State Commission does not decide if use of Public Property - the Official Town & Borough Seal - was illegal

The State Election Enforcement Commission only decided the issue of whether or not "public money" was used to promote the Republican candidate election campaign effort. The Commission indicated that it does not have any jurisdiction over statutes regulating the use of Official Town Seals or copyrighted materials published on a Town owned and operated website.

[above comments are note from JCP-eBlog! publisher.]



Election Panel Dismisses Complaint Against Warden Candidate, Selectwoman
by Megan Bard - published by The Day - April 14, 2007

Griswold — The state Elections Enforcement Commission has dismissed a complaint against Melinda Brooks, a Republican candidate for borough warden in Jewett City, and First Selectwoman Anne P. Hatfield.

In its decision Wednesday, the commission found that neither Brooks nor Hatfield had violated state statutes regarding the use of public money.

The commission did not rule on whether Brooks' use of town and borough seals on her campaign Web site was inappropriate.

In the three-page decision, commission Chairman Stephen F. Cashman wrote that the commission does not have jurisdiction over copyright infringements because they “do not fall within the parameters of state election law.”

Brooks has since removed the materials from her site.

In a complaint filed Feb. 20, Ron Ward, the Jewett City Party candidate for borough warden, implied that Hatfield, acting as Brooks' campaign treasurer, had allowed Brooks to use the town and borough seals on Brooks' Web site.

Ward wrote that by doing so, Hatfield allowed Brooks to give the impression that municipal government had endorsed her candidacy, possibly at taxpayer expense.

Reached Friday afternoon, Brooks and Hatfield said they were pleased with the commission's decision. Both maintained they did nothing illegal or unethical.

Hatfield, who has since resigned as Brooks' campaign treasurer, has said she did not know Brooks had used the town or borough seals on the Web site. Brooks has also said that if she erred it was unintentional.

“I believed all along this would be dismissed. I was just eager to have it resolved,” Brooks said. “I believed from the beginning that this was Mr. Ward's attempt to get into the paper and try to smear our names.”

Hatfield commended the commission for settling the issue prior to the May 7 Borough of Jewett City election and said the candidates can now focus on “real issues” such as safety, economic development and taxes.

In addition to Brooks and Ward, Democratic Warden Cynthia Kata is running for re-election.

Ward also said Friday that he was not surprised by the commission's decision.

"Don't Complain & Don't Ask" - The Brooks & Hatfield Motto for keeping the people's government running smoothly

It's official -- Brooks, Republican candidate for Jewett City Borough Warden, denied:

"giving Anne Hatfield access to her website or password or asking and obtaining permission from Anne Hatfield to use, copy and paste material considered to be property of the Borough of Jewett City or the Town of Griswold."

It's official -- Brooks, acknowledged:

"copying the Borough of Jewett City portion of the Town of Griswold website and incorporating it to her campaign website."

It's official -- Hatfield, Griswold First Selectman & former election campaign finance treasurer for Brooks stated:

[that she] "did not take or use or authorize anyone else to take or use the Town of Griswold or the Borough of Jewett City seals (copyrighted or not) for the Melinda Brooks election campaign."

Now that -- "Brooks said what she did do and Hatfield said what she didn't do" -- has been officially determined by the State Election Enforcement Commission; let not there be any "songs of exoneration" from the Brooks-Hatfield "she said - she said" political chorus.

Especially, since they are the only two people (in the entire world) who know what they said to each other; and, like a magic act stage show, their stories coincide to "keep the lady in the box from being sawed in half."

Like the Election enforcement commission said, "The Commission has not discovered any evidence to the contrary."

click here to read: February 22, 2007 complaint filed by Ron Ward, Jewett City Party founder and candidate for Borough Warden

click here to read: April 11, 2007 "Findings and Conclusions" issued by the Connecticut Election Enforcement Commission

click here to read: April 4, 2007 "JCP eblog! publishes Facts on Republican candidate's alleged campaign wrong-doing"

click here to read: April 3, 2007 JCP eblog! article "Griswold Town Attorney uses public Tax Dollars to defend Brooks against Allegations of Election Campaign wrong-doing???



"Don't complain" & "Don't ask"

"Don't Complain" -- That is the Brooks plan for "problem solving" and responding to resident complaints. In a April 13, 2007 post on her personal political campaign website (www.jewettcityborough.com), Brooks stated:

"It would appear to me that all allegations of "ELECTION WRONG DOING" that Mr. Ward made, had NO SUBSTANCE other than being an attempt to smear my name and Anne's name.

Mr. Ward also threw out allegations of wasting tax dollars for defense in this matter (also fictitious) when it was actually Mr. Ward who's complaint against a town employee wasted some tax dollars for the town attorney to respond to requests made on the town when the complaint was filed.

I THINK IT IS TO SAY THAT MR. WARD HAS WASTED TAX DOLLARS. REMEMBER THAT ON MAY 7TH."

Apparently, the Brooks "problem solving plan" works sorta like this. If you complain, you better be right. Otherwise, you are wasting tax payer dollars.
click here to read the post.

