Milford apparently thinks it needs to revise how it handles blight issues. Stamford, according to the same Connpost.com article has a process. Norwalk’s Common Council, hasn’t quite yet figure out that having a dedicated enforcement officer might pay for itself in the sheer amount of fines that could be issued for simple things like unsecured trash and obstructed sidewalks. When was the last time the Norwalk Common Council came up with legislation?

From Connpost.com:

The city may need a “blight czar” to enforce the existing regulations covering decrepit and unsafe buildings, according to some officials.

The traffic was not gridlocked enough so that I could take pictures of this, but heading southbound on I-95, across the Yankee Doodle Bridge are storm drains with tufts of grass growing. I don’t think this is hydroponic grass. Which means that there must be dirt, perhaps layered on debris blocking the drainage ability of the storm drains. Which would mean that water would stay on the road, which might be something of a contributing factor on why the highway between exits 16 and 14 are so accident prone.

One of the more interesting things said at yesterday’s town hall meeting about the budget was Bob Duff explaining why he voted against the Democratic budget. He said that not only did he vote against it because it shifted the burden of tax increases and service cuts unfairly to Fairfield County, but that he would also represent a vote against over riding Governor Rell’s veto.

Analysts of legislative politics pointed out that State Senator Andrew MacDonald, D-Stamford, also had concerns about the fairness of the budget. But he swayed to the majority vote when he was able to negotiate more money for Stamford in the Democratic line items. Brian Lockhart has the scoop:

Lately, the Norwalk Democratic Town Committee has been making news for its rather unorthodox way of putting together a slate of candidates. The Hour has been publishing the internal salvos, chiefly Bobby Burgess whining about District B, yet there’s been a glaring absence of any sign of life amongst Democratic candidates for Mayor let alone council candidates. You’d think that some would be out there pimping themselves, and that fellow Dems would be out there rallying enthusiasm or something. But here’s what DTC chair has to say about the 35 select few that populate the DTC:

From the submisissions on the open pimp thread:

Economic Effects of Historic Preservation in Rhode Island 

by Edward Sanderson

Link to the PDF

From a press release:

The Norwalk Historical Society invites you to a presentation and discussion about the master planning process for the Mill Hill Site and Cultural Facility-The Future of Norwalk’s Past:Developing a Master Plan for the Mill Hill Historic Site

June 30th, 6:30-8:00pm at Mill Hill Historic Park, 2 East Wall Street, Norwalk

Planners and designers from AKRF and Museum Insights have scheduled this open meeting during a two-day intensive information gathering effort. The intent of this meeting will be to both provide the community with information about the planning process, to hear your initial ideas and concerns, and to let community members know how to participate in the process.

From a press release:

CELEBRATE THE PAST ANNOUNCES

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO JOIN SPONSORS OF

230^TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION OF THE BURNING OF NORWALK

For Immediate Release

            Celebrate the Past announces the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency has joined sponsorship of the planned Anniversary Commemoration events marking the 230^th anniversary of the Battle and Burning of Norwalk.

            The Battle took place July 11-12, 1779.  2,500 British Troops invaded Norwalk along the coast, confronted by the 800 member Norwalk militia over the course of a two-day battle.  During the course of the battle, nearly every building in the city center was burned. 

Tourism means arts, historical, museums and attractions, inexplicably left off this press release-

From a press release:

SUPPORT REGIONAL TOURISM FUNDING

 

Saturday, June 27, 2009

10:00 – 12:00 PM 

Senator Bob Duff & Rep. Lawrence Cafero

Town Hall Meeting 

At

Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum

295 West Avenue

Norwalk, CT

Adjacent to I-95S Exit 15

 

Let the Fairfield legislative delegation know:

Tourism Means Business for Fairfield County

Join hotels, attractions, special events, sports teams, meeting venues to request they support tourism as an economic driver

From a press release:

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum Presents “Art Authenticity, Theft and Fraud: 40 Years at IFAR,”  a Lecture with Dr. Sharon Flescher

Norwalk, Conn., June 15, 2009 –“Art Authenticity, Theft and Fraud: 40 Years at IFAR,” a lecture with Dr. Sharon Flescher, Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT.

“Theft, authenticity and fraud are among the ‘sexiest’ and thorniest issues plaguing the art world,” said Dr. Sharon Flescher, Executive Director of the International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR) and Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly IFAR Journal.