Interactive Desk

Courtney Votes Against Second Rescue Package Plan

Interactive Desk — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:44:56 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Joe Courtney voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 Oct. 3 in the House of Representatives. The measure passed the House by a 263-171 vote.

The Congressman believes the bill, while improved from the House version he voted against on Monday, still did not address the underlying factors that have triggered the current financial crisis.

Congressman Courtney released the following statement:

“When I was elected to Congress, I pledged to act in the best interest of my constituents and the nation, and I cast my vote with the families of eastern Connecticut first and foremost in my mind.”

“While the legislation was improved over the first version considered by the House, I could not in good conscience support this package that demands more than $800 billion in taxpayer funds while the fundamental problems of the housing market damaging our economy remain unaddressed. I voted no because I do not believe this proposal will sufficiently address our economic crisis and because the package was not fair enough for the middle class.

“Let me stress that my vote against this package was not a signal that I am complacent about the state of our economy and the anxiety my constituents are feeling. As someone who represents one of the hardest hit sections of Connecticut, our economic challenges have been apparent to me for the last 20 months I have been in office. Home foreclosures have been accelerating in my district at the highest rate in the state, and the toxic loans sold by large lenders have spread like a virus through our economy.

“Over the past week, I have heard from constituents who vehemently oppose the bailout package, retirees worried about their 401Ks, and small business owners concerned about the freeze in our credit markets. I take this economic crisis very seriously. However, especially in a time of crisis, the people of Connecticut deserve a real solution to the grave problems in our economy.

“Failing to address the increasing pace of mortgage defaults and the slide in real estate values diminishes the chance of success for the rescue package and reduces the prospects of taxpayers recovering a reasonable amount of their nearly $800 billion dollar line of credit.”

“Moreover, the proposal still falls short on the test of fairness. The proposal fails to limit outrageous compensation and bonuses paid to Wall Street CEOs and executives who caused this crisis. It also neglects enacting tough oversight of how the Bush Administration would use taxpayer funds.

“The package was improved after Senate action this week. Raising the cap on FDIC insurance and attaching R&D and energy tax credits were a step in the right direction. By slowing down this process earlier this week, we were able to improve a bill that at least was able to gain majority support in the House, even if it ultimately fell short of something I could support.”

“While I stand on the other side of my colleagues who voted for the legislation, I stand with them and all Americans in hoping the proposal works. If it does not, I stand ready to work with members of both political parties to forge a financial rescue plan that gets it right.”

Representative Courtney Statement on Financial Rescue Package Vote

Interactive Desk — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:08:34 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Joe Courtney issued the following statement after voting against the Financial Rescue Package considered by the House of Representatives Sept. 29. The measure failed the House by a 205-228 vote.

“Despite the best efforts of Congressional leaders to improve the unprecedented request from the Bush Administration for a $700 billion blank check for Wall Street, I believe the financial rescue package falls short of effectively addressing America’s financial crisis. I voted against the measure today.

“I stand ready at any time to work with my colleagues to forge a better, more effective, and more responsible legislative proposal that can gain the majority support of Congress. We can and we will move beyond today’s impasse to seek a solution that makes sense for the future of our nation.”

“The stubborn refusal of President Bush and Secretary Paulson to provide a meaningful solution to the home-mortgage foreclosure crisis means that the underlying cause of this financial disaster will continue unabated. I cannot in good conscience vote to borrow $700 billion in taxpayer money for a plan that does not stem the downward spiral in the real estate market, nor invest in economic stimulus that will help struggling middle class families.

“Lastly, the final round of negotiations undermined Congressional efforts to limit CEO compensation and to pay for this measure responsibly.

“My vote today does not reflect any feelings of complacency about the state of our economy; far from it. The threat to our economy and our banking and credit systems is real and it is serious. We are now facing the repercussions of yet another disaster inflicted on our nation by the recklessness and incompetence of the Bush Administration in failing to conduct oversight and regulation to protect our citizens. And we face this crisis in the context of Bush economic policies that have thrown our economy completely out of balance, and left middle-class Americans to fend for themselves.

