Straight Talk

We have started a discussion concerning the Pay As You Throw system (PAYT).

This system has been widely rejected by political authorities in Northwest Connecticut.

The PAYT system, when combine with other ‘fair pay’ systems, would reduce costs and waste in our area.

The ‘trash’ coming from our homes is becoming a major cost to the citizens of the communities, not to mention a major concern to the status of the environment on our planet.

Many interesting points were made on our program (Jan. 3, 2010).  It is evident (at least to me) that we need to ‘overhaul’ our local trash ‘transfer’ systems.

We need to break the mold of the ’status-quo’ and make progress in this area.

It is the intention of Straight Talk to examine this issue in detail and to provide a forum for the discussion and education that need to occur.

People cannot make intelligent decisions without proper information and discussion.

I would ask our blog visitors to take the following survey (just one of more to come) and to make any comments concerning this issue.

(Note:  You are only allowed to vote once.  This is not a scientific poll, however we would like the results to have some reflection of reality … Thank you!)

It seems that many of you are interested in the Poland Report, which you should be.

My website has shown just shy of 200 downloads since December 20.  I am happy that folks are showing some interest in this report.

Everyone should be concerned about Zoning, which can be a good thing when properly created and administered.

It is my belief that this report gives us an example of ‘Zoning gone bad’.

I suggest that everyone read this 36 page report.  It could potentially help other communities (this report pertains to Salisbury) to avoid wandering down the same road that Salisbury seems to be on in a ’speeding vehicle’.

I have been studying Mr. Poland, and I will have more for you this coming Sunday.  He is an interesting person with some honest perspectives on how we should be managing our land use.

I am frankly surprised that he was the choice of the Salisbury Board of Selectmen.  He appears to live in the ‘real world’, which is not the type of reporting that this board tends to want.  They prefer the ‘fluffy stuff’.

No matter … Take some time to read this … It might just open your eyes.

The PBIS program is being used at both Housatonic and in the North Canaan Elementary school.

I am not aware if other Region One Schools are using the same program.PBIS stands for ‘Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports’. 

“The TA Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports has been established by the Office of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education to give schools capacity-building information and technical assistance for identifying, adapting, and sustaining effective school-wide disciplinary practices.” (from the PBIS website)

The program consist of many components (all costing citizen’s public dollars).  Staff must be trained, guides must be purchased … and much more. 

Improving student academic and behavior outcomes is about ensuring all students have access to the most effective and accurately implemented instructional and behavioral practices and interventions possible. SWPBS provides an operational framework for achieving these outcomes. More importantly, SWPBS is NOT a curriculum, intervention, or practice, but IS a decision making framework that guides selection, integration, and implementation of the best evidence-based academic and behavioral practices for improving important academic and behavior outcomes for all students. (from the PBIS website)

Students can earn rewards for ‘behaving according to expectations from the matrix’.

At a recent Region One Board of Education meeting, one of our student representatives spoke of the rewards, specifically describing gift certificates to Dunkin’ Donuts (so much for the healthy food thing).  

Here is an example of a ‘matrix’: 

(link to the page containing this matrix)

We need to train staff and spend our educational dollars for this?

The HVRHS website describes this program (in a minimal way) and provides no links for you to learn more. (link to that page) 

I can’t find any mention of it on the North Canaan Elementary School website.

What happened to ‘these are the rules and you are expected to follow them’?

Should we reward children and young adults for doing what should be expected of them?

How about reserving rewards for outstanding achievement?

What happened to COMMON SENSE in our schools?

I sit and watch the stats on this blog …

I see visits and know what is being read …

My big question is … why don’t you comment?

You have no opinion?

You are afraid that someone will ‘take you to task’ for comments that you make here?

You are afraid that someone will discover that you actually watch (or listen to) Straight Talk?

WHAT GIVES?

Does everyone understand the concept of Government as it was designed to be in this country?

It rises from the ranks … from each of us … a Government of the Citizens.

It grows from the roots … local Government.

Why are so many oblivious to what is happening in ‘their own backyard’ (local government)?

Worse … why are so many afraid of local government?

Someone please clue me in!

This blog is here for you to discuss and debate local  issues … Participate … This is what FREE SPEECH is all about.

Don Poland Consulting (hired by the Town of Salisbury to evaluate the town’s zoning administration) has issued their report.

We will be addressing this report on our Sunday (December 20th) broadcast.

I strongly suggest you carefully read this 36 page document.

We have made it easily available to you at the front page of the Straight Talk  WEBSITE.

The consultant’s observations concerning this segment of our town government certainly paints a picture that is less than ‘rosey’.

I was working with my daughter tonight … eight (8) years old.

Her teacher had asked that she ‘tell her more’ about two terms that are frequently used in weaving … warp and weft.

My daughter has been working with two of my elderly neighbors and had been working with a friend of mine (who is deeply involved with such things … visit her website) … The bottom line … My daughter has been working with weaving.

