for listening!!
Mike Evans
Democratic Candidate for Town Council At Large in Cheshire
Mike Evans
I am so sick and tired of the Democrats grandstanding.
Obviously you must be one of the few democrats who doesn't follow the blog here. It seems this is the place for them to find out what is going on as well. Tim has, on numerous occasions, removed personal attacks against innoncent people.
You and the rest are trying to do a "poor Laura" routine to get the people to vote for her. Unfortunately for you and the others, she has NO RECORD to stand on. When she is at a meeting she is usually chatting away and not paying attention until it is time to vote along the party lines. She has no other way of winning votes but trying for the sympathy vote.
When you are in politics, and running for office, you better have a thick skin. Tell me one politician who hasn't had things said about them. Tim leaves insulting, personal remarks about himself on here.
Do you honestly think that someone saying she was at her place of employment rather than a TC meeting falls under "unethical,dishonest, and mean spirited"?
Just a typical ploy. I am sure you and the others encouraged her to call the papers and the WRA was the only one who chose to run this "non-story", must have been a slow news day.
How about you and the Dems getting off your butts and starting your own blog that will inform the public of what is really going on in this town? Tim is the only one who will spend the time to write about the town. He will provide video and he will provide documents. These are all of interest to those in this town who live and pay taxes in this town.
Don't give me the line that we can get that info from town, they won't provide a lot of this info. Tim is the reason we have video streaming of the TC meetings.
It really is getting old what you and the others are trying to do.
Mike---you will not win and you will go away after Nov. 3, hopefully with the rest of the current majority.
Here is the link for anyone to see how ridiculous it is:
WRA Article
I believe you will all realize what they are trying to do.
It sounds like a lot more of them are monitoring this blog lately.
You compound your own irresponsibility by your silence.
huh? What silence? I've spoken with two reporters and mentioned it here. What do you mean by silence?
you actually leave the public wondering if TIM WHITE is the ACTUAL anonymous blogger who is attacking Laura DeCaprio!
I have not written any anonymous comments about Laura.
But I'm sure you're not the only one since the letter was written with such painstaking detail to imply exactly that... without explicitly stating it.
(Btw, to readers here... I haven't confirmed if that comment was from M.E. the candidate. I'll try to touch base with him this weekend to confirm.)
unethical,dishonest, and mean spirited personal attacks
Please direct me to these comments with a link and timestamp of the comments. I want to delete them.
Tim
They are just trying to find a way to get people to vote for Laura.
You shouldn't worry about it.
Most people in this town will look at her record and realize she is not worth having on the TC.
You have always been open and honest here and at the meetings. People know where you stand.
If Evans is using this to help him it will backfire.
We are too smart to fall for it.
Tim, 10-16-2009 7:40 AM
Thanks for fixing the link to the "Waterbury Republican" story.
I am VERY hopeful that your blog DOES NOT allow anyone to pretend to be ME or anyone else. It appears that you have extremely poor controls over the content on your own site. I proudly signed my own name - twice- this morning.
I would be happy to discuss these blog issues with you anytime and anywhere. The best way to reach me is on my own campaign website at: www.MikeEvansCheshire.com. My 12 year old son, Zachary, wrote all the HTML code for this website and I am very proud of him.
This website includes my dedicated campaign cell phone number, my dedicated campaign email and links to my Facebook and Twitter sites.
In addition, I have started my own blog which I plan to start using more effectively this week-end. Unlike your blog, MY blog has 2 very important rules and controls:
1) Posters must state their name. I will NOT accept anonymous blogs. If you want to exercise your "free speech" then please tell me who your are. I have a system to confirm that all posters are using their own names and not pretending to be someone else.Is this logical?
2) Comments must be positive or they will NEVER be posted on MY blog. Obviously we can certainly agree to disagree and I look forward to spirited debate like we all saw at the Town Coucil meeting this past Tuesday night.
I find it curious that you, Tim, neglected to post any public comment video from Tuesday's meeting. For over 60 minutes voter after voter loudly expressed their displeasure with your party's attempt to send OUR turf money back to the state. Why the silence?
Finally, I will clarify my own comment in my last post referring to "your own silence". I was merely ackowledging that you have no system to prevent personal attacks against ANYONE including your fellow Councilor, Laura DeCaprio. Leaving such mean spirited personal attacks on your blog gives the appearance of your own approval. Thus, YOUR silence!
This town, and actually the entire nation, is SO TIRED of politics as usual. It is time to "Think -- and ACT -- differently.
I had the good fortune to attend the awesome presentation of Rachel's Challenge at Dodd last evening. This "challenge" should be the model of behavior for all of us running for office, not only for the last 18 days of this campaign, but for the next 2 years and beyond. Thanks for listening!!
Mike Evans
Democratic Candidate for Town Council at Large
" Comments must be positive or they will NEVER be posted on MY blog."
So, anyone who pats you on the back can leave a comment.
Anonymous comments are important since there are many issues that are brought up that the identity of the poster cannot be and should not be known.
Again, Tim does not allow personal attacks.
"This town, and actually the entire nation, is SO TIRED of politics as usual. It is time to "Think -- and ACT -- differently."
Then lets start with the democrats. Instead of running to the newspapers over name calling, they should have gone to Tim directly. But that wouldn't get the PR that they want.