“I appreciate the valiant efforts of Democratic leaders, who demanded and won significant improvements in the original package. Unfortunately their efforts fell short in producing a measure that I—and the taxpayers of eastern Connecticut—could support. We now look to our next steps to further improve on this proposal.”

Press release courtesy of Congressman Courtney’s office.

Gas Price Investigation Continues

Interactive Desk — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:56:46 GMT

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced Sept. 19 that the state’s continuing investigation into complaints from consumers about a sudden increase in gas prices has broadened to include 10 wholesalers serving gas stations around Connecticut.

“The pain at the pump is nearly unbearable–and we are going to make sure the only thing fueling these price increases are the natural forces of supply and demand,” Gov. Rell said. “It is natural to expect some price spikes because of the double blow that the Texas Gulf Coast refineries took from Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Gustav before it. However, we will not permit anyone to use these natural disasters for profit. Complaints are being checked out in detail, and if anyone is found to have taken advantage of our hard-pressed residents they will be punished.”

On Sept. 17, Gov. Rell directed the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) to subpoena records from several gasoline companies after the Governor’s Office and the DCP received numerous, specific complaints about a sudden increase in gasoline prices during and following Hurricane Ike. Those subpoenas sought information not only at the retail level but at the wholesale level as well.

The subpoenas were issued after more than 500 consumer complaints to a hot line Governor Rell established for residents to report possible price gouging (800-842-2649). Since then, the Governor’s Office and DCP have received more than 100 additional complaints.

On Thursday, DCP subpoenaed 10 more wholesalers–seven of them based in Connecticut–seeking further information about their pricing during the run-up to the storm and the ensuing days.

“The local retailers–the man and women who own and operate the gas stations we all use–are saying they are squeezed between staggering wholesale prices and fuming customers,” Gov. Rell said. “While we will continue to investigate possible wrongdoing at either the retail or the wholesale level, I understand the plight of local gas station owners–consumers face the same grim choices when pinched by high retail prices and the need to keep their cars and trucks on the road.”

Rell has also announced that her administration is crafting specific language to define “price gouging” and make it easier to investigate and prosecute suspected profiteers. She plans to contact a wide range of experts, including retail-level dealers, to set a firm standard for defining “price gouging,” especially in volatile markets such as retail gasoline. Legislation to revise the standards would be offered when the General Assembly meets next year.

The wholesalers subpoenaed are:

ExxonMobil – Houston, Texas

Alliance Energy – Branford, Conn.

Drake Petroleum – Thompson, Conn.

Aldin Associates – East Hartford, Conn.

Hendel Petroleum – Waterford, Conn.

General Equities – Kensington, Conn.

Chestnut Petroleum – New Paltz, N.Y.

Sunoco – Philadelphia, Pa.

Patterson Oil – Torrington, Conn.

Standard Petroleum – Bridgeport, Conn.

Groton Colonial Heritage Day

Interactive Desk — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:59:58 GMT

Jabez Smith House Museum Presents Living History Event

GROTON, CT; The town of Groton will present a “Colonial Heritage Day” from 10 to 5 on Saturday, October 11 at the historic Jabez Smith House Museum. Activities will include woodcarving, weaving, musket displays, open hearth cooking, a period engineering display, midwifery, militia skirmish, and children’s games. The event is free.

The Jabez Smith House Museum, an excellent example of 18th century domestic architecture, offers a glimpse of a rural New England home, circa 1783, and is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5, April through November. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located at 259 North Road (Route 117) Groton.

Tours may be arranged by appointment throughout the year.

For information call (860) 445.6689 or visit http://www.town.groton.ct.us/about/jabezsmith.asp

What's Cookin?

Interactive Desk — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:49:56 GMT

Blues, BBQ, and family fun at McCook Point Park in Niantic

By Amy J. Barry

Special to the Times

A cookin’ and rockin’ community event passed down from father to daughter will once again take place on Sept. 6 when Cookin’ at McCooks BBQ & Boogie comes to McCook Park in Niantic.

