08/16/10 Work begins on "hole in the ground"

Work began last week on a West Putnam Avenue site dubbed the "hole in the ground" after a previous proposed development stalled eight years ago.

It's a move Sylvester Pecora welcomes.

"The whole community is happy to know that something is finally starting. It is a blessing," said Pecora, president of the Chickahominy Neighborhood Association.

The approximately 35,000 square foot, two-story project at 644 W. Putnam Ave., is expected to be completed by next summer, according to developer John Fareri, president of Fareri Associates, a Greenwich-based real estate development company.

"I think it will be a great addition to the community," he said.

Fareri said the $15 million project will employ up to 60 construction workers at its peak. He declined to name who the major tenant would be. However, in hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission it was reported that CVS would be the tenant.

In March the commission granted final approval to the mixed-use office and retail building project.

The project had run into some opposition, particularly from Peter Berg, a Representative Town Meeting member from District 8/Cos Cob. He said the development would hurt the historic village retail centers in places like Byram and Glenville.

The site had been excavated in 1999 for a planned BMW car dealership. However, Competition & Sports Cars Ltd., decided to sell the 1.6-acre plot in 2002 after design, zoning and other issues held up its expansion project.

The site had lain empty since then and was an eyesore to residents, said Pecora.

While Pecora said nothing can replace the forested area that existed prior to the earlier project, he said Fareri's project will be better than leaving the site empty.

It will also be a convenient location for Chickahominy and other western Greenwich residents, he said....

Source:

http://www.greenwichtime.com/default/article/Work-begins-on-hole-in-the-ground-617984.php

08/12/10 Senate approves money for Byram River study

A big step in what could eventually lead to measures to control the flood-prone Byram River has passed the U.S. Senate.

The Senate, with the support of two of its members from Connecticut, Joseph Lieberman and Chris Dodd, approved $100,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the river.

Jo Conboy, a resident who has been pushing a study of the Byram River for years, said she was thrilled with the decision, which came late last month.

"We feel this is great. It is a step in the right direction," said Conboy, who is president of Save Our Shores, an organization formed in 1997 to deal with concerns about water pollution in Byram. She has been part of a group urging a study of the river after serious flooding occurred in the spring of 2007.

She cautioned, though, that the funding still needs the approval of the House of Representatives, but said U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., has been a strong supporter of the project.

Thursday, Himes issued a statement backing the effort.

"Flooding wreaks havoc on local property and destroys economic development opportunities," Himes said. "We are finally moving forward to give property and business owners some security and relief. This issue has been a high priority of mine, and I will continue to fight for federal resources for areas of the 4th District most affected by flooding."

Approval must come from the House of Representatives'Appropriations Committee, said Denise Savageau, the town's conservation director.

Indications are positive that the town will get the money, she said. That approval at the House level got a boost after the House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee gave its blessing to a $200,000 request.....

Source:

http://www.greenwichtime.com/default/article/Senate-approves-money-for-Byram-River-study-613920.php

08/10/10 Greenwich Dems tout party unity

The theme of the night was party solidarity at the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee’s post-primary celebrations Tuesday night at a bar in Byram.

With four Greenwich districts reporting shortly after 9 p.m., several Democratic-endorsed candidates for state office appeared to be squarely ahead of their primary opponents with town voters — including comptroller Nancy Wyman, who was running for lieutenant governor against Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman; and health care advocate Kevin Lembo, running for comptroller against Waterbury Mayor Michael Jarjura.

Former Stamford mayor Dan Malloy, a publicly-financed gubernatorial candidate who was endorsed by the statewide Democratic party in May, was just starting to edge out his opponent, Greenwich cable-TV entrepreneur Ned Lamont.

“No matter what the outcome, we here to support the next governor, who is going to be a Democrat!” Greenwich Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo declared to the dozens of party faithful who gathered to drink beer and watch as the final, state wide results were announced live on TV.

Added Frank Farricker, the town’s DTC chairman: “I am extremely proud of everybody in this room for their civility. We worked together for our candidates, and even if we didn’t agree on them, we worked together. We smiled, we helped each other, and we did what we needed to do to be where we are right now, with a cross section of supporters. Today, were are here to be Democrats, and Democrats first.”

