The White Elephant drives food prices

I was watching ABCNews tonight (since I cancelled Cox cable last Friday, I can't watch the cable news) and they had a piece on the cost of food around the globe. It was both interesting and extremely concerning. I think it's fair to say that the piece was placing the blame for the rise in the cost of food largely on energy prices... particularly as crops are now being diverted from feeding people to making biofuels / energy.

This reminded me of the pool and its insatiable energy appetite... and it reminded me of my belief that the pool is a perfect example of how Cheshire could "think globally, act locally." Unfortunately, based on comments during Council meetings... it seems at least one member of the majority believes Cheshire shouldn't sacrifice its "quality of life" (an indoor / outdoor pool) for increased "energy security" (energy conservation).

Anyway... you probably could guess that I'm of the opinion that the Council (and this new bubble committee) have virtually no credibility, when it comes to the pool. Nonetheless, I hope the Council makes a real effort at dealing with the bubble. But to gain the credibility required for taking action... the rhetoric will need to change. And we're going to have to acknowledge that sacrifice (dumping the white elephant) is almost certainly necessary... and we can't simply increase the volume of natural gas fed to the pool, if we want take a responsible approach to directly dealing with the bubble (and indirectly dealing with energy costs and with food prices)... because ultimately, they're all related.

Tim White

NHR on financial software

The NHRs Luther Turmelle wrote this article on the town's financial software.

Tim White

Personnel to discuss grievances

At last night's Council meeting, during the Committee Reports... Personnel Committee Chairman, Matt Altieri, said that my question about compiling a report on employee grievances by department for the past five years would be addressed at a Personnel Committee meeting later this month:Regarding the "however briefly" comment... it does make me wonder if there'll be much of a discussion. But then... I just want to see a report of numbers of grievances... I don't wish to see any names... so I'm not sure why there's even a meeting. Maybe there's a problem with employee morale and grievances are being filed more often than usual? I don't know. That's why I asked.

As for why it's taking a month and a half to compile this report, I'm at a loss. I figured that the Personnel Director could compile the report pretty easily. And since I presume that a Personnel Director would have little to do with the just-completed-budget... this report should've been done a while ago... I would think. But then I don't know the responsibilities of the Personnel Director... which by the way... did anyone else catch the comment last night by the Finance Director about how she has only one HR person? And since it's not the Personnel Director... what gives? Seems odd that an HR person wouldn't report to the Personnel Director. But again... I don't even know what responsibilities are given to the Personnel Director... well... except for being "Assistant Town Manager." And don't even get me started on that title... that deserves its own post.

Anyway, I am glad that other people seem to agree with me that my request is reasonable. From the WRA to the cartoon in this week's Herald, I think it's fair and necessary for the Council to maintain a basic grasp on employee morale. And whether or not the Council agrees with me... at least other people seem to believe it's a reasonable request.

And finally, I thank Matt Altieri for following up on this.

Tim White

These aren't the droids you're looking for

Energy Commission continues progress on pool

While the Council continues talk, talk, talking about the pool (and yes, I voted for last night's motion... but that's only because I had seen the majority's writing on the wall... "our way or the highway..." so I compromised), the Energy Commission's Dave Gavin continues to make REAL progress on the pool bubble.

I got an email from Dave today. He's in the process of scheduling a pool visit by Sprung, Inc.... one of the "pool building" vendors he identified in the Energy Commission report that was drafted by him.

And FYI... here's a brief comment on another use of Sprung's structures.

Tim White
Town Council, Energy Commission liaison

Adinolfi to run on record

The NHRs Luther Turmelle has this story on the race for the 103rd.

Tim White

Esty makes it official

I had heard that she was planning on making her announcement yesterday. And the WRA reported it today... Elizabeth Esty is running for the 103rd House district against state Rep. Al Adinolfi.... no word yet on whether any Dems will by running against her for the nomination. And remember... with public financing... people will probably come out of the woodwork this year. And don't forget Al had an opponent, Phil Brewer, two years ago. So don't be surprised if he, or others, want the Dem nomination this year. Regardless... assuming Elizabeth is the nominee...

I suspect there's going to be quite a divide between the two candidates on a number of issues.

But in keeping this post brief, I'll just offer what is often the most divisive issue in politics... abortion.

Al Adinolfi has received money from the conservative Family Institute of Connecticut... an organization known for its pro-life positions. While Elizabeth has donated money to the liberal Emily's List... an organization dedicated "to elect pro-choice Democratic women."

No doubt that criminal justice reform will take center stage in this campaign though.

