Cheshire, Meriden, Southington: Issues over grades and eligibility to continue in sports.
Meriden: good for St. Stans. in raising more than is needed to restore the interior. Once a century certainly isn’t too much to ask, and it’s a good effort.
Meriden: a Cuno Foundation grant for $13,500 will bring a scoreboard to the Dunn Softball complex. This will make a lot of young athletes and their parents and friends very happy.
Southington: messages on leaf pick-up are a little confusing. But not a bad idea. It’ll be a tug-o-war between the budget and a popular program.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Saturday, November 29, 2008
Meriden: Orsini pursues his application before Wetlands commission, even though there’s a big lawsuit pending. I suppose this may well wind up in court as well.
Meriden/area: literacy volunteers need supporters. There’s not much question that there are many who cannot cope in the US because of an inability to read basic documents for jobs and directions. Al the help this program can get is deserved.
Area: oil prices. Volatility is once again putting dealers, most of which are fairly small businesses, at serious risk. It’s easy, as a consumer, to say, “About time,” but by and large the up and down swing is as bad for sellers as for buyers. The standard means by which both have tried to even out the cost are both working out poorly for one side or the other. This discourages long-term relationships and fattens the firms which only provide the cheapest oil at the moment. It’s way too bottom-line focused.
Meriden/area: literacy volunteers need supporters. There’s not much question that there are many who cannot cope in the US because of an inability to read basic documents for jobs and directions. Al the help this program can get is deserved.
Area: oil prices. Volatility is once again putting dealers, most of which are fairly small businesses, at serious risk. It’s easy, as a consumer, to say, “About time,” but by and large the up and down swing is as bad for sellers as for buyers. The standard means by which both have tried to even out the cost are both working out poorly for one side or the other. This discourages long-term relationships and fattens the firms which only provide the cheapest oil at the moment. It’s way too bottom-line focused.
Friday, November 28, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Friday, November 28, 2008
Region: That employee trampled to death by shoppers out on Long Island is a horrible event. Shouldn’t it suggest that we ought to focus on a better retailing strategy than selling crazy on “Black Friday”?
Meriden: Falcon Field clean-up worked just fine on Wednesday evening.
Wallingford: If both Zandri and Dickinson agree that Covanta ought to run the trash plant, they’re probably on the right track.
Cheshire: Debate over the assessments. There’s always a lag, and if the direction reverses during that lag, people get irritated.
Meriden: Falcon Field clean-up worked just fine on Wednesday evening.
Wallingford: If both Zandri and Dickinson agree that Covanta ought to run the trash plant, they’re probably on the right track.
Cheshire: Debate over the assessments. There’s always a lag, and if the direction reverses during that lag, people get irritated.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Thursday, November 27, 2008
State: Casinos want to be open 24/7. There’s less gambling after drinking hours. Well, I can understand that the urge to throw money away may abate somewhat without the influence of alcohol. How far do we go? Or is there no point in objecting, now that the gambling horses have left the barn?
Meriden: City settles with NRG. . . well, sort of. Except for the issues which aren’t settled. NRG says it’s still interested in completing the project . . . but has no buyer for the electricity, once the plant is finished. Something wrong here somewhere.
Wallingford: They’re planning a trial for the Legion Building next spring. Let’s hope something can be done before then. It’s hard to see what good a trial will do anyone, though it’s easy to see that it’ll be expensive.
Meriden: City settles with NRG. . . well, sort of. Except for the issues which aren’t settled. NRG says it’s still interested in completing the project . . . but has no buyer for the electricity, once the plant is finished. Something wrong here somewhere.
Wallingford: They’re planning a trial for the Legion Building next spring. Let’s hope something can be done before then. It’s hard to see what good a trial will do anyone, though it’s easy to see that it’ll be expensive.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wallingford: Is it really true? The charter amendment move is really all about the veto? The suggestion is made that neither commission nor council can consider amending the veto provision because of another charter prohibition on altering mayoral power by “ordinance, vote or otherwise.” I find it hard to believe that an un-amendable charter provision can exist. That said, I would adopt the idea mentioned by Chairman Knickerbocker: break the provisions for amendment into different items and let voters say yea or nay on the veto rule separate from other provisions.