Presented by Tumbleweeds music and boutique shop, East Lyme Parks and Rec, and Niantic Main Street, the festival features seven blues bands and solo artists performing all afternoon and evening plus the appropriate blues concert food, including Piggy Roasters BBQ, Kiefers Kettle Korn, Party Palooza hot dogs, snow cones, and more. There’s a lot to occupy the younger set, too. Besides the beach, there will be a kid’s activity tent, tie-dyeing, face painting, and a marine touch tank.

The Cookin’ at McCooks Summer Concert Series was the brainchild of the late Dave Wyatt, owner of Tumbleweeds, who died in 2006. His daughter Tara Wyatt is continuing the tradition, coordinating all aspects of the day.

“My dad decided it would be a great opportunity to get some great music into the area and use the beautiful town park we have available to us,” she says. “He wanted to bring original music from around the country as well as right here in Connecticut.”

Dave Wyatt opened the small independent music store in Niantic in 1976, which specializes in blues, funk, jazz, soul, and other non-commercial music.

The store closed in 1984 and reopened in 1998, when Tara, who now runs the store, was a senior in high school. Tara explains that her father would meet lots of great musicians in the music store and thought, why not ask them to play at a family-oriented event for the community?

Tara stresses that this is a nonprofit event and donations are needed to pay for the many costs involved. She is also still looking for both business and private sponsors.

“Sponsors are always welcome and more than ever are needed this year,” she says. “It’s a poor economy and we’d really like to be able to continue this event year after year.”

The Music

“It’s an all-blues event, but well-rounded—you won’t hear the same sound twice,” Tara says.

The festival headliner is Eric Lindell, a national recording artist with Alligator Records, the biggest blues label in the country.

“He plays tasty, New Orleans soul blues,” Tara says of the young up-and-coming singer-songwriter. “The reason I picked him was that when his first album came out in 2006 (Change in the Weather), it was the best selling album in my store and then when his second CD came out at the beginning of this year (Low on Cash, Rich in Love), I thought he’d be great for this event.”

Deb Callahan of Philadelphia has been a fixture on the mid-Atlantic music scene since the late ’90s. Callahan, whose voice has been compared to Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin, is known for writing creative blues, soul, and roots-influenced original music.

The Connecticut-based Mike Crandall Band was a National Blues Challenge nominee. The original band plays traditional blues, up-tempo jumps, and swings. Crandall is a gritty blues vocalist who’s mastered the diatonic and chromatic harp. His sound has been compared to Sugar Ray Norcia.

Chicago-based guitarist/bandleader Joe Moss plays a mix of blues and R&B paired with original songwriting. He performs regularly in such Chicago venues as Buddy Guy’s Legends and House of Blues. His accomplished guitar and vocal style can be heard on his debut CD The Joe Moss Band (212 Records).

Sarah Lemieux hails from the New Haven area. She performs a unique brand of “storytelling” blues-driven music with a harmonic twist in her smoky, silky voice. She opened for headliner E.G. Kight at North Carolina’s National Women in Blues Festival this past fall, and was featured on the Women in Blues compilation CD released by JoMar records.

Supertones is a young local band with members from East Lyme and Ledyard. Their music is a fusion of blues and rock and they play half originals and half covers. Supertones won the student government battle of the bands at UConn (where two band members are students) for two years in a row.

Redhot & Blue is a traditional blues band that’s been playing both covers and some originals in the local area for the past 25 years. The band features lead vocalist and saxophone player Andrew King of Old Lyme.

Cookin’ at McCooks BBQ & Boogie takes place Saturday, Sept. 6 from 2 to 10 p.m. at McCook Park, 8 Atlantic St., Niantic. A $15 donation will be collected at all gates. Kids and parking are free. Anyone who would like to display a classic car at the event won’t be charged admission. No coolers, no dogs, and no alcohol are permitted. Times and performers are subject to change.

