School board members Sharon D’Orso, Fran Walton and Mike Taylor chatted before Saturday morning’s budget hearing.

Gaps in staffing and special education services, cracks in the once-great Ridgefleld’s public schools’ foundation of curriculum, staff development and teacher training — these are the problems to be addressed by a proposed 6% spending increase, speakers at Saturday’s school budget hearing argued.

“While I recognize this budget is higher than in years past, it is not an extravagant or padded budget,” said Kerry Hanlon of Ledges Road.

The 6% budget increase addresses “gaps” in basic infrastructure and staffing, she said, not a venture in ambitious new programs.

“Personally, I’d love to see robotics, coding, and more mental health support,” she added. “…This is a budget that gets us where we need to be to grow.”

“We need to remember that we want to support the future. Our children are our future,” said Suzanne Sherter of Haviland Road. “Yes, we were great. We are not great any more. We have cracks in our foundation…

“This budget fill in the cracks in our foundation,” she said.

There were a couple of dissenting voices that questioned new School Superintendent Karen Baldwin’s proposal for a 6.16% increase that would bring school spending $5.3 million to $91,378,000..

“I have no idea how the school board can possibly approve a budget that’s up over 6% year on year,” said Steve Jameson of West Mountain Road.

“As far as I know, the economy is not growing 6% a year. Inflation is not growing 6% a year…

“If you approve this budget, our taxes will be going up 5, 6%,” he said.

“We all know Ridgefield Schools are already great. I urge the board to go back and reconsider this budget.”

But not everyone agreed Ridgefield Schools are the great educational institutions they’re cracked up to be.

“At one point they were great, but times have changed,” said Melissa Jackson of Deer Hill Drive.

“Dr. Baldwin has come in with fresh eyes and seen we’re not so great and we need to make some changes so we can be great again,” she said.

Even a Board of Education member, Tracey O’Connor, lined up with the notion that the Ridgefield’s schools don’t live up to the reputation they’ve built up.

“You said we already have a great school system,” she said, in board discussion at the end of the  hearing. Well, obviously, we don’t.”  

About 40 people attended the school budget public hearing Saturday morning, Feb. 20, though they didn’t look like much of a crowd in auditorium of Scotts Ridge Middle School auditorium. Thirteen people spoke, with budget supporters outnumbering critics 11-to-2.

Overall, the hearing was strongly in support of the budget request that Superintendent Karen Baldwin outlined in a shortened presentation.

“What’s driving our work is an adaptive challenge to meet the needs of all children in a chaning global society,” Baldwin said.

To thrive in the world they are growing into, children need the skills of “communication, problem solving and critical thinking,” Baldwin said.

She outlined her request for new staffing equivalent to 12 full time positions — including a special education teacher and five special education paraprofessionals.

Overall, staff additions accounts for $588,000, according to Baldwin’s budget powerpoint. New “certified” staff — those requiring education credentials, such as teachers and administrators — are adding $260,000. New non-certified staff — the five paraprofessionals, a new custodian, a webmaster — would add about $328,000.

Much of the total cost increase is in salary and benefits. A new teachers’ contract awarded the schools’ largest union group an increase of 3.69% next year, part of settlement that give teachers 9.75% over three years.

And employee benefits will cost about $17 million, Baldwin said — $12 million of it for health insurance.

Eighty-one percent of our budget is dedicated to people and employee benefits,” Baldwin said.

“Continuous improvement initiatives” in her budget include: K-12 curriculum revision and curriculum mapping; increased training for teacher in “responsive classroom” techniques — that help build students’ social skills —  from kindergarten through eighth grade; “job-embedded professional leanring” so teachers receive training in the context of their own classrooms; improvements in digital learning and assistive technology, and a “leadership restructuring” that creates a new K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)

supervisor, and a new K-12 humanities supervisor — while adding only about $8,000 in cost due to offsetting cuts in the reorganization scheme.

Thanks to the Board of Education’s effort to keep down costs and have employee share in the expenses such as the insurance premiums, Baldwin said, the total for health insurance is still less than the budget in 2011-12 sought.

Most speakers supported the budget, some passionately.

“I’ve carried this budget in my purse. I”ve taken this budget to dinner parties,” said Rayda Krell of Wooster Heights Drive.

She’s studied the $91 million request closely, Krell said, looking for unreasonable requests.

“I don’t see any golden toilets in this budget,” she said.

“I hope the board approves this budget in its entirety. I hope we, as voters, will be given the opportunity to vote on this budget.”

Pam Banks of Nutmeg Ridge was one of several speakers who thought Dr. Baldwin deserved support for her first request after a top to bottom review on zero-based budgeting principles. In the following years, the results of Dr. Baldwin’s initiatives could be measured and judged.

“We hired Dr Baldwin to take us to the next level,” she said. “…We need to start at a place we can build upon.”

She was also one of several speakers to back the budget’s emphasis on better serving special needs students.

“I appreciate the focus on all students — that’s absolutely critical,” Banks said.

Christine Moore of Scotts Ridge Road noted that she had a son in third grade and had taught special education in nearby New York State for 20 years.

“I commend Dr. Baldwin for this budget, which really speaks to the needs of every child,” she said.

“Every dollar she laid out is going to be well-spent.”

Steve Cole was the second speaker to oppose the budget increase, joining Steve Jameson.

“There’s not a school district we’ve seen in the last five years where they had a budget increase of 6%,” he said.

Seniors haven’t had a COLA increase in three of the last four years, Cole said.

“You’re not going to be able to keep the seniors, or other moderate income people, with a budget like this,” he said.

Kaitlyn Fox, a student, rose to join the adults and speak briefly at the hearing.

“Please support the budget,” she said.

“The changes we must make to our special ed program are legal obligations,” said Stephanie Anderson of Barrack Hill Road.

If the town and school fails to straighten out the problems with special education, she warned, there will be lawsuits, and the costs of losing legal battles.

“We will be sorely reminded of our neglect,” she said.

The theme of problems in adequately serving special education students was picked up in the school board discussion that followed the public’s comments on the budget.

The schools have a legal obligation to provide the services called for in individual education plans that are drawn up for special education students by their planning and placement teams, said board member Tracey O’Connor.

“We’re accountable,” she said.

