Dear Green Mountain Watchdog,

First let me say thank you for the effort I see you put forward to make Winooski a great place for everyone. I am impressed by the Ride Share & Kid's Club that you have helped organize. I also value the forum you've created for people to ask questions and bring up issues that are important to them. I have lived in Winooski for many years and have been a proud homeowner here for the past five years.

I too would like to see the traffic slow down on residential streets. I must say however that I really disliked the ugly barriers that were placed on Weaver Street and the slalom effect they created. I personally didn't notice anyone slowing down but maybe they did effect traffic some. I hope so. Maybe flower and shrub planted islands in the middle of Weaver Street would have the same desired effect on traffic while lending additional beauty and charm to the street.

Another thing that I'd like to speak out about is the city of Winooski fighting to not have to pay "domestic partner" benefits for city employees. Why should someone put their life on the line for our community and not receive the same benefits as other employees just because their partner is of the same sex. Right now it is illegal in the State of Vermont for same sex couples to marry (which I think is also very unfair) so same sex couples cannot marry even if they want to. If it is really about money as the city says then maybe all city employees should not receive benefits for their spouses- at least then the city would not be practicing a discriminatory policy. I want to be proud of my city. I want my city to do the right thing and give equal benefits for equal work.

A Proud Winooski Homeowner

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Thank you for writing in and telling us how you feel. I think it is important that all the citizens of Winooski have a place to share their feeling or experiences, and I hope more people will do that. I want to hear from as many people as I can. I believe speeding is a big problem that Winooski needs to address more. I do understand that they tried stopping speeders on Weaver Street with the barriers. Now that they tried one idea and it failed, it's time to get moving on other ideas.

I personally agree with you on the subject of equal benefits for equal work. All employees should have the right to get the same benefits for working the same job no matter who their bed partner is.

Hello!

Just wanted to write and tell you an experience I had with the Winooski Police Department.

August 15^th my cat was caught in a leg hold trap. My son and I tried to get the trap off the leg, to no avail. I was frantic and decided to call the P.D. for help. I explained my situation and the need for assistance. I was told when the dispatcher came back to the phone that "it is not their line of duty." I could not believe it. Not their line of duty?

I hung up and tried to get the trap off again. Tears in my eyes I called P.D. again. I told the dispatcher that I need a man to help me out. I was yelling at this point. Again I was told the same thing. Isn't the P.D. suppose to be of assistance when needed. Aren't I paying their salaries?

I could see if they were all busy. But not their duty. Bulls***.

I will say, however, once the fish and wildlife was told of the incidence, they were at my house within hours. The fish and wildlife agent traveled from Essex. I couldn't even get the P.D. to Bernard Street. I am totally disgusted. Just wanted to let you know.

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Thank you for writing in and telling us about your experience with the Winooski Police Department. I'm very sorry for what happened to your cat and I hope he is ok. I agree that the Winooski Police should have done something to help you. Weather it be as simple as having an officer go to your home or they could have given you a number to call and get help from the Fish and Wildlife or an animal control officer. I also agree that it is their duty to help anyone in distress, that includes animals.

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Dear Green Mountain Watchdog,

My husband (who recently passed away) and I have lived in Winooski for the past 69 years. Since my husband died last year I have found it very hard to pay all my bills. I have had to cut back on a lot of things. I want to thank you for the Ride Share. It saves me from calling a taxi and with it being free, I can save money too.

You would think the City of Winooski would help their long time homeowners more. One of the bills I have a hard time paying is my taxes. Does the City Manager or the Police Chief live in Winooski? The way they spend our tax money you would think they live elsewhere.

We gave one of our fire trucks to another community, which I think was nice of Winooski. However, if that fire truck was nickel & dimming us what is it going to do to that other community and why didn't we sell it even at a smaller cost to help build ourselves up more before helping build up the other community? We have houses being closed up because they are unlivable, why can't the city help the homeowners fix up those houses or be like Burlington and fine the owners?

Meaningful change comes from within. I can only wish the city would think about us and help us before they run and help other communities. Thank you for your time and for everything you are doing for us. Keep up the good work.

A Long Time Homeowner

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Thank you for the comments about the Ride Share, I hope we can continue to help you save money and get you to where you've got to go.

Not to be mean, but we should help ourselves before helping others. A strong building needs a strong foundation. A strong community needs a strong leader to which I believe we now have. Fining the homeowners may scare others from allowing their properties to become run down.

