BlogNetNews.com » Connecticut

CAPITOL WATCH: Rell: Close Minimum-Security Webster Prison In Cheshire

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:38:05 -0500

In an unusual attempt to save money, the Rell administration is recommending the closure of a minimum-security prison in Cheshire.

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced Tuesday afternoon that the state's correction department is calling for closing the Webster Correctional Institution in Cheshire, which is known as a Level 2 facility on a scale where Level 5 [...]

Rick Green | CT Confidential: Feds: Coltsville still not ready to become a National Park: Rick Green | CT Confidential

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:31:49 -0500

It's a good idea, but Hartford still doesn't have its act together, the National Park Service says. The HBJ has more. Comment here.

Asher & Adams Pictorial Album of American Industry, 1876.

' [...]

The Everyday Republican: Donovan: Simply Shocking

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:54:08 -0500

The absurdest play known as the state budget shifted to House Speaker Chris Donovan, D-Meriden, who responsed, finally, to Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposal to cut $466 million from the current plan, including $84 million in aid to cities and towns.

“This is the shock to them [...]

ctnewsjunkie.com: Celebrating World AIDS Day in Hartford

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:44:01 -0500

The 21st World AIDS Day celebration in Hartford was part celebration, part memorial and part call-to-action. "For many of us World AIDS Day is every day," Shawn Lang, executive director of the Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition, said Tuesday morning. And while there were victories [...]

Middletown Eye: Board of Education Sponsored Workshop Tonight

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:34:00 -0500

Middletown Public Schools hired JCJ Architecture to figure out how to solve school overcrowding at Moody and bring Macdonough school into racial balance with the district's average. JCJ presented their findings at the last Board of Ed meeting (as reported in the Eye). There, they decided to host two public [...]

Connecticut Local Politics: Boughton, Stewart Endorse McMahon

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:16:11 -0500

Number of comments: 2

Republican Mayors Mark Boughton of Danbury and Tim Stewart of New Britain are supporting Linda McMahon’s bid for the U.S. Senate, according to Capitol Watch:

“Washington’s approach to turning around the economy isn’t working, and when something isn’t working, it’s time to try something different,” New Britain Mayor Tim Stewart [...]

Drinking Liberally in New Milford: Will Teabagger anti-immigration agnst spill over to the Schiff campaign?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:57:00 -0500

Smells like Teabaggrrrr spirit...

Peter Schiff is well known for his for far right wing way out there libertarian Ron Paul-like views. You have to wonder if some of Teabagrrrrr angst will spill over to the GOP primary battles and burn Peter Schiff here in Connecticut?
Jim [...]

Bristol Blog: Ward wants to serve on state panel

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:53:00 -0500

Number of comments: 1
Mayor Art Ward sent this email to the city's legislative delegation yesterday:

According to today's news article, the Governor is formulating a committee which will include (6) six CT Mayors to evaluate the impact of her proposed cuts to municipalities. If this committee is not formed yet, I am [...]

Bristol Blog: McMahon, Foley seek support in Bristol

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:47:00 -0500

Though the political lineup for next year’s hotly contested statewide races remains uncertain, two of the leading GOP contenders pitched their campaigns to the city’s Republican Town Committee this week.
With budget deficits soaring in both Hartford and Washington, jobs in short supply and a growing anger among voters toward [...]

CAPITOL WATCH: Linda McMahon snags endorsements from two high-profile GOP mayors and 20 others

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:30:22 -0500

Two prominent GOP mayors announced today that they are backing Republican Linda McMahon's U.S. Senate bid.

Mark Boughton of Danbury and Tim Stewart of New Britain are among the 22 names on the list of McMahon's first round of official endorsements.

"Washington's approach to turning around the economy isn't working, and when'" [...]

Hat City Blog: Ignoring anti-immigrant xenophobia: The Common Council edition

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:13:00 -0500

Three blind mice

As I stated in a previous post, Mayor Boughton, his administration, and the elected officials who are directly responsible for dividing this city among ethnic lines are doing everything in their power to make the general public believe that the topic of [...]

Rick Green | CT Confidential: A blog about signs: Rick Green | CT Confidential

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:55:08 -0500

In Hartford. It's a blog about signs in Hartford. Not bad.

' [...]

Connecticut SMART GROWTH: Rail vs Bus

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:52:25 -0500

According to a recent article in the Courant it looks as if there is going to be a showdown between advocates for the proposed New Britain-to-Hartford busway and those advocating for restoring passenger rail service from Waterbury to Hartford. With federal money hanging in the balance, busway advocates are [...]

