There’s congestion toll pricing on I-95, surcharges on the trains and plans for random bag searches on Metro North trains … er, can you imagine how that will go down in New Canann? Feel free to talk about any topic here.
Open Thread
by turfgrrl
March 22nd, 2007 · 46 Comments
Tags: Current affairs
46 Responses so far ↓ “Open Thread”
-
Congestion pricing at our state borders is a very good idea. I love my EZPass and there are no “toll booths”, just detectors that register your passing. Let’s get real. We need to produce revenue to improve mass transit and we need to clear congestion on the roads. Why not charge those coming over the border. This is a sensible and up-to-date technological beginning. The Europeans seem to be way ahead of us. Every little bit helps.
-
Let’s talk about Vets park. Should we have family recreation activities or let geese pollute it with geese poop?
-
I am Stressed out! It has gotten so hard to live here in the Northeast. It seems when ever you turn around there is hand in your pocket taking some fee or tax out from you. I have 2 pre-teen children, I’m self employeed. my wife can’t work with me because we get our health benefilts from her place of employment. When I was paying it until recently, my premiums were rising at an astronomical rate and my benefits dereasing year after year. Funny, I don’t remember it ever being like this when I was growing up. I grew up in middle class surroundings with 2 immigrant parents (Construction worker & hair dresser parents) that worked hard, BUT my folks were able to save and put us all through college, get us cars, etc. Well I got this e-mail and I thought I should share it with all of you, my neighbors. Here it is:
How much is a billion???
> >
> > The next time you hear a politician use the word
> “billion” in a casual
> > manner,
> > Think about whether you want the “politicians”
> spending your tax money.
> >
> > A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but
> one advertising
> > agency did
> > A good job of putting that figure into some
> perspective in one of its
> > releases.
> >
> > A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
> >
> > b. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
> >
> > c. A billion hours ago our ancestors were
> living in the Stone Age.
> >
> > d. A billion days ago no-one walked on the
> earth on two feet.
> >
> > e. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and
> 20 minutes, at the
> > rate our government is spending it.
> >
> > While this thought is still fresh in our brain,
> let’s take a look at
> > New Orleans.
> > It’s amazing what you can learn with some simple
> division . .
> >
> > Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is
> presently asking the
> > Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans.
> Interesting number,
> > what does it mean?
> >
> > a. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of
> New Orleans (every
> > man, woman, child), you each get $516,528.
> >
> > b. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in
> New Orleans, your
> > home gets $1 ,329,787.
> >
> > c. Or, if you are a family of four, your family
> gets $2,066,012.
> >
> > Washington, D.C . HELLO!!! … Are all your
> calculators broken??
> >
> >
> > This is too true to be very funny
> > Tax his land,
> > Tax his wage,
> > Tax his bed in which he lays.
> >
> > Tax his tractor,
> > Tax his mule,
> > Teach him taxes is the rule.
> >
> > Tax his cow,
> > Tax his goat,
> > Tax his pants,
> > Tax his coat.
> >
> > Tax his ties,
> > Tax his shirts,
> > Tax his work,
> > Tax his dirt.
> >
> > Tax his tobacco,
> > Tax his drink,
> > Tax him if he tries to think.
> >
> > Tax his booze,
> > Tax his beers,
> > If he cries,
> > Tax his tears.
> >
> > Tax his bills,
> > Tax his gas,
> > Tax his notes,
> > Tax his cash.
> >
> > Tax him good and let him know
> > That after taxes, he has no dough.
> >
> > If he hollers,
> > Tax him more,
> > Tax him until he’s good and sore.
> >
> > Tax his coffin,
> > Tax his grave,
> > Tax the sod in which he lays.
> >
> > Put these words upon his tomb,
> > “Taxes drove me to my doom!”
> >
> > And when he’s gone,
> > We won’t relax,
> > We’ll still be after the inheritance TAX!!