“We’ve had parents coming through talking to us about the deficiencies in what they were receiving,” said Chairwoman Fran Walton said, prompting a report by consultants on the special education program

“It was not easy to hear,” she said.

The school system is on track to pay $1.2 million this year in settlements of special education cases — money that mostly goes to pay for Ridgefield students to be educated at out-of-district schools that the legal process determines would offer a more appropriate education, though some of the money goes to lawyers.

Last year, special ed settlements were $1.4 million she added.

“I think that’s immoral. We need to address that,” Walton said.

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Author and curator Raymond Foye and artist Steve DiBenedetto will discuss Evidence of Everything, the current exhibit at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 3 to 4:30.

Evidence of Everything is DiBenedetto’s first major solo museum exhibition.

Foye, a publisher, editor, writer, and curator, has lived in New York’s Chelsea Hotel since 1979 and has studied film with Stan Brakhage at the Art Institute of Chicago. He also serves as literary executor for John Wieners, James Schuyler and Rene Ricard.

Evidence of Everything, part of the exhibition series Painting in Four Takes, is on view at the Aldrich until April 3.

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Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure, or hypertension, are four times more likely to die from a stroke and three times more likely to die from heart disease than people with normal blood pressure. This February Heart Month, the CDC and Million Hearts — a national effort to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the United States by 2017 — are encouraging Americans to know their blood pressure, and if it’s high, to “make control their goal.”

High blood pressure often shows no signs or symptoms, which is why having your blood pressure checked regularly is so important. You can have your blood pressure screened at your doctor’s office, at one of RVNA’s free blood pressure clinics, or at RVNA’s upcoming Health and Wellness Fair on April 9, or check it at home yourself using a home blood pressure cuff.

If you do know you have high blood pressure, here are some steps to take to help get it under control: 1) ask your health care provider what it should be, and set a goal.  Track your BP over time and record it on a card or app.  2) Take your BP medicine as directed. Set reminders to take it at the same time each day.  If you need some assistance with remembering or paying for medication, talk to your health care team.  3) Quit smoking, and if you don’t smoke, don’t start.  4) Reduce your sodium intake. Most people consume too much sodium, which can raise blood pressure. 5) Practice stress reduction techniques, such as relaxation exercises, meditation, and yoga. Managing stress can lower your risk of hypertension along with helping to prevent other health problems.

For more information on high blood pressure and heart health, these websites have great tips, articles, and recipes: cdc.gov/bloodpressure and millionhearts.hhs.gov/.

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Talking Transportation is a bi-weekly column written by Jim Cameron.

Each week, dozens of people ride Metro-North for the first time. This week’s column is to let both new and veteran commuters in on the secrets of a successful rail commute.

Parking: You can’t take the train if you can’t get to the station, so invest in your commuting future by getting your name on your town’s (and neighboring towns’) waiting list for annual parking permits. In four or five years, when your name rises to the top of the list, you’ll thank yourself. Meantime, opt for legal day-parking, find a friend to ride to the station with, or try biking. There are free bike racks at most stations.

Platform positioning: There’s a science to deciding where on the platform to wait for your train. Many commuters position themselves at the front or rear of the train for a quick getaway when they arrive in Grand Central. Contrarian that I am, I tend toward the center of the train because that’s where there’s a better chance of getting a seat.

Finding a seat: Believe me … your commute will be a lot better seated than standing. Seats are in short supply, so here’s the strategy. As your train pulls in, scan the cars that pass you and see how the passenger load looks. As the doors open, move quickly inside, eyeball your target seat and get there fast. Put your carry-ons in the overhead rack and sit down. If you hesitate, you’re toast and will be a standee.

On trains leaving Grand Central you may be able to get onboard up to 20 minutes before departure. Take a window or aisle seat on the three-seat side. The middle seat next to you will be the last to be filled.

Standee strategy: If you didn’t get a seat on boarding, don’t give up. A few people on most trains get off in Stamford, so look for them and position yourself to get their seat before it gets cold. Here’s the secret: intermediate passengers have seat checks with a tear down the middle or a torn corner. Look for them and just before Stamford, position yourself near their row and, bingo, you’ve got a seat!

Tickets: Do not make the mistake of boarding a train without a ticket, or you’ll get hit with up to a $6.50 penalty for buying a ticket on the train with cash. But if you’re thrifty, don’t buy a ticket from a ticket window or ticket machine. No, the cheapest tickets are available only online, at www.mta.info. Go for the 10-trip tickets for an additional discount.

On-board etiquette: Train time is not “your own” time but shared time. So be considerate of your fellow commuters. Don’t hog empty seats … use the overhead racks. Keep your feet off the seats. If you must use your cell phone, go to the vestibule. Be like the Boy Scouts: Anything you carry onto the train (including newspapers, coffee cups, etc.) carry off the train and dispose of properly.

If you’ve got your own “secrets” for a successful commute, send them along and I’ll include them in upcoming columns. Just email me at CommuterActionGroup@gmail.com.

Jim Cameron is founder of the Commuter Action Group and a member of the Darien RTM. The opinions expressed in this column are only his own. You can reach him at CommuterActionGroup@gmail.com. For a full collection of Talking Transportation columns, see www.talkingtransportation.blogspot.com.http://CommuterActionGroup@gmail.com

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John Katz had perfect attendance at planning and zoning meetings.

A flat 6% state income tax was proposed 25 years ago by Gov. Lowell Weicker as one way of dealing with the state’s $2.4-billion budget deficit, the Feb. 14, 1991, Press reported.

The deficit and the slowed economy also prompted Weicker to propose cuts that would reduce Ridgefield’s state school aid by $1 million.

Despite the slow economy, Ridgefield’s $2 billion tax base had increased by 1.5% in the past year, Assessor Al Garzi reported. Garzi called the increase, which was bigger than the previous year’s, “a healthy number, especially compared to what’s going on across the state.”

Someone stole the American flag from the flagpole in front of town hall. “I just think it’s disgusting,” said First Selectman Sue Manning. “I think there are certain things which should be sacred and that’s one of them.”

A POW/MIA flag also on the pole had been tossed into nearby bushes.

Alex Santini, restaurateur, caterer and liquor store owner, died at the age of 76.

Charles Creamer, perfect attendance at ZBA.

