Bomb Scare at Carrigan Middle School yesterday

Yesterday, there was yet another bomb scare, this time at Carrigan Middle School. According to the WTNH piece entitled "More school threats, one arrested":

For the third time in four days West Haven students were evacuated. This time, at Carrington Middle school, a threatening note was found in the main office.

State police Master Sgt. J. Paul Vance has a good point when he says "These things maybe in the past were thought of as hoaxes, as jokes, as funny behavior punishable by a slap on the wrist, that is not the case anymore." Kids still think this is a joke; but with the likes of 9/11 and Columbine, no one is laughing.

Vance goes on to say:

"You can be charged with terrorism, depending on the circumstances. They're punishable by incarceration in jail, monetary fines. It certainly requires many appearances in court, legal representation."

I feel especially bad for the parents of these kids - expulsion from school, legal fees, and notority all face them. I'd urge anyone with kids to sit down and explain exactly how serious this is immediately... this has got to stop.

No Child Left Behind and West Haven

There have been a number of articles on 'No child left behind' (NCLB) recently in the news. In today's New Haven Register article "'No Child' results improve in state", it is mentioned that 40 of the states 179 high schools failed to meet the standards set forth in NCLB, and that 38 of them did so for the second year in a row. West Haven High School is one of them, and has now been labeled as "in need of improvement".

To meet the standards:

• 69 % must be proficient in math
• 72 % must be proficient in reading
• 70 % of the 2002 freshman were required to graduate
• 95 % of sophomores had to participate in the CAPT test
  

According to the article "That designation gives parents the right to seek special tutoring for their children or request transfers to better-performing schools."

I believe I've mentioned before that I have a problem with an unfunded mandate... and given the fiscal crisis here in West Haven, that's even more of a problem.

Yesterday's New Haven Register article "State says 'No Child' suit still on" discussed Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's attempt to challenge NCLB. Connecticut, the first state in the US to challenge the law, claims " the law was unconstitutional, an unfunded federal mandate costing more than the state received in federal reimbursement."

While the judge in the case dismissed 3 of 4 claims in the case citing that "State officials can’t challenge the constitutionality of the law until they have exhausted the U.S. Department of Education’s administrative appeals", he didn't shut down the lawsuit entirely.

However this part of the article is worrisome, to me:

"In effect the court has said we must disobey and violate the statute in order to challenge the interpretation of the secretary," Blumenthal said.

To me, this sounds like the children will be the losers in this battle... and as West Haven High School has failed twice, that we're going to be one of the examples...

Students to pay stiff price for bomb threat

Today's New Haven Register article "5 Students arrested in West Haven bomb threat" indicate that the West Haven Police Department and the Board of Education are going to send a clear message to students in West Haven: "Bomb threats and other threats of violence will not be tolerated".

5 male freshmen students were arrested yesterday for the Tuesday "copy cat" bomb threat that was phoned in:

One of the teenagers, who police identified as the caller, was charged with threatening, falsely reporting an incident and conspiracy to commit threatening, all in the first degree.

The other four teenagers were each charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit threatening. All were referred to juvenile court authorities.

Each of the charges are Class D felonies that carry a prison term of one to five years and up to a $5,000 fine.

Police also are drafting arrest warrants for nine students and one former student, ranging from age 16 to 18, for allegedly conspiring to affix a bomb threat on one of the school’s outside doors [on Monday]. Addressed to Stancil, it consisted of a schematic drawing of the school’s ground level that had been ripped from the parent-teacher handbook and indicated where the bombs allegedly would go off via handwritten X’s in certain school areas.

Ron Stancil, principal of the West Haven High School, is in the process of drawing up paperwork to most likely expel the 14 students. Assistant Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro indicated that the school district would likely act quickly to expel the students, but would take into consideration their records, and whether or not some students are "more guilty than others" (what does THAT mean?). Hopefully they are taking into mind that students are innocent until proven guilty.

I've gone back and forth in my mind about how I feel about this - previous reports have indicated that some (if not most) of these students were not trouble makers, and were relatively good students. Unfortunately, though, in this day and age, threats of violence cannot be ignored. When maps of the school with bomb locations are distributed, and then others copy the actions of the first bomb scare threateners, action must be swift and clear, even if the intention was only for a prank. Whether the end result will be a scare tactic, or if these students will actually be expelled, it certainly has people talking to their children about the senselessness of bomb scares.

Attempted Abduction in Milford of 11 year old

Yesterday, there was an attempt at luring an 11 year old boy to a late model red 4-door SUV by a woman who asked him to help her find her dog. Hopefully our schools will notify our parents of this matter...

(source: New Haven Register: Kidnap try worries Milford parents).

Chuck Marino on Haverstraw and West River Crossing

Chuck Marino of the West Haven Voice has an interesting piece entitled "I traveled to Haverstraw" dated September 24, 2006 on the site. In it, he talks about his frustration with the City Council and Economic Development Commission for not entertaining the idea of an upscale community built in the West River Crossing area. He says (in part):

In our limited Blue State Mentality we think of housing in terms of AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I want us to think in terms of UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Housing that is so expensive that no one living in West Haven could even think about buying it. I want housing that is so plush and so fancy and flashy that only 3 or 4 percent of the population on the East Coast could qualify to purchase it. I want that housing here in our city over looking New Haven Harbor and the vast Expanse of Long Island Sound and selling for $1 million or more per unit.

I want these people moving into my city and paying taxes in my city so that I can continue to live in my city too. I want these very affluent people who are at this moment moving into million-dollar town houses in Haverstraw, NY to be moving into million-dollar town houses in West Haven and spending their tax dollars here.

I expect that this sort of idea would scare many in West Haven, and we'd hear more cries about the 'haves" and "have nots"... but Chuck has a pretty good point.

