February 2007 Stories Part 6
February 2007 Stories Part 6 sponsored by:
ANGEL WINGS
By Cathy Short
Wings as soft as down
The angelic being brings forth
a beam of light,
As I suddenly feel
a gentle brush on my cheek
and light and beauty
surround me.
All the colors of a rainbow
glistening around the angel,
feeling safe and secure
with her presence.
No fear enters here,
only love, peace and joy
realizing the reign of angels
is closer than I thought.
The angel spoke softly in a singing voice
"Claim your freedom
Love one another
The soul never dies
There is nothing to fear
Feel the love, open your heart
Seek truth. Be true."
And then she vanished
along with the light.
I feel a flutter in my heart
and wonder if the angel left one
of her feathers in my open heart.
As I walk away to start a
newly ressurected life
I feel light with joy
over-flowing around me
to give away
to share the joy with others
who are lost and heavy hearted
And so the story never ends
and Love is eternal.
POLICE ARE HUMAN BEINGS TOO
Why I rate the Wallingford Police #1 In Community Relations
Have you seen the paper lately? The headlines are filled with scandal in the police departments, from the State Police down to the individual municipalities. Eureka! Police are people too, subject to the same human frailties, character flaws and weaknesses as the rest of us. The uniform doesn’t exempt them from misconduct; criminally or otherwise abusing their power. Even I have had my own unpleasant experiences with these badge-wielding authority figures playing god.
And who should be blamed for these officers’ indiscretions? Is it the officers themselves, or something greater that carries with it the responsibility to keep them in line? In my experience, it’s the culture of the employer that is to blame. Nine out of ten times, in the context of the police departments, the Chief is responsible for the culture his department emits. Some police departments are very unprofessional and rude and downright obnoxious – not just one officer, but most of them; whereas, other police departments have a policy of community policing and service. Perhaps the answer is better screening procedures. I have an example:
When I worked at a major retail chain, we had a personality screening procedure. Not just a test, but something more obscure. I was a clerk at the returns desk, a cashier. At the store, the applicant first encountered me, the lowest person on the totem pole; a cashier. Yet they didn’t get to the next stage unless they could carry on a conversation with me and my co-workers. We looked for people who were energetic, happy and comfortable talking to people. If you didn’t like people, you didn’t get to the next stage. In addition, we had constant monitoring while working there. Secret shoppers, tests and training; three strikes in a period of three months and you were out!
Another example: I once interviewed for a position of investigator for the Public Defender’s Office. At that interview a question was posed: "If after a thorough investigation of a case, I found evidence that was unfavorable to my client’s case, what would I do with that information?" My answer: "I am an investigator, not a story teller. I would report the facts I received to the lawyer that employed me and let the lawyer chose what to do with it." I mention this because that is the job of the police department. They are investigators; they should have no stake in the case other than to report what they saw or heard. But rarely do we find this attitude.
What happened to the idea that, "the police are your friends?" That’s the image I grew up with. I generally don’t feel that way anymore, although I always give EVERYONE the benefit of the doubt. Prejudice is not the answer. In fact, good cops are still in existence, at least in Wallingford, Connecticut:
The other day I called the Wallingford Police Department in order to rectify something a client did. I first spoke to Sargent Davis who greeted me with an easygoing, friendly and professional attitude. He even engaged me in conversation about unrelated things. I really felt not only comfortable, but I trusted him. Then he transferred me to the arresting officer, Officer Barangie. (I hope I spelled his name right). For a moment I felt panic, I was afraid of the personality I would encounter. But Officer Barangie couldn’t have been nicer. Not only was he easygoing, friendly and professional, but he kept his word in regard to my client. I trusted him, and it paid off. He not only treated me well, but he was equally easygoing, friendly and professional with my client. In-fact, the thing that impressed me the most was the fact that while meeting with us, he stated: "I have no personal stake in this case, I am just doing my job." Hats off to Officer Barangie and Sergeant Davis for showing that they are not only human, but that they are representatives of a police department that I suspect truly practices "Community Based Policing."
Tina Sypek D’Amato, Esq.
Our Taxes and the Man behind the Tree
By David Radcliffe
We are a grumpy lot, we taxpayers. A recent false-Spring gave us false-hope that we’d somehow avoid winter. The war in Iraq is an ever-gloomy thing. Fuel prices remain helplessly and hopelessly high. Even the UCONN men’s basketball team is playing poorly. And more significantly, homeowners are looking at a potential tax increase. Yes, in dark days like these, we wonder if the sun will ever shine again.
No one wants to pay taxes. Russell B. Long, a long-time United States Senator from Louisiana a generation ago, captured the challenge facing our Council with his famous line, "Tax reform means, 'Don't tax me, don't tax thee, tax that fellow behind the tree!'
