Meriden: A fine update on the various problems with which the downtown area is faced. Some are more advanced in handling, some have far to go, and others remain sparkle in the eye.
Meriden: Anyone can understand why a judge who has to deal with five DUI-related cases before the morning is an hour into the court’s morning schedule might treat the audience to a piece of his mind without well considering it.
Meriden: the progress on the irrigation system at Hunter golf course seems to be on schedule. Let us hope it may continue to completion speedily.
Wallingford: extension of a hands-on educational program devised by Fire Chief Struble to youngsters in middle school, hoping to win some recruits to fire fighting as a career before pre-emptive decisions are made. It also helps to learn about fire safety for its own sake.
Southington: The town’s Emergency Medical Services Committee is looking at the response times of the company which has the ambulance service contract with the town. It would seem that the matter of simplifying the 911 calling process so that calls do not have to be transferred would be something which could also aid in preventing slow responses.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Sat., Feb. 27, 2010
State: with legislators looking around for previously untaxed activities or property to tax, how about keeping it simple and raising the income tax? It has the advantage of being reasonably fair and across the board so that more individuals aren’t victimized.
Meriden: the new addition to the emergency department at MidState is opening next week and should vastly speed the process of care. The expansion also reflects some of the major changes in the delivery of health care over the last decade or so.
Wallingford: with the retirement of three principals from the school system, there will be some important shoes to fill in the administrative posts.
Meriden: the new addition to the emergency department at MidState is opening next week and should vastly speed the process of care. The expansion also reflects some of the major changes in the delivery of health care over the last decade or so.
Wallingford: with the retirement of three principals from the school system, there will be some important shoes to fill in the administrative posts.
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Feb. 26, 2010
Meriden: the teaching of animals at the Humane Society’s Shelter to help the denizens become better candidates for adoption is a fine idea. Good luck to them and the critters.
Southington: It would seem that motor vehicle accidents occur in town where you’d pretty much expect them to take place, near the highly developed commercial strips, where through traffic from the interstates meets local traffic to businesses.
Wallingford: the stipends of public officials, though small except for recognized expert assistance, should be watched carefully at all times.
Southington: It would seem that motor vehicle accidents occur in town where you’d pretty much expect them to take place, near the highly developed commercial strips, where through traffic from the interstates meets local traffic to businesses.
Wallingford: the stipends of public officials, though small except for recognized expert assistance, should be watched carefully at all times.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Thur., Feb. 25, 2010
Meriden: Progress toward funding Phase II of Meriden’s Linear Trail, planned to extend another 1.2 miles from Dossin Beach to the Platt High School parking lot. While the planned version differs significantly from that already in existence – there’s no gorge along the extension, for example – it’s a fine asset to add to the city’s stock.
Wallingford: Debut of the new Cleaves Agricultural Science and Technology Center at Lyman Hall this week, at last celebrating the official opening. This new facility has made very good first impressions and we look forward to its future flowerings.
Meriden: Mayor Rohde attends session of M.O.R.E. where increasing the hotel tax from 12 to 15 percent is discussed. Since it’s on non-residents, this tax seems to be okay with most people. It does seem inevitable that there will need to be some tax increases to keep state and local heads above water.
Wallingford: Debut of the new Cleaves Agricultural Science and Technology Center at Lyman Hall this week, at last celebrating the official opening. This new facility has made very good first impressions and we look forward to its future flowerings.
Meriden: Mayor Rohde attends session of M.O.R.E. where increasing the hotel tax from 12 to 15 percent is discussed. Since it’s on non-residents, this tax seems to be okay with most people. It does seem inevitable that there will need to be some tax increases to keep state and local heads above water.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Feb. 24, 2010
Meriden: Mold at the fire station. A water problem a decade old. Why doesn’t someone just get it fixed, or at least get a price?
Meriden: discussion of the airport and related conditions seems to have raised some good questions.
