East Haven Courier

Properly Vetted

2008-11-21T22:35:50Z

The East Haven Veteran’s Day Parade went off without a hitch on Nov. 11, a fitting celebration and commemoration of those who have served and those who still serve.

Photo by Nancy Dionne

Help Fair Comes to East Haven Nov. 22

2008-11-21T22:34:49Z

East Haven, Connecticut – November 14, 2008—

In light of the tough economy Mayor April Capone Almon is taking action for residents of East Haven. She will be joined along with East Haven Counseling and Community Services, East Haven Social Services, Attorney Michael Albis, The Home Depot, Blake Financial, Cellura Mortgagers, All Our Kin, 211, The East Haven Food Pantry and many others for a “HELP FAIR” on Saturday November 22, 2008 at the East Haven Senior Center 91 Tyler Avenue from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The goal of the informational session is to make the community aware of the services available to help them during tough economic times.

The Mayor went on to explain, “Attorney Patricia Cofrancesco and I were discussing the effects of the foreclosure crisis on families in our town and decided that the town could do more to help support people through the recession. There are so many services available that people do not know about because they may not have needed them in the past.”

Though the original idea was to give homeowners the tools to avoid foreclosure, the fair has evolved to include information about services that become necessary in this difficult economy. Residents will have the opportunity to apply for fuel assistance, get information on how to save money by winterizing their homes and of course learn how to avoid foreclosure before it is too late. The East Haven Food Pantry will also be on site to sign residents up for help with groceries. The Mayor noted, “Everyone is feeling the pinch these days. That makes it even more important for government to step up and see that folks have the opportunity to take advantage of the services that are available. Local government can’t solve all of the problems but we can provide some support.”

Admission to the Help Fair is free and open to all East Haven residents. For more info, call the East Haven Mayor’s Office at 203-468-3204.

Evaluating Early Education

2008-11-20T15:08:18Z

By Meredith Crawford
Courier Associate Editor

There are facts about East Haven that would surprise even the longest residents–the fact that, for example, 27 different languages are spoken across town. Then there are facts that are so basic they go virtually unnoticed, like the fact that East Haven is predominantly middle-class. Taken together, these and other statistics shape the lives and education of the town’s youngest citizens. As such, they are the topic of the East Haven Early Childhood Collaborative’s (EHECC) new report, “The Status of Young Children in East Haven: Are They Ready for Success in School?”
Town and state officials joined educators and community activists last week for the unveiling of the EHECC study. Completed in collaboration with the Hamden and West Haven Discovery Initiatives and ACES and funded by a grant from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, the study is the first step in developing a strategy to improve early childhood education for East Haven youth.
“Early childhood education is vital…The children that start ahead stay ahead,” said Mayor April Capone Almon during last Friday morning’s meeting.
Superintendent of Schools Tony Serio echoed the mayor’s sentiment, stating that the goal is to ensure East Haven youngsters arrive in kindergarten at “the optimal state of readiness.” Serio said that, when children receive adequate early healthcare and education, it impacts them positively in the long run and “achievement gaps” begin to close.
“CMT scores will improve if children are healthy” and prepared for school from an early age, Serio said.
Serio also stressed the need for the Board of Education and the town to work together using the EHECC study as a tool to address early education.
“We are a changing community. Our needs are greater, our funds are the same or less,” said Serio.
According to EHECC Coordinator Paul Perelli, East Haven’s current demographics do present more challenges to the town than may be the case in surrounding communities. Some of these challenges include inadequate early healthcare, inconvenient and unaffordable daycare options, and language barriers.
When children aren’t prepared for school, Perelli said, the negative effects may not start appearing until those children reach 3rd or 4th grade.
“Then, it may appear that the school’s not doing its job and that’s not the case,” said Perelli.
Perelli suggested that East Haven needs to encourage public discussion and strengthen parental involvement in children’s education. These steps will help to improve the social, emotional, and intellectual progress of young children, which is the ultimate goal.
Perelli and his colleague Bob Francis emphasized, however, that East Haven already has many positive assets for youth that merely need to be tapped. Francis said the next step for the town is to begin “mapping assets”–positive influences for youth that may take the form of personal relationships or organizations, agencies, and associations to which children can turn.
“You already have everything in this community that you need to accomplish this [improving early childhood education],” said Bob Francis. You’ve got the resources here; this process will help you uncover them.”

Want to become part of the solution? Share your thoughts on East Haven’s assets for youth–and the areas in which the town falls short–with your neighborsby posting a comment below. The Courier will forward your ideas and suggestions to the East Haven Early Childhood Collaborative, which will use them in the “asset mapping” and brainstorming process. Some comments may also appear in a future article in the Courier.

