If you’re in the habit of going to the Holly Hill Recycling and Resource facility on Saturday mornings, note that it will be closed Saturday, July 4 because it is a holiday: Independence Day.
The dump will however be open Friday, July 3 from 7:00am – 2:30pm.
On Wednesday the new tipping fees for haulers was implemented. Back on June 2 the Board of Selectmen voted to implement a tip fee at the Holly Hill of $112.00 per ton, and a $25 permit fee for residents who prefer to bring their own trash to the dump.
All residential vehicles entering the Holly Hill Facility must have and properly display a permit. Click here to purchase a Holly Hill Permit online.
No permits will be issued at Holly Hill.
Other updates on activities at Holly Hill. Shredded paper container and plastic bags-only container are both now located on the right, just past the office trailer (as you come out of the recycling/trash center).
It will be about two or three weeks before the Goodwill drop off re-opens.
The book swap remains closed.
In the meantime you can bring donations to the Riverside location at 1212 E Putnam Ave, Riverside, CT 06878.
Trash arrives at the dump at Holly Hill, June 1, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
For the better part of the spring in Greenwich as the COVID virus swept into town like a dense fog, our community was engaged in a spirited though sometimes ugly debate about the Board of Education budget.
Those who agreed with the BET Republicans request that all Town departments, including the BOE maintain a flat budget for the upcoming fiscal year were cast as being “against schools” or “betraying children”. Those who disagreed positioned themselves on the moral high-ground and made a furious case that the BOE alone among all departments should be given a budget increase.
This simplistic and extremely disingenuous portrayal of the debate did a great disservice to what should have been an honest and perhaps, illuminating public discussion about budgeting through a crisis. It has also caused significant distress to many in our community.
What is equally disturbing is that as the discussion devolved into a mean-spirited campaign by some “pro school” proponents against those who disagreed with them, there was no effort by our School Superintendent or Board of Education leadership to calm the waters.
A simple letter or statement from the BOE or the Superintendent acknowledging that a unique financial environment existed, that they were hard at work on the budget and that our high-quality school system would endure would have gone a long way toward alleviating the stress felt by parents of GPS students and others in our community. Unfortunately, no such soothing words appeared and the acrimony continued.
What ensued was “Wanted” posters of Republican BET members (posted online), a concerted Social Media campaign to denigrate the opinions of proponents of the BET budget and a well organized letter writing effort in the local media to cast Republicans as “anti-education”.
The education system our Town rightly takes such great pride in is the result of years of financial support approved by BET’s, controlled by Republicans. To suddenly demonize the current Republican controlled BET and portray its Republican members as opponents of schools ignores the long istory of Republican support for our school system. Meanwhile, BET Democrats contributed to the frenzy by further politicizing the debate.
Long serving BET member, Democrat Jeff Ramer wrote a letter in which he thanked parents for their letters of support. In addressing those who supported the BET Democrat’s position, he wrote; “there are jerks in the world, but the world is populated by the many more who wanted to stand up for you, and did”. The implication being, Republicans are jerks, and Democrats support you and your children.
On June 9th, BET Democrat’s penned a missive to “school supporters” in which they lamented the result of the June RTM vote that went against them. The letter stated that the RTM setback was due to “a vocal, well organized minority” that “once again blocked your views from getting the hearing they deserved.” This referred to an RTM meeting in which 75 odd speakers were able to voice their opinions, pro and con, that ended at 1 AM the next morning. No views were blocked. A fair hearing was heard.
It would strain credulity to assume that the thousands of emails sent to Republican BET members and the study stream of similar emails RTM members received compelling them to “Vote for schools” were not the result of a very well organized, carefully managed campaign. I think we can all appreciate that being school Superintendent of the Greenwich Public School system is a great responsibility. It’s a tough job in a normal year and only more difficult during a pandemic (maybe that explains why Greenwich has had 14 Superintendent’s over the last twenty years). It is also a position that requires strong leadership skills and public speaking savvy. All public comments should be made with careful consideration and a sense of one’s audience. This is especially true in difficult economic times.
At her initial public Zoom meeting after the BET budget request, Superintendent Jones made her first comments about the budget. Instead of signaling a sense of calm in challenging times she referred to the budget as “scary” that it was “unexpected” finally adding “I was shocked”. This did not instill confidence and only added to the anxiety of concerned parents.
On the same call, BOE Democrat Christina Downy stated that the $3million budget gap would equate to laying off “Thirty staff, that’s a real number, and people need to know that”.
Again, very reassuring to concerned parents on the call. BOE Democrat Kathleen Stowe called the BET budget request “pretty draconian”. More gasoline on the fire.
Thus, began a repetitive theme that continued for more than two months. Thirty to Fifty Teachers could lose their jobs. Essential school programs for our children would be cut. Class sizes would increase to 30-35 children. Of course, none of this happened. An interim appropriation request of $1.2million by the BOE was retracted after enough funds were identified from savings generated by schools’ closure from March to June. As for the $3million gap, it was covered by cuts to non-essential items and over $2.1million in savings from a renegotiated transportation contract. District COO Sean O’Keefe deserves congratulations for his successful efforts in renegotiating the transport contract and finding ways to meet the budget request of the BET.
