Connecticut ed reform law disregards parents

Connecticut Parents’ Union President Gwen Samuel says that if lawmakers don’t shift the balance of power back to parents, they will once again become helpless bystanders in the effort to improve education in the Constitution State. Photo source: CT DCFs media resources.

By Ben Velderman | EAGnews.org

Last month, a group of parents in California’s Adelanto school district succeeded in using that state’s Parent Trigger law to convert a chronically low-performing public school into a charter school.

It was the first Parent Trigger victory in the nation’s history, but analysts expect the number of “trigger” cases and laws to expand quickly in the wake of the Adelanto victory.

Some education reform activists are already declaring 2013 to be “The Year of Parent Empowerment.”

But that’s not how the new year is shaping up for Connecticut parents, who are in jeopardy of losing what little power they currently have in the state’s public schools – thanks to the state’s 2012 education reform law which is beginning to take effect now.

… Continue Reading

East Hampton Police Chief back in the spotlight

East Hampton Police Chief Matt Reimondo talks to supporters after his job was formally cut by the town council, at the Sept 28 2010 meeting at EH High School. File photo copyright 2010 by Brenda Sullivan

By Brenda Sullivan

East Hampton Police Chief Matthew Reimondo was at the center of a controversy in the summer of 2010 that rocked the town for almost four months.  Former Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe was also central to the upheaval, for eliminating the position of police chief in order to, he said, help the town save money during tough economic times.

At that time, Chief Reimondo was put on paid administrative leave while the Town Council dealt with the backlash from a contingency of town residents under the banner of Take Back Our Town.

Now, Chief Reimondo and the current Town Manager Michael Maniscalco are the focus of what is proving to be another political mess.

Chief Reimondo recently accepted an offer of early retirement meant to save the town money. The offer was made to police staff with the rank of sergeant or higher and with at least 20 years of experience – which turns out to be Chief Reimondo, Sgt. Garritt Kelly, and Sgt. Michael Green. Green declined the offer.

According to Republican Town Council member Ted Hintz, Jr., the retirement agreement for Chief Reimondo included a clause prohibiting him from applying for or being hired for a position with the town.

However, Town Manager Maniscalco announced Thursday, Jan. 31 that Reimondo had been rehired as interim police chief for a three-month period, while a search is conducted for a full-time replacement.

… Continue Reading

Boyfriend arrested for East Hampton woman’s murder

East Hampton CT Police issued a press release today (Jan. 28, 2013) reporting that the boyfriend of slain East Hampton woman Jini Barnum – 38-year-old Anothony L. Garofalo – has been arrested and charged with murder, first-degree strangulation and tampering with physical evidence. Photo source: CT Sex Offender Registry

By Brenda Sullivan

East Hampton CT Police issued a press release today (Jan. 28, 2013) reporting that the boyfriend of slain East Hampton woman Jini Barnum – 38-year-old Anthony L. Garofalo – has been arrested and charged with murder, first-degree strangulation and tampering with physical evidence.

Police state that Garofalo was arraigned at Superior Court in Middletown, CT and held on a $1 million bond.

His case was continued.

Garofalo reported Barnum missing on July 29, 2012 and made a plea on a local news cast for help locating her.

He told police that Barnum, who had given birth to a daughter only six weeks prior, had walked away from the apartment they shared after they had a fight and had not returned.

Barnum’s remains were discovered by a woman walking her dog in a wooded area in Glastonbury, CT beside a hiking trail on Sept. 9, 2012.

The CT Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was strangulation. … Continue Reading

NFPA offers this tip – give your space heater some space

In 2010 alone, home heating equipment was involved in an estimated 57,100 reported home structure fires and 490 civilian deaths. Poster source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

With temperatures making a dramatic drop this week, here are some good safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Especially as energy costs rise, families are turning to space heaters as a less expensive alternative (or as supplemental heat) for keeping their houses warm this season… so it is important to be aware of how to use them safely.

In 2010 alone, home heating equipment was involved in an estimated 57,100 reported home structure fires and 490 civilian deaths.

Stationary and portable space heaters accounted for 32 percent of these reported home-heating fires and 80 percent of the home-heating fire deaths.

So, if you decide to use a space heater this season, keep these safety tips in mind:

All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment – this includes the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater … Continue Reading

Attention East Hampton residents – Old Home Days ideas?

East Hampton Old Home Days is beginning to solicit ideas for the 35th annual Old Home Days celebration. (OHD Facebook photo.)

With temps dipping toward zero degrees this week, how nice to think about something summer…

East Hampton Old Home Days is beginning to solicit ideas for the 35th annual Old Home Days celebration.

Organizers invite you to submit your ideas at the East Hampton Library. … Continue Reading

Check out Team Beachbody Fit Club at Fit-Trix

Experience the Fit Club phenomenon, Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. at Fit-Trix, http://www.fittrixct.com/ located at 84 E. High St. in East Hampton, CT.

Feeling less than inspired at the gym lately? We’ve all been there. Now there’s a NEW way to work out… Team Beachbody Fit Clubs are the latest fitness craze sweeping the nation!

Experience the Fit Club phenomenon, Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. at Fit-Trix,  located at 84 E. High St. in East Hampton, CT.

Guaranteed to put the spark back in your workout, you’ll sweat to best-selling Beachbody programs, like Les Mills Combat, Tony Horton’s P90X, INSANITY with Shaun T and Chalene Johnson’s TurboFire.

A different Fitness Program every week – Jan. 26, Combat; Feb. 2, Brazilian Butt Lift … Continue Reading

Sen. Linares talks taxes with Middlesex Chamber

CT Sen. Art Linares (right), 33rd District, talks taxes with a business owner at the Jan. 18, 2013 breakfast hosted by the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. Submitted photo.

Connecticut Sen. Art Linares listened to the concerns of area business owners at the Jan. 18, 2013 Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast.

Sen. Linares, who serves on the Commerce and Banks Committees in the state legislature, is proposing a host of pro-business initiatives, including the elimination of the state’s business entity tax.

Sen. Linares, who co-founded a renewable-energy company based in Middletown when he was 19 years old, said he hopes he will gain support for his proposal from legislators on both sides of the political aisle as well as from business owners in his district. … Continue Reading

CT State Police searching for bank robber

CT State Police say this man robbed the Chelsea Groton Bank in Salem the morning of Jan. 17, 2013. Photo provided by CT State Police.

Connecticut State Police have released photos of a man they say robbed the Chelsea Groton Bank this morning (Jan. 17) at about 9:55 a.m.

State Police Troop K Colchester received a 911 call from the bank, reporting that a robbery had just taken place at the bank located at Salem Four Corners in the Town of Salem.

The Resident State Trooper and Troop K Troopers responded.

Police say a search of the area was conducted with State Police K-9 teams (police dogs) and the State Police aviation unit and all surrounding police departments were notified of the robbery and given a description of the suspect. … Continue Reading