Southington: a similar process is about to begin with the charter. Talk is about not appointing anyone “official” or who has been on panel before. While I think that’s kind of foolish, as Andrew Meade points out, the fact is that anything the panel does will be looked at and debated anew by the town council which can entirely alter the proposal. I would think that deliberately filling a panel with outsiders, even those mildly antagonistic to the current administration, professional or volunteer, would be apt to generate hostility among the councilors who must approve their work.
Southington: favorable bids received for the Plantsville improvement plan — sidewalks, landscaping, lampposts — which is good for the area. Southington is fortunate to have these communities and it’s right to preserve their identities.
Southington: a similar process is about to begin with the charter. Talk is about not appointing anyone “official” or who has been on panel before. While I think that’s kind of foolish, as Andrew Meade points out, the fact is that anything the panel does will be looked at and debated anew by the town council which can entirely alter the proposal. I would think that deliberately filling a panel with outsiders, even those mildly antagonistic to the current administration, professional or volunteer, would be apt to generate hostility among the councilors who must approve their work.
Southington: favorable bids received for the Plantsville improvement plan — sidewalks, landscaping, lampposts — which is good for the area. Southington is fortunate to have these communities and it’s right to preserve their identities.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Meriden: Looks as if the new Falcon Field facility will get full use by both games. I like the plan that gets those involved helping out on the clean up. It wouldn’t be awful if Platt and Maloney teams volunteered to help with the on-the-field cleanup after the game…or perhaps they already do.
Wallingford (but actually I-91): general cause of crashes is driver error, not some mysterious issue with the road. That stretch is, after all, about as straight a stretch as one can imagine. And, in fact, the general state trend is downward.
Wallingford: can’t the forensic folks do any better than “more likely than not” (which is spectacularly unhelpful)? It’s always been “more likely than not.” What is needed is some positive evidence. Have they tried, for instance, clearing the area down range and actually attempting to shoot over the hill? I’d think that some sort of marker bullet might help. Or perhaps there is a distinctive kind of bullet which can be required at the range?
Meriden: postal service. Granted, I think, that this is essentially a labor/management issue, I wonder where Meriden’s postmaster is — or if the office still exists? We keep having spokespersons for the state answer inquiries. Who’s in charge locally, and why can’t he or she answer local questions?
Southington: The police union wins a round in this controversy over a hiring. Where is this all going to lead?
Wallingford (but actually I-91): general cause of crashes is driver error, not some mysterious issue with the road. That stretch is, after all, about as straight a stretch as one can imagine. And, in fact, the general state trend is downward.
Wallingford: can’t the forensic folks do any better than “more likely than not” (which is spectacularly unhelpful)? It’s always been “more likely than not.” What is needed is some positive evidence. Have they tried, for instance, clearing the area down range and actually attempting to shoot over the hill? I’d think that some sort of marker bullet might help. Or perhaps there is a distinctive kind of bullet which can be required at the range?
Meriden: postal service. Granted, I think, that this is essentially a labor/management issue, I wonder where Meriden’s postmaster is — or if the office still exists? We keep having spokespersons for the state answer inquiries. Who’s in charge locally, and why can’t he or she answer local questions?
Southington: The police union wins a round in this controversy over a hiring. Where is this all going to lead?
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Monday, November 24, 2008
Wallingford: The chief notes the need for IT employee. The mayor notes the expenses inherent with computers.
Region: Cops preparing to be prepared for holiday parties during the season, especially beginning this week on Wednesday evening, “known to be a party night.” Revelers, beware!
Region: Cops preparing to be prepared for holiday parties during the season, especially beginning this week on Wednesday evening, “known to be a party night.” Revelers, beware!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Sunday, November 23, 2008
Meriden: agencies which rely on state funding understandably nervous, given the hot talk about the budget. I hope they don’t cut away and undo good work that been done.
