Nancy on Norwalk

Norwalk election notes: Debates and non-debates

State Rep. Bruce Morris (D-140), in front of City Hall on Monday, as shown in a video posted on the Morris is for Us Facebook page.

NORWALK, Conn. – Here’s what we have in election news for you this Wednesday:

Morris non-forum
Conroy suffers from voter ignorance
Morris hasn’t produced budget analysis
Reminder: candidates meet and greet Wednesday (today)
Mayoral forum Thursday at SoNoCC
League debates will spotlight district candidates

Continue reading Norwalk election notes: Debates and non-debates

Opinion: My vision for Norwalk

Mayor Harry Rilling.

Mayor Harry Rilling, former Norwalk Police chief and the Democratic-endorsed candidate, was first elected in 2013.

I’d like to thank the voters of Norwalk for all your support and to ask for your vote for a third term. Over my first two terms we saw many successes and we continue to move Norwalk forward despite the obstacles that our state currently faces. During this time, we need a Mayor with the strength and conviction to do what is right regardless of public or political pressure, I believe my track record speaks for itself. I owe so much to this city for what it has given to me. Serving as your Mayor is the most rewarding job I have ever had. I am proud of what we have accomplished – but there is still much to do. We need to continue to focus on financial stability, education, smart economic development and maintaining Norwalk’s culture, charm and identity. I would like to detail some of the priorities and vision for my third term. Continue reading Opinion: My vision for Norwalk

Barron: Governor’s latest proposed budget maintains Norwalk funding

Norwalk Finance Director Bob Barron. (File photo)

NORWALK, Conn. – Gov. Dannel Malloy’s latest proposed state budget maintains Norwalk’s funding at its previous levels, Finance Director Bob Barron said Tuesday.

Legislative leaders, in a Tuesday interview broadcast on CTN, said they hope to present their own budget Wednesday. Malloy’s budget was helpful but doesn’t have a prayer of being approved, they said. Continue reading Barron: Governor’s latest proposed budget maintains Norwalk funding

Opinion: Connecticut is at a crossroad

- Opinion
By Marc Fitch, Yankee Institute for Public Policy
2 : 55 am EDT October 18 2017
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Last week, Connecticut’s government unions threatened to sue the state if pension and benefit reforms are included in the state’s long-overdue budget.
The bipartisan budget which passed the House and Senate in September included a number of common-sense reforms to Connecticut’s vastly underfunded pension system following the expiration of the SEBAC contract in 2027. Continue reading Opinion: Connecticut is at a crossroad

Conroy calls for urgent action on Walk Bridge, blasts Rilling on state budget

Norwalk Republican mayoral candidate Andy Conroy, second from right, asserts Monday that Norwalk should try to scale back the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s plans to rebuild the Walk Bridge. From left are city sheriff candidate James Anderson; Common Council District A candidate Ellen Wink; Council at large candidate Bill Dunne and Council at large candidate Peter Halladay.

The election is Nov. 7.

Updated, 12:44 p.m.: Minor copyedits, addition of vote percentages from last election.

NORWALK, Conn. – The time is now for Norwalk to protect itself from the state’s steamrolling Walk Bridge project, Republican mayoral candidate Andy Conroy said Monday.

Conroy met with reporters at Liberty Square, criticizing Democratic Mayor Harry Rilling on the Walk Bridge and Rilling’s comments about the state budget. He also touched upon charter revision as he answered reporters’ questions while trains rumbled by on the aging railroad bridge.

Video by Harold Cobin at bottom of story Continue reading Conroy calls for urgent action on Walk Bridge, blasts Rilling on state budget

NoN offers laser tag in November at My Three Sons

The new black light miniature golf course at My Three Sons. (Contributed)

NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalk’s venerable arcade has expanded, with black light mini-golf and laser tag among the new offerings.

You can check out the fun at My Three Sons and support NancyOnNorwalk on Nov. 6, with a fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. Continue reading NoN offers laser tag in November at My Three Sons

Malloy releases fourth state budget proposal

Gov. Dannel Malloy delivers his budget address in February, as shown on CT-N.

NORWALK, Conn. – This is a press release, presented in the format in which it was sent:

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today released his fourth balanced budget proposal for the FY18-FY19 biennium. Built off the administration’s last compromise budget (House Bill 7501, as amended by Senate Amendment A), this new budget eliminates numerous tax increases, cuts additional spending, and pares down implementer language to focus only on structural changes and language that is actually necessary to implement the biennial budget.