I think there is more to this, though, than just upscale housing. Housing isn't enough, if there isn't an upscale infrastructure in place - upscale shopping, and upscale entertainment. The greater New Haven area doesn't even have a collesium or civic center any more. It seems to me for a plan like this to succeed, we'd need the proposed Arts Center to flourish, for higher end entertainment to come back. We need the train station to be more than a glimmer in our eyes, so that New Yorkers can easily take the commute by train. We need a downtown that attracts people, a beach front that doesn't contain hyperdermic needles and used condoms. You need an educational system that doesn't have low scores in standardized testing. In all, we need an overall makeover.

New Reader "2nd District Woes" talked about this in his (or her) comment under the "Acorn Project and more lawsuits" post:

There is a misconception by some that business will solve our tax problems. We need an entire community upgrade to change our situation. In order for any business, either retail or light industrial to survive it needs people. We have to attract the people who can spend money in West Haven. If the housing proposed for the Acorn project is upscale and the supporting retail is the same, we will be on the right track. We don't need another short term business that will close its doors in 10 years and leave us with another empty building. One only needs to look at Morgan Lane to see the blight of closed businesses. All of the houses built in West Haven do produce a continual tax base. You cannot say the same for business.

It is unfortunate the present administration in their haste to solve our money issues has over exposed West Haven in a negative manner. This is an anti business and anti development tactic. Some day we will get an administration that can both run a city and have VISION. We had an administration with vision and questionable business practice. Now we have an administration with questionable vision and an unproven business practice.

While I agree that business isn't the only solution, it's part of it. To attract upscale buyers, you need an upscale infrastructure.

Bomb Threats not only a Felony, but cost the city money...

With the police well into their investigation of the individuals who pulled the bomb threats at West Haven High School on Monday and Tuesday, I started thinking about the costs.

Not only are 2+ days of education interrupted for the students, but there are 13 (or more!) students who potentially are going to be charged with a felony. According to Principal Ron Stancil, some of these students aren't the typical trouble makers.... this has the potential to affect their entire lives.

For each bomb threat, the police and (I believe) the fire departments were deployed. When such false claims are made, there's a cost, not only in terms of reduced availabilty for other emergencies, but often in terms of others who are called in to backfill the positions of those who are called out to deal with the emergency.

I'm sorry that these kids will face some pretty steap consequences, but they *must* serve as an example in this case.

Lower Bond Rating = Self Fulfilling prophacy?

The West Haven Voice had an interesting Editorial by Bill Riccio (dated 9/20 on the web site), in which Bill mused about a post made the prior week, where someone had wondered if the bond rating was a self-fulfilling prophacy. He (correctly, in my opinion) went on to state:

Mayor John Picard had expected the downgrade, based on the three reports listed above. He believed it was inevitable. Bond houses that have been duped into believing a municipality has a fund balance don’t suffer fools well when they find out differently. To insinuate the reports and the expectation coalesced into a given result is to ignore the facts.

While the Voice's reader had construed that perhaps because Mayor Picard was publicizing the issues that Moody’s and Standard and Poors lowered the bond rating, let's face it -- you can only rob Peter to pay Paul for so long - eventually, Peter starts shouting. The bond issues would have shown up eventually.

Dialogue is good, but let's make certain it's factual.

Hey folks -

I'm GLAD we're all up here talking about our town. I'm delighted that many people want to participate, and give their opinions. Opinions are good - but let's keep stay respectful, stay focused on (non-partisan) solutions and reporting about actual events and articles.

Unless you have a source to quote, I really have to ask you to be careful of what you say. There have been several comments that I've rejected outright (and some that perhaps I should have to begin with), because they contain statements about individuals and illegal activity that I have not heard any solid proof of, and that seem particularly mean-spirited.... and without proof, they possibly could be considered libel. If those of you who have alleged illegal activity actually have proof, I would urge you to bring that information to the West Haven Police Department... they're the ones that should handle that sort of statement, not this blog.

I never intended this blog to be a rumor mill, or a place where we cut down other people, whether or not they are in the public eye. Let's keep things civil, please.

Reader "My Forte" responds to Amber...

While I don't make all comments on the blog into new blog entries, I thought that the following quoted comment was a particularly well-written post by reader "My Forte".

I have been merely a reader of this blog nearly since its inception, but now I find myself compelled to add my comments. I have noticed over the past number of years the continued dichotomy of the citizens of this city and that has increased dramatically over the past year. I will note just the first of my potentially many submitted observations:

Amber, a new poster, begins her diatribe with “This is to all West Haven Borer supporters who do not know what goes on in this town.” This pretentious sentiment has been echoed many times by the current administration’s sycophants recently and further alienates the intelligent populace than can well distinguish between what is partisan rhetoric and fact.

She further states “How dear someone tonight at the meeting saying he (Mr. Wrightington) should be behind bars!” and “Freedom of speech is really not free sense certain people don't let it made free!” (I have not corrected the grammar, as it may be a highly indicative attribute of the author). I believe many have heard Mr. Wrightington, as well as some of his confidantes, profess that the former mayor should befall the same fate. It appears the author’s view of our 1st Amendment shall only apply to those, which she is in agreement with.

It has become abundantly clear to many that the animosity between certain factions of the city have curtailed the possibility of any immediate, or long term, unified progress for this municipality. Further draw the battles lines, profess blame and enmity, for lack of any strategic plan for the betterment of the community, and you may leave us all gasping for air.

I share some of the very same concerns. We shouldn't be worrying about pointing fingers right now - we should be looking into tax solutions.

While I do quote various reader's comments when I try to bring up new opinions and facts, I really don't want this blog to end up becoming nothing more than a slugfest. While I can choose wholesale to publish or not publish a reader's comment on a posting, I can't edit them. Let's try to work together to find solutions and uncover facts - not simply draw battle lines - or else I may have to decide not to publish a particular comment.