A survey by The Press found town officials attended 91% of their meetings in 1990. Perfect attendance was registered by Sue Manning and Peter Yanity, selectmen; F. Paul “Fibber” Biagiotti, Barbara Polacek and Wayne Tinker, Parks and Recreation Commission; John Katz and Jeremy Wilmot, Planning and Zoning Commission; Charles Creamer, Zoning Board of Appeals; Joan Plock and Joseph Sweeney, Board of Education; Raymond Hastings and Treat Walker, Police Commission; and Jan Hogeboom and Patrick Reville, Board of Finance.

The RHS girls basketball team clinched its first-ever FCIAC East basketball title, beating Stamford. “These kids worked hard all year and they deserve it,” said coach Jim Muraski. The team included Flo Stueck, Keri O’Loughlin, Kathy Hoeft, Darcie Coleman, and Suzanne Mumby.

Writer Mark Salzman, who grew up in Ridgefield, had a new novel out, The Laughing Sutra, which The New York Times called “odd and beguiling.” Iron and Silk, his popular book about his experiences teaching in China, had just been made into a movie, starring Mr. Salzman himself.

50 years ago

The school board and the teachers agreed to a new, two-year salary schedule that provided a $350 increase in the first year and $250 in the second, the Feb. 17, 1966, Press reported. The new maximum salary would be $11,895 in the first year and $12,220 in the next, compared to the previous maximum of $11,400. The current starting pay was $5,300.

A scholarship at Ridgefield High School was established in the memory of Fred Grossfeld, a 19-year-old Ridgefield student at MIT who was found dead in Boston’s Charles River a week earlier. He had been missing since November, sparking a nationwide search. “The general opinion of police and others seems to be that Fred took his own life,” said Israel Grossfeld, his father. “I am absolutely certain that this could not be true. Fred was a victim of foul play.”

Alex Santini was pictured on the front page serving food at the Community Center’s Crystal Ball to Mrs. John O’Gorman Lane, Mrs. Donald Hawkins, Mrs. Joseph Milardo, and Dr. Lane.

Varian Fry of Farmingville Road was subject of a long feature in Parade, the Sunday newspaper supplement, about his work in World War II rescuing Jewish artists and writers, including Marc Chagall, from the Nazis. Fry was working on his seventh book, which was about the Trojan War.

Herbert Knortz was elected senior vice president of ITT, in addition to being comptroller of the corporation.

The 1966 American Motors Rambler was touted  as being “the lowest-priced car made in the U.S.A.” in a Georgetown Motors ad that, alas, gave no prices. It did say the car got 24.5 miles per gallon, though. —J.S.

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Petko Dimitrov

In spite of record-setting cold weather, a sizeable audience turned out last Saturday at Ridgefield’s Anne S. Richardson Auditorium to welcome back former Ridgefield Symphony Assistant Conductor Petko Dimitrov as the evening’s guest conductor. A trained musicologist as well as a sensitive musician and an impressive conductor, Dimitrov led his musicians in skillfully rehearsed, well-conceived, and often powerful interpretations of three masterworks: Richard Wagner’s Overture to Der fliegende Holländer, Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 in C major, and Nicolai Rimski-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

Dimitrov was masterful in his shaping and control of the alternating drama and lyricism in both the Wagner overture and the Schumann symphony, and the orchestra consistently and sensitively responded to his direction to give musical voice to his interpretations. All of the dramatic force and underlying lyricism of Wagner’s music came through, as did the myriad moods of Schumann’s symphony. In both interpretation and playing, the two performances provided a high level of listening enjoyment.

No matter how many times one hears it, Rimski-Korsakov’s colorful Scheherazade is always a treat, and Dimitrov’s interpretation brought it to life. The music itself is always delightful, of course; and although a couple of woodwind intonation problems prevented a continuation of the near perfection of the program’s first half, there were myriad wonderful highlights. The principal cellist was especially fine in his several solo spots, for instance, and Concertmaster Jorge Avila was beyond terrific as the musical voice of Scheherazade herself. The Ridgefield Symphony is very fortunate to have Mr. Avila on board. At the end of what was, all in all, a splendid concert, Mr. Avila (as well as the orchestra as a whole) received the sort of enthusiastic standing ovation they deserved.

As a reminder for RSO audiences, the orchestra’s next “classical” concert (set for March 5) will be held at the Wilton High School auditorium, 395 Danbury Road (Route 7) in Wilton.

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L& L Transmedia, in partnership with the Ridgefield Library, will continue the Learn Through Film series this winter with a focus on 2016 election topics. The purpose of the series is to build community by inviting discussion about legal, political and moral issues. Three winter screenings at the Ridgefield Library will feature films followed by a moderated conversation. Topics to be covered are the economy, immigration and global terrorism. The next film in the series is an award-winning 1964 film by Elia Kazan that depicts the story of one immigrant’s dream. This will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. Moderators will be Richard Land and Fran Pennarola, attorneys at law of Chipman Mazzucco, and WCSU political science Professor Matthew Dabro, Ph.D.

For the film title and to register: ridgefieldlibrary.org or 203-438-2282.

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Ridgefield Academy students at the hunger banquet.

When students at Ridgefield Academy entered the lunchroom a few weeks ago, half of them were made to sit on the floor and were given small portions of rice and water for lunch. Most of the other half were given rice and beans, and only 15% were given a well-balanced meal.

It was all to let them experience global food and nutrition disparity firsthand and was part of the school’s third annual Oxfam Hunger Banquet.

At lunchtime, students entered the dining area and drew tickets assigning them to an income tier — high, middle or low — that reflected the latest global statistics on the number of people living in poverty. Children with high-income-level tickets ate with utensils; low-income ticket holders ate with their hands.

“We dedicated an entire day to the ‘learning’ aspect of service learning for this program,” said Kate Howell, Ridgefield Academy’s service learning coordinator. “In addition to taking a look at global hunger, we had speakers from the Connecticut Food Bank come and do sessions for all students, grades four through eight, that centered around hunger on a local level. We also addressed nutrition and health facts faced by those who experience food insecurity. All students watched the movie A Place at the Table, participated in the Hunger Banquet and a few advisory sessions … and created a square word-art ‘patch’ that is now on display outside of our dining area.”

“I felt sad and angry, knowing that people have to live this way every day,” said one student with a low-income ticket. Others explained that the experience made them realize how lucky they were to “come home to a meal every day.”

At the end of the program, students received a healthy snack to ensure that they were well nourished for their afternoon activities.

