(Helen Neafsey/Greenwich Time photo)
American Legion Post 29 Surely Is Proud Of Their Fictitious Lawmaker Who Tried To Put An End To "Don't Ask Don't Tell"
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"Everybody else was trying all these gimmicks in their speeches, like stepping down into the crowd or listing their accomplishments in student government," Greenwich High School senior Dan Kelly recalled. "I just thought it would be best to get people excited about the program, so I talked about what a great opportunity we have" to participate in Boys State.
GHS senior makes waves in Washington
By Colin Gustafson Greenwich Time Staff Writer
Greenwich High School senior Dan Kelly never imagined he'd have such an impressive political resume by age 18.
A Junior Olympics water-polo player who is working as a lifeguard this summer, Kelly was one of two people selected out of more than 200 Connecticut students to attend Boys Nation, a program in Washington that introduces high school seniors to the workings of the federal government.
Kelly was chosen in June to represent his home state while attending a similar program, Boys State, which teaches students about local, county and state politics by having them participate in a mock government in Willimantic.
He was chosen, along with six other Greenwich students, to participate in the Boys State after interviewing with members of American Legion Post 29 in Glenville, which sponsors the program.
The other students chosen to participate in Boys State, which was held at Eastern Connecticut State University, were Collin Peck-Gray, David Goldstein, Lee Moskowitz, Michael Drittel, Tom Sassos and Scott Marschall.....
....Another bill that he supported, abolishing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military, passed the legislature one day, only to get vetoed by the Boys Nation "president," a student from Texas, the next.
Despite such disappointments, Kelly said the program was a valuable learning experience. "There were so many brilliant kids there, it was incredible to get to hear their views firsthand, even if you didn't agree, he said.
"Back in Greenwich, you can sit around a debate the issues that don't always directly impact on your life," he added. "But when you talk to kids who are dealing with those issues - the Alaskan kids who support oil drilling, or the Texan kids who have twenty new students in their class every year because of immigration - then it's different," he added. "It really opens your mind and gives you something to think about."
The Boys State program was started by the American Legion in 1935 to educate students about the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Boys Nation was started in 1946. Among those attending Boys State and Boys Nation was President Clinton.
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More Greenwich Time News Links For Thursday:Wiffle ball tourney in the works
Welcome to Greenwich, the new hotbed of Wiffle ball. As if the town wasn't already associated with Wiffle ball, one of the teens at the center of the recent Wiffle-gate controversy is organizing a tournament at the Greenwich Polo Club next month with backing from police, the United Way of Greenwich, members of the business community and the company that invented the sport.
Hospital gets OK for angioplasty program
After a three-year trial period, Greenwich Hospital has been approved for a permanent angioplasty program, guaranteeing a new level of emergency care in the event of cardiac problems.
With critical shortages of blood supply across the state, Greenwich Hospital is doing what it can to conserve its supply.
Late-night fire guts mansion
Just weeks before its owners were planning to move in, a home being remodeled at 59 Cat Rock Road was destroyed by a blaze Tuesday night that caused three firefighters to be treated for heat exhaustion.
Fire Chief Peter Siecienski said the home was not occupied when the fire was reported at 10:41 p.m. at the two-story Colonial, which is tucked away in the woods and surrounded by several large boulders on a hilltop.
The owner of the house, who town officials identified as Wayne Jervis, had been living with his family in a small guest cottage on the 4.3-acre property while their new home - scheduled for completion around Labor Day - was being built.
"They were three weeks away from moving in. It's too bad," Siecienski said Wednesday.
It took 50 firefighters about an hour to get the blaze under control, according to Siecienski, who said the fire caused the partial collapse of several sections of the 13-room home
"It was totally engulfed when they arrived," Siecienski said.
Two firefighters were treated and released from Greenwich Hospital for heat exhaustion said the chief, who pointed out that the weather was hot and muggy at the time of the fire. A third firefighter was treated at the scene for similar symptoms of heat exhaustion that Siecienski said included nausea, vomiting and cramps.
- Please see yesterday's photo of the fire
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