In the end, people did their jobs, identified areas where savings could be secured and achieved results. The BET guidelines were met. The refrain of imminent teacher firings, schools being “gutted” and our children being “betrayed” have evaporated into the ether. But this was ultimately not about schools. It was about politics.
These types of highly aggressive political tactics by Democrats will continue through the November elections. Just today, a letter was published in the Greenwich Time andGreenwich Free Pressby Waste Free Greenwich founder Julie DesChamps in which she accuses the Greenwich community of committing “environmental racism” because the RTM overwhelmingly voted against implementing Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) as a way to close a waste management budget gap.
In her letter, Ms. DesChamps praises several BET Democrats and accuses Republicans of “legislative manipulation” and attempting to “gag proponents” of PAYT. She conveniently omits that all six BET Democrats signed a letter to the Greenwich Free Press in February opposing PAYT (Feb 26). When democracy doesn’t serve their purposes, they are quick to accuse others of wrongdoing or blame the system.
Town Democrats have decided to take a cue from their National Party and local politics have begun to bear unfortunate similarities to the increasingly ugly national discourse. They are employing aggressive, confrontational strategies against those who don’t share their views on local issues. This is not good for the country, and it is equally ominous for Greenwich. Our community has always been a bastion of personal civility, financial prudence and honest, civil debate on local issues. To stray too far from these traditional characteristics is a course of action we may not soon recover from. The old adage “all politics are local” is true. But when it comes to local politics, all debate should be civil.
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José D. Cuartas is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with William Raveis Real Estate, 45 Field Point Rd, Greenwich, CT 06830.
Contact José with questions at 203-921-6154 or email jose.cuartas@raveis.com. Virtual tour available.
To inquire about running a House of the Week feature on Greenwich Free Press contact Leslie.Yager@gmail.com
Starting July 3 and going until July 5, the Greenwich Police Dept are participating in Operation Dry Water.
Starting July 3 and going until July 5, Greenwich Police are joining other law enforcement agencies across the United States in an effort to stop boating under the influence as part of Operation Dry Water.
This holiday weekend, the Greenwich Police Marine Section will focus on detecting impaired boaters, removing them from the waterway and educating the public about the dangers of boating under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The goal is to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger, more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.
Persons found to be boating under the influence can expect to incur severe penalties. If a boat operator is BUI, the voyage may be terminated, the boat may be impounded and the operator may be arrested. Penalties vary by state but can include fines, jail, loss of boating privileges, even loss of driving privileges.
In September 2019 Greenwich Police received a complaint of a possible “Sweetheart Scam” targeting an 87-year-old resident.
Police say the victim’s bank notified them after noticing several suspicious wire transfers from the victim’s account.
The investigator met with the victim and she related that some time in 2019 she was contacted via a social media platform by a person named “Bernard Slack.”
“Slack” told the victim that he worked on an oil rig and was a handsome older man. The victim befriended “Slack” and they frequently communicated via the internet on an app called “Hangout.”
Police say that at some point “Slack” professed his love for the victim and began asking for money for machinery relating to a new business in the amount of $200,000.
The victim believed him and started sending money via wire transfers.
A lengthy investigation ensued, and it turned out that “Bernard Slack” was actually Kayode Ogunjimi of Oswego, IL. Police say during his scheme Mr. Oginjimi, a black male, sent images of an older white male to the victim and portrayed himself as “Bernard Slack.”
Mr. Ogunjimi was able to get the victim to “fall in love” with him, and then had the victim wire money into bank accounts for numerous different companies, ultimately winding up in his possessions.
The total amount of money the victim wired was in excess of $200,000.
On June 8, Detective James Manning applied for an arrest warrant for Mr. Ogunjimi. The warrant was signed in Stamford Superior Court, and on June 12 Ogunjimi was arrested by the Arlington Heights, Illinois Police Dept and extradited to Greenwich.
Mr. Ogunjimi, 30, was charged with Larceny in the First Degree. His bond was set at $300,000, which he was unable to post. He was arraigned on July 2, 2020.
On the afternoon of June 26 Greenwich Police responded to 1 East Putnam Ave in Greenwich on a report of a woman creating a disturbance by yelling profanities and disturbing patients inside a medical office.
The woman was identified as Caitlin Cullen Reynolds, 73, of Stamford.
Reynolds was charged with Breach of Peace and has a date in Stamford Superior Court on July 16, 2020.
Greenwich Police arrested three men on identity theft and forgery charges after an incident at Chase Bank in central Greenwich on Friday, June 26.
Around 1:30pm police received a report about a possible fraudulent transaction. Officers observed a double parked vehicle matching the witness description of containing the three suspects.
Upon approaching the car detected the odor of marijuana.
A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana and multiple checks made out to names that corresponded to several fraudulent IDs they were in possession of.
