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Hamden Weather |
Another Down on Inland
By Sharon Bass
On May 8, Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commissioner Lorraine DeNicola went on a site walk for a Quinnipiac University project. That night, she decided to resign from the commission.
Letters to the Editor
Cesare Says One Thing, Writes Another
In his letter to the editor, Austin Cesare complains about Mayor Craig Henrici’s decision not to reappoint Steven Sosensky to the Inland Wetlands Commission. Austin writes, “Stop playing political games with the appointments to boards and commissions.” I agree, which is why I am writing this letter, and why I am betraying conversations that might have been considered private. The hypocrisy, Austin, must also stop.
Disrespectful Governing
I find it appalling that the Council voted in favor of the new police station at Memorial Town Hall. It is a huge building project that will bring nothing but destruction to the center of our quaint little town.
Whitneyville Before Elvis
The Cherry Bomb Incident
By Raymond K. Johnson
Ronnie Grube opened the little wing window on the passenger side of Kenny DeMaio’s 1954 Chevrolet BelAir. I lit the fuse on the cherry bomb and flipped it towards the small window opening. I missed.
Youth Dialogue
New Hamden youth group holds first forum on neighborhood issues May 13 in Council Chambers. Click for the skinny.
Youth Surge
Over 34,000 new CT voters since the Feb. 5 presidential primary -- 584 in Hamden -- thanks in part to young adults. Click for extensive report from Secretary of the State Bysiewicz.
May 9, 2008
Hamden Moms
Enjoy Mother's Day. Enjoy your children. Embrace the gift.
Letters to the Editor
Mayor's Political Games Must Stop
First IWW Commissioner Mike Conklin. Now IWW Chairman Steve Sosensky? Who next? How many more honest, well-qualified, hardworking public servants have to be tossed off boards and commissions in this town?
Wiley hanging at home. Photo/Sharon Bass
Life Before Wiley
I read with great interest the story of the stray dog Wiley, but some of your facts are not exactly accurate. I am ecstatic that he has gotten a permanent home with someone who loves him. But one fact that was omitted from your article is that Wiley was taken care of by many families in the neighborhood, not just one.
Fair Ground
Helen Street School is sponsoring its 5th Annual Community Day with a tag sale, vendor and wellness booths, dancing, games, music, a moon bounce and much more. The place is the school playground at 285 Helen St. The date is Saturday, May 31. The time is 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Democratic Senators Tout State Budget Accomplishments
Click here for their overview.
The Inland Flu
IWW commissioners boycott last night’s meeting in protest of losing Sosensky
By Sharon Bass
When words didn’t work, they took action.
Upset that Mayor Craig Henrici recently refused to reappoint their chair, Steve Sosensky, the majority of Inland Wetlands & Watercourses commissioners decided to send the mayor a message Wednesday evening by boycotting their monthly meeting. They had earlier sent e-mails to Henrici imploring him to rethink his decision, but said their pleas went unanswered.
Read more.
We Deserve Better Than Henrici, Fitch, Leng, Gorman
By Ron Gambardella
Friends, our mission continues. Hamden’s taxpayers are about to be given another dose of Henrici, Fitch, Leng and Gorman. These four individuals are out of touch with reality. It seems they simply cannot understand that Hamden taxpayers are tapped out. What part of “no more taxes” can’t they understand?
Read more.Hamden Trashes Hand
Jimmy Burt rips hit against Hand.
Story and photos by Edward C. "Ned" Burt Jr.
The Hamden freshman team bombed Hand 16-0. Hamden was led by the pitching of PJ Scott and CJ Carignan. The entire team had strong games at the plate. Jordan Teague hit a monstrous double in the first inning off the wall in left field. It was one of three hits and four runs he scored on the day. Teague has been banging the ball all year for the Hamden squad.
Read more.Tony Talks Sports
Pitcher Welch Owes it to Mom
By Tony Mentone
THUMBS UP
Dixwell Avenue restaurant Applebee's is truly a community treasure. It offers a great breakfast deal for nonprofit groups. For $5, you get juice, coffee, three hotcakes and two slices of bacon.
May 7, 2008
Day 9: The Vote
Republicans Craig Cesare and Betty Wetmore said no. Photo/Sharon Bass
’08-’09 Budget: $174,939,805
New Mil Rate: 29.42
Tax Increase: 1.1 percent
By Sharon Bass
It took roughly 20 hours over a course of eight meetings for the Legislative Council to carve and sculpt the 2008-09 taxpayers’ tab. After all the number tweaking and occasional argument, last night the 15 elected officials came together in good spirit and good manners. (For blow-by-blow details of the deliberations, click Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 and Day 8.)