You want everyone to act differrently? Start in your own backyard!
the comments @ DiCaprio were obviously not serious and Tim does delete comments he finds offensive. The comments regarding Dicaprio were nothing but a consequence of her missed meetings and walking around chit chatting during a meeting. Mike Evans - good for you and your kid on your blog/website....I don't know of any blog that requires you to register with your real info...you sound like a real winner. You are already on the turf bandwagon? Does your plan for replacement of the turf also include fund raising? maybe you and your kids can have a bake sale to raise the 500K- 700k needed. I am a registered Dem, so there is no politics involved here...the truth of the matter is that if you want town info -this is the place to look. Period.
The TC meeting the other night was attended by mostly coaches and parents of players. There have been other meetings that have had many people speaking out against the turf, so to say that this meeting was a snapshot of the feelings regarding turf is false. There are many unresolved issues regarding the turf installation i.e. money, safety and polution. So for any candidate to come out and say they are totally on board with the installation of turf leaves me with the impression that this candidate is shortsighted and will not represent all the people of Cheshire.
I attend the occassional TC meeting and I've seen that Laura DeCaprio spends most of her time laughing and joking with Altieri when the meetings are taking place and people are talking. I thought I was the only one who noticed. After reading the posts on this blog I've come to realize that more people were watching.
To "I am not Mike Evans":
How many other blogs have you seen? This is the only 1 I have come across that let's anyone from anywhere post comments anonomously. It's a flawed system that obviously needs to be corrected.
To everyone: Hammering on Laura for WORKING at the Waverly is pretty low. She is a single parent (as far as I know) working to provide for her child. Should we all hammer on Tim being a banker after the collapse of our economy? People should stick to the political topics and leave the personal side out of it
To Tim:
What good is this blog if you do not read it? You told the WRA that you don't always know what is being said. Alot of voters give some pretty good ideas that appear to go nowhere. Maybe you should reconsider the value of this blog as a tool instead of a political ploy to pat yourself on the back.
To Laura:
Unfortunatly, as a public servant, your life is watched under a microscope. People obviously do not know anything about you if they think you attend happy hour over council meetings. As Tim does not understand the choices a parent has to make, I urge you to continue doing what is right for your child. Remember, your child comes first, everything else (including the town) can fall in line after. Working for your child and volunteering for the town is a no brainer. Keep doing what you need to do
With all that said, let the attacks on me begin. Won't be the first time I've been attacked on this blog.
Robert F DeVylder Jr
Registered Republican
Bob D - -Playing the victim as usual or maybe it's just someone pretending to be you.
I suspect most people in town judge Laura and all our elected officials based on what they really accomplish as well as how they present themselves to the public.
Some TC members, including our soon to be replaced chair person have not always come across well either in person or via TV links to their meetings.
Having observed a TC member kibitzing with friends while an official session was under way I can only say that person would not get my vote any time soon either.
Just because comments may be posted anonymously as opposed to being signed really means little in the world of the internet. Think about this, when you see something which was anonymously posted but that makes sense would you give the ideas and information in it any less significance then a post which has been in some fashion signed?
If you give signed posts more significance ask yourself this, how do you really know the signed post came from whoever claims to have signed it? Fraud via the internet is a major and growing crime, world wide. There are so many holes associated with things like basic e-mail systems and their use that trusting someone's Google ID could truly get you in big trouble.
So, go on babbling about the evils of anonymous posts and the crassness and meanness of certain town residents who fail to focus on issues but personally attack individuals. Spend your time defending the attacked. I don't hear you really admonishing those who are doing these bad things. You seem intent upon going after a sitting council member who is up for re-election. And clearly he is the only council member providing easy communications with the voters for a very long time. In this small town anonymous posting has benefits over playing the TV game at a crowded council meeting.
Sign me:
just one more independent voter tired of the same old same old - - -
Mike Evans says, "I find it curious that you, Tim, neglected to post any public comment video from Tuesday's meeting. For over 60 minutes voter after voter loudly expressed their displeasure with your party's attempt to send OUR turf money back to the state. Why the silence?"
You missed the whole point, Mike. The resolution said in words to the effect - "resolve that the town council redirects the $525,000 grant to cover the locker room project that the Superintendent lists in his capital budget as being "high priority"."
Even Altieri said - "Could this be redirected? Maybe, he said."
So Mike, can you answer this question for me so I can decide whether I'm going to vote for you -
It's an easy question - a simple yes or no is all I need. "Would you vote in favor of the turf knowing that during the last budget cycle $1.3 million was cut from the BoE's budget directly impacting our children's education?" Yes or No
Rob DeV: did you also want to post your letter to Santa for this year?
But if Tim admits to not reading his own blog, what good is of doing anyone? It appears he does not care what the voters think, say, or want.
I have to wonder how many of these anonymous postings are Tim. I know the thought has been raised before, and each time denied by Tim, but something in the last post stands out. You said that you cannot trust the name people post under. The very first time posted on this blog, Tim called my unlisted home phone number within 2 minutes. He was concerned that someone had posted their thoughts using my name. Still baffles me that Tim got a number that is unpublished and I do not give out to anyone
As far as Laura goes, who is not guilty of talking to others during a meeting? Tim has never asked the person next to him a question? Tim has never missed a meeting? (I know he missed a meeting while in the town hall). Without being in the conversation, how do you know the discussion(s) are not relevent?
You also said I am going after a sitting council member that is up for re-election. Isn't that what started this mess? Some cowards attacked Laura, a sitting council member up for re-election. At least I have the nerve to put my name to my words. Are you imbarassed by your thoughts?
Finally, you are confusing me with my father. He goes by Bob, not me.
