Klinck of East Haddam announces primary for CT Senate District 33

Mary Ellen Klinck has announced she will primary for the CT Senate District 33 seat. Current Sen. Eileen Daily recently announced she will not seek re-election. Photo source. Facebook

Dear Friends,

After decades of public service at the state and local levels, I am a Democratic candidate for State Senator for the 33rd district.*

I served eight years as Commissioner of the State Department on Aging, advocating for the rights of the elderly and disabled.

I am a life-long Democrat, served as an East Haddam Selectman and for many years as a Democratic Town Chairperson and 33rd District State Central Committee Woman.

As a successful business woman, owner of a restaurant, an insurance agency and a real estate office, I created jobs for hundreds of people.

I understand small and medium business growth is needed to reduce Connecticut’s unemployment and boost the economy.

The rights of the disenfranchised, along with those of the veterans, teachers and children, have always been my priority.

Residents of the 33rd district know they live in a magical place, and I am committed to protecting our environment, economy and quality of life.

I have formed a “Klinck for Senate” committee. My treasurer is Emily Varkala of East Haddam. I need your support and promise to work tirelessly for you.

Call me at 860-873-8420, email at meks1@aol.com, or send mail to P.O. Box 406, East Haddam, CT 06423.

Sincerely,

Mary Ellen Klinck

Paid for by Klinck for Senate Committee, Emily Varkala, Treasurer, P.O. Box 63, East Haddam, CT 06423

*To fill the seat of 10-term Democratic State Sen. Eileen Daily who is not seeking re-election; the 33rd District includes the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland & Westbrook

Posted June 2, 2012

Related link: Mary Ellen Klinck Files for Democratic Primary in 33rd Senate District, Valley News http://valleynewsnow.com/2012/06/mary-ellen-linck-files-for-democratic-primary-in-33rd-senate-district

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Letter to the Editor from Candidate Melissa Ziobron

"This campaign, indeed all campaigns, should be about our shared future and who is best qualified to represent all the residents of our entire District and not just one part of it. I have lived almost exclusively within the 34th District and care deeply about this area that 20,000-plus residents call home." - Melissa Ziobron

To the Editor:

Republican leaders at the state and local level have completed the initial phase of selecting candidates for the November elections. I am honored to receive the endorsement of my fellow Republicans in Colchester, East Haddam and East Hampton.

I am extremely grateful to the delegates of the 34th District Convention for their thoughtful consideration, and support, while acknowledging the long and varied service my Republican opponent has given to East Hampton.

This campaign, indeed all campaigns, should be about our shared future and who is best qualified to represent all the residents of our entire District and not just one part of it. I have lived almost exclusively within the 34th District and care deeply about this area that 20,000-plus residents call home.

“My experience as an Economic Development Coordinator [in East Haddam] makes me keenly aware of the daily struggle our local businesses face. As a Mom, I face the same challenges that many families face; as an outdoor enthusiast, I want to do everything I can to assure our beautiful natural resources and vistas are protected; as a former [East Haddam] Board of Education member, I know how important a quality education is to the entire community.”

We need to do more to protect our rural communities and end the addiction to spending (and taxing) that afflicts our leaders in Hartford.

We must help grow our local economies, not stifle them.

We must address our enormous projected budget deficit and stop kicking the proverbial can down the road.

We must listen to our constituents and I pledge to do just that, while communicating what is happening (or not) at the Capitol. It’s your money and I want to help you keep more of it.

To learn more about our campaign or to donate your valuable time, visit: www.melissaziobron.blogspot.com

– Melissa Ziobron

Posted May 25, 2012 – words in [brackets] added by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews

East Hampton’s Yellow Ribbon tree destroyed by October snowstorm

A special thanks also goes to the Town Crew who, in the process of cleaning up the brush, cut a slab off the tree trunk and gave it to us to keep as a memento of our first Yellow Ribbon Tree. We hope to have this engraved and placed near another tree.

