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Norwalk: Open Thread & Sunday Debate Updates


by turfgrrl


October 27th, 2007 · 30 Comments

Nothing like getting above the fold first page publicity the day before an event. Well, I can safely say the word is out about the debate which means we should have a good crowd, plus the media. We are also providing food, in the way of snacks, which was a generous donation secured last night. There are many committed citizens pitching in to bring this debate to you and we’ll be putting up the thank you list shortly.

Yesterday we posted as well as sending to the candidates, the questions and format, so this will be one of the most open and transparent debates Norwalk has seen. Our venue of the town hall at mill hill was originally built for exactly this type of community gathering.

So come one, come all. Enjoy a lively discussion of the burning issues of 2007. Parking is available at Mill Hill, ElderHouse, and the Human Services Council parking lots.

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to volunteer, I can be reached at (203) 434-5506 or turfgrrl[at]gmail.com. Just replace the [at] with the @, unless you are a computer spam-bot.

The comments, as always are yours to continue a lively discussion on whatever is on your minds.

Tags: In the News · Norwalk

30 Responses so far ↓ “Norwalk: Open Thread & Sunday Debate Updates”



  • 1 Anonymous // Oct 27, 2007 at 11:27 am

    Will the debate only feature council candidates? What about the Mayor?

  • 2 Anonymous // Oct 27, 2007 at 11:33 am

    Will those be Scooby-Snacks? Ruh-roh!

  • 3 turfgrrl // Oct 27, 2007 at 11:37 am

    Anonymous #2: LOL- yeah they could be called Scooby-snacks. Remember Shaggy ate them too! :)

    Anonymous #1: No, this is only the Common Council Candidates. The mayoral candidates got the chamber debate , but the council candidates, particularly the at-large didn’t get much focus.

  • 4 Anonymous // Oct 27, 2007 at 2:55 pm

    Maybe you could also give the audience a few bones to the candidates that aren’t totally full of s*it and rotten tomatoes to throw at the ones who are. Used to be a really good way to tell who the audience liked and didn’t like… now we have pundits and polls.

  • 5 anonymous // Oct 27, 2007 at 5:08 pm

    I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. What a beauty of a bird feeder it is, as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.

    But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue.

    Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table … everywhere! Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket.

    And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.

    After a while, I couldn’t even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio.

    Soon, the back yard was like it used to be … quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

    Now let’s see …. Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, and free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child’s 2nd grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn’t speak English. Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to “press one” to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than “Old Glory” are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties.

    Just my opinion, but maybe it’s time for the government to take down the bird feeder.

  • 6 barnstorm // Oct 27, 2007 at 5:36 pm

    #5, your analogy is for the birds.

  • 7 anonymous // Oct 27, 2007 at 6:38 pm

    And your ways has gotten us into this pile of bird poop, hasn’t it #6?

  • 8 here we go again // Oct 27, 2007 at 9:07 pm

    that was fitting #5 I enjoyed that thankyou.

  • 9 Mr Greenpeace // Oct 27, 2007 at 10:34 pm

    we have a law student? or a lawyer?

  • 10 anonymous // Oct 27, 2007 at 10:38 pm

    De Nada Numero ocho (thank you number 8)

  • 11 here we go again // Oct 28, 2007 at 12:08 am

    your welcome anytime #11

  • 12 Mr Greenpeace // Oct 28, 2007 at 2:43 am

    I know I have my critics about them reading the news as well but i ask cut me some slack on this one , but all my kids know him well, maybe it will get its own thread but for those who don’t see this in the Hour

    By FRANCIS X. FAY JR.
    Hour Senior Staff Writer

    NORWALK — A benefit to help cover the medical payments of a Norwalk Police officer’s wife has been arranged by his associates, friends and admirers.

    Community Police Officer Joseph Jensen has many of the last category after his many years of service to the city and, more particularly, to the Rowayton section where he has long resided and served as liaison officer.

    The alert on his situation went out from 6th Taxing District Clerk Barbara Dutton this week reminding residents of the many services Jensen has performed on and off duty over the years as a resident who has always been available for help.

    His wife, Diane, has been undergoing cancer treatments for sometime.
    “Joe helps in many ways to keep our neighborhood safe,” writes Dutton in an email to the community. “You have also seen him stopping trucks on Route 136 and filling in as a crossing guard at Rowayton School. This is a great way to thank Joe for the many years of service he has given to our community. Now it’s our turn to help him.”

    The benefit is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, in Eagles Hall, Mott Avenue behind the Norwalk Library.

    Tickets at $25 each (in advance or at the door) will provide food and music by a DJ. Raffle prizes and a 50-50 raffle will also take place. A cash bar will prevail.

    Tickets are available in advance from Officer Joe Kubik at (203) 854-3063.

    Donations payable to the Joe Jensen Fund can be mailed to Norwalk Department of Police Service, Attention: Officer Joe Kubik, 1 Monroe St., Norwalk, CT. 06856-0239.

  • 13 Anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 8:17 am

    OK, so the Republican Town Committee is urging its candidates not to participate. First, the LWV, quoting the “meanness quotient” of this blog. They can kiss my rosy red kiester. While there are plenty of outspoken opinions expressed here, I don’t see any hint of meanness in the questions that the candidates have been asked to answer.

    Now the Republicans want to bail. What are they afraid of? Must be the question about aliens. I think Turfie hit too close to home with that one.

  • 14 Anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 8:31 am

    Republicans… bwack, bwack, bwaaaaack!

  • 15 Anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 8:45 am

    Could it be that the GOP manly men are afraid of going up against the Dem women? Maybe the Republicans will show if Turfie puts out enough Scooby-snacks.

