Howdy sweets. Here we are in the middle o’ March already, and we got our annual taste of warmer weather only to have Ole Man Winter come right back and bring in cold winds and cold temps. On top of it, we had to suffer the annual “spring ahead” of Daylight Savings Time. Oh well, I guess there’s a plus in that, but losing that one hour of shuteye does put Cobina outta sorts for a couple days.
Tennyrate, didja hear about the assemblyman that is proposing we go to Maritime Time or whatever it’s called? That’s the time zone jest ahead of ours. They don’t change times, and he thinks our lit’le part of the universe should jump time zones.
That’s got about as much chance of passing – or getting past committee – as a snowball in the hot place. It does make interesting conversation – for about 30 seconds, but that’s about all.
No, what everyone is talking about is the fack that most of the restrictions that were put in place for two weeks 53 weeks ago are gonna be lifted by the Fearless Le…governor. As of Friday night, restaurants and bars, gyms and churches and other places can all open to 100 percent capacity – with social distancing. How that actually changes things is anyone’s guess.
We got this missive from a local, and thought you’d be interested in what he has to say. It’s a former business type, so he’s got the chops to understand what all this window dressing is all about. As he sees it its symbolism over substance. He’s probably right.
“This is why Democrats should never be math teachers. As of March 19m three of my favorite pub owners will be able to operate at 100% capacity subject to social distancing. While I’m truly happy for all three, let’s do some Democratic math. My guess is each location probably holds 100-125, not sure. And each is probably under 2000 square feet. Meanwhile, my friends at the IA club which I will guess is closer to 5000 square feet, are limited to 100 patrons per event. Restaurants depending on operating hours this size can manage 300-400 customers a day but the IA or Omni ballroom in New Haven (capacity 500) can only host 100 per event, which typically run 4-5 hours. How did Lamont become a multi-millionaire??”
One of the recipients of this missive pernted out that some adjustments will be made – probably. It jest pernts out to Cobina how out of touch all of these politicos are from top-down, and party doesn’t really have much to do with it. It’s power, pure power.
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Meanwhile, Sammy Bluejay came in t’other afternoon and sez there are some noses outta joint cuz the mayor is looking to re-up a committee that was disbanded, and didn’t contact the former members. The way he gits the lowdown, the Sustainability Committee was disbanded some time ago. Much of it had to do with how the committee saw its role and how City Hall saw its role.
The panel did some work, and the city got a Bronze award – presumably there’s a gold and silver – for its work. Noses got outta joint when that happened cuz as in most things, the politicos took credit. There was a bit of a hue and cry over it when we published the story, I can tell you.
People don’t seem to understand that when it comes to committees like this if something goes wrong, it’s the committee’s fault. If it goes right, it’s because the local politicos did it. They take credit for the good, and throw people under a big bus for the bad. Unfair? Yeah, but it’s the way it is.
The committee kind of petered out, according to Sammy, and now herronner has posted a notice looking for interested parties to re-up the panel. None of the former members were contacted, supposedly. Sooooo, there is a it of a melodrama going on about that.
The Sustainability Committee – in fact, the whole sustainability effort – is just glad-handing and box-checking for poiticians. Unfortunately, there are people who take this stuff seriously and are shocked – just shocked – that no one else takes it the way they do. As I said above it’s symbolism over substance. Sad? Maybe. Cynical? Yes. True? Definitely.
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And with all this other stuff going on, herronner is poised to present her budget for Fiscal Year 2022 this week, and we will be coming out with a special edition next week to let the taxpayers take a gander. For the foist time in a loooooonnnngg time, the whole process has been under wraps. Normally, by this time we git inklings of things to expeck. Not this year.
Nelly Nuthatch was here t’other day and sez she’s hoid that herronner is gonna try to do this package without a tax hike. Well, it is an election year, and that is always the attempt, but Cobina questions that gambit.
As we have been saying for quite some time, the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) says the city’s mill rate has to go up to 40 before the end of the current five-year plan – or at least the one that was foisted upon us four years ago. We still ain’t reached that point, and the last time she tried to finagle no tax increase – two years ago effen mem’ry serves, she got shot down and the City Council had to add one in. What makes anyone think this will be different?
It seems to me that effen there is an attempt to put a budget across with no mill increase heading toward the Promised Land of 40, the MARB is gonna nix the plan and make the City Council amend the package.
Since I’m being cynical as above, could this be an attempt by the thoid floor to have plausible deniability? The mayor’s office puts forth a budget with no increase, only to have the council forced to make a hike. That allows herronner to say, “T’warnt me, it was them dastardly council folk and the MARB.”
Somehow or other there might be more truth to that scenario than anyone will be willing to admit…call it a hunch.
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City Hall is open again, and I guess we’re all supposed to be happy about that. Those who have to do business with the various offices ensconced therein certainly will be happy. I guess it’s another sign that things are gettin’ back to normal – or whatever passes for “normal” these days.
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The Haven is getting a bit more cleared out, we see. Slowly but surely buildings are being demolished – some have been up for more than a century. Some of the homes have been taken down, too, though not as quickly as the commercial sites. It’s gonna be interestin’ to see what happens when they git to the former Bilco Door location. That’s been there forever, and probably is gonna need some remediation of a sort. Once they take that down, you’ll know that things are beginning to move over there.
Speakin’ o’ that, Cobina still thinks the city did a nasty by not cooperating with Bilco to keep it in the city. Here was an internationally known company, and we treated it so poorly. It makes the blood boil.
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With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,