Southington: police grievance denied. But there’s a state decision to come. It’s time for people to get together and thrash this out.
Wallingford: the report on the police future should certainly complicate decisions about the Wooding property . . . which everyone will certainly enjoy.
Southington: police grievance denied. But there’s a state decision to come. It’s time for people to get together and thrash this out.
Wallingford: the report on the police future should certainly complicate decisions about the Wooding property . . . which everyone will certainly enjoy.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Saturday, November 22, 2008
Cheshire: The “C rule” for extracurricular participation. If a student gets a grade below C he or she goes on academic probation and can’t be in sports, band, color guard, etc. A plan for improvement is made. You mean, they don’t already make a plan when someone gets below a C? You mean they haven’t already been on probation?
Cheshire: Joint faith observance between Jews and Muslims. This is a good idea, I think. You can’t make progress unless, like the turtle, you stick your neck out a little.
State: Olive oil regulations. I guess, from the facts related, that this is about time we all got around to it. Probably, like maple syrup, there will be rules all over whether one may say it’s really olive oil, or only olive flavored oil. If the government doesn’t regulate this sort of thing, who will?
Wallingford: What’s happening along this stretch of I-91? It’s open and has good visibility? Until we hear otherwise, the only reasonable assumption is that it is coincidence.
Cheshire: Joint faith observance between Jews and Muslims. This is a good idea, I think. You can’t make progress unless, like the turtle, you stick your neck out a little.
State: Olive oil regulations. I guess, from the facts related, that this is about time we all got around to it. Probably, like maple syrup, there will be rules all over whether one may say it’s really olive oil, or only olive flavored oil. If the government doesn’t regulate this sort of thing, who will?
Wallingford: What’s happening along this stretch of I-91? It’s open and has good visibility? Until we hear otherwise, the only reasonable assumption is that it is coincidence.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Friday, November 21, 2008
Cheshire: the Pool. Some buildings are just full of problems and issues. There’s not much to be done but to continue to repair them!
Meriden: Former New Departure plant will be removing oil from the ground for about a $1 million. This sort of thing must be done eventually. And ball bearings always seemed so clean to me!
Cheshire: Balanced meals. Kids share ethnic dishes.
Meriden: Former New Departure plant will be removing oil from the ground for about a $1 million. This sort of thing must be done eventually. And ball bearings always seemed so clean to me!
Cheshire: Balanced meals. Kids share ethnic dishes.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Thursday, November 20, 2008
Southington: there’s trouble in the police department. On paper, the chief’s hiring decision had a certain logic to it, but it certainly seems to have touched a nerve with the guys on the force. There needs to be some intervention to solve the situation, before it gets out of hand!
Region: gas price hovers around $2/gal., regular, less than half what it was on June 18. Consumer prices are actually dropping. For the first time in 50 years, the CPI has declined, moved by gas and oil and other items, I guess. We’ve not had much experience with deflation. What does it mean?
Meriden: man arrested for what I suppose is consumer fraud. Instead of the advertised crack cocaine, he sold an undercover agent a bag of crumbled sheet rock. That too is a crime: “misrepresentation of a substance as a controlled substance.”
Southington: Beaton and Corbin receiving focus for clean-up. About time, I’d say, but the grant money to do this is in fairly short supply.
Region: gas price hovers around $2/gal., regular, less than half what it was on June 18. Consumer prices are actually dropping. For the first time in 50 years, the CPI has declined, moved by gas and oil and other items, I guess. We’ve not had much experience with deflation. What does it mean?
Meriden: man arrested for what I suppose is consumer fraud. Instead of the advertised crack cocaine, he sold an undercover agent a bag of crumbled sheet rock. That too is a crime: “misrepresentation of a substance as a controlled substance.”