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Sherri Daley

“Let’s do this over-60 thing together,” proclaims Sherri Daley, co-author of the book, What We Talk About When We’re Over 60. The book is an anthology of essays written by “women who have been around…long enough to have something intelligent, funny, bawdy or deeply moving to say,” says Daley. One reviewer wrote, “This book is like having a fabulous pajama party with your best girlfriends — sharing the poignant stories that changed your lives. You’ll laugh and cry…and be inspired.”

You’ll have a chance to hear some of these stories at Founders Hall on Friday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. Daley, along with five of the book’s contributing writers, will read their essays on topics ranging from lost loves to parenting to obsessions and gender roles. “We think that you, especially if you’re a woman over 60, will laugh and cry and maybe gasp at these funny, enlightening and bawdy tales because they’ll remind you of your life,” says Daley. And, because she believes that we are the stories that we tell, she will give you, as an audience member, the opportunity to share a story of something that changed everything for you, whether it surprised you or made you laugh, filled you with regret or made you proud.

This event is free and open to the public, so bring your friends to listen, enjoy, reminisce and maybe even share your own story.

Seminar: Gardening, Getting a Head Start on Spring, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1:30 p.m.

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The Fairfield Museum and History Center invites the public to submit photographs to the eighth annual IMAGES 2016 photography competition, which celebrates the exceptional work of talented regional photographers.

A jury will select approximately 50 photographs for exhibition at the Fairfield Museum from May 14 to June 27, 2016. Two grand prize winners will be selected and prizes include an exhibition at the Southport Galleries and a professional portfolio review. The categories are Landscape, Portrait, Architecture, Nature and Abstract.

Artists must reside in CT, NY, RI, or MA and may submit up to 10 images under one of two categories: Professional/Serious Amateur or Student (active student under 24 years of age). Photos must depict reality and cannot be manipulated to add or subtract major elements that alter that reality. All competition entries must be submitted online. For complete entry details and to submit your photographs, go to:  http://www.fairfieldhistory.org/exhibitions-2/images/

All entries must be received by 9 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2016. Works selected by the judges must be delivered to the Fairfield Museum for exhibition no later than 3 p.m., Monday, May 2, 2016. The entry fees are as follows. Professional/Serious Amateur: $10 per image; Students: $5 per image.

The IMAGES 2016 exhibition will feature the photographs of Jack Delano, who documented farm and city life in Connecticut for the Farm Security Administration. In rare early color photographs as well as black-and-white images, Delano captured views of Connecticut as it recovered from the Great Depression, showing views of farmers, factory workers, and commuters.

The exhibition and contest is made possible with the generous support of Southport Galleries and VENU Magazine. We also thank Fairfield University’s IT Department for their generous assistance in hosting the IMAGES website.

A view of the old sea town, Stonington, CT. Jack Delano (Nov. 1940).

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Bids to operate the restaurant at the town golf course will be reviewed by the selectmen at a meeting Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 5 in the town hall’s lower level conference room.

The two finalists, both associated with local barbeque businesses, are Chris Sexton of Hoo Doo Brown Barbeque and Marshall Odeen of Odeen Barbeque.

The previous operator of the golf course restaurant, Henry Seemann, did not submit a bid, according to Tyrrell.

The two bids will reviewed by the Board of Selectmen, together with a recommendation from the town Golf Committee.

Initially the golf committee had three bidders, and narrowed them down to two, committee chairman Ed Tyrrell told the selectmen at their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 17.

“They’re both good in different ways, but neither is bad,” Tyrrell said.

“We’re going to get what we want from either of them.”

Thirty people from “13 different entities” attended a “walk through” at the golf course facility on Feb. 4, but only three had submitted proposals, Tyrrell said, and the committee had gotten that down to two through interviews.

Tyrrell told the selectmen that the committee was very straight with bidders about the expectations and limits of the golf course concession.

The concession went out to bid because the previous operator didn’t live up to committee expectations for being open early to offer fresh coffee and egg sandwiches starting a half hour before the first tee times — which vary through the season depending on daylight.

“They both know the morning is non-negotiable,” Tyrrell said of the bidders.

And because the golf course is in a residential zone in Ridgebury, there are zoning limits on when the golf course concession can be open — basically, only to serve golfers, during the season.

“We didn’t attempt to sugar-coat it,” Tyrrell told the selectmen. “It’s not a full restaurant. It’s not going to be a restaurant in January. It’s not going to be a restaurant in the evening.”

One of the bidders asked if the zoning might get changed, and the committee said, “You shouldn’t plan on that,” Tyrrell said.

In a previous discussion, the selectmen and Tyrrell had agreed that in reviewing bids the town’s goal wasn’t so much to make money from the arrangement with a food provider, but to protect the more than $1 million in annual revenue from the golf course by assuring there’s a food concession there that serves their needs well.

The food concession is expected to be up and running by April 1 when the course is projected to be open, and Tyrrell said both bidders could do that — although a liquor license might take a little longer.

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Fairfield University (Wikicommons).

Students at Fairfield University apparently hosted a “ghetto party” sometime last weekend, said to have included racist costumes and stereotypes.

Fairfield University acknowledged the party in a short press release Monday.

“Fairfield University has learned that over the weekend, students who currently live off-campus allegedly hosted a culturally insensitive party at one of the residences. University administration is working with students and diversity officers to investigate the incident.”

The racially insensitive party, and subsequent images, were first brought to the public’s attention by community advocate and freelance journalist Mercy A. Quaye, of New Haven.

“The requested attire to the party was to come in your most ghetto attire,” she told HAN Network Monday afternoon, referencing conversations with Fairfield University students. “[They were told to] dress as black people and Spanish people holding forties. Some were in brown face. Some [appeared] pregnant, while smoking cigarettes.”

One unverified image showed a student dressed as pregnant women holding a cigarette with the caption “who’s the daddy??? Anyone’s guess.”

Another unverified screenshot that appears to come from a Facebook group titled Fairfield University Class of 2017 shows one student, Dan Radel, writing sarcastically about backlash against the “ghetto party” he attended.

“I wore a hot dog costume to this party and now feel that my actions have caused emotional harm to all of the hot dog community. Specifically I would like to apologize to Mr. Oscar Meyer as I did not mean to portray your weiner in a negative fashion,” one part of the post reads.