The persons on these IDs were contacted and related that they had not given the suspects permission to access their banking information, and in fact were the victims of Identity theft. Two of the three victims were over the age of 60.
Police arrested Christopher Finegan, 45, of Atlantic City, NJ; Anthony Ducille, 20, of Brooklyn, NY and Keiser Croft, 22, of Brooklyn, NY.
All face multiple charges of Conspiracy, Forgery 2, Criminal Impersonation, Identity Theft 1, Criminal Attempt Larceny 1, and Illegal Possession.
For each bond was set at $1,500, and the men share a date in Stamford Superior Court on July 10, 2020.
Today is the 4th. The anniversary when a Declaration was written about Freedom and Liberty for all mankind. The greatness of that document is that it made men bound to a system of injustice, free from centralized rule from a empire thousands of miles away – the tragedy of that document, is that it did not apply to all persons in the nation from which it derived – yet as the great Frederick Douglas once wrote:
“What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?…What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”
Frederick Douglas
He then further asserts about the American Fathers, that:
“They were statesmen, patriots, and heroes, and…with them, justice, liberty, and humanity were final; not slavery and oppression.”
And herein lies the paradox. American liberty, as it was conceived was not perfect, and full of the original sin of slavery – but the statement of the Declaration is not less valid as a result – it is the ideal in which our nation was born. And from it, in order to create a more perfect Union (Constitution reference, not the Declaration), we must continue and always strive to make that a reality each day.
I look forward to celebrating the 4th because, while it does not represent a direct Freedom for all concerned, it is the document we must always hold ourselves accountable to as Americans, and God fearing fellows, and strive to work for each and every day. Progress is messy, and not perfect, and letting the more debased nature of our energies rule the day, will not do anyone any good and flies in the face of that ancient, perfect, and good ol’ adage: Be good, and do good.
The 4th is not just a celebration of a few white men, achieving victory in a limited war – it is the celebration of a stated idea of Liberty – that must apply to all humans of the Earth.
Happy 4th – God Bless Ol’ Glory, and God Bless each and every person in this special country, for which so much blood and toil was offered in a sacrifice to its success.
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This majestic Georgian Colonial is conveniently located in a serene street, only 2 minutes away from the train, shops and restaurants. A quick 45 min commute to NYC. This 5 bedroom, 6.2 bath home features high ceilings, large rooms, and high-end fixtures on 4 levels of optimal, flexible living space. The gourmet kitchen, adjacent to the family room, includes a breakfast area and French doors that open up to a deck overlooking the heated pool. Luxurious master bedroom and master bathroom. 4 additional 2nd floor bedrooms, with a home office. The walk-out lower level adds 2,000 + SF with gym, playroom, 2nd living room, full bath and wet bar. 5 custom fireplaces and elevator option.
28 Oak Street, Greenwich, CT Click on photo for details.
Greenwich open house list. Click anywhere on the table above for more info.
Stefanie Lacoff is a licensed real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services New England Properties in Greenwich, CT. Text/call: 203-536-9403, email: slacoff@bhhsne.com, stefanielacoff.bhhsneproperties.com
Contact Stefanie for assistance selling your home or purchasing a new one.
In recognition of these challenging times and the need to keep swimmers, volunteers, boaters and supporters safe due to COVID-19, Swim Across America Fairfield County’s Personal Challenge 2020, a virtual fundraising event, will replace the annual open water swim.
Tracking began June 12.
While these times are filled with uncertainty, one thing remains true: groundbreaking cancer research still needs funding to save lives.
That’s where Swim Across America Fairfield County comes in to help #makewaves to #fightcancer by raising crucial funds to supports its local Fairfield County beneficiary, the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy. Registration is only $25 per person and can be made at swimacrossamerica.org/fc.
The Swim Across America “Personal Challenge” can include walking, running, playing golf, kayaking, biking, dancing, climbing, volunteering, and of course, swimming. Any activity counts! Every age can participate — as an individual, team or family. The Swim Across America Fairfield County Personal Challenge 2020 event starts immediately and runs all summer. Each participant will receive a 2020 commemorative T-shirt, which will be available for pick-up later in the summer at a “socially-distanced” event.
Swim Across America Fairfield County is holding a virtual Personal Challenge fundraiser event in lieu of its open water swim this summer. Individuals and families can create their own “personal challenge” and fundraise around it. Swim Across America Fairfield County co-chair Michele Graham and her family have created the “Graham Fam Olympics” where they will be competing against each other in all 33 sports of the Olympics. Pictured are: Marissa Graham (front row); Nicole Graham, Michele Graham and Bruce Graham (2nd row); and Clayton Graham, Liz Karnes and Chris Kostoglou (3rd row). Contributed photo
Progress of each participant’s Personal Challenge will be tracked and miles or hours logged online which will take participants “Coast to Coast” across the United States on a virtual map, showing how much progress is being made.
