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

CT Gov Malloy, on signing bill to repeal capital punishment

"I saw people who were poorly served by their counsel. I saw people wrongly accused or mistakenly identified. I saw discrimination. In bearing witness to those things, I came to believe that doing away with the death penalty was the only way to ensure it would not be unfairly imposed." - CT Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, April 25 2012

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today (April 25) released the following statement after signing S.B. 280, An Act Revising the Penalty for Capital Felonies:

“This afternoon I signed legislation that will, effective today, replace the death penalty with life in prison without the possibility of release as the highest form of legal punishment in Connecticut. Although it is an historic moment – Connecticut joins 16 other states and the rest of the industrialized world by taking this action – it is a moment for sober reflection, not celebration.

“Many of us who have advocated for this position over the years have said there is a moral component to our opposition to the death penalty. For me, that is certainly the case. But that does not mean – nor should it mean – that we question the morality of those who favor capital punishment. I certainly don’t. I know many people I deeply respect, including friends and family, who believe the death penalty is just. In fact, the issue knows no boundaries: not political party, not gender, age, race, or any other demographic. It is, at once, one of the most compelling and vexing issues of our time.

“My position on the appropriateness of the death penalty in our criminal justice system evolved over a long period of time. As a young man, I was a death penalty supporter. Then I spent years as a prosecutor and pursued dangerous felons in court, including murderers. In the trenches of a criminal courtroom, I learned firsthand that our system of justice is very imperfect. While it’s a good system designed with the highest ideals of our democratic society in mind, like most of human experience, it is subject to the fallibility of those who participate in it. I saw people who were poorly served by their counsel. I saw people wrongly accused or mistakenly identified. I saw discrimination. In bearing witness to those things, I came to believe that doing away with the death penalty was the only way to ensure it would not be unfairly imposed.

“Another factor that led me to today is the ‘unworkability’ of Connecticut’s death penalty law. In the last 52 years, only 2 people have been put to death in Connecticut – and both of them volunteered for it. Instead, the people of this state pay for appeal after appeal, and then watch time and again as defendants are marched in front of the cameras, giving them a platform of public attention they don’t deserve. It is sordid attention that rips open never-quite-healed wounds. The 11 men currently on death row in Connecticut are far more likely to die of old age than they are to be put to death.

“As in past years, the campaign to abolish the death penalty in Connecticut has been led by dozens of family members of murder victims, and some of them were present as I signed this legislation today. In the words of one such survivor: ‘Now is the time to start the process of healing, a process that could have been started decades earlier with the finality of a life sentence. We cannot afford to put on hold the lives of these secondary victims. We need to allow them to find a way as early as possible to begin to live again.’ Perhaps that is the most compelling message of all.

“As our state moves beyond this divisive debate, I hope we can all redouble our efforts and common work to improve the fairness and integrity of our criminal justice system, and to minimize its fallibility.”

Posted April 25, 2012

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With gratitude on Thanksgiving

And this Thanksgiving, why not take the time to tell someone – even if you both feel shy about it – that they matter, that they have a place in your world.

While it is good advice to take time each day to express gratitude for the good people and circumstances in our lives, Thanksgiving traditionally is a special time when we reflect on what we’re thankful for. Often it’s the delicious turkey!

I recently read about one woman’s experience with videotaping a Thanksgiving holiday in which she asked each member of her family to tell everyone what they appreciated about each of the other family members.

As might be expected, many of them moaned and groaned – especially the teenagers – but finally gave in.

Now, years later, after the woman’s parents and some of the other family members have passed on, it has become a tradition to watch this video on Thanksgiving and renew the feelings of appreciation for each other.

Experts in human behavior say that one of our deepest needs is to feel appreciated, to feel like others have need of us, to feel like we belong somewhere and even just to be “seen.”

Unfortunately, there are so many invisible people in the world, so many disconnected people – especially young people, so many who feel that if they dropped off the face of the earth, no one would notice, even their own families.

This Thanksgiving, why not make a point of visiting or even calling someone you know who might be alone on Thanksgiving or, for that matter, why not invite them to your Thanksgiving table?

And this Thanksgiving, why not take the time to tell someone – even if you both feel shy about it – that they matter, that they have a place in your world.

If nothing else, when you are out these next few days, notice who is looking glum and smile at them and say Hello.

You might get a blank stare or a confused scowl in response, but it’s been my experience that more often, you will be rewarded with a surprised face followed by a smile and a greeting in return. And it’s likely you’ve just set that person’s day on a new track.

And this Thanksgiving, when so many of us are struggling with bills, unemployment, ill health or other challenges or losses, why not take a moment to be grateful for what is going right in your life?

It might help to remember that there are millions of people on the planet who don’t have running water or bathrooms, who don’t eat three meals a day, who don’t have a roof over their head, who don’t have schools or access to basic medical services.