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Dear Mr. Cusson,

I just got my license a little over six months ago. About two months ago I was stopped for failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. I did something wrong, so I paid the ticket and thought no more of it. Until last week when my friends' dad did the same thing and he got a verbal warning. His dad is a cool guy and I respect him but what is the difference between him and I that the police can use to determine who gets a ticket and who gets a warning? Is it our income, our driving experience, or our age? As for my income I work a part-time job to pay for my insurance, some rent, bills and I go to college. My driving experience is about 18 months and I am 17 years old. My friends' dad has a full time job, he has been driving for about 24 years and is 42 years old. Who should know more about driving? Who would you give the ticket to and who would you give the warning to?

Are the cops trying to scare us young adults by giving us tickets? If so they are getting more young adults mad at them instead. We see the adults doing the same as us and only getting warnings. The saying goes, "You live what you learn". I'm learning that as I get older I can get away with more.

To most people a verbal warning is nothing, it's the points on their license that scares them. What if a verbal ticket was issued. I mean when you commit a minor traffic violation you would receive a verbal ticket where you would have to pay a small fine within seven days to the Winooski Police Department. If you don't pay the fine you would then receive points on your license. This would help by putting more money in the police fund and hopefully make a few people think twice. This would include anyone and everyone. Why not if someone from another city comes through Winooski and breaks the law they should pay the piper. I honestly feel that if a police officer has pulled you over there was a reason for that and a ticket should be issued. As your paper said before, how do the police officer know who has received a warning before. Maybe you are one of the lucky ones and all you get are warnings. Maybe there should be a record kept allowing the police to keep better track of how many warnings are issued and to whom. I believe that the police have good intention but even good intentions can be misunderstood.

Barney

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Barney,

I understand where you are coming from. I don't believe there is a check list that the police have in order to determine who gets what. If there is it should only include the severity of the offences. I also want to thank you for taking responsibility by paying your fine. Not all people do, some try to fight the ticket which cost the tax payers more money. Your idea about the verbal ticket sounds good maybe you could bring it up at the next council meeting.

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Dear Watchdog:

I haven't yet figured out what you are accomplishing. For the most part it appears that your flyer is really a very negative complaint column (with gossip). Citizens of our little community writing to complain about experiences in their lives. Sharing their ill fortune with everyone else. Your column never has the opposing parties comments. There is always more than one side to a situation. Are you sure you aren't giving the readers a slanted view without showing all areas? Could a more positive outcome arise from being more subjective?

As long as everyone is complaining, let me share some. When one is traveling along Malletts Bay Avenue towards Colchester, it is clearly evident when one enters Colchester, there is a lot less clutter and debris along the road. There is also a lot less dog manure. Why can't dog owners clean up after their canine friends. The problem is more pronounced as one travels on the West side of Malletts Bay Avenue just North of Walt's Game Room. The litter and filth is also more noticeable in that area. Regardless of your income, a little elbow grease and water will produce a cleaner neighborhood. It does take effort though. But, I think we all agree that it will enhance living conditions for all.

While I'm on a roll-what about Winooski Auto Service? What an eyesore for the City! Junk cars placed haphazardly in an over crowded lot in the center of the city. Hello! Have you any pride in where you live! One doesn't see that in our neighboring towns. Are we purposely putting ourselves at a lower level than our neighbors. Does it have to be that way? Can't something be done to project a better image to travelers visiting or passing through? Do you have any pride in where you live? Enough to clean up around your house?

I would like to hear comments from newly appointed Mayor Bissonette on how he feels about the filth, litter, and debris along Malletts Bay Avenue (and in the West part of Winooski). Is he planning to tackle that issue? I realize it is the responsibility of homeowners, renters, and landlords to clean up the area they live-but an effort to spruce up our little city will provide a more healthful and aesthetically attractive place to live and raise our families. A little effort by all will benefit all.

Thank You.

*West Lane is also bad

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To on a Roll:

I hope you feel better after venting your frustrations. I to, feel the same way you do about how Winooski has been going downhill. I felt that I needed to do something about it for actions speak louder than words. That's why I started the Youth Center, the Elderly Ride Share, and this paper. What have you done? I guess that's where we are different. I'm doing what I can to help the city I call home. Now that you said how you felt, what are you going to do?

We give every opportunity to hear from "the other side." Some take us up on our offer, some don't. Did you before writing your letter, go to Winooski Auto or the Mayor and find out first hand how they feel? I guessing "no" because your letter seems a little one sided its self. Without this paper your view would still be known only by you. I back up anything I say and I sign my name to my work, how about you? A little effort by one will benefit all.

Reggie