Meriden: Dan Brunet’s suggestion about passes for bulky waste instead of waiting in line on a free day would seem to make sense. It deserves a serious consideration.
Wallingford: Valerie Ford’s dilemma and what caused her not to vote on the school budget is apparently her concern over class crowding, which is fair enough. The school board, if it wished, might certainly direct its superintendent to protect class size at the expense of other issues . . . but it isn’t always very easy to do.
State: Well, P&W has certainly stuck its finger in the eye of the union by announcing layoffs.
Cheshire: Republicans should be very careful how they proceed in finding members of the library board. The ice is very thin here.
Meriden: discussion of the airport and related conditions seems to have raised some good questions.
Meriden: Dan Brunet’s suggestion about passes for bulky waste instead of waiting in line on a free day would seem to make sense. It deserves a serious consideration.
Wallingford: Valerie Ford’s dilemma and what caused her not to vote on the school budget is apparently her concern over class crowding, which is fair enough. The school board, if it wished, might certainly direct its superintendent to protect class size at the expense of other issues . . . but it isn’t always very easy to do.
State: Well, P&W has certainly stuck its finger in the eye of the union by announcing layoffs.
Cheshire: Republicans should be very careful how they proceed in finding members of the library board. The ice is very thin here.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Tues., Feb. 23, 2010
Wallingford: as anticipated, the school board passed a budget requesting 4.56% increase and with 83.2 layoffs instead of 117, as originally proposed. Hard to think that Dickinson won’t chop the increase at least in half, and create a real challenge for the board.
Business: banks get new rules on credit cards, are a darn good thing. It’s hard to imagine why they haven’t always been the law.
State: the budget reducing options aren’t really so awful if only Democrats and Republicans would stop posturing about each other and get on with making a compromise by splitting the difference.
Cheshire: the report on the police issues between chief and union received. The sooner it’s made public, the sooner everyone can get on with life.
Wallingford: visiting nurses contract setting out to be a big donnybrook. One hopes it can be decided on merits rather than technicalities. Again, it never ceases to amaze how conflicts of interest are not perceived by public officials. Service in two capacities, regardless of compensation, suggests a divided interest and a split in loyalties which should hint to people that they should be very circumspect, regardless of any opinions of the law department or even the board of ethics.
Meriden: surely, meeting future power needs of the state requires both increased capacity and reliability of transmission AND new generating capacity. Is the siting council required to select either NRG or CL&P? Something must someday happen to that unfinished power plant.
Wallingford: the behavior of the Housing Authority is on the disgraceful side, making a political football out of the lives of tenants. Both parties are to blame, and both are way too closely involved.
Business: banks get new rules on credit cards, are a darn good thing. It’s hard to imagine why they haven’t always been the law.
State: the budget reducing options aren’t really so awful if only Democrats and Republicans would stop posturing about each other and get on with making a compromise by splitting the difference.
Cheshire: the report on the police issues between chief and union received. The sooner it’s made public, the sooner everyone can get on with life.
Wallingford: visiting nurses contract setting out to be a big donnybrook. One hopes it can be decided on merits rather than technicalities. Again, it never ceases to amaze how conflicts of interest are not perceived by public officials. Service in two capacities, regardless of compensation, suggests a divided interest and a split in loyalties which should hint to people that they should be very circumspect, regardless of any opinions of the law department or even the board of ethics.
Meriden: surely, meeting future power needs of the state requires both increased capacity and reliability of transmission AND new generating capacity. Is the siting council required to select either NRG or CL&P? Something must someday happen to that unfinished power plant.
Wallingford: the behavior of the Housing Authority is on the disgraceful side, making a political football out of the lives of tenants. Both parties are to blame, and both are way too closely involved.
