This behavior directly conflicts with the statement, “Public resources are for public use and not for any personal or private use,” said Carol Carson,executive director for the Office of State Ethics. “The Office of State Ethics will continue to fairly and vigorously enforce the code of ethics regarding any misuses of public resources”

Good to know we have now put in place another hypocritical Ethics Office that makes the rules, but allows its own employees to break them after DAS detailed their policy in 2006, well before OSE Enforcement Officer Thomas K.Jones accepted the position.

Meredith Trimble again misleads when she states there was ever a reprimand concerning use of emails or computers by the supervisors, managers, or human resources.

The documents entered into evidence detail this additional advancement of misinformation was blatantly untrue.

Trimble was aware, as well, that the supervisor Dias AFTER the policy on computer use in May 2006 was in place was found by Office of Public Auditors case # 2008-06 to have violated the policy by using the computer, internet and emails for personal use in excess of one hour per day.

No discipline was taken, as evidenced by information obtained through Freedom of Information and as evidenced by Feliciano Dias’ testimony during the probable cause hearing (where he stated he was not aware of a problem with his use) nor during his testimony on day 6 of the trial.

At some point, the OSE must stop misleading and manufacturing evidence. They are servants of the state - the citizens do not work for the OSE. The OSE works for the citizens and at some point, they too must be accountable for their actions.

What Trimble failed to address is that they failed to prove their case and we will expect them to do that, not assume a fine imposed is the end of the issue.

It is merely the beginning, or state employees will have had all their rights stripped away with no access to a fair trial with this NEW IMPROVED OFFICE OF STATE ETHICS.

January 19, 2010 3:28 PM

I want to grow grapes as a hobby/for table eating. What are the best varieties for Colchester (06415) CT. Its USDA zone is 6-7. Also where can I get the seeds/grape stock for growing the same?
Thanks

Let me start by saying that the Columbia Food Pantry account has never been suspended from Foodshare. I merely put the account on hold until the church and the town could decide on its future.

Here’s how that came about: On August 5, I was contacted by the Town of Columbia about the food that Foodshare provided to the Congregational Church for their pantry. I met with the Town, Church, and ACCESS Agency about ways to improve food distribution for persons in need in Columbia. I offered a number of suggestions about making use of the resources that Foodshare can provide.

However, I never suspended the account. I don’t even have the authority to do that! I merely said we could not send more food to Columbia until a decision was made.

I was very surprised to be notified via e-mail on August 20 that the town had decided to close the food pantry run by the church. And even more surprised to read this article suggesting it was Foodshare that closed the pantry. I can provide the chain of e-mail messages showing otherwise to anyone who is interested and contacts me at kloundon@foodshare.org.

Kai Loundon
Agency Services Representative
Foodshare