30 Years Ago: Officials take oaths of office, Barlow proposal goes to vote

Written by Rocco Valluzzo
Thursday, 19 November 2009 10:20

The following is taken from the Nov. 20, 1979 issue of The Redding Pilot:

It was a festival occasion on Nov. 19 when new and re-elected office-holders swore to serve the voters faithfully and then toasted each other and outgoing officials with Irish coffee, cake and cookies.

Reflections: Roosevelt had a major role in conservation

Written by Lee Hawes
Thursday, 19 November 2009 10:18

The timing couldn’t be more perfect! First we have this huge biography of Theodore Roosevelt entitled The Wilderness Warrior by author Douglas Brinkley. Then recently on PBS came a lengthy documentary by Ken Burns on our National Parks Service.

While I have always had mixed feelings about our 26th President, I would be the first to say what a debt of gratitude all Americans owe to him. For those who have had the opportunity to visit some of our national parks and monuments created by Theodore Roosevelt, to say nothing of national forests, federal bird reservations and national game preserves, one must respect his invaluable contributions to our nation.

Himes: Health reform bill is an important first step

Written by Jim Himes, U.S. Congressman
Thursday, 19 November 2009 10:17

Last weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HR 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which will allow us to join every other civilized nation on the planet in offering each of our citizens decent, affordable health care.

The House stood against the exploding costs of health care that annually devastate business, non-profit and government budgets. It stood for basic humanity, voting, for example, to prohibit insurance companies from ever canceling a family’s policy because mom gets breast cancer, or a child is diagnosed as autistic.

CPA society offers smart holiday shopping tips

Written by Mark Zampino, Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants
Wednesday, 18 November 2009 13:59

The holidays are an exciting time, but they can also be an expensive one. Many people have tightened their belts during the last year because of the troubled economy, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss the joy of giving presents to loved ones or indulging in fun celebrations. The Connecticut Society of CPAs advises that there are some smart steps you can take to ensure that you are a savvy shopper even during what can be a costly season of the year.

Talking Transportation: The MTA’s big dig

Written by Jim Cameron
Monday, 16 November 2009 14:31

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.

30 Years Ago: Public opposes 19-lot subdivision

Written by Rocco Valluzzo
Friday, 13 November 2009 14:19

The following is taken from the Nov. 8, 1979 issue of The Redding Pilot:

There were conflicting points of view, as there had often been in the past, at the Planning Commission’s public hearing on Indian Knolls Associates’ proposal to subdivide 73 acres on Newtown Turnpike into 19 lots. But this time the town’s technical team appeared to align itself with the developers, disagreeing with the public, who criticized the proposal.

Get the facts on CO2 and climate changes

Written by Frederick Engel
Friday, 13 November 2009 14:17

The town recently saw a “350.org event,” which purported to increase awareness of the looming global warming catastrophe. A number of claims were made by the organizers that deserve some serious rethinking.

Talking Transportation: New rail cars’ delivery getting later and later

Written by Jim Cameron
Thursday, 05 November 2009 12:39

It’s the question I am asked almost every day: “When are the new rail cars coming?” The answer: “Later than we’d thought.”

Yes, the new M8 rail cars, which lawmakers authorized in 2005 and we hoped would be in service late this year, won’t be in service until late 2010 — a year later than planned.

Reflections: E-mail is not a substitute for a letter

Written by Lee Hawes
Thursday, 05 November 2009 12:38

When folks are assuming their civic responsibilities, writing letters to the editor to voice their preferences for political candidates, my articles are not forthcoming. It is a matter of priorities. Naturally, the public interest must be served before the musings of my mind. It happens every year during the election season as autumn ushers in the arrival of winter, when the trees have been stripped naked of their leaves. It is sort of a last hurrah to summer.

30 Years Ago: Barlow project gets trimmed by 8%

Written by Rocco Valluzzo
Thursday, 05 November 2009 12:35

The following is taken from the Nov. 1, 1979 issue of The Redding Pilot:

The Regional Board of Education voted on Oct. 30 after a public hearing to reduce the price of the proposed athletic facilities expansion at Joel Barlow High by 8%, from $2,688,000 to $2,480,000, and bring the project to referendum by Dec. 1.