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Seventh Sojourn of the Seven Dwarfs

rags — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:12:39 GMT

Personal for Snow White:
Let's continue that discussion on why you think seven is a lucky number. Call me.

Monday night's Norwich City Council meeting marks the half-way point in the first year (of the two year session of the Council) for this City Council and Mayor and City Manager, though the City Manager is a hired, not elected, official whose precise responsibilities are as less than fully defined as his predecessor's were when he was bought out by the previous City Council for not being a 'team player' as one Norwich resident who makes his living (and judging from his suits, a good one) representing developers, so scathingly phrased it last March. That City Manager was Not One of Us, and neither is the current City Manager. Neither am I.

I live in Norwich, not because I was born here or because my parents carried me off to here at a tender age, but rather, because I choose to. When I am unhappy at how we progressing, or NOT progressing, as a city, in terms of taking care of the basic needs of all of our citizens, I know the processes and practices to attempt to initiate discussions, create coalitions and develop solutions. And right now, I'm a little short on 'benefit of the doubt' when it comes to the well-meaning men who sit as my representatives on the City Council.

Last November, six seats were open for renewal or replacement (alderpersons are two year terms while the Mayor is a four year term) and we chose five NEW brooms to, seemingly, continue to sweep old dust. Last Fall, during a very informative (imho) election campaign, everyone now on the Council, promised to examine and evaluate the City Charter, last revised in March of 2001 (I was on that Charter Revision Commission) but still in need of further definition (what are the Mayor's responsibilities and what are NOT those responsibilities-two areas that caused a LOT of difficulties in recent years, though one party in the disagreement preferred a proxy war to an open and frank exchange that might have resolved some of the problems. We like to talk at cross-purposes here in the Rose City, maybe like where you live?) with an eye towards additional review and possible repair in other areas .

Six months into their terms, this City Council has discussed once the idea of reviewing the charter and then closed their eyes. Can you detect my annoyance? Another hot topic during the election campaign was ethics reform (the current charter has a small section on ethical standards and behavior, slight enough that all of us can overlook it without turning red) that all agreed was very important, though six months further up the road, not very important enough to have actually done anything after accepting the final Ethics Review Committee report in March.

I told you I'm old enough to know how to use the system to fix the system when needed. Remember, Democracy is a contact sport, so wear a cup, my brother (and sister). Here's what on tap for Monday's meeting. You be the judge about 'talking the talk and walking the walk.' And lest anyone get confused, I have (extremely) high expectations for this Council and that just sharpens my disappointment and heightens my anger.

Growing the Grand List was of the utmost importance all the candidates told us last fall. I fear what they meant was talking about growing the Grand List was important because that's all they've done since--the Mayor's Economic Development Round table last Monday notwithstanding. And as Dylan once noted, 'nothing is revealed.' And in case you were betting I'd forgotten, Council members who worked to dismantle the Administrative, Planning and Economic Development sub-committee of the City Council, you lose. And the two of you who engineered that maneuver know who you are-and now know I know who you are as well.

In recent weeks, some residents have become concerned about 'new problems in our Police Department' (a public hearing between the Police Chief and City Council is slated for two weeks from Monday, on 21 July) but, for reasons that are home-grown, too many don't want to concede that the discipline and eccentric behavior (I'll call it that since a person is presumed innocent) aren't new and aren't actually the problem-but rather, a symptom of the problem.

We here in the Rose City have a long and proud heritage of ignoring problems and hoping they'll go away. We have a Norwichtown Mall (or Mausoleum as I call it. The Chinese take-out place closed a week ago, Friday, after 23 years there. How bad does it have to get that Chinese take-out places go out of business?) with close to no tenants, a downtown with ornate architecture but practically uncontaminated by the presence of residents, commerce or visitors, a school system that annually requests more money than it knows it can receive and then talks about 'cuts' in its operating budgets (but NOT nearly as loudly as it should have spoken about its State-mandated reading remediation strategy that it was required to develop because it has failed its students and because our children fall farther and farther behind the standards outlined in No Child Left Behind. Throwing money at the problem didn't fix it. What a surprise.) to show for our efforts, and lack of same. Quite frankly my fellow Rose City Resident, iIf you are not outraged at how we don't get things done around here, you just haven't been paying enough attention.

Perhaps we could all get away with empty rhetoric in good economic times, but for the moment those times are gone. The rising tide of prosperity didn't lift all of our boats here in Norwich and when the levee breaks, it doesn't promise to be a pretty picture for anyone in these parts. For the seven elected folks in the front of Council chambers at City Hall--meaning well and doing well are TWO different situations. I voted for change last November and staging a tabla rasa a year from this November doesn't frighten me at all. Gentlemen, I'm starting to wonder about which one of you might be the tallest-and in the context I'm thinking of, being tall ain't anything to be hometown proud about. Norwich can never suffer from Future Shock--we're unable and unwilling to overcome our own past and, besides, it's Present Shock that's crippling us.

Greetings from Exit Nine

rags — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:30:59 GMT

You already know it's the Fourth of July--the calendar told you that. And we Americans (how arrogant are we that we share this American continent with people from Canada and Mexico-not even mentioning the other American continent, but we are Americans and everyone else is, well, everyone else) can, I hope, find the time today to reflect on who we are and how we got here (the good parts. We beat one another up waaay too often the rest of the year on who has warts and where they are. Let's have a truce, okay?).

I consider myself a Jersey Guy--I wasn't born there, but we moved there when I was very small and I moved away (not realizing it was forever) back in1975. Now, when I visit relatives--actually that's code for when I visit my brother, Adam (he went from being my 'baby' brother to 'youngest' brother until I, finally, realized he's forty-one years of age and birth order is now difference without distinction) and his wife and two (adult) children (whose ages fall in the gap between my son, Patrick, and daughter, Michelle), I'm aware 'this is not my Here' (because I've felt it everywhere I've been my whole life.).

Adam's much more a Renaissance Man than I. He can engage you in a discussion on regional and geopolitical questions or why (oh why!) Kyle Farnsworth is still with the Yankees (he was the one who confirmed the nasty rumor that the Pinstripers still had Carl Pavano on the payroll) whereas I know what I like (in your wardrobe) and that's about it. Sometime ago he came up with striking figure of speech, snowglobe, to describe his piece of earth and by definition, all of our claims here (Frodo Lives! Just not around here). He found his Jersey Girl and I had to travel some to find mine, but I had a headstart and used it my advantage.

I think it's amazing and amusing, with the space of years and distance combined with the differences in growing up, how each of us came to be who we are, where we are and how similar the snowglobes we've made actually are. And, because if you've read me more than once, you know while you can take the boy out of Jersey, you can't take the Jersey out of the boy, you had to guess I'd quote Joyce Kilmer. Or not. No matter what the dot net says, I always hear:
'Sandy, that waitress I was seeing has lost her desire for me.
I spoke with her last night, she said she won't set herself on fire for me anymore.'
And, altogether now, whether you're from Jersey or not:
'Sandy, the fireworks are hailin' over Little Eden tonight,
Forcin' a light into all those stoned-out faces left stranded on this Fourth of July.'

Paddling and Pedaling for a Cause: Friends of the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration Fund-raiser a success

Kristal Spence — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:41:10 GMT

“It’s fantastic. This is five years growing,” said Ken Carlson, co-chair of the Friends of the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration (FOMA) as he looked around Bluff Point June 21. Each table of T-shirts and raffles was surrounded by visitors and supporters as FOMA held its fifth annual Animal Rescue Kayak (ARK) event in the sun.

