Archive for December, 2010

A woman and two dogs rescued after falling through thin ice

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With the help of a bystander, Fairfield firefighters rescued a woman and her two dogs out of an icy Mill River Friday afternoon.

The woman was walking her dogs when they scurried onto the river near Unquowa Road and fell through a patch of thin ice about 3:58 p.m., according to the fire department. In an effort to rescue the dogs, the woman walked onto the ice and also fell into the water.

A bystander called 9-1-1, threw a rope out to the woman and successfully pulled her to shore, the department said. One of the dogs also made it back to land before the fire department arrived on the scene.

Once on scene, firefighters carefully rescued the dog still floundering in the water amid patches of ice about 25 feet from shore, the department said. The rescue of the medium-sized terrier mutt took about 5 minutes, the department said.

The Fairfield Fire Department urges citizens to immediately call 9-1-1 any time a person or animal falls through thin ice. Citizens should remain eye contact with the victim and refrain from attempting a rescue, the department said.

Metro North vending machines not taking plastic

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Taking the train this morning? You might want to bring along some lettuce, as in hard, cold cash.

We received this terse announcement from Metro North:

“Ticket machines at all stations, excluding those at Grand Central Terminal, are not accepting credit or debit cards for ticket purchases. Please purchase your tickets at the station or onboard the train using cash.”

There’s no word yet as to when this situation will be sorted out.

New Year’s tips from Mayor Bill Finch

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Here’s some advice from Bridgeport city officials for celebrating the New Year:

Mayor Bill Finch on Thursday urged all city residents to enjoy a safe New Year’s holiday weekend, and called on everyone to “act responsibly” while still enjoying the festivities with family and friends.

“Public safety is our number-one priority during the holiday season, and throughout the year,” said Finch. “I would urge everyone to act responsibly while observing the holiday, and be aware of the penalties for driving while drunk, excessive noise and the illegal use of fireworks. We want everyone to enjoy their holiday, but it’s important for everyone to be respectful of others and obey the law,” said Mayor Finch.

New Year’s Eve is often marked with celebratory gunfire, but unlawful use of a firearm is a crime and anyone caught doing so will be arrested, according to Police Chief Joseph Gaudett.

Gaudett also cautioned New Year’s revelers to drink responsibly. “Our police officers will be out in force keeping the streets safe on New Year’s Eve and throughout the long weekend, and we will be on the lookout for drunk drivers. If you plan to go out, please be sure to have a designated driver,” he added.

Fire Chief Brian Rooney reminds the public that while the sale of caps, sparklers and showering fountains are legal in the state of Connecticut, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to buy or use these types of fireworks. “If you [as an adult] hand a sparkler to a child under the age of 16, you are breaking the law.”

Fire safety guidelines outlined by the Bridgeport Fire Department:

Kitchen Safety – Never leave pots on the stove unattended.

Space Heaters – Keep all space heaters at least 3 feet away from combustible items.

Matches and Lighters – Store matches and lighters locked up high, away from children.

Electrical Cords – Keep out of traffic areas and don’t risk breaking the wires by pinching them behind or under furniture.

Candles – Keep candles away from anything that will burn.  Blow candles out when you leave the room or go to bed.

Plan your escape – Make a home escape plan with the family and practice it.

Christmas Trees – Always make sure that trees have plenty of water.

Smoke Detectors – A smoke detector is required on every floor and outside of sleeping areas.
Call 203.335.8835 for free 10-year smoke alarm with free installation.

Person injured in sidewalk shooting on Brewster Street

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An early-morning sidewalk shooting on Brewster Street Thursday wounded a person, according to Bridgeport Police.

No further information is available.

The shooting is the first of two in the Park City Thursday. Another man was shot in the stomach at Marina Village about 5:55 p.m. Thursday.

Stratford DWI checkpoint yields 3 arrests with 6 hours to go

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There are three fewer drunk drivers on the streets of Stratford tonight thanks to a DWI checkpoint manned by Stratford police. Three people have been arrested so far tonight for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, according to Lt. David Salik.

The checkpoint is scheduled to wrap up at 2 a.m. Friday.

City Hall employees sent home early

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BRIDGEPORT — A property owner in the city was furious today when he drove to City Hall to pay his taxes and found…no one.

The man, who declined to give his name because he said his company does business with the city, said when he approached the building there was no indication that he would find a “ghost town” inside.

The man said no notes were posted on the doors and he was able to enter City Hall without a problem. But, once inside, all departments were closed.

An employee that had lingered behind told the property owner that the mayor had given department heads permission earlier today to dismiss their employees at 2:30 p.m., instead of 5 p.m. as usual.

“If they are off tomorrow (New Year’s Eve), which is fine, why shut down early today?” the man said.

“This mayor is ridiculous,” he added.

