Our Greenwich

Recently there was a controversial argument about where to put terrorists on trial - in the United States District Courts or in the Military Court? The following words are the words of one United States District Court Judge, William Young, after the shoe bomber’s trial was finished. The  piece is making the rounds in the e-mail community. All Americans should be proud of their country to have such an outstanding judge in the United States. His words are inspiring.

 Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court.

Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the record, Reid also admitted his ‘allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam, and to the religion of Allah,’ defiantly stating, ‘I think I will not apologize for my actions,’ and told the court ‘I am at war with your country.’

Now, let me explain this to you.  We are not afraid of you or any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid.  We are Americans.  We have been through the fire before.  There is too much war talk here and I say that to everyone with the utmost respect.  Here in this court, we deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals.  As human beings, we reach out for justice.

You are not an enemy combatant.  You are a terrorist. You are not a soldier in any war.  You are a terrorist.  To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. Whether the officers of government do it or your attorney does it, or if you think you are a soldier, you are not—– you are a terrorist.  And we do not negotiate with terrorists.  We do not meet with terrorists.  We do not sign documents with terrorists.  We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.

So war talk is way out of line in this court  You are a big fellow. But you are not that big.  You’re no warrior.  I’ve known warriors. You are a terrorist.  A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted murders.  In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and the TV crews were, and he said: ‘You’re no big deal.‘

You are no big deal.

What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific.  What was it that led you here to this courtroom today?

I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing?  And, I have an answer for you.  It may not satisfy you, but as I search this entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.

It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom.  Our individual freedom.  Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose.  Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom.  It carries it everywhere from sea to shining sea.  It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom, so that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely.  It is for freedom’s sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed appeals, will go on in their representation of you before other judges.

We Americans are all about freedom.  Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties.  Make no mistake though.  It is yet true that we will bear any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms.  Look around this courtroom.  Mark it well.  The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here.  The day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten, but this, however, will long endure.

Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America , the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done.  The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.

See that flag, Mr. Reid?  That’s the flag of the United States of America .  That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom.  And it always will.

Mr. Custody Officer.  Stand him down.

The following Official Town Press Release comes to you courtesy of the Greenwich Community and Police Partnership (”CAPP”).

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Chimney Scams

Within the past several weeks the Greenwich Police Department has received numerous reports of illegitimate contractors perpetrating a “Chimney Scam” upon local residents. The con artist’s have been using the old standby of the chimney scam for several reasons:

1. It s an easily executed scam. Most people cannot or will not climb up on the roof to verify the job was completed!

2. When people hire a chimney company to clean and or inspect their chimney they do so for safety reasons out of fear of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Everyone wants to keep their family safe.

3. The cons artist selects a vulnerable population to victimize. Most victims in these type scams are the elderly who believe they can trust the contractor.

Typically, the scammers call the victim and tell them their chimney is in disrepair and in need of immediate work to make it safe. Chimney liners are often presented as the cure all for unsafe chimneys. The homeowner is commonly convinced that these liners are badly needed. Often people are charged for these expensive liners which are never installed. The improper installation of these expensive liners creates a serious or even deadly situation in the chimney. We have seen liners dropped down chimneys with no effort to attach them to boilers, or hot water heaters. The improperly installed liner then restricts and blocks the exhaust process which may lead to a sickening or possible deadly build up of carbon monoxide within the residence. Other service’s often offered are chimney waterproofing and chimney caps which often are not required.

The current trend is showing that the illegitimate chimney scam artists are from out of state, mostly Long Island. They may lie and explain some affiliation with another chimney sweep company somewhere in the Connecticut but don’t be fooled. Often, the scam artist will during the negotiation phase create some sort of false urgency to the repair being completed right NOW and by their crooked company. The scammers will make all kinds of reason for the urgency and they will always attempt to negotiate a better price for cash.

What local residents should know to prevent them from falling victim to these type incidents?

1. Do not fall for the telephone solicitors who may be very convincing when they tell you “Its time for your annual chimney cleaning”. It’s best to stay with the many local reputable chimney contractors in the area. Check your local yellow pages or the Better Business Bureau.

2. When a solicitor calls to offer home improvement work; ask for their Connecticut Home Improvement Registration number, ask where they are located and their phone number, ask for references and verify when they were last, or even at your house.

3. Before ANY contractor works on your home, verify that they have a Connecticut Home Improvement Salesman’s Registration at the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Website @ www.ct.gov/dcp , or by calling 1-800-842-2649.

4. Always get three separate WRITTEN estimates. CT Law requires that on any written contract or proposal it must include what is known as a 3-day notice of cancellation. This notice prohibits the work from being conducted and allows the consumer three days in which to cancel the work and obtain a full refund. During those three day it gives you time to think or talk it over with a friend or family member who maybe more knowledgeable about the work proposed. This time is for your protection and allows you to make informed decision.

5. NEVER pay cash.

Not all chimney sweep companies are crooked and many an honest contractor’s good name has been smeared by the bad ones. However, the licensed contractor knows how often this old scam has been perpetrated and is more than willing to comply with any request to verify their legitimacy. If the contractor is makes any excuse as to why some part of their operation can not be verified or he seems like sketchy character, we suggest you stay away and contact the police.

For any further question regarding Home Improvement Scams contact Detective Stempien at (203) 622- 8023.