Southington: Beaton and Corbin receiving focus for clean-up. About time, I’d say, but the grant money to do this is in fairly short supply.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wallingford: police station report. Read and opine.
Southington: self storage robbery. It never occurred to me that security would be so miserable that someone could drive a truck in and burgle at random. It’s outrageous.
State: Lieberman. We may not like him a whole lot, but I see no reason to wreak vengeance. That’s old politics.
State: Budget woes. I don’t think we should assume necessarily that the fiscal mess will continue for 2, 4, 6 years or whatever. That makes the numbers ridiculous. On the other hand, 3 billion on an 18 billion budget is 15% not 60%.
Southington: Community Services department needs to be upgraded.
Southington: self storage robbery. It never occurred to me that security would be so miserable that someone could drive a truck in and burgle at random. It’s outrageous.
State: Lieberman. We may not like him a whole lot, but I see no reason to wreak vengeance. That’s old politics.
State: Budget woes. I don’t think we should assume necessarily that the fiscal mess will continue for 2, 4, 6 years or whatever. That makes the numbers ridiculous. On the other hand, 3 billion on an 18 billion budget is 15% not 60%.
Southington: Community Services department needs to be upgraded.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Wallingford: I think those paras have a good case. Medical insurance is undoubtedly expensive. It's hard to see how there's much bargaining room for them to give something away, given the fairly small amount they are paid. I see no reason why this is not a reasonable request. The town is not in business to make life tough for its employees. The question is for the town to find a way to make these benefits available.
Meriden: The drainage easement. Someone, I would say, might have explained things a little better, and not sent along a ridiculous seeming form which appears to give away all rights. I'm sure that's routine, but if people don't understand it they'll legitimately object.
Cheshire: Postal routes changing. And we have to hear it from a spokesperson for New York and Connecticut. That's the main problem with the postal service. It is no longer a local business.
State: Plans to spend more of the tobacco money in CT on, guess what? Anti-smoking. Good idea. And rather novel at that.
Meriden: The drainage easement. Someone, I would say, might have explained things a little better, and not sent along a ridiculous seeming form which appears to give away all rights. I'm sure that's routine, but if people don't understand it they'll legitimately object.
Cheshire: Postal routes changing. And we have to hear it from a spokesperson for New York and Connecticut. That's the main problem with the postal service. It is no longer a local business.
State: Plans to spend more of the tobacco money in CT on, guess what? Anti-smoking. Good idea. And rather novel at that.
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Monday, November 17, 2008
State/local: health care reform, through Obama administration and through Chris Donovan’s eyes. The climate may be better for a revised pooling plan. It is time to do something.
Wallingford: some very interesting ideas concerning the Wallingford Public Library’s efforts to bring teens into the library.
Southington/Bristol: auction of unpaid storage facility. Mainly interesting to learn that 30 days of non-payment can give the facility power to sell all your stuff. We’ll see if the historical society finds anything of value in what it purchased.
Wallingford: some very interesting ideas concerning the Wallingford Public Library’s efforts to bring teens into the library.
Southington/Bristol: auction of unpaid storage facility. Mainly interesting to learn that 30 days of non-payment can give the facility power to sell all your stuff. We’ll see if the historical society finds anything of value in what it purchased.
The Editor's Notepod, Sunday, November 16, 2008
Region: increasing numbers of kids seeking reduced-price lunch at schools. In Meriden it has been 86% for the last two years. A curiosity of the system that every cafeteria is expected to pay for itself.
Meriden: Springfield College students on a project to help city homeless, beginning with helping to provide holiday support at the shelter.
Cheshire: moratorium coming up for library fines. I’ve seen this made when people come and offer non-perishables in lieu of fines, but Cheshire thinks this is illegal. I certainly hope not, because it’s a good and helpful idea. And a library hardly lives on its fines.
Meriden: Springfield College students on a project to help city homeless, beginning with helping to provide holiday support at the shelter.