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Feb. 22, 2010
State: Connecticut’s death penalty laws seem more honored in the breach than in the observance. While abolition (or not) is of great symbolic value, it appears that juries, judges and lawyers over the years have shown great restraint in applying the most serious penalty – unlike Texas, where everyone seems to enjoy handing out the death sentence. Perhaps it should be left alone.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Feb. 21, 2010
Southington: part of the funds from Solvents Recovery Services clean-up will go to building and extending the nearby linear trail. This will be a significant benefit to residents above and beyond the clean-up itself, which, though necessary, offers little in the way of tangible improvement in the local scene.
Wallingford: parents are getting out to support the local school budget, which faces some tough hurdles in the days ahead, especially in light of the mayor’s austerity determination. It will be a matter of demonstrating muscle.
Meriden: A unanimous vote on the high school plan would be a positive demonstration of unity and a way to get the necessary project going without setting up a situation for constant sniping, but it isn’t necessary, we suppose. It is really a recognition that the city is committed to the support of its schools for the next 50 years, not just muddling by with spare-change repairs.
Wallingford: parents are getting out to support the local school budget, which faces some tough hurdles in the days ahead, especially in light of the mayor’s austerity determination. It will be a matter of demonstrating muscle.
Meriden: A unanimous vote on the high school plan would be a positive demonstration of unity and a way to get the necessary project going without setting up a situation for constant sniping, but it isn’t necessary, we suppose. It is really a recognition that the city is committed to the support of its schools for the next 50 years, not just muddling by with spare-change repairs.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Sat., Feb. 20, 2010
State: the highway tolls debate. It is one thing to discuss whether a particular tax or toll or impost or whatever is a good or a bad idea. It is another thing to turn that debate into one about whether the revenue created by a tax should or should not be used for a particular related purpose. “Letting the punishment fit the crime” is not a part of any recognized public policy other than in an emotional sense.
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Feb. 19, 2010
Meriden: PCBs discovered in one plumbing instruction room at Wilcox (and no doubt at other schools of similar age. Remarkable that it can be remediated with a fan. Who knew that the stuff was used in caulking back in the 1960s?
Wallingford: it is really a pity that “boredom” can be such a problem for school vacations that school trips have to be organized. Given today’s family structures and occupational demands, isn’t it about time to rethink the business of the February and April vacations?
Meriden: Falcon Field is being plowed so it can be used for outside soccer practice in February. It’s great that leagues are paying a rental fee which is going into a fund to replace the artificial turf – but why does anyone need to be holding soccer practice in the winter? Probably a stupid question.
Southington: residents are certainly entitled to use any legal method to fight the VIP presence, but it would seem that mostly what is accomplished is free publicity for the store. How could it get better?
Wallingford: There’s some delay in closing on the land deal for the North Farms Volunteer Fire Department. While no one appreciates delay, it would seem that unless something has changed, the land was a suitable choice and, absent emergency of some sort, it’s worth waiting and being a little patient.
Southington: Marion Road will soon be closed for about three weeks as a much needed sewer is installed. Is it not possible to build a temporary road around the construction for this main thoroughfare to avoid not only the inconvenience to drivers but also to those in surrounding neighborhoods as traffic seeks out alternative routes?
Wallingford: it is really a pity that “boredom” can be such a problem for school vacations that school trips have to be organized. Given today’s family structures and occupational demands, isn’t it about time to rethink the business of the February and April vacations?
Meriden: Falcon Field is being plowed so it can be used for outside soccer practice in February. It’s great that leagues are paying a rental fee which is going into a fund to replace the artificial turf – but why does anyone need to be holding soccer practice in the winter? Probably a stupid question.
Southington: residents are certainly entitled to use any legal method to fight the VIP presence, but it would seem that mostly what is accomplished is free publicity for the store. How could it get better?
Wallingford: There’s some delay in closing on the land deal for the North Farms Volunteer Fire Department. While no one appreciates delay, it would seem that unless something has changed, the land was a suitable choice and, absent emergency of some sort, it’s worth waiting and being a little patient.
