Darien teens take a look at what drunk driving can lead to

Written by Lynsey Santimays
Friday, 20 November 2009 13:46

The dangers of drunk driving are hard to ignore at Darien High School this week. The members of Darien High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions, or SADD, worked with the Darien Police, the Depot teen center and high school administration to provide students with a visual reminder of the results of drunk driving.

A 2001 GMC Yukon, crashed by a 2007 DHS graduate this past September, is on display in the high school’s courtyard from Thursday, Nov. 19, to Saturday, Nov. 21. The 19-year-old was driving drunk when he crashed his car into a pole near Colony Road and had to be extricated using the jaws of life. The driver survived the crash.

Police: Unlocked luxury car stolen from Darien driveway

Written by Joshua Fisher
Friday, 20 November 2009 09:54

A luxury car was stolen early Friday morning from a Sunswyck Road driveway, according to the Darien Police.

"The vehicle was reportedly unlocked and the keys were left inside the car," the police said. "Residents are urged to secure their vehicles at all times.  Lock Your Car. Every time. Everywhere."

Selectman notes: Hollow Tree Ridge Road bridge work not done

Written by Lynsey Santimays
Friday, 20 November 2009 00:00

Work still needs to be done on the Hollow Tree Ridge Road bridge, despite its recent re-opening, according to town administrative officer Karl Kilduff.

On Monday, he updated the new Board of Selectmen on the bridge’s status along with other topics such as incentive parking, solar panels, FEMA funding and the state budget.

Attorney seeks school documents about Darien stadium lights

Written by Susan Shultz
Friday, 20 November 2009 06:00

What were the Board of Education and its employees writing about the high school stadium lights proposal over the past year?

An attorney for school neighbors filed a Freedom of Information request to find out.

This is the third time the school district received such an information request regarding the lights, which were first proposed in 2007 and have come back before the school board and Planning & Zoning Commission in various forms.

At DHS: Police promote teen driver safety with crash display

Written by The Darien Times
Thursday, 19 November 2009 14:20

The Darien Police, in cooperation with the Depot teen center, members of Students Against Destructive Decisions and Darien High School, will place a crashed car at the courtyard of the school from Friday, Nov. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 21.

The car is being displayed at DHS in an effort to promote teen driver safety. The car, a 2001 GMC Yukon, was involved in a single-car crash on Middlesex Road by Colony Road on Sept. 12. The car was being operated by a 19-year-old Darien High School graduate, who was wearing a seat belt and survived this crash. It took over an hour and a half for the fire departments to extricate the operator from the car.

With a new makeup, Darien selectmen set their priorities

Written by Lynsey Santimays
Thursday, 19 November 2009 15:00

It was the last item of new business on the agenda Monday night, but certainly not the least — as the new Board of Selectmen discussed its priorities for 2010.

Each selectmen put forth ideas and suggestions for the upcoming year’s priorities, but the roundtable discussion highlighted the differences among them.

After being banned from church, man threatens to sue town

Written by Susan Shultz
Thursday, 19 November 2009 12:06

A New Canaan man has threatened to file both civil and criminal lawsuits against Darien over the police department’s response to his attempt to announce news at the end of a Mass at his parish, St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church.

Last month, the parishioner, Michael Nowacki, attempted to take to the church lectern to tell Mass attendees about a priest who has presided over Mass and other events at St. Thomas More. The priest, the Rev. Paul Carrier, has also solicited funds from parishioners for a now-suspended Haitian charity tied to a criminal investigation. Nowacki refused to stop addressing the parishioners until police were called.

Darien wine shop recovering from $100,000 heat wave

Written by Lynsey Santimays
Thursday, 19 November 2009 09:18

A broken thermostat turned what is normally a busy week for a popular Darien wine merchant into a hellish one.

Nicholas Roberts Fine Wines, 1053 Post Road, incurred a heat wave of inventory loss over the weekend, ultimately losing more than $100,000 worth of wine before one of their busiest weekends of the year.

It all began when Peter Troilo walked into work on Monday morning, and he was greeted by what felt like an inferno. Like all liquor stores, the shop was closed Sunday.

• • • See more photos of the damage • • •

Republicans begin future RTC interviews tonight

Written by Susan Shultz
Monday, 16 November 2009 15:29

UPDATED THURSDAY — The Republicans who will pick the next Republican Town Committee are already working on Darien’s largest political party’s future.

The nominating committee will present a slate of 21 nominees at the party’s caucus in January, which is always held after the municipal elections. Earlier this month, Republican David Campbell was elected first selectman. It is the first time since 2003 that the GOP held Darien’s highest elected office.

After losing on Election Day, Republican leader seeks return to RTM
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This Weekend, Nov. 20-22

Written by The Darien Times
Thursday, 19 November 2009 10:13

This weekend in Darien features some holiday-themed events, including a Thanksgiving Craft Day and the senior center's Holiday Bazaar.