Comments on: Essex Selectmen Move to Put Police Dog Issue to Rest

By: facts2009

facts2009 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:22:33 +0000

Jane, I have to agree with you on a few things. It does appear that Mr. Miller added on to his and the towns problems by hiring Officer B and then adding on to it by believing his intentions were sincere. We should expect a better vetting procress from our leaders and hope that they fully understand what is presented before making decisions and if they don't, defer to someone who does. But I also concur with you when it comes to Officer B. Also like ivorytonreseident had previously said, he should be happy and fortunate to have a job as a police officer and should put more effort into learning the town (our citizens) and not trying to manuever his way around the system already. If he is doing this now, I can only wonder what should we expect in town from him in another 2-3-4 years. I think we need some strong leadership to work through these issues, get them resolved

By: janefrancis

janefrancis — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:51:05 +0000

I feel the situation with Officer B is just ridiculous. This town needs an Officer that will concentrate on more important issues and on bettering himself as an officer before trying to get involved with a DOG. Our town is a great place, however there are serious issues relating to personnel! I give Ms. Varricchio the credit for what has been implemented in the town/town hall. A good leader knows how to work through and resolve issues and not add to them. Shame on Mr.Miller for not knowing the rules and or laws for having a canine. Shame on Officer B for trying to manipulate the town and make money. Maybe we change of Officer and Selectman???

By: facts2009

facts2009 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:19:13 +0000

Once again I agree with you on many of your points. I believe I know the other officer you are refering to and like you know Mr. Miller, I know the other officer and I believe he has been around for several years, even taught my children DARE in the EES. I have know him to be involved in the other functions for the kids and any interaction I have seen him involved with or have heard thorugh other residents have been positive. I do not know why over the past 8 months or so all these issues with the police have arisen. Officer B. is different in my opinion, he seems to want want, but doesnt want to earn it first, just an opinion. Maybe if the older officer and the Mr. Miller use our philosophy of talking and working things out, all this other “stuff” would not be the talk of the town. It seems theres to much secrecy and hidden agendas, lets be open and look for solutions to better serve our town. They should be thankful to have a job. We are agreeing on to many things now!

By: ivorytonresident

ivorytonresident — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:13:05 +0000

I know Phil Miller and he's the type of person who would hate to loose a good employee, but would not try to hold them back if they found an opportunity that they felt was a better fit. I wish Mrs. Varricchio the best of luck and thank her for her many years of service to our town. I am confident that they will find an appropriate replacement that can, as she did, grow with the position and assist the Board of Selectman in their duties. I, like you, would like to see this dog situation put to bed and have the least attorney hours spent on it so they can get back to the business of running the town. I am hoping that a face-to-face with all parties and their attorneys will end it with each side giving a little to meet in the middle. Your thoughts on Officer B. working the system are very interesting and I share those same feelings. We are having an issue right now with a few of our officers and I don't like it. They should not be able to push the town around and hide behind their union. They should come to work, do their job and be thankful that they have a job to come to. If they don't like working in Essex I am sure there are other officers that would take their positions.

By: facts2009

facts2009 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:12:12 +0000

I agree with you, if you can go from opposite ends of the spectrum to discussing the issuses and using that lost abilility called “communication” to actually see that we may have the same points of view, but different avenues and beliefs as to how to reach them. I think you are right about Mrs. Varricchio, but if someone is that valuable and makes you look that good, I personally wouldnt let them go. Like you, Mr. Miller & Officer B. should sit down, close the door and settle this issue for the last time. I do have to say that after reading the BOS minutes and Officer B's memorandum, it kind of seems that he might have worked the system more then he leads on to, hoping that he would get a payday out of it. I have a problem trusting someone who is in a position of public trust and seems to be sneaky in thier motives. I also am not excited about the towns lawyers having such a merry merry holiday season with all our tax dollars. I guess with Officer B having a lawyer now to, who knows what will happen.

Facts209 – Ivorytonresident 2011????

By: ivorytonresident

ivorytonresident — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:54:01 +0000

lololo, we went from disagreeing to running together, that's what I like about communication, it can either drive people apart or bring them together. Actually, I think Mrs. Varricchio was there when Mr. Miller took office, if I'm not mistaken, maybe I'm wrong, and she wasn't let go but took another position in another town and resigned. I think there was a total misunderstanding on both sides (their own perception of what happened) and they need to end it. They should compromise,meet in the middle and settle it, the town can pay Officer B. for that portion that they agree on. I don't want to see attorneys fees wracked up to take care of this. It can be settled without them interfering, although Officer B. hired one so I guess that takes care of that. I too enjoy discussing this with you, you never know, Facts2009 and Ivoryontresident on the same ticket, anything is possible.

