The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Jan 9, 2009

Southington: This situation with the chief is becoming more serious than just a squabble over reorganization and the naming of a non-union ranking officer. Or has that situation provoked further response? Seems to me that it’s time for the town’s governing authority to assert control over this situation and get some answers and clear the air, for the good of the community, the department and the chief.

Meriden: The poverty summit. Given the divided way in which so many particular issues are handled, traditionally, with all the usual rules and qualifications and so on, this is a good idea.

Wallingford: Rep. Mary Mushinsky and Sen. Martin Looney (who represents most of Hamden and part of New Haven) are now the most senior members of the legislature, a significant distinction and honor. Let’s hear it for experience and institutional wisdom, and not having to reinvent the wheel every two years.

Cheshire: collections being made for Meriden Shelter Now at Norton School. That’s a public-spirited move, and appreciated.

Meriden: CT non-English speaking students doing well on language, but not on academics, where the gap is larger. It’s apparently due to tougher tests in CT, for which our schools and communities will be punished under No Child Left Behind. And now we will have budget trimming.

Meriden: Students and sidewalks. Oh boy! As a driver I am well aware that kids walk in the street a lot, and not just when it’s snowy. But there’s no doubt that snow exacerbates the situation. An occasional arrest for an un-shoveled sidewalk would therefore be in order. I guess that part of that job, for homeowners as well as businesses, would be to make it possible to access crosswalks, and the street, where appropriate.

Meriden: And more on sidewalks: how much does an average sidewalk cost per foot? Is it possible that one reason there are so many less-than excellent walks is the unknown cost of replacement? It’s done per city standards, so cutting corners is probably difficult, proper but expensive.

Cheshire: A 3.98 budget increase for schools would lead to a loss of 5 teaching and 10 support positions in the school system. And rather incredibly, Cheshire ranks 143 of 166 school districts in net per pupil expenditures. This is something of a demonstration that money isn’t everything.

Wallingford: Adults should appreciate the interest shown by students who attend the Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School in Hamden in keeping their school open and healthy. This — and the other issues regarding the funding of magnet schools — is worthy of careful address by the General Assembly.