> >
> > Accounts Receivable Tax
> > Building Permit Tax
> > CDL License Tax
> > Cigarette Tax
> > Corporate Income Tax
> > Dog License Tax
> > Federal Income Tax
> > Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
> >
> > Fishing License Tax
> > Food License Tax
> > Fuel Permit Tax
> > Gasoline Tax
> > Hunting License Tax
> > Inheritance Tax
> > Inventory Tax
> > IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
> > IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
> >
> > Liquor Tax,
> > Luxury Tax,
> > Marriage License Tax,
> > Medicare Tax,
> > Property Tax,
> > Real Estate Tax,
> > Service charge taxes,
> > Social Security Tax,
> > Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
> > Sales Taxes,
> >
> > Recreational Vehicle Tax,
> > School Tax,
> > State Income Tax,
> > State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
> > Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
> > Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
> > Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
> >
> > Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
> > Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
> > Telephone State and Local Tax,
> > Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
> > Utility Tax,
> > Vehicle License Registration Tax,
> >
> > Vehicle Sales Tax,
> > Watercraft Registration Tax,
> > Well Permit Tax,
> > Workers Compensation Tax.
> >
> > COMMENTS: Not one of these taxes existed 100 years
> ago
> > And there was prosperity, absolutely no national
> debt,
> > The largest middle class in the world and Mom
> stayed
> > Home to raise the kids.
> >
> >
> > What the heck happened????? -
Leave Vets park open space as is. Building miniature golf will just give the gangs another place to hang out. We’re asking for trouble building anything there that will attract crowds. How about finishing Oyster Shell park and getting our kids some decent playing fields at the schools before pouring more money into building miniature golf parks for private individuals to make hugh profits off of our parks and natural resources.
-
I agree with Norwalk Native on Vets Park - we have enough to take care of without adding more stuff. Today’s Hartford Courant has an interesting article about Fairfield County population. Our 900K pop. county lost 53,000 natives but gained 44,000 immigrants, many of whom come from cultures where soccer is king. There’s the tie-in; I enjoy seeing all the soccer games in Vets Park and it’s a great location for the Oyster Festival.
-
I agree with the preserve Vets park posters here. I don’t think leasing space in the midlde of the park for a mini-golf course makes any sense. Do you see mini golf in public parks anywhere else? What are our city officials thinking? On the one hand they say preserve open space, and the other they say commercialize it. Open space, should be open. Period.
-
Please keep the Oyster Festival at that site. we know rec.&park does not like it, but they do pay for repairs!
-
Mini golf at vets park/Duffy’s field for you oldtimers?Why not put go-cart racing at Cranberry Park? It is just silly!
-
no no no rec.& park wants to make money at every park!!
-
Then why not have little tourist like booths with art and fried dough like Captian’s Cove in Bridgeport? It might help the So No theme. Mini golf will bring in people with too much time on their hands.
-
remember the parks are for the public and we paid taxes to keep the grounds and buildings in good repair. They were not meant to make money off of us! If you look at their budget you can see where they are going. retail space, park rangers,ect.ect. They want to make money so that they can show what a good job they are doing.
-
Okay, if this is an open thread,can anyone give me some thing really positive about living here in Fairfield county?
-
Sure #12 - property appreciation; proximity to NYC, New England and international airports; school systems; family (if you are fortunate to have them nearby); Long Island Sound; seasons, but not too harsh - those are a few that come to mind.
-
Thank you 13. I needed reminding with the high price of electricity and gas, the snow still on the ground and the back ups on I95.
-
Let’s not forget that the Oyster Festival shuts down Vets Park for weeks, therefore making it inaccessible for the public to use. They don’t really pay their way when it comes to the park. They tear up the grounds and make it ugly. I think they have outlived their time in Norwalk - a honky-tonk inconvenience no-class operation. I avoid it!
-
You might avoid the Oyster Fest; it’s not the same fun for me that it was 20 years ago, but I think it’s good for Norwalk in terms of what non-profits make, bringing tourists to the area, and supporting our oystering history, Sheffield Island and the Maritime Center.
-
hey the Oyster Festival only brings in 5.2 million dollars to the area. it’s one of the only games in town for non-profits to make their budgets wish they would lower the gate fee.
-
charging fees for parks in town by the deptartment is a great idea. Nobody seems to realize what it costs to get in to parks and beaches in the towns around us. We have it easy you dont have to pay if you get your sticker which is not hard for most but for those that are lazy i guess it is. The fees are good however where the revenue ends up I do not agree with. Over the last few years Calf Pasture has turned into the gem of the City. Trouble is out of there and the staff is sound. The money generated at the gate at the beach and Vets park NEEDS to stay out of the general fund and remain in a seperate operations fund for the parks in town.