Source:

http://blog.ctnews.com/election2010/2010/08/10/greenwich-dems-tout-party-unity-at-post-primary-fest/

08/10/10 What's the Greenwich business with the most outstanding fines and registration fees

According to a list from the Town of Greenwich Attorney's office, it is Delavan Deli in Byram, which owes a total of $2,060..

The town says the deli owes $1,050 in burglar alarm fines, $100 in fire alarm fines and $910 in alarm registration fees.

Lots of luck to the town on collecting that cash, because...

the Delavan Deli has been closed for a while now.

A message seeking comment for the deli's owner, Joyce Donnelly, was not returned.

08/09/10 Byram father appeals conviction; son accepts probation

A Byram man sentenced to five years in jail for restraining three people at gunpoint is appealing his case, citing juror misconduct and flawed rulings by the presiding judge.

Pasquale Ciullo, 51, was sentenced last month after a jury found him guilty on three counts of unlawful restraint surrounding a 2007 property dispute on Byram Shore Road. Prosecutors said Ciullo and his son, Angelo, pointed guns at two day laborers hired by a neighbor to install a fence that intruded on their driveway. Pasquale Ciullo was also charged with chasing his neighbor, Rose Pinchuk, away from the driveway and hitting her with a shovel. He was acquitted of an assault charge.

Ciullo's lawyer, Edward Gavin, submitted several possible avenues for an appeal in recently filed court documents, including alleged juror misconduct.

"The misconduct (included) stereotypical remarks, between and among jurors about the defendants, their ethnicity, and their attorneys," the motion states. "The court's subsequent instruction to the jury to cease such discussions, to not prejudge the case and to decide the case based on the evidence did not cure the harm sustained by defendant."

During Ciullo's trial, a juror was dismissed after she talked to a witness outside the court. The woman later told a judge she intentionally talked to the witness so she would be excused from the case, claiming she was disillusioned by other jurors talking about the case prior to deliberations.

The remaining jurors denied they prejudged the case and a judge warned them to refrain from speaking about the trial or forming preliminary opinions. Pasquale Ciullo's lawyer and his son's lawyer argued for a mistrial at that point, which was denied. Angelo Ciullo was convicted on two counts of unlawful restraint and weapons in a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to five years of probation in July....

Source:

http://www.greenwichtime.com/default/article/Father-appeals-son-accepts-probation-609407.php

08/09/10 Neighborhood group protests cost to use library after hours

Leaders of the Byram Neighborhood Association are taking issue with a custodial fee required of groups looking to use the community room at the recently renovated Byram Shubert Library.

Since the branch library reopened last year, Greenwich Library has required groups that use the space after hours to pay for a staff member to be present and lock up the building.

Michael Bocchino, the group's chairman, said he feels requiring local organizations to pay to use a space built for community meetings is unfair.

While the neighborhood association currently meets for free at St. Paul Lutheran Church on nearby Delavan Avenue, Bocchino said he'd rather use the library because "there are so many members of the neighborhood association whose dollars went for this new community room."

"It's ridiculous for them to charge us money when the community room was built with part of the community's money," Bocchino said.

Carol Mahoney, director of Greenwich Library, said she wasn't aware that anyone had an issue with the fee, a rate of $39.60 per hour, with a three-hour minimum, an average of the library's custodial overtime rates.

Mahoney said the library has a contractual obligation to pay a custodian to be in the building beyond the 48 hours that the facility is open. The new community room, which accommodates 100 people, and is also used for library programming, is connected to the building and doesn't have a separate entrance.

Before the branch's multimillion-dollar renovation, library staff was much more relaxed with community groups, providing them with the key and having them lock up after meetings. But Mahoney said since the library has a responsibility to protect the community's investment, that can no longer be done....

Source:

http://www.greenwichtime.com/default/article/Group-protests-cost-to-use-library-after-hours-609281.php

08/06/10 Byram Property Transactions

Deanna W. Quinton sold to James P. Malloy, property at 125 Byram Road for $560,000.