For more information, call 860-739-9018 or online visit www.cookinatmccooks.com.

High School Football Preview

Interactive Desk — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:43:01 GMT

11-Game Scholastic Grid Spices Schedule
Attractive non-league games added this season

By Larry Kelley

Special to the Times

An early Labor Day (Sept. 1) and relatively late Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) offer a holiday of sorts for state high school football.

For the first time since 2002, state teams will play an 11-game regular season schedule because the calendar will allow for the extra game. Many Eastern Connecticut Conference teams took advantage of the found real estate to embellish their schedules with attractive non-league matchups.

“I think it’s an exciting opportunity to open your season against a quality opponent from another part of the state,” Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore said. “It’s a chance to test yourself against the state’s best and reap the benefits of gaining valuable playoff points.”

Let’s rate the opening matchups with a movie rating of one to four stars (highest).

Four Stars

New London at Daniel Hand, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.

New London kicks off the season in a battle of preseason Top 10-ranked teams and 2007 state championship finalists. Hand has won the second most state titles (nine) of any school behind Ansonia’s 16. New London features perhaps the state’s best player in quarterback Jordan Reed, who intends to accept a scholarship to Florida, and at least one other Division I scholarship player in wide receiver Anthony Schiavone, who committed to Temple.

Ledyard at Berlin, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

A rematch of Ledyard’s thrilling 20-13 win in the Class M state championship. What more can you ask? Buonocore deserves credit for taking this game, because Berlin will own major atonement overtones, looking for redemption. The Colonels graduated numerous starters, but Buonocore will have the team fired up in the first year after Bill Mignault.

Masuk at Fitch, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

If there was not enough anticipation for Mike Emery’s return as Fitch coach, a terrific matchup awaits with an expected strong opponent that is part of Emery’s past during Fitch’s glory days in the late 1990s.

Masuk beat Fitch in the 1998 Class L title game, and Fitch returned the favor, knocking off the Monroe school in the 1999 semis en route to Emery’s first of two state titles. Masuk returns top running back Niko Guerrera from a Class L finalist last year. Junior Bobby Johnson, who gained nearly 900 yards last year, heads Fitch’s cast of returnees.

Three Stars

Stonington at Rocky Hill, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

The Bears graduated key starters from fifth-year coach A.J. Massengale’s best team (7-3, ECC Small champs), but running back-linebacker Zach Wheeler will be one of the ECC’s best and will be showcased against a quality opponent. Rocky Hill posted an 8-2 record last year and reached the Class S state playoffs in 2006. Kudos for Stonington stepping out and taking a chance to schedule a tough, non-league team.

Pomperaug at Windham, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

Windham has established itself as one of the ECC’s best since joining the conference this decade. Pomperaug was 8-2 last year. This is another example of a good matchup that never would have happened in a 10-game regular season because of conference scheduling commitments.

Two Stars

Immaculate at St. Bernard, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.

The Danbury school boasts a strong athletic program, but not in football recently, 1-9 in 2006 and 2-8 last year. Still, it’s a representative game between inter-state Catholic schools that never meet.

East Lyme at East Haven, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

The East Bowl? Sounds like a good game, but East Haven went 0-10 last year, albeit in the strong Southwest Conference. East Haven also features a synthetic turf field, another home-field advantage.

Waterford at Montville, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

With all the cross-state, intriguing possibilities that could have transpired, Waterford vs. Montville draws a few yawns for an opening game. Nonetheless, this is a backyard brawl that apparently wouldn’t have taken place if not for the 11th game this year. Waterford, an ECC Medium team, and Montville, an ECC Small team, weren’t slated to play.

One Star

Killingly at Bacon, Sept. 13, 1 p.m.
Griswold at Woodstock, Sept. 13, 1 p.m.

These games are big in “the quiet corner.” Two teams will remain undefeated after week one.

