Editorial: Open e-mails

Written by The Darien Times
Thursday, 19 November 2009 09:54

The Freedom of Information Act can be used as a great tool to keep the work of our leaders in check. And the Board of Education and superintendent should be commended for their reaction to the latest request made for their files.

Some look at Freedom of Information requests as threats or weapons or even compare them to lawsuits. But all an FOI request is is a tool.

Cameron: The MTA’s big dig won't help Connecticut

Written by Jim Cameron
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 10:15

We all know what happened when Boston decided to bury its downtown elevated interstate highway, known as the central artery. What was intended to be a seven-year, $2.5 billion project became a 10-year, $14.6 billion engineering nightmare.

Well, heads up fellow commuters and taxpayers! New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or MTA, (parent of Metro-North Railroad) has similar designs on our beloved Grand Central. Nicknamed the “East Side Access” project, the goal is to bring the Long Island Railroad into Grand Central.

Wilder-Tamme: Your marketing dollars in this economy

Written by Carol Wilder-Tamme
Friday, 13 November 2009 06:00

Last week, someone asked a business friend of mine: “What did you do to get through the recession?” My friend’s response: “What, you think it is over now?”

In talking with merchants in Darien, the general consensus is that sales are slowly on the rise — but there is a long way to go to get back to 2007 or early ’08 numbers.

Editorial: Veterans Day lessons for schoolchildren

Written by The Darien Times
Thursday, 12 November 2009 09:36

It was somewhat controversial when the Board of Education decided to keep schools open on Veterans Day this year. But how the schools honored our veterans on Wednesday proved that the board made the right choice.

When Armistice Day, as the holiday was originally known, was first observed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918, marking the end of what was then the Great War, it was hoped that the war to end all wars was over, that such hostilities would never again erupt.

Ryan: Rell's departure a thoroughly depressing development

Written by John J. Ryan
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 10:39

Election Day is over and order has been restored to the Universe — meaning the Bronx Bombers are back on baseball’s throne. (So when does Darien resident and Yankee general manager Brian Cashman get the keys to the town? And do we even have a key to the Town?)

But while the baseball planets are again in harmony, the abrupt news story on Monday evening that Gov. M. Jodi Rell (while not ultimately surprising to some of us) has chosen not to run for re-election a year from now has totally rocked the natural order of the Universe as it has existed for almost two decades in the State Capitol of Hartford.

Editorial: Starting over

Written by The Darien Times
Thursday, 05 November 2009 09:39

It is time to start over. The election is over.

The Board of Selectmen will start over with some new faces, many of whom have little to no political baggage, including new First Selectman David Campbell. All the town boards will have new faces. The RTM included. It is spring time in Darien politics.

Have you been paying attention? Your vote counts here

Written by John J. Ryan
Monday, 02 November 2009 09:46

The leaves are falling and lawn signs are littering the landscape. The newspapers are delighted to be getting some extra, short-lived advertising revenue, and the letters to the editor section is out of control. The annual autumnal election rite is upon us, and have you paid much attention this year ?

Not only did the editor of this distinguished publication entreat the readers last week to become better informed and more involved in the local election process, even The Advocate over the weekend reminded us that turnout in local elections is frankly horrible. Why aren’t you paying attention?

Editorial: For Darien first selectman

Written by The Darien Times
Thursday, 29 October 2009 08:39

We have been treated to a fairly tame, positive campaign in town this year — something that was missing the past few municipal election seasons. If the candidates govern how they campaign, Darienites can look forward to two more years of civility on the Board of Selectmen, the town’s executive branch. If either Republican David Campbell or Democrat Callie Sullivan wins on Tuesday, Darien will be good hands, as both would bring different, yet important skill sets to the first selectman’s office. Independent Chris Noe has brought some great ideas to the table this election and it would be great to see him earn more leadership with the Representative Town Meeting.