YourCT.com header image 2
← Norwalk: BOE Burning Issues When Educators Lie About Academic Credentials … →

Thursday Open Thread


by turfgrrl


April 26th, 2007 · 15 Comments

There’s many things to write about but little time for me to do the posts. So here’s open thread for you to discuss any topic. I’ve listed the headline topics from today’s newspapers only as a reminder to me to circle back and comment on these a a later point.

Plan B emergency contraception bill Passes CT Senate

Norwalk historical commission punts on Funding Mill Hill building repairs

Mini golf concept for Vets park to get public hearing; huge public opposition likely

Mayor encourages Norwalk workers to walk more

BOE members Kimmel and Bishop-Pullan question Corda’s non response on grievance

Tags: In the News

15 Responses so far ↓ “Thursday Open Thread”



  • 1 ENrwlker // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:01 am

    Turfie, you missed the headline “GOP plan seeks $2M in state funds for city schools”. If there was ever a better summary of the absolutely pathetic representation Norwalk gets in Democrat-controlled Hartford from our Democratic state senator and representatives, this is it:

    “Rell’s $35.8 billion plan would allocate $2,769,371 to Norwalk; the Democrats’ plan would funnel $291,146 into Norwalk schools and the GOP plan would send $1,872,089 to Norwalk in ECS funds. There would be income tax increases under both the governor’s and the Democrats’ plan, but not under the Republican plan. For Norwalk, the 2008 income tax increase would be $12,175,311 under Rell’s budget and $15,517,830 under the Democrats’ budget. State Sen. Bob Duff, D-25, and state Rep. Chris Perone, D-137, said they have not been able to fully review the new GOP budget yet, but Perone said he applauds Cafero’s attempts to bring more money to Norwalk. “We’re all looking to push for money for Norwalk; we’re all working towards the same goal,” Perone said. “At the end of the day, we’ll have three plans and we’ll have to negotiate what’s best for Fairfield County.”

    NO, the Democrats (and Rell, too) are trying to TAKE money from Norwalk, NOT “pushing” for more money “for” Norwalk; we would suffer a net LOSS of $15.2 million under the Democrats’ “plan” (which Duff and Perone robotically voted for). Under Cafero’s plan we pay no additional taxes and get $1,872,089 more for our schools; under the Duff-Perone plan, we pay $15,517,830 in higher taxes and get crumbs –CRUMBS — back. We get $291,146, or 1.9% — that’s right, 1.9% — of the increased tax payments back under their plan. That is a Democratic rip-off of our taxpayers, and Duff and Perone are an embarrassment to our City for going along with this travesty.

  • 2 Watchdog // Apr 26, 2007 at 11:04 am

    Top o’ the mornin to ya, Turfie! Just want to say that I was pleased to read in the Hour (and your summary statement, as well) that Mr. Kimmel and Ms. Bishop-Pullan are asking questions. You know, maybe this has been going on; one wouldn’t know since we have no idea of what happens at these meetings unless we attend. It appears that The Hour is becoming a bit more detailed in its reporting as a result of many residents suggesting that the board should be more accountable. You’ve helped open the door to the public’s need to know, Turfie. Accountability is a valid issue and it is refreshing to see some board members perking up.

    Re: Mr. Corda’s statement that postings in local blog(s) may be hurtful, this sadly is a by-product of the BoE taking a political stand with the city budget. Nothing can incite the public more than shelling out more in taxes. Had the board openly shown more respect for the taxpayer in its approach without the drama of cuts, the resentment toward Mr. Corda et al may have been avoided (Business management 101). The move toward state funding as posted in The Hour today is a move in the right direction, and makes the much needed statement that Norwalk need not be divided over who supports our schools and who does not. THAT, by the way, is a delineation as highly scandalous and hurtful to Norwalk’s citizens as any post anyone could write about the BoE. I hope the BoE clearly understands that for every action, there is a reaction, and politics is… well, politics.

  • 3 anon // Apr 26, 2007 at 12:44 pm

    You’re observations are on target Watchdog. We are lucky that the public is starting to awaken on the BOE and all the issues. The newspapers should seriously consider hiring Turffie, not only does she have a nose for the news but she’s livened up politics.

  • 4 Anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 1:14 pm

    I was approached last night by vagrants demanding money when I was on Washigton street. I felt uncomfortable. I wish we had more police patrols on foot instead of in patrol cars.

  • 5 Jen // Apr 26, 2007 at 1:29 pm

    Anon #3- have a heart! Did you learn anything from Sunday School?

  • 6 P.O'd Parent // Apr 26, 2007 at 1:59 pm

    Jen…I spend ALOT of my time in SoNo. People are tired of being harrased for money so they can go buy booze & drugs. Particularly to a women in a parking lot or on a street at night. On one night, after the bars had last call, I was talking to a friend who was getting into her car and a man asked us for a quarter. I went off on him. At 2 O’Clock in the morning your gong around asking for quarters? “Why don’t you go to bed, get up early and look for a job instead of begging for quarters at 2 in the morning!” Sorry Jen, I learned a different lesson in Sunday School, GOD helps those who help themselves.

  • 7 anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 2:45 pm

    Watchdog- well said. And Turfgrrl it is nice to have people on their toes down at central office, your postings help light the fire under foot.