50-Point Check-List

With New London High expected to field another strong team, discussions of the 50-point rule will pop up periodically. Dubbed by some the “Jack Cochran rule,” in honor of NLHS’ coach Jack Cochran’s past penchant for winning by more than 50, any team that wins by 50 or more points will see its coach disqualified from the next game.

Here is what the appeals committee considers if an offending coach pleads his case for reinstatement (courtesy of the CIAC Web site):

1. Was a running block used and when did it start?

2. Did the coach start subbing skill players when it was evident the game was in hand?

3. Did the coach sub “wholesale” early in the game when it was evident the game was in hand?

4. Did the coach modify the game plan on offense and defense?

5. Did the coach control the kicking game? Punt on 4th and short, fair catch returns, no field goals attempts, go for one on a conversion.

6. Did the coach control down and distance situations with conservative play calls?

7. Did the coach keep the play going by having runners stay in bounds, not using timeouts, limiting passing game?

Wow! If the coach could manage his own team this well in addition to dominating his opponent, he could use a week off to rest.

60 Alumni for 60th Anniversary

Interactive Desk — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:21:10 GMT

Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department Fife and Drum Corps and Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, both of Groton, are looking for any and all alumni to march in the Groton 4th of July parade. They are looking for at least 60 alumni to march in honor of their 60th anniversary (1948 to 2008). Please contact the corps for more information at 860-449-0101 days; e-mail nutmegfifedrum@aol.com; Web site www.nutmegfifeanddrum.com.

Governor Rell Signs Subprime Mortgage Assitance Bill

Interactive Desk — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:06:42 GMT

Governor M. Jodi Rell today [June 18] signed into law a landmark bill that funds three programs to help struggling homeowners cope with the mortgage credit crunch and imposes reforms on the mortgage industry to avoid future problems.

“This bill sets a new national standard for efforts to help homeowners caught up in the whirlwind of the subprime mortgage crisis and a national economic decline,” Gov. Rell said at the signing ceremony at a Rockville Bank branch in Manchester. “Connecticut residents are feeling the pressure from all sides–from staggering gas prices, rising prices for all forms of energy, food prices, and the overall cost of living–and many middle-class families are having trouble making their mortgage. We are here to help, and with this legislation, we will.

“The mortgage credit crunch and the economic slump are national problems, but they are affecting Connecticut neighborhoods and we are not standing idly by,” the governor said. “We will not allow the American dream of home ownership to wither or allow this problem to further drag down our state’s economic outlook. I was proud to craft this bill with our partners in the legislature, and I believe it will serve as a model for other states looking to help their residents hang on to their most important investments.”

Governor Rell thanked the Banks Committee co-chairs, state Sen. Bob Duff (D-25) and state Rep. Ryan Barry (D-12), and ranking members, state Sen. Rob Kane (R-32) and state Rep. John Ryan (R-141), and Department of Banking Commissioner Howard Pitkin, who worked with her administration to develop the comprehensive proposal.

Shortly after the credit crunch erupted last year, Gov. Rell announced the CT FAMLIES program, a $50 million financing program administered by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). The program was enhanced in February when the governor announced it would allow homeowners who purchased properties with a sub-prime adjustable rate mortgage and subsequently refinanced into another adjustable rate product to be eligible, offer the same interest rate (6.00 percent) as the prevailing CHFA homebuyer mortgage rate and add new lenders to originate CT FAMLIES mortgages.

The new legislation directs $40 million to continue the CT FAMLIES program while boosting the existing Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program with an additional $70 million and creating a new, $30 million Homeowners Equity Recovery Opportunity program. Most of the money for these programs is coming from existing bond funds.

“That is not all, however,” Governor Rell said. “We recognize that there have been structural problems that contributed to the mortgage crisis. Those problems have to be addressed, or all we are doing is a temporary fix.”

The bill establishes foreclosure mediation programs to be conducted through the Judicial Branch, puts new regulations in place on the mortgage industry–including a ban on prepayment penalties–and expands the authority of the Department of Banking. It also sets up a training team within the CTWorks Career Centers to help eligible borrowers with overdue loans to find good jobs and get back on financial track.