Acorn Project and more lawsuits

On 9/21/06, the New Haven Register article entitled "Zoning Change brings lawsuit" discusses Acorn Technology Campus LLC’s bringing of a lawsuit against the Planning and Zoning Commission. Acorn was originally going to build a biotechnology campus; and had changed their plans into building a "Planned Villiage Development" (whatever that is).

According to the article, Acorn claims the PZC:

... underhandedly removed a zoning amendment from its recently approved regulations that would have enabled the development.

My thoughts are that we don't need any more residential housing in West Haven!!! We need businesses!

Parents request reinstatement of middle school sports

In the 9/22/06 New Haven Register article entitled "Residents go to bat for sports in school", parents of the 13 percent of middle school students (222 out of 1691) who participate in Bailey and Carrigan school sports, ask for a solution other than the elimination of sports for their kids. Solutions pitched include splitting the roughly $65,000 cost between the city and the school. That's roughly $300/student athlete - which seems high....

Response to Comments from Our New Reader, Amber

Well, it's interesting that most of the new posters have taken the position that (a) this blog is anti-Picard (it isn't), and (b) that I must be a Borer supporter. Here's a new poster named Amber, who was convinced that I wouldn't let (her?) comments come through:

This is to all West Haven Borer supporters who do not know what goes on in this town... This Tax payer site is made by the people on the borer ticket who didn't win...and Mr.wrightington the person someone previously commenting on looking dirty and just waking up..is a man who stands up for this town and his rights..because for 14 yrs you let someone you thought you could trust steal your money and lie to your face and now were paying for it becuase we are in a rut. You just let people brainwash you thinking Picard has to do with all this its all his fault, but in the end Mr.Wrightington is right and when checkers came in he prooved you all wrong who doubted Mr.Wrightington..Mr.Wrightington comes to those meetings dressed in his uniform because he is just as a hard worker as the next. How dear someone tonight at the meeting saying he should be behind bars! For what! While he passes out certain rude people who have not grown up make faces and and smile. How old are you? I know this blog won't be posted becuase I wrote good things about Mr.Wrightington and Picard...I least I know one person read it which is the person in charge of this site. Freedom of speech is really not free sense certain people don't let it made free!

First off, I think it's important to note that I do not personnally write all comments on this blog. Other people from the outside world come in and express their opinions, and often I'll discuss them through followups.

Secondly, I'm not a politician, and I'm not 'a person on the Borer ticket'. I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

I'm not a Borer sympathizer, or a Picard basher, or a Republican stalwart; I'm a truth seeker, and a believer that politicians are there to serve us, the taxpayers.

While I don't always agree with Mr. Wrightington's statements, and wish that he'd act from a position of progress and not emotional finger pointing (as he sometimes does), I do admire him. He's the everyday man who actually takes the time to try to understand his surroundings... to make certain that the people we've appointed are actually working for him. I worry that sometimes his statements are based on emotion instead of pure fact, though. Given the problem with the format of the town council meetings in that anyone can stand up and say anything, and if they are convincing enough, people will believe them, but have no way of knowing if the statement is fact or emotion, I think that fact checking is important.

I did not attend last evenings meeting, unfortunately, so I'm not certain about the series of event being discussed regarding Mr. Wrightington. My thoughts go out to him if he has collapsed at the meeting - I certainly wish him well.

DOT Work on Sawmill Road exit almost done

The New Haven Register today reports that the DOT work on the Sawmill Road exit is almost done (despite a recent incident where they ruptured a gas line) in an article entitled "DOT close to end of Sawmill work"... Thank you, O&G Industries!

City Council Meeting Tonight

According to the City Calendar, there is a City Council Meeting tonight at 7:00 pm, 3rd floor, City Hall.

Response to new reader "Slappy": This blog is not Anti-Picard.

With publicity comes new readers and new opinions -- both of which are very welcome!

A new reader who goes by the name of "Slappy" posted the concern that Lower West Haven Taxes is 'Anti-Picard':

Wow! You should rename this blog Citizens Against Mayor Picard. Lets see....I become Mayor, which is a 2 year commitment. Then I quit my old job, drop state licenses' pertaining to my old job. Then decide not to run again in two years. Perfect.....no job to go back to.

That was the problem with the previous administration.....the Mayor was making it a career. Being a Mayor is NOT a career! I don't care if Picard is being realistic about politics.

Why don't you write about the old homeland security director. He held this job and was a full time firefighter in the Center district and sold Medical Equipment, defibulators, to the city.

I can understand your point of view, given the slant of the recent article, and given that some readers here definitely ARE anti-Picard. This blog, however, is more about separating the facts from the fiction in West Haven. Too much is said in West Haven that is more a gut reaction, or what a friend of a friend told me. I'm trying to take all of the sources (at face value), and figure out what the truth is.

Myself? I have no problem with the Mayor maintaining his licenses; I feel he has every right! I also am not anti-Mayor Picard. I AM, however, entirely against 50% increases in taxes.

Additionally, I worry that Mayor Picard is not being consistent. He said that he'd make this a full time job -- but he didn't disclose that he kept his business alive on the backburner. He says that it only takes an hour of his time a month -- but if he's signing contracts, I sure hope he takes time to read and understand what he is signing. Maybe that can be done in an hour's time -- somehow, though, I think it might take a little longer than that.

In regards to being Mayor not being a career - I agree. It's not a career - it's a commitment (and btw, I think 2 years is too short -- it takes a year to get comfortable with the job, from what I have seen and have been told). It's a commitment to devoting your entire energies into the best interests of the citizens you serve. Well, ok - I don't know any mayor who has done that --but that's what it is supposed to be about. I'm not saying you can't have a life, or you can't make mistakes- but I think you have to own up when you fall short.

