INCESTUOUS RELATIONSHIP: The Greenwich Time Doesn't Want To Report This Story, Because Jim Himes' Wife Is One Of Their Contributing Bloggers

SUPPORT FOR FOR RABID OBAMACARE ADVOCATE JIM HIMES IS RAPIDLY IMPLODING

It took Connecticut long enough, but it seems that forth district congressional voters are finally figuring out the Goldman Sachs Banker from Greenwich isn’t everything he was cracked up to be

The bad news? The country is stuck with Barack Obama for the next three-and-a-half years.

The good news? Thant in Connecticut's forth congressional district Dan Debecella is offering a contrast to his big spending, crony capitalist, welfare statist, global interventionist policies that has brought astagnet recovery to the state.

Anyway … according to the results of the latest Washington Post ABC News poll. Obama’s approval rating has plunged to 42 percent (compared to 55 percent who disapprove of his performance). Meanwhile only 41 percent approve of his handling of the economy (compared to 57 percent who disapprove) and only 33 percent approve of his handling of the implementation of Obamacare (compared to 63 percent who disapprove).

Wait … about one-third of America actually agrees with the perpetually wrong Jim Himes and thanks Obama has done a good job rolling out the failed Obamacare?

As for Jim Himes' Obamacare itself, 57 percent now oppose it compared to 40 percent who support it. Meanwhile 65 percent oppose the individual mandate tax that Jim Himes fought so hard for, compared to 34 percent who support it.

Those are terrible numbers, particularly when you consider the sample for the Post/ABC poll consisted of 31 percent Democrats and only 24 percent Republicans.

The was no comment offered from Jim Himes congressional office concerning the rapidly crumbling support for him and his beloved Obamacare.

An ABC News / Washington Post poll shows votes would chose Republican candidate Mitt Romney over President Obama, 49-45 percent, if they could have a do over.

And most of Connecticut's district 4 voters now wish that they could also have a mulligan on Jim Himes and the 2010 election.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/mitt-romney-barack-obama-2012-election-poll-100044.html

Obama reached a new low in the ABC poll, with a 42 percent approval rating and 55 percent disapproval, and 57 percent of Americans oppose Obamacare, which host George Stephanopoulos called “brutal numbers for the White House.” Only 46 percent see Obama as a strong leader, and just 47 percent view him as trustworthy.

Full transcript:

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Our new ABC News/ Washington Post poll, which shows President Obama with the lowest support of his presidency. Those troubles with Obamacare hitting hard across the board. Seven out of ten Americans now think the country’s on the wrong track, and this comes amid new revelations that the administration was warned about the problems in the website as early as March. ABC’s Jon Karl is at the White House, and Jon, these are brutal numbers for the White House.

JONATHAN KARL: They sure are, George. The lowest job approval rating we have ever seen in the ABC News / Washington Post poll. Only 42 percent approving of the president’s job performance, 55 percent disapproving, and on the health care law, a record-high 57 percent say they oppose the law. Only 40 percent supporting it. George, look at this number. We asked voters if they could have a mulligan on the 2012 presidential election, who would they vote for. A plurality now say they would vote for Romney over Obama. But of course, that is one thing that President Obama does not have to worry about.

STEPHANOPOULOS: What a difference a year makes. Real signs that there were some red flashing lights back in March about the rollout of the website.

KARL: That’s right. It turns out we learned from the congressional committees investigating this that they asked a consulting firm to look at whether or not they would be ready, the McKinsey consulting firm. They found in a March report that was presented to White House officials in April that there were real problems. They thought the website would not be ready. Their biggest concern, George, was there was not enough time to do end-to-end testing, and of course we know that was exactly the case.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/19/obama-approval_n_4301696.html

01/31/13 Helen Makowski, 88, Worked At Greenwich Salon

Helen V. Makowski, 88, of New Fairfield, formerly of Greenwich, died at her home Jan. 24 with her family at her side. She was the widow of Joseph Makowski.

She was born March 1, 1924, in Port Chester, N.Y., the daughter of Cortland and Helen Reynolds.

Mrs. Makowski graduated from Greenwich High School and married Joseph Makowski in 1946.

She worked at the Harper Method beauty salon in Greenwich for many years.

Mrs. Makowski had a great interest in the history of Greenwich, reading and collecting books that described the local by-gone years of the town.

