Minutes ago House SPeak Jim Amann-D Milford announced his retirement. From the Courant:

Amann told only a handful of aides at about 11:15 a.m., and some of those in the House chamber were unaware of the upcoming announcement when Amann gaveled the chamber to silence.

Amann, a Milford Democrat, noted that legislators would have various announcements at the start of the day before adding, “I also have an announcement myself.”

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Okay, yesterday was Earthday, and today is warm and sunny. Much too much stuff to do and soak in some sun to be blogging all day. So you are all on your own here to talk abotu whatever else is going on that you need a thread for. Post if you want a single topic thread and I’ll start one up.

Be inspired.

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At 2pm today, union DPW employees are announcing a “non confidence” petition aimed at Hal Alvord. Form the Hour:

Department of Public Works employees plan to hand Mayor Richard A. Moccia a petition today expressing “no confidence” in Director of Public Works Harold F. Alvord, according to union officials.

“They put together a petition. They’re deeply concerned and troubled by Mr. Alvord’s behavioral patterns, by his managerial practices,” said Larry Dorman, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Association Council 4. “They want to change the culture and the climate of public works for the better. And they feel that the citizens of Norwalk are not being properly served by Alvord’s managerial study.”

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Following Betty Bondi’s announcement, Karen Doyle Lyons plans to seek anothe rterm as Republican registrar. The Hour reports:

On Tuesday, Doyle Lyons announced that she is seeking a fifth two-year term as Norwalk’s Republican registrar of voters. Doyle Lyons pointed to her seven years in the registrars office and equally long service as the Fairfield County chairwoman for the Registrar of Voters Association of Connecticut.

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From a press relase:

With Proms coming up, summer on the horizon and teens getting their license for the first time, NNHT is promoting Journey Safe.  It is a pledge for teens to keep them safe while driving.  We have a video and a printable card and a Wall of honor so to speak for those who  print and sign the card. Parents or Teachers of teens who make the pledge can submit the name so we can add it to the Wall. Someone on the blog had mentioned they had seen the video on our site and suggested we should promote the program.  Go to www.nnhtkids.org and follow the links to teen drivers and make the pledge

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UPDATE:

Last night’s common council meeting was another contest of the political will, the political willing and the political process. In the end the process won. For openers, during the public speaking portion, a lone woman wanted to speak. Dawn Calle had a notebook of complaints but due to the process of public meetings, was advised by the Mayor that she would have to speak to the agenda items in order to speak. Apparently she had called the Mayor previously about some of the items, so he had a general idea of what the issues were, and was in the process of researching how her calls to various departments had been handled, if they were in fact documented.  As of last night, the Myaor indicated he was reviewing the records. Crime, who does it and what is being done about it was the main gist. Council members Steve Serasis and Mike Geake approached Dawn about her concerns. The rest of the council members couldn’t be bothered. Dawn reports that Geake invited her to the health and safety committee meeting.

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Come celebrate preservation with the
Norwalk Preservation Trust
Saturday, May 17,  4 - 6 PM
at theLockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
The Norwalk Preservation Trust will be presenting the 2nd annualValle Weber Fay Preservation Awards to honor the citizens who preserved the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion as well as other Norwalk preservationists.

Wine and refreshments will be served.
Guided tours of the Mansion’s magnificent first floor will be available.

A donation to support the work of the Norwalk Preservation Trust is requested — $50 per person or $75 per couple for nonmembers; $40 per person or $65 per couple for members. You may join the NPT at the event. Member discounts apply for Lockwood Mathews Mansion Members. Donations and memberships  are tax deductible.

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M. Night Shyamalan come on down, not only does Connecticut have a 30% film tax credit but we have the plot all lined up for your next movie. 243 zombies dead people are still on the Norwalk voter rolls according to a study undertaken by the journalism students at UCONN. And not only are they on the rolls, but they voted! Well 11 of them did. Which is totally amazing, because even though my roots trace back to Chicago, where voting is a contact sport, in this modern computerized day, it seems unfathomable that dead people can vote. From the Courant:

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The Norwalk Republicans are hoping to encourage undecided, unaffilated and even disenchanted Democrats to a reception At the Norwalk Inn.  The RTC Public Reception will be held next Tuesday, April 29 at 6pm. Hrmm, okay insert your Republican at the Norwalk Inn joke there. Actually this is a good idea, inviting people to meet and great and get to know people who are involved in politics. Free food and drinks certainly helps. And Republican town chair, Art Scialabba, has resurrected the old Norwalk RTC web site, another good thing to do. I’ve added the link in the site links and you can read the RTC press release here.

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The bill that would end most if not all robo-calls is being tweaked by the judiciary committee yet again. Brian Lockhart reports:

The legislature’s Judiciary Committee yesterday completely rewrote a bill intended to ban political “robo-calls,” fearing the original might not stand up to legal scrutiny.

“We are the Judiciary Committee, and I do think it’s important for us to improve legislation so we think it passes constitutional muster,” state Rep. Gerald Fox II, D-Stamford, said after the 23-14 vote.

Fox is a committee vice chairman.

So-called robo-calls are automated telephone calls with recorded messages targeting voters.

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