Every 15 minutes, 50 Americans are diagnosed with cancer. In 2020 alone, it is estimated that 1.8 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed and there will be 606,520 cancer deaths in the U.S. These staggering statistics offer compelling proof of the need to continue devising new approaches to treatment. Whether it is through swimming, volunteering, donating or cheering on loved ones, Swim Across America Fairfield County welcomes anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of the fight against cancer. Established in 2008, the Swim Across America Fairfield County event has donated $4.165 million in its 13 previous years for its local Fairfield County-based beneficiary, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy. One hundred percent of funds contributed by Swim Across America to ACGT go directly to crucial cancer gene therapy research. This year’s ACGT Swim Across America grant recipient is Noriyuki Kasahara, MD, PhD, at the Brain Tumor Center at the University of California San Francisco. Dr. Kasahara is conducting a clinical trial using virotherapy for brain cancer.
“I am extremely grateful to ACGT and Swim Across America for funding this next phase of our work,” Dr. Kasahara said. “At a time when federal funding has become scarce, it’s wonderful and inspiring to see organizations like ACGT and Swim Across America step up to support the potential of innovative science. Together, we will continue our fight to find better ways to help cancer patients.”
Event co-chair Michele Graham, is a parent of a young adult cancer survivor. Her daughter Nicole was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013 at the age of 16. After a relapse in 2018, she underwent a successful bone marrow transplant to treat the disease.
“We all have a personal connection to cancer. We all know and love someone who will be impacted by it. Swim Across America Fairfield County is a way that everyone can join together to make a difference. It is more than a cause, it is a movement. Everyone can help make waves in the fight against cancer.”
Nancy Carr’s own Personal Challenge is walking 20 Fairfield County towns.
Nancy Carr, co-chair of the open water event, was planning on swimming for the first time for her team “Bonnie’s Buddies,” in honor of her friend Bonnie Bancroft of Old Greenwich who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in February of this year.
“Bonnie embodied everything good and right in the world and made each of us want to be a better person,” Carr said. “In the words of some of her friends, Bonnie was ‘class, elegance, sunshine, kindness and fun personified.’ We are all richer for having known her.”
In lieu of swimming, Nancy and her team have challenged themselves to walk 20 Fairfield County towns in Bonnie’s memory.
Swim Across America is a national organization and offers 21 open water swims from Boston Harbor to under the Golden Gate Bridge, and more than 100 pool swim fundraisers across the country. Its roots are firmly anchored in Connecticut and along the shores of Long Island Sound, with Darien, Connecticut, resident Matt Vossler and his lifelong friend and college roommate Jeff Keith, who founded Swim Across America in 1987.
Throughout its years, Swim Across America has raised more than $85 million in the fight against cancer. More than 100 Olympians support Swim Across America, including Michael Phelps, Craig Beardsley, Donna De Varona (a Greenwich resident and honorary Fairfield County co-chair), Rowdy Gaines, Janel Jorgensen McArdle (who grew up in Ridgefield, Connecticut), Bobby Hackett, Ryan Lochte, Glenn Mills, Christina Teuscher (who participates in the Fairfield County event) and many more. To learn more about Swim Across America Fairfield County and to register for the Swim Across America Personal Challenge 2020, visit swimacrossamerica.org/fc.
Swim Across America, Inc is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, Swim Across America is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.
The Bruce Museum began is displaying the art of high school students throughout Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York in the iCreate 2020exhibition.
This annual juried competition is in its 11th consecutive year and will feature 55 works of fine art selected from 850 submissions, collected from 123 high schools across the region.
This exhibition highlights an array of works infused with the creative spirit and impactful voices of budding young artists.
iCreate serves as an outlet for these emerging artists, amplifying the scope of their pieces’ influence and providing the community a glimpse into local artistic potential.
Ryan Boyle
Greens Farms Academy, Grade 12, “My Grandpa’s Pharmacy”
The works are of diverse mediums and explore different themes ranging from critiques of traditional social constructs, to playful portraits, to statements regarding race, identity, and animal welfare.
On Saturday, June 27, the museum welcomed the reopening of the Bruce Museum after three months of COVID-19 isolation and celebrate the 11th year of iCreate. Eight honorees were awarded prizes, ranging from $100 to $500, and two Berkley One Awards.
A People’s Choice Award will be determined with public input and will be announced on August 2, 2020. In order to have a voice in the voting process, make sure to view the participating artists’ video in the online exhibition at brucemuseum.org.
The Bruce Museum is grateful for exhibition support from the Charles M. and Deborah G. Royce Exhibition Fund, the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Berkley One, a W.R. Berkley Company, the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Susan and Bill Mahoney, and Heidi Brake Smith and Scott M. Smith.
Admission to the Bruce Museum beginning June 27 will be by advance reservation, with timed ticketing to ensure the comfort and safety of visitors and staff. Admission will be free to all visitors upon the Museum’s reopening to the public.
The following hours of operation and admission policy will be in effect starting June 27 until further notice:
9:30 – 10:30 am, Tuesday through Sunday: The Museum is open only to self-selected individuals over the age of 65 or who are immunocompromised.
