The Editor's Notepod, Tues., Mar. 24, 2009

Meriden: If it possible for the Meriden school system to save cash by sending kids to the magnet school in Hamden, there is something radically wrong with the way the per pupil reimbursement system is set up. But I think we knew that already.

Wallingford: Congratulations to Wallingford and its new Superintendent, Dr. Salvatore Menzo.

State: a unicameral legislature which will serve staggered four-year terms. At lest as proposed. Clearly, a constitutional amendment is needed. So long as nobody thinks it’s some sort of cure for the momentary, if severe, fiscal problem. It won’t save billions. But if this is an idea, there should be a reason beyond doing what Switzerland and New Zealand do. Why will this help us in Connecticut?

Cheshire: affordable housing fails. Not a big surprise.

Southington: The extra cash for cleaning up the PCBs found at the denitrification site is a good thing.

Southington: Transfer station. If there is an excess of electronic equipment being dropped off using licenses as ID (allowing residents to accommodate out-of-towners) impose a sticker and a fee. But CRRA had a big collection at Lincoln in Meriden last fall. Why does this become a problem in Southington?

State: a new, or rather, an old, definition of “operating” a motor vehicle will send a man to jail for remote-starting his car and then sitting in the driver’s seat. The guy had an alcohol issue, though, apparently.

State/Local: agencies in city are relying more on Block Grant cash to help continue functioning here. I think it is more important to keep these helping agencies going than to take down more decrepit houses.

Cheshire: Internet policy changes? Of course. Kids in college today use electronic preparation all the time. It makes communication easier for teachers and kids, and no more “dog-ate-my-homework” stories, either. Highly sensible, but different, naturally, since these are kids, not college students.

Meriden: Someone is interested in buying the old post office. Let’s hope it is something or someone which will add to the downtown ambience.

Wallingford: “appropriations-in-force” as a method of returning funds to departments which have returned them to the general fund. I take it the accounting term uses the words “in-force” in the style of “in effect” rather than in a sense expressive of pre-emptive power?