A Man and His Dog

2008-11-19T22:29:57Z

By Jason J. Marchi, Courier Correspondent:

Mark Twain left a provision in his will for the care of his beloved cats following his demise. That’s something East Haven resident Mark Gagliardi might consider doing for his beloved dog Junior, since the crippled chow mix came to him through a fortuitous chain of events that makes the dog one very special family member.

“I’ve always loved dogs,” Mark says.

His first was a springer spaniel named Gaggy (after the family’s last name) whom he got as a puppy when Mark was just eight. Many dogs ensued over the following decades leading up to January 1997 when an adult chow came into his life following a hit-and-run accident on Whitney Avenue in New Haven.

Left for dead, Mark and his entire family pitched in to save the dog’s life, including more than $7,000 in veterinary bills.

“They offered us little hope…saying a million dollars couldn’t save this dog,” states Donna Gagliardi, Mark’s sister.

A few hours later the vet’s office called to say the dog, which the family had named Whitney, had wagged her tail and they’d begun treating her more aggressively with this sign of hope.

Unable to find her owner, Mark took Whitney home a few days after surgery to complete her recovery and Whitney officially became his.

“A month or so later we noticed that Whitney seemed to be putting on weight. Shortly thereafter she gave birth to five puppies,” Mark says. “No one, including the doctors at the hospital, knew she was pregnant when she was hit by the car and went through her surgery.”

After Whitney’s story appeared in the New Haven Register, Mark received more than 100 phone calls and all the pups ended up in good homes.

“My family put the prospective owners through quite an interview process before letting the dogs go,” Mark notes.

After a full decade of companionship in which Mark and Whitney rarely parted company, the dog’s health took a turn for the worse, and what appeared at first to be an infection was diagnosed as cancer. Whitney died in August.

“The family incurred another $7,000 worth of vet bills hoping she could be saved but she didn’t make it,” Mark says.

This last round of vet’s bills is something Mark didn’t need, since he is now on disability insurance. Still, he felt he owed it to Whitney to give her the best medical care since she had been such a loving and devoted companion.

That love for Whitney left a void in Mark’s life he never expected to fill again—that is until his sister Debbie was looking through photographs of dogs at animal shelters and ran across one dog that was the spitting image of Whitney.

That dog, named Junior, turned out to be in a New York City no-kill ASPCA shelter for more than a year when Mark went down to see him.

“They didn’t tell me before hand that Junior can’t walk,” Mark says. “He has neuropathy [a degenerative never disease] and lost the use of his hind legs.”

Handicap aside, Junior looked like Whitney’s twin, and that was just too much for Mark to resist. Junior went home with Mark to become his new companion. Each day Mark lifts Junior into a doggy wheelchair so they can take walks along the sidewalks of East Haven together.

“Having a dog like Junior requires a lot of dedication,” Mark explains. “When he is not attached to his cart, which he uses only for outdoor walks two or three times a day, he lies on his doggy bed.”

Mark then has to turn Junior regularly to prevent bedsores, and he gives the dog’s crippled legs regular messages to help with blood circulation.

While Mark now has his work cut out for him, he says he’d adopt an animal from a shelter again, and without hesitation.

“I tell everybody if you are going to adopt go to a shelter first so these beautiful animals don’t have to be destroyed. There are so many of them.”

Pictured: While living on a disability fixed income himself, Mark Gagliardi provides the constant care that Junior, a chow mix, needs because of the dog’s physical handicap. Mark holds a photo of Junior’s predecessor, Whitney, and Junior’s doggy wheelchair is on the left.

Photo by Jason J. Marchi

To nominate a person of the week, email Jason Marchi at j.marchi@shorepublishing.com or call 203-245-1877 x 6166.

The Road to Safety

2008-11-19T22:28:13Z

By Sean Fogarty, Courier Staff Writer:

Main Street will have a new look in the upcoming years as the Department of Transportation (DOT) and East Haven work together to make the street as safe as possible for both pedestrians and automobiles.

East Haven has plans to replace the traffic signals at Main Street and Boston Avenue, Main Street and Charter Oak Avenue, Main Street and Forbes Avenue, and the Messina Drive-High Street intersections.

Plans also involve improvements to Main Street, including adding more left-turn-only lanes, said Town Engineer James Staunton, who attended a Nov. 13 town meeting between the DOT and East Haven.

Roughly a dozen people turned out for the meeting, including American Disabilities Act Commission (ADAC) Chairman Robert Hoff.

Hoff said the ADAC wants to see that every aspect of this project is ADA-compliant, especially the crosswalks and sidewalks.

“This is looking at it from an ADA perspective,” said Hoff. “It’s a good step in the right direction…but… I would have to question why they chose the fourth district to begin with and not something like Route 80…We don’t have sidewalks all the way up the road and people with disabilities have to walk onto Route 80.

Hoff said some ADA-compliance projects were forgotten about under the previous administration.

“With the ADA being put back together and brought back to life, we are seeing what we can do,” said Hoff.