08/05/10 N.Y. man pleads not guilty to home invasion, robbery charges

A New York man charged with breaking into a senior's Quarry Knoll apartment and robbing her of more than $900 in cash pleaded not guilty Thursday in state Superior Court to a slew of charges, including home invasion and robbery.

Esdras Flores, 40, of 604 N. Main St., Port Chester, stood silently as his public defender told a judge he was reviewing the "serious allegations" in the case.

Attorney Howard Ehring entered the procedural pleas and opted for a jury trial, which continues the case until September.

Flores was assisted by a Spanish-speaking interpreter during the brief court hearing.

Prosecutors told a judge Flores has no prior criminal record.

Flores was arrested July 22 just days after police investigated a midnight break-in at the Quarry Knoll public housing complex. He is charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree larceny, home invasion and two counts of credit card theft. Police reports detail how Flores knew his 74-year-old victim from church and had just returned money she lent to him before allegedly committing the crime. Police said Flores entered the home through an unlocked door and used a toy gun to demand two envelopes of money, her ATM and credit cards and jewelry before fleeing the scene, reports said. The woman was not injured.

Detectives tracked Flores to a Port Chester bank, where he attempted to withdraw money using the victim's ATM cards, police said. Police later obtained still photos of Flores from a surveillance camera. When police learned Flores had recently paid the victim back money, they tracked him down at his residence, where Flores agreed to come in for an interview.

Flores first lied to investigators, police said, telling them masked men had robbed him, and he led them to the Quarry Knoll house where masked men supposedly robbed the victim. Flores later admitted he acted alone, but did not think the woman was home and became alarmed when she woke up, police said.....

Source:

http://www.greenwichtime.com/default/article/N-Y-man-pleads-not-guilty-to-home-invasion-604489.php

08/02/10 Vote for Rick: Independence Caucus Quote

Vote RICK TORRES for CONGRESS on AUGUST 10 IMAGINE the POSSIBILITIES with a Congressman who Pledges to Stand with Us WHAT THE INDEPENDENCE CAUCUS SAYS ABOUT RICK TORRES “In this election the very fabric of our freedoms is under direct assault. Rick Torres is running for Congress to preserve and restore our freedoms.” Rick has lived through socialism twice, once in Cuba and once in Bridgeport public housing. He is the only Congressional candidate who understands tyranny, how it erodes a society, and hijacks our liberties. Rick is a man of principle who will fight against the current trend toward a socialist United States government and act independently of any political pressure. Rick Torres is the man we must send to Congress from the 4th Congressional District. His background, his principles, his knowledge of our Constitution, his determination to preserve our liberties, and his impressive list of endorsements are all reasons to support Rick. But there is more. He intends to be a citizen legislator, one of us. He will not do anything to allow himself to become one of the political elite. No other candidate has made that pledge. RICK'S ENDORSEMENTS The Independence Caucus: (The largest endorsing body in CT outside the convention.) http://www.icaucus.org/ Ron Paul:http://www.ronpaul.com/2010-07-29/ron-paul-endorses-peter-schiff-and-rick-torres/ Republican Liberty Caucus: http://www.rlc.org/endorsed-candidates-2010/#9 Change the Congress in 2010: http://www.changethecongressin2010.com/ The Libertarian Party: http://www.lpct.org/Party.html The Conservative Party: http://www.conservativepartyct.org/ The 9-11 Family Foundation: http://www.911families.org/links.html Star Parker: http://www.starparkerforcongress.com/ T.R. Rowe: http://reptrrowe.com/ Peter Schiff: http://schiffforsenate.com/ Mark Greenberg: http://greenberg2010.com/ Jeff Cheney A FEW OF RICK'S VIDEOS To see Rick's bio click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=SCrzFs-l1FE To see Rick's socialism video click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=zfrkEtjIddQ To see Rick's call with Mark Levin click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=cpJqngSWouI&feature=channel To see Rick on Judge Napolitano click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=f3vogoJt2Cs To see why the Trumbull Ladies for Liberty support Rick click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=7C1ixKOthk4&feature=channel

08/02/10 BREAKING NEWS: Hearst Newspapers Chooses Michael Fedele Over Greenwich Resident Tom Foley In The Republican Primary For Governor

Photo: Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele

Connecticut Post Says Fedele The Choice Among Republicans

Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele has the combination of government and business experience that, given the chance to serve in the No. 1 seat, would be good for the state of Connecticut.