“ARK is the event itself,” he explained. “It’s a benefit pedal and paddle to raise money to help the Mystic Aquarium with marine animals, marine mammals, and the sea turtle program.”

FOMA is an all-volunteer group that raises funds to benefit the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding program at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration.

“We had the idea of making some type of event that ties the water directly to the fund raising so we figured kayaking is a natural choice,” Carlson said. “It’s been growing every year. There are a lot of people out in the water right now because all courses are out.”

Kayakers chose among four courses and were able to reserve free kayak rentals ahead of time.

“Another big thing is that we have a lot of people from the kayak community involved,” Carlson said. “There are certified instructors on each one of the courses…This year, we added two components: online sponsoring and the bike event.”

Cyclists were able to pick between two routes and non-paddlers had the option this year to Virtual Kayak through FOMA’s Web site.

Carlson said ARK event is one of the organization’s major fund-raisers of the year and since its inception, it has just about doubled its profits each year.

“The potential for this to grow is tremendous,” he added. When asked how much FOMA would like to raise, Carlson said as much as possible.
“It’s expensive to care for the seals, whales, dolphins, and sea turtles,” he said. “This year we hope to break $10,000 and that number can definitely grow in the future.”

Major sponsors were The New London Day, Zip06.com, Coca-Cola, Sunbeam Fleet, The Kayak Centre of Rhode Island, Eastern Mountain Sports, King Cove Outfitters-Marina, Kayak Waveology, and Mystic Cycle Center.

Paddlers and pedalers who brought in the most sponsors were awarded prizes and participants were given long-sleeved T-shirts with a picnic-style lunch. Carlson said participants still have the chance to win an invitation to an exclusive seal watch cruise on the Sunbeam Fleet if they raise more than $200.

For additional information, visit www.mysticaquarium.org.
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit institution. The foundation’s mission is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research, and exploration.

The Taste of Summer: Cows & Cones gears up for the busy season

Russ Morey — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:35:43 GMT

Despite the overcast skies on June 27, Cows & Cones (above), situated at Alice Acres Farm Market in Gales Ferry, attracted a steady stream of customers.

Cows & Cones, Pete Bargmann’s premium ice cream stand, first opened late last summer and opened for the 2008 season on April 23.

The ice cream stand is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Musicians and Ministries: Council for Christian Arts of New London County host annual GRACEFest

Russ Morey — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:30:23 GMT

The fifth annual GRACEFest, a one-day outdoor music festival, will be held on Saturday, July 19, at the Ledyard Fairgrounds. The festival will run all day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is sponsored by the Council for Christian Arts of New London County, a Christian group whose members have varied roles within the local arts community.

The festival will feature two stages with performances by many local musicians as well as some bands well known in the Christian community.
Stage A will host most of the larger—and louder—bands including Village Voices, the celebrated, faith-based children’s performing group from Ledyard and Gales Ferry; the nationally acclaimed Christian rock band, Echoing Angels; as well as Soul Purpose, Driving Reign, Siloam, and Dave Pettigrew. Performers on Stage B will include smaller bands and soloists such as Brian Bergman, Kevin Shea, and Tisha Duggan.

While faith-based music will be the main focus of the event, an array of other activities have been scheduled as well, including various ministry booths, a number of vendors, craft tables, a large central prayer tent sponsored by the Connecticut House of Prayer, and children’s games such as face painting, balloons, tug-of-war, and sack races. Hotdogs, hamburgers, drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase, and the Portuguese Fisherman will sell fried shrimp, fried dough, French fries, and pizza.

Mark Elliot, the advertising coordinator for the event, said he expects a huge turnout.

“There will be music for all, from quiet, reflective soloists to rock bands,” Elliot said in a statement. “The...Echoing Angels will be the featured headliner and many other local bands and individual artists will be performing. Everyone is welcome. Musicians, crafters, artists, speakers, and others are combining their resources and talents to put on this amazing celebration. There is something for people of all ages, so bring the whole family.”

The Ledyard Fairgrounds are at 740 Colonel Ledyard Highway in Ledyard. Tickets are $5 each or $25 for families of five or more with all proceeds used to defray the cost of the non-profit event. Local churches, ministries, and faith related vendors, crafters, and organizations interested in setting up information booths can contact Corinne at 860-536-8771.

A Success for Gardens by the Sea: Stonington Garden Club’s triennial garden walking tour attracts thousands

Russ Morey — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:25:33 GMT

Over the course of any given summer, Stonington Borough residents will see thousands of tourists walk the streets of their historic seaside village. These visitors generally come to appreciate the quaint, historic charms, ocean views, and of course, the large, Greek Revival houses which date back to the 1800s.

One characteristic about these residences not often seen, however, is what lies behind their high fences. Those gates are opened to the public only once every three years as the Stonington Garden Club hosts a walking tour of 10 of the most impressive private gardens in the Stonington Borough. And so, on June 20 and June 21, Gardens by the Sea was held as nearly 3,000 visitors flocked to the small village to take part in the triennial event.

While all the gardens featured are worthy of note, this year’s tour did feature a few interesting stops, including three houses that were once part of one large property owned by Samuel Denison in the 18th century. The original house, built in 1789, features numerous terraced gardens complete with architectural features and a reflection pool with a “floating” stone walk.

The carriage house, which was converted into a home in the early 1900s, is next door and features an alley surrounded by large rock walls and lined with 10 tall, elegant hornbeam trees. On the terrace above sits a small teahouse complete with original wallpaper dating back to the 1840s.

And just down the hill, the third house, built as a wedding gift for a previous owner’s daughter in the early 1900s, is characterized by large rock ledges and a wide array of flowering plants. Another favorite stop on the tour was Salt Acres, an 11.25-acre ocean-side estate featuring large English gardens, 270-degree views of Long Island Sound, and a 60-foot salt water pool with bluestone surround. Stonington Garden Club member, and co-organizer of the event, Carole Barnard, said she was thrilled with the turnout.

“It was a very successful event,” Barnard commented. “The weather was wonderful and everyone who came was very complimentary of the gardens we chose to be highlighted. Our own committee worked extremely hard to organize and host the event and we’re all very pleased with how everything went.”

Barnard added that all the proceeds from the tour will be used to support local and community-based beautification projects.

Let Your Lives Begin: Stonington High’s 2008 class sent off by a special friend

Russ Morey — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:21:40 GMT

On June 18, Stonington High School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2008. The ceremony was heartfelt, as the class fittingly asked SHS alumna Kate Careb, the Special Olympics Connecticut Eastern Region Director of Development, to deliver the commencement speech. Careb became very involved with the class when she and more than 200 SHS student volunteers hosted the first ever Special Olympics event in Stonington. Careb’s speech follows:

“Good afternoon. I want to say thank you to the class of 2008 for the great honor you have given me today in asking me to be a part of your commencement. Last year I had the privilege to come back to SHS and work with a large part of this class when they were juniors; and I have to say that this class is an example of the best of the human spirit at work. You are as dedicated to contributing to this community as any group I have ever worked with and because of that I know you will go far.

“Before I address the class of 2008 I would like to give all of you in the audience a bit of history regarding my relationship with this outstanding group of individuals.