The project has an initial projected cost of $918,000, 80 percent of which will be funded by the Federal Highway Administration. The remaining 20 percent will be funded by the state.

Do you know of an area in town that is a traffic hot spot–a place that needs revised traffic light timing or better pedestrian access? Join in the conversation in the comments section below. We will share your feedback with the town.

Police Incident Report: Nov. 5 to 11

2008-11-19T22:27:02Z

The East Haven 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. The report may be edited for size and content.

Wednesday, Nov. 5

• A 22-year-old New Haven man was arrested at 2:40 p.m. and charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and illegal manufacture, distribution, or sale of marijuana.

• A 34-year-old Milford woman was arrested at 9:04 p.m. and charged with larceny in the first degree.

Thursday, Nov. 6

• A 25-year-old woman of Old Foxon Road was arrested at 4:35 a.m. and charged with violation of probation.

• A 22-year-old New Haven woman was arrested at 11:15 a.m. and charged with larceny in the fifth degree.

• A 32-year-old New Haven man was arrested at 10:49 p.m. and charged with interfering with a police officer, disorderly conduct, strangulation in the second degree, assault in the second degree, and unlawful restraint in the first degree.

Friday, Nov. 7

• A 27-year-old New Haven man was arrested at 2:25 a.m. and charged with violation of probation.

• A 34-year-old New Haven man was arrested at 11:15 a.m. and charged with breach of peace in the second degree and larceny in the sixth degree.

Saturday, Nov. 8

• A 26-year-old Branford man was arrested at 1 p.m. and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, evading responsibility in the operation of a motor vehicle following an accident in which there was property damage and/or bodily injury, and five additional motor vehicle violations.

Sunday, Nov. 9

• A 29-year-old Durham man was arrested at 2:15 a.m. and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and failure to drive in the proper lane of a multiple-lane highway.

• A 30-year-old man of Coe Avenue was arrested at 9 a.m. and charged with disorderly conduct and assault in the third degree.

• A 22-year-old woman of Coe Avenue was arrested at 8 p.m. and charged with assault in the third degree and breach of peace in the second degree.

Monday, Nov. 10

• A 31-year-old man of Forest Street was arrested at 6:30 p.m. on a warrant charging her with failure to appear in the second degree.

• A 24-year-old man of Old Foxon Road was issued a misdemeanor summons at 10:10 p.m. for operating a motor vehicle while under license suspension, failure to display plate/insert, and failure to have tail lamps for which he was initially stopped.

Tuesday, Nov. 11

• A 20-year-old New Haven man was arrested at 10:58 a.m. and charged with breach of peace in the second degree, interfering with a police officer, threatening in the second degree, and two traffic violations.

• A 19-year-old North Branford man was arrested at 5:15 p.m. and charged with assault in the third degree, interfering with a police officer, and breach of peace in the second degree. In the same incident a 19-year-old woman of Prospect Extension was charged with breach of peace in the second degree and assault in the third degree.

• A 39-year-old New Haven man was arrested at 5:45 p.m. and charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree, interfering with a police officer, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, and four additional motor vehicle violations.

• A 36-year-old Cheshire man was arrested at 7:40 p.m. and charged with interfering with a police officer.

• A 33-year-old Branford man was arrested at 9:20 p.m. and charged with possession of greater than four ounces of marijuana, failure to keep a prescription drug in original container, theft or possession of a expired number plate, and four additional motor vehicle violations.

Police correspondent Jason J. Marchi compiles the Police Incident Report

Anti-Blight Initiatives Aimed for Spring Launch

2008-11-19T22:25:04Z

By Sean Fogarty, Courier Staff Writer:

In the month and a half since its introduction, the administration’s blight initiative has seen progress behind the curtains and at last week’s Town Council meeting, Town Attorney Patricia Cofrancesco pulled back those curtains to give the public an idea of where enforcement committee has is headed.

Cofrancesco said the ordinances designed to nip blight have been built by representatives of the police, fire, and health departments, along with planning and zoning and engineering officials. While there has been headway made, Cofrancesco said, there have also been some bumps.

“When the enforcement committee met, I received a suggestion that was really found to be almost immediately unacceptable, which was what we have [on paper] has enough teeth to it, what we really need is more personnel to enforce what we have on the books,” said Cofrancesco.

“It was never the intent or desire of this administration to embark upon an anti-blight initiative by hiring more people, by spending more money to do what needs to be done,” the town attorney continued, “so that idea was knocked down in very short work.”

Cofrancesco said she asked department heads to look at what they could do with current resources.

According to Cofrancesco, the anti-blight enforcement committee has received ideas from the assessor as well as the planning and zoning office and asked for the police and fire department to submit their ideas for ways to enforce the new initiatives without additional funding or personnel.

Mayor April Capone Almon proposed the anti-blight initiative in the beginning of October at a press conference in front of the former C&F Cheese Factory building, which she considered a stronghold of blight in the west end of town until its demolition.