10:30 – 11:30 am, Tuesday through Sunday: The Bruce is pleased to welcome Museum members only for one hour of special access.
All remaining Museum hours are unchanged. To reserve a timed ticket to visit the Bruce Museum, visit brucemuseum.org or call 203-869-0376.
A friend of mine who immigrated to the US from one of the poorest countries in the world joked to me recently, “Do you know why I love the US? Toilet.” He laughs easily. He grew up without one. His family didn’t have electricity until he was a teenager.
At the age of 7, my Polish step-grandfather and his family were taken by night by Stalin’s thugs to the Siberian labor camps (Gulags) after the Soviets and Nazis partitioned the country in 1939, simply because his father was a mid-level military officer in Poland. That’s class guilt. Over six years with his family in the prison camps, he saw—and smelled—hundreds of people drop dead from starvation, exhaustion, and disease around him. Somehow he made it out alive. Tens of millions of Soviet subjects never did.
One of my Czech professors who grew up under a communist police state used to preach to his American students studying in Prague, “Yours is the country of individual rights. You should be proud of what it has given the world.” Today, he and his countrymen enjoy prosperity and freedom under the Pax Americana.
Why do we—the middle class—often think what we have in this country—wealth, freedom, and safety—is normal in the course of human history? Or even in the world today?
244 years ago today, a ragtag army of British subjects separated from a monarchy so that every man could be a king. Three million sorry people in some backwoods living on a few dollars a day in today’s terms, lucky to live into their 30s, blazed a trail for 320 million spanning a continent, of every color and creed, descended from every corner of the earth, living on $180 a day and for 80 years on average. The richest, freest, and most generous nation in the history of the world liberated two continents from fascism, protected the world from communism, and saved tens of millions of lives in the process.
Imperfect? Certainly. Americans have committed vile sins across our history, chief among them slavery and segregation. But, in its founding also lies the seeds of the destruction of those evil institutions. “All men are created equal” could not perpetually coexist with slavery or segregation. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Many brave patriots fought and died to make the “promissory note” closer to whole. It may never get there, because “from the crooked timber of humanity, nothing was ever made straight.” Even so, the character of America is always striving to be “more perfect,” and we must continue to do so today. What separates America in human history is not its sins, but its virtues.
For some reason, fewer Americans than ever report being “extremely proud” of their country: 47 percent in 2018 compared to 58 percent in 2013, according to Gallup. I often wonder of the cynics, what paradise on earth—now or before—would they confidently prefer? If you ask people from around the world, as Gallup also did in 2018, where they would immigrate if they could go anywhere, 158 million answer the US. That’s 3.4 times more than the next most popular destination, Canada. And most of those respondents are from Africa and Latin America. Maybe they, like my friend and step-grandfather, have a perspective worth considering.
It appears most of the diminished pride in our country comes from younger Americans, falling from 55 percent in 2013 to 33 percent in 2018 among those 18-29. It could be the fault of our education system for not teaching them their history. Only 19 percent of Americans under the age of 45 could pass a citizenship exam, according to a study by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, compared to 74 percent of those above the age of 65. Maybe we should require students in Connecticut to pass a such a test in high school to go along with their civics requirement. Either way, we need to do a better job of preparing younger Americans for citizenship and leadership. After all, “freedom is never more than one generation from extinction.”
As Americans, we are heirs to a great inheritance. We did not earn it. It is a privilege. Few people on this earth have it as good as almost all of us; and an infinitesimal number of people across human history could even imagine it as good. And so, on this day, and every day, a little gratitude is in order for those who left it to us. Let’s honor them by making it even better than we found it.
In his op ed “The Politics of the School Budget Debate and its Aftermath” (July2) for the Greenwich Free Press, Mr. Dan Quigley, chair of the Republican Town Committee, characterized my recent letter to the editor highlighting environmental justice and Greenwich’s unsustainable waste management system as a “highly aggressive political tactic by Democrats.” It is deeply disturbing and offensive that Mr. Quigley politicized the existential issue of environmental justice in communities of color, deemed my letter a political ploy and conflated it with the highly partisan wrangling over the BOE budget.
To be clear, I am not active in local politics and have voted for both Republicans and Democrats in elections. I am not a Democratic operative, as Mr. Quigley painted me, but a passionate environmental advocate who strives to promote education and initiatives in Greenwich toward a more sustainable future.
I would like to emphasize that the letter was my personal opinion alone, not a statement by Waste Free Greenwich, an organization founded as a community resource to promote waste diversion and sustainable living in Greenwich. Waste Free Greenwich is non-partisan and has worked with both sides of the aisle on its initiatives to fulfill its mission. In social media posts, representatives of all political persuasions are touted as sustainability leaders for their green deeds.
Despite Mr. Quigley’s accusation, my intention was not to politicize the issue of environmental justice or lay blame on a particular political party. Instead, I hoped to raise awareness in our community about Greenwich’s unsustainable waste management policies and their deleterious effects on communities of color, as well as the decisions of our elected leadership and their bearing on policy.