Colin McEnroe: Hartford blue

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:49:57 -0500

I have to part company with my colleagues in the Hartford Courant editorial department over the tone of this editorial. Hey I have no trouble believing Dwayne Powell is a bum and a bad guy, and if that's what the courts find, I hope he's appropriately punished.

But that's not what [...]

CAPITOL WATCH: Jesse Ventura slams professional wrestling

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:15:27 -0500

A week after hosting WWE's Raw, Jesse Ventura went on Colin Cowherd's ESPN radio show and dissed pro wrestling.
The former Minnesota governor called it "a joke" and said it's "still in the stone age." Specifically, Ventura vented about the fact that pro wrestlers lack the protection of' [...]

ConnPolitics News: 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:58:23 -0500

Number of comments: 8

Washington (AP) – President Barack Obama plans to send 30,000 more troops to be deployed over six months, a senior administration official told The Associated Press Tuesday, escalating the 8-year-old war.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

[...]

ctnewsjunkie.com: Toyland Is More Complicated Than Ever Before

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:44:36 -0500

This holiday season, finding the perfect gift won't be the only concern for hurried parents scouring the aisles of every toy store. They will also have to consider whether the Vtech Bright Lights Phone they just put in their cart could cause hearing loss in their' [...]

ctnewsjunkie.com: Panel Oks Firefighter Promotion List

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:32:46 -0500

After a five-year legal battle that ended in the U.S. Supreme Court, Frank Ricci and 13 fellow firefighters moved one step closer to getting the promotions they were deprived of. Ricci (at center in top photo) and 19 other mostly white firefighters sued the city [...]

CAPITOL WATCH: Linda McMahon: More Than $500,000 In Ads Over Next Three Weeks; GOP Candidate Could Spend $50 Million

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:07:56 -0500

Greenwich multi-millionaire Linda McMahon is expected to spend more than $500,000 on television commercials over the next three weeks, starting on Wednesday.

Our colleague, Rick Green, has the details at [blogs.courant.com]

With the margin of error included, McMahon was essentially in a statistical dead heat with U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd [...]

ConnPolitics News: Salahi denies being WH party-crasher

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:40:44 -0500

Number of comments: 4

By EILEEN SULLIVAN
Associated Press Writer

Washington (AP) – The man who got into a White House dinner without an invitation denied Tuesday that he and his wife were gatecrashers.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

[...]

yourCT.com: Milestones And Millstones

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:34:25 -0500

Number of comments: 3
Today marks an anniversary of sorts. Three years ago I dusted off the guide to Connecticut and turned into this blog, the almost daily rant and rave of what’s on my mind. Over the years, the Connecticut guide stuff faded away and the local sausage making of government here in [...]

CAPITOL WATCH: Route 66 In East Hampton To Be Named After Gov. O'Neill

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:16:11 -0500

Bill O'Neill received many honors during his career as Connecticut's lieutenant governor and then governor for 10 years and 10 days.

Today, he receives another accolade as a section of Route 66 in his hometown in East Hampton will be renamed for him.

As the longest-serving governor in recent state history, O'Neill, a' [...]

Connecticut Bob: Get on the bus!

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:13:00 -0500

If you're not busy tomorrow (Dec. 2nd) and wish to spend an exciting and constructive day in our nation's capitol rallying for reproductive rights, then you should get on the bus!Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009Time: 1:00am - 11:45pmLocation: Washington , DCJoin Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and pro-choice supporters' [...]

ConnPolitics News: Obama to outline Afghan strategy

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:32:37 -0500

Number of comments: 8

Washington (AP) – President Barack Obama’s day will be dominated by his speech on Afghanistan this evening, but he does have other things on tap.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

[...]

ConnPolitics News: Is Obama Washington's Vulcan?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:30:47 -0500

Number of comments: 8

Washington (AP) – President Barack Obama’s deliberate approach to decision-making and a fascination with science is raising some eyebrows and drawing the logical question.

Is Barack Obama Washington’s Mr. Spock, the chief science officer for the ship of state?

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

[...]

Rick Green | CT Confidential: Neighborhood opportunity on Homestead Avenue: Rick Green | CT Confidential

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:23:06 -0500

In the old Sealtest factory on a forlorn street corner in Hartford, the Chrysalis Center will soon be carrying out its hopeful work rebuilding lives.

As Hartford moves in fits and starts to repair itself, this investment in human capital might be as important as any other economic development in [...]

Consent Of The Governed: No Experience Necessary

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:14:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
Apparently, Hope and Change does not spring from private sector experience....

Wow...
and this from Reason...