“My experience working with this class of 2008 was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had while working for Special Olympics Connecticut. The dedication and compassion that these students put forth in planning the first Special Olympics event ever held in the town of Stonington was nothing short of spectacular.

“When I came here and invited the Stonington High students to get involved with Special Olympics, they agreed and simply took my word for the fact that this would be a life-changing experience for them. Many of these students had never been around people with disabilities, never mind the added uncertainty of hosting a full-day event for 350 athletes, of all ages, with intellectual disabilities. These students accepted an enormous challenge, and I believe they are better prepared for life because of it.

“Over 200 students from this school volunteered for the Special Olympics track and field event in 2007 and in 2008. Many more students participated in other community-building events such as the Leslie Buck Walk, The Relay for Life, Stonington COMO Leadership, and many activities with Stonington Human Services, and I believe that as a class they have shown themselves to be good people with the grace and the power to make a difference.

“Margaret Mead is quoted as saying, ‘Don’t ever doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’

“I believe she was right. So today I get to address a small group of thoughtful people who have the power to change the world: the Stonington High School Class of 2008!

“As you all head off on your life’s journey I have a few lessons I’ve learned that I’d like to offer you to add to your backpack of life:

“Number one and most important:

“Be polite: Treat all people with dignity and respect and they will in turn treat you well. And if they don’t, well, at least you will know you walk on the high road and that is a good place to be.

“Be yourself: Sing, dance, be silly. Laugh. Even when you’re not supposed to…that’s always more fun anyway!

“Trust your instincts: Trust them as much as you trust your sense of sight and sound. If something doesn’t feel right to you, that’s because it usually isn’t.

“Remember there are no failures, just bad experiences that you learn your most important life lessons from.

“And finally, be grateful. I met a beautiful woman last month who lost everything she ever owned in the big fire in Norwich. And although she was wearing borrowed clothes and had no items to prove her existence of 64 years (and no insurance to replace them), she had a beautiful smile on her face. It was clear that she remembered to be grateful for the life that God gave her.

“So now it is time to begin your journey. I hope each of you knows that you have important work to do. Each of you has a purpose on this Earth and it is very important that you follow the road that you are meant to. Some of you have very specific goals lined up, others of you have no idea what comes next. The truth is, finding your way on this path in life will most likely be very complicated. Who will you be? What will you do? Who will you love? Where will you live? When will you be successful?

“If you take only one piece of advice from me today, please make it this one:

“Each and every one of you will find your true purpose in life through giving. Whether you are heading off to college, working in a trade or a local business, I ask you today to find the time to give.

“I believe you invited me here today because we shared a beautiful experience together while giving our time and talents to ensure that 350 Special Olympic athletes had an opportunity to experience joy. Did any of you notice that the real magic happened when you believed you were giving, but the real gift was the feeling you received? I did. Some of you felt joy, some felt accomplishment, maybe some of you felt grateful. Whatever the feeling was, it is certain that it caused you to grow and you are a better person because of it.

“I encourage every one of you to continue on this path of giving. You see, when you truly give from your heart you find out who you are and what you are supposed to do in this life…

“You may volunteer at a hospital and learn that you are supposed to be a nurse or a doctor.

“You may volunteer to run a marathon for breast cancer and learn that you are supposed to work on finding the cure.

“You may volunteer to spend time with our wise and wonderful elders at a nursing home and learn that you are supposed to be the person who will change our current health care system.

“You may volunteer to help save the rainforest and you just might learn that you are the one who is supposed to invent a new alternative energy.
“Take the time to give…

“You say you will have such a high-powered job making millions that you will not have time to volunteer? That’s OK. Then I say, integrate philanthropy into the fabric of your corporation. Be a powerful donor to worthy organizations and teach your employees to do the same. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy that can only be received through giving.

“Before I send you off today to start your life as caring, giving, productive members of society, I would like to invite a friend of mine up to the podium.

“Scott Martin is a Special Olympic athlete and Global Messenger for our great cause. Scott was here for our first ever Special Olympic Stonington High School track and field event in 2007. And he will have the opportunity to continue to compete at this world-class high school because of all of you and the road you paved for him and other special athletes like him.

“So today, I received special permission to have Scott lead all of you in the oath that we recite every time we bravely prepare to enter competition. Today, Scott will lead you as you bravely prepare to enter your new life:

“Please repeat after Scott:

“Let me win…But if I cannot win….let me be brave in the attempt!

“At this point we usually say ‘Let the games begin,’ but today we declare, ‘Let your new lives begin.’”

KELLY MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR ROLL

Interactive Desk — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:10:08 GMT

THIRD TRIMESTER

6TH GRADE

HIGH HONORS

Margaret Babb, Susan Babb, Meaghan Benoit, Amanda Choi, Allison Cilley, Nicole Cormier, Nicholas Crooks, Riddhi Dave, Jonah Geligoff, Patricia Georges, Jason Hill,

Lauren Hodkinson, Rosario Huamani Carpio, Francis Lee, Schyler Lemaire, Adrianna Lowe, Katelyn Mazurkiewicz, Lindsey McElroy, Izaak Miller, Cassandra Moyer,

William Murray, Ehi Ojieyan, Motyat Olatunmbi, Taylor Renfree, Rachal Rubelmann,

Marcus Smith, Morgan Smith, Ulrica Sun, Alexandra Tio, Peter Tramontozzi

HONORS

Zhane Adams, Nicole Allard, Nicole Almonte Mateo, Kendrick Amy, Atianna Arder,

Abigail Banks, Daniel Bilda, Emily Black, Leeann Black, Nicholas Brown, Cassidy Bundy, Tyriece Burke, Eric Calhoun, Jasmin Campos-Sanchez, Rigo Contreras-Carrillo,

Ragine Crandall, Elijah Crawford, Schneidie Delmas, Kailyn Dimalanta, Shenider Dufort, Jordan Evrett, Jonathan Eyberse, Taibah Fisher, Jeffrey Fitch, Kyle Gervais,

Nicole Gibson-Lindholm, Devin Gleason, Hallie Hamby, Jessie Hill, Rachel Hodges,

Phillip Hyman, Jessica Hynds, Jennifer Jules, Bridget Kaiser, Ramsha Khan, Tyler Marsico, Margaret McDonough, Cindy Mezidor, Alexander Miller, Ryan Mocek, Rhyess

Nash, Kelsey O’Connell, Marcus Outlow, Sabrina Palmer, William Platz, Angelica Rayment, Brianda Rice, Angela Rineer, Kimberly Rosas, Jean St. Simon, Julie Wang,

Chandra White, Alexander Whitmore, Jasiel Williams

7TH GRADE

HIGH HONORS

Monique Beauregard, Alexander Blais, Jeremy Brine, Daniel Britos, Nicholas Cardelle,

Jaron Cotton, Heather Courey, Colton Day, Nikia Ellies, Angela Flores-Alcalde, Shannon

Fowler, Dale Galloway-Haggett, Adrianna Gillis, Pamela Hine, Alyssa Hunter, Jordan Kaiser, Donovan Kelleher, Duoma Kunga, Zoe Longendyke, Steven Makowicki,

David Masse, Brianna McClafferty, Abigail McConnell, Joseph Mitchell, Kayla Moran,

Justin Moran, Emily Overturf, Jake Paulman, Monica Rivera-Gregory, Amber Royster,

Sorna Sarker, Katherine Shea, Kendall Simmons, Ronny Tavares, Angeliz Vargas Casillas, Raagan Wicken, Mackenzie Williams