A sample of the anti-blight ordinance was drafted and presented by Cofrancesco at the last enforcement meeting and while contributors were reportedly happy, there are still more steps to take.

“We are still working on it-that’s the best I can tell you,” Confrancesco said, adding she expects another meeting in the near future to present a more concrete draft of the proposal. She said she and the committee have their “eye on hitting the ground running in the spring.”

2008 Leaf Pick-Up Schedule

2008-11-19T19:31:34Z

Press release from the East Haven Public Service Department

Monday, Nov. 24

Salvatore Drive, Salvatore Court, Northeast Drive, Half Mile Road, Warner Road, Barberry Road, Borrelli Road, East Mill Village, Jardin Drive, Cortina Road, Thompson Street, Wood Terrace, Julius Drive, Timberland Drive, Farm Meadow Road, Cutters Lookout, Mill Pond, Heights Road, Village Place, Quarry Circle, Nicesca, Colonial Heights

Tuesday, Nov. 25

Jeffrey Road, Medallion Court, Oakhill Drive, Robin Drive, Charnes Drive, Rabbit Rock Road, Rabbit Rock Court, Felecia Drive, Maynard Road, Morris Road, Batt Lane, Fisco Drive, Garry Drive

Wednesday, Nov. 26

Glenhaven Road, Thornton Drive, Harmac Drive, Foxon Hill Road, Zolan Drive, Englewood Drive, North Street, Dale Street, Dale Place, South Dale Street, Dora Drive, Park Street, Crest Avenue, Highland Avenue, Center Street, Benjamin Road, Kristen Court, Allikat Way, Josie Drive

Monday, Dec. 1

Old Gay Street, Foxon Boulevard, Rose Street, Rose Street Extension, Cross Street, West Street, Michael Street, Paul Street, Lucy Street, Dell Drive, Foxon Road, Branhaven Drive

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Hunt Lane, Hurlburt Drive, Maple Street, Bennett Road, Thomas Court, Hemlock Drive, Crestwood Drive, Red Bluff Road, Mountainview Terrace, Sperry Lane, Circle Drive, Sylvan Hills Road, Old Gay Street

Wednesday, Dec. 3

River Road, Brookfield Road, Wildwood Drive, Edgehill Drive, Rock Road, Rock Terrace, Pine Place, Dorian Drive, Pineview Drive, Virginia Road, Glenmoor Drive, Warwick Lane, Manor Road, Cecelia Drive, Nicholas Drive, Joan Court, Carol Drive, Rudy Way

Thursday, Dec. 4

Maplevale Road, Kelly Court, Maplevale Court, Carol Drive, Damen Drive, Arthur Road, Arthur Court, Lynn Court, David Drive, Demeter Drive, Corbin Road, Navarro Road, North High Street, Mill Street, Pleasant Avenue, Maple Street, Renshaw Drive

Friday, Dec. 5

Ellen Place, Hellstrom Road, Van Horn Drive, Morton Court, Richard Way, Karen Way, Jane Court, Raymond Court, Howe Court, Willow Road, Borrman Road, Sunset Road, Clancy Street

Monday, Dec. 8

Old Foxon Road, Russo Avenue, Ann Street, Brennan Street, John Street, Joffre Street, Savoy Street, Griswald Street, Humbert Street, Pershing Street, Gabriel Street, Mary Street, Rizzo Street, Gennessee Street, Martha Street, Miami Street, Florence Street, Taft Street, Gene Street

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Strong Street, South Strong Street, Strong Street Extension, View Street, Green Street, Angela Drive, Leigh Drive, Eddon Drive, Arron Road, Grannis Street, McLay Avenue, Green Glen Terrace, Anthony Court, Mario Court, Atlanta Court, Laura Circle, Foxridge, Grannis Lakes Estates, Ridge Place, Erico Road, Margaret Court

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Laurel Street, Venice Place, View Terrace, Alpine Drive, Sleepy Hollow Circle, Falcon Crest Drive, Legend Lane, Vineyard Lane, Marie Street, Sharon Drive, Eldred Drive, Nicole Court, Blake Court, Newton Street, Weber Street, Linberg Street

Thursday, Dec. 11

Bradley Street, Old Bradley Street, Viking Street, Pondview Terrace, Swan Way, Lynwood Place, Kossuth Street, Bellman Street, Gloria Place, Hudson Street, Union Avenue, Liberty Street, Moulthrop Street, Pirot Circle, Mallard Lane, Ralph Lane, Andy’s Drive, Kevin’s Way, Indian Springs Lane

Friday, Dec. 12

High Street, Kimberly Avenue, Pardee Place, Cherry Street, Pine Street, Forbes Place, Sidney Street, Elm Street, Elm Court, Sanford Street, Tuttle Place, Messina Drive, Main Street