P.S. – was unaffiliated for many years and would have no problem being one again.

By: facts2009

facts2009 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:49:49 +0000

Ivorytonresident, your are correct, Mrs. Varricchio as does any employee works at the discretion of the First Selectman and as any good leader should, they should surround themselves with intelligent and professional people. So for hiring her, kudos to Mr. Miller, for letting her go, well thats a negative. I also agree, we should stop beating a “dead dog”, but why is it so hard for everyone to involved to just admit, “I was wrong: I believe that when we are honest about our errors or mistakes it is easier to accept and move on. But when people, espiecally elected ones or those in positions of public trust (including police) seem to defer from the truth and dance around issues. After reading the BOS minutes and attached memorandum from Officer Beviliacqua to Mr. Miller, it certainly appears as though Officer Bevilacqua mislead his intentions, but Mr. Miller hired him. Mr. Miller should have immediately told the officer after the initial presentation that it was something the town was not interested in and to better learn the town, the people and his job before this will be revisited, but he didn't. This inability to effective communicate is a reason for many of the problems in my opinion. We do have a pretty good town and prior to Mr. Miller hiring the last two officers who have seemed to generate many of the problems, there didnt appear to be any issues in the police. Maybe the town should reduce the size of our local force to eliminate some of those problems.

I might just take you up on that offer in 2 years depending on the issues at that time. If I do consider it, maybe you and I can sit down and discuss what issues are the most important to the citizens and possibly run together. I am assuming (maybe incorrectly) that you are a democrat, but affiliation does not make a difference to me, the desire to do whats right, honesty and integrity, thats how I forge my affiliations. I enjoy discussing these issues with you.

By: ivorytonresident

ivorytonresident — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:09:28 +0000

Mrs. Varricchio worked at the direction of the First Selectman, i.e., what she was able to succeed in he succeeded in. I do separate Essex from Washington because people need to get a life. If they got out of their own back yard they might find out that what they have here in Essex is a pretty nice life and they would stop beating a dead horse, or should I say, a dead dog. This is a small town and more important things need to be addressed. That's fabulous that you are an independent. Shall I suggest to you that in 2 years that you throw your hat into the ring and run for First Selectman/woman, whatever the case may be, and we will see if you can be a part of the solution.

By: facts2009

facts2009 — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:24:10 +0000

Ivorytonresident, you mention thaty the republican party throws around the word “transparency” everywhere now. Correct me if I am wrong, wasn't that the platform of the democratic campaign for President Obama? I am a registered independent in town so i dont have a “dog” in either camp. Based on all the information and facts that have recenlty come out (refer to BOS meeting minutes), it cetainly would appear that we don't have transparency in our local goverment now and all of us in town should be happy that at least one elected official is trying to bring the whole truth to light so we can make educated decisions. As far as my research goes, it appears that the former administrative manager for the town, Mrs. Varricchio, actually was the one who did all the reasearch and applications for the numerous grants we were able to benefit from in town, not Mr. Miller. I do disagree with you when you separate Essex to Washington, the problem with all politics today is that it appears that elected officials seem to forget they supposed to be an extension of it's citizens and thier needs and concerns. Whether you live in a small town like ours or a large city, should we expect less from our elected officials because of our size? We the poeple will have a chance to make the decision on Nov. 3rd and like you stated.

By: ivorytonresident

ivorytonresident — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:47:41 +0000

With your use of the word “transparency,” which is the word that is being thrown around by the republican party right now and on all of their adds, I am assuming that you are part of that camp. I guess we will see what the people will say on Nov. 3rd, which is the true test of what the residents want for a leader in the First Selectman's office. Promises made in campaign speeches and handouts are all well and good, implementing them is another thing altogether and I can only imagine that sitting in the Selectman's chair day in and day out has to be a lesson in patience and self-control. This is Essex people, not Washington. We are at tiny town in a tiny state. People need to get out of town and see what goes on in the big world out there to put their myopic views of what happnes in Essex into perspective.