Monday, May 21, 2012
From new unemployment stats to the arrest of a firefighter, Patch account-holders weigh in on the day's news.
Naugatuck "This is the reason we pay so much for insurance." The arrest of a Bridgeport firefighter on allegations that he lied about a home burglary and attempted to cash in on it led John to offer this take. Milford "Big or small jobs the price is always fair." That's been Dave's experience at InTown Automotive and why he is saying it's the best in Milford. East Haven "Unemployment declines not because more people are employed, but because less people are collecting due to the benefits running out. You can only collect for so long." Don't be fooled shares this info on a report that shows East Haven's unemployment rate declined in April. Cheshire "This stuff always seems real interesting to me, so I go outside and look up and try to find …
Saturday, May 19, 2012
"Connecticut: Still Revolutionary." Will it bring out-of-staters to us in droves? Take our poll and tell us what you think in the comments.
Earlier this week, Gov. Dannel Malloy unveiled Connecticut's new tourism slogan: "Connecticut: Still Revolutionary." "'Still Revolutionary' speaks to Connecticut’s deep roots in the founding of this country and reminds us that we still have that independent, revolutionary spirit," Malloy said in a press release. "For centuries we have been the home of literary greats, innovators and natural wonders — an incredibly diverse array of products and talent, all right here in Connecticut. We are a beautiful state, and we are very proud of our history, even as we look toward our future. It’s time we did a better job of telling that story," Malloy said. The tourism campaign is a $27 million effort that will span two years. It will include TV, …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
From a rash of home burglaries to the potential regionalization of emergency communications, Patch account-holders share their take on the day's news.
Middlebury "I need a bigger dog," Leenie Beattie Smith said on our Facebook page, when she learned that police are warning residents in regard to a recent rash of home burglaries. North Branford "This is beyond a bad idea!" john carter turns to his knowledge of how things work on the emergency communications front in a neighboring town to share his opinion about North Branford's possible regionalization. East Haven "The judicial system needs to start taking animal abuse crimes much more seriously." That's what Lesley Simoni (EH Animal Shelter volunteer) says in response to news that the Branford man who allegedly killed his dog was previously arrested on charges that he strangled his ex-girlfriend.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Patch readers weigh in on the killing of a black bear, pedestrian safety and pensions.
Cheshire "And would the DEP charge the black bear with murder if the bear killed this man's family? Is this man really a criminal for killing the bear?" Chris Cioffi poses these questions in response to the arrest of a Burlington man for killing a black bear that came onto his property. Stratford "People need to slow down for a few minutes and pay attention." This, jmf says, will lead to safer streets for pedestrians. The comment is one of many as residents discuss the fact that there have been seven pedestrians struck by vehicles so far this year — three shy of the number for all of 2011. Hamden "You don't have to be an accountant to figure this one out..." Dr. Alfred C. Whitehead diagnosis the problem and provides a prescription to …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Patch account-holders weigh in on the day's news, from the now infamous cover of Time magazine to the fading numbers of public pay phones and a budget referendum.
Cheshire "Just not another pharmacy!!!" Michelle Scavetta Phillips shares what she thinks should not go in to a vacant lot in downtown Cheshire, on the Cheshire Patch Facebook page. "Or pizza place or bank!!!" adds Marilyn Raines. "Or liquor store!" chimes in Cindi Anthony Lerner. Milford "Let's face it, pay phones are as obsolete as cassette tapes and VCRs." Rich offers this observation into modern living in response to a community discussion about the diminishing presence of public telephones in Milford. Stratford "This picture is absolutely appalling. And with her pose it almost borders on perversion!" That's what Heidi Ernst Manente thinks of the cover of Time magazine featuring a 3-year-old breast feeding. She shareds her thoughts on…
Monday, May 14, 2012
Patch account-holders weigh in on the day's news, from a proposed increase in fines to a major accident that injured more than a dozen people.
Oxford "I'm surprised the free traders haven't suggested making them cheaper in China." A comment from Will Wilkin about Canada's decision to stop printing certain currency and if the U.S. may follow suit with pennies. Southbury "Sounds like another way for Government to raise money." That's what RU Kidding thinks o af proposal to increase the fine for ordinance violations from $150 total to $150 per day. East Haven "Just another person not paying attention." Rosie expects this may be the sad truth about an accident involving a bus and a tractor trailer that sent dozens to the hospital.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
ChiefExecutive.net does not paint a pretty picture of the business climate in the Nutmeg State. Take our poll and add your thoughts in the comments.
“Connecticut could be the business-friendly refuge of NYC and New England, but instead taxes and regulates like the crown of Old England.” So says one unnamed chief executive officer in Connecticut as part of ChiefExecutive.net's 10 Worst States for Business survey. Connecticut ranked seventh. The Nutmeg State received 2 stars for taxation and regulation (out of five); four stars for workforce quality; and four stars for living environment. What do you think? Is Connecticut business friendly? Take our poll and add your thoughts in the comments. (And be glad you don't live in California.)
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Patch account-holders weigh in on the day's news, from a town's budget approval to online comments.
Woodbury-Middlebury "Marriage should only be between opposite sexes!" That's what Ric Vargoshe thinks about President Obama's announcement that he supports Americans' right to gay marriage. Naugatuck "...he (or she) appears to be one of those rare individuals who enjoys paying higher taxes." Don Carten is not. He prefers lower taxes, he says, in regard to a subcommittee's statement that it's recommending the town contract with an ambulance company whose bid came in $200,000 less than another company. Stratford "Count on my vote flushing many incumbents 'down the drain' next election." max casts his ballot upon learning of the town's budget approval. East Haven "Think before you hit 'enter'. You're representing not just yourself, but your …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Patch account-holders weigh in on the day's news, from a 3.68 budget increase proposal to road construction and plans for an affordable housing development.
North Haven "Let's not stoop the level of calling groups names or labeling people with stereotypical names as it is not called for and does not help either side of the issue." Brian Testa attempts to simmer down a heated debate as the town considers a land use proposal that would set the stage for an affordable housing development. Orange "Amity should not be Orange's budget problem scapegoat." So says Jessie Brown upon learning that the tri-town school budget was approved by voters despite it failing in Orange -- a local result that was supported by the town's first selectman. Southbury "Going to miss the common sense logic of Lieberman. He is one of the few Democrats that I ever voted for more than once. I am not saying that I agree …
Do news organizations that publish 911 call audio help or harm the communities they serve?
The initial shockwave that swept through Connecticut last week after the Ramsey family tragedy in Wilton changed to disgust following the decision of area news outlets to publish the graphic 911 recording, during which Mrs. Ramsey told the dispatcher that her husband was lying dead “in a pool of blood.” Patch received access to the tape but did not publish a link to it. As a American writer who considers the First Amendment our most cherished right, I believe that making 911 tapes available to the public is essential to community safety; however, are we not also human beings? Did the tape need to be released so soon after Mr. Ramsey’s tragic demise? And how—if at all—did the tape’s release advance the public’s understanding of this …
Bud Britton
2:33 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2012
Connecticut, bad slogans just another way to burn taxpayer money... See and it didn't even cost the state a cent. more ›