A local’s global focus leads to Australia

Written by Andrew Kersey
Friday, 20 November 2009 00:00

After more than a decade and a half spent shedding light on the plight of Tibetans in Southern China, New Canaan resident Sandra Ross will travel to Australia this month to help shift international attention to the embattled region’s glaciers.

Ross submitted a program proposal entitled “The Environmental Challenge in Tibet and its Worldwide Ramifications” earlier this year to the Parliament of the World’s Religions — a global gathering that meets in different countries every five years to promote “inter-religious understanding and cooperation.”

School budget talks focus on goals

Written by Carrie Schmelkin, Reporter
Friday, 20 November 2009 12:25

With preparations for the 2010-11 fiscal year underway, the Board of Education has been honing its efforts to balance cost-saving efforts with improvements to New Canaan Public Schools, as it begins to create next year’s budget. District expenses make up two-thirds of the town’s overall budget.

Forty years later: Community reaps intern ‘experiment’ rewards

Written by Andrew Kersey, Assistant Editor
Thursday, 19 November 2009 00:00

This is the final installment in a series about the 40th anniversary and legacy of a New Canaan educational venture. Click here for parts one and two.

For all the “enormous returns” attributed to the New Canaan Experiment — the public schools’ seasonal and short-lived hiring of black student teachers from Norfolk State University beginning in 1969 — the payoff was often interrupted by a persistent set of cultural hurdles.

Selectmen approve department pay raises

Written by Andrew Kersey, Assistant Editor
Friday, 20 November 2009 09:24

The Board of Selectmen this week approved pay raises for two members of the police department and approved a promotion with attendant salary increase for a laborer within the highway department.

Police Capt. Leon Krolikowski’s current salary of $108,000 was unanimously approved for a $7,000 increase, applied retroactively from September 1 of this year.

Appeal leaves tree removal on hold

Written by Andrew Kersey, Assistant Editor
Thursday, 19 November 2009 12:22

UPDATED

A group of 17 neighbors has filed an appeal with Norwalk Superior Court against the town’s decision to remove 10 ailing trees along a stretch of West Road. The move allows the trees to stand while the motion is decided.

The appeal names Tree Warden John Howe, Director of Public Works Mike Pastore, Assistant Director of Public Works Tiger Mann, First Selectman Jeb Walker and selectmen Sally Hines and Rob Mallozzi as defendants.

League hosts open space discussion

Written by Carrie Schmelkin, Reporter
Thursday, 19 November 2009 09:21

While several residents at last Thursday’s open forum on town parkland seemed intent on discussing the controversial plans for a retirement facility in Waveny, the League of Women Voters stuck to a broader game plan.

Pushing aside submitted queries about the proposal for a continuing care retirement community, league members instead read audience questions that asked about general town practices relating to New Canaan’s parks.

Downtown holiday lights: Chamber requests resident support

Written by Carrie Schmelkin
Monday, 16 November 2009 06:17

As Santa Claus readies his reindeer for a visit from the North Pole and carolers soothe their throats with tea, eager to take to the streets of downtown New Canaan, the Chamber of Commerce is busy looking for community support to fund one of the most popular aspects of the Holiday Stroll — the annual tree lighting ceremony.

“This year people are under the assumption that the town helps pay for the costs of the tree lighting, and they do not,” said Tucker Murphy, executive director of the Chamber.

New law allows owners to create animal care provisions

Written by John W. Hetherington
Sunday, 15 November 2009 06:15

This article is intended to offer only general information and should not be relied upon as a basis for making personal decisions, which should be arrived at only after consultation with a qualified attorney.

Sophisticated estate planning covers many issues, but one question has often gone unanswered. That is the question of what will become of Rover, Felix, Polly or any other beloved creature, when the owner dies. Some people are fortunate enough to have a friend or relative who will welcome the pet into a new home. But often a friend or relative isn’t really prepared to accept the responsibilities of keeping a pet. Then good intentions can lead to an unhappy situation, particularly with the really serious costs involved in maintaining a healthy dog or cat.

Civilians peek ‘behind the badge’

Written by Andrew Kersey, Assistant Editor
Saturday, 14 November 2009 06:13

It was nearing 10 p.m. last Thursday when New Canaan Police Officer Jeff Deak handed local investment banker Gareth John a weighty metal clip of hollow-tip bullets for his inspection.

Dana Salvatore, a stay-at-home mother, was earlier being outfitted with an oversized Kevlar bulletproof vest.

Car flips over on Brushy Ridge

Written by Carrie Schmelkin, Reporter
Friday, 13 November 2009 16:12

Two school buses and several cars were stopped on Brushy Ridge as the New Canaan Fire Company No. 1 and the New Canaan Police responded to a one-car accident at a little past 3:30 p.m. today, Friday, November 13. New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps also arrived at the scene.