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Showing posts from October, 2020

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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Connecticut's climate crisis

In my bicycle travels, I've come across a few of these signs. I love them.  Climate change is especially problematic, and "Science is Real" hits home. The message here is about climate change.  In the most recent debate, Joe Biden talked about how climate change is an "existential threat" to humankind. He was honest with Americans.  Now, let's talk about Connecticut.  Connecticut is in a hot zone -- one of the hottest in the lower 48 states. (All figures are in Fahrenheit) Since 1970, Connecticut's average temperature has increased by 2.84°F, the nation's 10th highest state, according to  data by Climate Central . Rhode Island is 9th, and Vermont, 8th, all with similar temperature rises.  A Washington Post  analysis of temperature changes  since 1895 reported that Hartford County's temperature increased by 3°F.  New London County temperature has increased by 3.6°F over this same period. Rhode Island's Washington County, which abuts New Londo...
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Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA
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Nine suggestions for improving Enfield

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Thompsonville will never be a commercial center for Enfield.  Improving Enfield is going to take creative thinking and course corrections. The town has focused its development in the wrong places, namely Thompsonville. It has pinned its hopes on the wrong things, namely the train station. And the town has neglected the most important part of this community: the Enfield Mall area. Here are suggestions for making Enfield a better place. (1) Redevelop the mall area into high-density residential, office and shopping complexes. Create smaller affordable living units in high rise buildings. Move the library and town hall to the mall area. That will bring foot traffic and help anchor the commercial businesses. Create shared office spaces. Develop a new town green there. The shopping area is our town center and it's time to recognize that. Acknowledge that the town's laissez-fair approach to the mall area has failed. (2) Stop spending money to develop Thompsonville as a commercial cent...
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Is the Enfield street name “Indian Run” offensive?

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Indian Run, Enfield, Conn.   This summer, the town received a letter from Nick Lefakis, a retired full-time professor at Asnuntuck Community College. He asked the town “to look into changing the name of D’Annunzio Ave.,” the Patch reported . Lefakis wrote: “Further examination of Gabriele D'Annunzio identifies him as a fascist and a mentor to Benito Mussolini, who was aligned with Adolf Hitler during World War II and fought against the American forces and our allies.” In the pre-World War II era, D'Annunzio was described as “Italy’s famous poet" in the Thompsonville Press. In one Thompsonville Press report: “Gabriele d’Annunzio, Italy’s famous poet, whose flying feats are the admiration of his countrymen, has not the slightest fear of death, and has a presentiment [a feeling about the future] that he will die in action. To a friend who interviewed him he remarked: “My worldly life has ended. What can I do after the war? I shall write no more. Every time I go off on an expe...
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Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA
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