I'm not a Borer sympathizer, or a Picard basher, or a Republican stalwart; I'm a truth seeker, and a believer that politicians are there to serve us, the taxpayers.

State Recommends Creating Review Board

According to the West Haven Voice article entitled "OPM officials sugfest[sic] board", The State's Office of Policy and Management has made a series of recommendations to Mayor Picard in a September 12th letter from OPM secretary Robert L. Genuario.

These suggestions include creating an 8 member review board O to oversee city finances. These members would all appointed by the governor and:

Four are members of other municipalities, while three would have municipal finance backgrounds, and one from OPM.

Apparently Mayor Picard is looking at this as a last resort. However, the state has indicated that they would lend money to the city at a low interest rate to cover the deficit if we allow the creation of the board. I think Mayor Picard should consider the fact that he is bleeding this city dry right now - taxpayers of West Haven need SOME form of relief!

It's intriguing that the Mayor appears to be backtracking on his predictions of doom and gloom, and is quoted as saying:

“Until the audit is complete, we don’t know where we actually stand,” Picard said. “We’re hoping we can continue our efforts to cut expenses and locate funds so the deficit won’t be as bad as we first thought.”

Also of interest:

The OPM official notes that which ever firm gets the [auditing] contract the city should make sure “the auditor meets the obligation to fully audit and analyze the internal controls and financial management practices of the city” and offer corrective action. Secondly, officials should tailor expanded audit services to clearly identify “issues and weaknesses that the city needs to correct in order to get its financial house in order.”

City Debt Rating downgraded

My recent lack of time to devote to this blog shows... there's a number of older articles that I need to catch up on.

On September 16th, WTNH reported that Standard & Poor's downgraded West Haven debt rating from A to Triple B in an article entitled West Haven debt rating downgraded ; Mayor Picard, however, says that was a mistake, and our rating only dropped one level. In either case, this means it will likely cost us more to borrow money. Great.

According to the article:

Picard says West Haven has until October to show Standard and Poor's its plan to address the deficit, which both parties agreed may include a supplemental assessment, deficit borrowing, additional state aid and a tax increase.

I hope Mayor Picard is formulating a plan - and that we all get to hear about it soon. Shouldn't WE as taxpayers get to vote on it? It's our money, not Mayor Picard's!

(note added 9/26: more information can be also found in the New Haven Register article entitled "Fiscal woes deepen in West Haven".)

Timothy Wrightington on the Checks and Balances that Failed West Haven Taxpayers

Timothy Wrightington, long known for political activism in West Haven, has written an editorial letter in the West Haven Voice entitled "Checks and balances all failed taxpayers". Despite the adversarial tone of the piece (which lays blame with many sources- and those who read this blog know that I'm about solutions, not finger pointing), and the fact that he seems to implicate people without given examples and by making assumptions, there are some good questions that the piece raises. Some of these, I'd like to highlight, as I think they deserve special notice.

If the bond counsel (noted in the article as bond council, but I believe he means their legal counsel) is compensated on a percentage of the bonds issued, there is a conflict of financial interest for the counselor to not recommend going forward with a bond. However, Mr. Wrightington fails to note that attorneys take an oath of office to uphold the law - there still is incentive (aka licensing) to act ethically. Although the role of the bond counsel isn't one that I'm very familiar with, I suspect that their role is more in oking the initial paperwork that is set forth, and issuing opinions on issues that the city specifically asks them about.

He mentions that he feels a part of the blame for the tax situation lies with the city's auditors, Levitsky & Berney - I feel very strongly about this. We hired auditors to audit our books - it's inconcievable to me that they wouldn't have found problems with our books, given the sad state of our previous accounting practices. My (non-legal) opinion is that we hired them to do a job - and they didn't do it.

Finally, he points out that the most important Check and Balance that failed was the West Haven Taxpayer -- and he has a point. City Council meetings (while intensely boring) are open to the public. Apparently, the 75 or so people that have been showing up lately is a record... that's ridiculous in a town that is 54,000+.

Lower West Haven Taxes in the News...

Our last conversations regarding Mayor Picard and American Express have made the news. The New Haven Register article entitled "Blog blashs Picard for keeping advisor job" discusses the comments under the post, Westbrook Petitioners to Request 5 year phase in of Revaluation.

In the commentary, Struture and Colonial Park Taxpayer explained their concerns with Mayor Picard's continued association with American Express:

At 9/09/2006 9:48 PM, Strutrue said... I agree it's okay to have another job or an association as I did say that in my comments. But I do recall mayor Picard saying we need a full time hands on mayor. I took that to mean dedicated to one job. (...)

At 9/11/2006 11:57 AM, Colonial Park Taxpayer said...

If in fact Mayor Picard is working another job during his term as amyor it should be an issue is seriously investigated. The residents of West haven elected him into office with the understaning that he would be "full-time" and dedicated to his "job' as mayor.....

Personally, I didn't have as strong a feeling as these two did regarding Mayor Picard and American Express. The New Haven Register article explains Mayor Picard's side of things, which is as I expected -- that he has kept his broker's license, but has turned his accounts over to others to maintain while he is mayor.

However, he does admit that he spends up to one hour a month on the financial business, including signing any contracts that need his direct attention. Now this is something that does catch my attention. If you are signing contracts, then you must be spending time reading them, and understanding what went into them... if you aren't, you're a bigger fool than keeping a potential conflict of interest.

Additionally, the article mentions that he didn't disclose the information on the city ethic's disclosure form... why not? It seems to me that it would be better to mention ANY potential conflict of interest, whether or not affiliated entity does business with the city. Certainly, if he has nothing to hide, and this isn't a conflict of interest, why not disclose it???

