From a press release:

On behalf of the entire Local Proud team, we hope you can show up to help us launch this exciting program.� We promise it will be informative, and fun. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Milford Mayor, James Richitelli, is Local Proud, and he wants everyone to know it. The Mayor will be proclaiming�Milford�Local Proud Week Monday, September 28th 9:00 am on the steps of City Hall Local Proud is a buy-local campaign designed to support locally owned and independent businesses in�Milford.��This initative is spearheaded by Economic Development commissioner and local business owner, Susan Ashelford. “This program perfectly reflects the Economic Development Commission’s goal of strengthening businesses, fostering stronger communities, increasing job opportunities, and expandingMilford’s economic base while honoring our commitment to the history and character of�Milford” says Genevieve Salvatore, the Economic Development Commission’s Chairwoman. Greater support for locally owned and operated businesses will have a hugely positive effect for all of�Milford.�According to studies, including a 2008 study by the Institute for�Local Self Reliance, locally owned businesses recycle about 45% of their revenue back into the local economy. Milford’s Local Proud highlights the connection between shopping locally owned, independent businesses and retaining the community’s distinct character.��Local Proud asks consumers to: choose personality over conformity; keep more money in the local economy; sustain and create more local jobs; and support environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. The Local Proud program is already off to a strong start with many residents and local business owners signing onto the program.��A 13-week intensive launch will kick-off the week of September 28th with the theme: “We’re so Much More�We’re Your Community.” There are 100s of reasons to be Local Proud but the 100s of independent business owners and their employees�is the single best reason for all of us to be�Local Proud—our business is our community. The organizers of Local Proud are Susan Ashelford, an EDC commissioner who is spearheading Local Proud and is also the owner of Given to Gauche; Dayan Moore, the co-founder and owner of GG2G, an eco-conscious company that creates fashion accessories from recycle materials; Anna Rubino, who developed the “M” design for Local Proud and is the owner of a branding and identity design firm, Anna Rubino Design, LLC.; and Susan Shaw, the owner of Collected Stories Bookstores. Local Proud was developed under the auspicious of�Milford’s Economic Development Commission.

visit our website,�www.milfordlocalproud.com

Milford apparently thinks it needs to revise how it handles blight issues. Stamford, according to the same Connpost.com article has a process. Norwalk’s Common Council, hasn’t quite yet figure out that having a�dedicated�enforcement�officer�might pay for itself in the sheer amount of fines that could be issued for simple things like unsecured trash and obstructed sidewalks. When was the last time the Norwalk Common Council came up with legislation?

From Connpost.com:

The city may need a “blight czar” to enforce the existing regulations covering decrepit and unsafe buildings, according to some officials.

All the necessary laws are already on the books, members of the Economic Development Commission said, but there does not appear to be one city official in charge of handling blight complaints.

“The definition of blight in the regulations is a little vague, and there isn’t a specific person to see it through,” commissioner Susan Patrick said.

Depending on the underlying issue, health sanitarians or housing inspectors, the zoning enforcement officer or building inspector may become involved in handling a blight complaint, officials said.

Chairwoman Genevieve Salvatore said a consultant’s report on the city’s land-use permit processes indicated a “systemic discoordination” that may include the handling of blighted buildings.

source: Connpost.com,�Milford considers enforcement ‘czar’ on blight,�By Frank Juliano,�06/29/2009