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Showing posts from August, 2018

Enfield considers charter changes that could reshape its political landscape

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Charter Revision Commission meeting last week Enfield’s Charter Revision Commission met Thursday for its first in-depth workshop, generating a long list of proposals that could significantly alter how the town governs itself. Ideas ranged from switching to a two-year budget cycle, allowing a budget referendum, and compensating elected officials, or even shifting to a mayoral form of government. Other proposals included banning profanity on signs, locking non-governmental flag restrictions into the Charter, and changes such ending council districts. The meeting was structured as a pitch session, with each commission member suggesting topics for future discussion. In-depth discussions are to take place at subsequent meetings. While many proposals are unlikely to move forward—either because of insufficient support or legal concerns raised by the Town Attorney—the meeting highlighted potential flashpoints for what promises to be a spirited Charter revision process. Mayor Nelson’s Proposals...
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Air conditioning for the middle school and climate change

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I wrote this for the Facebook Enfield Community Page after some people complained about the need for air conditioning at the JFK middle school There’s a very interesting climate change calculator in the New York Times based on data by the Climate Impact Lab. It projects the number of 90+ temperature days by year. It’s fun, check it out. I ran the numbers for Enfield for someone born in 2007. This person would be between the age of 11-12 years and attending middle school. In 2007, the number of 90 or more degree days was 10. (It’s actually estimated at 9 for this year. There will be variation by year, but the trend is up) By the time these 11 year olds are 80, in 2087, they could see 25 days that are 90 and above, with a likely range of 90+ degree days of 11 to 38. These projections assume that mankind will get its act together and try to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Rising temperatures will create a large number of problems. It will impact wildlife and plant growing seasons. Th...
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Connecticut Republicans are selling something they can't deliver

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Middletown, Main Street, Winter, 2018 In 1990, Connecticut did not have an income tax and Lowell Weicker was running for governor. I was working as a reporter at one of the regional papers and had the chance to ask Weicker about his plans for an income tax. Weicker had been dodging the income tax issue. His position was clearly inconclusive. He said he would only make up his mind once he saw the budget. It was clear at the time that the state was facing a major deficit. There was a recession. Weicker got the budget in early 1991 and quickly came out in support in the income tax. There was a major rally in protest at the State Capitol. ( See the video ) There were tens of thousands of people there. The only reason I point that out, is that the Republicans promising to eliminate the income tax are tapping into a old and deep reservoir of opposition. The message will be appealing. But the problem remains. The state doesn’t have enough revenue to cover its basic bills. The gold...
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What's up with Enfield Cinemark and its movie selection?

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Missing winter, Enfield Ct.  The film, Death of a Nation, ( the trailer ) was universally panned by critics on Rotten Tomatoes . Based on the reviews, and what the trailer shows, the film appears to be rightwing propaganda. But why is the Enfield Cinemark still showing Death of a Nation, now in its second week, and not the new Spike Lee movie BlacKkKlansman ? The Spike Lee movie has 98% percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes versus 0% rating for Death of  a Nation. I'd like to see the new Spike Lee film and really don't want to drive to West Springfield. The Cinemark West Springfield is showing the Spike Lee’s film, but it is not showing Death of a Nation. Go figure. And West Springfield has 15 screens, versus Enfield, which has 12. The Buckland Hill 18 is showing the Spike Lee movie and not Death of a Nation. The question to Enfield Cinemark is, what’s up with that? Why is Cinemark Enfield running a film that may be a conservative propaganda effort and not th...
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Enfield's park and jogging track options are now pretty good

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Former Fermi High School athletic field and jogging track now used as a park Enfield residents have gained a great park with the closing of Fermi High School in 2016. Now that it is no longer a school, the town is maintaining its excellent athletic facilities for public use. This includes baseball fields, tennis courts, a handball court along with a football/soccer field and its jogging track. The former Fermi High School on North Maple Street, which is now called the Enfield Annex, is a park. Fermi opened in 1971 because of the baby boom. Enfield High School was so crowded that it had to go double sessions for a short period prior to the opening of Fermi. The use of Fermi as a park is one of the best things to ever happen to Enfield. The town has never had good park options. Enfield's Brainard Park in the north part of town is a fine neighborhood park, but fairly useless otherwise. Fermi, however, is a real gem, and all you need to do is visit to see why. I have a ...
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