News and Views about East Hartford ##It may be difficult for some to understand the extreme negative views of Susan Kniep. Remember how she refused state dollars for converting the Chapman Place school (built as the towns first high school, then an elementary school)to a community/cultural center?) She allowed the building to deter iorate instead. There were other such backward efforts. Now the latest negative ranting and raving against the football stadium has erupted in a similar jeremiad. This is the same local mayor who ruthlessly fired the same staff persons she'd hired. The story of a really awful administration that caused East Hartford to be laughed at across the state is continuing as the "former this or former that."

To try and understand these negative approaches to progress the real purpose isn't to prevent improvements. Basically what is happening is to lock onto anything that a few citizens do not favor such as the football stadium. Mrs. Kniep is sought out automatically by dissidents to lead the charge with the ensuing headlines. That's the real purpose; the ego trip. There may well be another, a 2001 shot as mayor. With the Republican party in sad array, she may feel "needed" next year even though many in that party detest her, particularly on the party committee.

During Kniep's "unfortunate interlude as mayor" as depicted by a local pundit, she stayed close to a maverick Democrat, Joe Paquette. Relying on advice and counsel she would phone Joe to describe her problems and her "triumphs". Joe, not above passing on some of these conversatons, would delight when she "stung" Democrats and offer consolation with other "events" described. In full disclsure I had to listen to descriptions of these phone calls even when coming from the state of Maine. You see, after Joe moved downeast, the calls continued as each "stroked" or "consoled" the other.

##Someone recently asked for my opinion on the stadium via an e mail. Off the top I suggested asking UTC if it would be possible to locate the ballpark opposite EHHS ballpark in the wooded area known as "klondike". This would eliminate the overhang on Silver Lane. No harm in asking. I would also real soon tighten up street vendors and the nearby zoning laws to prevent unwanted speculation. I would use the state money offered in lieu of the property taxes to pay for the naming of the stadium "EAST HARTFORD CROSS- ROADS OF NEW ENGLAND. Please offer your comments via the e mail address on my home page.