Cheshire: moratorium coming up for library fines. I’ve seen this made when people come and offer non-perishables in lieu of fines, but Cheshire thinks this is illegal. I certainly hope not, because it’s a good and helpful idea. And a library hardly lives on its fines.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Saturday, November 15, 2008
Meriden: Baldwin Ave. plan on hold. That makes sense to me. The thing hasn’t really changed and traffic can only be marginally heavier. The simplest, cheapest method of improving line of sight without harming neighborhood lawns would be sensible.
Cheshire: correction union complaining about practices with prisoners. Seems to me that this sort of thing ought to be reasonably negotiated between the guards and their management. That it doesn’t happen that way suggests a few other problems.
Meriden: The plight of unaccepted streets. There should certainly be a policy, and I dare say each street in this category should be inspected and residents informed as to what steps would be needed for street acceptance and how the costs might be borne. We’re not talking about a long list. If the problem has been with the developer, there ought to be some equitable way to resolve matters.
Cheshire: correction union complaining about practices with prisoners. Seems to me that this sort of thing ought to be reasonably negotiated between the guards and their management. That it doesn’t happen that way suggests a few other problems.
Meriden: The plight of unaccepted streets. There should certainly be a policy, and I dare say each street in this category should be inspected and residents informed as to what steps would be needed for street acceptance and how the costs might be borne. We’re not talking about a long list. If the problem has been with the developer, there ought to be some equitable way to resolve matters.
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Friday, November 14, 2008
Meriden: study being done on trash hauling. We’d like to see a list of pluses and minuses. There are, after all, many ways to proceed. Some towns not only do pickup of garbage but also provide regulation garbage containers for everyone, which I suppose makes the collection quicker, since it’s not quirky. And speaking of quirks, the anti-trust wrinkle is an odd one.
Wallingford: Sheehan High School adding drug manufacture (legal ones, a la Bristol-Myers Squibb et al.). It’s kind of a natural idea, and a very good one.
Cheshire: town council presenting operating budget with less than 3% increase for next year. Good start. We may all see budgets actually shrink!
Wallingford: Sheehan High School adding drug manufacture (legal ones, a la Bristol-Myers Squibb et al.). It’s kind of a natural idea, and a very good one.
Cheshire: town council presenting operating budget with less than 3% increase for next year. Good start. We may all see budgets actually shrink!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Thursday, November 13, 2008
Meriden: the old Undercliff Water tower departs. Curious that a major factor in cost is the lead paint used in 1915. How much lead do you suppose has withstood 93 years of rain?
Southington: State has said “yes” to transferring a rejected grant to a new use of expanding the library. That’s a good thing.
Wallingford: report is out on the needs of any new or reconstructed police department. Isn’t it curious that there’s an architectural/design firm which specializes in police stations? Have to take a look at the document on line.
Meriden: An animal crematorium. Good to put it on hold. I’d say it was okay with me so long as the safeguards used on a human crematory are applied to emissions, cremains, etc. On the other hand, I don’t have a real problem with farmers burying their own dead livestock on their farms. Since when has that become a hazard? I suppose the rural landscape is full of horse bones, but these days, can there be that many horses?
Meriden: School board and council members meeting together and with public to keep communications on budget open this year. Seems a good strategy.
Southington: the dog park restricted to Southington residents. Sounds like the basis is a couple of anecdotes. Hotels (in Southington?) advertising the park as a local amenity? That must bring hundreds to the park every day!
Southington: State has said “yes” to transferring a rejected grant to a new use of expanding the library. That’s a good thing.
Wallingford: report is out on the needs of any new or reconstructed police department. Isn’t it curious that there’s an architectural/design firm which specializes in police stations? Have to take a look at the document on line.
Meriden: An animal crematorium. Good to put it on hold. I’d say it was okay with me so long as the safeguards used on a human crematory are applied to emissions, cremains, etc. On the other hand, I don’t have a real problem with farmers burying their own dead livestock on their farms. Since when has that become a hazard? I suppose the rural landscape is full of horse bones, but these days, can there be that many horses?