Her teacher made a challenge for understanding and hopefully my daughter will show her what she has learned.

As much of an internet ‘junkie’ that I am … we first used a set of encyclopedias that was recently gifted to my daughter by a good friend, Kathy Lauretano.  God bless you Kathy!

We then expanded on what we learned there by supplementing it with the internet.

By the end of the lesson, my daughter had a full understanding of the terms, not to mention a solid understanding of the terms horizontal and vertical.

Here is an example of how the old and the new can work ‘hand-in-hand’ to create total knowledge.

My daughter is learning that both ‘book’ and ‘net’ knowledge can combine to learn literally everything.

I say this because our Schools have decided to abandon the ‘old ways’ and replace them with the ‘new ways’.  Unfortunately, most of them don’t really understand the ‘new ways’.

POINT:  We must embrace the future … however … we must NOT abandon the past.  It may come back to haunt us!

At a recent North Canaan Board of Education meeting, a concerned citizen voiced displeasure with the schools ‘technology’ program and its results (Article from the Lakeville Journal).  She also expressed displeasure with the Douglas Library website and the Town of North Canaan website.

We will discuss the websites in a future post as well as address them on our weekly program.

The lady also questioned if the School was taking advantage of free software.

The answer from the School’s Principal, Rosemary Keilty, was that they found free software to be lacking.  She found the purchased software to be ‘much better’.

I take issue with that statement.

My own experience has shown me that the Open Office suite is equal to, if not better than the Microsoft Office suite.

I use many types of free software.  One of my favorites is the virtual printer, PrimoPDF, which can print any file to the PDF format.  The PDF can then be distributed and read by anyone using the FREE Adobe Reader software.

I will not endeavor to talk about all of the FREE software available in the realms of cyberspace, but I assure you it is wide and varied.

The use of such software in our Schools and Government systems could save us THOUSANDS of dollars each year.  We would save the ‘front end’ costs and no longer have to pay for expensive upgrades.

We would also be breaking free from the strangle hold that Microsoft seems to have on us in the software market.  This might actually cause them to respond when we complain about shortcomings in their software. (BTW … Microsoft is working on an upgrade to Office 2007 – Office 2010, now in Beta)

I would also mention that most of my knowledge of software comes from ‘hands on’ use.  I was never formally trained in any of the software that I use.  When I need advice, I refer to the help files (provided with the software) or I visit live software forums and interface with others to get the answers I need.

Technology seems so baffling to both Schools and Government organizations.  They believe that throwing our tax dollars into software, training sessions, consultants, and any other place they can find, is the answer to overcoming their problem.

As it is with English, Mathematics, Science, and so on … there are basic functions and rules that apply to all software operations.  Once we have taught those basics, we are ready to challenge our students by giving them assignments which make them work to reach the conclusion.  They must learn to problem solve by making mistakes along the way.  They learn to use the help resources that are available to them through the very machine they are working with.  Just think about all of the skills that are used and developed in this type of ‘teaching’ lesson.

Considering that software is always evolving, is it not reasonable to assume that we should not simply teach them how to use a particular piece of software in one set way?  Do we not fail our children when we keep ’spoon feeding’ them rather than challenging them?

One final thought … Maybe (just maybe) it is the people in charge who are holding back our children due to their own inability to use the skills needed in order to keep up with our ever-changing world.

I see today that the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has defaulted on its debt interest payments (see Hartford Courant article).  As you all know they are the owners of Foxwoods Casino.

You may ask … What does this have to do with local politics?

Let us think about all of this ‘Grant’ talk that is happening in this corner of the State.

While many are applauding the wisdom of the leadership (in various Towns), do any of these folks understand what is happening here?

Instead of taking care of our local problems by planning and proper budgeting, we are obtaining grants to fill the holes.  Most of this grant money is borrowed money, which is a debt we are passing on to our children and even our grandchildren.

These grants are not ‘real’ until the actual money is in the bank. They can be terminated before they are actually issued should the ‘grantor’ encounter financial problems.

This brings me back to the Mashantucket default … What does this mean for State revenue (where some of these grants come from)?

Who will ‘bail out’ this ‘Nation’?  They are sporting a $500 million dollar debt (in this case) and according to the report billions more.

Are we not in the current mess (at least according to our brilliant leaders) because of excessive debt taken on by the American people?

If that is the case, why is the answer that the Government goes into excessive debt to save our sorry … well … you know the word?

When do people start using their brains and think about what is going on?

The only solution to the financial crisis in this country is good planning and budgeting.

Whether you believe it or not, the Big Picture translates all the way down to the Little Picture, our own small towns.

Responsible government is what we need.  Irresponsible government is what we have.

Some think that the irresponsible government only exists in Hartford or Washington.

Let us not forget … The tree grows from the roots … Irresponsible government starts at the local level.

Irresponsible government is the direct result of irresponsible … if not down right ignorant … voters at the local level.