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Nancy Chapman

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Sheehan pressured to reveal POKO problems

Attorney Joseph Williams, left, and Norwalk Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Tim Sheehan confer Tuesday in a Stamford Superior Courthouse hallway.

NORWALK, Conn. – Tim Sheehan is done being grilled by Jason Milligan’s attorney.

Attorney David Rubin queried Sheehan for two days in Stamford Superior Court, seeking to prove that “POKO” cannot be built as designed and to paint the famed Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) as invalid. Judge Charles Lee described the conversation as an “argument.”

Along the way Sheehan characterized Milligan behaviors he thought unscrupulous and immoral, a key component of an unfair trade practices accusation, and said he’s confident construction on POKO will resume within a year, perhaps soon. Continue reading Sheehan pressured to reveal POKO problems

Wall Street Neighborhood Association works to transform area

- Letters
By Nancy McGuire, Wall Street Neighborhood Association
4 : 23 am EST December 16 2018
5 Comments

Send signed letters to [email protected]

The Wall Street Neighborhood Association (“WSNA”) has built significant momentum over the past six months. We are residents, retailers, business owners and building owners located in the Wall/Main Street neighborhood. We came together to help foster the transformation of this once thriving business district into what we all know it could be – a classic urban corridor where people live/work and enjoy the benefit of local retailers, restaurants and nightly entertainment, all within walking distance.

As residents, business owners, and building owners, we understand what is, has and continues to impede this area’s progress. We are not here to complain – we see the possibility and we are invested in making that happen. While none of us has all the answers, together, through constant dialogue and listening we have developed a comprehensive plan of revitalization that is supported by a large, and growing number of stakeholders. This includes, but is not limited to, the following initiatives: Continue reading Wall Street Neighborhood Association works to transform area

Look beyond graduation rates for the story of education opportunity

- Education
- Opinion
- State
By Nick Donohue, CTViewpoints.org
4 : 00 am EST December 16 2018
3 Comments

Norwalk High School seniors graduate June 18, 2018. (Brenda Wilcox-Williams)

Americans like to tout the importance of a high school diploma, but research reported in the CT Mirror recently shows that record-high graduation rates do not tell the full story of academic opportunity for Connecticut’s students. In the study, an unacceptable number of the state’s black and Hispanic high school graduates needed post-secondary remedial courses when compared to white students. In today’s world, students need some form of post-secondary education – whether it be a traditional four-year institution, training or credentialing program – to be prepared for success. Continue reading Look beyond graduation rates for the story of education opportunity

Lamont announces new CT COO

- News
- State
By Mark Pazniokas, CTMirror.org
5 : 00 am EST December 15 2018
8 Comments

Gov.-Elect Ned Lamont and his choice for chief operating officer, Paul Mounds. (CTMirror.org)

Gov-elect Ned Lamont shared his first plans for restructuring state government Friday, announcing a new post of chief operating officer — a position recommended and never implemented decades ago in Connecticut, while becoming increasingly common in governors’ offices across the U.S.

While some governors have looked to corporate executives and state agency heads for COOs, Lamont’s choice is Paul Mounds, who has held a number of policy and communications jobs in state and federal government, as well as special projects that put him in touch with a variety of state agencies. Continue reading Lamont announces new CT COO

Norwalk budget cycle begins with consideration of whopping increase

Norwalk Finance Director Bob Barron issues financial projections Thursday City Hall. The grand list is going up by nearly $1 billion, he said.

Correction, 10 p.m., Dec. 15: Bob Barron is Chief Financial Officer. Updated, 10:43 a.m.: Copy edits, revised headline

NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalk Common Council members on Thursday began considering the Norwalk Board of Education’s budgetary needs for 2019-20.

The BoE working draft budget calls for a $12.1 million increase, Norwalk Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Thomas Hamilton said at a joint meeting of the BoE and Council Finance Committees in City Hall. $10.3 million of that amount is needed just to maintain current services, Hamilton said.

Video by Harold Cobin at end of story Continue reading Norwalk budget cycle begins with consideration of whopping increase

Norwalk Redevelopment Agency tells its side of ‘POKO’-Milligan story

Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Tim Sheehan. (File photo)

Updated, 9:02 a.m.: Copy edits

NORWALK, Conn. – For months, city officials have had little to say about a case against developer Jason Milligan, who they claim improperly purchased properties that were part of a Wall Street-area revitalization initiative. Now they’re making their arguments before a judge who has described the situation as “cloudy” and “very confusing”.

Monday through Wednesday, Redevelopment Agency attorney Joe Williams argued in Stamford Superior Court before Judge Charles Lee for a temporary injunction which would prevent Milligan from leasing or making changes to the properties while the plaintiffs make their case. If the plaintiffs convince Lee that they have a probability of winning at trial, he may issue the injunction and allow the case to proceed. Continue reading Norwalk Redevelopment Agency tells its side of ‘POKO’-Milligan story

Norwalk reval prompts ‘serious concerns’

Correction, 10 p.m., Dec. 15: Bob Barron is Chief Financial Officer. Correction, 1:43 p.m.: Mayor Rilling co-owns a home. Updated, 7:09 a.m.: Copy edits

NORWALK, Conn. – Mayor Harry Rilling said Wednesday that he has “serious concerns” about the latest Norwalk property revaluation, now in the process of being finalized.

