Speak Up 2006: Superintendent
of School Dr. Lynne
Pierson talks about "MySpace.com" as does Sergeant Pat Daubert;
click on crowd scene to view notes on previous recent "Speak Ups"
-
Chair. of Parks and Rec. David Juneau answer question about
Bisceglie-Scribner plans; WestonArts introduces their
mission; Selectman Richard Miller on "the fence" and Mary
McCormick (CLICK HERE FOR UPDATE) on "MySpace.com" - to be the subject of regional discussion
with Att'y Gen. Blumenthal in Town Hall soon; former First
Selectwoman of Westport Diane Farrell attends "Speak Up 2006" and hears
nice things about Westport's pool facilities and public concern about
emergency services delivery in event of disasters or attack.
"Speak Up 2006" took place on Saturday, February 4, 2006,
from 10:30am to 12 noon. WATCH IT HERE!
League of Women Voters of Weston President Pat Heifetz greeted a crowd of 100+ - the @75 citizens present, and the
30+ elected and appointed officials seated on the stage at
Norfield Church Parish Hall. Moderator Kathy Failla spelled out
the rules and then the questions came pouring out from all parts of the
audience, on many, many topics.
This event was videotaped for later broadcast on Cablevision Channel 79
(Town TV Channel). We note that Cablevision Channel 12 sent a
team for a quick "stand-up" report, complete with camera and reporter
(looked like Lori Bordinaro, but wasn't).
After the officials on stage each stood and identified themselves by
name and official responsibility, the first question came from a resident
concerned about "MySpace.com" and on-line predators. This topic
brought responses from Superintendent, police, other parents in the
audience - and a high school student present, who gave a response from
a "user" point of view...see article found on Sunday's Hartford Courant website...
Another matter that came up late in "Speak Up 2006" was what was going
to happen as a result of Parks & Recreation's "Public Hearing"
about future development for Bisceglie Park and the swimming/walking
areas. Chairman of Parks and Rec. (photo fourth graphic from the
left, above) explained their plans for more
sessions for input before decisions are made on Bisceglie or major
endeavors. Great report from FORUM below...as the final tape is
prepared for showing on Town TV Channel 79 in a week or two.
Westonites make themselves heard at annual Speak Up
FORUM
By TERRY CASTELLANO
Feb 8, 2006
While some residents may have felt the selectmen were, figuratively,
“sitting on the fence” with regard to providing answers as to why there
is a private fence on town-owned Revson field, most residents appeared
to be satisfied with the responses provided by the selectmen during the
League of Women Voters’ (LWV) annual forum, Speak Up.
Residents and town officials took part in an hour and a half question
and answer session where any and all subjects pertaining to town and
state government were open for discussion.
Approximately 75 community members and 30 town and state officials
attended the forum, held at Norfield Church Parish Hall. Attendees
included state Senators Judith Freedman and John McKinney, Jr., and
Representative John C. Stripp, as well as the three selectmen and the
chairmen or their designated representatives from almost every town
commission and board.
Also on hand to answer questions were Lynne Pierson, superintendent of
schools; Tom Landry, town administrator; and Sergeant Patrick Daubert
of the Weston Police Department. Diane Farrell, who has announced her
candidacy for congress, was also in attendance, sitting quietly in the
audience as she listened to the questions and ensuing discussions the
questions elicited.
On the fence
“If we have them (the Collins family) take it down, we would then have
to put another fence up,” explained First Selectman Woody Bliss, in
answer to James Maggio’s question regarding a town vote not to accept
monetary compensation for the reconfiguration of town property and not
to allow that reconfiguration to go forward, yet allowing a fence to
remain approximately 10 feet onto town property.
“The fence that is there now meets the needs of the school building committee,” said Selectman Richard Miller.
“The Collins’s proposal (to the town with regard to reconfiguration of
their property and that of Revson field) is considerably
different...than (what is there now),” added Selectman Glenn Major.
Other issues dominating the meeting were the proposed liquid nitrogen
gas “depot” in Long Island Sound, the protection of Weston youth from
cyber predators, the sharing of students’ names and addresses by the
school district, and local emergency preparedness plans.
Cyber predators
Bernard Wilson, senior minister of Norfield Congregational Church,
asked what the town was doing to protect children from cyber predators.
Reverend Wilson referred to the recent media attention focused on
myspace.com.
“The schools have launched some initiatives,” said Dr. Pierson,
referring to Internet filters already in place that prevent students,
staff, and anyone using a school-owned computer from accessing
“inappropriate” and unsafe sites.
“We are good listeners and we pick up on what the kids are talking
about,” Dr. Pierson added. She then detailed one example of what the
district is doing in terms of pro-active work to combat cyber predators.
According to Dr. Pierson, Lisa Wolak, middle school principal, has
contacted the Weston Police Department and invited an officer
knowledgeable about Internet access and safety issues to speak with the
students. A letter was sent home to address such issues and alert
parents to possible safety concerns and communicate with them the
school’s plans.
Dr. Pierson said, “Parental oversight and control is also needed.
