The barite mines seem to be one of the biggest concerns of visitors to this blog. And here is an article (Cheshire Herald, by Kristen Malinowski) that does a great job giving an overview of both the history and the current situation.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
When the law recently passed on underage drinking parties, I heard some concerns about the ability of police to enter private households without a search warrant. I suspect scenarios like these cellphones with tracking devices may end up having an impact on the legal situation. That is, if a parent believes his/her child is drinking in someone else's house, can the police use the cellphones tracking device as reasonable cause to enter a house without a search warrant?
Tim White
State Representative candidate (R-89)
Bethany, Cheshire & Prospect
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
It looks like the Bethany budget passed on the second round. As well, the Amity High School renovation (NH Register, by Neal McNamara) is done.
Tim White
State Representative candidate (R-89)
Bethany, Cheshire & Prospect
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
That was the headline of a Wall Street Journal article today (by Sue Shellenbarger). The article struck me. It was about a growing frustration level between recent college grads and their parents. The college grads want to "do good" and leave the world a better place. Their parents want them to "do well" financially. A career development professional mentioned that "Today's young adults, who came of age post-Sept. 11, tend to profess greater altruism than the previous generation, who focused more on individual achievement and attainment."
I'm not sure if this is true, but I'm happy if these young adults are becoming a bunch of do-gooders.
Tim White
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
The idea of hiring a consultant for the pool (Waterbury Rep-Am, by Lauresha Xhihani) is moving along. The estimated price tag is around $20,000. My comments mentioned in the article will likely come as no surprise to anyone who follows this stuff... I'm not going to vote to spend any more money on the pool, including for this consultant.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
I picked up a copy of the Waterbury newspaper today and saw an article (by Lauresha Xhihani) about the West Main Street streetscaping project... the project that relates to the $500,000 recently secured by State Rep. Al Adinolfi.
At first, I was a bit surprised by the article, but then remembered that this project had started in the Planning Committee (when I was Chair), perhaps two years ago. And maybe I should have spoken up more then (I'm sure I voiced some concerns), but didn't speak out that much. So now I just have to say that I'm willing to revisit the proposed project, but can't imagine spending an additional $300,000 in local tax dollars on top of the STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant money.
As long as we can get rid of those Jersey barriers and the big yellow barrels, I'll be pretty happy.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
If you happen to have any kids going to CHS, please check out last week's issue of the Rampage. Guy Brooks, a newly minted CHS alum, did a piece on me. (I couldn't find it online.) And I really appreciated the comment from another CHS student, Laura Bartone. Thanks to you both, Guy and Laura. I really do appreciate your support.
Tim White
State Representative candidate (R-89)
Bethany, Cheshire & Prospect
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
As I had expected, it was a fairly quiet Council meeting. The Council unanimously approved the purchase of a new van for the Senior Center and the adoption of land management plans for the DeDominicus and Dime Savings properties.
The benefit of the land management plans is that you can now call Town Hall and ask for hiking ideas and such. And Town Hall can give you ideas. Before adopting the plans, the Town Hall couldn't really provide any direction. I think that was for liability reasons, but I'm not 100% sure about that. (For more info, contact Suzanne Simone in the Town Hall.)
The Town Council then went into executive session to discuss the Town Attorney and land issues.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
The Energy Commission met tonight. As usual, there was lots to discuss... beginning with the schools. And I'm happy to say that (for perhaps the first time ever) the EC feels it is getting real input into the capital budget process... before the capital budget is created, not after the fact... when it is usually too late to have any significant benefit. Those comments were music to my ears, particularly since this year's capital budget is near $2,000,000 for the schools' energy projects alone.
As well, there are a host of other projects being reviewed by the EC for inclusion in the capital budget... and not just the normal town buildings. The EC has gotten so active, they're now involved in improvements for the Historical Society (Hitchcock-Phillips) House. I believe that just tonight they recommended $40-50,000 in energy efficiency improvements for that house, with an ROI of 15 years total for all aspects of the project. Although some aspects have a quicker payback. (And if you're interested, my understanding is that the Town owns the Historical Society House, but the not-for-profit Historical Society leases the house and pays the heating bills.) Anyway, my point is simply that the EC is really doing some great work. I'm just glad that people are finally listening to them.
The pool was discussed. And what's to say? I added my two cents which was simple... I believe that if a referendum was held today to put a building over the pool (for energy conservation), it would fail. And that has little to do with the merits of any project. I feel it's simply that the townspeople have no trust in the Council when it comes to the pool.