Westbrook Petitioners to Request 5 year phase in of Revaluation

In today's New Haven Register is the article "Petitioners want revalutation to be gradual in Westbrook". Similar to West Haven, houses closest to the shoreline took a significant jump in value, compared to those inland.

Unlike West Haven, however, their Board of Selectmen (which, more or less, corresponds to our City Council) are willing to listen, and want to help:

"We’re going to work on this," First Selectman John Raffa told Dyer, adding of a phase-in, "I’m in favor of it."

Granted, perhaps Westbrook doesn't suffer from the same fiscal woes of West Haven - but the huge jump in taxes in our town hurts just as much.

West Nile Virus mosquito termination - another approach

WestportNOW.com has an interesting post on the Westport/Weston approach to mosquito eradication. Basically, they are giving out up to 4 larvicide "briquettes" for dropping into stagnant water pools on resident's property. These briquettes contain Bti, which is a bacterial larvicide which give up to 30 days of protection... sounds like an interesting approach.

The article also offers the following practical advice:

The district offered these suggestions on preventing West Nile virus:

• Limit outdoor activities from dusk to dawn.
• Wear clothing that minimizes bare skin.
• Use mosquito repellents on clothing.
• Follow the directions on labels for insecticides or repellents.
• Cover arms and legs of children playing near standing water.
• Cover playpens or carriages with mosquito netting.
• After any significant rainfall, remember to remove any standing water from your property.
• Remove objects that can hold standing water.
• Fill in holes, ditches, or tree trunks with sand or cement.
• Clean house gutters on a regular basis.
• Empty wadding pools and bird baths every four to seven days.
• Chlorinate swimming pools regularly.
• Eliminate collected water on boat and pool covers.
• Avoid over-watering of lawns.
• Fix holes in screens and attach properly to windows.

2007 Connecticut Firefighter's Convention... in West Haven?

An article about the 2006 Firefighters Convention in yesterday's Valley Gazette makes mention that next year's convention will be held in West Haven... I wonder who PAYS for that? This year's hosts are Ansonia, Derby AND Shelton... I guess because we have 3 separate departments, they won't need to team up with anyone... sigh. I guess I should look forward to the parade...

Words from our Readers regarding the Cronyism post...

We had some interesting notes from our reader, Structure, regarding the recent post entitled "Politics, Cronyism, and Conflicts of Interest...":

This has to be one of the more ludicrous stories. A woman claims the Finance Director grabs her and she tells her union, the mayor and the Acting Personnel Director. Nothing is done. A week later she reports it to the police because supposedly she wants it documented, then the mayor reacts and says we'll investigate and puts three people in charge. None of which are the independent Personnel Director. This is very odd. But not so odd if you consider what's going on behind the scenes.

Let's start with the Acting Personnel Director. His name is Rob Sandella, he has 0 personnel experience. this is against city charter our city law which says you must have at least 5 years personnel experience. When mayor picard was first elected he terminated the employment of Marilyn FLores, she was a female, latino, labor lawyer with 10 years personnel experience and had a lot of respect from the people in city hall. He removed her and replaced her with Rob Sandella, a Democratic Town Committee member with 0 experience which is against city law. They call him Acting in order to circumvent the charter. But after 9 months in office they have never recruited for a new director. the Acting Personnel Director makes almost $59,000 per year. $59,000 for a no work job. Now that's patronage, croynism job if I've ever heard of one. so I think that's why a lot of this stuff is getting botched at city hall they don't have professional leaders, so now the mayor puts in Carol silverstien to investigate her own boss???? And then they also bring in Margaritee Showers the Homeland Security Director to investigate a personnel issue? Which while Im' on the subject of patronage, let me explain the Homeland Security story.

Also in his first week of office, Mayor Picard removed our Homeland Secruity Director Richard Fontana. Richard, I understand has a bachelors in firefighting, a masters in public health and has been teaching emergency preparedness for years. They remove him and put in ANOTHER democratic town committee member who has no fire, no police and no public health experience, all aspects of Homeland Security. hhhmmmmm I'm on a roll with this story because it is just so ridiculous that mayor Picard said in public he wuold hire the best and the brightest which sounds great in public, but is diong just the opposite.

Again, I'm a bit subjective, but all of this is available for confirmation through documetns. Our wonderful Freedom of Informatoin law gives you the opportunity to request any document that is public information. The resumes, the charter, the police complaint. All public documents.

Spraying underway for W. Nile on West River

According to a New Haven Register article, barrier spraying of Talstar began on Thursday after 3 recent cases were reported in the area, including a death of an elderly New Haven woman.

Roger Wolfe, mosquito management coordinator in the state Department of Environmental Protection, said the goal was to kill adult mosquitoes and create a barrier to prevent the insects from traveling beyond breeding pools and wetlands along the West River.

Mosquito Spraying for the West Nile Virus Delayed...

The AP reported today at noontime that West Haven and New Haven have decided to delay the spraying of mosquitos for the West Nile Virus due to predicted rain...

Images of Beach erosion

Beach Erosion Damage from the remainder of
Tropical Storm Ernesto
Photographed on 9/2/06

Politics, Crony-ism, and Conflicts of Interest....

There are many disappointing potential conclusions that seem to be indicated by today's New Haven Register article entitled "W. Haven staffer cites conflict in probe". This article discusses the "investigation" that the city is launching into Yvette Cintron's complaint of an alleged assault by Finance Director Nalini Srinivas.

The New Haven Register article explains that an August 28 memo to city employees indicates that he planned to appoint a team of three people to investigate the allegation:

• Carol Silverstein (City Risk Manager)
  
• James T Burns Jr. (Chief of Staff)
• Maguerite B. Showers (Homeland Security coordinator)
  

However, there are several potential points of conflicting interest in this team, particularly involving Carol Silverstein, who (rightly!) declined the post (Mayor Picard has incicated that the investigation will go on without a replacement for her). Carol Silverstein's husband is Richard Silverstein, the attorney who is representing Srinivas in the lawsuit brought forward by Cintron.