HONORS

Paige Allen, Derrick Baez, Allyson Bastien, Haley Blanchard, Kourtney Brown, Angellica Cassin-Brown, John Crooks, Michelle D’Auria, Stephanie Debailleul, Tyler Demerchant, Marilyn Flanders, Alexyss Fuller, Jubilee Garay, Jamie Gartley, Kimberly

Godin, Anthony Gomes, James Gromko-Adams, Rachel Ham, Jacob Hensch,

Charles Ingham, Kayla Jessing, Christopher Johnson, Laura Ketcher, Julian Laureano,

Donna Le, Patrick Lewis, Micaela Loubier, Brenna Miner, Paulette Oquendo, Megan Overturf, Samantha Plante, Melanie Poore, Tiana Powell, Tian Qiu, Arlete Rodrigues,

Ruth Rodriguez, Victoria Rodriguez, Jordan Rogers, Madison Sauer, Rachel Signorino,

Bailey Smith, Bethany Stone, Layla Webster, Jacob Wiencek, Curtis Wilson, Kiante Wilson

8TH GRADE

HIGH HONORS

Alena Austin, Richard Bertocki, Johnny Blanchard, Briahna Browne, Kiara Caraballo-Torres, Olivia Carignan, Joseph Ciriello, Connor Curland, Amber Dugan, Jared Ensling,

Aaron Evrett, Lindsay Fisher, Bessie Fong, Emma Fontaine, Devon Giannelli, Danielle

Giroux, Devan Golas, Tonay Gooday-Ervin, Gislene Gouveia, Charlotte Herz, Kathryn Hill, Bethany Hull, Jillian Johnson, Kayla Johnson, Schuyler LaParle, Matthew Lynch,

Sarah Mackin, Christopher Madore, Arienna Manzi, Dylan Markey, Hannah Mattos,

Paige McElroy, Hannah McNomee, Zachary Morse, Michaela Murray, Alexandra Pacifico, Amanda Pons, Briana Ramirez, Emma Sanchi, Lloyd Schramm, Rebecca Smolenski, Victoria Smolenski, Allison Sullivan, Nicholas Tague, Breanna Winstead,

Devon York

HONORS

Ivy Armstrong, Drake Baton, Shannon Bowers, Shataya Brisbane, Dylan Brown,

Cormac Buchman, Jordan Cagle, David Cedrone, Alexandra Chapman, Alyssa Coffey,

Daniel Conner, Devon Connolly, Jessica Cote-Michaud, Ce’Nedra Darragh, Katelyn

Davis, Judex Delmas, Kyle Doak, Jasmine Dougherty, Chelsea Freyer, Melissa Godere,

Elizabeth Gonzalez, Nicholas Hamby, Victoria Hatos, Daniel Hensch, Amy Ketcher,

Rachel Lord, Landy Louisthelmy, Jessica Mendes, Billie-Jean Messier, Hunter Molcan,

Evan Morse, Cody Murphy, Brooke Nelson, Nickole Pease, Karissa Pellegrini, Bryauna

Phillips, Nicholas Provau, Nicole Reinan, Brian Reyes, Stefi Rosas-Moran, Clay Sands,

Emily Scarpa, Gavin Schriever, Samantha Sullivan, Jessica Sutton, Joe Thomason,

Nicole Ton, Jackson Tonnesen, Rigoberto Valadez, Ana Vargas, Jessica Vargas,

Charmaine Velez, Chad Vincent, Taylor Vlaun, Andrew Weiler, Kaitlin Whitmore,

Devin Willie, Mathew Ying

Mystic Seaport Hosts 33rd Annual Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous

Mystic Seaport — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:08:02 GMT

Nearly 50 classic boats – both power and sail – will dock along Mystic Seaport’s waterfront for the Museum’s annual Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous, Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27.

The event showcases antique vessels built before 1965, including cruisers, sailboats, runabouts and launches. The boats are displayed at Mystic Seaport Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday morning. During the weekend, an award competition recognizes excellence in restoration, authenticity and workmanship.

Sunday at 12:45 p.m., the vessels leave the Museum for a three-mile parade down the historic Mystic River. Each boat is announced from the shore as it passes through Mystic’s famous Bascule Bridge on to Noank. Townspeople and tourists line the parade route to catch a glimpse of these boats and their costumed crews.

Leading the parade will be the Museum’s own steamboat Sabino, this year’s featured vessel who is celebrating her centennial anniversary.

Built in East Boothbay, Maine, in 1908, Sabino entered service for the Damariscotta Steamboat Company and spent her days delivering passengers to the numerous hotels along the Damariscotta River. In 1975, the steamer arrived at Mystic Seaport and began a new era of passenger service. The significant restoration and meticulous care she received at the Museum was recognized in 1992 when Congress designated Sabino a National Historic Landmark. As one of the last wooden, coal-fired steamboats still in operation, Sabino continues to offer Mystic Seaport visitors half-hour and 90-minute cruises mid-May through Columbus Day.

For more information about the Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous, visit www.mysticseaport.org.

Police Incident Report: June 18 to 24

Shore Publishing — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:53:02 GMT

The Valley Courier publishes a Police Incident Report to inform residents of incidents, criminal activities, and police responses occurring in town. As those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the report does not include names. It may be edited for space and content.

Chester

Wednesday, June 18

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Thursday, June 19

No arrests were made.

• A 27-year-old man of Jamaica, New York, was issued a citation at 4:52 p.m. for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart after the 1995 Honda Accord he was driving eastbound on Rout 148 east of Cedar Lake Road struck the rear of a 2004 Honda Accord LX driven by a 61-year-old Killingworth man who had braked for a pedestrian waiting to cross the road in a crosswalk. No injuries were reported.

Friday, June 20 to Saturday, June 21

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Sunday, June 22

• A 20-year-old Moodus man was arrested at 9:34 a.m. on a warrant charging him with burglary in the third degree and larceny in the second degree. He was arrested while appearing in court to face other charges. He was held by the court on a $35,000 cash bond pending court arraignment on the new charges on the following day.

Monday, June 23

• A 57-year-old man of Laurel Street was arrested at 10:20 a.m. and charged with larceny in the sixth degree after he took a full can of gasoline and other items belonging to a Deep River town maintenance crew. He was found in possession of the items at his residence.

Tuesday, June 24

No arrests were made.

• At 7:26 p.m. Trooper Adam Brown reported that a 29-year-old male resident of 29 Liberty Street complained that an unknown person or persons stole a solid copper lid that he was using as a planter. The lid was approximately three feet in diameter and 70 to 80 years old. It was stolen between June 12 and 24. Anyone with information is asked to call the Chester Resident State Trooper at 860-526-3605.

Deep River

Wednesday, June 18

No arrests were made.

• At 8:00 a.m. Trooper Funchion investigated the report of a disturbance at 391 Main Street. No details were available.

• At 8:30 a.m. Trooper Cope investigated a larceny at 85 Hemlock Drive.

• At 10:30 a.m. Trooper Funchion assisted DCF with a runaway from the Mount Saint John School for boys. The student was located and returned to school.

• At 1 p.m. Trooper Cope investigated a larceny at 14 Long Hill Road.

Thursday, June 19

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Friday, June 20

• A youthful offender was arrested at 6:15 p.m. at 200 Westbrook Road and charged with disorderly conduct after two brothers got into a quarrel and the arrestee threw a glass that shattered on the wall. Shards of glass cut the victim who then required medical attention.