  • 16 What the Heck // Oct 28, 2007 at 9:00 am

    First the LWV completely blows the council debate, then Lauricella admits it, then she says she didn’t say it, then the council candidates complain about it bitterly and claim to want to talk about the issues. Now there is an opportunity to do so and the Republicans and Lauricella are taking their bat and ball and going home. Boooo!
    Sore losers. The Hour is enjoying this because they are not asked to or won’t participate and feel threatened by this blog.

    Let the debate go on. If you keep your folks home you are all cowards. Let the council candidates speak to the voters about the issues.

    Lauricella needs to be replaced for the sake of the LWV’s credibility. Why are they the last organization to wake up and notice that she is a big, big problem?

  • 17 Maribeth Becker // Oct 28, 2007 at 9:07 am

    I am still planning to be there from 2-4 with the questions and the snacks.

    Do the math, if less candidates are there, each one who shows up can have more time to speak to the issues. What a great opportunity.

    By the way, the press will be there.

    Hope to see many of you there.

  • 18 Anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 9:18 am

    This is just what Norwalk needs. Nothing happens when the same old tired routines get run every election cycle. This debate, even before it’s been held, has added new life. Congrats and keep up the good work, you two.

    Nothing like a little freedom of speech to remind us all what elections should be based on.

  • 19 Freedom of Speech // Oct 28, 2007 at 9:25 am

    The LWV debate left the common council candidates hanging out to dry - the monumental failure was the talk of the town.

    This particular forum was quickly put together to help both the candidates and the public - a discussion of the issues is very important.

    It is unfortunate that the LWV felt “left out” when their head failed to attend organizatial meetings for this debate - the inability to “turn on a dime” and meet public needs on their leader’s part should not be a reason to “diss” those who are doing their best to make up for the lameness of the LWV debate. Now for the LWV to “bow out” demonstrates a lack of willingness to support free speech and get issues in front of the public - and the reasons are masking the real issue - the wounded ego of the LVW leader who felt “left out.” She was probably dealing with the backlash of people angry about the LWV debate and figuring out how that could be whitewashed.

    It is not clear what the LWV objects to with this debate: the date? the format? the questions? or simply that their leader was not the initiator of this event- what controls are lacking with the lack of their guidance?

    Sensationalism, meanness? Free speech is free speech and the voter has the ability to recognize worthless ranting and can sort past that. YourCT.com’s blog is a major factor in allowing “people” in addition to the political hacks discuss the issues.

    Are the political hacks afraid of the public?

    The candidates who do attend will have the public’s ear and those who cannot, have the opportunity to send in their responses to the issues- so they do have an opportunity to participate - either way.

  • 20 MGeake // Oct 28, 2007 at 10:03 am

    #17 MB:

    As I said in the other thread, I WILL BE THERE!

    If I’m the only candidate, so be it. I’ll answer all six questions, then I’ll stay as long as there is anyone in the audience who still has a question.

  • 21 anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 10:28 am

    I’m going to go today - if nothing else, it will be fun to see which candidates actually have the guts to show up!

  • 22 anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 10:37 am

    To say you’re going to see who has the guts to show up is wrong. Many candidates from both parties had prior commitments and won’t be able to attend due to the short notice.

  • 23 anon for now // Oct 28, 2007 at 10:41 am

    Probably those who haven’t read the insulting things said about them herein…or maybe they will show up and question TG…that would be entertaining. Mostly it will be interesting to check out the audience and see the faces of the regular posters.

  • 24 ACEdit // Oct 28, 2007 at 10:48 am

    The initial –and, so far, only– rationale given for this Sunday’s added debate: “the Q&A at LWV sponsored debate led to little substative discussion. This was particularly the case w/the ‘at-large’ candidates.”

    OK. So this event is focused on the “at-large” C.C. candidates. Oops, nope, its focused on all the C.C. candidates.

    The initially recommended format was rotation through the 5 at-large candidates; times a min. of 2 political parties = 10+ responses.

    At one minute each, the public would have heard from each candidate once each ten minutes.

    But the addition of the in-district candidates inceased that total repsose time to 15 times 2 min. of parties = 30+ repsonses.

    At one minute each, the public would have heard from each candidate once each half-hour for a full attention-taxing 60 seconds. Swell.

    Now a bunch of the candidates (both Rep. & Dem.) are not coming to this event for a variety of reasons. Result of the large number of no-shows: those that do show up will have much more time to speak.

    I predict the format will be deemed to be a great success and the proposed “60-seconds once each half hour” response from each candidate will slip away into the dim recesses of our collective memory.

    So make a note, in any future planning of C.C. debates that format must be avoided. As suggested to the LWV and the CNNA, the five Districts’ candidates should be engaged in debate on the issues of the respective districts –preferably in their districts.

  • 25 here we go again // Oct 28, 2007 at 10:52 am

    You figure this simply hurts their own party at this point, what ever happened to exposure and issues that deserves consideration.Screw the taxpayers on the move in Norwalk I say it looks.Thank you to the ones who are trying to make it work.

  • 26 Anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 11:10 am

    Bet Konspore is checking this blog out to see if he should be eating his words. If they don’t show, the Republicans come out looking like they have something to hide, if they do, then their candidates run the risk of looking like they’re going against the grain. Losers either way.

  • 27 Anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 11:14 am

    TG seems to have a better grasp of the issues than the candidates. Questioning her about issues would likely be more informative.

  • 28 Anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 11:18 am

    An informed electorate in Norwalk?! Perish the thought.

  • 29 Mr Greenpeace // Oct 28, 2007 at 11:19 am

    #27 so true maybe a write in for mayor would work?

    she is more informed.

  • 30 anonymous // Oct 28, 2007 at 11:56 am

    No doubt that “prior commitments” will be the excuse of the day!

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