In a bizarre twist that Silverstein denies has any role in her decision to not participate:

... city records show her union steward, Thomas Reilly, filed a letter with the Personnel Department on May 2, stating Silverstein, who is based in the Pinance Department, was experiencing problems with Srinivas, allegedly belittling her work ethic.

"Carol has been having a hard and upsetting time with her supervisor," the letter states, noting that Srinivas allegedly criticized Silverstein’s dedication to her work.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Thomas Reilly the father in law of Mayor Picard??? That seems like a HUGE conflict of interest! How do you 'negotiate' union contracts if you are on the same side of the fence?

Cintron seems to indicate that she is happy that an investigation is taking place, but I don't understand why there isn't an indication that there is a police investigation in place:

No criminal charges have been filed against Srinivas, who has remained publicly silent since the issue surfaced last month.

This is all just plain weird, and raises a TON of questions:

• Why would Richard Silverstein represent someone who his wife has a complain lodged against?
• Why would union members allow there to be a union steward who has direct ties to the people they are negotiating with to be the union steward?
• Why would Thomas Reilly WANT to be put into the tough position of defending workers against his son in law?
• Why would Mayor Picard appoint someone who has a clear conflict of interest with the investigation?

Cool Tool: Zillow.com

Colonial Park Taxpayer brought a cool tool to my attention through a link on the West Shore Follies blog called 'Zillow.com'. Plug in a street name or a neighborhood name, and it will show the values of all the neighboring houses... very useful. Click on a particularly home's icon, and you can get a list of comparable homes that have recently sold.

It clearly demonstrates, for instance, that simply by crossing Ocean Avenue, comparable homes are devalued by as much as $100,000 - just by crossing a road, even when there are numerous homes between the house on the Long Island Sound side of Ocean Avenue and the home that is $100,000 more in value.

More than $42K grant from Homeland Security to go to Allingtown Fire Department

According to Christopher Dodd's web site in a posting dated August 18, 2006, Dodd and Lieberman annouce that the Allingtown Fire Department will receive a grant of $42,123 for new equipment and safety and training programs. The grant is awarded from the Department of Homeland Security as part of the Assistance for Fire Fighters Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Fire Administration.

For some reason, this hasn't made any headway in the news; but it is on Dodd's website as part of a release dated August 18, 2006. One wonders if attaching Joe Lieberman's name to it has caused a backlash due to currently politically rallying of the Democrats against Lieberman.

Allingtown has benefited through the past years:

In 2005, Dodd and Lieberman secured more than $500,000 for Connecticut Firefighters, including:

• West Haven Fire Department: $168.102
• Allingtown Volunteer Fire Association (West Haven): $76,788

In 2004, Rosa DeLauro announced a grant of $450,000 for the Allingtown Fire Department.

West Haven signs deal to purchase Masonic Temple to create an art's center

An article in today's New Haven Register states " W. Haven, Masons sign deal for building".

The City of West Haven and the Masonic Annawon Lodge 115 signed a contract to create West Haven's first cultural arts center. The ammended deal includes verbiage that places absestos abatement responsiblities to the Masons, who are looking to build a new building, which is more friendly to older members of their group.

The purchase price is $650,000, of which $550,000 is covered by a state grant. The remaining $100,000 will be paid by the city. Originally, the deal would have been $550,000, and the city was going to give part of the parking lot for land for a new lodge, but the city would have been responsible for abestos abatement. In the current $650,000 deal, the Masons will locate their own new home, and will be responsible for removing abestos.

I take issue with the following statements from Mayor Picard:

Picard said the city can pay the extra $100,000 because it saved $250,000 this year by requiring taxpayers paying their tax bills via credit cards to absorb the processing fees.

The mayor said the city will actually save money on the deal because the Masons were required to obtain a renegotiated asbestos contract. Further, the city would save $2.5 million should it move on plans now on hiatus to rehabilitate City Hall and use the lodge as a temporary City Hall in the meantime.

If we saved $250,000 this year by placing credit card fees on the taxpayers, how come that wasn't already figured into the budget, and reduce our tax burden by $250,000?

How are we going to save $2.5 million dollars if we are going to rehabilitate City Hall? We're going to end up spending a lot of money.

Additionally, the building is going to take $1.5 million to renovate:

As for how the city will find $1.5 million, numerous art groups such as the West Haven Cultural Arts Association and West Haven Arts Council that operate shows out of various locations have vowed to raise funds to make it a reality.

While I truly welcome the idea of arts in the city, and more reasons to come downtown, my one concern with this statement is that NEITHER of these groups have held a visible presence in our city. Art shows, sales, etc. have all been next to non-existant.

In my opinion, our city should take some lessons from Milford, which has a large art presence, and holds high quality juried arts and crafts shows on their green repeatedly throughout the summer... I'd love to see more of that downtown. Milford also is in the process of creating an arts center at Stowe Arts Colony ,and recently received a $50,000 grant to aide in that effort, after purchasing the $825,000 property in 2002.

I'd love to see a more visible arts community in West Haven... I'd love to see fine arts and photography studio rental and educational communities, like the New Haven Artspace. I'd love to see gallery space and art on display. And I'd like to see the community involved.

I'd like to see Paul Scanlan's vision of a downtime revitalized by people coming to art-related events, and staying to eat at local cafes.

... let's see if it can happen.

sphere: Who Is Killing Long Island Sound?

In the article entitled "Who Is Killing Long Island Sound?" another blogger talks about the NY Times article of the same name.