She and her husband were active in the Westchester and Fairfield Horticultural Society. She was also a member of the Byram Garden Club and Sacred Heart Church flower committee.

Mrs. Makowski hosted many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at her home in Greenwich, putting on a great festive meal for the whole family to enjoy. She enjoyed the company of her neighbors and many friends, especially during summer months, surrounded by the many flowers in her garden.

She was known for her Welsh sense of humor and quick wit.

10/12/13 Byram Motor Vehicle Stop Uncovers Illegal Drugs And Forbidden Woman In The Car

During a motor vehicle stop on Ritch Avenue around 9:50 p.m., police discovered a female passenger in the vehicle being driven by Christian J. Brito, 31, of 19 Pulaski Street. in Stamford, CT.

A check revealed that Brito was not to have any contact with the woman. Police also discovered marijuana, a digital scale and multiple glassine baggies in the vehicle, police said.

The department's K-9 unit was brought in to help police.

Mr. Brito was charged with criminal en violation of a protective order, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count each of possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

He was released on a $5,000 surety bond 

01/11/13 Discussion Set On French book In Byram

On Jan. 15, from 5 to 6 p.m., at Byram Shubert Library, the Alliance Francaise of Greenwich and Byram Shubert Library are presenting a discussion of one of the most popular books in France, now translated into English: Michel Houellebecq's "The Map and the Territory."

Free glass of wine. RSVP at 203-629-1340

01/08/13 Byram Masons

ACACIA LODGE #85, AF&AM: 6:30 p.m. refreshments, 8 p.m. meeting. Every second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Non-Mason visitors wishing to learn about Freemasonry may have dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Members of other lodges are encouraged to have dinner and to attend Stated Communication afterward. 289 Delavan Avenue.

For information, acacialodge@optimum.net.

01/01/13 Byram In Review - A Few Highlights from 2012

LOOKING BACK IN TIME

In February, State Rep. Lile Gibbons, R-150th District, announced she would not seek her seventh two-year term in Hartford during a Feb. 22 Republican Town Committee meeting. The Riverside resident represented the shoreline from Byram to Old Greenwich and part of the downtown.

Happy Connecticut residents were able for the first time to buy alcohol in the state on a Sunday. May 20 marked the first Sunday sale of alcohol permitted in the state. Byram alcohol retailers called it a mixed blessing as they were able to continue selling to residents, but it meant they lost their one free day per week.
A violent storm started a chain of events that led to Byram and 99 per cent of the town losing power Aug. 6. It swept through the town the night before knocking trees down that ultimately saw 60 roads closed.

Hurricane Sandy's fury visited Byram Oct. 29, and resulted in tremendous damage to the town. Dozens of  homes were flooded and thousands lost power. Power outages affected thousands and took days to be resumed during a massive cleanup and restoration work. The storm was one of the worst in decades and caused tremendous power outages and destruction throughout the metro area.

01/01/13 Opinion: Tesei and Theis Need To Listen To Marzullo On Matters Concerning Byram

PHOTO: Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo

The Republican leadership of Greenwich has pretty much failed on flooding of the Byram River, dedicating public safety funding for targeting drug sales in Byram and planning for the traffic and business needs of Byram.

As usual, Byram and most of the neighboring areas were he Republican leadership of Greenwich. Western Greenwich's very own First Selectman Peter Tesei and Selectman David Theis, both Republicans.

Greenwich's first openly gay selectman, Cos Cob resident Drew Marzullo has been a strong advocate for issues concerning Byram and has earned his $12,640 annually salary.

Democrat Drew Marzullo has also been a strong advocate for funding of a renovation project at the town-owned Nathaniel Witherell nursing home, for which $22.6 million has been budgeted.

Marzullo burst onto the scene in 2009, when he outpolled his running mate, then-Democratic Selectman Lin Lavery, whose challenge of Tesei for the town's top post was unsuccessful.

Since then, he has co-existed in relative harmony with his GOP counterparts Tesei and Theis,

12/18/12 Byram Has Got Heart: New Lebanon School Sends Sandy Aid To Queens Chiildren

PHOTO: New Lebanon School Principal Barbara Rucci listens as second-grader Lucas Del Pezo, 7, speaks Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at the school about Hurricane Sandy and how it motivated the school to help a hard-hit school in Rockaway, Queens, N.Y. New Lebanon School welcomed the principal and some staff from PS 104 in Rockaway Queens, N.Y., to whom they gave gifts, gift cards, school items like T-shirts for students and staff.

