Following a somewhat disastrous debate debut in Norwalk, Steve Papadakos candidate for the 25th District State Senate seat sent his regrets to the Darien League of Women Voters. There’s the famous , Bird Flu virus, then there’s the not named after Connecticut-Norwalk virus, and now the debut of the Norwalk Republican Chickenitis Virus.

Considering that Darien offers Papadakos his best chance for enticing Republican voters, this was an unprecedented lost opportunity. Especially coming on the heels of a sub par performance last week in Norwalk. Which is what the hot stove rumor factory is saying about Papadakos’ performance. Not showing up to meet voters is certainly an odd campaign tactic.

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Who knew that the Halloween themed transformation of the Maritime Aquarium outdoor spaces would be so perfect. Of course, when it’s dark out, there’s not much reason to stand out on the river walkway unless it was magically filled with glowing jack-o-lanterns. Which is the setting for the thousands of pumpkins that are glowing nightly from tonight till November 2nd.

With the demise of the “fright” house, the scarcity of the corn maze and the need to get inspired in pumpkin carving, a field trip to the Maritime Aquarium is just the ticket. Members get $2 off the timed admission tickets, which are sold by the Maritime Aquarium, online, and of course at the Aquarium itself. Sunday through Thursday night tickets are $12 and Friday and Saturday nigh tickets are $14.

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From the Connecticut Post:

NORWALK — The state Department of Transportation said that the Route 136 Bridge over the Norwalk River — the Washington Avenue drawbridge — will be closed to traffic Saturday through early Monday on and also on Nov. 1-3.. The bridge will be closed to traffic beginning at 2 a.m. Saturday morning and all lanes should be open to traffic by 5 a.m. Monday. Detour signs will be in place to direct motorists to alternate routes in the area. Marine traffic will be provided a minimum of a 40-foot channel for passage. Normal marine traffic should not be affected.

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Nothing comes easy with the Norwalk Democratic party these days. On Monday, they voted to appoint Stuart Wells the acting Democratic registrar. Except that the Norwalk charter says it is the Common Council that should appoint the acting registrar. The legal technicality is that there’s a state statute that ambiguously asserts the local town committee is responsible.

Meanwhile, the Stuart Wells is also the Treasurer of both State Rep Chris Perone’s and Bruce Morris’ re-election campaigns. And Wells is currently on the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET).

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The Advocate article on electronic attendance sounded so promising when I started reading it. Here I was thinking that some innovative web based attendance system was going to be implemented off a WIFI PDA that teachers could click and update with ease. But no, innovative use of technology is not in the cards, er in the details of the story.

Two city schools will soon begin using an electronic attendance system for teachers and staff.

The pilot program will replace paper documentation of sick days and time off that schools send to the district’s central office, where it is entered into the computer system, Technology Director Ralph Valenzisi said.

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Monday night the Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a public hearing on the proposed bonding package on phase one of the waste water treatment plant upgrade.

The Hour reports:

Clean Water Fund dollars would pay for $38.8 million of Phase One. Capital budget dollars would cover the remaining $6.2 million, according to Harold F. Alvord, the city’s director of public works.

“We have (a consultant) working right now on the design. We have to have all our stuff in order before we even think about putting a bid package on the street,” Alvord said. Phase One “is the headworks building. The entire project is a three-phase project, but we can’t do Phase Two, which is the improvement nitrogen removal, without Phase One.”

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Your local races have much more of an impact on your daily life than the federal races. Cafero touched on this in an Hour article today about the small business economy:

Cafero said state elections coming up this November arguably are more important to local residents than the national races.

“They will have more impact on your day-to-day life,” he said.

State government, he said, needs to make Connecticut a more business-friendly location. Currently, the state is one of the least friendly for business, he said.

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The Norwalk Police Activities League (PAL) is holding the sixth annual Pumpkin Festival, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Norwalk Town Green on East Avenue. The festival is a fund raiser for local youth community activities  funding with the PAL.

Come on down and enjoy an  old-fashioned country fair filled with family activities. Pumpkin decorating and tractor hay rides highlight the festival. There will also be entertainers,  games, ood, beverages, exhibits and a country auction.
For more information, call 854-3102.

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From a press release:

Head on down to the Free Pasta Dinner Dance on Saturday Oct 18th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the American Legion Hall at 60 County St.
The Duff Family is making a delicious Italian pasta dinner…and Corky, will be
the D.J. for a night of dancing.
Bring the kids because we have SOCKS the CLOWN coming and she wants to play with the children- we will have some table reserved for the children with lots of fun activities for them to enjoy.
RSVP to 840 1333 or send Bob an email, so we make enough food for everyone!

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Survey USA has a new poll out showing Jim Himes ahead of Chris Shays.

The Advocate reports:

 Pollsters interviewed 602 likely voters Monday and Tuesday, reporting Thursday that Himes leads with 48 percent to Shays’ 45 percent.

Also in the poll, respondents gave Shays a 43 percent approval rating, and Himes, 39 percent.

“This reflects what’s going on in the district right now. It reflects that the last (House) Republican in New England is in a tight fight,” said Jay Leve, chief executive officer of SurveyUSA. “There’s a Democratic breeze blowing from one side of the country to the other, and Shays is caught up in that.”

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