In both articles, it mentions the failing of the Connecticut State Legislature to continue to support the Clean Water Fund since 2003, and also states that:

Yet just when efforts to save the Sound should be increasing, the Connecticut Legislature is doing the opposite. It is backing off its cleanup commitment by slashing money for sewage plant improvements.

Ugh. We're one of those towns that really requires those sewage plant improvements.

Curfews and West Haven

Here's an interesting article from the New Haven Register about proposed curfews for children in the city of New Haven. One statement is:

The aldermen [of New Haven] considered a youth curfew in mid-1990s when one was adopted in West Haven that requires children 15 and younger to be off the street by 10 p.m.

This is definitely a statement which is in direct opposition to an anecdote relayed by a West Haven citizen at the last City Council meeting, where 13 and 14 year old teenagers were observed out and about at 3:00 a.m., and a policemen indicated that there was little that could be done...

Annual Long Island Sound Cleanup: West Haven dataes slated

Thanks to today's Hartford Courant Article entitled "Teams want clean beaches: Project targets shoreline trash", I learned about the annual Long Island Sound cleanup month (September), which has NOT been well publicized in our area. West Haven is home to 25% of Connecticut's publicly accessible beaches.

This event is sponsored by Save the Sound, which, from their website:

Save the Sound, a program of Connecticut Fund for the Environment, has been working to protect and preserve Long Island Sound since the early 1970’s. Save the Sound coordinates beach cleanups along the Long Island Sound shore in Connecticut and is the Connecticut State Coordinator for the International Coastal Cleanup.

In a new initiative to further protect Long Island Sound, Save the Sound designed the Clean Up Your Act program to address the on-going need to clean up floatable debris – better known as litter.

From the Save the Sound's list of Cleanup Events there are only two days and teams currently registered to clean up the Sound:

West Haven Beach (near Capt. Galley's Restaurant)	9-16-06 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Vincent Breslin (co-coord w/ Robert Marra)	Vincent Breslin, (203) 392-6602, or e-mail breslinv1@southernct.edu
Sandy Point	9-24-06 9 a.m.	Michelle LeMere	(203) 787-0646 Ext. 104 (day), or (203) 937-8034 (eve.), mlemere@cfenv.org

If you wish to volunteer to head up a cleanup, or if you have a group who is willing to volunteer their time:

For more information on volunteering for an upcoming cleanup day, or if your local community group is interested in coordinating a cleanup event, please contact Save the Sound at 1-888-728-3547 (888-SAVE-LIS)

or you can visit the signup page on their web site.

Municipalities impose restrictions to save fuel

The New Haven Register article, "Municipalities impose restrictions to save fuel", details how local communities have imposed creative rules to offset the raise in the price of gasoline.

In West Haven:

James Burns Jr., the mayor’s chief of staff, said the city is in “serious financial condition with a budget deficit,” so the cost of gasoline and energy has been a paramount concern.

“We have restricted the use of vehicles so it is strictly for business,” Burns said. “Personal use, like going to the bank while you are out on an inspection, is strictly prohibited.”

West Haven has been encouraging carpooling too, Burns said.

Why would a city vehicle be allowed to be used to ANYTHING but business?

The beaches after the storm...

Colonial Taxpayer and I think alike... the latest post on the West Shore Follies blog muses about
Taking bets on how much sand will be left after high tide this evening......

That was some storm, and I'll expect that there will be more emergency work , and maybe appeals to FEMA....

Just wondering... where does the sand GO in the Sound after these storms? Does it end up plugging up shipping channels? Does it just create sandbars out a little ways from the shore? Is there a way to pump that sand back onto the beach??

(After this post, I went down to the beach - the erosion is significant. I took a photo - hopefully will have it online soon.)

West Shore Follies: Bailey Middle School Sign

Colonial Tax Payer, who talks about the Bailey Middle School Sign in the West Shore Follies blog, tells us that the graffiti on the sign has been there for a year. The appropriate person to call would be Public Works Department; according to the Public Works Department page on the City of West Haven website:

Phone: 203-937-3585
Fax: 203-937-3581

Location:

City of West Haven
355 Main Street, 3rd Floor
West Haven, CT 06516

Email: Public_Works@cityofwesthaven.com

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

HTH!

West Haven shows deficiencies in latest "No Child Left Behind" list

I haven't yet commented on the latest results of the standardized testing, and West Haven's standing... partly because I have problems with unfunded federal mandates. "No Child Left Behind" dictates that every child be taught the same information, but doesn't give funding sources... and that means that cash strapped cities and towns like West Haven must often cut other services to acommodate the needs of a federal mandate - I do have problems with that in principle.

Additionally, while I recognize that standardized testing is the mechanism used to check for results, I don't feel that every child learns the same way.... 'bubble' tests, that do not allow for questions about the questions, and reading tests where teachers can't explain what they are looking for seem to be of limited use.

Growing up, I was an A/B student who had a very hard time with tests in general - I could apply information without trouble, but rote memorization was very hard for me. In real life, I can look up information... it's being able to apply it that has served me well.

but I digress...

The Hartford Courant published a list of "The Latest No Child Left Behind List", which gave the deficiencies of schools, town by town. Here's where West Haven was listed as deficient:

• Whole deficiencies in math and reading:
  None.
  
  
• Whole deficiencies in math:
  Carrigan Middle School
  
  
• Whole deficiencies in reading:
  Clarence E. Thompson (elementary)
  
  
• Subgroup deficiencies in math and reading:
  Forest (elementary), Harry M. Bailey Middle
  
  
• Subgroup deficiencies in math:
  none.
  
  
• Subgroup deficiencies in reading:
  Alma E. Pagels (elementary)

According to an expanded article on the Courant's site:

Whole school deficiencies cover the entire student population. Subgroup identifies minorities, special education or low-income students.