"Don't Ask" -- That is the Hatfield plan for "freedom of information" requests. In a January 23, 2007 email from Griswold First Selectman Hatfield addressed to Ron Ward, Hatfield stated:

"That is the point I was trying to make "the act of 'creating information to fulfill your request' would be fraud and is something that can't be done. The grant administrator either has documentation of the due diligence record keeping maintained by his office or he does not."

However, I believe my Finance Director has provided you with an adequate response. I will have her revisit your request upon her return next week.

Please note, the amount of time to continue to chase your request for information that doesn't appear to exist is also a waste of taxpayers dollars."

Apparently, the Hatfield "freedom of information plan" works sorta like this. If you ask, I had better be able to find it. Otherwise, you are wasting tax payer dollars.
click here to read the Hatfield email.

Altone's in Jewett City to Host Fundraising event to benefit local Bride and Groom

Annie Kudelchuk, owner of Altone's in Jewett City donated the hall at the restaurant for the wedding and is holding a pasta dinner fund-raiser later this month.

How to help: Pasta dinner held from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. on April 20 at Altone's Italian Restaurant, 47 North Main St., Jewett City. Eat-in or Take-out; $7/adult; $5/child. For information - call: 376-5940


A miracle brought him here: Blind couple tying knot in Jewett City
By Liz Mugavero - Norwich Bulletin - April 8, 2007

JEWETT CITY -- When Tammy Robbins heard Bob Chabotte's miraculous story of survival after a devastating motorcycle accident, she was determined to meet him.

After all, they had something in common: Robbins has been blind since birth, and Chabotte lost his sight in the accident.

But she had no idea he would turn out to be the love of her life, or they would be planning a wedding less than a year later.

"My heart just went out to him after hearing his story, and I wanted to meet him," Robbins said. "It took me nine months to track him down, but then he came to my house and never left."

And with the help of a good friend, the couple are hoping to raise enough money for a special wedding day and a few days away to spend together.

Annie Kudelchuk, owner of Altone's in Jewett City and longtime friend of Chabotte, donated the hall at the restaurant for the wedding and is holding a pasta dinner fund-raiser later this month.

"They love each other and want to be together, and I want to help," she said.

Robbins first heard of Chabotte through an October 2005 article in the Norwich Bulletin. She wasn't able to locate him until July 2006, but both agree it was worth the wait.

"We just have so many things in common," Chabotte said.

"When he hugged me that day," Robbins said, "I just knew it was where I belonged. A miracle brought him here."

Chabotte, 37, was living in Florida when the 1996 accident happened. In addition to his sight, the crash took his sense of smell and partial use of his right leg. Pronounced dead three times, doctors only gave him a 5 percent chance of survival.

Today, Chabotte is back to working as a mechanic. He, Robbins and her son, Aaron McCollum, 14, are enjoying life as a family. The couple will marry May 5.

"I've always wanted a family, and now I have a perfect one," said Robbins. "Now I hope we can have a perfect wedding, too."

Making Good on Commitment to maintain Skatepark: Youth input "A Must" to repair facility on Hill Street

Jewett City needs to make good on its commitment to keep the skatepark on Hill Street a safe place that is properly equipped and operational.

The joint Borough & Town project opened in 2004 after two years of planning, meetings, and input from parents and youth.

The original $10,000 cash and in-kind contributions got the skatepark started, but the lack of additional financial support over the last three years has left the park in disrepair. As reported by The Day in a December 27, 2006 news article, it is more than understandable that residents have questions about the future of the skatepark.

"We want to address it before it becomes a safety issue. We want to be proactive and preventative," was the direction urged by Marc L. Cournoyer, former Town Recreation Director, in a December 2006 letter to the Warden and Burgess of Jewett City. [Mr. Cournoyer's last day of employment as Griswold Recreation Director was the end of March. Plans for hiring a replacement have not been reported by the media.]

Tony Hawk Foundation: Action Plan Model & Possible Funding Source
"Supporting Youth and Public Skateparks" is the mission of the Tony Hawk Foundation. A statement from the foundation website says it best.

After receiving thousands of e-mails from parents and children across America who either did not have a safe, legal place to skate or were ostracized-and in some cases arrested-for skating on public property, Tony decided to establish a foundation whose mission would be to serve this population. He wanted to help them develop quality places to practice the sport that gives them much-needed exercise and a sense of self-esteem. So in 2002 he established the Tony Hawk Foundation, financed the organization with a personal gift, and assembled a board of directors that represents a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise. [www.tonyhawkfoundation.org]

Action Plan Model:
Direct grass-roots involvement by skaters is the hallmark of the the Tony Hawk Foundation. Youth must take the lead to organize skaters, plan the project, fundraise local dollars, and design the skatepark.

The foundation has published four articles on each of these subjects to provide guidance and inspire the possibilities.