I called it as I saw it. BET and RTM members voted either in favor or against policies that support waste reduction in our town. The reusable ware system, which would have eliminated 80% of lunchroom waste in public schools, was killed in the BET, and PAYT was voted down in the RTM, in favor of tipping fees, a policy that will not incentivize waste reduction. Some RTM members, who vigorously opposed PAYT, used tactics that I found unfair and dishonest, like stifling equitable debate and burying facts beneath misinformation, which affected the outcome of the vote. Nowhere in my letter did I mention the political affiliations of the RTM or BET members named, and frankly, their partisan leanings are irrelevant. Three BET members, who Mr. Quigley identified as Democrats, went the extra mile to support the reusable ware system in the public schools; the others – both Democrats and Republicans – did not. Their votes have a significant impact on our municipal waste stream. More than a million disposable products
from cafeterias will again be incinerated this school year to the detriment of our air and soil quality and the Peekskill community, and students will continue to experience a cafeteria culture of waste contrary to classroom lessons. Until Mr. Quigley’s op ed, I was not aware of the party affiliations of the RTM committee chairs mentioned, as this body is supposedly non-partisan. Bottom line, I was appalled by the unjust practices and misinformation campaign I witnessed in the months leading up to the vote and chose to speak out. The RTM decision to vote down PAYT and the opportunity to reduce Greenwich’s waste stream by up to 55% has severe repercussions for public health and the environment, especially in communities of color like Peekskill. These consequences simply did not matter enough to some voting members.
There are plenty of Republican leaders in Greenwich who deserve credit in promoting programs to divert waste in our community, and they should be acknowledged for their good work. First Selectman Fred Camillo is a steadfast proponent of both the food scrap and textile recycling programs, and without his support, these initiatives would not have come to fruition.
As a former member of the BOE and the Food Services Committee, Selectperson Lauren Rabin was instrumental in eliminating styrofoam lunch trays in the public schools, and she went to bat in the press to advocate for a reusable ware system. Current BOE members Karen Kowalski, Peter Sherr and Joe Kelly have consistently voiced their strong support for a switch from single-use disposables to durable wares in school cafeterias and held Superintendent Jones to account, insisting that all options be thoroughly vetted and the most fiscally responsible and ustainable solution be advanced. I am grateful to all of them for promoting these policies to reduce waste.
Mr. Quigley, this is not a Democratic issue. This is not a Republican issue. Environmental justice and sustainable policies should not be politicized. Green should be the new red, white and blue, transcending party and bridging divides for the greater good of the Earth and all its inhabitants, regardless of color, faith or politics.
While town hall was closed to slow the spread of Covid-19, we were unable to publish property transfers. But town hall is now open and we’ll publish transfers every day until we’re caught up – then go back to once or twice a week to keep you “Up to the Minute.”
156 Lafayette Court, Unit 4B from Andrea Jardim to Joan Schiele on June 1, 2020 for $830,000
148 Pine Street
148 Pine Street from Vickie Dudas to Julieth Roca on June 1, 2020 for $550,000
1 Mansion Place
1 Mansion Place from Berit Devaul Trust and Allan Devaul Trust to Carlos Eduardo Lopez Argenal on June 1, 2020 for $1,190,000
19 Hill Rd from George Schiele and Joan Schiele to Zarruq Saleem Khan on June 1, 2020 for $1,450,000
2 Buckingham Lane
2 Buckingham Lane from Joseph Demuyt and Patricia Demuyt to Katherine Thornton on June 1, 2020 for $1,400,000
14 Rockview Drive from Jean O’Hare to Liam Kenny on June 1, 2020 for $1,275,000
8 Skylark Rd
8 Skylark Rd from Bryan Roddy Executor and Sharon Coogan Executor to Laxmi Sabei Oo on June 4, 2020 for $1,000,000
57 Center Drive
57 Center Drive from Bellregal Properties LLC to Ryan Corrow on June 4, 2020 for $725,000
16 Boulder Brook Rd
16 Boulder Brook Rd from People’s United Bank, National Association to blank on June 4, 2020 for $3,200,000
202 West Lyon Farm Drive
202 West Lyon Farm Drive from Jonathan W Old III Trustee to Laurence Miller on June 3, 2020 for $900,000
75 Cos Cob Ave Unit #8 from Kevin and Robyn Greer Hallock to Aleksander Gjelaj on June 3, 2020 for $485,000
52 Ridgeview Ave
52 Ridgeview Ave from Bruce Morrison and Dale Morrison to Rebecca Luse on June 3, 2020 for $2,825,000
Greenwich’s Parks & Recreation department announces a “Drive-In” Concert series in the Horseneck parking lot on Wednesday nights from 7:15pm to 8:45pm.
The first concert is set for July 8 with “Echoes of Sinatra.”
On July 16 there will be a performance of Short Bus with pop, rock and covers.
On July 22 Gunsmoke will perform country music.
