Rating of police didn't seem to include the poor

Advocate: 04/08/2008 To the editor:
In response to "Police get high overall marks" in Stamford (news story, March 4), I want to comment and ask some questions, please.

I am the community director of the Waterside Coalition, and when we asked our residents if they received the survey, by and large the answer was "no." I myself, a resident of Waterside, did not receive one until I asked for one. Who were the random that were chosen? Judging by the end of the article, with the average income of $102,200, it is easy to see that it was not the low-income poor, who live in neighborhoods that might rate lower, who shared their opinion and insight as part of this survey. Does Stamford really think that the communities are not aware of the real issues?

My next question is: Will Stamford now sign off on this survey and believe that all is well with the "easy" majority, so we will stamp out the minority with the results? It's a valid question, and one that needs addressing.

So there is no injustice in Stamford? I guess we look good on paper and in the paper, so we should be grateful, right?

Low-income individuals and individuals of any color may be the minority in the view of the community. But in moving forward, we need to be the majority when it comes to the voice of the people.

No better time than an election year to prove that!

Johnna Paradis
Stamford Click here to read more.

Pedestrians in Stamford: Maligned, Misunderstood

Advocate: Pedestrians are in jeopardy at station- 04/07/2008
To the editor:

If Stamford police officers wants to make our city safer, they need only to place themselves at the Springdale train station at the evening rush.

Commuters trying to cross Hope Street, using the crosswalk, take their lives in their hands daily. Cars drive by at high speeds, honking their horns and shooting angry looks as we try to cross the street on our walk home. The sign by the side of the road does not get their attention, and most drivers feel inconvenienced to have to stop.

I just hope that a solution is found before someone gets seriously injured.

Phyllis Pugliesi
Stamford Click here to read more.

Illegal Immigration Letter- Paul Streitz

To the editor:

Who says illegal aliens are poor? So poor that they need money for heat during the winter?

It is estimated that $23 billion was sent back to Mexico in 2006. If there are 12 million illegals, that amounts to $159.72 per month remitted for every illegal man, woman and child in the United States of America. And that does not count money sent back to the other South American and Asian countries and India.

If illegal aliens are sending back 5 percent of their earnings to Mexico, the Mexicans are taking billions out of the pockets of working-class Americans.

If illegal aliens are so poor in America, why do houses harboring illegals have so many trucks with license plates from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania?

If illegals are so poor, why does New Haven Mayor John DeStefano want to set up a bank for illegals?

If illegals are so poor, why are all the restaurant jobs and construction jobs seemingly done by illegals?

If illegals are so poor, why are so many doing jobs at Yale University, such as grounds-keeping and cleaning, that Americans used to do?

If illegals are so poor, why does Bank of America give them credit cards? Why have they been able to take out home mortgages?

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro says, "We cannot deport 12 million people." Why should Americans deport anybody? Dry up the jobs. With the money that illegal aliens have made, they can all go back to their home countries drinking champagne on a first-class airline ticket.

Paul Streitz

Darien

The writer is co-director of CT Citizens for Immigration Control, an Internet organization of residents throughout the state. Click here to read more.

Ed Letter: Cameras in Firehouse

To the editor:
Regarding "Security camera plan sparks privacy fight at Stamford firehouse" (news story, Feb. 9): Once again Chief Shawn Fahan is going out of his way to harass the paid firefighters assigned to the Springdale firehouse. Chief Fahan claims the need for cameras after a series of break-ins.

I was assigned to Engine 7 when one of the alleged break-ins occurred. Chief Fahan went out of his way to accuse one firefighter, going as far as having the police interview him. The firefighter accused was not in the firehouse for the entire month as it was his month to travel (work in other firehouses). Chief Fahan then requested the transfer of the same firefighter, citing the break-in as the reason. When confronted with the facts Fahan just mumbled and left the room. Since that did not work, a new excuse to mess with the paid firefighters: Someone is tampering with my fire trucks.

Why would anyone risk their job by vandalizing the Springdale fire trucks or equipment? Fahan states a stethoscope was found damaged. When was the last time that EMS bag was checked? For that matter when was the last time the fire truck was run? Daily, monthly, does anybody know?

Not that long ago Fahan accused the city of not buying new air cylinders and air-paks, because Springdale had no money to buy this important life-saving equipment. Has this vital equipment been purchased or are $10,000 worth of cameras more important? Speaking of money, was this project put out to bid or did Fahan decide, I will pay myself for doing this? I ask one favor of Chief Fahan: Please make sure you have a camera on the watch desk and Engine 52 so the public can see how many volunteers Springdale really has - one to three, not the 20 to 25 you claim. Be careful what you ask for. The public may get to see your true colors.

Kyle Pelley
Bridgeport

The writer is a Stamford firefighter from Group 2, Station 3. Click here to read more.

Ed Letter: Mayor's Spending Disclosure

To the editor:
Our part-time mayor wishes to allocate $21 million to the Board of Education in the interest of "disclosure." This from the same part-time mayor who last year submitted a budget that hid from view the complete reorganization of the volunteer fire departments as well as the shifting of the mill rate from downtown districts to Westover, Springdale, Glenbrook and the north. At the time he said it was "a few pennies a day." Actually it was close to $400 per homeowner and for a fire service we were not actually receiving.

Nonetheless, I applaud the initiative for "full disclosure," that is if he is willing to truly provide full disclosure. What are the full costs for the city's support of the Downtown Special Services District? How much do we really spend in support of the annual parade and the summer concerts? How much does the city truly spend on Smith House, one of only two municipally owned care facilities in the state. What about the cost for the Sterling Farms facilities, Gaynor Brennan, the Early Learning Center at Hillendale? Worthwhile as these may be we deserve an understanding of the full costs. Now that the mayor is into disclosure - how about telling us how much of a liability the city has for unfunded pension and medical costs for current and future retirees on a contract by contract basis?

The new "disclosure mayor" has yet to tell us how he plans to close the forecasted operating deficit. However, I have learned that one approach is to scale back the Department of Operations' maintenance of the baseball fields. Springdale Little League for one will not get access to its field until April 15 as opposed to the normal date of April 1. The result is that this year's Little League schedule has been cut from 20 games to 15. Delayed maintenance? In a year where snow removal has been almost nil? The city is going to balance its budget on the backs of 11- and 12-years-olds?

Maybe if the mayor was in town on a full-time basis he would be better able to deal with the issues here in Stamford.

John Marsalisi

Stamford Click here to read more.