-Release courtesy of Gov. Rell's office.

Lisbon Central School Honor Roll: June 2008

Interactive Desk — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:16:43 GMT

Grade 6

High Honors with Distinction: Rebecca Arpin, Walker Cook, Nicholas Houle, Colleen King, Camden Levine, Moira Lewerk, Sydney Maurer, Mia Lynne Park, Sabrina Rickey, Kayla Rizzuto, Christopher Shaw, Thomas Thompson, Matthew Tirocchi

High Honors: Courtney Burton, Jamie Cox, Angelina Duddie, Sarah Maynard, Joseph Moquin, William Mossberg, Connor Parkinson, Tiffany Schroeder, Madilyn Swafford, Alyssa Szydlo, Bradley Tudisca

Honors: Cody Boenig, Samantha Boots, Tyler Burgess, Daniel Carmack, Jordan Churchill, Jared Cormier, Mikaella Dombrowski, Caela Friese, Justin Hale, Jillian Langlois, Jessica Leone, Jordan Martell, Timothy McKee, Kyle Mehlinger, Jocelyn Mendoza, Emily Newman, Alyssa Pescatello, Katherine Pugliese, Christopher Read, Alexis Rickey, Caitlin Smallidge, Jacob Smith, Alexa Strickland, Joshua Suchocki, Joshua Synott, Hannah Tracy, Patrick Trainor, Devin Walden, Emma Wawrzynowicz, Hannah Webster

Grade 7

High Honors with Distinction: Jordyn Brooks, Haley Cormier, Brittany Grabill, Haley Herring-Sylvestre, Alysha Kalinowski, Kristen Kompare, Hannah Marshall, William McIntosh, Heather Plecan, Nicholas Read, Emily Reguin, Abigail VanVlaenderen

High Honors: Saheeb Ahmed, Gabrielle Dawley, Mallory Gideon, Taylor Gray, Ashley Harris, Alexis Knight, Carl Krauss, Martin Lewerk, Jacqueline O’Leary, Daniel Ryan

Honors: Samuel Blanchette, Heaven Bradshaw, Peter Grant, Stephen Kral, Nicole Kuhn, Ryan Lawrence, Nicholas Sforza, Sarah Smith, John Traini, Courtney Walker, Ryan Way

Grade 8

High Honors with Distinction: Daniel Cardin, Courtney Danieluk

High Honors: Cassandra Arpin, Charles Bailey, Darien Capunitan, Jacqueline Cardoza, Timothy Gwiazdowski, Meredyth Joly, Hannah Knight, Kaylyn Levine, Marissa Minor, Katarina Moroch, Shannon O’Connor, Stephanie O’Rourke

Honors: Antone Almeida, Brian Beckwith, Tyler Benson, Jessie Bodington, Sabrina Boots, Dexter Braatz, Carissa Field, Adam Gwiazdowski, Andrea Hammon, Theresa Hueg, George Hutnan, Nicholas Iannone, Amanda Jacobik, Dexter LaPlante, Robert Martin, Kevin McGeary, Marcus Mercado, Sydney Rice, Cole Roberts, Skye Venter, Erik Washburn

Governor Rell Signs Bill Deferring Gas Tax Increase

Interactive Desk — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:11:05 GMT

Governor M. Jodi Rell today (June 17) signed into law a bill that rolls back a planned increase in the state gas tax and opens the door to more gasoline stations offering customers a discount for making purchases with cash.

Senate Bill 1000, "An Act Concerning Adjustments to Certain Petroleum Products Taxes, Petroleum Franchise Agreements, Gasoline Discounts for Consumers, Home Heating Oil, and Propane Gas Contract Deposits and the Fuel Conservation Account," was passed during the special session last week.