The Connecticut Post endorses his candidacy in the Aug. 10 Republican three-way primary.

The 55-yearold Fedele brings 10 years of legislative experience, serving in the state House of Representatives from 1992 to 2002, and three years in his current position.

But Fedele is also a self-made businessman and understands that job creation is the top challenge to the state.

Fedele understands in no uncertain terms that improving the atmosphere in Connecticut for small business is essential to turning around the state's economy.

His stand against any new taxes speaks to his understanding of the situation.

We compliment him for his position.

Given his experience, Fedele is confident solutions to the state's problems of spending and borrowing can be resolved through good management, and not through new taxes.Though Fedele has been part of the Rell administration ... well, that in some respects sums it up.

It was indeed the Rell administration, and if anyone can name a Connecticut lieutenant governor who shaped policy from that office, we'd be curious to know who it was.

Fedele rightly says he can be held accountable only for those areas in which he had authority.

He's been an effective ambassador for the state, recruiting business and reaching out to the Henkel Corporation, manufacturer of Loctite adhesive products and successfully encouraging them to consolidate operations in Rocky Hill.

Fedele also figured in the move of Columbia Elevators from New York to Bridgeport.

We also applaud Oz Griebel, another candidate in the GOP primary, for his passion and clear commitment to improving the business climate in the state.

And Tom Foley brings a business background as well. But he also brings some unpleasant baggage to the race.

But Fedele earns our endorsement. We believe he's the best of the three choices to lead the state.

============================

Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to ByramRoundup@gmail.com

08/02/10 Make 10 Calls in 10 Days

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Sunday, August 1 IMAGINE the POSSIBILITIES with RICK TORRES as your CONGRESSMAN Make it happen with 10 CALLS in 10 DAYS for RICK We are in Election Countdown, and your help during the next week is critical. Please try go to Rick's website at ricktorres2010.com and click PHONE BANK FOR RICK in the news column on the left hand side of the page. Its easy, fast, and painless. Ten calls will take you 15 minutes. Please help. Your support is important.

08/01/10 Are there any garden clubs in Byram?

Armstrong Court Gardeners is open to anyone interested in gardening. Meetings are usually the first Friday evening of the month. Call Jessie Ramnath at 661-1998.

The Byram Garden Club emphasizes preservation and beautification projects. Membership is open to everyone in western Greenwich. Call Lynn Elise Friend at 531-7978.

08/01/10 CT PRIMARY CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: State Comptroller

Photo: Kevin Lembo On The Campaign trail

Lembo And Jarjura Battle In The Democratic State Comptroller Primary

A week from Tuesday, Aug. 10, registered Democrats will go to the polls to narrow the field in a number of contested races, but even after that, there are so many contenders in so many races that it's really hard to keep track.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first. Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

The battle to be comptroller, is very important given the state's nearly $3 billion deficit.

Many wonder why this seat is contested in such hard times. One would think that it would be more fun to be the money person when the state is flush rather than broke. But this hasn't deterred Democrats Kevin Lembo and Michael Jarjura from battling for the democratic nod.

The winner of that race will face Republican Jack Orchulli and Green candidate Colin Bennett.

Democrat Kevin Lembo, who served as assistant state comptroller to Nancy Wyman, is the party-endorsed candidate running against Michael Jarjura for the state comptroller seat.

Lembo is nationally recognized for his expertise in health care systems and consumer protection, according to his campaign website. He currently leads the Office of the Healthcare Advocate for the state. He lives in Guilford with his wife; they have three children.

Today the Harwinton Democratic Town Committee is hosting a meet and greet so voters can meet candidates. The event will be held at the Harwinton Senior Center, 209 Weingart Road, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Mr. Lembo has confirmed that he will attend.

Mike Jarjura is the mayor of Waterbury. He worked as a state representative in the 1990s and as an assistant attorney general. He has a B.S. in management from Post College and a J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law.

