Hamden Daily News - Your hometown cyberpaper

May 14, 2008

Little Leaders

(From left): Tracey Rumley, Deandre Handley, Robert Brock, Tehran Tripp and Antwan Luckey. Photo/Sharon Bass

By Sharon Bass

Five young Hamden boys told a medley of town and school officials and parents what the community needs and doesn’t need. And all the while touched every person's heart.

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Bus Shop

Looks like the state Department of Transportation is finally making some headway in building its new bus garage on State Street, just north of Skiff. (It's currently in New Haven.) It’s hoped the $100 million-plus project will generate economic vibrancy to that part of the 6th District. According to Economic Development Director Dale Kroop, the DOT is in the midst of doing preliminary environmental work on the property (in photo above) and plans to break ground on the garage this summer. He said the 250,000-square-foot facility should take about two years to complete. -- Sharon Bass

Letters to the Editor
Gambardella's Criticism Uninformed

In former Councilman Ron Gambardella's latest column, he wrote about various subjects mainly focused on the budget and taxes. I wasn’t surprised by the swipes he took at me and some of my fellow Democrats on the Council. That is common in his rants. What did surprise me was the level of misleading information and uninformed opinions he chose to use and attempt to pass onto Hamden residents as fact.

Read more.

Sandillo’s Love Aids Student

Hamden High senior Alyssa Casertano (left) accepts the Gloria C. Sandillo scholarship award from Laura Sandillo, daughter of the late Sandillo. Courtesy photo

By Tony Mentone

Gloria Sandillo was a stalwart Democrat for many years. Although she could be feisty at times, she built up many friendships because of her forthright attitude and honesty. Sandillo worked for Congressmen Bob Giaimo and Bruce Morrison; she served on various town boards and commissions; and was a member of the Hamden Board of Education as well as a former town clerk.

Read more.

Let Them Entertain You

This Friday at 7 p.m., some of Hamden's most talented teens will perform on the Thornton Wilder Hall stage. Click here to read the Arts Commission release about its "Salute to Young Artists."

Please Give a Drop

The Hamden Elks Lodge, 175 School St., is asking folks to sign up for its May 19 blood drive. A minimum number of signups is required. Call the lodge at 248.2224; you may leave a message with your name and telephone number.

Music at Meadowbrook

Los Lobos

Los Lobos kicks off the Arts Commission's summer concert series. Click here for the whole spiel.

May 13, 2008

Goodwill Planning

Creane talks to Dunbar Hill. Photos/Sharon Bass

By Sharon Bass

Town Planner Leslie Creane dropped by the Dunbar Hill Fire Station Monday evening to talk about stuff from her neck of the woods.

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IWW News Update

A quorum was realized at Monday's special Inland Wetlands & Watercourses meeting. It was originally scheduled for May 7 but many commissioners boycotted the meeting, angered that the mayor did not reappoint Chair Steve Sosensky to another term. Nancy Rosenbaum was one of the boycotters, but said she attended last night's meeting -- and was temporary chair -- because she didn't think it was right to hold up applicants (Quinnipiac University, et al). There is one vacancy on the 11-member panel. Commissioner Lorraine DeNicola resigned last week. -- Sharon Bass

Letters to the Editor
Back at You, McDonagh

I was dismayed after reading Hamden Democratic Town Chairman Joe McDonagh's letter to the editor regarding reappointments to Hamden’s boards and commissions. It is sad that Mr. McDonagh has resorted to name calling and clearly has taken political discourse to a new level.

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May 11, 2008

On May 8, Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commissioner Lorraine DeNicola went on a site walk for a Quinnipiac University project. That night, she decided to resign from the commission.

In his letter to the editor, Austin Cesare complains about Mayor Craig Henrici’s decision not to reappoint Steven Sosensky to the Inland Wetlands Commission. Austin writes, “Stop playing political games with the appointments to boards and commissions.” I agree, which is why I am writing this letter, and why I am betraying conversations that might have been considered private. The hypocrisy, Austin, must also stop.

I find it appalling that the Council voted in favor of the new police station at Memorial Town Hall. It is a huge building project that will bring nothing but destruction to the center of our quaint little town.

Ronnie Grube opened the little wing window on the passenger side of Kenny DeMaio’s 1954 Chevrolet BelAir. I lit the fuse on the cherry bomb and flipped it towards the small window opening. I missed.

Youth Surge

Over 34,000 new CT voters since the Feb. 5 presidential primary -- 584 in Hamden -- thanks in part to young adults. Click for extensive report from Secretary of the State Bysiewicz.

First IWW Commissioner Mike Conklin. Now IWW Chairman Steve Sosensky? Who next? How many more honest, well-qualified, hardworking public servants have to be tossed off boards and commissions in this town?

I read with great interest the story of the stray dog Wiley, but some of your facts are not exactly accurate. I am ecstatic that he has gotten a permanent home with someone who loves him. But one fact that was omitted from your article is that Wiley was taken care of by many families in the neighborhood, not just one.

Fair Ground

Helen Street School is sponsoring its 5th Annual Community Day with a tag sale, vendor and wellness booths, dancing, games, music, a moon bounce and much more. The place is the school playground at 285 Helen St. The date is Saturday, May 31. The time is 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

IWW commissioners boycott last night’s meeting in protest of losing Sosensky

Upset that Mayor Craig Henrici recently refused to reappoint their chair, Steve Sosensky, the majority of Inland Wetlands & Watercourses commissioners decided to send the mayor a message Wednesday evening by boycotting their monthly meeting. They had earlier sent e-mails to Henrici imploring him to rethink his decision, but said their pleas went unanswered.

Friends, our mission continues. Hamden’s taxpayers are about to be given another dose of Henrici, Fitch, Leng and Gorman. These four individuals are out of touch with reality. It seems they simply cannot understand that Hamden taxpayers are tapped out. What part of “no more taxes” can’t they understand?

The Hamden freshman team bombed Hand 16-0. Hamden was led by the pitching of PJ Scott and CJ Carignan. The entire team had strong games at the plate. Jordan Teague hit a monstrous double in the first inning off the wall in left field. It was one of three hits and four runs he scored on the day. Teague has been banging the ball all year for the Hamden squad.

Dixwell Avenue restaurant Applebee's is truly a community treasure. It offers a great breakfast deal for nonprofit groups. For $5, you get juice, coffee, three hotcakes and two slices of bacon.

Day 9: The Vote

Republicans Craig Cesare and Betty Wetmore said no. Photo/Sharon Bass

’08-’09 Budget: $174,939,805
New Mil Rate: 29.42
Tax Increase: 1.1 percent

It took roughly 20 hours over a course of eight meetings for the Legislative Council to carve and sculpt the 2008-09 taxpayers’ tab. After all the number tweaking and occasional argument, last night the 15 elected officials came together in good spirit and good manners. (For blow-by-blow details of the deliberations, click Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 and Day 8.)

Everyone has finally left Wiley alone. The town. The state (after the attorney general ruled last week that the 2-year-old former stray has a rightful owner). And now it’s something else for the mixed Husky, who comfortably resides with local groomer Gabrielle Scirocco.

Local Reading

Hamden Middle schoolers join in the Big Read. (From left): Victoria Lettiero, Kayla Edwards, Emily Jones and Kayana Jones read “Fahrenheit 451” in the Miller Library rotunda. Read all about it. -- Courtesy photo

Local Planting

Hamden farmers will be selling all sorts of potted greenery on May 17. Click here for the scoop.