Anonymous posting is annoying to me mostly because it's more difficult-if not impossible-to follow the back and forth. So I don't know if 10 anonymous comments were from 10 guys or 1 guy or any number in between.
Sometimes I'll post with my real name but usually I don't because quite frankly I'm afraid of some of you out there. Irrationality mixed with anger is a dangerous brew which could easily and quickly lead to violence but for the cloak of anonymity. I've noticed this mostly in threads regarding the death penalty and police matters. Some of you out there just need to take a pill or something.
"maybe their conversations are relevant". I have to say that you never attend Council Meetings because it's obvious that there conversations are not relevant. Someone is making serious comments and the two of them are laughing and having their own private conversation. This happens not once but often. If they are paying attention it means that their making fun of the person talking and that is just as bad if not worse.
Mike Evans,
What is your position on the turf. Do you support keeping the 525k or redirecting it? What has a greater importance; spending money on academics or athletics? Given the choice would you spend money on teachers or turf?
What good is this blog if you do not read it?
RDJr... I don't accept the premise of your question. I do read the blog, just not 100%. And I feel there is value in this blog.
I agree with you about leaving personal jobs out of the discussion.
Tim called my unlisted home phone number
That phone call may have been six months ago, so I don't recall. But it likely was one of two places:
1) on the eve of Election Day 2008, you called me. Do you recall? I may have gotten your number off of caller ID.
or
2) the voter registration list
Those are my two best guesses.
This blog is not Tim's full time job. He attempts to inform people in this Town. Not everyone is perfect,but he tries. As far as the rest of the TC members they volunteer and I'm sure they try hard. You can't please all. Vote Nov 3rd and make your decision wisely. Listen to all the candidates and ask questions in person,e-mail or phone.
Tim, October 16, 2009 10:50 PM
I appreciate that you called me at home tonight to confirm the authenticity of my postings to your blog. You fulfilled your promise that you made this morning!
I also enjoyed our nearly 2 hour phone conversation this evening. For the record, Tim called me at home while I was finishing dinner with my wife, Mary, at about 7:45 PM. I called him back at about 8:30 PM and I enjoyed a very length & interesting conversation with Tim until nearly 10:30 PM!
Details of our conversation are unimportant but I will say that I appreciate his candor and his opinions and I hope that he can say the same about me! Obviously we DO NOT agree on every issue but there was more commonality than I thought we would have before tonight's phone conversation.
THANKS Tim!!
"Rachel's Challenge" will be my own inspiration for the final 17 days of this fall campaign and, I hope, for several years to come!!
Mike Evans
Democratic Candidate for Town Coucil At Large in Cheshire
So Mike, can you answer this question for me so I can decide whether I'm going to vote for you -
It's an easy question - a simple yes or no is all I need. "Would you vote in favor of the turf knowing that during the last budget cycle $1.3 million was cut from the BoE's budget directly impacting our children's education?" Yes or No
October 16, 2009 3:57 PM
Mike Evans,
What is your position on the turf. Do you support keeping the 525k or redirecting it? What has a greater importance; spending money on academics or athletics? Given the choice would you spend money on teachers or turf?
October 16, 2009 6:58 PM
I guess, Mike, that you can't answer the question. Too bad. I'm not going to be voting for you.
Message to "Anonymous" related to my position on Turf:
Please identify yourself, either here or on my own campaign website at www.MikeEvansCheshire.com.
I would be happy to discuss turf or any issue with you or anyone at anytime but I will NOT respond to anyone identified as "Anonymous"!
Why?? I have no idea if you are one person or more than one person or if you are even a voter in Cheshire.
I am guessing that you are actually one or more of the Republican candidates for Town Council who prefers to hide your true identity or identities.
As you may already know, I will never compromise my own principles for any reason. Obviously I am hoping to receive many votes on November 3rd. However. I am not willing to engage in "Politics as Usual" tactics in this campaign or at anytime in the future. We may agree to disagree and that is certainly fine with me anytime.
Please identify yourself -- publicly or privately -- and I will be HAPPY to communicate with you using any medium you prefer!
Mike Evans
Democratic Candidate for Town Council at Large in Cheshire
Mike Evans
Why is it important for someone to identify themselves in order to hear your opinion on a very hot topic during this election campaign?
Are you afraid to tell us that you jumped on the turf wagon?
DeVylder
Did you even read the "attack" that the person wrote about DeCaprio?
My God, this has been so blown out of proportion.
Nobody attacked her about being a single mom trying to raise a child while working. For you to bring that up here only stirs up more controversy.
I am glad you like her as a person. She may be very nice. Unfortunately, she is a waste on the town council. Nothing but a puppet to the big 3.
Yes, I have been to the TC meetings and have seen her chatting away and laughing. It sure doesn't seeem like she is listening. I also remember the Herald writing a scathing editorial directed at her for not even sitting up at her table while town residents were talking about an issue. She stayed in the audience chattting with a friend until it was time to vote.
This is why we don't want her back. It has nothing to do with her job, her being a single mother or anything like that.
She has no platform to run on so she trys to get the sympathy vote--not from me!
DeVylder, why not turn in your Republican card and go to the dark side now. You seem to enjoy attacking Tim and others here, usually with very poor reason.
For all those who feel that this blog is wrong because Tim allows anonymous posting, why do so many people continue to come here? Obviously it is highly monitored by the Dems. Tim can view the addresses of anyone who visits here. Sometimes those addresses have the business name. I recall one time Tim opening that up to us and who do we see visiting here in 1 day? A TC member and a local developer.
So, for all the bad talk people say about this blog, it is quite obvious it is the place to go to find out what is really happening in this town.