Students and staff at a Far Rockaway, Queens, N.Y., school still struggling with the effects of Superstorm Sandy received a boost from Byram Students.

In a 2 p.m. ceremony in the New Lebanon School gym, two staff members from Public School 104 were given gifts, books and gift cards donated by the Byram school's students, parents and staff.

Deirdre McShane, P.S. 104's assistant principal, and Mary Bermudez, a teacher at the Queens school, were thankful. "It's been an overwhelming response that people want to help," Bermudez said. "We have been adopted by six schools from around the country, and New Lebanon was the first one."

The link between the schools is through a New Lebanon parent, Clare Kilgallen, whose cousin is Katie Grady, P.S. 104's principal.

New Lebanon PTA President Michael Bocchino said the school decided to concentrate on items such as gift cards that the P.S. 104 families and staff could use to purchase what they need. The school also donated $500 worth of books, along with gifts and items for three hard-hit families.

The school wasn't flooded as other were, but did have an outdoor play area was damaged by a downed tree. It was without power for two weeks, however, and about 75 of its 650 students had to move to other schools because their homes were too badly damaged, McShane said.

McShane and Bermudez toured New Lebanon School before the assembly.

Bermudez said everyone at the school survived, but some students and their families had to swim out of their homes when the storm hit.

Bermudez and McShane promised they would return to update New Lebanon School on their progress.

Tab For Replacing The Municipal Marina In Byram Is Being Calculated By Roberge Associates Coastal Engineers In Stamford - Sandy Damage Costs Continue To Mount For Greenwich

The economic toll of Superstorm Sandy is coming into focus for Byram and the town of Greenwich, which estimates it will cost $2.5 million to $3.5 million to repair the damage to its public beaches and marinas alone.

The town is paying Roberge Associates Coastal Engineers LLC of Stratford $12,000 to assess the storm damage at Greenwich Point Park, Island Beach and the municipal marina in Byram.

The so-called jewels of Greenwich's park system sustained widespread beach erosion, mangled docks and tree damage during the Oct. 29 storm.

The marine consultant, which has done prior work for the town, is expected to release its report early next week on the damage.

The goal for me would be to use this report to not only present to the towns insurance company, but to also present it to FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency)."

Connecticut's wealthiest municipality is also expected to put in a $1 million claim for town-owned trees lost during the storm.

The town hopes to recover $800,000 of the $1 million from insurance, with FEMA covering a $200,000 deductible.

By comparison, the town received $244,000 for tree damage during a March 2010 nor'easter, when the values of individual trees were capped at $2,500 for insurance purposes.

Comprehensive overtime totals for the public sector employees who were part of the response to the storm and the ensuing recovery were not yet available from  Peter Mynarski Jr., the town comptroller. 

Town officials characterized the claims process as lengthy and complex, noting that Greenwich is just now being reimbursed for damages sustained during a freak October snowstorm in 2011.

The first town department to publicly report its overtime from Superstorm Sandy was parks, which parks director Joseph Siciliano said accrued $103,061 through Dec. 7, spanning the state of emergency to the ongoing recovery.

The parks department spent an additional $240,273 to cover costs such as equipment rental, outsourcing of tree work and a small road repaving project at Greenwich Point that were all storm-related,

During the 11-day state of emergency, which was lifted Nov. 9, the town incurred approximately  $155,000 in police overtime. 

Fire Chief Peter Siecienski has that overtime costs for his department and equipment damage will be around $200,000.

That figure does not include $40,000 it will take to repair a rescue vehicle based at the Sound Beach fire station, which was damaged by a fallen tree limb.

Greenwich Board Of Education Board Member Peter Sherot Not Sure Theme School Would Address Racial Imbalance In Byram Schools

QUOTE: Peter Sherr Says: "This whole subject tore open the board before, badly, It tore open the community before. I was so disappointed because I was interested in the comment that it helps kids perform better. I got this long report that was like a sales job on IB again."

The district needs to take a closer look at its current magnet programs before launching another themed school as a way to address racial imbalance, the Board of Education has concluded.

The school board recently decided to explore creating a science, technology, engineering and math program to help racially balance Hamilton Avenue School and New Lebanon school.

During an evening work session, the board discussed the district's magnet programs and how the success of the International Baccalaureate program at the International School at Dundee could be replicated to affect the racial imbalances.