On July 29 Running on Empty will do a Jackson Brown tribute
The final concert will be on August 5 and the Bearcats will perform a jazz concert.
The number to call for postponement or cancellation information is (203) 861-6100 after 4pm.
On June 25 a Port Chester man turned himself in at Greenwich Police Dept headquarters on an outstanding warrant for Disorderly Conduct and two counts of Risk of Injury to a Child.
Police say that on June 7 Lucas Volter Siqueira, 26, grabbed the victim and knocked the victim’s cell phone away from the victim’s hand, alarming the victim’s small children and the victim.
Siqueira was released on a promise to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on June 25, 2020.
Summer Camp is clear for take-off in CT, and the Greenwich YMCA can’t wait to welcome your child to their summer camp.
Not only does the summer camp experience help kids build self-confidence and independence, kids also make new friends and explore and engage in new activities.
While there will be new protocols and restrictions for social distancing to keep our campers and staff healthy and safe, we are committed, now more than ever, to creating a memorable camp experience for all children.
This summer there will be camp sessions from June 29 to August 21.
Over the last 8 weeks, the YMCA’s management team has been learning from and working with several local, state, and national agencies including YMCA of the USA, the ACA (American Camp Association), State of CT OEC (Office of Early Childhood), to ensure that camp will adhere to the most up to date guidelines on maintaining the health and safety of both campers and staff.
This Summer, children deserve a fun experience rich with physical activity and social engagement.
The Y is ready to have a blast!
Not only does the Summer Camp experience help kids build self-confidence and independence, kids also make new friends and explore and engage in new activities.
While there will be new protocols and restrictions for social distancing to keep campers and staff healthy and safe, the Y is committed, now more than ever, to creating a memorable camp experience for all children.
“We’ve infused innovation and creativity to remodel our programming and find new ways to keep kids moving and having fun, while maintaining appropriate social distancing and group size guidelines,” said Christine Lavin, Senior Director of Initiatives – Wellness, Programming and Membership.
With weekly themes like “Mad Science,” “Water Works,” “Decades of Fun” and more, the Y is sure to be a fun and active host for your children for Summer.
Each camper will also receive a “Camp Kit” including personal supplies to use throughout their camp experience and to take home as well.
But above all, “Safety is a top priority,” said Camp Director, Diana Gonzalez. With new guidelines on group maximums, cleaning and disinfecting procedures (such as hand sanitizing, disinfecting of toys and supplies, additional cleaning of camp rooms and bathrooms, etc.) as well as daily health screenings, parents can be assured their children will be cared for in a fun and flexible, but also safe environment.
“With an added week, and advanced, timely protocols, our camps continue to be flexible and will adapt as the Summer progresses and guidelines may change,” added Gonzalez.
The YMCA’s camp will run from June 29 – August 21, 2020.
To read about all of the new guidelines and safety features, or to learn more about the YMCA of Greenwich Summer Camp, please visit http://www.greenwichymca.org/programs-services/summer-camp-2020/ or contact Camp Director, Diana Gonzalez at dgonzalez@gwymca.org.
The YMCA of Greenwich has a proud history of serving the Greenwich community since 1916. As their mission states, the YMCA of Greenwich strives, “To bring together and strengthen the community through programs and services that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all men, women and children.”
Since its opening, the YMCA has been a pillar in community programming, no matter the far-reaching circumstances.
At Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting there was a unanimous vote to approve resumption of the Dept of Parking Services collection of parking fees effective 9:00am on Monday, July 6.
Deputy Police Chief Mark Marino, who is in charge of Parking Services, said the department furloughed part time workers during the pandemic, and did not anticipate bringing them back immediately.
He said while parking fees were suspended, parking enforcement officers assisted with monitoring the parks to keep people away, and that administrative staff who could do work at home were doing so.
“(Use of parking services staff) progressed to soft openings and making sure people weren’t congregating in large groups,” he said. “Then we reverted to using them for other functions. Now that we’ve closed Greenwich Avenue, we’ve used them to monitor the traffic posts there.”
Also, Marino said there were open positions the department delayed filling because there are revenue issues both in the department and the town. Lastly, he said the department is scaling back some capital projects for fiscal year ’21 including paving parking lots.
Cars parked on Greenwich Avenue. June 15, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Metered locations are enforced Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm and on Saturdays between 9:00am and12:00pm.
During these time frames, parking on Greenwich Ave and other locations, as posted, is limited to two hours.
Those needing to park for longer than two hours are encouraged to use one of the long term/12 hour lots.
Parking in all Town operated parking lots and metered spaces is free on Sundays and Town Holidays, unless posted otherwise.
Inquiries should be directed to the Dept of Parking Services at parkingtickets@greenwichct.org or by calling the office at (203) 618-3060.
Also during the Thursday meeting, Camillo said the “Reimagine Greenwich” group, who are looking at expanding the bumpouts on Greenwich Ave to other business districts, are also talking about fundraising to help beautify downtown and possibly fund a trolley/tram from Town Hall every 30 minutes, which would alleviate the parking crunch.