Schulz notes that public sector employment has been below 20 percent of the population since the 1950s, making a 90+ percent public service cabinet all [...]

The Cool Justice Report: Gaby's Fighting Words

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:07:00 -0500

By AMANDA BRANT
Hot Metal Bridge, University of Pittsburgh

Gabrielle Calvocoressi’s second book of poems, Apocalyptic Swing, resonates with a quiet intensity. Issues of the body, love and sex, of fighting and falling and yet rising again because there is [...]

Middletown Eye: Much Ado about Everything (12/02-04)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:11:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
Wednesday December 2:That's Rita Parisi and she is your hostess for an "Edwardian Christmas Tea" at 12noon in the Hubbard Room of the Russell Library. In her guise as "Mrs. Gordon", she'll transport you back to 1908 and give one and all an appropriate picture of what life was like' [...]

Middletown Eye: Fiddling Around At Broad Street Books

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:17:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
A set of musicians, three of whom reside on Pearl Street, serenaded patrons at Red & Black Cafe, in Broad Street books as part of the Music Monday series at the eatery. The core combo featured Wesleyan grad Josh Van Vliet on guitar, Wesleyan student Emily Troll on fiddle and [...]

Bristol Blog: Foley sounds like a gubernatorial candidate

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:52:00 -0500

Number of comments: 1
Speaking to the city's Republican Town Committee tonight, former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley sounded every bit like he's made up his mind to run for governor next year.
Foley said he "can make more of a difference" as a governor than he can as a U.S. senator.
Though [...]

yourCT.com: Communication And Schools

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:20:30 -0500

Number of comments: 3
Lauren Mylo has an article in the Hour about the communication issues facing Norwalk. There’s some interesting comments about poverty, and non english speaking parents. I pause for a moment to wonder, when in history as there ever been rich immigrants landing ashore the American Dream Inc. It’s like there’s [...]

My Left Nutmeg: Simmons: unemployed workers should seek Medicaid

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:47:46 -0500

This seems rather odd coming from a republican these days, advocating on behalf of any government run health care program. Just last week Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) called Medicaid an abhorrent "medical ghetto."

SMITH: One of the aspects of the economy that is taking a very serious toll [...]

Rick Green | CT Confidential: Take cover! McMahon $500 K ad blitz starts Wednesday: Rick Green | CT Confidential

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:33:41 -0500

Linda McMahon campaign insiders tell me the $50 Million Woman will carpet bomb TV viewers with an ad buy "well in excess" of half a million bucks that will run though Dec. 20.

The campaign for the [...]

CT Blue: Don’t forget

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:24:55 -0500

A reminder.

Ned Lamont will be coming to Southeast Connecticut. If you are interested in meeting Ned and hearing his views on state issues (he’s exploring, as they say), here’s your opportunity. He will be at the home of Camille and Nick Burlingham, 9 High Ridge Drive, in Pawcatuck on Dec [...]

CT Blue: The Way it Is

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:20:53 -0500

Mike Huckabee personally pardoned a guy with a long and violent criminal history who, if police suspicions turn out to be true, just killed four cops. Mike Dukakis was governor of a state whose parole board released a man, a fact of which Dukakis was probably unaware, who then [...]

CT Blue: Glass Houses

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:03:47 -0500

The citizens of Switzerland just voted to bar the erection of minarets in their country. The Muslim world is in a bit of an uproar about it.

I’ll grant you it’s a trifle xenophobic. Well, more than a trifle. Still, it’s hard to see how the Muslims can complain, when [...]

The Cool Justice Report: Tiger & Chevron, A Story Of Substance

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:01:00 -0500

Tiger Woods Deserves Your Scrutiny
By Dave Zirin
The Nation

During the Bill Clinton impeachment idiocy of 1998, many on the left said that if Clinton were removed from office, let it be for gutting welfare or for imposing sanctions on Iraq, and not l'affaire Lewinsky.
[...]

Middletown Eye: WPCA Votes to Increase Sewer Rate

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:14:00 -0500

Number of comments: 0
After a public hearing, attended by no member of the public, the Water Pollution Control Authority voted Monday to increase sewer usage fees by 12%. The average homeowner will see a semi-annual increase of approximately $13.Water and Sewer Commissioner explained that the increase in rates is projected to be sufficient [...]

CAPITOL WATCH: Dodd on the health care overhaul, then and now

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:59:24 -0500

"For the first time in my lifetime --- and maybe the last if we screw it up --- we have a chance to do something...I don't want to say 36 months down the road, 'Damn, we missed a hell of an opportunity.'''
That was U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd talking to Connecticut'" [...]