Meriden: School board and council members meeting together and with public to keep communications on budget open this year. Seems a good strategy.
Southington: the dog park restricted to Southington residents. Sounds like the basis is a couple of anecdotes. Hotels (in Southington?) advertising the park as a local amenity? That must bring hundreds to the park every day!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Wednesday, November 12, 2008
State: following trends, prices for gas are down well below what they were a year ago. Back on June 11, we reported average price at $4.35, with diesel over $5. Now gas is at $2.36, with diesel at $3.42. Neither the rise nor the decline makes much sense. And, regarding the drop in diesel, when will we see that reflected in food prices, the costs of which in some measure reflect trucking costs?
State: Bristol and New Britain papers in deep trouble. If they fold, both communities will lose something tangible and necessary to democracy. How come there aren’t any tycoons — heck even a small tycoon could probably afford one — handy to buy one and make something of it. It’s possible.
Wallingford: Lyman Hall Students put day off to good use, raking for seniors.
Wallingford: Charter revision. No change to the council, but they couldn’t finish discussing the veto issue and put it off till the next session.
State: Bristol and New Britain papers in deep trouble. If they fold, both communities will lose something tangible and necessary to democracy. How come there aren’t any tycoons — heck even a small tycoon could probably afford one — handy to buy one and make something of it. It’s possible.
Wallingford: Lyman Hall Students put day off to good use, raking for seniors.
Wallingford: Charter revision. No change to the council, but they couldn’t finish discussing the veto issue and put it off till the next session.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Meriden: High school study. Weird stuff about what the state will and won’t pay for. Auditoriums? Swimming pools? No, but they will pay for outdoor fields? But these are legislative challenges, perhaps. Big issue is where any new facilities would go.
Meriden: Story of Pvt. Washington and his service with the French army during WWI. It’s an interesting and informative piece of history, and one we can hope we have learned from today.
Wallingford: Deer dies on the property. Curious. We’re astonishingly incapable of dealing with wild animals around here, considering how many more of them there are now than there were 30 years ago.
Meriden: I’m happy that the monument boulevard had been spruced up for today. But to consider moving them all? Move them where? Having them where they are, in the original center of town, simply makes sense. How many people, seriously, stop randomly to examine them? Where else might they go? Everywhere important in the city is on a main road. I can’t take this idea very seriously — never mind the expense!
Southington and Meriden: Since when does the DMV feel it necessary to save the kind of penny-ante change that it costs to bring the registration bus here and there around Connecticut? That’s being penny wise and dollar idiotic.
Meriden: the farm for produce and maple syrup on Thorpe Ave. seems like a good choice to me. Wish it were mine!
Meriden: Story of Pvt. Washington and his service with the French army during WWI. It’s an interesting and informative piece of history, and one we can hope we have learned from today.
Wallingford: Deer dies on the property. Curious. We’re astonishingly incapable of dealing with wild animals around here, considering how many more of them there are now than there were 30 years ago.
Meriden: I’m happy that the monument boulevard had been spruced up for today. But to consider moving them all? Move them where? Having them where they are, in the original center of town, simply makes sense. How many people, seriously, stop randomly to examine them? Where else might they go? Everywhere important in the city is on a main road. I can’t take this idea very seriously — never mind the expense!
Southington and Meriden: Since when does the DMV feel it necessary to save the kind of penny-ante change that it costs to bring the registration bus here and there around Connecticut? That’s being penny wise and dollar idiotic.
Meriden: the farm for produce and maple syrup on Thorpe Ave. seems like a good choice to me. Wish it were mine!
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Monday, November 10, 2008
State: Automatic voter registration. I’m not quite clear why it is no obligatory for everyone to be registered – and automatically at that. And why is it a wonderful thing for people to be able to make up their minds at the last moment, literally, and go to the polls? Does this make it more democratic? Why should the courtesy be extended to those who’ve taken no previous interest, as compared, say, to those who have watched with involvement and concentration since the campaign began?