Radel ended his post with the hashtags #hotdogsmatter, and #peopledont, both apparent references to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Quaye said she was tipped off to the party’s theme by a friend who knows she is passionate about black culture and stories which speak to race relations.

“What this shows us is that we all have a little more work to do, around what’s appropriate when it comes to race,” Quaye said.

While not an excuse for the party’s theme, Quaye said sensitivity to racial differences can be easier for people of color to understand and practice, she said, because they live in a social structure which demands it.

“It is easy for people of color to understand these concepts and practice sensitivity, because they do it every day,” she said. “Its called code-switching. It’s the idea that anyone, not just someone of color, would have to alter their personality or culture to fit in. For instance, minority groups often drop very important parts of their cultural identity to fit in an academic setting.”

Quaye said she hopes for a real-world response to the incident from Fairfield University, rather than the “run-of-the-mill” response.

“We see this behavior on a lot of campuses, and there is typically a run-of-the-mill response and statement stating the university will launch an investigation into the event and the school’s culture.

“But, what would satisfy me, is if the university implemented a curriculum that was mandatory for all students. [Fairfield needs] a course focused on race. A freshman-seminar type course would satisfy me. We have been going in the right direction, but some of these steps at a lot of universities can be taken a lot more boldly.”

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Arguments for and against allowing bicycles on the rail trail again filled the town hall meeting room, as 21 people spoke on the subject Wednesday night, Feb. 17, in the Board of Selectmen’s second public hearing on the topic.

“I use the rail trail a lot for walking, jogging, I’d love the opportunity to ride my bike on it,” said Craig Borders. “I’d ride my bike down to take the train to work.”

Tom Elliott spoke for preserving the rail trail as it is currently enjoyed by walkers and runners, without bicycles and the environmentally disruptive safety improvements that allowing them would require.

“It’s a jewel. It’s a zoo without walls, It’s an aviary without screens,” he said.

Wednesday night’s testimony broke down as 13 in favor of allowing bikes on a “multi-use” rail trail, eight opposed to allowing bikes and in favor of keeping the trail exclusively for pedestrians — strollers, joggers, runners, dog-walkers. One speaker offered observations but didn’t take a clear side.

That follows an initial public hearing on Saturday, Feb. 6, when 27 people spoke, with 16 in favor of bikes, seven opposed and four raising questions and concerns without taking a clear stand.

The selectmen made no decision on the proposed licensing agreement that has been worked out with the trail owner, the utility Eversource, that would allow bikes. First Selectman Rudy Marconi said he’d put the item on the selectmen’s discussion agenda for their next regular meeting, Wednesday. March 9.

“We sat here a day and a night,, listening to all the concerns people have. Now we have to do our due diligence,” Marconi said.

He noted that Selectwoman Barbara Manners, who couldn’t attend the meeting, had suggested putting the contentious question on the May referendum ballot.

“It seems to me, that while the Board of Selectmen clearly has the authority to make the decision, our practice in the last few decades at least, has been to give as many residents as possible a voice in those types of decisions,” Manners said in an email to her colleagues. “I would urge you all to let this question go to referendum so we can really hear from as many residents as possible.”

“There were a lot of great comments on both sides tonight,” said Selectman Bob Hebert.

“There’s a lot of great questions that have to be answered, both technical and legal.”

Wednesday night’s hearing showed the broad division in public opinion on the matter.

Dave Ulmer said he’s run on rail trail probably 100 times a year for the last two years, sometimes with his small dog on a leash.

Most of the “multi-use” rail trails he’d seen elsewhere are paved, with a dirt path alongside — to accommodate both bikes and pedestrians,” he said. But allowing the two together on Ridgefield’s cinder-topped trail didn’t make sense to him.

“Especially from behind, bikes can come up quickly,” Ulmer said. “The presence of bike is, to me, running with my dog … not an acceptable risk.

“I’m not worried about kids,” he added. “I’m worried about mountain bikes, and groups of mountain bikes.”

Sean Dowd, who owns the Ridgefield Bicycle Company with his wife — Jacqui Dowd, the head the LINC committee that is studying the rail trail conversion — said opponents were mistaken to envision it being used by large numbers of mountain bikers and long-range road bikers. Hard core bicycelists wouldn’t be that interested in a two mile trail with a moderate grade, in his opinion.

“It’s families, it’s kids, it’s seniors, it’s new riders,” he said.

Dowd added he was an adviser to the Ridgefield Special Olympics Bicycle Team, which could make good use of the trail.

“They’re always looking for a place to ride,” he said.

Devon Pettitt said he had a three-year-old and a five-year-old who were learning to ride bikes, and the rail trail would be good place to ride for their home on Danbury Road to the village center.

“I see it as a safe way to get from my section of town to downtown for a hamburger,” he said.

Brad Gomer thought the trial should be left as it is.

“I like the soft surface for a walk. It’s one of the few places in town you can walk without walking on a paved road,” he said “…It’s a park-like setting. It’s a precious environmental thing,” he said.

He thought the money that would be spent upgrading the rail trail to be safe for bikes might be better used completing another leg of the planned eventual multi-use path, between the Recreation Center property and Farmingville Road through Great Swamp to the vicinity of the recycling center and Goodwill trailer — allowing the ‘coach home’ developers on the Schlumberger property to carry the connection between Old Quarry Road and Sunset Lane near Quail Ridge.

“I don’t see why we have to destroy the rail trail as it is now, when we can use the money to do this thing from the rec center ot the recycling center in its stead.”

Back when the rail trail was train tracks, Mitch Ancona said, his father used to take the train from Branchville to the center of town to see a movie.

He his kids, aged 12 and 7, and he’d love to be able to bicycle to town on the trail with them.

“Do I dare dream of riding up the rail trail to town to see a movie at The Prospector?” Ancona said.

“I’m pro ‘bikes on the rail trail’ — I think we can all get along.”

Bill Doty wondered why the town would make the change.

“I think the rail trail is an asset to the town — it’s two and a half miles of a nice walk.,” he said. “…I don’t see why you should assume the added cost and liability.”

Bob Roth thought Ridgefield should follow the example of other communities that have managed to create multi-use trails enjoyed by pedestrians and bicyclists.

“We’re going to have pros and cons. All these other towns figure it out,” said Roth.

