Ken Dixon's Blog-O-Rama

The bill that would have created tougher regulations on outdoor wood-burning furances for home-heating died in the Environment Committee

“ Not only was the state legislature unwilling to do anything at all about outdoor wood furnaces/boilers – they would not even deal with wood smoke as a public health nuisance,” said Nancy Alderman, a public health advocate. ” What kind of state are we living in?  We have a large number of people in this state  being made sick from neighbor’s outdoor wood furnaces/boilers and we have a state department of health that is unwilling to deal with the wood smoke problem – and in fact the Association of Local Health Directors testified against adding wood smoke to the Public Health Nuisance Code  – and a legislature that is unwilling to help in any way.”

Just at the moment when the Blogster was sick and tired of the phrase “revenue enhancements” to describe new taxes, the folks at Pratt & Whitney have raised the bar in corporate$peak. This came the other day from Emily DeSantis, manager of media realtions:

“More than 155 employees across Pratt & Whitney facilities in Connecticut opted for the Voluntary Separation Option, eliminating the need for volume-based involuntary reductions at this time. The Voluntary Separation Option provides one week of severance pay for each year of service, a one-time $5,000 lump sum payment, and medical and dental insurance coverage at no cost for up to 12 months following the employees’ termination dates…”

For those unfamiliar with P&W’s corp$peak, “volume-based involuntary reductions” means layoffs.

It’s a sure sign of spring when Agriculture Day occurs in the Capitol. The building is awash with blue-jacketed future farmers clubs from throughout the state and there are exhibits galore set up in the Capitol’s first floor. There’s still time to get up here are grab a maple milkshake or maybe even a tomato seedling!

The Blogster, back from a brief fact-finding trip on the hills surrounding Montpelier, VT, the nation’s smallest state Capitol, is not shocked to see that the winners in this morning Quinnipiac University Poll are the undecideds in both Republican and Democratic parties as they assess gubernatorial hopefuls. Even though Greenwich millionaires Tom Foley and Ned Lamont are in the nominal leads for the GOP and Democratic nomiantions, respectively, voters are not embracing them, the Q Poll found.

Lamont’s camp was first with reaction this morning:

Communications Director Justine Sessions: “This is the third poll in a row where Ned is up by double digits over his closest challenger.”
 
“Ned’s business background and his focus on creating jobs are resonating with voters, and this comes before campaign season has even kicked into high gear.  As Ned continues to travel the state sharing his vision to get Connecticut back on offense with more voters, we’ll see his support grow even stronger.”

Here’s Foley’s:

“We are flattered and encouraged by the results of this poll. I have been traveling across Connecticut since June listening to the concerns of voters. This poll confirms that the issues I hear most about from citizens and the ones I have addressed in My Plan Forward for Connecticut – bringing jobs and the economy back to our state, reducing the cost and size of government, reducing the tax burden on working families, and changing the way business is done in Hartford – are resonating with the people of Connecticut.”

Here’s Roy Occiogrosso, on behalf of Dan Malloy, the former Democratic mayor of Stamford.

“Is Ned really highlighting a poll that shows his lead shrinking?  That’s an interesting strategy.  But what’s more interesting is the fact that Dan increased his vote share by 64% without spending a dime on paid communications.  Ned’s numbers didn’t move.   Dan is proving that you don’t have to spend millions of your own dollars to become better known and to generate enthusiasm and support for your candidacy.  What you do have to do is have the better candidate with a better track record and better ideas.  We’ll spend plenty of money on paid communications when the time is right: after the Convention, when voters really begin to pay attention.  People ask Dan all the time if this strategy can work.  Today shows that it’s already working.”

Chalk up a victory for Carroll Hughes, the lobbyist for the Connecticut Package Stores Association. The Program Review & Investigations Committee is not taking up legislation recommending the Sunday sale of alcohol in retail establishments like supermarkets and package stores. “It is highly controversial with strong sides on each issue,” Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, said. “I know how to count.” Rather than force a vote, Kissel didn’t take up the bill on the committee deadline day, essentially killing the concept. But of course, nothing’s ever dead in the General Assembly. Rep. Kathy Tallarita, D-Enfield, vows that she’ll try to get it into the budget, somehow, under the pretext that it would mean about $8 million a year in additional tax revenue. She’s on the Finance Committee, so she’ll have a venue to persuade lawmakers as the session continues.

Here’s the tear-making testimony of a woman who will appear this afternoon before the Transportation Committee, asking for mandatory training for all motorcyclists, not just young teens. her son was 19 when he died.

Good Morning

My name is Stephanie Pelletier and I reside in East Hartford, CT.  I would like to thank the committee for giving me this opportunity to speak in support of the motorcycle training bill.

On May 30, 2008 around 7:30 am my door bell rang several times….a sound that makes me cringe to this day.  At my door were two East Hartford police officers and a social worker.  They came to tell me my 19 year son Nick Cohen was killed while riding on his motorcycle.  It is a parent’s worst nightmare – to lose my child and then to turn around and have to tell my nine year old twins that their brother was never going to come home. 