Southington: Marion Road will soon be closed for about three weeks as a much needed sewer is installed. Is it not possible to build a temporary road around the construction for this main thoroughfare to avoid not only the inconvenience to drivers but also to those in surrounding neighborhoods as traffic seeks out alternative routes?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Feb. 17, 2010
Area: interesting two-part storm, as everyone noticed. It’s not always an easy decision to decide whether to postpone or cancel a scheduled activity due to weather: too early, and people call you a wimp, too late and they call you an idiot. One thing sure, though, if you do drive in the snow, use good judgment once out in the snow on the highway.
Meriden: City and owners of Townline will be needing to find a new tenant to replace ShopRite, which is moving to the Shaw’s site in Wallingford . . .and whoever goes into Townline will vacate some other place, and so it goes.
State/local: replacing the BEST system with the TEAM system of evaluating new teachers seems a good plan. It replaces a statewide testing system with a locally centered mentoring system, and makes more sense, since the aim of neither system seems to be to arbitrarily eliminate people from the profession.
Meriden: the idea of offering public employees an incentive to switch to a spouse’s health insurance makes sense in theory, and would if, presumably, employees did so in large numbers. But one wonders why anyone would voluntarily give up the insurance benefits offered by towns and cities and the state; it’s hard to imagine any incentive large enough.
Meriden: City and owners of Townline will be needing to find a new tenant to replace ShopRite, which is moving to the Shaw’s site in Wallingford . . .and whoever goes into Townline will vacate some other place, and so it goes.
State/local: replacing the BEST system with the TEAM system of evaluating new teachers seems a good plan. It replaces a statewide testing system with a locally centered mentoring system, and makes more sense, since the aim of neither system seems to be to arbitrarily eliminate people from the profession.
Meriden: the idea of offering public employees an incentive to switch to a spouse’s health insurance makes sense in theory, and would if, presumably, employees did so in large numbers. But one wonders why anyone would voluntarily give up the insurance benefits offered by towns and cities and the state; it’s hard to imagine any incentive large enough.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Tues., Feb. 16, 2010
State: Interesting ideas from the group of minority legislators and Campaign LEARN. It’s a good idea and we look forward to more concrete proposals.
Wallingford: the issue of a procedure or protocol after a dog attack is being raised once more, and the ordinance committee will again discuss it. With both corporation counsel and the animal control against it, and with laws already giving sufficient powers, it is hard to see where the idea can go.
Meriden: YMCA’s suggestion that it would like to run gifted and talented programs is an interesting one. Lots of issues in this area, as there are with special education policies, and, as a rule, are difficult to discuss.
State: it’s one thing, we guess, for cases of animal abuse to be cross-reported to Dept. of Families and Children as an alert to possible child abuse, though based on a single study a decade ago. But unless someone is prepared to follow up, is it sensible for DCYS to report child abuse to the Dept. of Agriculture so household pets might be removed?
Wallingford: the issue of a procedure or protocol after a dog attack is being raised once more, and the ordinance committee will again discuss it. With both corporation counsel and the animal control against it, and with laws already giving sufficient powers, it is hard to see where the idea can go.
Meriden: YMCA’s suggestion that it would like to run gifted and talented programs is an interesting one. Lots of issues in this area, as there are with special education policies, and, as a rule, are difficult to discuss.
State: it’s one thing, we guess, for cases of animal abuse to be cross-reported to Dept. of Families and Children as an alert to possible child abuse, though based on a single study a decade ago. But unless someone is prepared to follow up, is it sensible for DCYS to report child abuse to the Dept. of Agriculture so household pets might be removed?
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Feb. 15, 2010
Meriden: the life of a plow operator is revealed. It’s good to read about the job from the driver’s point of view.
Meriden: school board member Steven O’Donnell has taken the right step in clearing up any possible question about a conflict between his work as a chiropractor in town and his public service. Bottom line: there is none.