He added that a decision to allow bikes could be reversed if it became clear it wasn’t working.

“My thought is: Give it a shot, put bikes on the trail. If it doesn’t work — simple strike of the pen.”

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Monday’s Nutmeg Sports begins with Donald Eng returning from vacation to join Rob Adams and catch up on things in the world of sports. The playoffs have begun in girls basketball, and the semifinals are set, following Saturday’s quarterfinal games.

HAN Network will have the girls semifinal games on Tuesday night from Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Rob will call the play-by-play, as Stamford takes on Trumbull, and Ridgefield plays Warde. The girls hockey semis will be on the HAN Network on Wednesday.

Jay DeVito of the Stamford Black Knights joins Rob and Don to talk about the basketball team. The Knights have a big game against Fairfield Ludlowe tonight, along with playoff action on the way. Jay is known as “Jimmer.” Where did he get that nickname from?

A few Nutmeg National Nuggets come along, including a nod to Linda Cohn of ESPN for hosting her 5000th edition of SportsCenter (Rob and Don have a ways to go).

The HAN Network, formerly known as Hersam Acorn Newspapers, is the exclusive FCIAC broadcast partner through the spring of 2018. HAN Network’s broadcasting division replaced HANRadio.com with a new focus on live video streams of high school athletics along with the Network’s news and lifestyle programming.

To advertise on the HAN Network broadcasts, click here for package options.

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Jan Giegler

State Representative Janice R. Giegler (R-138) has announced that she will not seek re-election as state representative for the 138th District in the Connecticut General Assembly representing Danbury, New Fairfield and Ridgefield for the 2017-18 session.

Rep. Geigler’s District includes northern Ridgebury — she represents voters in Ridgefield who live north of George Washington Highway.

“Deciding not to run for re-election as state representative has been an emotional decision, and not one I undertook lightly,” Rep. Giegler said. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of the 138th District for the past 14 years.”

Rep. Giegler was first elected in 2002, and was re-elected to her seventh term in 2014.

“The opportunity to run initially for political office was presented to me quite unexpectedly by former State Senator David Cappiello,” she said. “Little did I know that that decision would begin one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life,” Rep. Giegler said.

In the General Assembly, she most recently was named as the House Republican Whip for the 2015-16 session by House Republican Leader Themis Klarides. She also served as a House Republican Leader and as the former Ranking Member on the Public Safety & Security Committee, Public Health Committee, Executive & Legislative Nominations Committee and House Chair of the Select Committee on Internships. Currently, she serves on the Transportation Committee, Public Safety & Security Committee, Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee and Internship Committee.

“One of the most important roles as a legislator is to be accessible to your constituents and to be their advocate,” Rep. Giegler said. “I appreciate each person who took the time to reach out to me, whether in support or against legislation brought before us or one who needed assistance in navigating the state

system to resolve an issue.”

Rep. Giegler has been an advocate for Western Healthcare Network joining her colleagues in gaining approval for advanced cardiac care and bringing dollars to Regional Hospice and Ann’s Place; working to get the Danbury Public Schools a greater share of state education dollars and securing dollars for school-based health centers; at Western Connecticut State University working to secure bonding dollars for facilities such as the new Performing Arts Building; and securing bonding for Richter Park and the War Memorial in support of veterans.

STEAP grants were also awarded to New Fairfield’s library, streetscape and Senior Center, and to the Town of Ridgefield.

Rep. Giegler also championed the reinstatement of the state police dispatch center at Southbury’s Troop A in Southbury. Rep Giegler was granted approval for transportation projects in the Danbury area and has opposed each proposal for border tolls and casinos.

During her tenure, Rep. Giegler was involved in a variety of community and service organizations such as the YMCA task force and Danbury Homelessness task force and as a member of Women in Government as a state director. She currently serves as a major in the Civil Air Patrol’s Ct Legislative Squadron and on the Danbury Chamber Women’s Business Council.

Though she will no longer be serving as state representative, her commitment to public service will continue in her role as the elected Town Clerk for the City of Danbury.

“Being a state representative has been a job like no other,” Rep. Giegler said. “There is no way to prepare for the fast-paced, demanding environment you have to immediately perform in, but it’s a commitment which I have truly enjoyed and where there is camaraderie among peers and where integrity, hard work and common sense count.  It’s a job I will miss very much.

I have to thank my family for accepting the days and hours I was away from home, the friends who supported my efforts through the years and the Greater Danbury area legislative delegation and the collaborative efforts that allowed us to accomplish so much for our community,” Rep. Giegler said.

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Mike Raduazzo

Former school board member Mike Raduazzo edged out veteran spending critic Ed Tyrrell for the vacant seat on the Board of Finance.

“It’s something that’s in me,” Raduazzo told finance board members when asked why he wanted to serve with them after four years on the school board.

“I enjoy coming out and talking about the issues, talking about the finances,” he said.

“It’s definitely an opportunity to give back to a community which I get so much from. It’s an opportunity to be a part of what makes the town great.”

Tyrrell shared his perspective from years as the town’s leading board-watcher.

“I think I really understand the issues,” he said. “I come to a lot of meetings. I’m a dedicated observer of things.”

Raduazzo takes over for Republican Jill Bornstein, who resigned after her husband’s employer, GE, announced it was moving from Fairfield to Boston.

The vote Tuesday night, Feb. 16, was 2-to-1. Raduazzo got votes from two Democrats he’d run against when seeking a seat on the finance board in the November election — Dave Ulmer and Jessica Mancini. Republican Marty Heiser supported Tyrrell, but expressed high regard for both candidates.

“I know both these gentlemen. I know their contributions to the town. They’re both friends of mine,” Heiser said.

He highlighted Raduazzo’s contributions helping negotiate contracts that substantially reduced health school insurance costs.

But he appreciated Tyrrell’s role as government watchdog and voice for taxpayers’ concerns.

“Ed, I appreciate his candor, his views,” Heiser said, adding “He attends all these meetings!”

“Ed is always at all the meetings,” Mancini agreed. She note the observations he shares. “I love his emails to us.”

But she valued Raduazzo’s “background on the Board of Ed” and the deep knowledge of the school budget he would bring to the finance board.

Ulmer thought it was important that Raduazzo had run for the board in the last election.

“You did run on a platform and presented it to the voters,” he said.