Monday, Dec. 15

Guilford Court, Sidney Street Extension, Pardee Place Extension, Columbus Avenue, Doran Street, Lincoln Street, Wilson Street, Harrington Avenue, Boston Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, Hughes Street, Lenox Street, Cass Street, Congress Street, Charter Oak Avenue, Church Street, St. Paul Avenue

Tuesday, Dec. 16

Warner Street, St. Andrew’s Avenue, Gordon Street, James Street, Haines Street, Burr Street, Holmes Street, Grove Street, Bretton Street, Carmen Street, Duval Street, Forest Street, Forest Street Extension, Walter Street, Windsor Street, Gerrish Avenue, Crisci Place, Roy Street, Treadwell Street, Barker Street, Francis Street, Grant Street, Leonard Street, Gerrish Avenue Extension

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Robert Drive, Emma Road, Kenny Street, Marie Drive, Dodge Avenue, Washington Avenue, Landing Place, McKinley Avenue, Carlson Place, Iver Avenue, French Avenue, Bradley Avenue, Francis Street Extension, Taylor Avenue, Kirkham Avenue, Bishop Street

Thursday, Dec. 18

Tyler Street, Hotchkiss Road, Hotchkiss Road Extension, Frank Street, Deerfield Street, Roma Street, Kenneth Street, Gerald Street, Duncan Street, Burgess Street, Edgar Street, Waldo Street, Donald Street, Victor Street, Osmond Street, Prospect Place Extension, Richmond Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Prospect Road, Thompson Avenue

Friday, Dec. 19

Chidsey Avenue, Rowe Street, Rowe Court, Edward Street, Estelle Road, Joyce Road, Saltonstall Parkway, Saltonstall Place, Goodsell Road, Deborah Lane, Judith Lane, Foote Road, Foote Court, Martin Road, Martin Place, Farm River Road, River Street, Park Place, Tyler Street Extension, Hemmingway Avenue, Dwight Place

Monday, Dec. 22

Short Beach Road, Vista Drive, Summit Avenue, Clearview Avenue, Clark Avenue, Ozone Road, Boxford Street, Rayham Road, Harwich Street, Edgemere Road, Rockview Road, Sutton Place, Naugatuck Avenue, Ledyard Place, Suffield Place, Chester Place, Hill Street, Pinto Drive, Talmadge Stretet, Pond Street, Wheaton Road, Fairview Avenue, Vera Street, Vernon Street, Cliff Street, Meadow Street, Hilda Street, Brown Road, Hilton Avenue, Three Stone Pillars

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Mansfield Grove Road, Old Stone Lane, Pevetty Drive, Ferrara Drive, Coolidge Street, Gurney Street, Whitman Avenue, Seneca Trail, Whalers Point, Elliott Street, Hoop Hole Lane, Sorrento Avenue, Holland Drive, Monte Circle, Salerno Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, Austin Avenue, Henry Street, Steven’s Street, George Street, Soundview Avenue, Wilkenda Avenue, North Atwater Street, Atwater Street, Atwater Street Extension, Meadow Place

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Coe Avenue, Bradford Avenue, Center Avenue, Second Avenue, First Avenue, Seaview Avenue, Jamaica Court, Cambridge Court, Taugoda Pass, Cosey Beach Avenue, Phillip Street, Hobson Street, Palmetto Trail, Catherine Street, Cosey Beach Road, Dewey Avenue, Cold Springs Street, Allen Court, O’Donnell Court

Friday, Dec. 26

Silver Sands Road, Woodland Avenue, Hartman Avenue, Williams Street, Redfield Avenue, Oregon Avenue, Jillson Drive, Brazos Road, Farview Avenue, South End Road, Minor Road, Stanton Road, Stoddard Road, Canna Drive, Maturo Drive, Old Town Highway, Morgan Avenue, Morgan Terrace, Pequot Street, Montaulk Street, Smith Street, South Street, Hampton Street, Caroline Road, Roses Farm Road, Roses Farm Circle Ellis Road, Suppa Drive

Steve Kapinos Keeps His Eye on the Prize

2008-11-19T19:20:26Z

By Jennifer Small, Courier Sports Editor:

Steve Kapinos has not had the easiest job as the captain of the East Haven football team. After going 0-10 last season, the Yellowjackets are winless so far in 2008, but Steve is hoping to end his final year of football on a high note.

“Our goal now is to beat Branford in the Thanksgiving Day game,” he says. “Our chances are good because records mean nothing and all that matters is who wants the game more.”

The biggest challenge Steve has faced as a captain this season has been motivating his teammates to want it as much as he does. While it has been tough as the Yellowjackets have dropped some close contests, Steve has been focusing on keeping the morale up.

“Some of the kids are down that we’re losing and feel there’s no need for practice so it’s tough to keep them wanting to play, but we go out every day trying our hardest,” he says. “We just tell them you could win every game and it begins at practice.”