Keep it up Tim, we need it.
Contorted views:
Her job was brought into this when people were commenting that she would be at happy hour instead of a council meeting. That line had been ongoing for a long time. Those comments were first posted here and eventually made it into the Waterbury Republican American. The WRA should be blamed for making this such a big issue. Tim shares in the blame. As he stated a few months ago, Tim is responsible for everything posted on this blog. If he gave a crap about what voters thought, he would read and monitor his blog. If you put a blog on the internet, you need to monitor it more than once a day. If he cannot monitor it, he should take it down.
"DeVylder, why not turn in your Republican card and go to the dark side now. You seem to enjoy attacking Tim and others here, usually with very poor reason."
The dark side? Are we Jedi knights now? The reason I attacked Tim is because he makes poor decisions. My involvement with this blog started with the trash contract. Tim knew the costs would go up if AJ did not get the 1 year extension with almost no increase. Did he care? NO. Tim was fine with the contract increasing by $50,000 (or the starting salary of a teacher). Tim attacked the owner of AJ Waste over the actions of the previous owner. Even when he was told he was wrong, he continued. Tim sat in the council chamber while a solid waste committee (that he is on) meeting took place. He was pouting because the bidder that he said would not win was being awarded the contract with increases of $50,000 per year. Money he knew he could have reduced by accepting the bid waiver.
Other than Tim, the only other person I have come out and publicly criticized is Dave Schrumm. People cry that he is the best for the town. I dont see it. He also has a problem with wasting town money. Ive heard people say that he is financally responsible. Why is it when the town recieves a single bid for a project, he requests information and studies knowing it would force the bid price to go up?
"I would be happy to discuss turf or any issue with you or anyone at anytime but I will NOT respond to anyone identified as "Anonymous"!
Why?? I have no idea if you are one person or more than one person or if you are even a voter in Cheshire.
I am guessing that you are actually one or more of the Republican candidates for Town Council who prefers to hide your true identity or identities."
FYI Mike, I only asked the simple "yes or no" question on whether you support redirecting the turf money. Stop guessing - I am a Cheshire taxpayer and have been for many years. Why would you make such a remark about republican candidates "hiding their identity"??
This blog informs many of us what is happening in our town. It allows us to voice our opinions and even ask questions on important issues.
Never mind, Mike, I think I got the answer to my question I had for you.
Mike Evans- the fact that you won't answer the turf question is disturbing. I really don't see why you even need anyone to ask you...it is an issue, what's your opinion on it. How does the BoE think they can fund the uncovered-and undetermined- costs associated with installation, upkeep, replacement and addressing the track? You can't possibly buy into the fund raising game can you...then go to the TC for whatever else is needed. Your unwillingness to answer so simple of a question, while on the campaign trail when you should be answering questions- is troubling to this Democrat who reads Tim's blog all the time. I really feel it is the only place to get real info...which is also troubling to me since my party is in the majority on the TC.
Tim sat in the council chamber while a solid waste committee (that he is on) meeting took place.
RDJr... if memory serves me, there was a 7:15pm SWC meeting one night prior to a 7:30pm Council meeting.
I arrived at Town Hall at approx. 7:30pm that night and came directly to Council Chambers. Perhaps I arrived at 7:25pm and went directly to Council Chambers assuming that the SWC meeting was over and the Council meeting was about to start. Heck, my watch could've been off by two or three minutes.
And in the interest of full disclosure, in six years on the Council I have missed other meetings. But I certainly try my best to attend all meetings.
Really Tim? Are you sure you don't want to tell the truth? If you were running late, why did Matt Hall ask you in the chamber if you were going to meeting? You replied no and Matt took your seat. You refused to go to a meeting with Bonnie Wallinger to award the contract. There is a difference between missing a meeting a hiding in the corner. The ton signing that contact ment you wasted taxpayer money for nothing
what is with this flyer going around about the idea of replacing some of the cheshire police dept with state troopers to cut down on expenses? I live on Jinny Hill and I got the flyer and so did everyone on my street.
I wonder if it is some of the democrats this campaign is getting nasty I wonder if Tim knows what is going on.
If you were running late, why did Matt Hall ask you in the chamber if you were going to meeting? You replied no and Matt took your seat.
huh? I have no idea what you're saying. Is there some significance to Matt taking my seat? Or is that a typo? I certainly don't remember that. At what moment in time did Matt question me? Was it 7:15pm? 7:30pm? 7:25pm?
I don't recall Matt saying anything to me. Did he mention the Solid Waste Committee meeting? Or did he mention a meeting without explicitly mentioning Solid Waste?
I wonder if Tim knows what is going on.
I have no idea about it. If I see one of the flyers, then I could comment. But frankly, it seems absolutely ridiculous to me.
RE: a flyer supposedly from the Republicans saying they want to replace local police with state police.
Common sense says that no candidate would call for such an action just before an election. It would be suicide.
The flyer is obviously a dirty trick by some Democratic supporters.
It’s a Federal crime to use the mails to misrepresent and defraud others. The postal authorities should investigate.
REPOSTED WITH DELETIONS:
Contoured Views said...
DeVylder
DELETED
Are you sure you are a Republican?
You seem to support more democrats while bashing republican. Perhaps you should change your affiliation.
As for who is carring on the story about DeCaprio, you should look in the mirror.
You blame the WRA for running the story. You can't be that stupid, can you? Who do you think ran to the paper to get the free pr??
DELETED
You and the others pick 1 comment from a person on this blog and make it into the next big story.