-
The Oyster Fest should scale down some. I know the income is great but how much does it cost to repair the fields after the crowd has gone home? Admission price has kept many away for the past three years. The tables for the crafters are confined and tightly spaced in tents away from the music and food. If you get a coouple of ladies with strollers in front of you it is impossible to get through so why bother? Where else could you put it? Milford, the new Norwalk North.
-
For every week that the oyster fest takes over vets park and it is at least 3 weeks, there is no soccer, no other recreation there. I also don’t think that the surrounding businesses get much out of the folks who are bussed in from remote parking lots either. I personally don’t like the atmosphere after dark in vets park at this event. Too much of a beer bust. And when the weather is bad the seaport and non-profits don’t break even. Let’s not exaggerate the glories of this event. It needs re-examination by the city.
-
We spent less on the arts and crafts when it cost us Almost $40 to enter as a family with older children. After food and drink we spent another $30. (and it was not a full meal, a water here and pizza fritta there, maybe some oysters from the Jaycees…and then home with no nick nack the money was gone before the music even started to play. The crowd that came to drink did not make it comfortable for those of us with children there to enjoy.
-
Does anyone out there know what is going on with the superintendant of schools in Milford?
-
Schaefer, of Cheshire, is filling in for former Superintendent of Schools Gregory A. Firn, whose contract was bought out earlier this month for $109,000 after a rocky four years. During the Board of Education’s most recent review of Firn, some members said they felt he was occasionally deceptive toward the board.
-
# 20 & # 21 Kudos to you. You are 100% right with your comments. The oyster feast does nothing for the local businesses but slow them down (I know, I’m one of them) My wife & I try to avoid it because it is a financial burden between exhorborant fees for enterance, food, rides, and nick nacks. We only went this year because our children wanted to see some American Idol star. read My rant above (comment #3) Many of us can’t afford to friviously throw cash around after just trying to pay the day to day bills. The Oysterfest should be able to be a fun filled FAMILY oriented day as it was intended to be. It has grown into a cash cow monster whose current structure makes families think twice before attending.
-
How much did the people of Norwalk pay Victor Herbert to finish off his contract and get out of town? Does anyone out there know?
-
Don’t know what they paid him but they did it because he bucked the system and required the administration to do the job they were hired to do and get back in the schools where they belong. He didn’t believe that admins should hole up at city hall and this didn’t sit well with some. imagine, administrators being in the schools, overseeing their charges, what a concept! When he didn’t conform to their rules, they booted him. Why haven’t they booted Corda?
-
Regarding the Oyster Festival, it supports the Seaport Association, not the Maritime Aquarium, and from what I hear is no longer profitable. I think it’s time for a moratorium on any crowd gathering events at Vets Park, since South Norwalk can no longer handle the traffic. The upcoming fiasco-in- the making Jazz Festival is a good example. Who is going to benefit from that event which which has use of the park for 6 days? The idea was cooked up by councilman Herb Grant with no RFP, meaning no competition, and there is no agreement with the city in place, although it is only 3 months away. Where is the money from sponsors going? Why does he keep comparing it to the Jackie Robisnson Jazz Festival, which was a high-ticket fundraiser run by an army of volunteers, including the musicians? The parks should be open to use by the public and not a profit center for elected officials and whoever else is self-dealing.
-
Number 27: You are not in the know.
Why don’t you investigate how Photo Op Knopp forgave several hundred thousand dollars of payments owed to the city by the seaport association over the past several years. He had no authority to do so and unilaterally forgave the debt without consulting the common council.
The seaport association is still currently over 100,000 in debt to the city from decisions that photo op knopp improperly made in exceeding his statutory authority.
-
I’m down in Vets Park at least once a week year round. My kids have a blast there. Now, to ramble:
IMHO, the mini golf course idea is doofy. … but I love the rumour of a fishing pier — the 6 ft of public access at the slips do get crowded when the snappers are in the harbour.
The Oyster Festival is expensive. Used to be that a Seaport membership could get my family in. Now it’s a discounted entrance fee, causing me to spend way too much cash in one afternoon. Entrance for 5, lunch for all, snacks, $60 in Stuart tickets, worthwhile-money at the charity games, snacks, balloons, etc. We now go once during the weekend instead of every day and we’ve dropped the Seaport membership — it lost the benefit of spreading the costs out through the year.