This weekenday, with Waterbury Mayor Jarjura was on the ropes after Lembo came out with three body blows.

First, a YouTube video surfaced of the Democrat speaking at a Tea Party rally.

"We needed a spark, and you're the spark that is going to be the change. So don't give up. Don't get discouraged because this country is worth fighting for and you're fighting for it," Jarjura said at the rally in Waterbury last September.

Jarjura, a Democrat, defended his attendance at the ultra-conservative rally.

Jarjura claimed he was there at the request of Waterbury citizens and he wasn't there to advocate for any political group," he said. "Every one is trying to do a 'gotcha' in these campaigns and manipulate things to something you don't even represent."

Lembo isn't buying it.

"It's an odd choice for a Democratic mayor to be attending a Tea Party rally," he told the press.

The second blow to Jarjura's campaign was the Waterbury teachers union endorsing Lembo, following the lead one week ago of the local police union.

Jarjura's response: it's backlash from the tough contract negotiations between the city and the unions as a result of the tight economy.

Finally, Lembo launched a television advertisement attacking Jarjura for hiring former Gov. John Rowland, a Republican forced to resign by a corruption scandal.

"Jarjura hired Rowland to a $100,000 dollar a year job after he got out of prison -- calling him the best governor Connecticut has ever had," the 30-second advertisement says.

Jarjura backed the hiring of John Rowland, the disgraced former Republican governor, in an economic development job partly funded with city money.

Jarjura has responded with mailings touting his negative web site, called Lembo Lies, and filed a lawsuit attempting to block Lembo's ability to spend public financing money.

Jarjura's mailer to registered Democrats, accusing Lembo of being a secret conservative. The mailer directed Democrats to a web site created by Jarjura's campaign.

“Some of my opponents’ claims are just bizarre. But let me be clear – I have never ever lied to the people of Connecticut or distorted my record," Lembo said.

The Lembo campaign responded by saying that Jarjura is a cultural conservative who opposes abortion rights.

A Superior Court judge Tuesday rejected Michael Jarjura's effort to block Kevin Lembo from using public financing in their Democratic contest for state comptroller.

The terse order by Judge James T. Graham frees Lembo to begin spending the $375,000 awarded to him last week for his Aug. 10 primary with Jarjura, the mayor of Waterbury.

Jarjura, who also has received $375,000 in public financing.

This legal challenge is the second of two attempts by Jarjura to deny public financing to Lembo.

08/01/10 2010 ELECTIONS - CT CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: Secretary of the State (Jerry Farrell Jr, Gerry Garcia, Denise Merrill

Photo: Connecticut Republican Candidate Secretary Of State

Jerry Farrell Jr

Even the politically astute of Connecticut have got to be preparing scratch sheets to keep track of who is running for what this political season.

It is a tough job to try and keep track, but it is a job that needs to be done.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first. Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

Not sure who is running? Then go to the secretary of the state's website (ctgov.org will get you started) and find out the candidate's names, political parties and offices that they are seeking.

Speaking of the secretary of state, did you know that Gerry Garcia (yes, that's really his name) could get bumped in next week's primaries in his bid to be Connecticut's new secretary of the state?

The Democrat is vying for the seat against party endorsed candidate Denise Merrill in what will be a three-way race Nov. 2 pitting either Garcia or Merrill against Republican Jerry Farrell Jr. and Green Party contender S. Michael DeRosa.

It's an important job, overseeing the state's elections, so we'd all do ourselves a favor by brushing up on the candidates' qualifications and platforms so we can make informed decisions come November.

Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr, nominated at convention for Secretary of State, reiterated the calls for fiscal conservatism, even through the Secretary of State's office.

Farrell just qualified for public campaign financing.and submitted his paperwork to the State Elections Enforcement Commission in preparation of the November general election.

Farrell’s campaign raised over $75,000 from over 900 contributors who were limited to a maximum of $100 per person.

Once approved, Farrell will receive a grant of $750,000 to compete with a Democratic opponent who will receive the same grant.

Farrell and Democratic attorney general candidate George Jepsen are the only statewide candidates without a primary election to receive public funding.