Lets stop pointing fingers unless you point at yourself.
You are the one who let everyone on this blog know
DELETED
You are the one that is passing that around.
Perhaps you should keep your mouth shut if you feel that is getting too personal.
You really seem to have a problem letting go of the AJ Waste deal also. Are you on their payroll or something? Let it go...there are many more issues in the present that we need to fix rather than looking to the past.
Now I see you have insight as to what Matt Hall is doing and saying...are you one of his puppets too? Are you spying on Tim?
Dave Schrumm is the only person I know who can step into the council seat and make this town more fiscally responsible, which is what we neeed in this economy.
So DeVylder, give us all a break and quit spouting your rhetoric here.
DELETED
October 18, 2009 11:24 AM
FWIW... since the trash hauling contract occured this term, I think it's relevant.
But personally, I think inaction with regard to both the PD and pool (both issues I've advocated action) are much more serious issues.
Trash hauling contract, the bus contract, the ongoing pool disaster, the CPD whining while the TM plays the push-back, the overheated electrical boxes in a public facility so hot that fans were needed to cool them during recent CHS events. Poorly planned CHS boys locker room repairs. The inability of the ad hoc Turf committee to provide timely and detailed input to the council - - ops they are promising to have it soon and then again the pool people continue to promise and plan this and plan that but - - -. The ongoing packing of council meetings by groups of special interests supporting certain pet projects . All are signs of the current council majority failing miserably to conduct the people's business in the best interests of the towns people.
Elections cannot come soon enough and hopefully the gang of 5 will be facing political unemployment on Nov 4th!
Tim
I understand that you are under the gun lately to make sure there are no personal attacks.
In one of the items you deleted, all I stated was what DeVylder said in his Oct. 16,12:12 comment.
He is making assumptions, or perhaps he knows, but it was the same thing and it should be removed as well.
This is the problem with censorship.
I am totally amazed that people who are running for public office are so offended by what someone may say about them.
I have seen so much worse said about you and you leave it for all to see.
If you don't like having people talk about you, then get out of the public spot light. It's not all going to be nice.
It will be even worse if your record on the TC is so bad that you can't find a platform to run on.
It will be even worse if your record on the TC is so bad that you can't find a platform to run on.
Reminds me of the great quote:
"He's a modest man... with very much to be modest about." - Winston Churchill, when asked to comment on his opponent Clement Atlee.
Words matter... and appropriate deliveries can also be helpful. And thanks for being understanding.
REPOSTED WITH DELETION:
Robert DeVylder Jr. said...
Dear contorted views:
I know Laura DeCaprio ran to the papers. She sent them letters. It was in the article. My problem is the grade school mentality that is being displayed here. DELETED Comments like this make the offending party look like idiots. They do nothing to help the cause and and create arguements best solved by the swingset.
F.Y.I. - I am not on the payroll of AJ Waste. Never have been and probably will never be. Said it before and I cant believe I have to say it again.
The reason I hammer on Tim White is that I disagree with some of his decisions. I bring up the trash contract because it is a multi-million dollar deal that with Tim's inaction, ended up costing alot more than it should have. As a taxpayer, I would ridicule anyone that allows a public forum while wasting money we do not have. Responsible govt/spending means looking at ALL options, not just personal opinion.
The night the contract was awarded to AJ Waste, I was in the council chamber before the regularly scheduled meeting. I walked in behind Tim. Hall saw him in the chamber and asked if Tim was going to the solid waste committee meeting that was waiting for him. Tim responded somehow that implied he would not go, so Matt went. When Matt joined the committee meeting, he made it clear to the committee members and the representatives from AJ Waste that Tim would not be attending even though he was in the building. That info I got from people in that meeting.
I am not one of Halls "puppets".
"...there are many more issues in the present that we need to fix rather than looking to the past."
You are right. But how do we fix the future without understanding the past? The things that need fixing are because of decisions that our town leaders already made. We need to know the root of the problems. How many times are we going to re-sheetrock the pool before we fix the mold issues? The mold issues are not fixed and we are replacing the sheetrock. Guess what, we are going to replace sheetrock again in a few years. Look at why it is wrong and fix it right.
"the overheated electrical boxes in a public facility so hot that fans were needed to cool them during recent CHS events."
This was stated by Oct 18, 9:40pm
I had noticed this at the football field. The use of fans with the cover removed would make be wonder what was added to the panel after it was signed off by the electrical inspector? Was it ever inspected? Were there permits pulled? From a safety standpoint, the field should not be using that panel until it is fixed. Football or not, there is a serious electrocution and/or burn hazzard that needs to be addressed right away.
Finally, I looked at my comments from Oct 16 @ 12:12, and have no idea what is wrong with it. Please let me know. Also, I would love to know what got deleted.
October 19, 2009 1:44 AM
RDJr... you make several assertions about me missing that one particular SW meeting that began at 7:15pm and ended at 7:30pm.
I'm happy to have this discussion with you, but you are getting into an amazing level of details for a meeting that happened months ago.
I'm still wondering though... when did I arrive at Town Hall? I recall arriving at around 7:30pm. Also, did Matt Hall explicitly ask me about the "solid waste meeting" or did he ask about a "meeting." If he asked me about the SW meeting, I'm quite confident that I would've attended.
Again, I'm happy to have this conversation. But I need a better recollection of the situation.
"...The use of fans with the cover removed would make be wonder what was added to the panel after it was signed off by the electrical inspector? Was it ever inspected? Were there permits pulled? From a safety standpoint, the field should not be using that panel until it is fixed. ..."