WFSB Reports person for depositing checks was on vacation

Today's WFSB report entitled "City Finds $10 Million in Un-Cashed Checks" provided a new detail about the $10 Million in uncashed checks -- apparently the person who was responsible for depositing them was on vacation. Does this mean that there is only *one person* capable of depositing checks? That seems rather ridiculous, considering that the amount we lose in interest is significant:

A little over $10 million at 5 percent a year is $500,000. So break it out monthly -- it's about $40,000 we could use here in West Haven," Picard said.

$40,000 is just about the median family income here in West Haven - that's a year's worth of work.

Notes from Our Readers: The Beach Sand

Colonial Park Taxpayer posted the following today on another post; I figured I'd best post it here so that it doesn't get lost in the commentary. Congrats, by the way, on the new West Shore Follies blog.

Hello, I love this blog. There is great insight to all the exciting things happening in the City of West Haven. It would be great if there was a way to get the page some more visibilty among residents.

I'd just like to comment on the recent sand replenishment done by the DPW. Has anyone taken a walk down to Prospect Beach recently? Well apparently the majority of the sand that was placed on the beach was completely eroded away by all the rain we recieved the last few days. How will the city address this? Or will it be ignored until next summer since the beach season is close to an end? I'd be interested in knowing how much time and money was invested with replacing this sand that got washed away in a matter of 2 days.

I can't answer for the exact amount 0r time, but this previous blog post was about a WFSB news report that stated we spent $500,000 and it took 11,000 truckloads (I believe that the trucks came from the New Haven depot, and that it came by barge from Capecode to New Haven harbor).

More information was given in this blog post which tells us that our 5 year capital budget allots $600,000/year for beach replenishment, and that we seldom use it all. Additionally the State DEP and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requires that we maintain our 3.5 mile public shoreline, with is 1/4 of all the public beach area available in Connecticut. Mayor Picard was seeking $200,000 from FEMA on this replenishment, and State Rep Steve Dargon is looking for $1M from the state for future replenishments.

Thanks also for the very kind words about this blog - the best way for the blog to be found is word of mouth... keep telling your neighbors!

West Haven Nile Info

The City Of West Haven issued the following alert today with encouragement to forward:

Picard joins Rell to announce state efforts to combat West Nile virus

Mayor John M. Picard joined Gov. M. Jodi Rell and State Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robert Galvin and State Environmental Protection Commissioner Gina McCarthy Thursday (8-31-06) to announce additional state efforts to combat the virus as the sixth case of the mosquito-borne illness has been confirmed in Connecticut.

Rell said tests have confirmed that a 79-year-old city man has contracted the virus and is expected to recover. The case follows five others, including an elderly New Haven woman who died of complications last week, that have already been confirmed in the state.

“West Nile virus is a greater cause for concern this year than it has been in the recent past,” said Rell, speaking to reporters from a microphone-laden lectern in front of the Savin Rock gazebo. “We are finding that higher numbers of mosquitoes are carrying this virus, and now six people in our state have already contracted this illness. All evidence points to the fact that sections of West Haven and New Haven are among the hot spots for West Nile virus.

“I have asked Mayor Picard and other municipal officials for their assessment of the situation and to discuss steps the state can take to support their efforts.”

Rell has authorized the state Department of Environmental Protection to buy additional larvicide supplies to help municipalities, especially along the shoreline, control mosquito populations.

Larvicide is contained in a type of nonspray tablet that’s used to kill larva in mosquito-breeding areas, including storm drains and areas of standing water.

McCarthy said the DEP will make supplies available to cities and towns that request it.

To date, West Nile-positive mosquitoes have been identified in 17 municipalities statewide, including East Haven and Milford.

On Tuesday, the DEP in conjunction with the city Health Department will start applying a “barrier treatment” insecticide to vegetation along a 2.5-mile stretch of West Haven’s side of the West River from Derby to Kimberly avenues. Throughout the summer, the city has been applying larvicide in catch basins and other areas.

Warning signs of West Nile include a fever, headache, skin rash, body aches, nausea or vomiting.

Rell noted that August and September represent the peak time for transmission of the virus to people and urged everyone to take all precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

People older than 50 are more vulnerable to the virus than younger men and women, Galvin said.

Precautions include minimizing time outdoors at dusk and dawn, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and using mosquito repellent containing DEET.

WH West Nile Virus Info - PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT

Due to the occurrence of mosquito-borne illness in West Haven the public
is advised to take these personal precautions:

* Minimize time spent outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and dusk.

* Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.

* Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors when mosquitoes are active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.

* Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.

* Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.

* After returning indoors, wash any treated skin with soap and water.

* Don’t let stagnant water collect around your home. Dump out old tires, wheelbarrows, and wading pools. Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.

For further information on mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, contact the state’s 24-hour Mosquito Information Line at 1-866-WNV-LINE or the Department of Environmental Protection’s website at http://dep.state.ct.us.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT
Mosquito Management Program

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The City of West Haven is encouraging members of this list to forward this e-mail as part of our public information campaign.

The following part of the alert answers my questions about what the City is doing to combat West Nile Virus:

On Tuesday, the DEP in conjunction with the city Health Department will start applying a “barrier treatment” insecticide to vegetation along a 2.5-mile stretch of West Haven’s side of the West River from Derby to Kimberly avenues. Throughout the summer, the city has been applying larvicide in catch basins and other areas.

Thank you!

1 Month's interest on $10M.... lost.

Today's New Haven Register reports: $10M in checks found in W. Haven ... apparently, escrow checks that don't match up with the data provided by the bank aren't deposited. I have a better idea - why not take a photocopy of the check, and deposit it??? Ugh.

I can only hope that this was discovered thanks to the public comments section where a similar anecdote was shared...