1) click here - organizing
2) click here - planning
3) click here - fundraising
4) click here - designing

Possible Funding Source
The Tony Hawk Foundation makes grant awards between $1000 and $25,000 twice each year in April and December. The competition for funding is definitely extreme. Youth engaging the application process with the support of local government will create opportunities for individual learning, personal responsibility, and community pride.

The requirements of the Tony Hawk Foundation grant process can be found by reading the following documents:

1) click here - Letter from Tony Hawk
2) click here - Grant Eligibility Guidelines
3) click here - Grant Application Worksheet

Support of the Board of Warden and Burgess and direct youth involvement are critical to submitting a competitive grant application to the Tony Hawk Foundation.

Ron Ward, JCP Candidate for Warden committed to Skatepark
"The youth of Jewett City have demonstrated an interest in having the skatepark," said Ron Ward. He continued, "Now it is time for the Borough to make the skatepark safe and operational for our youth." A new skateboard shop will open at its School Street location on May 1st. The owner of the shop understands the market potential here in Jewett City. It is time to encourage our youth, support a new local merchant, and provide a top-notch skatepark.


Other Resources
Skaters For Public Skateparks: www.skatersforpublicskateparks.org
Skate Park Guide: www.skateparkguide.com
Skate Park Association of the USA: www.spausa.org
Skate Park: www.skatepark.org

The Day - editorial published December 28, 2007: click here

photo credit: Tim Martin, The Day - December 27, 2006

Two Adults & Two Youth - all part-time - supervise Griswold Rec. After-school Program

Marc Cournoyer, director of the Griswold Youth Center, resigned to take a position at the University of Connecticut. His last day was March 29.

While Cournoyer is gone, two part-time adult workers and two part-time high school-age workers will supervise the after-school program.

Cournoyer began working in Griswold in October 2002 as a part-timer running the Youth Services Bureau and overseeing the after-school program at the Youth Center. In summer 2003, the program was expanded and Cournoyer was made director of the summer recreation program, which is the town's summer camp program.

In 2005, the recreation and youth service bureaus were combined, which made his position full-time. He expanded youth services to the schools, expanded the recreation program from a summer program to a year-round one and expanded offerings of other programs.

He also helped with two moves for the Youth Center. The first was from Main Street to School Street. Last summer, the Youth Center moved into Slater Mill Mall.

Cournoyer will become a program coordinator for the Windham County 4-H programs out of the University of Connecticut extension office in Brooklyn. In that position, he will oversee all the 4-H youth programs in Windham County.

Entire post is an excerpt from a news article by Julie A. Varughese
published by Norwich Bulletin - April 9, 2007: click here to read

Taking Time to Hire Quality Educators is Best for Students and Community

Good Game Plan In Griswold
The Day - Editorial published April 5, 2007

The Griswold school system appears to be a victim of its own success.

Superintendent Elizabeth Osga faces the formidable challenge of replacing four top administrators in the system that has a single elementary, middle and high school, all located on the same campus.

But rather than signaling that something is wrong with the town's public school system, the mass exodus is a signal that things are right. A willingness to be innovative has apparently made its administrators attractive to other jurisdictions.

Middle school Principal Preston Shaw has been hired as a middle school principal in Holden, Mass., near his home. Mr. Shaw directed the transformation from a junior high to a middle school during his 11 years in Griswold and successfully introduced a team teaching approach.

During his eight years in charge, Griswold Elementary School Principal Paul Carolan's willingness to try different approaches helped capture the attention of the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London. Mr. Carolan is expected to become director there once the governing board gives its formal approval later this month.

The elementary school also loses its principal, Alfred Souza III, who will become principal of a Berlin elementary school. Mr. Souza had introduced computer software for assessing student math skills, then using the data to make instructional adjustments.

Jack Cross, Griswold's first curriculum director, departs after eight years. There was little coordination before Mr. Cross was hired. Students would find themselves going over the same topics in consecutive years while needed subjects went ignored. Mr. Cross, who is leaving to become assistant superintendent in Clinton, has aligned courses and eliminated needless repetition.

All the administrators leave at the end of the school year.

Superintendent Osga said Griswold's use of teacher evaluation standards tailored to specific curriculums, as well as classroom observation by administrators to provide constructive feedback to teachers, has caught the attention of other school systems, adding to the marketability of Griswold's administrators.

The challenge for Superintendent Osga and the Griswold school board is to find quality replacements who share the same interest in continued innovation. The superintendent has a good game plan. A selection committee of staff, parents, board members and school administrators will evaluate finalists. Replacing the two principals will be the top priorities. Once an elementary principal is selected, that person will take part in the hiring of assistant.

The curriculum director will be hired last because that position is the least critical to opening school next fall, according to Superintendent Osga. Positions should be filled by mid-August.

But the superintendent said she would not be rushed into a poor choice. If a quality candidate cannot be identified for any of the jobs, a position can be filled with an interim appointee while the search resumes, she noted.

That is wise. Griswold should strive to build on past successes, even if it means administrators will move onward and upwards, just hopefully next time not all at once.