During the discussion, Superintendent of Schools William McKersie presented an overview of the IB magnet programs at the International School at Dundee, New Lebanon School and Western Middle School, as well as student achievement data for ISD.

Board member Peter Sherr took issue with McKersie's presentation of data about ISD students, which included high scores on standardized tests. Sherr noted that ISD students still don't perform as well on tests as students at Old Greenwich, Riverside and North Mianus schools, and said the data doesn't show that the IB method helps students more than teaching methods at the town's other high-performing schools.

"This whole subject tore open the board before, badly," Sherr said, referring to last year's debate about expanding IB to Western Middle School. "It tore open the community before. I was so disappointed because I was interested in the comment that (IB) helps kids perform better. I got this long report that was like a sales job on IB again."

09/02/12 Activated Story Theatre

On Sept. 10, at 3:30 p.m., the Byram Shubert Library, 21 Mead Ave., is hosting the Activated Story Theatre to perform the African tale "Hatseller and Monkey" (popularized by the book "Caps for Sale") and a legend about how the ice cream cone was invented at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. To get a part in the show, kids age 6 and up must attend the free pre-show theatre workshop which begins half an hour before showtime. Participation limited to 12 children, no experience necessary. For more information call 203.531-0426 or visit http://www.activatedstorytheatre.com.

Swingaholics Slated To Play At Byram Shore Park

On Aug. 18, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the Dept. of Parks and Recreation presents the Swingaholics at the Byram Shore Park. Expect to hear some Count Basie band call-and-response lines woven between American standards, as well as the humorous songs of Louis Jordan and Bob Wills, with judicious amounts of good-time rock'n'country. The rain date is Aug. 19.

For more information visit www.greenwichct.org, or call 203-618-7649.

Byram Resident Says That New BOE Residency Policy Is Elitist

I went to the Board of Education's website to check out the new procedure for landlords; I am one, and they have a child in school. According to the BOE, I must provide a notarized affidavit that they are renting, that I will notify the BOE when they leave and that I understand I can be subject to criminal penalties.

I must also provide a copy of my utility bills and list all other persons in my house along with their relationship to me. There is no landlord law in Connecticut that compels me to do this for my tenant. I don't need to have to dig up my utility bill, take time from work to find a notary, or face criminal penalties if I forget to notify the BOE if my tenant leaves. And who else lives in my house is none of the BOE's business -- why even include this creepy request?

So guess what, I'm not going to do it. And guess what else, they're going to have to admit that student anyway because Connecticut law compels Greenwich to provide an education to all school-age residents. This kind of nonsense doesn't help Greenwich's reputation as elitist since these new onerous requirements only target renters. Go back to your drawing board on this one.

John Bowman
Byram

The Greenwich Board Of Selectmen Selectmen Voted Unanimously To Go Back To Two-way Traffic On New Lebanon Avenue In Byram

This came after experimenting with a one-way traffic pattern for 90 days that was widely panned by Byram residents.

Byram Neighborhood Association Chairman Michael Bocchino criticized the town's conduct of the trial and what he characterized as a lack of communication by the

 Department of Public Works about changes to the street and signage.

Michael Bocchino said. "We the people of Byram deserve a little bit more, as does the town of Greenwich."

Jim Michael, the town's chief engineer, agreed that the road should be returned to two-way traffic in what he called a "compromise."

Michael noted that New Lebanon Avenue is being repaved and will get new sidewalks and granite curbing.

There will be eight on-street parking spaces on New Lebanon Avenue, in addition to 21 on William Street, which intersects it.

05/11/12 Domestic Terrorists In Greenwich? Michael Bocchino Says The Byram Neighborhood Association Wants To Blow Up The Mill Street Bridge!!! Should Someone Call Homeland Security?

PHOTO: A vehicle, center, heading east on Mill Street in Byram, coming from Port Chester, N.Y., waits for passing traffic to make a left onto North Water Street

The Greenwich Board of Selectmen is considering traffic changes at the congested intersection that is a traffic hub between Greenwich and Port Chester

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING....

.... Michael Bocchino, president of the Byram Neighborhood Association, said it would be better to close off the Mill River Bridge that connects Byram and Port Chester if the New York village didn't move quickly to work with Greenwich on traffic issues.

"They are making no efforts to make this a little bit easier for both sides," Michael Bocchino said about Port Chester leaders in comments at Thursday's Board of Selectmen meeting. "If the residents of Byram had their way that bridge would have a jersey barrier right in the middle of it.