At the risk of sounding like someone’s parent who scolds a child for leaving food on the plate by saying, “There are children starving in Africa,” it’s true that most Americans really are “rich” compared to large parts of the world – or, for that matter – compared to large segments of our own population here in America.

If, in the midst of your troubles, you can find something to feel grateful for, it will take some of the weight off your shoulders and it just might open the door to allow a better experience to find its way to you.

Personally, I am grateful for the roof over my head, the food on my plate, my 20-year-old car that’s practically held together with duct tape, the warmth of my home, the clothing on my back, my education, my relatively good health, shelves full of books (and therefore, adventures and knowledge), an incredibly mellow and generous soul mate, as well as wonderful friends and a family where everyone loves each other – and for the support from the community for a local, small business, which is HTNP.com

May you have a bountiful, peaceful, safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Brenda Sullivan, Editor – HTNP.com

Posted Nov. 23, 2011

Who let the dogs out? East Hampton has security problems, among others

"The residents of East Hampton apparently can look forward to two more years of council members spending time monitoring and decrying each others' actions, and clashing over police department issues, to the detriment of addressing other town business." Public domain image

An Editorial

For more than a year, in East Hampton, a good deal of press (or online blogging) and a steady stream of ‘He Said-She Said’ Letters to the Editor have been sparked by emails and reports and other supposedly confidential documents that have been “leaked” to the news media and/or slipped under someone’s door.

While different factions debate the importance of the contents of these documents and argue over who should be fired – or maybe stoned in the public square — to appease the outraged citizens, a larger question is being ignored.

How is this information being accessed?

How does someone get a town employee’s performance record? Why aren’t these records secure?

And how does that person get away with releasing it to the media and/or town residents?

Can anyone access town computers?

Recently, some lurid emails in which Sgt. Garritt Kelly and a woman discussed meeting up for sex were printed from his Blackberry and sent through the U.S. mail to the media.

How does someone have access to another employee’s Blackberry?

Unless the emails were “leaked” by the woman setting up the rendezvous – who possibly never intended to meet – then  how did a town employee get into someone else’s account?

And who else did the “hacker” give those copies to and for what purpose?

Likewise, the attorney representing Sgt. Michael Green – who is awaiting the outcome of more than one internal investigation of allegations against him – has emailed what looks like faxed copies of emails allegedly between Sgt. Kelly and another police officer in which they promise to push Sgt. Green out of his job, one way or another.

And of course, there are the emails sent by Chief Reimondo – dug up from about two years ago – that were slipped under former Interim Town Manager Robert Drewry’s door, that were also given to a former Town Council member, who chose to show them at a public meeting.

These emails contained highly inappropriate racist jokes and images and had been circulated to other town staff. Drewry directed Reimondo to receive appropriate training and the police chief met with and apologized to members of the NAACP.

How not to conduct a performance review

Most recently, the document being passed around is a performance review of Chief Reimondo – who almost lost his job a little over a year ago on the whim of a former Town Manager who was subsequently pressured (he says) into resigning… and who left town with a hefty sum of money to do so.

Erik Hesselberg reports in the Courant that this “Notice of Job Performance Concerns and Opportunity to Respond” was written by Acting Interim Town Manager Anne McKinney.

And the story states that it is dated Nov. 2. 2011 – which is about 37 days after McKinney was approved by the Town Council (on Sept. 27) to fill in for about two months while Interim Town Manager John Weischel  recovered from surgery.

The Courant reports that this personnel document was slipped under Reimondo’s door while he was absent on medical leave. And that it was then taken and passed to reporters by a police officer.

Has anyone reading this ever had a performance evaluation slipped under his or her door?

Isn’t it normal procedure to ask for a meeting with the employee, discuss the items in the performance review with the employee face to face, and then give him or her a reasonable amount of time in which to respond in writing so that the information becomes part of that record – which is then stored in a secure fashion?

Former East Hampton Probate Judge Anne McKinney (left) looks at a petition supporting Sgt. Michael Green held by then Council Chair Melissa Engel at the Sept. 27, 2011 meeting. McKinney was hired as Acting Interim Town Manager while Interim Town Manager John Weichsel was recovering from surgery. Photo copyright 2011 by Brenda Sullivan

What’s especially puzzling is that this personnel document reportedly was slipped under an office door by a former probate judge (or she told someone else to do so?), who should be aware of the confidential nature of personnel documents.

The other question that arises is that while the Town Council did direct McKinney to look into delays in completing the internal investigations of Sgt. Green, why would this generate a performance review by a temporary employee (McKinney) of another employee of more than 25 years (Reimondo) that she had overseen for slightly more than a month?

Does anyone know the rules?

In the meantime, Chief Reimondo is also being accused of disclosing what should have been confidential information about someone who was turned down for the job of East Hampton Animal Control Officer, which is part of the police department.

That person is de facto working in that capacity now, since East Hampton has a contract sharing Animal Control services with East Haddam.

