Looking into the winter’s Metro-North meltdown

Written by Jim Cameron
Thursday, 17 February 2011 00:00

Commuting on Metro-North has never been fun. But remember the good ol’ days when “Train time was your own time?” This winter, train time is no time. Metro-North’s New Haven division is in full meltdown.

Within the past few weeks we have had two derailments, hundreds of late or canceled trains and one frightening incident (caught on video) of an open door on a moving train. Half of our fleet of cars was out of service, frozen solid. Trains have broken down, without power for hours, while passengers were given no information. And as I wrote last time, we are no closer to seeing the long-delayed new M8 cars in service.

Commuters aren’t angry, they’re livid. I can’t even reprint some of the e-mails I get on a daily basis as chairman of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council. The language would make a sailor blush. There have even been fistfights between some passengers.

State Public Hearing Calendar

Wednesday, 16 February 2011 17:43

Following is a list of upcoming public hearings planned by state legislative committees. These hearings offer citizens the opportunity to weigh in on proposed bills before the committees discuss them and vote on whether to send them along to the House and Senate.

This list will be updated as information becomes available. Please check back frequently to see what is on the agenda.

LOB = Legislative Office Building

Updated Feb. 21:

Tuesday, February 22

Select Committee on Children

11:00 am, LOB Room 1C

Subject matter:  Children’s Issues including Department of Children and Families, Foster Care, Truancy, Custody, Facilities

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=KID&doc_type=pha

Public Safety and Security Committee

12:00 pm, LOB Room 1D

Subject matter:  Miscellaneous Bills on subjects including Agency Consolidations, Law Enforcement

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=PS&doc_type=pha

Wednesday, February 23

Education Committee

11:00 am, LOB Room 1E

Subject matter: Education Issues including School Entrance Age, Teacher Employment Criteria, Governor’s Budget Recommendations, Response to Child Abuse Reports

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=ED&doc_type=pha

Environment Committee

11:00 am, LOB Room 2A

Subject matter: Miscellaneous Bills on matters including Fishing, Agriculture, Wine, Humane Treatment of Animals

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=ENV&doc_type=pha

Transportation Committee

10:00 am, LOB Room 2C

Subject matter:  Airports, Bonding, Fines, Junk Dealers, License Plates, Trucks

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=TRA&doc_type=pha

Thursday, February 24

Commerce Committee

10:00 am, LOB Room 1D

Subject matter:  Tourism, Economic Development, Green Jobs

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=CE&doc_type=pha

Energy and Technology Committee

1:00 pm, LOB Room 1A

Subject matter:  Miscellaneous Bills on matters including Technical Statute Revisions, Telecommunications Laws

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=ET&doc_type=pha

Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee

1:00 pm, LOB Room 2E

Subject matter: UConn Chemical Innovations Institute, Nursing Programs

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=HED&doc_type=pha

Insurance and Real Estate Committee

1:00 pm, LOB Room 2C

Subject matter: Miscellaneous Insurance Bills on matters including Individual and Group Health Insurance Coverage

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=INS&doc_type=pha

Labor and Public Employees Committee

3:00 pm, LOB Room 2A

Subject matter: Miscellaneous Insurance Bills on matters including Workers’ Compensation, Employers’ Responsibilities and Employees’ Rights

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=LAB&doc_type=pha

Friday, February 25

Government Administration and Elections Committee

1:00 pm, LOB Room 2B

Subject matter:  Miscellaneous Commemorative Bills

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=GAE&doc_type=pha

Tuesday, March 1

Program Review and Investigations Committee

11:00 am, LOB Room 2E

Subject matter:  Higher Education, Sunset Law

For more information on specific bills: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocList.asp?comm_code=PRI&doc_type=pha

Feb. 17 through Feb. 24

Written by Greenwich Post Staff
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:46

Thursday, Feb. 17

10 a.m. — Board of Selectmen, Meeting Room

5 p.m. — Parking Ticket Hearings, Mazza Room

Tuesday, Feb. 22

9 a.m. — Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) Budget Presentation, Cone Room

6:30 p.m. — BET, Cone Room

6:30 — Board of Health, Evaristo Room

6:45 — Board of Social Services, Hayton Room

7 — Planning and Zoning Commission, Meeting Room

7:30 — Downtown Planning Committee, Mazza Room

Wednesday, Feb. 23

9 a.m. — BET Budget Committee Budget Review Day One, Cone Room

10 — Time for Lyme, Gisborne Room

8 — Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals, Cone Room

8 — Republican Town Committee, Meeting Room

Thursday, Feb. 24

7:30 a.m. — Retirement Board, Gisborne Room

9 — PTA Council Wellness Committee, Mazza Room

5 p.m. — Parking Ticket Hearings, Mazza Room

5:30 — Men’s Softball, Cone Room

7 — Board of Education, New Lebanon School

All meetings take place at Town Hall unless otherwise noted.

Painting the Truth

Written by Victoria Baker
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 12:19

"Are we to paint what's on the face, what's inside the face, or what's behind it?" said Pablo Picasso. I am of the opinion that, over the course of his legendary career, Picasso painted all three. Those of you with a penchant for Picasso's creative genius may have an interest in the Bendheim Gallery exhibit this March. Entitled "The Language of Lines" this exhibit hosted by the Greenwich Arts Council.