A six day jazz festival? Feh! Let’s have more events like the Haitian and Colombian festivals — a tad noisy but welcoming! Oh! Imagine the ire of the old coots when their City slip parking is blocked for 6+ days. We’ll see some arm twisting from some pretty odd quarters.
-
The jazz festival is only scheduled for one day, but they have use of Vet’s park for 6 days (rain date, set-up, clean-up etc.)
-
I’m not quite sure where people get their info but, the jazz festival is one day only. As with any large event they contract the space for several days for setup, breakdown, cleanup and rain date. They will pay the same amount of money as the Oyster Festival does. The profits will go to scholarships for Norwalk students in music. While I don’t agree with the Mayor helping to get sponsors, I do believe the festival will bring a good crowd and is good for a cultural event that will help the students further their musical educations. As far as the mini golf goes, this could bring more families together for an enjoyable day and allow them some good clean recreation. The area proposed for this is in a little used area of Vets Park and will not hinder any views nor will it cause the disturbance of any neighbors. The idea to remove unruly crowds from this area as well as drug dealers and gangs and bring a sense of family. tell me would be so bad about this? Would you rather gun shots or childrens laughter?
-
So… One day. Got it. After a nanosec of erudite musing, I say “Cool.” Let ‘em in and let the market decide.
Gun shots? Drug dealers? Gangs? Whoa! Let’s mellow a bit. Vet’s Park is a fun place. Go and chat with some of those groups. The motor cycle guys gave a nice sidecar ride to my boy. Watch a soccer game. The dudes with fancy cars love to talk about their rides and will honestly admire another’s car. And there’s few things more enjoyable then talking to the old guys about fishing. Even in late summer evenings conversation flows freely. Most are down to enjoy a cool breeze. Bring your kids down with their bikes and they’ll join in with the laughter that is already there.
During the wee hours after a late night fishing several years ago, some ladies of the night did help guide me through the flood waters so that I wouldn’t flood my car. Their gents just laughed. It was funny. But I haven’t seen them around for quite some time.
BTW, when was a shot fired in Veteran’s Park?
If the mini golf is some social engineering experiment then double feh! The people I’ve met don’t need to be displaced.
-
I don’t think anyone said anything about displacing the good folk at Vets park, seems to me that #31 was just giving a scenerio of the added enjoyment of fun things to do at Vets. Like a fishing pier and the miniature gold and other recreational things to keep people enjoying the park. The soccer games, little league etc. can continue, the bikers too, concerts on the lawn, muticultural festivals, all of these can be an awsome addition to Vets Park if they are orchestrated properly and do not interfere with the quality of life surrounding Vets.
-
Thanks, Vet’s Park Junkie. You’re like a cool breeze blowing in over the soccer fields. I agree that the job of a park is to give people a place to have fun and hang out. Like doctors, parks and rec folks should “first, do no harm”. Too much socially-responsible meddling into the way people have fun is truly “feh”.
-
Dear number 31, I got my information from the corporation’s council’s office, where did you get yours? Until the common council has approved an agreement regarding any new city event, where the money goes is a secret. Secret agreements do not inspire confidence among the populace and are not a sign of good governance.
-
-Secret agreements should be exposed. Thank god for this site.
-
hello everyone, nice to see the facts flowing on this thread,when I came to Norwalk and drove by the multiple shootings on the bridge I thought what a nice city, the bridge next to Vets park. Then when I took my kids to the park and saw the police protection I thought maybe its a overkill but quickly realized its where everyone feels safe.Camera’s at the park for the police dept I though maybe a good idea.Lets see what happens this year I am sure given some time the crime and drugs will migrate back, the shootings this year have already started but then again does a shooting only kill or can one happen by only when shots are fired? stabbings also leave a footprint in crime in the area as well lets not forget what has occurred in the area of the park the last year alone.
I have met some nice people at Vets park and my kids love it but I stay away (out of the city when events are planned) gangs were there this summer at events the news noted it. To read about another business leaving downtown SoNo tells me the park doesn’t need another draw it needs children, sports and arts.