“We’re looking at getting some of the employees who work on the Ave off the Avenue. The trolley/tram could help with that,” he said.
During the height of Connecticut’s coronavirus pandemic, a generous community supported Greenwich Hospital as residents and business owners came together to deliver 17,000 meals to healthcare workers.
Now, Greenwich Hospital says its their turn to give back.
On Wednesday, Greenwich Hospital donated thousands of pounds of food to two community food banks: Neighbor to Neighbor in Greenwich and Caritas of Port Chester in New York. The food drive was organized by the Greenwich Hospital Diversity and Inclusion Council and all the food was donated by thankful hospital employees.
“The community response to the public health crisis has been incredible and heartwarming,” said Norman Roth, Greenwich Hospital’s chief executive officer. “This food donation is our way of thanking the community for supporting our healthcare workers during this unprecedented time. We will never forget their acts of kindness and generosity.”
“We are fortunate to be a part of an amazingly thoughtful community,” said Margaret Goldberg, Neighbor to Neighbor executive director.
“We continue our good work knowing we are a catalyst for neighbors to help one another,” Goldberg added. “The record number of unemployed and underemployed, those working but barely able to make ends meet, and families facing financial crisis for the first time – all need Neighbor to Neighbor to help feed their families and maintain a basic quality of life that assures their dignity and respect. Greenwich Hospital is a vital partner to the health and well-being of the Greenwich community and we are grateful.”
Demand for food has grown ten-fold since the start of the pandemic, said Patricia Hart, treasurer of the Caritas board of directors. “The number of unemployed, underemployed and those sheltering in place have swelled the ranks of those who were already experiencing food insecurity,” she said. Caritas typically provides 4,000 meals a month at its community dining room and supplies groceries, meat and fresh produce to nearly 400 families through its pantry. In contrast, Caritas distributed 12,000 meals in June.
“This food drive donation will be used immediately to fill the hundreds of grocery bags and prepared meals we deliver to homes every week,” Hart said. “Community support is always essential. But during these difficult times, this donation from Greenwich Hospital employees is a visible and tangible sign of concern and care for our neighbors in need.”
Greenwich Hospital donated thousands of pounds of food to Neighbor to Neighbor in Greenwich and Caritas of Port Chester in New York. Pictured here with the food donation (l-r): Marc Kosak, SVP, Operations, Greenwich Hospital; Margaret Goldberg, executive director, Neighbor to Neighbor; Norman Roth, CEO, Greenwich Hospital; Patricia Hart, treasurer, Caritas of Port Chester; Duncan Lawson, operations coordinator, Neighbor to Neighbor; Diane Kelly, President, Greenwich Hospital; and Anna Cerra, SVP, Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer, Greenwich Hospital.
While town hall was closed to slow the spread of Covid-19, we were unable to publish property transfers. But town hall is now open and we’ll publish transfers every day until we’re caught up – then go back to once or twice a week to keep you “Up to the Minute.”
63 North Street
63 North Street from Robert M Merriman to Kevin Flaherty on June 3, 2020 for $2,925,000
Unit C-9 of the River Club of Greenwich from Paul and Dale Antonik to Joseph AP Mathai on June 3, 2020 for $60,000
84 Londonderry Drive
84 Londonderry Drive from Theodore and Leslie Breck to Mohammed Nasir Ilahi on June 3, 2020 for $1,920,000
48 North Ridge Rd
48 North Ridge Rd from Scott and Kristen Studwell to Michael Paluchniak on June 3, 2020 for $1,850,000
52 Burying Hill Road
52 Burying Hill Road from Eydie Trust to XY Wang Trust on June 3, 2020 for $1,405,000
23 Maher Ave
23 Maher Ave from Ross McClaren and Patricia Elaine Tyler to Wright 23, LLC on June 5, 2020 for $2,800,000
25 Orchard Hill Lane
25 Orchard Hill Lane from Barbara A Tormondsen to Samant Virk on June 5, 2020 for $3,558,750
25 Richmond Hill Rd
25 Richmond Hill Rd from Frank and Zoje Vataj to Carrie Vanfleet and Steinherr Franz on June 5, 2020 for $4,100,000
659 River Rd
659 River Rd from Carlos Delcristo and Sarah Pitt to The Sarah J Seele Revocable Trust 2020 on June 5, 2020 for $2,220,000
4 Finney Knoll Lane
4 Finney Knoll Lane from Richard Zannino and Anna Zannino to Nicole Iracio on June 5, 2020 for $1,600,000
4 Putnam Hill from Jane Dorothy Southard to Henry Carletti on June 5, 2020 for $260,000
34 Annjim Drive from Phase Two LLC to Matthew David Bubis on June 5, 2020 for $3,000,000
51 Forest Ave #162 from Shelley Lewis Trustee and Roger Lewis Trustee to Jaroslaw and Alexandra Palylyk on June 5, 2020 for $650,000
26 Meadowcroft Lane from Katherine Sortor Prokop to Avi Barkai on June 5, 2020 for $2,150,000