Meriden: school board member Steven O’Donnell has taken the right step in clearing up any possible question about a conflict between his work as a chiropractor in town and his public service. Bottom line: there is none.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Feb. 14, 2010
Meriden: it’s hard not to approve of efforts to levy equipment taxes on unregistered local businesses, but it’s just as hard to think that the effort will produce a lot of revenue for the city.
Area: “home invasion” became a crime after the awful murders in Cheshire, but there is still some discussion about how good a tool the law is. It would seem that it is mainly another option for police and prosecutors to use in a variety of situations.
Area: “home invasion” became a crime after the awful murders in Cheshire, but there is still some discussion about how good a tool the law is. It would seem that it is mainly another option for police and prosecutors to use in a variety of situations.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Sat., Feb. 13, 2010
Southington: the need to have qualified personnel available to step in when key personnel are out, whether sick or on vacation, is an urgent item in the budget. It’s also more efficient, a matter of some interest to residents.
Meriden: clearly, as Hunters reports a major increase in calls as do local fire departments, the emergency departments of hospitals are being used more and more as primary care physician. The need for radical health care reform grows and grows.
Meriden: clearly, as Hunters reports a major increase in calls as do local fire departments, the emergency departments of hospitals are being used more and more as primary care physician. The need for radical health care reform grows and grows.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Meriden: It looks as if the school resource officer issue may become part of a power demonstration between council and school board. That’s not the best strategy.
Meriden: discussion of Windsor’s anti-profanity ordinance, which has been revitalized but not yet used on an actual student. With a potential fine of $103, questions arise about inability to pay and alternate penalties, as well as the wonder that with the number of issues to face why there is a concern about profanity.
State: given the nature of the problem, it’s kind of a shock to learn that 9 of 16 domestic violence shelters in Connecticut are not staffed around the clock. That and other issues, including GPS tags for serious offenders, should be looked at for legislative remedy, but it’s a tough year.
Meriden: East Cemetery has available plots, it seems, but Corporation Counsel Michael Quinn is absolutely correct is suggesting that any revenue from sales should go straight into a maintenance fund.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Thur., Feb. 11, 2010
Middlefield: the Powder Ridge plan has once again been derailed, thanks to the withdrawal of the firm which was planning to redevelop the ski area. It’s “Back to the drawing board.”
Southington: a process to watch will be the redistricting plan for town elementary schools. There always seems to be considerable grief when such change is necessary.
Cheshire: should the town get into the cell phone tower business and own one which AT&T wants to build, or let AT&T install and rent the space on the waste water treatment plant? Betting is that letting AT&T own the tower is the way to go.
Southington: a process to watch will be the redistricting plan for town elementary schools. There always seems to be considerable grief when such change is necessary.
Cheshire: should the town get into the cell phone tower business and own one which AT&T wants to build, or let AT&T install and rent the space on the waste water treatment plant? Betting is that letting AT&T own the tower is the way to go.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Feb. 10, 2010
Middletown: questions rising, as they inevitably do, following the blast at the plant under construction.
Area: school systems. One begins to get the feeling that participants are ready to let what happens happen in terms of budget setting. At least in Meriden and Wallingford. After the anguish over givebacks and concessions, the feeling seems to be more “do it and get it over with.”
Meriden: The Recreation Facilities Task Force will reconvene soon to complete its report on projects deemed desirable in the city. That will be a useful document for councilors to have, even if there isn’t money to fund programs as they might wish.
State: if the state’s contribution to costs of running UConn, and students’ tuitions and shares keep rising, at what point does it cease to be a public university? This is worth thinking about as everyone scurries to save money.
Meriden: as the gates ceased to function on Tuesday afternoon, the city had another demonstration of why it might be wonderful to have the road go over or under the railroad.
Area: school systems. One begins to get the feeling that participants are ready to let what happens happen in terms of budget setting. At least in Meriden and Wallingford. After the anguish over givebacks and concessions, the feeling seems to be more “do it and get it over with.”