I’m sure once the Advocate continues to highlight where the trouble is in the city via the police blotter you may notice right outside of the park from Van Zant to Washington st a pattern of crime but not in the park just outside where one walks to the park.
The framers market would be my next choice of use for the park with parking the way it is over the bridge near the aquarium it would support local farms and give the city residents someplace to enjoy after buying fresh produce,,its a shame this city isn’t on the same page we would all benefit from such events. activities.
Because one doesn’t read about crime does not mean it doesn’t transpire, it only means the access by the news hounds are limited and if you don’t ask about the bad you will get great good to write about, that has been a standard in this city for a long time just ask the reporters someone interview them they off the record will tell you they get more off the street on the street than from our depts.
I don’t know when the last shot was fired in the Park but i do know what has transpired right outside the footprint of the Park and I worry about my kids walking there, I don’t even let them take thier bikes there the trip through South Norwalk is not always a very safe trek. Yes a nice park but what about the area itself another shooting on water street this month I’m sure no one read about and if you did it was a rare sighting in the news.
open space exists in buildings in downtown SoNo build the golf shack there.
Mr Grenpeace
-
Hey Mr Greenpeace! Using commercial property for a commercial venture — great idea! I’m sure that issues of viability will surface sans public support.
Yeah, we got trouble right here in river city. The schlepp to the park does require an escort. The group that bothers me is the one that lives under the bridge.
-
my hat is off to you Vet Park Junkie, you have painted yet another picture worthy of hanging in city hall.
I had gone to the farmers market at the aquarium parking lot last summer I found it to be an awesome site, produce grown locally, one man from Norwalk was a great peacekeeper a overseer of sorts I wish I could tell you his name. To bad the market couldn’t get a prime spot over by the park so all could enjoy but where no one would make any money on the spot for the city, Business owners could use the parking spaces for down town SoNo take the congestion out of the corner.
I have to admit reading the Hour today some local officials are reading this blog, they are suggesting earth moving suggestions on what we should do to plan ahead, now all we need is people who have the knowledge and not have the ability to profit on it so we can move ahead. The city may have to embrace some of the bloggers out here to help ,most of the good suggestion comes from people who do visit and enjoy what Norwalk has to offer. I’m disgusted when I read into thoughts about giving us the taxpayers something they think we need. If you can’t get to the park to enjoy it it seems we all agree lets fix that as well.
Thankyou again Vet Park Junkie once I had written my reply to your last posting I didn’t want anyone to feel I was the only one who thought they know what was happening on our streets.
Mr Greenpeace
-
When I first read the article about the plans for a theme park in Vets I could not believe it. I believe it was right next to an article about budget cuts and funding issues.
I think we should give credit to the parks dept. for thinking of the park at all! Very true they are completely mis-guided with this plan but we should not stomp on thier enthusiam to develop other ideas on managing the parks.
Not sure if Norwalk has one but what the parks need is a Mission Statement. Here is a good one from the Central Park Conservancy.
The Central Park Conservancy’s mission is to restore, manage,
and preserve Central Park, in partnership with the public,
for the enjoyment of present and future generations.Norwalk only needs to manage what we currently have… better. Hasn’t anyone pointed out that there is mini-golf at Calf Pasture?!
There are so many things the city could spend $ on other than a mini-theme park. I truely hope this does not move forward
-
I agree Rowaytonight this should not move forewood, your also right we should listen to anything else with an open mind. Support a mission statement if not one is in place, and if there isn’t its a great idea and deserves review…
Mr. Greenpeace
-
Instead of a mini golf park, how about the city clean up some of the old burial grounds, like the one at the turn of Rowayton Ave near Woodchuck? I think the parks Dept. Should look into what is already NOT being taken care of.
-
Don’t click on the above link. It has the earmarks of spam. I expect Turf is sweating at the festival. Skip the link and go over a join the party! It’s hot but fun!
PS if you have buddies working over there, buy them a cold Sobe or something.
-
If you click on that link, be prepared for somebody’s sick idea of a joke (?)
-
If you click a spam link, expect to spend more than the cost of that Sobe.
-
sorry about the spam slipping through. I am at the SoNo festival, great bands, great art, and worth strolling through, so if you haven’t, as bob barker used to say, Come on down ….
