From the press release:

The Norwalk Police Department’s Animal Control Division and the City of Norwalk Town Clerk’s Office will be holding its Fourth Annual Rabies Clinic.

Open to residents and non-residents alike.

Date:  Sunday June 22nd, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Norwalk Police Department
Animal Control Division
13 South Smith Street
Norwalk, CT.

Cost:         $15.00 per vaccination (cash only)

Dog Licenses: Norwalk Residents may also purchase their 2008-2009 Norwalk Dog Licenses also at the clinic.

Neutered / Spayed Dogs   -   $8.00 (Must show proof)
Un-Neutered Dogs   -   $19.00

[Read more →]

The amounts, bacon bitsy, but still a good thing to the organizations mentioned. Since this was a news release, and Acorn managed to pick it up, whilst our erstwhile Norwalk media hasn’t ….

Three local organizations are slated to receive state grants to support their work, funding secured by state Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). The Darien Library will receive $5,000 from the state. The Norwalk Historical Society will receive a $2,500 grant, while the Norwalk Community Health Center is slated to receive a $5,000 grant.

[Read more →]

There’s a scene in Casablanca which sums up the cynic’s take on politics.

Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?

Renault: I’m shocked, shocked to find that there is gambling going on here!

Croupier: Your winnings, sir.

Renault: Oh, thank you very much.

Which is about where I am on Senator Dodd’s reaction to the Countrywide Mortgage deal. His statement:

[Read more →]

Times are tough for developers seeking financing all over. It’s not just the credit markets that are stuck in paralysis over the exposure of falling dollars, rising energy costs and liquidity meltdowns in mortgage backed securities. Even the state of Connecticut, under a pro business Republican Governor is taking pause on a bill that cropped up authorizing the DECD and CT Innovations to dig around for $25 million for the Waypointe project. The Advocate reports:

[Read more →]

It’s funny how years after Alex Knopp left office, Norwalk is still struggling with the poorly thought out policies. Common council members are focused on, the flat sewer usage fees endorsed by Knopp as part of Knopp’s overall strategy of carving out municipal services. Philosophically its an interesting debate to have. Instead of lumping all services to a collective tax assessed on property values, Knopp sought to transfer the burden of some municipal services to those that use those services. In many ways, its not unlike the position that senior citizens should no longer pay taxes that support the school system.

[Read more →]

Before we launch into the very interesting conversation about crime in LA, we report on Norwalk Slow Down Days. With all the construction going on, I alas, have not been able to zip through town with my usual alacrity, so I’m somewhat bemused that we are focusing on slowing down, but in the spirit of enforcing the laws we have, I bring you:

Slow Down Days
June 15 - 21, 2008

And as I scanned the press release, I noticed zero tolerance. Zoinks, the Mystery Machine will have to behave. So be careful or b². The release:

[Read more →]

I suppose the legislature, having earned an incomplete on the last session, took to summer school with the cram down goal of needing to pass, in order to graduate. Maybe it was the early feedback on the election narrative that voters were milling about looking for the proverbial pitchfork. Brian Lockhart recounts the fractured fairy tale below:

The state Senate left at 1 a.m., but the state House of Representatives did not head home until after 3 a.m.

State Rep. James Shapiro, D-Stamford, said legislators wanted to finish their business instead of adjourning to return later yesterday.

[Read more →]

Nothing like a good economic impact story about the Arts. This time its the Shakespeare on the Sound’s 13th year production of Julius Cesar generating the increased feet in the streets effect. Naturally, I’m a strong advocate of promoting arts activities throughout Norwalk, and hope everyone gets a chance to experience the current production. But I can’t resist pointing out the promo graf from Shakespeare On The Sound’s web site:

 The politically charged study of powerful, ambitious personalities in conflict offers perfect election year summertime fare. Performances are free, with a suggested donation of $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Bring your own blanket or chair.

[Read more →]

The eastbound train station building is about to get nip/tucked. Or something like that. There are even plans for a café. Funding for the project comes from the reinvestment of net revenues back into the parking system.

“We want people to take the train and walk to their destinations, said Kathryn Hebert, Administrative Services Manager for the City of Norwalk, so that they can fully enjoy the uniqueness of SoNo experiences with a short walk, bike ride or by taking the shuttle bus.”

[Read more →]

Starting about 6 PM, Director of DPW Hal Alvord, made a presentation about the solid waste disposal issue. For some reason, many in the audience seemed to think that this issue was an 11th hour project. Au contraire, the earliest I recall earnest city discussions about the solid waste issue is March of 2007. And this was because infrastructure, as in flooding, was very much on the minds of many. A snip from a news article at the time:

[Read more →]