Meriden: The Recreation Facilities Task Force will reconvene soon to complete its report on projects deemed desirable in the city. That will be a useful document for councilors to have, even if there isn’t money to fund programs as they might wish.
State: if the state’s contribution to costs of running UConn, and students’ tuitions and shares keep rising, at what point does it cease to be a public university? This is worth thinking about as everyone scurries to save money.
Meriden: as the gates ceased to function on Tuesday afternoon, the city had another demonstration of why it might be wonderful to have the road go over or under the railroad.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Tues., Feb. 9, 2010
Wallingford: so the council chairman wants to appoint a tech committee? It will be very interesting to watch what comes from the effort.
Southington: It sounds like an interesting plan to try to bring the former Novick Orchard back into, well, fruition. The investigation into the possibilities is worth pursuing.
Southington: the school board is going forward with a 4.3 percent increase over the current year. The town certainly has those who feel taxes are high and it will be interesting to see the reactions when the budget is presented tomorrow evening.
State: It would seem that at the exploded plant in Middletown there will be a criminal investigation (which will no doubt take many months to complete) and much work to be re-accomplished. It’s a terrible thing.
Wallingford: school board approves a budget with a 4.7 increase and without the realignment. The realignment issue is one which may deserve discussion, but this did not prove an auspicious move.
Southington: It sounds like an interesting plan to try to bring the former Novick Orchard back into, well, fruition. The investigation into the possibilities is worth pursuing.
Southington: the school board is going forward with a 4.3 percent increase over the current year. The town certainly has those who feel taxes are high and it will be interesting to see the reactions when the budget is presented tomorrow evening.
State: It would seem that at the exploded plant in Middletown there will be a criminal investigation (which will no doubt take many months to complete) and much work to be re-accomplished. It’s a terrible thing.
Wallingford: school board approves a budget with a 4.7 increase and without the realignment. The realignment issue is one which may deserve discussion, but this did not prove an auspicious move.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Feb. 8, 2010
Middletown: that explosion was a jaw-dropping disaster. And that plant was almost completed. It would look as if there is a lot to be done again. This blogger heard and felt the bang from home on Meriden’s west side. Does it make anyone else speculate that perhaps it is a good thing that the power plant on Cat Hole Mountain was never completed?
Meriden: Mayor Rohde is on the state regionalization committee, looking for ways to streamline government and do things that could save money. It’s a long shot, with lots of snags in the form of unwillingness to yield local control. But in a sense, we already lost local control when we let the state begin funding so many local programs many years ago.
Southington: you cannot have homes with failing sewage systems, unless you’re prepared to let sewage seep into the environment; you cannot settle a sewer line without digging a trench; and you cannot dig a trench without clearing trees, brush, shrubs and whatever else is in the way. The town has undertaken to plant replacement trees, once the job is done and in time, the place will look much as it did before. Is there a better plan?
Meriden: Mayor Rohde is on the state regionalization committee, looking for ways to streamline government and do things that could save money. It’s a long shot, with lots of snags in the form of unwillingness to yield local control. But in a sense, we already lost local control when we let the state begin funding so many local programs many years ago.
Southington: you cannot have homes with failing sewage systems, unless you’re prepared to let sewage seep into the environment; you cannot settle a sewer line without digging a trench; and you cannot dig a trench without clearing trees, brush, shrubs and whatever else is in the way. The town has undertaken to plant replacement trees, once the job is done and in time, the place will look much as it did before. Is there a better plan?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Sun., Feb. 7, 2010
Wallingford: so increased class size, after being a buzz word to generate opposition for years, is now being suggested as a good plan? There’s an interesting twist on public discussion.
Meriden and elsewhere: those interested in jobs with the Census, which is coming down the road at us pretty quickly, should make sure their drivers’ licenses are in good shape.
