Updated, 6:30 p.m.
By Diane C2
NORWALK, Conn. – The recent re-launch of a local newspaper brought a new feature called “10 Things to Know Today,” the editors’ picks for news of interest. Clever format that it is, it got me to thinking how I’ve daydreamed for years about writing a weekly blog to alert Norwalkers to things they really should know about the goings-on of local government. Things like council decisions and agency discussions that Norwalkers may have missed, misunderstood or mysteriously ignored. Things that will help folks get “in the know.”
This new column will contain a mix of what I think of as often comical, sometimes pathetic, but always thought-provoking shenanigans of Norwalk government. Think of it as the “It’s Ridiculous” version of Hour Editor Emeritus John Reilly’s ‘It’s Politics.” It’s what our mayor calls my “conspiracy theorist” nonsense, and at the same time is often the only thing that gets folks interested or irritated enough to get involved. It’s the things that, after the fact, will prompt folks to ask me “How could that have happened?” And since I’m an unaffiliated voter with allegiance to neither party, no one is safe. And certainly no department heads or Taxing District Commissions.
You might enjoy the feature “This Means That?!” where I give you ambiguous or cryptic words straight from a city agenda, and then tell you what the item really was about!
No recap would be complete without what could be called “Norwalk – the New Oz” featuring the hit “Somewhere Under The Radar” where citizens will learn of no-bid, single-source contracts; suspension of meeting rules to add controversial items to agendas during the actual meeting; questionable use of executive session; and poorly timed meetings that all but guarantee disappointing public attendance.
A category that may evolve will be “Point of Order? Point of Information? Point of No Return!” where even the meeting process itself comes into question.
No recap would be complete without a “You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up” category. I’d gladly accept reader submissions of the “You’re Not Going to Believe This, But…” genre.
Lest you think I’m ambushing elected and appointed officials and department heads by airing dirty laundry without bringing it to their attention, offering to help remedy it, and giving plenty of time (years) for changes to be made, let me assure you I have spoken so often to these issues, that yes, I am a broken record. I’ve commented, contradicted, cajoled, complained and complimented. I’ve documented, detailed, demonstrated, distributed and demanded. I’ve been called every name in the book, including a nattering nabob of negativism, nincompoop, naysayer, nutcase, nosy-body and nitwit. But I’ve also been called observant, open-minded, objective and optimistic. And so in my daydream I share all of it with you, in hopes that you’ll join me at City Hall and our taxing districts to get “in the know” for yourself.
“Things Norwalkers Really Should Know” will open with current events and probably include a few highlights from past news straight from my own “Are You Kidding Me?” notes.
In the meantime, here is just one tidbit of ‘This Means That?!” which had me thinking “what ARE they smoking on the zoning committee?”
Zoning Committee May 10, 2012
Discussion Item read: Amendment to pharmacy regulations
What it meant: How to prohibit or restrict sales of medical marijuana in Norwalk
Diane C2 is an active Norwalk citizen, known to many. Her identity is not a secret. If you’d like her name, email [email protected]
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