As for my support... it goes to Al... nobody works harder than he does. Though that's not to take anything away from Elizabeth. I have my differences with her, including some strong philosophical differences. But she's always straight with me.

As for who wins? I'd put money on Al. But I can't help wondering if Obama might actually... for the first time in a long time... get the 18-30 yr old demographic (who are usually considered "unlikely voters") to vote?

As always, "events on the ground" will dictate turnout. If Iraq and the economy have people down... that may motivate the youth vote with Obama as the nominee. Alternatively... if HRC is the nominee... will the economy make a difference, if she gets blamed for NAFTA? I have no idea. My sense is that Al wins... but the Obama factor makes me wonder. More on this later though... going to bed in a minute.

And speaking of Presidential politics... count me as one of those Republicans who isn't yet sold on McCain. But being a Paulista... I can't imagine that would surprise anyone.

Tim White

Simsbury development

I got a note from my former colleague David Schrumm tonight. It's about a proposed 900,000 square foot residential/retail development in Simsbury (by Cox). There was a hearing planned, but things didn't work out so well because... the Simsbury fire marshal shut it down when an overflow crowd showed up at the auditorium of Eno Memorial Hall. It seats 240. Opponents say the development is not in character with the town. The hearing has been rescheduled....

Tim White

Pool bubble resolution

Here's the motion for the discussion on Alternatives to the pool bubble:For the record... I had absolutely nothing to do with this motion. And it doesn't really remind me of my motions from either February 26 or March 11.

Tim White

MRJ on DeCaprio

For a while now, the MRJ has been working on a human interest piece on my favorite 3rd District Councilman. They even sent a videocamera guy to a Council meeting for some additional stuff in their MyRecordJournal online edition.

Anyway, I haven't read this whole article on my successor as the youngest member of the Council (I'm 35. She's 30.) ... but thought you might like to see it (by Stacy Graham Hunt).

Tim White

Altieri on number of grievances

Following the March 11 Council meeting at which I asked the Personnel Committee Chairman, Matt Altieri, for a report of "grievances by department" for each of the past five years... I sent him an email yesterday. I was wondering if he'd have the report prepared for today's Council meeting. I appreciated his quick response. But unfortunately... nothing yet. Nonetheless, he said he will be taking up the issue at a Personnel Committee meeting scheduled for later this month.

Tim White
Town Council, 4th District

Pool referendum

As promised...

I stopped by the Town Clerk's office recently. I went directly to the October 1996 section of the "Council documents book." There I found the pool referendum:Several thoughts...

Hopefully in the future there won't be anymore town residents getting berated at Council meetings for suggesting that the pool was supposed to be self-sustaining (see #9).

And it's also worth noting the question seems clear to me that the pool was supposed to be an indoor / outdoor facility (see question and #5).

Thing is though... is the Council serious about energy conservation or not? I'm serious about it. And I'm acutely aware that conserving energy does not always provide for one's optimal quality of life (This winter, when I've been alone, I've turned the heat way down and bundled up because of the cost of oil).

Regardless... all things considered, we need to consider alternatives to the bubble and, IMO, start addressing the bubble's insatiable energy appetite.

Tim White
Energy Commission, Town Council liaison

Council agenda 4/8

Here's the agenda's old and new business for this Tuesday's meeting:Tim White

Viral video

You may have heard of viral video. Here is wikipedia's explanation. But I add that the best way for video to become truly viral is to email the video links to other people who you feel may be interested. To do this with one of the videos here, you would double click on the image (though not on the "play button"). That should move you over to YouTube. From there, you just copy the "address" or link to an email... for example, here's the link for Jimmy Sima's motion in support of the police budget:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyNoA1QkX2c

then you send the email and you've got viral video.

I love Web 2.0!

Tim White

Sima's motion for a police officer

Jimmy Sima's proposed resolution to increase the number of police certainly generated some discussion. For those of you who didn't see it, here it is:

Personally, I didn't think the "notion" that Jimmy thought of this on Thursday was "ridiculous." Though there was a ridiculous aspect to this whole discussion.

And as I recently stated here... I'm fine with the budget being "decided" before the actual vote. I recognize that there's paperwork involved and have no interest in causing the TM any undue professional risk.

But the reaction to Jimmy's motion did seem to be a bit much. I mean, it is a meeting. And there is supposed to be discussion, right?

Though later in the meeting, Matt Hall did explain his vehement opposition by saying where things need to improve... there needs to be improvements within the "internal" communication of the nine council members: Unfortunately, this logic is predicated on the two party system*. But what if there's an unaffiliated (independent) Council member who has no caucus member on the Budget Committee? Or what if some members of a particular caucus** don't communicate well? This plan falls apart.