Rob D Jr seems to be onto something here. Even with a permit electrical boxes in large public facilities are designed for safety first. If you need to remove what is in fact a 'safety cover' and set up a fan to blast the box internals with cooling air from a temporary fan you are already dealing with a significant failure. I'd bet no company making circuit breakers would ever allow for this type of operation. Whoever is/was responsible for this work-around, if they have a license to be an electrician should be taken before the appropriate state board immediately. If they don't have a license maybe the state fire marshal's office or the state prosecutor's office needs to investigate them and take appropriate action against them and their supervisors, managers, superintendents, and employers.
Dangerous electrical system work-arounds such as the one just described which circumvent basic electrical safety concepts should NEVER be allowed, especially in our public facilities, EVER!
DeVylder
My comments were deleted because I mentioned a personal issue about DeCaprio that you had mentioned in your earlier comment. It is in the second paragraph, second sentence where you mentioned something followed by "(as far as I know)". That is what I was reitterating that was deleted. You brought that up and it was news to me and I am sure others. Again, bringing up a personal issue about a council person.
Tim now feels he has to start deleting anything that may even be construed as personal because of the thin skinned canidates who are running for public office.
You seem to have some connection with the Trash Hauling contract that you aren't fully explaining here. You mentioned that someone who was in that meeting told you what Matt Hall said the reason why Tim wasn't there. DO you have spies or what is your connection?
Why wouldn't Tim go to the solid waste meeting if he was in the building? Has Tim ever backed away from those sort of things?
Did you ever think that Hall didn't tell him what the meeting was?
I do agree with you about the electrical work at the football field. I was at the game on the 11th and half the lights went out on the field. I saw Mike Ecke go behind the stands with a couple of others and after a half hour the lights went back on. This is all the more reason why we neeed to address these issues before we can put turf down.
I feel I ahve read & heard enough about Mike Evans from this blog; I ain't votin' for him!!
I don't know how many more times or way I can explain my relationship with the Wallingers. We are friends. I've known them my entire life. I've known Debbie Mazzini, one of their sales people, my entire life. Is it hard to comprehend someone doing something for free? I gained nothing when they won the contract. I also would not have gained or lost anything if another bidder had won.
I cannot think of any other way to put it
With that said, when the committee meeting was over, I sat with Bonnie Wallinger and Debbie Mazzini in the council meeting. They told me what was said in the meeting. They told me that Hall went in Tims place so there would be a quorum. DeCaprio had just had the baby and could not make it. With no quorum, there could not be a meeting. The bid could not be accepted. The shared belief is that Tim spent over a month claiming that AJ Waste, as a company, and the owner were corupt and under mafia rule and Tim did not want to face Bonnie.
Whatever Tim's side of the story is, I know he was in the building. I know he was told the meeting was set to begin. I know Hall took his place so the bid can be accepted.
Well, if that doesnt get deleted, I dont know what will.
Lets get your math right before we go any farther. $52,000 X 40 = $2,080,000. (your claimed starting salary times 40 officers)
The state does not cover the cost of the state troopers covering a community. The individual towns are responsible for all associated costs. Since the state does not have 40 extra troopers to loan us, they will have to be paid overtime wages. State P.O's make around $100 per hour EDJ. Each 8 hour shift will cost $800 and 3, 5 man shifts (supervisor and 4 officers) will cost $4000 X 3 shifts = 12,000 per day or $4,380,000. That is more than double what we are paying our current police force.
Add in gas, maintenance, and operating costs and we are well over $5 million.
The officers in town are union employees, and most are vested. At the least, we would have to pay at least %50 of their current salary, health care, and COLA. Add another $2 million or so.
Great Idea - You proved you have no concept of anything.
Let me know how I am a hypocryte.
This is a waste---
I think it has already been shown that the flyer was a hoax.
We will not be disbanding our PD so the point is moot.
What was the budget for the cheshire police dept this past year? wasn't it something like $4.2 million? So how can it be double? Why would the town have to purchase cars? The town save not having to pay for medical or pensions. Believe me, with the job shortage we could very easily get 40 new recruits to fill in for these people that call themselves cops. no problem.
Mark, what is your problem with the police? Is it a legitimate complaint or are you trying to be a tough guy? You sound like a high school kid that cannot grasp economics or logic.
REPOSTED WITH DELETION:
Marc Antony (my real name) said...
hey cuntored view: why don't you run for office? I know why because you probably are DELETED.
October 19, 2009 6:26 PM
To The Editor:
I am writing to thank the voters of the 3rd and 7th District for the privilege of representing them on the Cheshire Town Council over the past two years, and to ask for their support as I run for re-election this November 3. However, I feel compelled to write on a related topic as well, one that no candidate or public servant should ever feel compelled to write.
There have been many changes since November 2007, most notably and happily the arrival of my first child. My son Paul was born in May 2009, and I am pleased to say that as of this writing we are all doing well. I am ever hopeful, and committed to ensuring, that he will have the same great experience growing up in Cheshire as my sister, brother and I did on Farview Drive.
As many of you know, taking care of a newborn is a very demanding
job. In addition, I had some complications associated with my pregnancy and have also been sick over the past few months. None the less, I have only missed two full council meetings. One I was unable to attend right after his birth, and one due to illness. These factors also caused me to miss a few subcommittee meetings. Luckily, I was able to keep up to date by constant communication with my colleagues. Public service on the Council is important to me, but I place the health of my child and my family above all else. I am sure most of you would feel the same way.
