Since its always good to check out what other school districts are doing, here’s a peek at Milford:

As budget season rages on and the proposed education budget faces a possible $2 million cut, administrators’ salaries are being targeted by education watchdogs.

The 2008-09 account designated for the salaries of Supt. of Harvey Polansky and Assistant Supt. for Teaching and Learning Michael Cummings is more than $67,000 larger than it was last year, a projected leap that caught budget watchdog Ed Tamas’ eye.

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The Cournat is reporting on the new trend in economic development, conducting charettes. Norwalk has already been doing it. See why, the Courant reports:

As “big box” stores and large developments build up in suburbia, local groups in the Farmington Valley are fed up with a land-use approval process that involves the public mostly in the final stages.

So, in a nod to a 19th-century tradition, residents increasingly are raising the idea of holding charrettes — open workshops involving all local stakeholders — to bring development discussions into the public arena much earlier in the process and taking control of the future of their communities.

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The Hour editorial today scolds the Common Council for stalling on the 4 year Mayoral term start up a charter revision committee. Naturally, they chide council members for asking for more information. What the Hour should be chiding the common council for is not doing their homework in the first place. Committee meetings should be where this council should be hammering out the details of what they intend to vote on. So what committee meeting is discussing a charter revision?

The Hour further states:

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I had hoped that the Parking Authority PR push would lead with a positive info rich piece on changes to the parking lots, improvements made, where they are located with the eye on the neighboring towns who visit here. Instead we get the boot. I suppose its a good thing that the parking pirates get nailed if they don’t pay up. But, the zealous enforcement of tickets in the first place is something I could use less of.

The Parking Authority needs to increase use of the parking lots as a revenue generator. How about merchant parking passes and advertising?

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It’s really been a slow news series of days. Sure there’s some weird news of Norwalk items, like former Mayor Alex Knopp getting a job after 3 years. Is the economy really that bad that this makes a news report? I can’t wait to read how former dog catcher buys a cat next. Then there’s the hat being tossed into the ring of registrar, with BET member Stuart Wells wanting to clean up the registrars office. Wonder if he means to revisit his role in the Pagano porn incident? I’m sure that will make the race between Betty Bondi and Stuart Wells oh-so interesting. With both incumbent registrars looking at challenges, the election season is shaping up to be a veritable mud bowl. Remember bud bowls? Ahem, I digress.

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The Peoples Republic of Rowayton is located in beautiful South Norwalk. Shouldn’t all of Norwalk have a municipal pool? See NYC as a leading example.

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The historical commission Meeting last night was relatively mundane until it came to the subject of what to do about the Rogers Rich Merrit House. To refresh our collective memories, this is the house that was disassembled, stored in trailers, and initiated a project to rebuild it at Mill Hill. Unlike your typical episode of the Six Million Dollar Man, where they rebuilt Steve Austin for 6 million,–a bargain at today’s prices– better, stronger, faster, the house was intended to be part original part reproduction. Er, back to the show.

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This Saturday is the time to get rid of the electronic gear that’s been collecting dust, somewhere. A little road trip to do it, but well worth it since most computer stuff, for example, is loaded with toxic chemicals. For more info click here.

WHEN
Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

WHERE
Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport (click link for a locator map)

FOR WHOM
Residents of Bridgeport Project cities and towns. Norwalk is one of them.

WHAT
Home electronics, including: computers, monitors, cell phones, TVs, VCRs, copiers, fax machines, printers, radios, stereos. (Electronics from businesses and institutions are not acceptable.)
SPONSORS

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Here’s a reminder that this weekend is the time to put out your bulky items to be hauled away. First the schedule. If you know your regular day of garbage pickup you can figure out what your day is.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ONLY 
(who receive City garbage collection)
Collections schedules are as follows:
Garbage Route Bulky Waste P/U
Monday  Saturday, April 26, 2008
Tuesday  Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday  Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thursday  Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday  Saturday, September 27, 2008

Then you need to check to make out what is  allowed. A handy guide:

ACCEPTABLE          UNACCEPTABLE

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The allure of Bridgeport drives many a businessman to investigate the opportunities. From the big shot developers like Donald Trump and Steve Wynn to the local entrepreneurs, the untapped downtown remains an enticing citadel in a sea of suburban Fairfield County. But all that glitters is not gold, and Bridgeport’s hard economic realities and entrenched bureaucracy have stymied more than helped development.

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