Nick was a handsome kid.  He was very personable, happy and a caring person.  He was a role model at East Hartford High School.  The sadness and grief my family and I felt after his death was overwhelming and was shared by the whole community.

Often times we hear of tragic accidents happening on a weekend night, when kids are out partying or fooling around.  I want to stress that motorcycle accidents can happen anytime, even on an ordinary early morning like May the 30th. The night before Nick’s accident, he went to his Grandmother’s house to help her with a project and have dinner and he was home early.  The following morning was a beautiful sunny day. On his way to work, Nick stopped at the bank and then was heading to his friend’s house so they could ride to work together. A few miles from where he was going is where his life ended.  Nick collided with a minivan and he was instantly killed.  Nick was wearing his helmet and what should have been a beautiful ride to work, turned out to be a heartbreaking one.

Nick had a passion for motorcycles.  Nick got his bike a little (less) than a year before his accident.  As you can imagine, letting Nick get a motorcycle at such a young age was a very tough decision for me.

Through this difficult time I immediately knew I had to do something to help protect another parent from going through what I have.  After Nick’s death, I spent time learning about CT motorcycle laws.  I wanted to see if there was anything I could learn from my tragic experience and be able to pass it on to others.   I was amazed to find out how easy it is for someone to get a motorcycle permit and renew the permit with out formal training.   I often wonder if Nick was required to go through formal training, would he be here today.  I asked myself this question everyday which led me to start talking to State Representative Tim Larson.  

Currently the State of CT has a motorcycle training course known as the Connecticut Rider Education Program.  However, this program is only mandated for 16 & 17 year olds.  What this means is anybody over the age of 17 can obtain a motorcycle permit without any formal training.  I ask you to please consider the amendment before you, which would mandate that every driver seeking a motorcycle license be required to complete the Connecticut Rider Education Program.

I now hold Nick close to my heart by wearing locks of his hair in a locket on a chain and a yellow bracelet which says “ Nick, Always loved, forever remembered.  My hopes are that by mandating motorcycle training for everyone, I can save someone else’s son or daughter, and save a parent from the pain I feel everyday. Thank you 

Good Morning

My name is Stephanie Pelletier and I reside in East Hartford, CT.  I would like to thank the committee for giving me this opportunity to speak in support of the motorcycle training bill.

On May 30, 2008 around 7:30 am my door bell rang several times….a sound that makes me cringe to this day.  At my door were two East Hartford police officers and a social worker.  They came to tell me my 19 year son Nick Cohen was killed while riding on his motorcycle.  It is a parent’s worst nightmare – to lose my child and then to turn around and have to tell my nine year old twins that their brother was never going to come home. 

Nick was a handsome kid.  He was very personable, happy and a caring person.  He was a role model at East Hartford High School.  The sadness and grief my family and I felt after his death was overwhelming and was shared by the whole community.

Often times we hear of tragic accidents happening on a weekend night, when kids are out partying or fooling around.  I want to stress that motorcycle accidents can happen anytime, even on an ordinary early morning like May the 30th. The night before Nick’s accident, he went to his Grandmother’s house to help her with a project and have dinner and he was home early.  The following morning was a beautiful sunny day. On his way to work, Nick stopped at the bank and then was heading to his friend’s house so they could ride to work together. A few miles from where he was going is where his life ended.  Nick collided with a minivan and he was instantly killed.  Nick was wearing his helmet and what should have been a beautiful ride to work, turned out to be a heartbreaking one.

Nick had a passion for motorcycles.  Nick got his bike a little (less) than a year before his accident.  As you can imagine, letting Nick get a motorcycle at such a young age was a very tough decision for me.

Through this difficult time I immediately knew I had to do something to help protect another parent from going through what I have.  After Nick’s death, I spent time learning about CT motorcycle laws.  I wanted to see if there was anything I could learn from my tragic experience and be able to pass it on to others.   I was amazed to find out how easy it is for someone to get a motorcycle permit and renew the permit with out formal training.   I often wonder if Nick was required to go through formal training, would he be here today.  I asked myself this question everyday which led me to start talking to State Representative Tim Larson.

Currently the State of CT has a motorcycle training course known as the Connecticut Rider Education Program.  However, this program is only mandated for 16 & 17 year olds.  What this means is anybody over the age of 17 can obtain a motorcycle permit without any formal training.  I ask you to please consider the amendment before you, which would mandate that every driver seeking a motorcycle license be required to complete the Connecticut Rider Education Program.

I now hold Nick close to my heart by wearing locks of his hair in a locket on a chain and a yellow bracelet which says “ Nick, Always loved, forever remembered.  My hopes are that by mandating motorcycle training for everyone, I can save someone else’s son or daughter, and save a parent from the pain I feel everyday. Thank you

Easton First Selectman Thomas A. Herrmann will join the throng tomorrow, when he announces his candidacy in the Stamford Marriott Hotel at 10 a.m.

He’ll join Rob Russo of Bridgeport and state Sen. Dan Debicella of Shelton in the race for the nomination. Also running is Rob Merkle of Norwalk, Will Gregory of New Canaan and Rick Torres of Bridgeport. The winner gets to challenge US Rep. Jim Himes, D-CT.