In the aftermath of the garbage contract–er what do I even call it– thingee, it was apparent that another mythical group, like Kharybdis, has seized the whirlpool of discontent and announced its existence to the world. The Norwalk Neighbors For Open Government is open for business, yet how one joins this “open” government group is at best a mystery.
Speaking of secrets, the BOE held an executive session meeting on Thursday night after a round of Corda Hold ‘Em. Various central office positions are to be combined and some teaching positions restored, which in the end is a deviation from the Corda gambit. Which led to the interesting move to hold a special meeting this coming Monday to vote on Corda’s annual one year extension and raise. Last year, the contract extension and raise was put through with nary a peep by a BOE member. This year lots of talk. And the early indications are that Dr. Corda will not be rubber stamped into a raise and contract extension. In the world of academia, this is an indicator of no confidence. Quite the switch from the well known docile acceptance of yore by certain board members.
Thursday night also was the planning committee of the Common Council’s meeting night. And here’s an indicator of why various Norwalk citizens complain, as in item 1 above, that they don’t know whatis going on. No press covered the meeting. And two items of import were discussed. 1) Seligoson properties presented the parking plan for Waypointe. TO refresh our collective memories, the parking plan is what is the revenue generator to pay back those infrastructure bonds. Details in other words, that most people would be interested in hearing. Then there’s 2) the plan to have the Redevelopment Agency negotiate with the remaining properties that have not yet been acquired by Seligson. You can’t report what you don’t know.
Meanwhile as word about the garbage contract and compalints about Meadow street percolate through the grapevine, residents beyond the handful of the perpetual misinformed, are pondering what the big deal about the issue is. Like for instance Crescent street is also in South Norwalk. When the issue is stripped bare to the facts, replacing a trash transfer operation with one that will be run and managed better, and offering a lower cost of operation and increased recycling seems like a good idea. Maybe people are paying attention to the spotless white City Carting trash trucks that zip around Norwalk already hauling away the rubbish from many homes and businesses. While certain council members want to hold yet another public hearing, others see this as a simple up or down vote.
The issue that residents near and on Meadow Street keep hammering is all about traffic. On a state road. Which makes it somewhat ironic that State Rep Bruce Morris is not out there working with his state legislature to get the DOT to plan for improving traffic route 136, a state road. Instead he “coaches” from the council chamber audience, not exactly understanding that traffic on a state road is not the purview of the common council. In honor of our perpetually confused State Rep, an olden timey poem:
- Tweedledum and Tweedledee
- Agreed to have a battle;
- For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
- Had spoiled his nice new rattle.
- Just then flew down a monstrous crow,
- As black as a tar-barrel;
- Which frightened both the heroes so,
- They quite forgot their quarrel.
Ah yes, its all fun and games until the monstrous crow sings. Or, in this case, the Masons rule book delivers the verdict, if you vote not to table an issue, it means you are voting to continue voting on the issue.