His condo, and those of identical condos in his complex, was undervalued, while appraisals of other condos in the complex went up, Rilling said. In addition, there was a nonfunctional website link sent out to taxpayers, confusing their efforts to schedule hearings to challenge their preliminary assessments.

“This is totally unacceptable,” Rilling said. Continue reading Norwalk reval prompts ‘serious concerns’

Promotional video draws flak for featuring Rilling, wife

Mayor Harry Rilling and his wife, Lucia Rilling, in a scene from a video released last week by Norwalk Now.

Updated, 6:08 a.m.: Revised headline, copy edits

NORWALK, Conn. – A Norwalk promotional video has tongues wagging, and has led to criticism of Mayor Harry Rilling.

The video, posted on Facebook by Norwalk Now, features overhead shots of Norwalk, views of Rilling’s wife doing yoga, and the couple dining in various restaurants, with a voiceover in which Rilling touts the city.

“From a melting pot of restaurants and gathering places, to an array of restaurants and fashionable locations, Norwalk continues to evolve while maintaining its historic New England charm,” Rilling states in the video. “So, discover our amazing coastal community by visiting NorwalkNow.org, where Norwalk business owners come together to bring you our city in real time.”

Norwalk Now is funded by the Norwalk Parking Authority.

Continue reading Promotional video draws flak for featuring Rilling, wife

Norwalk hires new Economic, Community Development Chief

Jessica Casey, newly hired as Norwalk Chief of Economic and Community Development, speaks to the Common Council on Tuesday in City Hall.

Updated, 7:48 a.m.: Copy edits

NORWALK, Conn. – Jessica Casey has been hired as Norwalk Chief of Economic and Community Development, the winner of what was reportedly a nationwide search.

Common Council members approved Casey’s hire Tuesday. The move simultaneously filled a key position that has been vacant for a year and appointed the first “Chief” for the recently rejiggered Mayor’s cabinet who wasn’t hired from within. Multiple council members praised Casey, but some criticized the process of selecting her. Continue reading Norwalk hires new Economic, Community Development Chief

Norwalk Council news: Walk Bridge commentary, fee changes

Norwalk Chief of Staff Laoise King, left, and Walk Bridge Project program manager Susan Prosi Johnson speak to the Common Council, Tuesday in City Hall.

Correction, 10:15 p.m.: John Kydes, not John Igneri; headline edited. Updated, 7:33 a.m.: Copy edits

NORWALK, Conn. – A roundup from Tuesday’s Common Council meeting:

Walk Bridge consultant given more duties as contract extended
Romano begs for consultant
Parks and Rec fees go up slightly
Health Department reclassifies restaurants

Continue reading Norwalk Council news: Walk Bridge commentary, fee changes

Hearing on ‘POKO’ lawsuit begins in Stamford

Real estate broker Jason Milligan on Monday shows off an exhibit he has created for his hearing in Stamford Superior Court. The exhibit overlays plans for Wall Street Place onto the existing properties in the area. Wall Street Place phase I cannot get a certificate of occupancy without the City building “New Street,” through People’s Chicken and property owned by John Dias, he said, asserting that construction on Phase II cannot begin without phase I getting that CO. Phase II would also require a road, planned to go through property now being considered for a new apartment building, he said.

Updated, 11 a.m., photo removed; 8:09 a.m.: Copy edits

NORWALK, Conn. – Legal arguments and preliminary explanations marked the first day of an expected days-long hearing on the Redevelopment Agency’s and the City’s attempt to stop real estate broker Jason Milligan from doing anything with the properties he bought from Richard Olson of POKO Partners.

Olson and his attorney did not attend the hearing, except by telephone; Milligan’s attorney, David Rubin, argued that Milligan’s rights had been subverted, while Attorney Joseph Williams at one point accused Rubin of “a precedent-setting attempt at having cake and eating it too.” Continue reading Hearing on ‘POKO’ lawsuit begins in Stamford

SoNo Collection construction progress nets problem on nearby street

A construction worker returns to his vehicle, Wednesday on Butler Street.

Quincy Street on Wednesday.

Updated, 7:50 a.m.: Copy edits

NORWALK, Conn. – Workers doing construction on The SoNo Collection are parking illegally in nearby areas, Common Council member Doug Hempstead (R-District D) said last week.

“Butler (Street) is dangerous,” Hempstead said at the close of the Public Works Committee meeting.

“I agree,” Department of Public Works Principal Engineer Lisa Burns replied. “…Butler is horrible.” Continue reading SoNo Collection construction progress nets problem on nearby street

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