That is why I am incredibly offended by the remarks Councilman Tim White has published on his website regarding my fitness as a parent, my character, my intelligence and my ability to serve on the council. Without dignifying his rumor-mongering with specifics, I want any of you who are parents to ask yourselves how you would feel if the insinuation was repeatedly made (by a conveniently “anonymous” source) that you were out carousing at night and not tending to your obligations as a parent of a young child. Then, ask yourself if you would tolerate such comments merely because you are a volunteer member of the Town Council.
Finally, after pondering those two questions, ask yourself how you would feel if a so-called colleague of yours – one who in theory is elected to serve the best interest of the residents of Cheshire -- was the perpetrator of this activity by virtue of his weblog, on which he has permitted and encouraged this type of behavior. This is exactly what Tim White has done.
You would likely feel as I do: appalled, disgusted, disrespected, and mostly angry. Various members of the Council have confronted Mr. White over the past two years about the content he publishes on his site, where anonymous posters are apparently given free reign to flog targets at will. Childish, self-defeating and marginalizing as it may be, in the past none of us have made a public issue about his blog. For though it seems counterproductive for one elected official to have a website routinely denigrating his fellow elected officials, none of us ever doubted that he at some level has the right to be critical of the votes we take, the statements we make and in general our council activity.
However, he has crossed a line with me with respect to my character, and I will not tolerate it. Tim White can not hide behind the fact that “anonymous” is the alleged author of these remarks: if he thinks it is important enough to host this site, then he has the ultimate responsibility for its content.
The next time you ask yourself why the Council seems divided at times, maybe my experience will shed a little light on things. The next time you wonder why it is difficult to get people, especially women, to volunteer to serve in political office, this may shed a little light as well.
I'm pretty sure that's the letter, word for word (she emailed it to me) and here was my immediate response:
Hi Laura,
I sincerely apologize for inappropriate personal comments about you on the blog. So you know, I just spoke with (the WRA reporter). She directed me to some comments and since I felt they were inappropriate I immediately deleted them.
My standing policy is that I will delete inappropriate, personal comments when I see them or when they are brought to my attention.
Sincerely,
Tim
Tim, I think your blog is great. I get so much info from it about important issues in our town. I don't pay attention to the silly comments people make about others and I know it's next to impossible for you to "police" every comment under every category. Seems quite nice of you to apologize even though you didn't make any negative comments about your fellow councilwoman. Seems to me she should be more upset with "Mr. or Ms. Anonymous." Why she feels a letter to the editor just before the election is necessary, I do not know. Could one call that "grandstanding"? Perhaps. I know when I spoke before the council last Tuesday, I was bit disheartened by certain councilors chit chatting and not seeming to pay attention to me or other speakers, and I also didn't appreciate the chuckles from the audience when I recited information given at a previous meeting. It was quite an uncomfortable feeling and since I wasn't sure of what would take place after the meeting, I made sure I walked out of the chambers with a couple of people who I knew because I didn't want these "rude" people to make any other comments to me. People should feel free to speak before the council and they should get the attention and respect they deserve from all members of the council and all members of the audience. Unfortunately that is not always the case, but I will not be writing to the papers about it. I just chalk it up to the fact that there's always going to be rude, obnoxious people out there and I'll have to deal with them.
Thanks again for getting so much info to all of us. I'll sift through and take what's useful and ignore what's not.
Sue Zentek
hmmm 9:34's comments seem a tad threatening. Maybe they should be deleted, or maybe just turned over to the police.
Hey 10 45 no one is threatening anyone. we want to discuss civilly with mr white there is no violence intended stop making something out of nothing. i and many others are disturbed over these comments that have been made over the past several weeks. just because we don't like some of the cops does not mean we are violent. maybe if we meet out in public where we all can be seen we can come to an understanding. we don't go to uconn ok?? you watch too much tv news.
Tim
You may want to re-read the reposted comment with deletions you left on the blog from that idiot Marc Antony. The way he has my name can be construed as obcene.
Now that I have read the letter from DeCaprio, I have to wonder how many of her fellow TC members helped her write it.
I am totally offended that a TC member would actually be upset that we would question her ability to serve. It has nothing to do with her being a mother. I am sure she is a great mother based on what I read. It has more to do with her not having her own voice on the council. It has to do with her consistently chatting away with other TC members while the public speaks. It has to do with her ridiculous comment to the Meriden Record Journal about being "blind sided" be the vote of no confidence. It has to do with her not standing on her own for one single topic.
These are the reasons why she does not belong on the TC.
To write a letter stating that Tim actually has "permitted and encouraged this type of behavior" is totally wrong. Obviously she doesn't know what Tim does to go out of his way to make sure the content on this site does not slander anyone (except himself).
I am insulted that she would actually pull the discrimation card here. To make it sound like she is being picked on because she is a woman is ridiculous.She sounds very desperate and hopefully the town will see her for what this is. A desperate attempt to win an election when she has nothing else to stand on.
Tim, you should feel totally insulted by this and should question her on where you have encouraged people to write negative comments about her. Ask her why she didn't contact you directly. She states that the council is "divided at times", what is she doing to help that?
Although personal attacks should not be tolerated, we should all have the right to question ones ability to serve on the council.
I, for one, don't feel Laura DeCaprio belongs on the council.
Can't wait to meet you Marc.
The "incredibly offended councilwoman" continues her letter writing campaign....
In todays NH Register, Luther Turmelle picked up on it.
Amazing that newspapers wouldn't see this for what it is. A ply to get the sympathy vote.