Saturday, June 21

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Sunday, June 22

• A 29-year-old man of Warsaw Street was arrested at 3 p.m. and charged with assault in the third degree and disorderly conduct following a domestic disturbance in which the accused grabbed the neck chain of a 23-year-old woman and ripped it from her neck, causing minor injury. The victim's shirt was also ripped off during the assault. He was released at 8 p.m. on June 23 on a $1,000 cash bond pending a June 24 court date.

• A 28-year-old Suffield man was arrested and charged with reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle while under license suspension after he was laser clocked traveling 95 miles her hour. During the traffic stop police discovered he had an active arrest warrant held by Superior Court in Bantam, Connecticut. He was arrested again and charged with failure to appear. He was processed and released at 10:30 p.m. on a $500 cash bond for the driving offense and a $1,500 cash bond for the criminal offense.

Monday, June 23

No arrests were made.

• A larceny on Kirtland Street was investigated by Trooper Christopher Cope at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, June 24

• A youthful offender was arrested at 11:45 a.m. and charged with criminal mischief in the third degree and disorderly conduct after the report of a youth running around the Mount Saint John school for boys being disruptive to other students, yelling and swearing. The youth also smashed a glass table located in the lobby.

Essex

Wednesday, June 18

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Thursday, June 19

No arrests were made.

• Trooper Howes reported finding lost property on Dennison Road at 4:57 p.m. No details were available.

Friday, June 20

No arrests were made.

• At 12:41 a.m. police reported that a 19-year-old Old Saybrook man was driving a 2000 Mazda Protege on Deep River Road. When he slowed to make a turn in front of #67 Deep River Road an unknown vehicle struck the left front fender while passing on the left and fled from the scene. No injuries were reported.

Saturday, June 21

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Sunday, June 22

• A 42-year-old New Haven man was arrested at 2:14 p.m. and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, resisting arrest, and failure to obey an officer's signal after he refused to stop at a roadblock for a parade being conducted to honor 175 years of the Essex Volunteer Fire Department. He was held overnight on a $5,000 surety bond and transported to Middletown Superior Court for arraignment at 7:45 a.m. the following morning.

• A 34-year-old Haddam man was issued a citation at 3:46 p.m. for failure to carry a driver's license and using a restricted left lane after he attempted a U-turn in the middle of Plains Road while driving a 2001 Toyota Corolla and struck the passenger side of a 2003 Ford Explorer driven by a 55-year-old Bristol man. A 46-year-old woman was a passenger onboard the Explorer. No injuries were reported at the scene.

• At 1:40 a.m. Trooper Matthew Ewing investigated the report of a larceny from a vehicle parked in a garage at Brook Hill Woods.

Monday, June 23

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Tuesday, June 24

• A 25-year-old Old Saybrook woman was arrested at 3 p.m. and charged with violation of a protective order after her estranged husband (who lives in Ivoryton) claims she attempted to contact him via cell phone and text messaging. She was released at 4:50 p.m. on a $5,000 non-surety bond pending court arraignment on the following day.

• A 34-year-old woman of Brookside Lane was arrested at 5:43 p.m. and charged with larceny in the sixth degree, forgery in the third degree, and identification theft in the third degree. She was released at 9:45 p.m. on a $2,500 cash bond pending a July 3 court date.

Police correspondent Jason J. Marchi compiles the Police Incident Report.

Liz Easley: Making a Street into a Neighborhood

Shore Publishing — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:52:20 GMT

By Rita Christopher, Courier Senior Correspondent:

Liz Easley just can’t understand it. Why would anyone think anything she does is special? What is so good about going to Little League games to see friends’ kids once your own are grown and gone? What is so curious about having a supply of ice pops in the freezer just to give out to visiting neighborhood children? Or going to the swim meet of a youngster in her Sunday school class?

“I really just do what neighbors are supposed to do,” she says. Of course, her neighbors think she is exceptional.

“She is the kindest neighbor,” notes Carol Sullivan. “She and her husband welcome kids into their home, go to sporting events, host an annual wiener roast for the whole neighborhood.”

The wiener roast started when Liz and her husband Ed moved to Ivoryton some 20 years ago. Both were from a small town in the Midwest and found the legendary reserve of New England a new experience.

“I’m not used to not knowing the neighbors and there were a lot of people in the neighborhood that we didn’t know so that’s how it started,” says Liz.

The guest list, she admits, has now grown to more than 100. The Easleys have a big fire pit in their backyard where the hot dog cooking gets done, and they plan special activities for children like a piñata or a scavenger hunt.

“I love it. It’s so much fun,” Liz says.

Professionally, Liz has been a nurse at Middlesex Hospital for more than 20 years, working in many different medical areas, among them pediatrics, oncology, and surgery.

“I’m a jack of all trades,” she says.

Now, she specializes in the field of gastroenterology; she works in outpatient surgery, which often deals with colonoscopies. She is eager for people to realize the importance of early detection of colon cancer and points that Middlesex Hospital has had awareness weeks to explain the value of having a colonoscopy.

Despite her decades in New England, Liz still has traces of her native Illinois in her voice.

“I think it’s even the way I say Illinois,” she says, emphasizing the last syllable. “I don’t know if you ever get rid of that.”

She grew up on a farm, which she describes as 700 acres of corn and soybeans in the small town of Chenoa. Ed, originally from Oklahoma, was a classmate.

“We were high school sweethearts,” she recalls.

When Ed took a job in Connecticut, he called Liz to say he had found a house in Essex. In fact, he bought it before Liz had even seen it.

“He told me the town had good schools and a Lutheran church,” Liz says. “That was important to me because it was so much a part of the way I grew up.”

She says she still has a fondness for such church classics as potluck suppers. What’s more, she still teaches Sunday school, the first and second grades.

“I love the children [at that age] and I don’t want to have anybody saying anything to me like ‘Mrs. Easley, you just made a grammar mistake,’” she jokes.

When her own sons Chad and Seth, now 25 and 23 respectively, were younger Liz and Ed were very involved with the YMCA swim team of which both boys were members. Ed was president of the parents’ organization supporting the swim club and also president of the Little League in Essex. Liz served for a number of years on the Essex Park and Recreation Commission.

Though their sons are grown, Liz and Ed still treat the children of friends and neighbors for special events like going to see a production of The Lion King or going out for pizza.

“We come up with some things we want and if we take the kids along, then we don’t look like such old fools,” she laughs.

The Easleys’ house reflects Liz’s love of gardening. And it’s a love she shares, subdividing her plants to give them to neighbors. Every year she organizes a Saturday morning trip with friends to the Hartford farmer’s market, leaving at four in the morning and finishing up, after flower shopping, with breakfast.

Years of volunteering haven’t made Liz’s enthusiasm flag. She maintains her zest for community service.

“It’s a great way to meet people,” she says. “If your heart’s in it, it’s great work.”

And, though she has no plans to retire, she knows exactly what she wants to do when that time comes: “I’ll go back and volunteer for all the things I haven’t had time to do.”

Half-Day Summer Camp Offered

Shore Publishing — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:50:12 GMT

CHESTER:

Park and Recreation Director Elizabeth Netsch has announced the Children’s Summer Program will offer half-day options for its day camp the weeks of July 21 and July 28.

The half-day camps will run Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The camps meet from 9 a.m. to noon or from noon to 3 p.m. On Mondays and Wednesdays, camp is located at North Quarter Park. On Tuesdays and Fridays, camp is located at Cedar Lake.