Parents need to ask themselves, ‘Where is the computer placed?’ We are
having conversations with our police department, town officials, and
those of neighboring towns, also, so that we, as communities, can
assist in the protection of our children.”
Sgt. Daubert added there had been two to three incidents in Weston
related to cyber predators that “would really raise your eyebrows.”
Sgt. Daubert said the police department is “working closely with the
town, the schools, and the parents to take on this challenge.”
LNG
Barbara Rowland, a League of Women Voters member, expressed concern
over the federal government’s siting of Long Island Sound as one
potential area where a stationary liquid nitrogen gas “depot” could be
located for energy use (referred to as the Broadwater project).
“Ninety-nine point nine percent (of the state legislators) are opposed to this,” said Rep. Stripp.
Two concerns raised by Rep. Stripp include terrorist attacks on the
‘depot,’ and the fact that the ‘depot’ “would take up a big chunk of
the sound.”
“There are one to two dozen potential sites in the Northeast,” said
Senator McKinney. “This is out of state jurisdiction. It is a federal
issue... We need to throw up so much opposition that the federal
government will decide to go elsewhere.”
“We need to make stronger state laws,” added Senator Freedman.
All state officials agreed that energy supplied by the liquid nitrogen
gas facility would not be for use by Connecticut residents, but would
be tapped by residents in New York.
Sharing of student information
One parent, Petra D’Agostino, asked if it is accurate that the school
district supplies the names and addresses of public school students to
a committee that sponsors two yearly formal dances, including the
County Assemblies for junior girls and the Red and White dance for
senior girls. Ms. D’Agostino’s concern was that the all public school
students cannot attend the dance, even if they wish to, as there is a
cap on the number of attendees.
After Speak Up, Ms. D’Agostino said, “I am not looking to sabotage the
dances. In fact, I would like to see them continued. My concern is that
this be an inclusive event.”
“I dislike seeing any youngster excluded from such an activity,” Dr.
Pierson responded. “I have spoken with the people who run these (two)
events and have expressed my concern.”
Dr. Pierson assured Ms. D’Agostino that she would follow up on Ms. D’Agostino’s concerns and look further into the issue.
Emergency preparedness
Long time resident Gisela Ruthman asked, “With the United States now at
war, yet fast asleep, what plans are in place to address various
emergency situations?”
“We do have emergency plans in place, but you don’t see them until they
are needed,” responded Mr. Bliss. “We have activated the plans four
times since I became selectman. One was on 9/11; one was upon the death
of our former superintendent, Dr. Shaner; and two were storm-related.
“I urge everyone to have an emergency-preparedness kit at home. You can
obtain a description (of one) on the American Red Cross Web site,”
added Mr. Bliss.
Monica Wheeler, representing the Westport-Weston Health District,
agreed with Mr. Bliss that emergency preparedness begins at home, but
added the district also has emergency plans in place, particularly with
regard to bio-terrorism.
“We will be having a drill in the near future,” said Ms. Wheeler. “This
is a state-promoted plan. We have received great support from the
community.”
Sgt. Daubert said the police department has sent members to workshops
on regional and state communication and cooperative efforts in the
event of emergency situations. He also encouraged each family not only
to have an emergency-preparedness kit but a plan as to where to meet in
an emergency.
Dr. Pierson echoed Mr. Bliss, Ms. Wheeler and Sgt. Daubert’s thoughts,
saying the school district works closely with the town and has a plan
in place and that plan has been tested through drills.
When asked about evacuation strategies in the event of a nuclear
incident, Mr. Bliss replied that he hoped he did not sound trite, but
at such a point, perhaps one might pray.
Other issues
Other areas touched on during Speak Up were the formation of a
committee to address property tax benefits for veterans; the growth of
the town budget, including the education component; cell tower
placement and integration into the landscape; budget planning and
communication of such plans; state campaign finance reform; passive and
active use of the Bisceglie-Scribner Park; the need for an arts center
within the town; protocol followed for displaying the American flag;
and an explanation of the Ethics Committee’s duties.
Patricia Heifetz is the president of the League of Women Voters of
Weston and Kathy Failla, a league member, served as moderator.
Groton Man Charged With Having Sex With Teen
DAY
Published on 9/6/2006
Portland (AP)— Police have arrested a 31-year-old Groton man, accusing
him of setting up sexual encounters with a 14-year-old girl over the
cell phone. Paul Mineau drove to Portland twice to have sex with
the girl in her bedroom while her parents were asleep in another part
of the house, according to Lt. Ronald Milardo. The arrest follows
a two-month investigation that began when the girl’s parents noticed
“an extremely high cellular phone bill” and confronted the girl,
Milardo said.
Investigators determined the girl had set up a profile on an online
service similar to MySpace.com and was contacted by Mineau, police said.
The two continued to “talk” to one another via a new service called
U-POC, which Milardo said allows a customer to download the service
onto his or her cell phone and then text message someone using the
phone. Mineau, who was arrested Tuesday, was charged with
second-degree sexual assault and two counts of risk of injury to a
minor and was ordered held in lieu of $75,000 bond.