  • 8 Jen // Apr 26, 2007 at 3:12 pm

    P.O’d Parent- I am sorry you feel that way-giving makes me feel good.

  • 9 anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 5:43 pm

    Is ANYONE doing ANYTHING about the Pagano Seafood Porn Issue? It seems someone dropped the ball here and I’d like to know why this person “Todd” wasn’t arrested for child endangerment. I read about Miss America Lurring unsuspecting Sex predators over the internet and These Sicko’s GET arrested. This person “Todd” shows porn to a child and NOTHING??!! What Gives??

  • 10 Anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 7:04 pm

    Common Council President Mike Coffey will be calling on Dave Watts to speak about this issue (Pagano’s) next Monday night!

  • 11 Anonymous // Apr 26, 2007 at 10:50 pm

    No. 9, Please understand that I am not defending Alex Knopp, but we should be accurate. This happened several years ago, the police seized the computer, the employee was fired. As presented by offical police records, the mother would not press charges because she did not want to have her son go thru the trial. Everything was done right as far as the police is concerned. The queston is why the Knopp adminstration took all the files, and when the new admistration took over and continued the summer youth program, there was no record and the people running the program knew nothing about what had happened and Pagano Seafood was asked to pariciapte again. While this was a terible event, lets not make it seem like it happened last week. We should not endanger the the program because of 1 event that while serious should not be blown out of porportion. This again goes back to an administration that ran off with files and was bascially run by 2 people, Alex and Ed Schmitt. That is why I laugh when all the Alex lovers defend him and knock Moccia as making all kinds of deals over one piece of property on East avenue, while they ignore files mssing, special deals made without council approval. Ignoring the racial complaints with the Fire Department. We can not forget his immortal words, I never read my mail. However I think it is time to put all of this behind us. Finish the Fire Department investigation and Pagano. Let the Fire Department and Summer Youth Program go forward. Alex is gone. Lets move on.

  • 12 anonymous // Apr 27, 2007 at 10:58 am

    No. 11, I agree with most of what you stated, however when a child is endangered in that way, it dosen’t make a difference if the MOTHER DOSEN”T want to press charges, a crime is a crime, so why was “Todd” fired & not arrested? I just doesn’t make sence. That’s why the word “cover-up” keeps luming about this issue. As far as Alex goes, he was ALWAYS the one to blame Esposito for EVERYTHING, and he was in charge and had whatever files there were concerning this mess. He had nothing to do with the crime, so he personnally should of admonished such lewd behavior. Instead POOFF! Everything disapears.
    So yes I agree, Thank Goodness Alex is gone Ding Dong, the Witch is gone, but how about some answers.

  • 13 Anonymous // Apr 27, 2007 at 5:13 pm

    No 12, here is the difficulty about an arrest, the mother would not press charges, and would not allow the boy to talk to the police. Unfortunately is not what we see on TV, it is not that easy to get an arrest warrant. Now I do not know if any pressure was put on the mother not to go forward,and I guess coverup could be used if everything disappeared. The investigation will probably not uncover anything because no one running the Summer Youth program now, was there at the time. I am not sure what Coffey hopes to accomplish, my concern is that the program could be hurt if the whole it appears that the kids are at risk. Hopefully he just wants clarifcation and to ensure tht safeguards are in place to avoid this happening again. As far as Alex blaming Espsosito, thd the Dems are still blaming him, all the flooding and all the other problems were because he never did anything, which is nonsense of course. And all this talk about Alex’s vison, all he did was implement the school projects that were on the board and would have happened if Farnk had won. The Advocate praised him for his vison today and they mentioned the Parking Authority creation, oh yea that was vision, a total fiasco that was running over 500,000 in debt and was ticking off everyone. Mr Editor please define vsion. for us. Mocca at least brought it out of debt and removed some meters and tried to put some sanity in the Webster Lot, it still has problems but it is certainly better. I have stated here in the past I do not agree with everything Moccia says or does, but from what I gather from tne press, he is very open and is easy to access and one other thing I have heard from people from the charitable events or public or religious events he goes to, He stays, it is not just a meal and photo op.

  • 14 anon // Apr 27, 2007 at 7:10 pm

    No one should defend or make excuses for anyone. What I think what Mr. Coffey is doing here is taking an otherwise damaging story and assuring that this will not happen again. In light of the fact that this ugly story came out and the summer programs are about to begin in about 2 months it is necessary for parents to know that the city and its employees will make sure that their children are safe from people such as this Todd person and those who would otherwise cover up such wrong doings and parents need to understand that this was an isolated situation. The summer programs in Norwalk benefit our kids and they and their parents should feel secure in the knowledge that city officials are on top of this and will watch those engaged in the programs to make sure that our kids are safe and that we didn’t make the wrong decision by allowing their kids participate. I would hope that the entire council stands up for this and don’t use it like they always do as another way to attach Mr. Coffey. This is not a political problem, this is a city wide problem.

  • 15 anonymous // Apr 27, 2007 at 8:47 pm

    Exactly #14
    galen wells and friends have made a bad situation for the summer programs and someone has to rescue it. Whether or not anyone agrees with the procedure, this all has to be clreasred up and strict rules need to be adhered to.