Before the session began, Gov. Rell asked the Attorney General’s Office for clarification on whether the state could affect franchise agreements prohibiting cash discounts. She then asked the Legislature to both postpone as planned 0.5 percent increase in the Gross Receipts Tax on motor fuels and to pass a bill nullifying cash discount bans in the franchise agreements.

“Finally, the consumers of Connecticut are getting a bit of a break from the bruising price of gasoline!” Rell said. “I know how hard times are–I pay bills just like any homeowner. And it is clear the state needed to take action, especially since no real change appears forthcoming from policymakers in Washington. So we have taken some important steps to help the families and businesses that are being battered by this horrendous energy price spiral.

“As I have said before, I can’t control OPEC, and I can’t set the price of crude oil,” the governor said. “I cannot single-handedly force Washington to make effective national energy policy–much as I would like to. That doesn’t mean we can throw up our hands, however. In fact, it means the state has to work harder than ever to provide what relief we can, and that is what this legislation will do.”

Also today, Gov. Rell sent a letter to each of the roughly 1,200 gasoline dealers in the state, informing them she had signed the bill and urging them to begin offering cash discounts. The governor said any gas station owners who run into difficulties with their parent companies over offering the discounts should contact the Department of Consumer Protection.

“The State of Connecticut will intervene where there is any attempt to undermine this effort,” the governor told dealers.

The bill also establishes new protections for homeowners who make deposits on home heating oil contracts. This action follows the losses suffered by a number of Connecticut residents after a home heating oil contractor went out of business last winter.

“This bill is a good start on helping our hard-pressed consumers,” Gov. Rell said. “But it is only a start–we know we cannot rest easy. My administration is committed to fighting for every federal dollar available, demanding real and effective action from Washington and looking for every advantage as this struggle continues.”

Release courtesy of Gov. Rell's office.

New Businesses Hit Downtown New London

Interactive Desk — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:13:22 GMT

Joseph Celli, downtown development coordinator for the City of New London, announced that five new businesses have opened or leased in the Downtown Historic Waterfront District of New London.

Celli stated, “In spite of the national economic downturn, there has been an increased interest and optimism and investment in downtown New London. These new businesses indicated that the location, low rents, ambiance, and cultural environment of New London helped to convince them that this was a good place to start a business.”

The businesses range from exotic imported clothing from India and Tibet to cutting edge Web site development and prize-winning photography among others. Businesses include regionally known photographer Sam Chinigo’s photo studio, the home and body boutique POSH, East India Gift Shop, and the TseTse Gallery, as well as the re-opening of the Alva Gallery.

Gellek Jimpa, who is originally from East Tibet but now lives in New York, runs East India Gift Shop, located at the corner of State and Bank streets. He and his wife, who just gave birth, plan to move to New London with their daughter and newborn child. The shop offers hand-made dresses, Indian dyed fabrics, handbags, oriental clothing, jewelry, sunglasses, pashminas, hats, and other specialties items.

Photographer Sam Chinigo is a multi-award-winning Connecticut wedding photographer who specializes in creative, artistic wedding photography captured in a candid, photojournalistic, and cinematic style. Chinigo says his work is, "Not your mother's wedding photography!" Chinigo's photojournalistic approach, artistic style, and creative vision combined with his "dare to be different" attitude caters to the contemporary bride looking for unique wedding imagery. He was recently named CT Wedding Photographer of the Year and is the Top Pick Photographer through The Wedding Photography Directory. He also was selected to the Best USA Photographers Dream Team for Connecticut wedding photographers. This honor was bestowed on only five wedding photographers in Connecticut for exceptional wedding photography.

The photo studio is at 170 State Street and includes an exhibit of his photos.

The TseTse Gallery will open in the Crocker House at 190 State Street, with the first exhibit entitled, The Power of Art to Heal. The exhibit is inspired by art created by cancer survivors and others who have been touched by cancer. The opening of the exhibit and gallery is on Saturday, June 21, at 3 pm. This non- profit organization, with headquarters in Rhode Island, has been in operation since 1995. The gallery works to provide a pathway to cultural understanding and promote healing to allow people to reach their fullest potential.