Over the past five years, Meriden household incomes have remained largely the same. Costs – of everything – have risen significantly. Higher levels of government mandate that locals provide a range of services, but are providing less cash to offset costs. This is a messy recipe. No matter what our Mayor and Council do with regard to setting a budget and tax rate, some will still be unhappy.
There are those among us who are absolute in their aversion to taxes. A tax of any amount is unacceptable. Others have a higher threshold for tax support. The acceptability of a tax, argue UCONN public policy professors Bill Simonsen and Mark Robbins, is based on some standard of reasonableness. Citizens compare taxes and the services they support with other payments they routinely make. If a tax is within our spending patterns or expectations for a service, we support it. If we are startled by how large a tax is, we don’t support it, like walking out of a car showroom due to sticker shock.
I confess that my left eye twitches when I look at the new assessment of our family’s home (103% increase!). Still, I believe our Mayor and City Council are up to the daunting task before them. I’ve been to many of Finance and City Council meetings over the years. On the whole, our Council is thoughtful and sensitive on how they are spending our money. Sure, I shake my head at the occasional bone-headed decision, but the services I come to expect are quietly and effectively delivered at a price comparable to other towns like ours.
To craft a sustainable budget, the Council must continue to consider and act on items such as reorganization and consolidation of services and new approaches to getting work done. Beyond taxes, think about other ways to generate revenue, including new and increased user fees and business partnerships. And who doesn’t want a more efficient government, where we get more service for less money. Business- and neighborhood-friendly development, especially in the downtown and HUB area is key to growing our tax base. Finally, the State has been good to Meriden but will be especially important partners this Spring.
As citizens, we need not be passive consumers of our public leaders’ decisions. We can and should be informed and active during and after budget season. Ask questions of our officials, hold them accountable, and recognize them for good works. There are plenty of ways to make a difference above and beyond our duties to vote and pay taxes.
This tax-setting process is much more than pleasing a grumpy public or just an exercise in math. And it’s more than just getting through this current year. Setting a budget and tax is about protecting our community and putting it in a position for future success, not just defending short-term or selfish interests. Sure, I’d rather pay fewer taxes, but I also understand that we want and need an appropriately-funded senior center and health department and planning department and so on – services that reasonable people agree add value to the Meriden experience.
Our family could choose to live anywhere. We’ll stick it out and pay our fair share here in Meriden, along with that man behind the tree. I hope you will too.
David Radcliffe, for better and worse, has a degree in Consumer Economics and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in public policy at the University of Connecticut.
By Cathy Short
Wings as soft as down
The angelic being brings forth
a beam of light,
As I suddenly feel
a gentle brush on my cheek
and light and beauty
surround me.
All the colors of a rainbow
glistening around the angel,
feeling safe and secure
with her presence.
No fear enters here,
only love, peace and joy
realizing the reign of angels
is closer than I thought.
The angel spoke softly in a singing voice
"Claim your freedom
Love one another
The soul never dies
There is nothing to fear
Feel the love, open your heart
Seek truth. Be true."
And then she vanished
along with the light.
I feel a flutter in my heart
and wonder if the angel left one
of her feathers in my open heart.
As I walk away to start a
newly ressurected life
I feel light with joy
over-flowing around me
to give away
to share the joy with others
who are lost and heavy hearted
And so the story never ends
and Love is eternal.
POLICE ARE HUMAN BEINGS TOO
Why I rate the Wallingford Police #1 In Community Relations
Have you seen the paper lately? The headlines are filled with scandal in the police departments, from the State Police down to the individual municipalities. Eureka! Police are people too, subject to the same human frailties, character flaws and weaknesses as the rest of us. The uniform doesn’t exempt them from misconduct; criminally or otherwise abusing their power. Even I have had my own unpleasant experiences with these badge-wielding authority figures playing god.
And who should be blamed for these officers’ indiscretions? Is it the officers themselves, or something greater that carries with it the responsibility to keep them in line? In my experience, it’s the culture of the employer that is to blame. Nine out of ten times, in the context of the police departments, the Chief is responsible for the culture his department emits. Some police departments are very unprofessional and rude and downright obnoxious – not just one officer, but most of them; whereas, other police departments have a policy of community policing and service. Perhaps the answer is better screening procedures. I have an example:
When I worked at a major retail chain, we had a personality screening procedure. Not just a test, but something more obscure. I was a clerk at the returns desk, a cashier. At the store, the applicant first encountered me, the lowest person on the totem pole; a cashier. Yet they didn’t get to the next stage unless they could carry on a conversation with me and my co-workers. We looked for people who were energetic, happy and comfortable talking to people. If you didn’t like people, you didn’t get to the next stage. In addition, we had constant monitoring while working there. Secret shoppers, tests and training; three strikes in a period of three months and you were out!