No, Matt's call for improved internal communication of the nine Council members doesn't work. Instead, staff*** should keep Council members aware of happenings... such as the last-minute, under-the-radar removal of a police officer from the budget (something I only heard about a few days before the budget as well). So, IMO, this was not a failure of communication among nine volunteers.

It was a failure of the Council to direct staff to keep Council members aware of proposed changes to the budget. But, of course, it's apparent to many residents now that this Council doesn't direct staff. Rather, staff directs the Council:

Tim White

* As explained in this post on political fundraisers, to the best of my knowledge... nothing has yet been done to rectify this inequity that disenfranchises all voters who are not members of one of the two major political parties. So this suggestion doesn't surprise me at all.

** There's definitely some Republicans in Washington who don't like working with Dr. Ron Paul because of his unwavering, strict interpretation of the US Constitution.

*** Perhaps someone tasked with the distribution of "public information" could perform this function... and post the information on the website also... allowing the voters a greater understanding of the process.

Embracing new media: Obama v Clinton

Although I've been turning off the TV a lot lately, I still can't avoid seeing some of the coverage of the Democratic Presidential primary: Obama v Clinton.

I've heard a number of arguments about why one is up or why one is down, etc. But there's still one storyline that I've yet to hear any of the TV pundits even consider as a significant factor in the surprising rise of Obama: transparency and openness.

What do I mean?

In a nutshell, Barack has left me with the feeling that he's fairly candid and open. Hillary has left me with the sense that her campaign, and particularly her message, is entirely controlled. (Although that may be changing based on what I heard mentioned on the news today.)

What's the significance of a candid, open, free-flowing message vs. a controlled message?

Simple. In today's day and age... from YouTube to Google, from blogs to wikis... there is a higher expectation for information... for open government.

Of course, your classic pols want to have 100% control of their "message." But as George Allen, and Joe Lieberman to a lesser extent, learned... controlling the message is no longer possible. Politicians, such as Obama, who embrace (or at least accept) new media... and take hold of Web 2.0... will, on balance, do well compared to those who fight it.

What's an example of how new media is embraced by Barack and shunned by Hillary?

Again, simple. Barack admitted his drug use in his book. Hillary created a story about snipers when she arrived in Bosnia. And while neither story began in new media... both stories were "information" and new media allowed millions to consume the information. So while Obama seems to have been honest and open with his past... Clinton's Bosnia arrival has nearly two millions hits on YouTube and certainly hasn't helped her campaign. Though if she had been honest and open... she never would've taken the bruises she got for her Bosnia comments.

My point?

Pols should stop trying to create and control the message.

Anyway, while I haven't seen this discussed as a factor in the Dem's Primary... I do think that it's a major factor in Obama's rise and HRCs inability to run away with the nomination (though I'm still far from counting her out!)

And FWIW... I wish more pols would be more honest and open. IMO, when a politician tries to control things... it gets ugly more often than not... because new media enables people to shine a light on the lies, misrepresentations, half truths and contradictions that so many pols are prone to make.

Last, but not least, I actually thought of this post a month or so ago... and while I haven't watched much TV since then... I'm thinking that the dynamic in the Dem primary may be changing. I've heard HRC is picking up steam with a renewed emphasis on real, uncanned, open town hall meetings. Nonetheless... this post is more about new media than about the primary.

Tim White

Chamber expo

If you're driving past the high school tomorrow between 9am and 2pm, the Chamber of Commerce will be holding it's annual Spring Business Expo. This year's focus is on energy.

Tim White

Budget passes along party lines

The Council adopted the Town's budget (NHR, by Luther Turmelle) "Proposal A" by a 5-4 margin... with "Proposal B" failing by a 4-5 margin. Both votes were along party lines.

The Council unanimously adopted the budget of the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA = sewers).

The Council voted to adopt the Pool budget. The vote was 7-2 (Sima, White opposed). I was glad when Jimmy joined me. It was nice to have support. I'm hoping the people in town also notice his vote... he deserves credit for drawing the line and basically saying "enough is enough." We need to get serious about the pool and stop with all the "we only have one chance to get this right" hogwash. And as far as I'm concerned, asking Yankee Gas to provide more natural gas capacity is anything but getting serious about the pool. We should be conserving, not asking for more capacity to feed the bubble's insatiable energy appetite.

Anyway, back to the Town's operating budget... here is the draft of my comments, though I'm sure my precise words were different:

For the past four years that I’ve been on the Council, I’ve supported each of the annual operating budgets because I felt they were right at the time. But I can’t support this proposed budget because it’s not good enough at this moment.