Camp activities include group games, arts and crafts, water safety skills, swimming, canoeing, badminton, face painting, beach volleyball, treasure hunts, cliff jumping, a sand castle contest and more.

“The registration for the Children’s Summer Program is low for the two weeks of July 21 and July 28. In order to offer the community programs that may better fit their schedules, and in order to maintain the fiscal integrity of the program, we will offer half-day options during these weeks,” Netsch explained. The half-day programs have a fee of $40 per week per child.

Netsch said an introduction to day camp is available for children ages 4 to those entering second grade. This half-day camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon. The afternoon camp, which runs from noon to 3 p.m., is open to children entering grades 1 through 7.

Full day sessions are also available for those two weeks and include a field trip on Thursdays. The fee for full day camp is $85 per child per week. All fees are payable upon registration. Children may register for as few or as many weeks as they wish. The half-day camps, however, are offered on the weeks of July 21 and July 28.

Registration forms are available outside the Park and Recreation office at the Town Hall, or the forms may be e-mailed, faxed, or mailed upon request. Persons with questions or wishing to register may also call Netsch at 526-0013 ext 223 and leave a message.

‘Four on the 4th’ Fun for All

Shore Publishing — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:47:49 GMT

By Marianne Sullivan, Courier Senior Staff Writer:

CHESTER:

The Chester Rotary Club celebrates the 30^th anniversary of its Annual Four on the 4^th Road Race Friday, expecting between 700 and 800 runners. This year there will also be another Four on the 4^th Road Race, and this one will be in Kuwait.

Susan Wright, president of the Rotary Club, said Chester resident Michael Pitruzzello, presently deployed with the U.S. Army in Kuwait, will be pulling on a Four on the 4^th T- shirt and a numbers bib as the same time as his fellow racerunners are doing exactly that in downtown Chester. And when the starter’s gun goes off in Chester, Pitruzzello and his commanding officer will start their four mile run too–except they will be thousands of miles away.

“Mike’s wife Antonia wrote us a note saying he was interested in running the race at the same time we were running here. He’s run in the Chester race many times. We sent over T- shirts and numbers bibs for Mike and his commending officer,” Wright said. “They will be running the race with us, except in Kuwait it will be 5 p.m. and the temperature will probably be over 100 degrees.”

To mark Mike’s participation, his wife Antonia will shot the starter’s gun.

“If we can work it out, we hope to have his twins, Michael and Gabrielle, crossing the finish line in Chester at the same time he crosses the finish line in Kuwait,” Wright explained.

The club will honor another armed services veteran as well.

“For years there was a group of Vietnam veterans who would run the race. They would sing crazy songs and have a lot of fun with us,” Wright said. “One of them, Steve Hancock, died last year. This year the other veterans who ran with him will be singing the national anthem and honor him.”

The road race has become an annual summer event for racers and on-lookers alike, transforming Chester Center into a downtown party with music and food in addition to the excitement of the road race itself.

The race, which this year is sanctioned by the U.S. Track and Field Association, begins at 10 a.m. sharp at the flagpole in the center of downtown. Last year the first place winner finished the four miles in 20 minutes, with the second place finisher less than two-tenths of a second behind. The last of the 763 finishers completed the course in an hour and eight minutes.

Before the race begins, as the runners assemble and during the course of the race, on-lookers can enjoy music provided by Portable Folkfest, which will be located on the porch of Nielson Studio. The party after the race will feature another band, Exit 6.

The Chester Hose Company and others will be providing the food and drink–the traditional summer fare of hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, and soda.

Free parking is available at the Water Street and Maple Street parking lots. The center of town will be closed to traffic from early in the morning until approximately noon. For participants, race day registration starts at 8 a.m. The registration table will be located at St. Joseph’s Church on Route 154.

Spectators can also see the race at any point along the route. From the flagpole at Main Street, runners head to Water Street. That brief stretch of flat road becomes a short steep hill as runners turn to head up East Liberty Street and then to the Meeting House at Liberty Street. They follow Wig Hill Road, then left onto Pleasant Street. From West Main Street to Straits Road, they then follow Prospect Street to Maple Street.

This leads them to Main Street and back to the starting point, where they receive cheers and encouragement from the crowd as they run past and head to Spring Street, then Straits Road and then West Main Street, which is the home stretch.

The proceeds from this annual road race helps to fund the more than 30 local charities supported by the Chester Rotary Club.

Just a “Pipe Dream”?

Shore Publishing — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:45:48 GMT

By Sue Cornell, Source Correspondent:

On June 21, International Skateboarding Day, the HK Skate Park Rally and Kick-Off Meeting joined adults and kids in support of a Haddam-Killingworth skate park.

Mary Keithan, who is leading the charge along with a committee of seven students, explained that the potential skate park is a combined effort of those in Killingworth and Haddam.

The goal is not only “to provide a recreational facility that is safe for skateboarders of all ages and skill levels to practice their sport,” but also “to promote a drug-free environment that will improve fitness, health, and self-esteem and to build camaraderie among participants,” she said.

Keithan’s 15-year-old skateboarder son George wanted to build a “monster structure–a half-pipe” in the driveway, inspiring his mother to come up with other options. Keithan drives her son to parks in Clinton and Guilford and has gone as far as Groton and Woodbridge. Her son, she says, “is my inspiration for having a skate park closer to home.”

Keithan sent out an informal e-mail survey to gauge interest. It didn’t take long to get positive responses.

“Word got around. I started getting letters from people in both Haddam and Killingworth who were very passionate about wanting a skate park.”

At that point, it wasn’t about her son anymore.

“It started to evolve into something else when I suddenly realized there are a lot of people–parents and kids–who really want a skate park,” she said.

More than 100 people signed on with either a petition or an e-mail. Keithan organized the rally/meeting “so that people will really step up to the plate and get this going–community leaders and town officials.”

She initiated a study of the 50 skate parks throughout Connecticut with surveys and emails. She has met with the Park and Recreation Commission and begun informal discussions with the Land Use Committee, the Board of Education, and the Board of Finance. There is a student committee of seven individuals from Haddam and Killingworth who are skateboarders of all different levels. Kim White, a marketing manager, will chair the Fundraising Committee.

More than 70 people attended the kick-off meeting in the Old Town Hall, including parents, skateboarders, and a few BMX bike riders. A slide show presentation covered the basics about what a skate park is, what size would be most suitable for the two towns to share, and the cost. The presentation was set to the song Over the Rainbow sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, chosen because Keithan has been told that having an HK Skate Park is just a "pipe dream."

For safe skateboarding, a 1,500 square foot area is required per person. Approximately 8,000 square feet would be needed for HK Skate Park. Not including land, the suggested budget is $300,000.

Connecticut State Senator Edward Meyer spoke about the STEAP Grant as a possibly avenue to help with funding and the benefits a skate park has for a community.

HK Park and Recreation Department Director Frank Sparks said that a skate park would be treated like any other recreational facility. Sparks is very interested in teaching kids how to skateboard but the Park and Recreation Department needs the facility to do so. He said that youth have many activities that involve adults and parents who are organizing and supervising activities for them. Having an unsupervised recreational activity for youth, he believes, has a great deal of value and is needed.