State: Mystic Seaport. The Charles W. Morgan is out of the water for repairs. It is not cheap or easy to replace timbers in a vessel of this size!
Meriden: Congratulations to Franciscans for their decade of Hospice work.
State: Mystic Seaport. The Charles W. Morgan is out of the water for repairs. It is not cheap or easy to replace timbers in a vessel of this size!
Meriden: Congratulations to Franciscans for their decade of Hospice work.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Sunday, November 9, 2008
Southington: glad to see someone is attempting to produce a novel this month in honor of National Novel Writing Month. We’ve had a great many sillier months.
Meriden: Factory H going to be not ploughshares, but townhouses overlooking a park and a walk along Harbor Brook.
Meriden: Factory H going to be not ploughshares, but townhouses overlooking a park and a walk along Harbor Brook.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Saturday, November 8, 2008
Wallingford: the mosque. I will be interested to see if another location in town proves to be any more palatable than the Leigus Road site was.
Southington: charter petition filed. Previous amendments: 11/3/1970; 11/2/1971; 11/7/1972; 7/14/1980; 7/23/1984; 11/8/1988; 11/8/94; 11/7/2000; 11/7/2006. That’s 9 times since effective date in 1966.
Meriden: Unfortunate that a good Shelter director has gotten a better job after less than a year. That happens.
State: more on Lieberman’s discussions with both parties. It’s pretty tacky. The man should declare himself. I thought he had more class than that.
Southington: charter petition filed. Previous amendments: 11/3/1970; 11/2/1971; 11/7/1972; 7/14/1980; 7/23/1984; 11/8/1988; 11/8/94; 11/7/2000; 11/7/2006. That’s 9 times since effective date in 1966.
Meriden: Unfortunate that a good Shelter director has gotten a better job after less than a year. That happens.
State: more on Lieberman’s discussions with both parties. It’s pretty tacky. The man should declare himself. I thought he had more class than that.
Friday, November 7, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Friday, November 7, 2008
Meriden: City will receive nearly $2 million for buying, rehabbing and selling foreclosed homes. Relieves vacancy and danger of vandalism. Hard to say how to identify derelict homes, though.
Meriden: There has to be an equation of some sort about when it becomes a better deal for the city to operate Edison than for ACES to do so. Since the city got the school’s use, without any cash, I can’t see that that time has come yet. The thing cost $40 million.
Southington: Cooking oil into heating oil. The technology was what F&S was doing last year, which seemed such a good idea then. Still is.
Meriden: There has to be an equation of some sort about when it becomes a better deal for the city to operate Edison than for ACES to do so. Since the city got the school’s use, without any cash, I can’t see that that time has come yet. The thing cost $40 million.
Southington: Cooking oil into heating oil. The technology was what F&S was doing last year, which seemed such a good idea then. Still is.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Thursday, November 6, 2008
Meriden: Fixing Baldwin Avenue. I know the place in question, and it does pose a hazard. But the city should stay away from maiming that spacious 1789 home’s front exposure. And, as someone says, smoothing out the elevations along that stretch would invite higher speeds.
Meriden: School system. I still fail to see how adding assistant principals will help anyone do anything. And they’re expensive. On the other hand, removing a “difficulty level” shouldn’t cost much, but looks to me equally nonsensical.
Wallingford: Schools and teachers reach a three-year contract. That’s a good thing, in general, compared to alternatives.
Meriden: School system. I still fail to see how adding assistant principals will help anyone do anything. And they’re expensive. On the other hand, removing a “difficulty level” shouldn’t cost much, but looks to me equally nonsensical.
Wallingford: Schools and teachers reach a three-year contract. That’s a good thing, in general, compared to alternatives.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Election: A good evening, not just for results but for the way it was all handled. The results came in promptly, they provided a clear winner, both in popular and electoral votes, the loser conceded promptly and the victory could proceed. And, by the way, McCain’s concession speech was among the most gracious and patriotic statements I’ve ever heard.