Meriden and elsewhere: those interested in jobs with the Census, which is coming down the road at us pretty quickly, should make sure their drivers’ licenses are in good shape.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Sat., Feb. 6, 2010
Cheshire: No surprise that Route 10/Highland Avenue turns out to be the locus of the most motor vehicle accidents in the town. The state doesn’t get around to fixing the issues created by development with very much speed. Should it be a local task?
Southington: if savings passbooks in the town’s possession as security are meaningless, of course passbooks are obsolete. Banks, we guess, have to option of letting customers withdraw without using the secured passbook.
State: the ruling on Pratt’s ability to move jobs out of state may only be a temporary victory for the union who sued to protect its jobs. The contract and Pratt’s good faith obligation, ends in December.
In Wallingford, as no doubt elsewhere, the number of medical calls continues to dominate fire department responses. Another demonstration of the need for full medical care system overhaul.
Southington: if savings passbooks in the town’s possession as security are meaningless, of course passbooks are obsolete. Banks, we guess, have to option of letting customers withdraw without using the secured passbook.
State: the ruling on Pratt’s ability to move jobs out of state may only be a temporary victory for the union who sued to protect its jobs. The contract and Pratt’s good faith obligation, ends in December.
In Wallingford, as no doubt elsewhere, the number of medical calls continues to dominate fire department responses. Another demonstration of the need for full medical care system overhaul.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Fri., Feb. 5, 2010
Wallingford: can’t imagine that many of those who actually own property in that I0-5 Zone would object to loosening the rules as to the type of concern allowed. On the other hand, it is hard to imagine that those who actually live in adjacent residential zones or whose homes are within the I-5 zone would appreciate having their neighborhoods transformed into Route 5 – whether fully occupied or partially unoccupied. There’s a conversation called for here, not simply some sort of fait accompli.
Cheshire: the posture of the Board of Education, which has refused to cut the superintendent’s education proposal (which increases spending by a bit more than 3%), may leave the decision to cut or tax to the town council. The drawbacks of the budget-setting system in Connecticut are manifest.
Meriden: folks are circulating a petition to consider the single high school option. The circulators are doing the public little good with this effort. The arguments against trying to build a single school where the HUB was, where the Mills Complex is and where many other structures and parcels are in private hands (including a church) are strong. If a petition is presented, the idea can only be rejected, which can only increase people’s frustrations.
Meriden: to save money (state funds) the annual count of homeless is omitted, but since everyone knows calls to shelters are up, there are more homeless. In brief: there are more homeless, but we can’t count them. Does that make sense?
Cheshire: the posture of the Board of Education, which has refused to cut the superintendent’s education proposal (which increases spending by a bit more than 3%), may leave the decision to cut or tax to the town council. The drawbacks of the budget-setting system in Connecticut are manifest.
Meriden: folks are circulating a petition to consider the single high school option. The circulators are doing the public little good with this effort. The arguments against trying to build a single school where the HUB was, where the Mills Complex is and where many other structures and parcels are in private hands (including a church) are strong. If a petition is presented, the idea can only be rejected, which can only increase people’s frustrations.
Meriden: to save money (state funds) the annual count of homeless is omitted, but since everyone knows calls to shelters are up, there are more homeless. In brief: there are more homeless, but we can’t count them. Does that make sense?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Thur., Feb. 4, 2010
Southington: it would seem that a solution to the town’s need for more and better office space has been found in the North Center School, vacated by the youngsters. Just because a building is no longer best for a school doesn’t mean other uses cannot be found.
Wallingford: the bidding process is a little off center for the community and mental health services which it decided upon last year. It will be interesting to see if the town gets better value for its money after the dust settles.
Cheshire: is it a sign of the times, perhaps, that so many establishments failed the test on checking for IDs during the sting operation last month? It’s too bad that the rules seem to be carelessly applied.