To the Community:

As most of you know, our Yellow Ribbon Tree in the Village Center was destroyed during the last storm.

Fortunately, one of our veterans recovered some of the ribbons and thanks to the East Hampton Town Crew, they recovered most of the flags for us.

A special thanks also goes to the Town Crew who, in the process of cleaning up the brush, cut a slab off the tree trunk and gave it to us to keep as a memento of our first Yellow Ribbon Tree. We hope to have this engraved and placed near another tree.

A special thanks goes to Rev. Thomas Kennedy of the Congregational Church. He has given us permission to temporally use one of the trees on the church lawn for our ribbons. We have tentative plans to have a small ceremony on Dec. 11 at noon to tie the ribbons on the tree.

We are hopeful that, somehow, we can raise enough funds to plant another tree.

If you know of a service person over seas and would like us to honor them, please contact me at amclaug105@aol.com or 860-267-2316.

It is important that we never forget our service men and women and the Yellow Ribbon program serves as a reminder of how proud we are of them and are honored to be able to recognize them.

Sincerely,

Ann R. McLaughlin, Chairperson

Welcome Home Veterans/Yellow Ribbon Committee

Posted Nov. 18, 2011

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Thanks to the supporters of Old Home Days

The sirens were a bit too much for little babies but everyone enjoyed the antique fire trucks in the 2011 Old Home Days Parade in East Hampton, CT. Photo copyright 2011 by Brenda Sullivan.

To the Editor –

As Chair of the East Hampton Old Home Days Parade, I would like to thank the people that were instrumental in helping organize the grand and glorious event we witnessed on Saturday, July 9.

Many businesses in town sponsor the musical units and without their support, it would not be so spectacular. Please support the sponsors.

I would also like to express my appreciation to my entire family: Russell Jr., Timothy, Daniel, David and David Joyce. Every year, they make my job easier and this year, they were remarkable.

Many other people volunteer as well and thank you to all.

Sincerely

Russell F.  Oakes, Chairman Old Home Days Parade

Posted July 23, 2011

Editor’s note – Below are some additional photos from the 2011 Old Home Days Parade. Please also see our July 9 story. All photos copyright 2011 by Brenda Sullivan

Developers see Haddam land swap as good for the region

An artist's conceptual drawing of the development proposed for 17-acres of land currently preserved by the state in Haddam, CT Source: www.haddamlandswap.com

Dear Editor:

The proposed Haddam land exchange [See "Legislation would allow developers to use state-protected land" posted May 12, 2011 ] will benefit our local communities and the state as a whole, both environmentally and economically.

Our plan is to create a resort destination in the Tylerville [section of Haddam] near existing development while preserving woodlands for the Cockaponset State Forest in Higganum.

Recognition of the positive attributes of the plan is reflected in the broad support our proposal enjoys within Haddam from people intimately involved with the town’s economic development, land conservation, wetlands protection and zoning regulation.

They all believe the proposal is a win-win for everybody – environmentalists, the tourism industry, as well as municipal and state governments.

Our proposed development is consistent with the Town of Haddam’s Plan of Conservation and Development that was approved in 2008. The Plan calls for development and commercialization to happen in Haddam’s two village centers Tylerville and Higganum – and that natural resources should remain conserved in the rest of town.

The planners reasoned that Haddam should promote targeted economic opportunities while also being smarter about residential development that has sprawled in recent years. Therefore, Riverhouse Properties is proposing to give the state 87 acres of Higganum forest land adjacent to Cockaponset State Forest and Haddam Land Trust property.

This land was previously approved as Phase Two of the Walkley Heights subdivision. If not preserved, the 33 residential properties would likely be increased in a new application because of the town’s recent cluster regulation.

However, if preserved, it would create a Greenway connecting the Haddam Land Trust Cedar Hill Preserve on Route 154 in Higganum through the Cockaponset State Forest and south to the town of Killingworth. Haddam citizens, wildlife, hikers, hunters, trail bikers and countless tourists would all benefit.