Wiley's Sick
File photo
By Sharon Bass
Everyone has finally left Wiley alone. The town. The state (after the attorney general ruled last week that the 2-year-old former stray has a rightful owner). And now it’s something else for the mixed Husky, who comfortably resides with local groomer Gabrielle Scirocco.
"Leader of the Pack," a 1960s rock 'n roll musical about the life and music of Ellie Greenwich, will come alive on the middle school stage this Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Come listen to students belt out decades-old hits like "Chapel of Love" and "Do Wah Diddy." $10/adults, $7/students; $5 for students for Thursday's performance. For reservations and more info, call 407.3140. -- Courtesy photo
Local Reading
Hamden Middle schoolers join in the Big Read. (From left): Victoria Lettiero, Kayla Edwards, Emily Jones and Kayana Jones read “Fahrenheit 451” in the Miller Library rotunda. Read all about it. -- Courtesy photo
Local Planting
Hamden farmers will be selling all sorts of potted greenery on May 17. Click here for the scoop.
May 6, 2008
Budget Deliberations, Day 8
Odds & Ends
’08-’09 Budget Scorecard
Mayor’s Proposal: $177,302,411
Council’s to date: $174,939,805
By Sharon Bass
At the second-to-last budget deliberation last night, the Legislative Council created a new line item for town employees on the state pension plan (Municipal Employees Retirement Fund). Most workers are on the local pension program but those hired since last year will get their retirement checks from the state.
Police Station Moves Forward
Folks prepare for their turn to opine on the police plan, while cops wait in the back for the Council's verdict. Photo/Sharon Bass
By Sharon Bass
The main course on the Legislative Council’s menu Monday was borrowing $1.02 million for the new police headquarters. The money is earmarked for further design work, hiring a construction manager and getting two professional project estimates.
Veronica May Sturtze, 88, Champion Drummer at 1939 World's Fair Dies
May 5, 2008
A
Chat In Hamden
Photo/Sharon Bass
Rebecca “Becky” Muolo, 12, town government observer/critic, Hamden Middle School student/reporter, avid reader, curious/insightful child
By Sharon Bass
Talented & Gifted middle school student Becky Muolo is becoming a town fixture. Much the way Police Commissioner Meg Nowacki has. Both females, who are about two generations apart, attend nearly every council and Board of Ed meeting -- and listen in closely.
Read more.Up or Down?
Councilman Cesare. Councilwoman Noble. File photos
Cesare calls for lower pension deposit; Noble calls for higher pension deposit
By Sharon Bass
During the ’07 municipal elections, Republicans ran on a platform of no tax increases. Councilman Craig Cesare (R-at-large) said he has a plan to achieve that goal. He wants to lower the pension contribution in the 2008-09 budget from the current $12 million to about $10 million. “That would mean no tax increase at all,” he said.
Read more.$1M Police Station Vote
This evening, the Legislative Council will vote on whether to issue $1.02 million in bonds for further architectural work and to select a construction manager for the police headquarters plan. Some Hamdenites object to the project saying it will ruin the town center and the historical Memorial Town Hall. (Click here to view the anti-police station petition.) The public will be able voice its opinions at tonight's meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. (Click here for a Hartford Courant op-ed criticizing the police headquarters.) -- Sharon Bass
Letters to the Editor
‘Trivial’ in Eye of Partisan Beholder
It is quite interesting to read the Democratic Town Committee chair's letter to the editor, in which he tries to cast a "new light" on the dismal record of the Henrici Administration.
I'M
GONNA SAY IT ANYWAY
By
Steve Kalb
Don’t Like Any of Them
There have been many “takeaway” quotes from the presidential campaign so far, but none beats a steel workers union leader’s introduction of Hillary Clinton as someone with testicular fortitude.
Read more.Please Give a Drop
The Hamden Elks Lodge, 175 School St., is asking folks to sign up for its May 19 blood drive. A minimum number of signups is required. Call the lodge at 248.2224; you may leave a message with your name and telephone number.
Music at Meadowbrook
Los Lobos
Los Lobos kicks off the Arts Commission's summer concert series. Click here for the whole spiel.
Travel Loot Gets 1st Vetting
File photo
By Sharon Bass
The Ethics Board received a letter from Mayor Craig Henrici late this week asking for an “advisory opinion” on whether his taking a monthly travel stipend from three budgeted line items constitutes a Town Charter violation. Chair Colin Odell said the matter will be taken up a public meeting sometime this month.
Shocked Again
Steve Sosensky. File photo
Inland Wetlands chair booted; fellow commissioner booted in March
By Sharon Bass
It was déjà vu for Steve Sosensky. Last week, Mayor Craig Henrici denied the chair another term on Inland Wetlands & Watercourses in the identical manner in which the mayor axed fellow Commissioner Mike Conklin in March.
Letters to the Editor
Dogs & Miles? Please
A review of recent headlines in the New Haven Register would show the following:
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