I keep hearing from people in town that the cost of gas and heating oil is going thru the roof. The cost of food is hurting people. And the general uncertainty of the economy is weighing on the minds of most people.

Companies are laying people off. One company, my former Stamford-based employer: UBS, announced yesterday that it wrote-off $19billion. That's Billion with a "B."

In light of the current circumstances, the town should be tightening its belt even moreso than in the past few years… just as residents are tightening their belts and adjusting their home budgets accordingly. As one resident has said… “instead of a three week vacation, maybe you take a two week vacation this year.”

We should and could cut spending further. For instance, supporting this budget means that:

We'll be spending $750 for two calculators

and

We'll be spending $34,000 on seminars and conferences to a number of places, such as Lake George, Seattle and Virginia

We'll be spending $950 for reviews of the town budget and town audit. And you should know… this is not a fee for the budget or audit… this is a fee to review the budget and audit. For that fee and review, the town may win an award. But paying for an award is unnecessary and we should not ask the taxpayers to foot this bill. And...

We'll be spending $14,000 for another strategic plan.

And of course, there’s the $420,000 subsidy for our “self-supporting” pool. At a time when Senators Obama, McCain and Clinton seem to speak endlessly about energy concerns, Cheshire's pool just consumes more NG every year.

I’m not going to make a motion to amend either of the existing resolutions, but will note that if we removed the items I touched on… we could reduce spending by about .20 mills. And that spending reduction would ensure no tax increase this year. And I think that’s a commendable goal that everyone who pays for gas, heating oil or groceries would appreciate this year.

I thank Tom Ruocco for his strong efforts at producing "Proposal B." I'll be voting in favor of it.

Now as a followup... after the meeting, Laura DeCaprio was kind enough to explain to me that the $14,000 budget for the strategic plan is a bit more complicated. She said some of the money could be spent on videostreaming too.

But as far as I can tell... that's going to be "under review" for years to come. And as I've been trying to demonstrate here recently... the only way to make something happen in Town Hall is to direct the Town Manager to do something... but if you do that, you'll get accused of micromanaging the TM. Absolutely absurd, IMO... but an unfortunate reality of this majority. Besides... web video doesn't cost anything. In fact, I've been told you can even get the software for free (though I paid $40 for my software).

And just thinking now... since I've already tried emailing the Council and asking them questions (with answers to be posted here unedited), only to get no response from the majority... since it's unacceptable for the town to cut back on its junkets* around North America... I'd love to hear from Council members if their businesses have cut back on "Travel & Entertainment."

Finally, about the pool referendum... I'll try to post the text in full this weekend.

Tim White

*I normally don't use the word "junket." However, I seem to recall that particular word being used by one member of the current majority (then minority) during the '04/'05 Council discussions. At that time, he said something to the effect of "I want to give the Board of Ed this money and I don't care if they spend it on a junket to Mexico." So I think it's the perfect word for this post.

Budget vote tonight

The Council will vote on the budget tonight (Thursday). We'll cast a number of votes with the focus likely being placed on the:

1) Town budget
2) WPCD budget (sewers)
3) Pool budget

Furthermore, I understand that residents will be allowed to comment on the budget. So you may want to attend... if not to actually change anyone's mind... then simply to use the power of the bully pulpit and speak to the TV cameras to share your views with the entire town.

Going to bed now.

Tim White

p.s. Go girls! Go Geno!

CT businesses closing

According to the WRA (by Mark Silvestrini):

Businesses in Connecticut closed at a record pace during the first quarter of 2008, according to statistics released Wednesday by the Secretary of the State's office...

Don Klepper-Smith, chief economist and director of research for DataCore Partners LLC of New Haven, also linked the data to the slowing national economy.

"The data on starts suggest that the Connecticut economy is starting to feel the effects of a national recession, which probably began last year," he said. "Business starts are an important gauge because they speak not only to business confidence, but job creation and investment as well.

"The severity of the national recession is clearly going to impact us through the remainder of the year," he said. "I expect further erosion in business starts, and a rise in business failures."

I'm so glad I attended the dog & pony show budget committee meetings. If we didn't have those meetings, we may have ended up wasting $14,000 on ANOTHER strategic plan! And, along with other unnecessary spending, that would lead us to further increasing spending and... raising taxes even higher and... perhaps forcing even more businesses to close... all because of unnecessary, wasteful spending in both Cheshire and Hartford.

Oh wait!

We are going to waste that money on the strategic plan. Sorry. I forgot. I was thinking that we had elected officials who represent the Town's people, not the Town's management.

My bad.

Tim White