In exchange for the forestland, 17 acres of state-owned property in Tylerville overlooking the Connecticut River would be provided. This parcel surrounds our Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station banquet and conference center on three sides and is itself nearly surrounded by fully developed commercial and industrial properties.

We believe the most logical development for this parcel would be tourism-related, creating a synergy with nearby existing attractions such as The Goodspeed Opera House, Essex Steam Train, Cruise Boats, Gillette Castle and of course the Connecticut River.

The site is ideal for a boutique hotel, retail shops, a train station and a transfer point for the Valley Railroad. Our vision is a Mystic-type experience linking “The Haddams” so that visitors can enjoy what both sides of the river will have to offer.

The one thing all interested parties can be sure of is that because our popular Riverhouse is directly overlooking and surrounded by the 17 acres, we would never do anything to jeopardize this existing business. Any development on the 17 acres will be thoroughly reviewed by all state and local boards and commissions and it will be of the same high quality as the Riverhouse which has been so well-received by people of the area.

We look forward to working closely with the community toward the common goal of enhancing the natural resources of our town while also providing an economic boost to the region.

Signed,

Jim Bucko

Trevor Furrer

Mark Poole

Steve Rocco

Posted May 15, 2011

Related links:

Web site for supporters of the land swap http://www.haddamlandswap.com/

Web site for opponents of the land swap http://www.landswap.org/Mission.html

Have a news item or event you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. To keep up-to-date on local news, like us (HTNP) on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Connecticut drops Educational Technology from teacher preparation

Concerned parents take note: the Connecticut State Department of Education has omitted Educational Technology as a requirement in its revised regulations for teacher preparation programs.

As a consequence, your child’s teacher may have no formal training in engaging and effective uses of technology in education.

This is significant, as other states have had well-developed standards, academic requirements and corresponding certifications in place for teachers for over a decade.

To see how neighboring state initiatives compare, just Google the words “Educational Technology” for Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

Then try the same exercise for Connecticut, which though purporting to subscribe to the National Educational Technology Standards (ISTE-NETS), does not list them, nor assessments for demonstrating student mastery, nor teacher certifications in the specialty.

In 1998, Connecticut ratified General Statute 10-145a(e), that requires students in collegiate teacher preparation programs to take at least one course falling under the catch-all term “educational technology.”

This was a step in the right direction, but compared to other states in the last 10 years, little progress was made in integrating technology into the curricula of Connecticut K-12 schools.

Today’s students are digital natives. Generation WWW has a comfort level with technology, having grown-up with the Internet, social media, HD TV, iPods and cell phones, to name a few. They require and expect multimodal forms of instructional delivery. That is why the omission in the new regulations is absolutely a step in the wrong direction.

If this upsets you, and it should, contact members of the Connecticut State Board of Education, the Commissioner of Education, the State Regulatory Board, the Attorney General and the newly elected Governor. Request that they restore educational technology to its rightful place in the curriculum, and then expand upon it as other states have done. Visit http://techregs.org for further information.

Jerald D. Cole

Educational Technologist

Posted Jan. 13, 2011

Don’t let extremists ruin our holiday

To the Editor -

In this holiday season, I ask my fellow Muslim-Americans to protect our nation from misguided Muslims.

Last Christmas, we witnessed an uncanny yet still chilling, “underwear bomb” on a Northwest Airline flight.

In May, authorities foiled a Times Square car bomb plot and, most recently, an alleged bombing at a crowded Christmas tree lighting in Portland, Oregon.

I belong to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a Muslim group that opposes any violent notion of ‘jihad.’

We have been at the forefront in distributing thousands of fliers in person and often door-to-door to spread the message of ‘Muslims for Peace.’

It is a campaign to let people know that the moderate voice of Islam is alive in America and that we are devoted to safeguarding our nation.

I iterate the wisdom of our government leaders in having each of us serve as watchful eyes with the motto, “If you see something, say something.”

