Catch up.

I know, I know...where have I been?

Well, it is summer, and Council and committee meetings have been reduced (one wag said everytime we cancel a meeting we save the City $1 million!). Our house is in shambles due to long overdue remodeling as a result of water damage over a year ago; my paying job is in the middle of its busy season; and weekends are devoted to my daughter's softball team. So it's been hard to hit the blog of late, but I haven't forgotten it.

The best news we've recently received was an increase from Moody's for our bond rating, to A3 from Baa1. This is basically a financial report card which states to municipal investors that Meriden is not only financially sound, but with a solid future. It also means our taxpayers save money when the City does have to obtain financing for capital projects (street repair, building improvements, school construction...and yes, Falcon Field). I'm very pleased with this rating, which dropped several years ago. It's been one of my goals on the Finance Committee to see it return to this level, and this goal has been achieved. Now we need to maintain it, and seek to improve it once more in the future.

The Council approved the sale of property (the old Hanover House and adjacent lots) on Hanover St last week, as a result of placing it on the open market from one of our "on rotation" realtors. It happened to be Maier Real Estate who handled the sale, and yes, it's owned by one of the councilors, Sandy Maier Schede. However, she abstained from all discussion, debate, and voting on anything to do with this piece of property (she herself did not represent the City in the sale; one of the brokers in her office did) as the Code of Ethics requires. Nevertheless, the losing bidder, and some members of the public, would like to imply that this was a "shady" deal. It was not, and I will spend some time in a future post to explain how the City acquires and disposes of property...all with an approved process.

I'm amazed at the dialogue occuring regarding Councilors Lynes' and Santiago discussion on bilingual signs aimed at controlling litter. Both women may have their own point of view, but the piling on regarding what languages are on signs is frankly distracting everyone from the real issue: people are littering in the City, making it look a mess, and spitting in the eye of personal responsibility. The Golden Rule, 'Do unto others as you would have others do unto you' is known in all languages, and really shouldn't even need a sign. Come on, pick up after yourselves! And special kudos to the woman I saw early last Sunday morning, obviously on her walking exercise regime, with a plastic bag in her hand. She traversed apace south on Bee St, and east on East Main, all the while stopping periodically to pick up a can, stray piece of paper, or small bit of trash as she moved forward. I lost track of her by Dunkin Donuts, but I looked back, and the street was litter-free. And I know she didn't think anyone was watching. But I'm real glad she lives in Meriden.

If everybody did a little of what that walking woman did every day, we wouldn't need any signs...and people would have to find something else to pick on Patty and Hilda about.