Board of Education Vice-Chair Michael Trahan mentioned that although he was not at this event in an official capacity, he was fully supportive of having a skate park built in Regional District 17. Trahan feels that this endeavor is a true "grassroots effort" and titled Keithan as a "community activist".

Trahan had invited Chris Kyttles, a professional skateboarder to demonstrate to the kids and Sunset Bay Surf Team, which also displayed impressive skateboarding skills. Local skate shop Cutting Edge donated a skateboard and T-shirts for the raffle.

There was a quarter pipe, double-box ramp, and a rail in the back parking lot for the kids to skateboard on.

“They all skated for nearly two hours. Many skaters came to me wanting to know how they can get involved. They also said they had a great time and wanted to plan another skateboard rally soon,” Keithan noted.

The next step is meeting with town officials from both Haddam and Killingworth “to help us find the right location and discuss the finances,” she said. “Most important, we need to form committees and gather support in order to make this skate park become a reality.”

The next meeting will be held within the next two months.

Selectmen Turn Aside SGOD Petition

Shore Publishing — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:44:25 GMT

By Marianne Sullivan, Source Senior Staff Writer:

The Board of Selectmen listened to Town Attorney William Clendenen and voted unanimously last week to turn aside a petition from the local group Stop Griswold Over Development (SGOD) that asked for a town meeting that sought to enact an ordinance affecting approval of large community sewerage systems.

The petition signed by nearly 600 residents, the town meeting sought by the petition, and the ordinance proposed were all efforts by SGOD and supporters to delay or halt the development of Madison Landing, a proposed 127-unit condominium community at the former Griswold Airport. Earlier this month the selectmen accepted the signed petition from SGOD representatives and turned it over to town counsel for a legal opinion.

Clendenen delivered his legal opinion last week at the Board of Selectmen meeting, saying the petition’s call for a town meeting and a new ordinance requiring town meeting approval “to accept the financial responsibility” of large alternate community sewerage systems, such as the one proposed at Madison Landing.

Clendenen told the selectmen, “Your board shall call a special town meeting to take action on a petition provided the item petitioned [is] a proper legal subject for a town meeting. After reviewing the petition, applicable state law, case law. and legislative history, we conclude the item is not proper.”

He said the proposal conflicts with state statutes and with the statutory discretion of the town’s Water Pollution Control Authority. State statutes “permit the WPCA to ensure effective management of a community sewerage system by requiring the affected homeowners association to assume primary responsibility” for its wastewater treatment system. The petition’s proposal, Clendenen said, improperly transfers that financial responsibility to Madison taxpayers.

Keith Ainsworth, the attorney for SGOD, contended that proposed ordinance “would not strip the WPCA of its authority.” He said, “The ordinance means the town meeting has the chance for debate on this. The meeting gives a thumbs up or thumbs down. If it’s up, then the WPCA still has all its authority in which to act…I don’t believe this removes protections from the town, it adds protections.”

Clenenden’s opinion said, “If passed, the ordinance would strip the WPCA of its authority regarding large alternative treatment community sewerage systems and give the authority to a town meeting. This proposed action is beyond the powers of the town…[state statute] expressly charges the WPCA with the duty to ensure effective management of all community sewerage systems within the town and expressly forbids town meetings from acting as the WPCA.”

SGOD contends that a large alternative sewerage system, such as the one proposed at Madison Landing, holds the potential to create significant problems, should it fail, and among those problems will be major financial costs that could impact Madison taxpayers. Clenenden contends the WPCA holds the authority to require “operational and financial responsibility for the system to the homeowners served by it and not to the town as a whole.”

The selectmen agreed with the town’s attorney, voting unanimously to declare the petition not a proper legal subject for a town meeting.

Howard Kaufman, executive vice president of Leyland Alliance, the developers of the proposed Madison Landing, called the SGOD petition “a scare tactic, a fantasy meant to purposely mislead the public.” He said the town attorney’s legal opinion “was exactly what we expected, and what our counsel has said in his legal analysis. The proposal was not in accordance with state law.”

Kaufman also said the wastewater system being proposed at Madison Landing “is a very simple system with component that, if they need to be replaced, can be replaced for a modest cost. That cost would be part of a homeowner association’s budget.” SGOD’s comments that a system failure could lead to millions of dollars in costs to Madison taxpayers “are misrepresentations…meant to sound scary. People signed those petitions because they were being told things that were not true.”

SGOD has contended the Zenon wastewater treatment system being proposed at Madison Landing has a poor record of environmental safety. Kaufman and Leyland Alliance contend the system is one of the most effective. Both sides are still awaiting a decision from Commissioner Gina McCarthy of the Department of Environmental Protection on SGOD’s appeal of the department’s earlier decision to grant approval to Leyland to install a Zenon system at Madison Landing.

Trouble Underfoot?

Shore Publishing — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:19:22 GMT

By Jen Matteis, Source Staff Writer:

If you hear a deafening roar and see a cloud of wood chips flying through the air, there’s a good chance Phil Janssen is nearby.

Phil has made a name for himself in Madison through his selfless devotion to a simple goal: the elimination of tree stumps. Lately you might have spotted Phil wearing his bright orange helmet at the entrance to Hammonasset Beach State Park, where he is working on the new Joshua Rock area.

“With all the stumps it was unsafe for people to be walking around there,” Phil says. “So I went in.”

The 50 or so tree stumps at the site now face the wrath of Phil’s stump grinder and his hours of volunteered time. The resulting wood chips will create a pleasant walking surface for the future park at Joshua’s Rock, the huge glacial erratic recently uncovered at the entrance to Hammonasset. The layer of chips will also hinder the growth of weeds.

Phil’s battle against stumps began in 1986 in the aftermath of Hurricane Gloria.

“A lot of trees were down in town and some were even uprooted,” he recalls. “I bought a machine and I started grinding stumps.”

The work started as part of Phil’s involvement in the town’s fire department, Madison Hose Company #1, where he has volunteered for about 25 years. While stump grinding is satisfying, volunteering with the fire department is even more fulfilling for Phil.

“It’s nice to help somebody out when they need your help the most,” Phil says.

Stump grinding became both job and calling for Phil, who started up his own company, Madison Lawn and Stump Service, Inc., the same year that Gloria hit. Along with stump grinding, Phil is quite the landscaper, evident by the manicured yard at his Madison home where he lives with his wife, Marilyn. A selection of his favorite bushes and trees—ranging from a butterfly bush to a tri-color beech tree—fill the property, which is more than just a pretty face.

“We try to pick plants that are naturally resistant, whether it be to deer or insects,” Phil says. “It’s nice to be able to produce something without putting a lot of chemicals and pesticides on it.”

A member of the Connecticut Groundskeepers, Phil attends seminars at UConn to learn new ways to avoid the nitrogen and phosphate pollution associated with landscaping. Both gardening and hard work have strong roots in the family.

“My father always had a flower garden and vegetable garden,” says Phil. “He used to sell strawberries and flowers out in front of the house.

“I just love working with plants,” he continues. “It’s my hobby.”

Phil’s father, John, also owned a farm in the Finger Lakes area of New York and his brothers started a dairy farm in Madison while they were in high school.

“We used to have cows right here next to Daniel Hand High School,” Phil says. “Once in awhile one would end up mysteriously in the hallway in the school.”

According to Phil, farming and landscaping are satisfying because they produce tangible results.

“It’s nice to know that you’re producing something,” he says. “That’s why dairy farming and landscaping are just a nice way to work.”