Southington: so Hartford Health Care and Hospital of Central Connecticut are working toward a joint operation. No real surprise. Health care is increasingly managed by larger outfits. The real issue is whether they all remain charitable, non-stock corporations. Should the state ever allow them to alter to stock companies, the result will hurt the people of the state.
Wallingford: the bidding process is a little off center for the community and mental health services which it decided upon last year. It will be interesting to see if the town gets better value for its money after the dust settles.
Cheshire: is it a sign of the times, perhaps, that so many establishments failed the test on checking for IDs during the sting operation last month? It’s too bad that the rules seem to be carelessly applied.
Southington: so Hartford Health Care and Hospital of Central Connecticut are working toward a joint operation. No real surprise. Health care is increasingly managed by larger outfits. The real issue is whether they all remain charitable, non-stock corporations. Should the state ever allow them to alter to stock companies, the result will hurt the people of the state.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Wed., Feb. 3, 2010
Meriden: given the economy and the temper of the times, it’s hard to disagree with the Board of Education’s unanimous vote for the hybrid option.
Wallingford: a third workshop on realignment. It still seems that presenting this change out of the blue and tying it to the budget was a method which would tend to irritate or scare. A couple of years of discussion might have worked a lot better.
Plans for a natural gas fueling plant for Meriden’s future natural gas vehicles seem to be a part of the larger plan. It makes sense, and it certainly increases options.
Wallingford’s board of ethics said it’s okay for a councilor to participate in an upcoming vote. It’s certainly better to get these opinions before, and not after, a vote is taken.
Wallingford: a third workshop on realignment. It still seems that presenting this change out of the blue and tying it to the budget was a method which would tend to irritate or scare. A couple of years of discussion might have worked a lot better.
Plans for a natural gas fueling plant for Meriden’s future natural gas vehicles seem to be a part of the larger plan. It makes sense, and it certainly increases options.
Wallingford’s board of ethics said it’s okay for a councilor to participate in an upcoming vote. It’s certainly better to get these opinions before, and not after, a vote is taken.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Tues., Feb. 2, 2010
Wallingford: Interesting that, although the state is responsible for “state” roads, which means that localities cannot take any steps to cure problems themselves, the state offers as a reason for problems that motorists don’t obey the rules. One suspects that flouting the rules tends to happen more as roads become congested and un-fixed and people get frustrated. But then, if the road is improved, more people will use it. Chicken? Egg?
Meriden: strange as it may seem, Lincoln, though home to students since 2005, has not yet been “audited” by state building officials. It’s a perfectly proper, if lengthy process, and would the public really have it run so that everything was completed bing, bang, boom, and THEN the problems were discovered after all the paperwork was done? It is a public process, hence the emphasis on step-by-step action.
Wallingford: the discussion on reconfiguration continues to concern many parents. Since the savings are fairly minimal, is there a reason the change has to be made with such precipitation? The case is to be made . . . and it probably involves class size.
Meriden: strange as it may seem, Lincoln, though home to students since 2005, has not yet been “audited” by state building officials. It’s a perfectly proper, if lengthy process, and would the public really have it run so that everything was completed bing, bang, boom, and THEN the problems were discovered after all the paperwork was done? It is a public process, hence the emphasis on step-by-step action.
Wallingford: the discussion on reconfiguration continues to concern many parents. Since the savings are fairly minimal, is there a reason the change has to be made with such precipitation? The case is to be made . . . and it probably involves class size.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Editor's Notepod, Mon., Feb. 1, 2010
Meriden: there seems to be something of a contrast between Meriden’s most accident prone areas and intersections and those reported in Wallingford over the last few weeks. Wallingford’s are concentrated along Route 68 and the awkward crossover of Rt 5, Rt. 15 and that area. Meriden’s, apparently, seem much less chronically identified; perhaps this is because the leading candidate, Broad and East Main, was redone a decade ago. But we are a little surprised that West Main and Cook is not more of a problem.
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