Steve has had plenty of practice with the sport as he started flag football when he was five years old and never looked back. He grew up playing for East Haven Youth Football where he used to play quarterback.

Entering high school, Steve switched to fullback and outside linebacker—positions he has held throughout his high school career.

“I love those positions,” says Steve. “There’s a lot of contact and not as much pressure as quarterback, but you get to tackle and get hit.”

Steve isn’t the first in his family to play football. His older brothers, Michael and Matt, were both athletes at East Haven High School with Matt playing football as a senior when Steve was a freshman.

“It was nice watching him play and giving me determination to play all four years myself,” says Steve. “Everyone looked up to him and I did too and it made me want to be just like that when I was a senior.”

In addition to playing four years, one of Steve’s biggest goals was to be named captain, like Matt. That goal came to fruition this season and marks the highlight of Steve’s football career.

“It’s a big accomplishment and I’ve been working toward it my whole life,” he says. “When I was younger, I would always imagine being captain of the football team.”

While football is Steve’s favorite sport, his athletic endeavors don’t stop there. He again looked to his older brothers for inspiration as he took up basketball at age four and will be a captain of the Yellowjackets this winter, like his brother Michael.

Steve, a small forward or shooting guard, saw varsity time last year and has high hopes for this season as well.

“We want to go really far in state tournament,” says Steve. “We have a good group who has been playing together since we were little kids.”

In the spring, Steve is a member of the outdoor track team for which he runs hurdles and throws the javelin. Though he originally joined to stay in shape for football and basketball, he found he enjoyed that sport as well.

Athletics isn’t the only area in which Steve’s brothers have influenced him. He also followed in their footsteps in the classroom as Steve is ranked sixth in his class and a member of the National Honor Society. He plans to study engineering at UConn, where Matt is also at school.

“My brothers were also ranked high so watching them handle it all really taught me that school comes first and sports come after that,” says Steve. “My parents have always been there, too. They’re at every game. My coaches through the years have really pushed me as well.”

While basketball is looming just around the corner, for now, all of Steve’s focus is on Nov. 27 when the Yellowjackets will take on the Hornets in the annual Thanksgiving Day game.

This year will mark the second Thanksgiving game Steve has played in with the first being last year’s last-minute heartbreaker. Though disappointed with the loss, it gives Steve and his team further motivation to notch the win next week.

“We all want to go out on a winning note,” says Steve. “The seniors are 0-20 so it’d be nice to win our last game—and our first game. I’m going to miss being on the field with all my friends and teammates and playing football every day. It hasn’t sunk in that it’s over yet, but I think Thanksgiving is when it will be tough.”

Girls’ Soccer Competes Against Tough Schedule and Injuries

2008-11-19T18:03:31Z

By Jennifer Small, Courier Sports Editor:

Though a 3-10-3 record might not have given the East Haven girls’ soccer team the state tournament berth it had hoped for, the 2008 season showed that the Yellowjackets could compete against a tough SCC schedule. East Haven tied Mercy, West Haven, and Cheshire in a stellar week of play.

Mercy (11-3-2 regular-season record), the No. 10 seed in the Class LL State Tournament, fell to third-ranked Cheshire (14-0-2) semifinals and Cheshire won/lost in the finals on Nov. 16. West Haven (11-2-3), the seventh seed, lost to Mercy in the second round.

“These are three of the top LL teams in the state,” said Dionne. “We played very well against all three of these teams and proved that we can play with any team in the state. From a team standpoint, this was the biggest achievement this year. We played the hardest schedule I have had in eight years at East Haven High School and it was rewarding to know that we are close to having some real success based on how we competed with the top teams around.”

A big reason for the team’s success was the leadership of its seniors starting with captain Chelsea Fucci and assistant captains Kaitlynn Fitzsimmons, Gabby Dadario, Michele Barker, and Jackie Sheltman. Marisa Sandmann returned to the team after missing her junior year with an injury.

“All of them provided experience to the team having made the tournament for two years. They were all great team players and willing to play any position needed and did so to the best of their ability,” said Dione. “Most of them missed games due to injury this year. Each of them was excellent in helping the younger players and cheering their teammates on when they weren’t able to play themselves.”

Injuries plagued the team this season as the Yellowjackets averaged five varsity players sidelined in each game. While dealing with the injuries, East Haven turned to its bench, which filled in admirably.

“It would have been fun to see what would have happened if we were completely healthy, however, even with the injuries we played some very good game,” said Dione. “Unfortunately, we were inconsistent and did not achieve results in some games we probably should have. This inconsistency caused us to miss the state tournament for the first time in three years.”

While the Yellowjackets will miss the six graduating seniors—the largest group the team has graduated in years—they will return a solid core of players in 2009 including Alora Baldino, who set a new single season scoring record with 14 goals, breaking her own record of 13 goals she set last year. Baldino, a junior, also set the career goal-scoring record set last year by Gabby Pane (26) with 33 goals with a year left in her career. Her efforts were rewarded with All-Oronoque honors along with Megan Rea.