Following in the footsteps of his father, a member of Madison’s Exchange Club who donated Janssen Field to the high school shortly before his death, Phil enjoys the opportunity to give back to the community. From his volunteer work at the fire department to helping out with Friends of Hammonasset events such as the annual Plant Sale and the Christmas Tree Sale, Phil relishes the sense of community gained from both working and volunteering locally.

“It’s just so nice to be able to work in your community,” he says. “It’s so neat to get up in the morning and just do what you like to do.”

Scranton Trustees Urge Nov. 4 Vote

Shore Publishing — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:18:16 GMT

By Marianne Sullivan, Source Senior Staff Writer:

When Madison voters head to the polls on Nov. 4, they may be asked to cast their ballots for more than the national and state elections. They may also be asked to approve millions of dollars in borrowing for the renovation and addition to the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library.

Library Board of Trustee President Ted Mallory, in pressing his case before the Board of Selectmen last week, said, “Perhaps this is not as much time as your board may like, but we at the library have been talking about this addition for some time. We believe it would be a shame not to take this issue to voters in this upcoming November election.”

Mallory said the trustees had done their research. Only 20 percent of eligible Madison voters come out to the polls at special referendums, but in the recent past, presidential elections have seen 80 percent participation.

“We want the largest participation possible. We believe our constituency is everyone in town. We believe when the most people vote it is best for the library and best for the town. I think it would be a shame if we don’t put this question out before the most people possible,” he said.

The Scranton Library is seeking approximately $13 million from the town to expand and renovate of library. Its plans have moved haltingly over the past two or more years as the town also debates the need for a new senior center, ambulance garage, and the future use of Academy School–all projects that are also estimated in the millions of dollars. With an architectural firm on board and conceptual designs in hand, as well as cost estimates, the library’s trustees are now pressing for action.

Mallory conceded that the timetable was tight, given the steps by which a project of this size is customarily considered and debated, but he proposed a schedule that would allow for all the required meetings and public hearings.

“It was presumptuous of us, I know, but it shows this board how anxious we are to move forward. We think we’re ready,” he told the selectmen.

Town Engineer Stew MacMillan told the selectmen, “I have talked with our bond counsel and he believes placing the question on the Nov. 4 ballot could be accomplished, but it will be extremely tight, with no slip room.”

Legally, the library, which is a private, non-profit organization, and the town must agree to a contract concerning the future use and ownership of the library building. The boards of selectmen and finance must approve the placing of the question on the ballot, all the legal documents necessary for bonding must be in place, the Secretary of State’s Office must receive the question in time for it to be printed on the ballot, and public hearings and a town meeting must also held.

The selectmen found Mallory’s plea persuasive.

Selectman Noreen Kokoruda said, “It is time for a vote on this question, and maybe it’s time for a vote on the senior center and ambulance building at the same time.”

If the review committees now studying the projects believe they are ready to move forward to a Nov. 4 vote, then the Board of Selectmen should do what it could to accomplish that, she added.

Selectman Bill Gladstone agreed.

“We want a broad public mandate. If we are asking for big money, we should seek a big vote,” Gladstone said. “If we can make this work, we should try.”

First Selectman Al Goldberg, while acknowledging MacMillan’s concerns for the tight timetable, said he would work to complete the public-private agreement between the town and the library’s trustee board, and then attempt to schedule the necessary meetings.

“Our target will be a Nov. 4 vote,” he said.

Police Incident Report: June 18 to 24

Shore Publishing — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:17:15 GMT

The Source publishes a Police Incident Report to inform residents of incidents, criminal activities, and police responses occurring in Madison and Killingworth. As those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the report does not include names. The report may be edited for size and content.

Madison

Wednesday, June 18

No arrests were made.

• Vandalism was reported at 57 Bradley Road at 7:22 a.m.

• The theft of miscellaneous items was reported from 16 Fort Path Road at 9:19 a.m.

• A bicycle was reported stolen from 4 School Street at 5:47 p.m.

• Criminal mischief was reported on private property at 1185 Durham Road at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 19

No arrests were made.

• Assistance was provided to a person on Neck Road who reported a reckless endangerment incident at 5:49 a.m.

Friday, June 20

• A 30-year-old New Haven man was arrested at 11:14 p.m. and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and use and/or possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to obey a stop sign following a motor vehicle stop on the 100 block of Durham Road. He was issued a July 1 court date.

• Theft of miscellaneous items reported from 235 Summer Hill Road at 10:10 a.m.

Saturday, June 21

• An 18-year-old man of Garnet Park Road was arrested at 9:42 p.m. and charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and use and/or possession of drug paraphernalia after a motor vehicle stop on Surf Club Road. He was issued a July 8 court date.

Sunday, June 22

• A 46-year-old man of White Cedar Drive was arrested at 4:27 p.m. and charged with breach of peace, threatening, and possession of a loaded firearm while under the influence of alcohol. Police said he threatened to shoot a 45-year-old man who lives at the same address. After a two-hour stand-off police were able to enter the second floor of an out building on the property and take the accused into custody without further incident. He was found with four loaded firearms, one of which was a scoped rifle. Connecticut State Police from Troop F assisted in the incident. He was released on a $5,000 surety bond and issued a July 8 court date.

Monday, June 23

• A 45-year-old of White Cedar Drive (the man threatened on June 22) was arrested at 6:22 p.m. and charged with violation of probation.

Tuesday, June 24

• A 66-year-old woman of Green Hill Road was arrested at 9:40 a.m. and charged with disorderly conduct. She was released on a non-surety bond and issued a June 25 court date.

• A 26-year-old man of Garnet Park Road was arrested at 10:06 a.m. on a warrant charging him with failure to appear in the second degree. He was released on a $2,500 bond and issued a July 8 court date.

• A 19-year-old man of Cottage Road was arrested at 3:59 p.m. and charged with disorderly conduct. He was issued a June 25 court date.

• A 22-year-old man of Bartlett Drive was arrested at 10:30 p.m. and charged with interfering with an officer. He was issued a July 1 court date.

Killingworth

Wednesday, June 18 to Thursday, June 19

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Friday, June 20

• A 40-year-old man of Warwickshire Drive was arrested at 11:19 p.m. and charged with unlawful restraint and disorderly conduct. He was processed and released to the custody of a 46-year-old woman at 6:40 a.m. on June 21 on a $1,000 bond pending a June 23 court date.

Saturday, June 21

• A 39-year-old man of Parker Hill Road was arrested at 6:30 a.m. and charged with sexual assault, possession of an assault weapon (an assault rifle not used during the alleged assault), and unlawful restrain in the second degree following a domestic dispute. He was held on a $25,000 bond and arraigned in Middletown Superior Court on Monday morning, June 23. During the same incident a 26-year-old man of Palm Bay, Florida was arrested on a warrant charging him with being a fugitive from justice. The accused fugitive approached police during the domestic dispute looking for acquaintances that live at the residence. When police checked his identification they discovered he had an active arrest warrant out of Florida. He was held on a $200,000 surety bond pending transport back to Florida.

Sunday, June 22 to Monday, June 23

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Tuesday, June 24

No arrests were made.

• At 9:42 p.m. Trooper Wayne Buck reported that between 9:25 p.m. and 9:42 p.m. an unknown suspect made a forced entry into a residence at 72 Cow Hill Road through the front door. No one was in the residence at the time of the break-in.

Police correspondent Jason J. Marchi compiles the Police Incident Report.