Another example: I once interviewed for a position of investigator for the Public Defender’s Office. At that interview a question was posed: "If after a thorough investigation of a case, I found evidence that was unfavorable to my client’s case, what would I do with that information?" My answer: "I am an investigator, not a story teller. I would report the facts I received to the lawyer that employed me and let the lawyer chose what to do with it." I mention this because that is the job of the police department. They are investigators; they should have no stake in the case other than to report what they saw or heard. But rarely do we find this attitude.
What happened to the idea that, "the police are your friends?" That’s the image I grew up with. I generally don’t feel that way anymore, although I always give EVERYONE the benefit of the doubt. Prejudice is not the answer. In fact, good cops are still in existence, at least in Wallingford, Connecticut:
The other day I called the Wallingford Police Department in order to rectify something a client did. I first spoke to Sargent Davis who greeted me with an easygoing, friendly and professional attitude. He even engaged me in conversation about unrelated things. I really felt not only comfortable, but I trusted him. Then he transferred me to the arresting officer, Officer Barangie. (I hope I spelled his name right). For a moment I felt panic, I was afraid of the personality I would encounter. But Officer Barangie couldn’t have been nicer. Not only was he easygoing, friendly and professional, but he kept his word in regard to my client. I trusted him, and it paid off. He not only treated me well, but he was equally easygoing, friendly and professional with my client. In-fact, the thing that impressed me the most was the fact that while meeting with us, he stated: "I have no personal stake in this case, I am just doing my job." Hats off to Officer Barangie and Sergeant Davis for showing that they are not only human, but that they are representatives of a police department that I suspect truly practices "Community Based Policing."
Tina Sypek D’Amato, Esq.
Our Taxes and the Man behind the Tree
By David Radcliffe
We are a grumpy lot, we taxpayers. A recent false-Spring gave us false-hope that we’d somehow avoid winter. The war in Iraq is an ever-gloomy thing. Fuel prices remain helplessly and hopelessly high. Even the UCONN men’s basketball team is playing poorly. And more significantly, homeowners are looking at a potential tax increase. Yes, in dark days like these, we wonder if the sun will ever shine again.
No one wants to pay taxes. Russell B. Long, a long-time United States Senator from Louisiana a generation ago, captured the challenge facing our Council with his famous line, "Tax reform means, 'Don't tax me, don't tax thee, tax that fellow behind the tree!'
Over the past five years, Meriden household incomes have remained largely the same. Costs – of everything – have risen significantly. Higher levels of government mandate that locals provide a range of services, but are providing less cash to offset costs. This is a messy recipe. No matter what our Mayor and Council do with regard to setting a budget and tax rate, some will still be unhappy.
There are those among us who are absolute in their aversion to taxes. A tax of any amount is unacceptable. Others have a higher threshold for tax support. The acceptability of a tax, argue UCONN public policy professors Bill Simonsen and Mark Robbins, is based on some standard of reasonableness. Citizens compare taxes and the services they support with other payments they routinely make. If a tax is within our spending patterns or expectations for a service, we support it. If we are startled by how large a tax is, we don’t support it, like walking out of a car showroom due to sticker shock.
I confess that my left eye twitches when I look at the new assessment of our family’s home (103% increase!). Still, I believe our Mayor and City Council are up to the daunting task before them. I’ve been to many of Finance and City Council meetings over the years. On the whole, our Council is thoughtful and sensitive on how they are spending our money. Sure, I shake my head at the occasional bone-headed decision, but the services I come to expect are quietly and effectively delivered at a price comparable to other towns like ours.
To craft a sustainable budget, the Council must continue to consider and act on items such as reorganization and consolidation of services and new approaches to getting work done. Beyond taxes, think about other ways to generate revenue, including new and increased user fees and business partnerships. And who doesn’t want a more efficient government, where we get more service for less money. Business- and neighborhood-friendly development, especially in the downtown and HUB area is key to growing our tax base. Finally, the State has been good to Meriden but will be especially important partners this Spring.
As citizens, we need not be passive consumers of our public leaders’ decisions. We can and should be informed and active during and after budget season. Ask questions of our officials, hold them accountable, and recognize them for good works. There are plenty of ways to make a difference above and beyond our duties to vote and pay taxes.
This tax-setting process is much more than pleasing a grumpy public or just an exercise in math. And it’s more than just getting through this current year. Setting a budget and tax is about protecting our community and putting it in a position for future success, not just defending short-term or selfish interests. Sure, I’d rather pay fewer taxes, but I also understand that we want and need an appropriately-funded senior center and health department and planning department and so on – services that reasonable people agree add value to the Meriden experience.
Our family could choose to live anywhere. We’ll stick it out and pay our fair share here in Meriden, along with that man behind the tree. I hope you will too.
David Radcliffe, for better and worse, has a degree in Consumer Economics and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in public policy at the University of Connecticut.
posted by The People's Press at
8:09 PM
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