Lamont visits Redding

Friday, 19 March 2010 15:41

Despite the weather on Sunday, some 70 people went to the home of Sam and Jill Callaway for an event for Ned Lamont, a Democrat seeking to represent his party in the November gubernatorial election.

“Ned gave a great synopsis of his views on what the key problems are facing the state and what, in general terms, his approach will be to solving them if he is elected governor. A spirited Q&A session followed his remarks, which lasted about 15 minutes,” said Mr. Callaway.

Senator Boucher talks about the legislative week

Written by Senator Toni Boucher (R-26th)
Friday, 19 March 2010 15:40

Although the state’s ongoing fiscal problems overshadow nearly every committee meeting in Hartford, I thought you might be interested in a review of last week’s public hearings on bills regarding other issues that are of special interest to our communities.

The Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee took up an issue that is of long-standing interest to many in Fairfield County — the annual $250 business entity nuisance tax on every company in Connecticut, including those that make no profit. Bad policy when it was first enacted, bad policy now.

Boucher video calls for autism awareness

Friday, 19 March 2010 15:31

State Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) has produced a video which aims to heighten awareness for autism. “In recent years, cases of the disorder have risen dramatically,” she said.

Pereyra is officially U.S. citizen

Written by Liz Skalka
Friday, 19 March 2010 15:14

Fernando Pereyra’s mother always said he had his grandfather’s “immigration gene.”

The Redding resident, and owner of the Olive Market and Olive Home in Georgetown, immigrated from Uruguay and was sworn in as a United States citizen Feb. 12 at the U.S. District Court in New Haven.

Mr. Pereyra’s family immigrated to Uruguay from Italy and Portugal. Though his entire family, including seven brothers, are back in Uruguay, Mr. Pereyra chose to make the journey in 1989 to the United States, where he has only one cousin in California.

“It was U.S.A. — don’t ask me why,” Mr. Pereyra said. “Maybe it was the TV or movies.”

Even tougher than achieving citizenship was first obtaining a green card, he said. When Mr. Pereyra applied for citizenship seven months ago, he needed only to brush up on his U.S. history.

“I’m very proud of getting the citizenship,” he said. “It’s like a mission accomplished.”

Mr. Pereyra came to Redding in 1995. He opened the Olive Market, a gourmet grocery shop and café, in 2001 with life partner Bill King. “He saw the potential in this location and in this town,” he said of Mr. King, who died in 2007 following a long battle with cancer.

Mr. Pereyra is known for his signature sandwiches with a Uruguayan influence at the Olive Market, where some of his customers have been congratulating him on his newly acquired citizenship.

“I’m very excited,” Mr. Pereyra said.

Portrait fun-draiser to be held in April

Friday, 19 March 2010 11:02

The Redding Elementary School PTA will hold a Spring Family Portrait Fund-raiser Saturday, April 10, and Sunday, April 11.

Redding photographer Darcey Stone is donating her time, offering 15-minute photography sessions for $30, with proceeds supporting PTA programs for elementary school students.

NABR's 10% budget reduction request more like 20.5% cut

Written by Susan Wolf
Thursday, 18 March 2010 16:15

An analysis by the town controller regarding NABR’s request for the town to reduce its spending by 10%, with some exceptions, shows it would actually take a 21.5% reduction in the proposed town government budget to reach this goal.

Study on sewers, building lines?

Written by Liz Skalka
Thursday, 18 March 2010 15:54

The Planning Commission voted to recommend that ad hoc committees be created to study the parking needs and sewer capacity of Main Street and Old Mill Road in Georgetown.

The committee voted unanimously March 9 to prepare a statement for the Board of Selectman asking for the creation of the committees to study the impact of development that is expected to occur on the street over the next 10 to 20 years, as well as to explore the needs that would be created by the Building Line Program.

Town eyes summer work on bridge

Written by Susan Wolf
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 14:32

The repair of the bridge on Station Road is nearly set to begin.

“There will be no visual change to the bridge structure,” said First Selectman Natalie Ketcham on Monday. “That is important to the Planning Commission because it is on a scenic road.”

Additional plans are unveiled for police station

Written by Susan Wolf
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 14:26

Plans for a proposed two-story addition to the police department were unveiled at Monday’s selectmen’s meeting. The project does not include the renovation of the existing building.

The addition would be paid for with a $500,000 state STEAP grant. It would be constructed at the back of the existing building. Each floor would have 1,000 square feet with the top floor for separate male and female locker and bathroom facilities, plus a small area for exercise equipment. The bottom floor would provide a prisoner detention and a processing area that is separated from two holding cells. The two cells would be separated by sight as required by state law and one would be handicap accessible. There would be a separate outside entrance at grade level to this area, which would be accessible only to police staff.

Board approves 2.76% increase

Written by Liz Skalka
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 13:59

The Region 9 Board of Education adopted a 2.76% increase over its current operating budget Tuesday night, amounting to an almost palindromic budget number of $21,212,212 for the 2010-11 school year.

The board’s vote was unanimous to bring down the administrators’ starting point at a 4% increase to the lower number. The budget may still be changed up until the April 5 Region 9 hearing. In May, it will go to referendums in Redding and Easton. To be approved, it will require a majority of the combined vote of Redding and Easton voters.