Media Lantern is a full-service Web site and e-commerce company located at 236 State Street. President Chad Robinson stated, “We chose New London for its central location, its moderate cost of living, and its proximity to key clients. Ready access to public transportation and major highways allows us to reach out to companies throughout New England while minimizing our travel costs. This is a competitive edge given today's oil prices.”

Media Lantern works with domain registration, managing servers, and support for various management aspects including billing, applications, and support requests. Web site design and content management for Web sites is one of the specialty areas of the company.

POSH is a home and body boutique with “something for everyone.” The shop will have handbags, accessories, spa items, children’s toys and accessories, and home décor items. Co-owners Sherry Heading, Melissa Carrier, and Crissa Heading are setting up shop as an extension of their Web sites, bluebarnacles.com and snugglebugpillows.com. The shop will feature items from these sites as well. POSH plans to open July 1 at 184 State Street.

ALVA Gallery is reopening as an outlet for art and fashion with the intention of presenting New York style at New London prices. The gallery promotes unique and interesting fashions to wear and to display. There are cases of jewelry from far and near as well as uniquely designed clothing, handbags, and other accessories. In addition, the gallery will offer decorative pieces in blown glass and ceramic and a whole new range of affordable artists. ALVA Gallery aims to be a creative emporium for men and women. ALVA will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

zip06 -- Submit to Us

Interactive Desk — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:18:04 GMT

What are you doing this weekend? Want a free digital camera?

Our staff photographer, Cheryl Albaine, will be at Mystic Seaport this weekend taking photos of their 5th annual St. Patrick's Day parade, scheduled to take place Sunday, March 30 at 1:00.

According to a release from the Mystic Irish Parade Foundation, more than 100 marching units and 14 marching bands will perform along the parade route from Mystic Seaport Museum to the Mystic Art Association.

This year’s parade will host 12 Pipe Bands, more than any other parade in the state. In addition to these excellent musicians, more than 1,000 marchers are expected, including Irish Step Dancers, Fife & Drum Units, Military Drill Teams, Honor Guard Units from several local organizations, Drum & Bugle Corps, and high school marching bands.

The parade will also feature Classic Antique Cars, High-Tech Firefighting Equipment, Police Units, Scout Troops, and colorful floats designed and fabricated by area businesses. The Grand Marshal this year will be John Hewes, a local resident and businessman who is well-known throughout the community.

There will be numerous photo opportunities along the parade route starting at the Seaport at 1:00 and continuing south on Route 27 through downtown Mystic finishing at the Mystic Arts Center on Willow Street. You can also photograph the hundred other parade floats, bands, and bagpipers that will populate the parade. In short, the Mystic St. Patrick’s Parade will offer a tremendous variety of photo opportunities.

The Parade Committee will be distributing zip06 cards throughout the parade route.

Look for The Day’s special supplement on the Mystic St. Patrick’s Parade in Friday’s paper. The exact parade route and a listing of all parade participants are included in the 8-page tab along with other info on the event.

According to a release from the Mystic Seaport, the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be at the Seaport the whole weekend, Friday through Sunday, March 28 to 30. Members and children will be admitted free.

You can see the Clydesdales up close during their stable viewings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Watch as the team of horses are groomed and taken out for their daily exercises. On Saturday, see the Clydesdales give a special performance when they parade through the Museum's village from noon to 3 p.m.

On Sunday, the Clydesdales will finish their weekend in Mystic by bringing the St. Patrick's Day parade to a spectacular close.

If you attend this event, take photos and submit them to your member gallery on zip06.com. If we receive your photos by Monday, March 31, we may publish them in our April 3 Mystic Times paper! The photographer of the best reader-submitted photo will win a free digital camera.

Otherwise, your photo submissions will remain active on zip06.com.

If you have any questions, please call me or send me a message.

Melissa Babcock
Interactive Desk Chief
440-1023, m.babcock@theday.com