"We would plant grass. We would make our side a park, allow for walking communities to go across and if that wasn't possible we would blow the damn thing up."...

...Melissa Evans, the town's traffic operations coordinator, said Port Chester has been working with Greenwich on improving traffic flow.

"To be fair to Port Chester, they have not been completely unresponsive," she said. "This is a joint effort."....

....The selectmen agreed to make a field trip to Byram to view the traffic situation.

Read more: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Traffic-issues-eyed-in-Byram-3550505.php#ixzz1uaIvRyn1 

05/10/12 The Raw Byram News Feed

'Garbage Czar': Greenwich native a recycling pioneer

Stamford Advocate

Briggs Baugh poses at the Town Recycling Center in Byram in 1995. Though nearly four decades have passed since then-Greenwich resident Briggs Baugh spearheaded the ...

05/10/12 OP Ed: Don't Delay Byram Pool..... Delay MISA Funding Until We Know More

There are four powerful reasons for the RTM to vote to postpone the building of the Music Instructional Space and Auditorium project at Greenwich High School, commonly known as MISA, specifically:

1. There is little support for the escalating price tag that this project is costing taxpayers. The latest estimate by the MISA Building Committee is $37 million. There are many who are familiar with the project who privately believe that this project will cost at least $50 million by the time it is completed. While individuals in town may support the concept of MISA there are many who do not support the escalating costs.

2. The proposed town budget for Fiscal Year 2012-13, with a 2.75 mill rate increase, does not guarantee a low tax increase in future fiscal years because of the remediation of MISA and the GHS fields. While those on the Board of Education and other MISA proponents wish to separate MISA from the remediation of the GHS fields, the fact of the matter is that both are intertwined. The unknown remediation costs for the GHS fields will definitely have an impact on future mill rates and additional capital projects. According to the Board of Ed, a more definitive idea of costs with respect to the remediation should become better known in the fall of 2012. There is simply no "downside" to the RTM waiting until these costs are known before approving MISA. The $7 million reserve for cleanup may not be enough, especially now that groundwater contamination has been found.

3. RTM approval is not needed in May for Greenwich to be eligible for the maximum amount of state reimbursement. The reduction in reimbursement that the Board of Ed claims is imminent did not make it into the last proposed legislation and is unlikely to be so for FY 2012-13. There is also a question as to whether the expense of the auditorium is eligible for reimbursement. Either way, the reimbursement amount ($1 million to $4 million, depending on who on the Board of Ed you speak to) does not justify the proposed expenditure and cost overruns that are contemplated by MISA.

4. The BET conditions on their approval of any spending with respect to MISA are not "set in stone" and can be waived or eliminated by the BET without any review by the RTM or other government entity, so there is no guarantee of any such condition being met.

Here are the facts underlying each of these issues:

The Board of Ed has not considered other options with respect to the design of the auditorium and classroom space. They have consistently pointed to "historical errors of the 1969 high school construction" in justifying the cost of MISA. It is great that music enrollment is thriving. There should be improvements to the music space and auditorium. However, Greenwich taxpayers are simply being told by the Board of Ed that this is the best and only option while the board refuses to explore other ideas and designs. This is irresponsible and does not make sense given the additional expenses faced by the need for environmental remediation.

Contrary to the Board of Ed's contention that MISA is not a "money pit," the fact of the matter is that it is quickly becoming one. While the Building Committee has identified and estimated environmental costs related to its construction there has not yet been final sign off by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Without approval by these agencies the Board of Ed cannot say that the environmental remediation and containment that they are proposing will be the best estimate of costs. One "solution" is to build a cofferdam, at an estimated cost of $700,000, to keep contaminated groundwater from the orchestra pit. Without knowing the full impact on the costs, why would anyone on the RTM vote to approve this project?

Taxpayers should understand that while the proposed budget by the BET has a mill rate increase of 2.75 percent for next year that includes MISA it also assumes the postponement of other projects, such as fire protection on King Street, changes to the Holly Hill Transfer Station, the Byram Pool and an upgrade of the police radio communication system. Yet there is no guarantee that these projects will be postponed. Without postponement the 2.75 percent mill rate increase will be a thing of the past.

The RTM's deferral of MISA to at least October of 2012 will not add significant costs to MISA. Even the Board of Ed admits that the bidding environment remains very competitive. Again, there is no "downside" to delaying approval of funds for MISA.

