Nancy on Norwalk | News coverage that shines a light on Norwalk, CT.

Norwalk’s visionaries keep eyes on target

Norwalk Zoning Commissioner Mike Mushak sees an opportunity in the First Taxing District’s $9 million upgrade of its more than 100-year-old infrastructure at 34 Grandview Ave.

NORWALK, Conn. – Something happened last week that we haven’t gotten to tell you about: bipartisan windmill tilting in Norwalk’s council chambers.

Both Zoning Commissioner Mike Mushak (a Democrat) and Common Councilman Nike Kydes (R-District C) have separate but similar visions for the future of Norwalk, visions that they tried to persuade others to see in two separate meetings.

Mushak sees “Welcome to Norwalk” emblazoned on a prominent (but ugly) landmark. Kydes wants to make Norwalk’s Tree City designation more extreme – wouldn’t it be great, he said, if people came here for something like Fairfield’s Dogwood Festival? Continue reading Norwalk’s visionaries keep eyes on target

Norwalk officials: Stay home if you can

Metro-North crews work to repair tracks and re-rail train cars on Sunday after two trains collided Friday at the Fairfield/Bridgeport line. (Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.)

NORWALK, Conn. – It’s sure to be a snafu in Norwalk Monday, given the Metro-North train wreck in Bridgeport.

That’s the message being relayed one way or another by city officials and local legislators as they try to warn the populace of impending traffic jams, with 20,000 to 30,000 commuters scrambling for alternative transportation. South Norwalk will be the westernmost point for Metro-North commuters heading into and out of Manhattan along the New Haven corridor, well into the coming week. Continue reading Norwalk officials: Stay home if you can

Norwalk blight ordinance likely to draw criticism

Boarded windows and an overgrown lawn are a source of complaints at this prominent Norwalk property.

NORWALK, Conn. – A long-awaited ordinance to address blight in Norwalk is up for discussion this week.

The blight ordinance, as well as a landlord registration ordinance, are the topics of an Ordinance Committee public hearing set for 7 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at City Hall.

Ordinance Committee Chairman Michael Geake (U-District B) said the blight ordinance is “small,” but a beginning. Continue reading Norwalk blight ordinance likely to draw criticism

Those were the days: Unwelcome developers left Norwalk, no lawsuits

By Patricia T. Conlin

NORWALK, Conn. – I think that the mosque issue has tainted the Zoning Commission’s behavior for years to come here in Norwalk. The Zoning Commission is obviously running “scared” and those unfortunate enough to stumble upon its path will suffer the consequences such as we have.

Norwalk taxpaying residents are clearly being “thrown to the wolves,” the wolves being the billionaire out-of-state developers such as Brightview/shelter development. In the past, developers of substance would have walked away, sensing the unwelcome attitude of the community. The commissioners would have then, after receiving significant, valid opposition from neighbors, voted against the developers and in favor of the neighbors, allowing the developers to either walk away or sue; few ever sued and residents temporarily rested, feeling safe once again from business intrusion. Continue reading Those were the days: Unwelcome developers left Norwalk, no lawsuits

Rilling does the right thing even away from the media’s eye

By Rod Lopez-Fabrega

NORWALK, Conn. – Oh no! It’s time for another election! It seems we just finished with the last one, and here’s another crop of politicians, blue ones and red ones, kissing babies and making promises we don’t really believe they can keep. We know it’s the most solemn responsibility we have as citizens to pick the best one, but how can we really tell which one behind all the smoke and mirrors of a political campaign? Continue reading Rilling does the right thing even away from the media’s eye

S. Norwalk Community Center’s board members, staff bring new programs

NORWALK, Conn. – Plans are brewing at the South Norwalk Community Center, where board members, some of whom were recently appointed, are working to bring new classes to the community, a press release said.

New members Travis Simms (former two-time World Boxing Association champion), Phaedrel (Faye) Bowman and Cesar Rendon have been appointed to the board over the past few months, the release said. They are helping to bring programs such as English as a Second Language, writing and reading in Spanish, basic computer workshops, health and nutrition workshops and Zumba to the community, the release said. Continue reading S. Norwalk Community Center’s board members, staff bring new programs

Norwalk cops question ‘suspicious’ reporter

I took this photo of King Industries from the Yankee Doodle Bridge Thursday.

NORWALK, Conn. – So now it’s Norwalk Police looking into my activities.

OK, not now. Couple of weeks ago, actually. I’ve gotten over the trauma, and I’m ready to talk about it.

That’s right, I was traumatized – exactly one week after being notified that I was off the hook on my highly publicized heinous “crime,” I looked out the door and saw a Norwalk Police cruiser sitting at the bottom of the porch stairs.

I guess I really am a suspicious character. Continue reading Norwalk cops question ‘suspicious’ reporter

Mum’s the word in Norwalk superintendent search

Norwalk Board of Education Chairman Mike Lyons is the only person talking about the superintendent search, and he’s not saying much. (Photo by Flickr user Martin Wichary)

NORWALK, Conn. – There will be no news to report on in Norwalk’s superintendent search until about a month from now when – voilá! – the Board of Education will reveal the new leader of Norwalk Public Schools.

Thursday night’s BOE executive session on the topic ended with a vow to maintain a strict radio silence until the end of the process, Chairman Mike Lyons said. Continue reading Mum’s the word in Norwalk superintendent search

Who is in charge of Norwalk GOP?

By Peter Berman

NORWALK, Conn. – With his latest letter, Norwalk Republican Town Committee Chairman Art Scialabba has served notice that any former city employee running for office on the Democratic ticket can expect the full force of the GOP organization, no matter how exemplary the previous service. Many wonder why Mayor Moccia himself doesn’t rise to the occasion and take his former police chief to task rather than using a convenient surrogate? Does Mr. Scialabba speak for Mayor Moccia? And does Mayor Moccia approve of the vitriol? We’d like to know. Continue reading Who is in charge of Norwalk GOP?

Norwalk’s Cafero, state Dem leader taped in FBI probe

Updated at 10:08 p.m. with information and link to a second CTMirror.com story.

NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalk resident and state House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr. was among a group of state legislators taped by the FBI in its effort to secretly gather audio and video evidence of political corruption, according to a report by the CT Mirror.

The government says an FBI cooperator, who has pleaded guilty, led a group of smoke-shop operators in a conspiracy to bribe then-House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), Cafero and others in 2012 to ensure that their business would stay free of Connecticut’s steep taxes on tobacco, the story said.

Neither Caero nor Donovan has been charged or accused by the government of being aware of the effort to bribe them.

Continue reading Norwalk’s Cafero, state Dem leader taped in FBI probe