In addition to Alora Baldino and Rea, East Haven returns many who gained valuable varsity experience this season due to the ongoing injuries. Amanda Cesare returns to the offense and Jes Gertsch will return to the goal as a senior backed up by Liz Tabor and Crystal Carlo, who both missed the entire year with ACL injuries.

Other key returnees will include Allison Hanlon, Nikki Baldino, and Nicole Gildersleeve, who all had “great years,” according to Dione. Rounding out the returning players will be Alicia MacDougal, Alicia Saltz, Danielle Dacey, Megin Oczkawski, Melanie Reis, and Alex Mazzucco.

“The injuries caused some players to be thrown into the fire and they will be better for it next year,” said Dione. “This group has the potential to be very, very good next year. This will be the largest group of experienced players at East Haven and if we can stay a little healthier, the team can have a very successful season by building on their strengths.”

Dione is hoping that the underclassmen follow the example set by this season’s seniors.

“This is the largest senior class in years at East Haven and they will be hard to replace. They all were an integral part of the team’s defense and also were often heavily involved with the offense,” said Dione. “They were a smart group of players who were easy to coach because they were focused on their roles and understood the game so well. The bottom line is they set an example to the underclassmen that I hope will be followed.”

Final Scoring Table for 2008

Name	Goals	Assists	Points
Alora Baldino (Jr)	14	0	28
Megan Rea (So)	6	8	20
Amanda Cesare (So)	2	7	11
Nikki Baldino (So)	1	1	3
Chelsea Fucci (Sr)	1	3	5
Kaitlynn Fitzsimmons (Sr)	1	4	6
Allison Hanlon (Jr)	1	1	3
Melanie Reis (So)	1	0	2
Nicole Gildersleeve (Fr)	1	0	2
Marisa Sandmann (Sr)	1	0	2
Alex Mazzucco (So)	0	1	1
Michele Barker (Sr)	0	1	1

Pictured: Assistant Coach Jason Soares (left) and Coach Don Dione (right) stand with their graduating senior class—Gabby Dadario, Kaitlynn Fitzsimmons, Jackie Sheltman, Chelsea Fucci, Michele Barker, Marisa Sandmann.

Photo courtesy of Sherry Fucci

Fishing the Curl at Season’s End

2008-11-19T17:56:58Z

Constant wind and wave action made for extremely difficult holding of ground tackle–no matter the scope. It was one of those “should we or shouldn’t we” types of decisions that was pondered over. Although safety is always first concern, it really didn’t figure in here as much as knowing that the trip was going to be wet, bouncy, and very salty.

If the season wasn’t waning so quickly and holiday gears weren’t forcibly meshing, the day would’ve been chalked off in favor of a pigskin game. But there were still blues lingering in the mid-50 degree water, stripers just aching to be caught, and togs, although deeper, still well within reach. A somewhat reluctant decision was made to uncleat and head out. And so we did.

Normally this time of year, mooring lines have already begun to stiffen while outboards begin to develop that early morning cough and shake. Soon that will be the case but not just yet. Knowing that in one week this could all change, we loaded hot thermoses to offset the gloomy day and ice chests optimistically reserved for the tide’s catch on board.

A little bit of this bait and a little more of that, we steamed ahead with the thought of letting Mother Nature dictate our game plan. Other than fishing, there was none. If conditions allowed for tautog then we’d drop a hook but if drifting or trolling seemed more productive, we had that covered as well.

When a couple of old salts get together, there can either be non-stop conversation or few words spoken. Often though, it’s an expressive glance that tells the story. That was the case here. With limited options, trolling and rolling the rips was the only logical choice–going with the flow, so to speak. Somehow the fish didn’t mind as much as, quite honestly, we did.

In the curls, as port and starboard gunwales slapped the water, fish could be seen. There was a mix of striped bass and bluefish chasing heavy chromed spoons. Wiping spray and the occasional peak wave from our brows was effort enough but cranking in line while maintaining sound footing was the absolute chore–let alone de-hooking and releasing fish. A few fish were kept for the cooler. The hot thermoses? They weren’t even touched until the vessel was once again secured to the dock. And, that’s the way one of the last trips of a season can take place.

On the Water

Warm water temperatures have somewhat stalled the fall migration of blues and bass, giving us plenty of fishing but unfortunately winds and subsequent wave action have closed many windows of opportunity. When the weather chose to cooperate, fishing proved to be fantastic with schools of both bass and blues becoming seasonally aggressive.

With little time left before Thanksgiving and anglers beginning to focus on year-end events, precious bonus days have been few and far between. Nevertheless, striped bass are here in numbers, schools of blues continue to linger and blackfish/tautog are heading for deeper water beckoning ‘toggers to follow. In fact, bluefish blitzes have occurred within casting distance from shore just a few short days ago.