It may have come down to the two candidates’ ideological outlooks. Both were asked how they’d compare themselves “philosophically” to Bornstein.

“I had a lot discussions with Jill over the years,” said Raduazzo. “I’d say I’m in line with Jill.”

Tyrrell replied: “I would say I’m probably a little farther to the right than Jill. I’m a little more conservative on spending issues. I’m a little more conservative than her — not wildly more conservative.”

He got the one Republican vote, while Raduazzo got the two Democrats.

The board’s fourth member, Democrat Paul Sutherland, wasn’t at the meeting.

After the vote Tyrrell shook Raduazzo’s hand.

“While I’m disappointed,” he said after the meeting, “I’m sure Mike Raduazzo is going to do a fine job.”

In the interview Raduazzo had emphasized his four years on the school board and his work on its finance sub-committee.

“I looked on my role with the Board of Education as primarily oversight and governance over $86 million,” Raduazzo said.

“I’ve always been an objective person. I’ve always asked the tough questions,” he said.

Raduazzo also recalled working with other town officials.

“We haven’t always agreed on everything,” he said. “I think what I brought to the table is I’ve been collaborative with the Board of Finance, the Board of Selectmen, to help bring together these last four years of very low tax increases.”

Raduazzo has worked more than 30 years in corporate finance with companies including Diageo, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Pfizer. He’s currently with AIG.

He’s lived in Ridgefield for 13 years and has three children, a sixth grader at St. Mary’s, a fourth grader at Veterans Park, and one in college.

After Tuesday night’s vote he paid tribute to Bornstein.

“She brought an awful lot to the town,” he said. “It’s going to be a big chair to fill.”

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Are your kids looking for something fun to do during their spring break? They’ll love Ridgefield Parks & Recreation’s Spring Break Camp for children ages 3 to 12. Camp is held from Monday, April 18 to Friday, April 22. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Justine Butler Tennis Courts located behind Yanity Gym. It includes tennis, golf, capture the flag, kickball, arts, crafts, and more. Extended hours are available upon request.

Children, ages 8 to 12, will have fun, get fit, and learn new dance styles in our Zumbatomic® classes on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Students, ages 7 to 12, in our baton twirling class will develop hand-eye coordination, learn new tricks, and have fun through creative movement. Classes meet on Tuesdays from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Students who continue classes through May will march/twirl in the Memorial Day Parade. You can sign up for Zumbatomic® or baton twirling by the session or drop in for $13 a class. Both programs are free if you have an all-inclusive family membership. For more information: ridgefieldparksandrec.org or 203-431-2755.

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The Branchville section of town—the area around the intersection of Route 7 and 102—developed over time with the Branchville railroad station as its focal point. Though commuters still use the station regularly, Branchville’s role as a small business hub has fallen off over the decades, town officials said in seeking a grant seek to revitalize the area.

With a vision of sidewalks, street lamps, footbridges, and crosswalks encouraging street life and sparking a business revival in Branchville, the town is seeking a nearly $2-million state grant to begin improvements in the area.

“As it exists now, the area does not have an identity that is similar to what is found throughout the remainder of the Town of Ridgefield,” Town Engineer Charles Fisher wrote in the $1.9-million grant application.

“Construction of sidewalks, site amenities, pedestrian bridges, and the realignment of the Route 7 and Route 102 intersection will immediately promote and establish the area as a village district and invite travelers to stop and explore the area’s businesses and restaurants,” Fisher said.

“The improvements will also take advantage of the area’s chief landmark, the Branchville railroad station, by linking it with the business areas west of Route 7 through the construction of two pedestrian bridges over the Norwalk and Cooper Pond rivers. Riders of the Metro-North Railroad along with those traveling Route 7 will be able to safely walk throughout the business area and patronize the establishments.”

The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the $1.9-million grant application to the state Wednesday night, Feb. 3.

“Are we going to get it? Who knows?” First Selectman Rudy Marconi told fellow selectmen. “But anytime there’s money available, why not?”

The state had sent out a notification late last year that about $20 million was available under a Responsible Growth and Transit-Oriented Development grant program, Marconi explained Monday.

The grant application follows up on a Transit-Oriented Development study of the Branchville area that the town is nearing completion on, with a $256,000 state grant.

“This Transit-Oriented Development study is a long-range plan that will allow us to begin to file applications for grant money both at the state level and federal level, that will assist in the development of Branchville, Ridgefield’s lost child,” Marconi said Monday, Feb. 8.

To receive money under most state and federal grant programs, studies are generally the first step.

The plan outlined in Fisher’s grant application is intended to create what he describes as a “walkable community.”

Major elements of the development plan outlined in the grant application include:

•        “Construction of two 70-foot pre-fabricated pedestrian bridges over the Norwalk and Cooper Pond Rivers providing pedestrian access between the Branchville Railroad Station and the businesses west of Route 7.”

•        1,700 feet of concrete five-foot-wide handicapped-accessible sidewalks connecting Branchville’s businesses, railroad station and “ultimately Branchville School.”

•        32 decorative street lamps.

•        Reconfiguration of the Route 7/Route 102 intersection, including “pavement realignment and traffic signalization improvements which will promote safe pedestrian passage through the intersection.”

•        “Landscape plantings designed to soften the look of the existing streetscape.”

•        “A decorative sign welcoming visitors and shoppers to the area.”

Three crosswalks — or “traffic signalization improvements which will promote safe pedestrian passage” — are planned, according to Fisher.

One would be across Route 102, near its intersection with Route 7. The other two crosswalks would cross Route 7, with one north of the Route 102 intersection and one south of the intersection. Fisher said he imagined they’d be push-button crosswalks, rather than being programmed into the light’s regular cycle, but that was a detail he hadn’t thought out completely at this point.

Fisher opened the grant request with some history:

“The Branchville section of the Town of Ridgefield, located within the vicinity of the intersection of Routes 7 and 102, developed over time utilizing the adjacent Branchville Railroad Station as its focal point. Since its construction in the mid-1800s, service related businesses, small-scale manufacturing plants, and single family residences centered on the station. With the expansion of the highway network between Danbury and Norwalk, Branchville’s growth stagnated within the study area.

“Recognizing the area’s potential for growth, the State of Connecticut provided funding for the study of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) within the Branchville area. The goal of the study is to encourage mixed commercial and residential development that utilizes the multimodal transportation characteristics of the area.