On our guard, we will do our best to thwart extremists from ruining the holidays or any other occasion in our country. We are Muslim-Americans for peace.

Sohail Husain, MD – Yale University School of Medicine

Vice-President, Connecticut Chapter and Member, Muslim Writers Guild of America

USA Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Youth Organization, Meriden, CT 06451

Web: www.alislam.org & www.mkausa.org

Posted Dec. 22, 2010

East Hampton Council Chair applies rules one way for friends, another for opponents

Original Photoshop© image by a talented 5th grader named Harrison.

I attended East Hampton’s Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

Supporters came out in response to [Town Council Chair] Melissa Engel’s improper and never-should-have-been-sent email, which was forwarded by Barbara Moore to her Democratic Town Committee supporters.

However, I do not think that the type of support  that was present was the type of support Engel  was pursuing, and instead only served to do more damage to her “silent majority’s” reputation.

I am a registered Republican, and in complete opposition to what the Council has endorsed over this past summer, and there is no plausible reason that could be given that would change my mind or stance on it.

With that being said, I have never – nor have I ever seen another of my fellow Chief of Police supporters, while I was in attendance – ever stood up at a council meeting and address the crowd in the manner that was done by three out of the four people that stood up to speak in favor of the Council.

The first woman who stood up and turned and addressed the audience, (that included supporters and those opposed to Ordinance109) should be completely ashamed of herself.

First, how embarrassing for the Council to have someone like this be one of their supporters.

This woman attempted, in a poorly thought out verbal tirade, to reprimand the audience in the same manner one would use with their child for stealing, lying or cheating.  Uncalled for, and unnecessary

Then a former public official stood up to address the crowd and while he was calmer in nature, and certainly much more professional, he also spoke to the audience. Again, during the public comment section of the meeting the protocol is to address the Council, not the public.

The third man that stood up to speak was the spouse, I think, of the first woman who defended the council, and he launched into an all out, angry attack on the audience, keeping his eyes fixed directly on the general area in which I was sitting.

He went into the past, about how he had been fined for election violations a few years back. I do not know the basis of his story. I did not live here then. But again, it was an attack that was allowed by the Council that should have been stopped.

Ms. Engel had no problem cutting off speakers and threatening them with removal when she heard something she did not like, citing a “personal attack.”

Yet, she allowed these other individuals to speak to the audience in an inappropriate manner and did not stop them, even after I got up and pointed out that during the Public Comments part of the meeting, speakers are supposed to address the Council.

This Town will never heal from what we were forced to endure this summer as a result of an ill-timed move by the former town manager that was subsequently endorsed 100 percent by the Council.

To the Council, you do not have the right to expect that of us, you have let us down miserably. Do not ask us to heal, when you have not even so much as come close to an apology for what was wrought at your hands following an entirely illegal decision that was made by the former Town Manager. You were all in lockstep with a decision that was wrong from the get go, a decision whose makers and endorsers could not even come up with a plausible reason as to “why”.

It is our right to ask for resignations in the proper forum – a Town Council meeting. You don’t have to answer or agree, but it is every citizen’s right to ask for any elected official’s resignation.

You must stop your continued abuse of power in poor attempts to try to silence us.

I do not agree with the way some of the opponents of ordinance109 speak. I do agree that occasionally, they get overexcited.

But your “silent majority” supporters that spoke last evening were on the same level as the ones you asked them to come out to speak against.

The majority of the group that voted to see that Reimondo was brought back have presented themselves in a professional manner, with occasional emotional outbursts.

Do not admonish us for what is our protected right under the Constitution of this country – freedom of speech – and please suggest to your followers that they try to be polite, professional and represent you in a manner that does not continue to do damage to your already soiled reputations.

You have left us no choice but to remain vigilant in our watch of the Council’s actions. And for that matter, there should be a constant vigil in every town across America over what their local government is doing.

- Jill Perruccio