RTM members should vote to postpone MISA and eliminate the $12 million and associated costs earmarked for MISA in the proposed 2012-13 budget until the financial impact of this project plus the remediation of the GHS fields are known.

Karen Fassuliotis is a Greenwich resident and former RTM member.

05/04/12 Byram Bike Recovered

Jonathan Nunez, 18, of 39 Central Ave., Apt. 1, Port Chester, N.Y., was charged Sunday with sixth-degree larceny.

Police responded to the area of 318 Hamilton Ave. after they received a report of a male teenager walking through a yard, police said.

The reporting party told police he saw that a bicycle was missing from the area, and investigation revealed Nunez decided to take the bike and ride it to Armstrong Court, police said.

Nunez posted $100 bond and is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford May 7.

04/30/12 Byram Home Invasion Case Nets 8-Year Jail Term

PHOTO:  Wicky Guy Austin McGhee, 46, of Bridgeport, who was arrested in 2008 in connection with a Greenwich home invasion and a string of thefts from parked cars during the summer of 2009, was sentenced last month at state Superior Court in Stamford to a total of eight years in jail. (Police Contributed Photo)

A Bridgeport man arrested last year in connection with a Greenwich home invasion and a string thefts from parked cars during the summer of 2009 was sentenced at state Superior Court in Stamford to a total of eight years in jail.

Wicky Guy Austin McGhee, 46, of Bridgeport, was arrested in June 2011 along with Thomas Haywood, of New Rochelle, N.Y., after police said they used a crowbar to break into a Buena Vista Drive home.

McGhee, who has three Greenwich-related court files, was also charged last year with 11 counts of third-degree burglary and one count of fourth-degree larceny for the 2009 thefts.

McGhee will serve two five-year and one eight-year jail terms concurrently and will face 10 years of special parole following his release.

Following the June home invasion, Haywood and McGhee fled the home after the homeowner dialed 911 and screamed at the intruders from a second-floor stairwell, police said.

A break in the case occurred when the officer noticed an unlocked, unfamiliar Mercedes-Benz in an area of the town's Byram section that had been a hot spot for motor vehicle burglaries, police said at the time. The car's operator returned to the area but fled when he saw police.

Police said officers saw a crowbar in plain view inside the car and executed a search warrant. Evidence taken from the vehicle helped linked the suspects to the break in, police said; they also used video from the Buena Vista Drive home to help identify the suspects.

04/28/12 Greenwich siblings charged after fight

Two Greenwich siblings were charged with disorderly conduct Friday after they got in a fight at their 20 Chestnut St. apartment, police said.

Latasha Parris, 23, and Raynard A. Parris, 26, got into an argument over money that escalated to blows, police said.

Latasha poked her brother in the eye with her finger, her brother shoved her back, and then Latasha punched him in the face, and he again shoved her, police said.

Both siblings were pushing each other and swearing at each other, police said.

04/17/12 Byram Master Plan Approved

Tonight the Planning and Zoning Commission  adopted the Byram Master Plan, a blueprint for development in the community, including creation of waterfront access, traffic and parking improvements.

04/09/12 Byram Park Signs Are Less Than Desirable

Dear Editor,

Who is In charge of the ugly signage at Byram Park.

Byram Park features an array of unattractive, handmade signs with white-stenciled letters on red backgrounds.

 Is there is no budget for signs or a commitment to aesthetics in our park?

Name Withheld

02/23/12 Spaghetti Dinner At New Lebanon School In Byram

The New Lebanon School PTA will host its annual Spaghetti Dinner tomorrow, March 24, from 5 to 8 p.m., at New Lebanon School, 25 Mead Ave.

The evening will include a Pick-a-Prize drawing, two silent auctions and food from Burning Tree Country Club Chef and New Lebanon parent Michael Aguilar.

Cost is $12 adults, $5 children (ages 4-12) and seniors.

Limited seating.

First come, first served.