Election, State/Local: this is a big win, I think, for Connecticut’s voting system. Despite the turnout, almost all the voting machines worked well, and lines were kept to a reasonable length — which is not the case in many other states.
Meriden: Okay, let’s hope the flag issue is settled now that everyone has done the right thing.
Meriden: SCSU grant to put kids to work in polling places. That's an excellent idea.
Election, State/Local: this is a big win, I think, for Connecticut’s voting system. Despite the turnout, almost all the voting machines worked well, and lines were kept to a reasonable length — which is not the case in many other states.
Meriden: Okay, let’s hope the flag issue is settled now that everyone has done the right thing.
Meriden: SCSU grant to put kids to work in polling places. That's an excellent idea.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Tuesday-Monday, November 4-3, 2008
State: Election Day. It will be very interesting to see what the state/local voter turnout is, and how many of those newly registered voters, recruited for the genuine primary excitement, will find their way to the polls today, especially considering how pundits say Connecticut vote is a foregone conclusion.
Meriden: Humane Society may be bolstered by billboard. Good plan.
Wallingford: Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum will accept the Yankee Silversmith’s car. That’s good news. If Wallingford itself cannot find the money or the place, better it goes to a good home than be taken to the kennel and put down.
Meriden: Council approves funding for a back-up vehicular approach to bins at transfer station. Good move! And the council also rejected a sale of its land near the airport in Wallingford.
Meriden: Rohde and the ceremonial role. I hope, for the city’s sake, that Mike will hew to the ceremonial line somewhat more closely. The job may be a bully pulpit, which is great, but that’s as far as it goes.
The Editor's Notepod, Friday, October 31, 2008
Southington: Solvents Recovery Settlement. It’s been a long time coming!
Policing Cyberspace, locally: State, towns. I guess I can see why there needs to be some care, but how does having a police site help?
State: Lieberman and the Democrats. I think that’s an oxymoron for practical purposes . . . except that except for the war, he’s pretty much a Democrat in views.
Meriden: Downtown. How to upgrade/update the interesting, decorative, but not particularly durable surfaces there. It will be a trip.
Meriden: Businesses and sidewalks. Clearly, there should be a program for businesses to help replace. It’s a somewhat technical situation, since there are little Mom & Pop places for whom a sidewalk’s cost of several thousand is prohibitive, and large companies – national food chains, for instance, for which it’s small change.
Policing Cyberspace, locally: State, towns. I guess I can see why there needs to be some care, but how does having a police site help?
State: Lieberman and the Democrats. I think that’s an oxymoron for practical purposes . . . except that except for the war, he’s pretty much a Democrat in views.
Meriden: Downtown. How to upgrade/update the interesting, decorative, but not particularly durable surfaces there. It will be a trip.
Meriden: Businesses and sidewalks. Clearly, there should be a program for businesses to help replace. It’s a somewhat technical situation, since there are little Mom & Pop places for whom a sidewalk’s cost of several thousand is prohibitive, and large companies – national food chains, for instance, for which it’s small change.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Sunday, November 2, 2008
Meriden: No question but what Warren Stephan’s efforts over many years have built a theater presence in the city that is a cultural treasure. Congratulations to him!
State/Area: signage. Well, fewer signs. Perhaps it’s a sign of a changing world, as well, with less material being placed in print.
State/Area: signage. Well, fewer signs. Perhaps it’s a sign of a changing world, as well, with less material being placed in print.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Editor's Notepod, Saturday, November 1, 2008
State: bad news for the Hartford, a major employer in Connecticut.
Meriden: AT&T closing call centers. One is very tempted to assume, given the local history, that a lot of the decision is based on the fact that we have union workers in Connecticut and they don’t wherever.
Cheshire: putting a zing in history is a good thing.
Meriden: AT&T closing call centers. One is very tempted to assume, given the local history, that a lot of the decision is based on the fact that we have union workers in Connecticut and they don’t wherever.
Cheshire: putting a zing in history is a good thing.
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