Doesn’t anyone in East Hampton know the rules around confidential documents?

Previously, some embarrassing conversations between former Town Council members were made public by the Courant as the result of a Freedom of Information request for copies of their personal emails discussing council business, but those disclosures were the outcome of a normal and perfectly legal procedure.

So, the question remains, how is someone (or more than one person) getting into password protected email accounts?

How secure is the town of East Hampton’s records – of all kinds – if it’s this easy to print out someone else’s emails, or take iPhone photos of a computer screen displaying someone’s personal email on a work computer?

What changed?

Following the revelation that former Town Manager Jeffrey O’Keefe had his computer system configured so that it didn’t save copies of emails he sent (and he was later allowed to take his work computer home during a “vacation”), the town was supposed to have reviewed and improved policies for use of email by town employees.

The employee handbook was updated. And Town Council members were assigned email addresses linked to the town system and directed to do all their council-related communication using those addresses.

Apparently, however, no one has reviewed the town’s email security.

Two more years of this?

And this latest round of leaked documents doesn’t bode well for the newly-elected council’s ability to work together cooperatively.

The residents of East Hampton apparently can look forward to two more years of council members spending time monitoring and decrying each other’s actions, and clashing over police department issues, to the detriment of addressing other town business.

At the time this was taken, East Hampton Town Council member Sue Weintraub was the subject of a Freedom of Information Act complaint filed by former Board of Finance member Ted Hintz, who is now a newly-elected member of the council. Photo copyright 2011 by Brenda Sullivan.

Unfortunately, council member Susan Weintraub’s recent actions – even if well meant – regarding  Acting Interim (temporary) Town Manager McKinney has fueled the fire.

It probably doesn’t help that Weintraub asked Weischel to come back (and McKinney to transition out) shortly after this performance review was generated by McKinney.

Even other Chatham Party members (i.e. Glenn Suprono) weren’t happy with Weintraub making a significant decision without first consulting all of the council members.

Speaking of which, the HTNP story about this issue (posted on Nov. 10) didn’t include comments by McKinney. I heard about the issue at about 4 p.m. and town offices were closed early that Thursday because of the Veteran’s Day holiday, so she couldn’t be reached there, and she wasn’t scheduled to work at Town Hall on Monday, Nov. 14.

Three messages from HTNP (me) were left over the course of 4 days on the McKinneys’ home voicemail, and Melissa Engle (who I spoke with directly) was asked to convey a message requesting a cell phone number for McKinney and/or a return call.

As of Nov. 20, none of those calls have been returned.

Whistle-blower or dirty politics?

While it’s clear that inappropriate or illegal behavior on the part of any town employee, including the police chief – or any member of a board of commission – should be reported to the appropriate point person and dealt with according to the town’s policies, or state law if necessary… when it comes to stealing, photocopying and distributing confidential documents and compromising the town’s security, this too is a serious offense.

At the same time, leaking documents to the press isn’t something new. In fact, there are times that being a “whistle-blower” has been of great benefit to all of us.

If it’s done in the interests of the greater good, it can result in ending harmful practices such as illegally disposing of nuclear waste, putting toxic substances in consumer  products, dumping waste in waterways, or abusing residents of nursing homes, to name just a few examples.

While some of the information that has been leaked in East Hampton could be seen in that light (i.e., asking a potential sex partner to come to your office and providing her with a lie to justify the visit), the flavor of the ensuing discussion – if it can even be called that – has been less than noble and smacks more of a feud between warring clans. A war with no end in sight.

Overshadowing the real East Hampton

This feud creates a dark cloud over the town of East Hampton that is demoralizing for many of its residents – they will tell you that, themselves.

And it paints a less-than-positive picture to the rest of the state of what I have come to know in the three-plus years HTNP has been covering events in East Hampton to be a great little town with a great deal going for it.

Does East Hampton really want to be known as “that town where they’re always fighting” or worse, “that town where everyone’s corrupt?”

Instead, how can it be better known for the community spirit evidenced in wonderful activities such as Old Home Days, the Capt. Grizzy Boat Parade, the Poker Run or the Yellow Ribbon activities?

Or the accomplishments of its students, athletic teams, music groups, budding artists and actors, churches and civic groups, business groups, fraternal organizations and many other volunteers, as well as many hard-working, professional, town staff and employees?

That’s really up to the good people of East Hampton.

They can take sides in the “feud” and keep it going. Or they can tell their town leaders to find ways to address problems, investigate complaints and settle their differences with actions that are above-board and legal, and with language that is mutually respectful. They don’t have to like each other… they just need to know the rules, apply them equitably to everyone and get on with town business.

Posted Nov. 20, 2011

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. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook and follow us ( @HTNP) on Twitter!

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

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. To keep up-to-date on local news, “like” us (HTNP News) on Facebook and follow us ( @HTNP) on Twitter!

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

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