03/18/12 McKinney Terrace: Byram senior housing complex unveils refreshed, renovated space

PHOTO: From left, Paul Settelmeyer, distric 2 representative town meeting; U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn.; Bernadette Settelmeyer, commissioner of the housing authority; and Tony Johnson, executive director of Greenwich housing authority, at the grand opening ribbon cutting event of the reading room at McKinney Terrace, an affordable senior housing development

Reading room debuts at McKinney Terrace

Marie Lomiento has walked the halls of Byram's McKinney Terrace for nearly a quarter of a century, and now the 88-year-old woman has a new, quiet place to rest her legs.
Lomiento, who has lived in the McKinney Terrace senior housing complex -- formerly Byram School -- since it opened in 1988, was one of a couple dozen seniors, along with U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., on hand Sunday afternoon for the grand opening of the complex's new reading room.

"I love it," Lomiento said, smiling. "It's very pleasant."

Inside the welcoming room, which has polished hardwood floors, soft orange light falls onto powder blue and cream-colored walls. A comfortable leather couch rests in one corner of the space, and a few padded chairs sit on the opposite side of the room.

At the end of the reading room is a large window that looks out upon a set of old stone steps that no longer lead to a door.

Tony Johnson, executive director of the Greenwich Housing Authority, said the steps once led to the entrance of the Byram School building -- where the reading room is situated.
Until a few months ago, before renovation of the room began, the space had mostly been used for storage, Johnson said.

Read more: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Reading-room-debuts-at-McKinney-Terrace-3416597.php#ixzz1pvtHR1f8

02/29/12 VIEW: Approve Byram Pool planning funds

To the editor:

This letter is about the urgent need for a decent municipal swimming pool, a need that has been apparent for years. To be sure, there now is a pool in Byram, but it is shabby, accommodates only 40 in a town of 61,000, leaks water, and lacks adequate, sanitary restrooms.

Greenwich is the richest town in Connecticut and one of the richest towns in the United States. In the case of the swimming pool, a public-private partnership holds the promise of raising something like half of the needed funds from private sources. How can it be, then, that we don't yet have an acceptable modern facility? How could this disgraceful situation have been allowed to persist? How can it be that, at this late date, there appears to be opposition within the BET to approving funding for design work for a new pool, funding that has the support of the first selectman, who is not known as a big spender?

Well, no one will say that they oppose building a new pool. Yet there are ways of voicing support for a project, while actually standing in the way of its execution: "It's a great idea, but we can't afford it; it's a great idea, but the timing isn't right; it's a great idea, but we need more facts," etc. Some BET members seem to be masters of these lines of reasoning.

The new pool would be located in the most densely populated part of town, in the western part where people need it the most. As an additional benefit, it would take pressure off Tod's Point and relieve traffic congestion in Old Greenwich during the summer months. With private sources ready to pay for something like half and perhaps even more toward the project, how can anyone still stand in the way?

Message to BET: Get on with it!

Gerald A. Pollack
Old Greenwich

02/27/12 GREENWICH TIME: Budget architects balk at $150K for Byram pool

Architects of the town's budget publicly balked at a $150,000 request Monday for the design of a new community pool in Byram, saying that the scope and overall cost of the public-private project need to be fleshed out first.

The Board of Estimate and Taxation Budget Committee shared its concerns about what it characterized as a lack of details about the project with key supporters of the pool initiative, led by the Junior League of Greenwich, during a Town Hall briefing.

Given the finite amount of taxpayer dollars for capital projects and unforeseen soil contamination at Greenwich High School that could cost millions to clean up, committee members said they cannot go forward with funding for the pool design in the near term.

"It sends the wrong signal to the town at this time," said Joseph Pellegrino, the committee's chairman....

Read more: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Budget-architects-balk-at-150K-for-Byram-pool-3364418.php#ixzz1nrBTSTlD

02/26/12 GREENWICH TIME: Farricker calls on Dems to side with Tesei on pool money

In a rare moment of consensus between two political nemeses, Democratic Town Committee Chairman Frank Farricker is calling on members of his party to support Republican First Selectman Peter Tesei's proposed budget so a languishing community pool project in Byram won't sink.

During an interview with Greenwich Time, Farricker said that a $150,000 earmark for the pool's design is encountering some pushback by fellow Democrats who serve on the Board of Estimate and Taxation.

"I hope they support Peter Tesei, who put it into the (capital plan) with the intention that it will be funded," Farricker said.

The money will pay for architectural and engineering plans to replace an existing pool in Byram Park, which some estimates have put the price tag at $7 million, a cost that the project's supporters such as the Junior League of Greenwich are seeking to defray through private donations....

Read more: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Farricker-calls-on-Dems-to-side-with-Tesei-on-3361403.php#ixzz1nrDxj07G