“This is a lean, no-frills, no-nonsense budget,” Governor Malloy said. “Our goals were simple in putting this plan together: eliminate unpopular tax increases, incorporate ideas from both parties, and shrink the budget and its accompanying legislation down to their essential parts. It is my sincere hope this document will aid the General Assembly in passing a budget that I can sign into law.” Continue reading Malloy releases fourth state budget proposal

Norwak BoE legal costs in Fensore lawsuit exceed $160k

Legal bills in the case of former Norwalk Special Education Director Christina Fensore, left, versus Norwalk Board of Education Chairman Mike Lyons, right, have exceeded $160,000.

Updated, Oct. 17: Information added. Updated, 4:53 p.m.: Minor copy edit to remove typos.

NORWALK, Conn. – Legal bills in the lawsuit filed by a former Norwalk Special Education director against Board of Education Chairman Mike Lyons are more than $160,000, with a trial yet to come.

Former SpEd Director Chrissy Fensore, in a complaint filed in May, 2016, in Bridgeport Superior Court, accuses Lyons of “unlawful and defamatory actions” in the “malicious and intentional publication and representation of false information to the public and press,” as well as “invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.” Lyons is being sued as a private citizen and is being defended at the BoE’s expense by Shipman & Goodwin, the firm hired by the Board. Continue reading Norwak BoE legal costs in Fensore lawsuit exceed $160k

Ask me another…

John Levin, Chapman Hyperlocal Media Inc. Board Chairman.

Send signed letters to [email protected]

Okay, it should be pretty clear that “Ask John” is a successful and worthwhile use of the Nancy On Norwalk bandwidth for serious social commentary and in-depth examination of important local civic issues.

Continue reading Ask me another…

Opinion: ADHD children face challenges

- Opinion
By Norwalk Board of Education
1 : 51 am EDT October 15 2017
12 Comments

The Norwalk Board of Education on Oct. 3 voted to recognize October as National ADHD Awareness Month. This is the Board’s statement.

The Norwalk Board of Education recognizes October as National ADHD Awareness Month to bring awareness to the issues surrounding Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adult hood. The terms ADHD and ADD both refer to the same disorder, with the only difference being that some people have attention deficit and hyperactivity, while others do not. Continue reading Opinion: ADHD children face challenges

Opinion: Norwalk ACTS director’s weekly shout outs

Norwalk ACTS staff attended StriveTogether’s national Convening – Be the Change: Getting Results for Every Child. (Norwalk ACTS)

Anthony Allison

Anthony Allison is the executive director of Norwalk ACTS.

Huge Shout Out to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife, Connie, who have pledged an investment of up to $60 million over six years from the Ballmer Group to support StriveTogether’s Partner Network, which includes Norwalk ACTSand 69 other community organizations across the country, working to improve the lives of children and youth from cradle to career. Continue reading Opinion: Norwalk ACTS director’s weekly shout outs

Conroy slams Rilling over Walk Bridge, state budget

A rendering of the latest Walk Bridge design.

The election is Nov. 7.

NORWALK, Conn. – Republican mayoral candidate Andy Conroy on Friday sent out a press release “slamming the lack of leadership in Norwalk” under incumbent Mayor Harry Rilling, which, according to Conroy, has left Norwalk at risk of major disruption from the Walk Bridge project and exposed to large tax hikes arising from state funding losses.
Continue reading Conroy slams Rilling over Walk Bridge, state budget

Morris offer of Monday forum a dud with competitors

The 2017 Norwalk mayoral candidate lineup: From left, Mayor Harry Rilling, Republican Town Committee Chairman Andy Conroy, Lisa Brinton Thomson and State Rep. Bruce Morris.

The election is Nov. 7.

NORWALK, Conn. — A Friday invitation from one Norwalk mayoral candidate to his three opponents for an informal outdoor mayoral forum Monday has garnered a tepid response.

Mayor Harry Rilling and Lisa Brinton Thomson have both declined the offer from State Rep. Bruce Morris (D-140), made in response to Brinton Thomson’s Thursday press release announcing mutual admiration between her and two Republican Common Council candidates. Republican candidate Andy Conroy said he wasn’t sure he could make it to Morris’ event, based on his schedule. Continue reading Morris offer of Monday forum a dud with competitors