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): Chief of Staff Adam Wood said city employees were NOT sent home early. He said he was at City Hall just now and employees were still there.

However, a city employee just told me employees were, in fact, told they could leave early if they chose. This employee said the Tax Collector’s Office was still open when (s)he left at 3 p.m. The disgruntled taxpayer called me just after 3:30 p.m.

Did you go to City Hall after 2:30 p.m.? If so, where there people there or not? Reach me at ktorres@ctpost.com or 203-330-6321. Follow at twitter.com/ktorresbpt.

Breakfast returns to MLK tribute in Bpt.

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The year’s tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. sponsored by Bridgeport Black Pride, will be special because organizers are bringing back the breakfast.

For years the King tribute has taken place in the sanctuary of Mount Aery Baptist Church on Frank Street, where it will again be celebrated on Martin Luther King Day Jan. 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The breakfast, in Mount Aery’s lower level in the church’s Bass Hall, will take place after the tribute portion of the program, and it will be catered by Miss Thelma’s restaurant. It’s expected that the hot breakfast will begin at about 11 a.m. Bass Hall was named after the Rev. Arthur C. Bass, who was Mount Aery’s pastor from 1941 to 1972.

The keynote speaker will be Fairfield University history professor Yohuru R. Williams, author of “Black Politics/White Power: Civil Rights Black Power and Black Panthers in New Haven” and “Teaching U.S. History Beyond the Textbook.” He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University.

The breakfast will take place after the Mount Aery tribute, in the church’s lower level, at Miss Thelma’s restaurant, 140 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, or by calling 203-526-8086.

Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/Black-Pride-is-bringing-back-breakfast-to-honor-927339.php#ixzz19bfp8c1Y

2011-2012 House Democrat Committee Chairs

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Several Bridgeport representatives were appointed to head legislative committees today.

State Rep. Andres Ayala, D-128, who represents the city’s East Side, was appointed chair of Transportation Bonding for the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee.
State Rep. Ezequiel Santiago, D-130, who represents the South End, was appointed vice chair of the Labor & Public Employees Committee.
Auden Grogins, D-129, who represents Black Rock, was appointed vice chair of the Planning and Development Committee.
And Jack Hennessy, D-127, who represents the North End, was appointed chairman of the Veteran’s Affairs Committee.

Other appointments made today:

Committee on Aging – Joseph Serra, Chair; Michelle Cook, Vice Chair

Appropriations Committee – Toni Walker, Chair; Patricia Miller, Vice Chair; Henry Genga, Vice Chair; Catherine Abercrombie, Vice Chair

Banks Committee – William Tong, Chair; Timothy Larson, Vice Chair

Select Committee on Children – Diana Urban, Chair; Kim Fawcett, Vice Chair

Commerce Committee – Jeff Berger, Chair; Greg Haddad, Vice Chair

Education Committee – Andrew Fleischmann, Chair; Douglas McCrory, Vice Chair

Energy & Technology Committee – Vicki Nardello, Chair; Lonnie Reed, Vice Chair

Environment Committee – Richard Roy, Chair; Paul Davis, Vice Chair

Executive & Legislative Nominations Committee – Claire Janowski, Chair;
Linda Schofield, Vice Chair

Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee – Patricia Widlitz, Chair; Jason Rojas, Vice Chair; Elissa Wright, Vice Chair; Betty Boukus, General Bonding Chair

General Law Committee – Joseph Taborsak, Chair; David Baram, Vice Chair

Government Administration & Elections Committee – Russell Morin, Chair; Matthew Lesser, Vice Chair

Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee – Roberta Willis, Chair; Juan Candelaria, Vice Chair

Select Committee on Housing – Larry Butler, Chair; Chris Wright, Vice Chair

Human Services Committee – Peter Tercyak, Chair; Bruce Morris, Vice Chair

Insurance & Real Estate Committee – Robert Megna, Chair; Susan Johnson, Vice Chair

Internship Committee – Mae Flexer, Chair

Judiciary Committee – Gerry Fox, Chair; Gary Holder-Winfield, Vice Chair

Labor & Public Employees Committee – Bruce “Zeke” Zalaski, Chair

Joint Committee on Legislative Management – Christopher G. Donovan, Chair; Brendan Sharkey, Vice Chair

Planning and Development Committee – Linda Gentile, Chair

Program Review & Investigation Committee – Mary Mushinsky, Ranking Member

Public Health Committee – Betsy Ritter, Chair; Christopher Lyddy, Vice Chair

Public Safety Committee – Steve Dargan, Chair; Ed Jutila, Vice Chair

Regulations Review Committee – Tim O’Brien, Chair

Transportation Committee – Tony Guerrera, Chair; Steve Mikutel, Vice Chair

Veteran’s Affairs Committee – Frank Nicastro, Vice Chair

Reapportionment – Christopher G. Donovan; Sandy Nafis

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