Clean energy (Record-Journal, by Andrew Perlot) made headlines again recently. And with 74 households already participating, we only need 26 more households to sign up and the town will receive a free photovoltaic array (solar panel). Also discussed was the Bethany/Cheshire competition. With a prize on both sides (horseback riding in Bethany & pool use in Cheshire), I'm hoping our friendly competition comes to fruition sometime in July.
I know there were lots of other things discussed, but that's enough for now. Again, I'm just glad that things seem to be moving in the right direction... that our public officials are starting to recognize the importance of energy. And they are starting to take action.
Tim White
Town Council, Energy Commission liaison
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
(btw, I spoke with the Meriden reporter, Andrew Perlot, last week. The Meriden reporter who had been covering Cheshire, Caroline Porter Misarski (sp??) recently left. Andrew is new to the Record Journal and may be covering Cheshire. Best of luck to you Andrew!)
Unfortunately, eminent domain continues to make headlines (NH Register, by Michelle Tuccitto Sullo) in CT. This time it's not New London, but Derby. I'm not quite sure why many of CTs elected officials don't quite get it. If it's private property, you don't take it for private use.
UPDATE
Here's another article (WFSB.com) on the eminent domain issue in Derby.
Tim White
State Representative candidate
Bethany, Cheshire & Prospect
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
I'm not sure what's taught at CHS about alternative fuels, but Shepaug High is teaching about alternative fuels.
UPDATE
Interestingly, I just received this email from a friend... "BioPur Inc. in Bethlehem, CT is taking the lead in New England with the production of biodiesel fuel in a new “State of the Art” production plant. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 1:00 PM on July 5th, 2006. The plant which is the first of its kind in Connecticut as well as New England will make biodiesel from soybeans grown in the Maryland and Delaware area, and transported to Connecticut for processing."
So it seems as though we will have production of biofuel in CT. And GM will be putting another 400,000 of their "flexfuel" (biofuel compatible) vehicles on America's roads by the end of this year. It seems to me that the last major component of rolling out biofuel vehicles in CT is the distribution network. I wonder if our town will ever act on my idea for rezoning the northend to allow for an alternative fuel station?
Tim White
State Representative candidate
Bethany, Cheshire & Prospect
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
I know this may seem to be a bit offbeat for this blog, but... the Crazy Horse Memorial is having an anniversary of sorts. I've never been, but would love to visit. Maybe next summer I'll take a road trip....
Tim White
Apparently, our senior Senator, Christopher Dodd, is serious about running for President. This article (Hartford Courant, by David Lightman) makes that clear. I still find it a bit hard to believe though. With people such as Senators Hilary Clinton (NY) and Joe Biden (DE) and Governor Mark Warner (VA) running, I'm surprised if Senator Dodd thinks he really has a chance. But hey... I give him credit for trying.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
This issue (AP) seems to be getting discussed more and more around the state. Even the Cheshire Town Council got a letter on the topic. My concern is that this could be the local equivalent of an unfunded state mandate. Nonetheless, I'm perfectly happy to listen to anyone who comes to the Council to share their concerns.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
Elim Park is having its Wellness Center kickoff party this weekend. The Wellness Center consists of a performing arts center and a swimming pool.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
The Council hired a ballfield consultant (Cheshire Herald, by Kristen Malinowski) for $9,000. As was mentioned in the article, my sense is that $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 won't pass at referendum. And I voted against it.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
Not only is Lego letting people go, Pfizer is too (Norwich Bulletin, by Brian Wallheimer). They just announced 300 manufacturing jobs are going elsewhere. And I wouldn't call this bad news, but this article (Careerbuilder.com, by Kate Lorenz) isn't great news. Apparently CT has neither a hot nor cold city when in comes to job creation. Florida is gaining the jobs and the midwest is losing them.
Tim White
State Representative candidate (R-89)
Bethany, Cheshire & Prospect
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
CTs "energy issues" are less of a problem with generation and more of one with distribution in the SW corner. This article (Waterbury Rep-Am, by Anusha Shrivastava) shows that some are trying to address this problem. Cos Cob is in Greenwich. And I believe Devon is in Stratford. Middletown seems a bit distant, but it is part of the powerline question.
Tim White
State Representative candidate (R-89)
Bethany, Cheshire & Prospect
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
Lego is planning on laying off (AP) 300 Enfield-based employees by early 2007. Manufacturing operations are to be moved to Mexico. And I'm sure that there are companies that have added jobs in the past few weeks, but the cost of living and the cost of doing business in CT are too high and need to be addressed.
Tim White
State Representative candidate (R-89)
Bethany, Cheshire & Prospect
TimWhite98@yahoo.com