With cows either moving in from the Rhode Island coast or splitting ranks to follow the Atlantic coast, anglers are looking for that 50- to 60-pounder that’s been eluding them–in some cases, for a lifetime. Now is prime time to try for that record-buster as the big gals cruise the inshore reefs, move across Long Sand Shoal, linger around Southwest Reef, and head west and, in a few cases, move up along tidal rivers to hang out for the winter season.

Hints are that we’re in line for impending cold front(s), which ought to tighten the window on remaining blues. But look for striper action to continue a bit longer and, if another bonus day or two were to materialize, there should follow an arm-weary top water session or two. For those surf casters, jetties, some beaches, and a few of the wharves are producing fish on plugs, chunks, and eels. For these guys and gals, the season will continue–longer if you follow the striper coast.

As water temperatures continue to drop, Atlantic broodstock salmon in the twelve-pound range are becoming more active. Single hook spoons and small spinners have been connecting along with mixed-colored and dark streamers. These, along with trout in CT’s stocked rivers, have been offering decent fall fishing when the winds beg off.

Largemouths have not been very active but ‘smallie’ fishing has been hot, joining the good pre-front bite for northerns and black crappie. Carp are being caught in the main rivers while both river/lake catfish taking bottom baits. It seems that certain labrador retrievers have taken a liking to cheese/blood baits so watch your frisky outdoors pal. Tom Megargee (DEP fishing instructor, avid freshwater angler and excellent fish chowder creator) landed this colorful CT River cove 40½” 15.7Lb northern pike using live bait.

Wherever fishing, think Captain Morgan’s for all things fishy including the latest gear, bait, flies/flyfishing, rod/reel repair, clam/crabbing supplies and licenses. Swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days, located on 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time, from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...

Tight Lines,

Captain Morgan

East Haven Election Results 2008

2008-11-17T17:15:36Z

By the Numbers

*Denotes winner

Question 1:

Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the State?

D1 D1s D2 D3 D4 D5 D5s Abs Total

Yes 732 43 772 874 704 805 23 244 4,197

*No 1,109 78 1,293 1,087 1,097 1,021 38 282 6,005

Question 2:

Shall the constitution of the state be amended to permit any person who will have attained the age of eighteen years on or before the day of a regular election to vote in the primary for such regular election?

D1 D1s D2 D3 D4 D5 D5s Abs Total

*Yes 959 41 1,170 1,097 958 1,018 28 300 5,571

No 801 70 836 785 772 742 26 229 4,261

Presidential

D1 D1s D2 D3 D4 D5 D5s Abs Presidential Ballot Total

John McCain/Sarah Palin, R:

941 47 969 1,028 902 1,016 46 252 86 5,287

*Barack Obama/Joseph Biden, D:

1,168 99 1,410 1,220 1,201 1,193 49 381 157 6,878

Ralph Nader/Matt Gonzalez, I:

33 2 45 36 35 25 1 7 1 185

Representative in Congress

D1 D1s D2 D3 D4 D5 D5s Abs Total

Bo Itshaky, R:

398 19 413 426 378 406 16 113 2,169

*Rosa L. DeLauro, D:

1,270 76 1,514 1,263 1,263 1,343 40 423 7,192

Ralph A. Ferrucci, Green:

50 3 73 72 57 45 0 13 313

Rosa L. DeLauro, WF:

309 38 317 395 317 285 24 69 1,754

State Senate (34th District)

D1 D1s D2 D3 D4 D5 D5s Abs Total

*Leonard A. Fasano, R:

935 34 1,037 1,001 861 996 30 290 5,184

Leonard A. Fasano, WF:

360 25 410 370 343 363 13 85 1,969

State Representative (86th District)

D3 Abs Total

*Vincent A. Candelora:

1,201 47 1,248

State Representative (99th District)

D1 D1s D2 D3 D4 D5 D5s Abs Total

Lori Musco, R:

763 33 798 N/A 725 885 25 170 3,399

*Mike Lawlor, D:

1,017 70 1,288 N/A 1,049 1,013 43 315 4,795

Mike Lawlor, WF:

226 23 216 N/A 198 158 16 42 879

Registrars of Voters

D1 D1s D2 D3 D4 D5 D5s Abs Total

*Donna Norman, R:

754 30 801 809 641 794 22 212 4,063

Joseph Buonome, D:

1,056 78 1,264 1,007 1,141 1,080 42 367 6,035

The Goal Is Fun

2008-11-13T18:37:45Z

Young East Haveners Michael Jasiorkowski (left) and Stephanie Davis enjoy a competitive game of foos ball at the Teen Center in the old high school last weekend while Brianna Resigno cheers them on. The Teen Center is open to residents who receive positive recommendations from their teachers. Activities include dancing, pool, table tennis, and more.

Photo by Margi Denton