Will the newspapers and other news organization web sites that allow comments start banning anonymous comments? Freedom of speech!
I have seen some pretty bad things on these sites, are they blaming the newpaper? Are they holding the editor responsible?
I agree with Contoured Views, her claims are another reason why I wouldn't vote for her. They are simply false if you read the blog on a daily basis. there are comments that may not be necessary, but so what. This is America isn't it. You can claim to be a CPA when you aren't, but you can't question why a TC member isn't at meetings or not paying attn? I have split my town votes by who I believe will be the best for the town, so I have voted Dem and Rep every year. I have to say that I will be hard pressed to vote for most Dems this year - and I am one. Maybe Ms DiCaprio should google the Town of Canterbury, CT and look into the hard ball politics that are played there. this blog wouldn' even make the news.
M Antony - as an unbiased observer, you seem to be going a little overboard. Don't be a hater.
Ms. DeCaprio is playing the victim to distract attention from her own dismal record on the town council.
She’s on the town personnel committee and admitted she was recently “blindsided” by the police vote of no confidence -- something her colleagues have known was brewing for a year.
She’s on the pool committee and has done nothing to find a permanent solution to its never ending problems. She’s also done nothing about the problems in Mixville park in her own district.
She has been reprimanded for chatting with friends and ignoring citizens while they testify before the council. But then she doesn’t need to listen to anyone - she always votes along party lines, as she voted to give land easements to well connected developers at less than fair market value. She also voted against redirecting $525,000 from turf to much needed locker room renovation at the high school.
Ms. DeCaprio has accomplished little on the council and even less for her district, and the voters know it. So she cynically paints herself the “victim” and Tim White as the “victimizer”, exaggerates it all, and milks it for all she can.
In fact, only one or two comments about her personal character were anonymously posted. Tim White has apologized for not deleting them fast enough, and he has nothing more to apologize for. Most posted comments about Ms. DeCaprio are critical of her PERFORMANCE in office, and are completely appropriate.
Laura, stop playing the victim. As Harry Truman said about politics, “If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.”
WesternCiv said,
“In fact, only one or two comments about her personal character were anonymously posted. Tim White has apologized for not deleting them fast enough…”
There was a time, long before Bill Clinton, when an elected official’s personal behavior and character were legitimate public concerns. That was also a time when most children were born to two parents, when most boys stayed out of trouble because they had strong fathers, when the crime rate was only an eighth of what it is today, and when people commonly left their doors unlocked and trusted their neighbors.
Tim White is a gentleman to the core and will delete comments he deems as too ‘personal’ from his blog, which is his right. But I still think we were better off when morality played a role in public life and we expected it from public officials.
I wonder if Laura has read the comments following the NH Register's article. Some are negative towards her - perhaps she should write another letter to the Register complaining that they didn't delete them.
Many people in public office have negative things said about them. It goes with the territory. I think she's blowing it all out of proportion. She should concentrate on her district and her campaign.
Robert, I wish you had brought this up five months ago. At this point, my memory (of those few minutes in time) is not very clear.
As for this...
Hall went in Tims place so there would be a quorum... I know Hall took his place so the bid can be accepted.
My understanding of the rules is that this is impossible. Hall is not a member of the SW Committee and therefore cannot vote. (These rules were tested during the 2001-2003 Council.)
Nonetheless, Hall can bring anything to the full Council for a vote regardless of the existence of a Committee recommendation.
As for being afraid to face someone... I doubt you'll find anyone (including Council members) who knows me who believes that about me.
Here was a great post on the NH Register blog by “Stop Twisting the Truth” which accurately describes this situation:
DeCaprio is “spinning in the press about what was actually posted. Of course, now that its been deleted she can spin the comments as she sees fit. This is just wrong and unethical. If anything, Tim can sue Laura. Compare the Rep-Am quote from her vs. NH Register vs. Cheshire Herald. With each new article, that original comment now magically and allegedly includes references to her child!
The only person that bought up motherhood, children and being "unfit" is Laura via the press.
One also has to wonder why she chose to run to three newspapers and not speak with Tim first? Think about this...she called Rep-Am first, told them about the quote (and where to find it) and Tim found out from the reporter at the Rep-Am. If she was so concerned about what was written why didn't she immediately phone Tim and have him remove the comment?!?
As someone that prides herself on "treating others with respect" she is certainly not taking the high road on this. A simple phone call to the Tim would've resolved the issue.
This is a politically-motivated grandstanding effort IMO. Her campaign is in trouble and it's solely due to her performance on the town council...Not because of someone's BLOG.
I think Laura should have taken the high road here, resolving this issue peacefully with Tim and walking the walk about "treating others with respect" as she states during town council meetings. But she chose not to. Why not?
I think Laura's actions speak for themselves. I, for one, will not be voting for Laura. This is not the Laura DeCaprio we voted to the town council. I expected better from her and this is a major disappointment for many.
I had an old boss that used to say there were three important things in life. Your health, your family and your job. You better make sure you are taking care of the first two so they don't interfere with the third......
Mike Evan’s implying that Tim should not accept anonymous comments is absurd. Virtually every blog in the world accepts anonymous comments. Even if you have to register for a blog and use a pseudonym, you’re registering and commenting anonymously since your real name is not required.
Mike Evans has the right to demand real names on his own blog. But to impugn Tim for not doing the same is as ridiculous as Laura’s self-serving victim cant.
If your in politics, you should expect to be attacked.
Watch Fox news. Are you writing to them about their attacks on people?
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