“While the study is on-going and expected to be completed by the end of this year, several initial improvements have been identified that will address the immediate needs of Branchville. Chief among those needs is the improvement to the pedestrian facilities and intersection improvements which will link the Branchville Railroad Station to Branchville’s commercial area ultimately fostering increased private investment.”

The schedule included in the application envisions a period of design, surveying, permit and easement securing, and bidding from July 2016 to August 2017, followed by a year of construction from September 2017 to September 2018.

Fisher and Marconi envision more work with later projects — presumably with state grants financing them — including the reconstruction of the Portland Avenue bridge, over the Norwalk River, at the south end of the railroad station.

Marconi told the selectmen that despite the state’s well-publicized fiscal problems, the transit-oriented development, or TOD, projects are a priority.

“Even though there are issues, there seems to be a lot of money dedicated to TOD,” he said.

Still, officials admit there’s a “send it and hope” aspect to grant applications.

Both Fisher and Marconi shared a notion that the project might be crowned with the placement of some iconic object at the intersection — like Main Street’s fountain, Cannondale’s cannon, or the town clock in the village  —  though neither, at this point, claimed to have a specific idea what it might be.

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The property as it appears today.

In what it is calling its most significant development since it was founded, the Keeler Tavern Museum is pledging $1.15 million to re-acquire the next-door property at 152 Main Street, including the building originally designed as a memorial to architect Cass Gilbert.

“Fifty years ago, far-sighted Ridgefield people created a museum that they believed could become a center for history and a valuable community asset,” said Joel Third, president of Keeler Tavern Museum.

“By reuniting these properties, we are taking this once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve our capacity to show visitors — especially young people — how relevant the tavern’s three-century history can be in understanding not only where we’ve come from but also where we are going as a community and country.”

The adjoining two-acre property had been part of the historic original parcel since its 1713 settlement. It was sold by Gilbert’s heirs in 1958; since that time, the red-brick Georgian-style building has been the professional office and home of the late Dr. Robert Mead.

Patricia Mead, his wife, said of the sale: “We’ve been museum neighbors for all of its 50 years, and my husband Bob hoped that when the time came the property could be returned to the Keeler Tavern. I’m thrilled for Ridgefield and for us that our hope is now a reality.”

Cass Gilbert descendants were delighted to learn of the return of the property, reported Helen Post Curry, the architect’s great-granddaughter.  She recalls summers spent playing with her cousin in the dwelling they called the Brick House, which once had been a home for the extended Gilbert family.

“We all think it is the most wonderful news that the properties will once again be connected and that the Brick House will provide much-needed space for the museum’s use,” Curry said.

The Gilbert memorial was originally designed as a museum and library to house the architect’s vast collection of papers, drawings, blueprints, and photographs.  It is expected to become a natural complement to Keeler Tavern Museum by providing additional visitor and exhibit space, archival and collections storage, as well as facilities for an expanding education initiative. Its acquisition means that the streetscape of the campus will now extend for some 350 feet along Main Street.

Cass Gilbert, among the most celebrated architects of his generation, purchased the tavern property in 1907 as a summer home. Following his death, Gilbert’s widow Julia commissioned the memorial building; it was dedicated in October 1937 in a ceremony led by Connecticut Governor Wilbur Cross. A few years later, the structure became a home for members of the Gilbert family until it passed to ownership by the Meads in 1958.

The Keeler Tavern Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, presents three centuries of the town’s history through the lives of the families that occupied the site starting in 1713. It offers docent-led tours of its period-furnished building February through December (Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1:00–4:00 p.m.; adults, $8; children and seniors, $5).

The Cass Gilbert-designed garden is open to the public all year, except during private events. More information may be found at www.keelertavernmuseum.org and at Facebook.com/KeelerTavernMuseum, or by calling the office at 203-438-5485. Keeler Tavern Museum is located at 132 Main Street.

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As a result of a generous partnership between GoodWorks Insurance and the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA), Operation Fuel recently received a donation of $15,300.

The donation will be used to help more than 30 lower-income Connecticut families keep the heat and electricity on this winter. For the second year in a row, GoodWorks launched the initiative by pledging a minimum $10,000 donation to Operation Fuel and promising to match up to $5,000 in donations from CEMA’s member companies.

“Operation Fuel does invaluable work statewide, where one in five residents has a hard time paying for energy. We’re honored to join with CEMA to support Operation Fuel,” said Chad Yonker, GoodWorks Insurance chairman and CEO.

“CEMA is so happy that GoodWorks and the home heating oil dealers in our state were able to contribute to Operation Fuel’s mission to ensure that people in need have access to energy assistance. We are proud of our ongoing relationship with these organizations and the great work that they do,” said CEMA President Chris Herb.

“The generous support from GoodWorks Insurance and CEMA shows that we are all part of the Operation. Without the support of the community, Operation Fuel could not do the work that we do,” said Operation Fuel Executive Director Patricia Wrice. “We are so grateful to GoodWorks Insurance and CEMA for their significant donations at a time of year when support is greatly needed,” added Director of Development Kim O’Brien Green.

GoodWorks Insurance is a regional independent insurance agency headquartered in Glastonbury, Conn., with additional offices in New Milford, Avon and Columbia, Conn., and Great Barrington and Worcester, Mass. It donates 50 percent of its operating profit to local charities through GoodWorks Community Grants. For information about GoodWorks, go to goodworksinsurance.com.

CEMA is based in Cromwell, Conn., and consists of 585 Connecticut home heating oil dealers and gasoline distributors. For more information on CEMA, go to ctema.com.

Operation Fuel is a private, nonprofit program that provides emergency energy assistance year-round through its statewide network of fuel banks to lower-income working families and individuals, the elderly, and disabled individuals who are in financial crisis. Anyone who needs energy assistance should call 211. For more information on Operation Fuel, or to make a donation, go to operationfuel.org.

GoodWorks Insurance donated $12,650 to Operation Fuel as part of a collaboration with the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA), which donated $2,650, for a total donation of $15,300. Pictured from left are, Operation Fuel’s Director of Development Kim O’Brien Green; GoodWorks Senior Vice President Curt Johnson; Nancy Bulkeley, chairperson of Operation Fuel’s board and Senior Community Affairs Representative for Dominion Resources; and Operation Fuel’s Executive Director Patricia Wrice.

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