07/10/08 Parents are sending e-mails and letters. They are organizing and trying to get community leaders to stop the Board of Education's new Plan

Grass Roots Organizing In Action

Some Greenwich Reporters respond to parental complaints about substandard educational facilities at Grenville school lets see if other Greenwich Reporters will publish the pictures.

Greenwich Roundup, local Greenwich Newspapers and RTM members have recieved letters and press releases, but no one is helping these Western Greenwich Parents.

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From: Laura DiBella [mailto:lauradibella@msn.com]

Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 8:54 PM

To: acap528@optonline.net; bica621@aol.com; MaryBeth Montague; JABDO67@OPTONLINE.NET; rdequeker@hotmail.com; arjsawyer@yahoo.com; dbn3793@msn.com; Donna.Conti@rbsgc.com; doreenpmay@aol.com; GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com; mikenjacki@aol.com; jcapozza@optonline.net; jbxport5@aol.com; freckles76@aol.com; kborsuk@greenwich-post.com; kerrydu@aol.com; clchorch@optonline.net; egay@optonline.net; dechiarax2@optonline.net; mpdarling@yahoo.com; martha.maldonado@pharma.com; deedex@hotmail.com; bortot3@optonline.net; tmjtb@verizon.net; Furano11@verizon.net; sturpin@optonline.net; Tbiela@optonline.net; TAndersenc@aol.com; Donnaf4@optonline.net; gvd68@aol.com

Cc: jlevine@sgtlaw.com

Subject: Fw: Bathroom pics

Check out the attached pictures from Glenville School. This is what they want to send our children to.

Come on Ken,

Do the right thing.

Stand up for the children of Western Greenwich.

Publish the photos in the Greenwich Post, so that taxpayers of Greenwich can see how their money is being spent.

07/10/08 Building a helipad in the fine sand and dust at Rawah is hard work. The "moon dust" at the pad site was 6 inches to a foot deep

Sgt. Adam Mears, center, 28, a heavy equipment operator from Greenwich, Conn., directs the operators of two bucket loaders as they fill a scraper with gravel at Combat Outpost Rawah in the Anbar province. The gravel will be used to build a helipad.

Amid dust, Marines help create helipad at Rawah

By Cindy Fisher

Stars and Stripes

RAWAH, Iraq — The aircraft landing area at Combat Outpost Rawah bustles with activity as a small detachment from Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 builds a helicopter pad.

The pad will allow the outpost to bed down more aircraft as U.S. servicemembers pull back from a camp at Al-Qa’im, a former Iraqi train station that is scheduled to return to that function,

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dennis Rice, detachment commander, said Monday.

The pad will increase the aircraft parking space by half, Rice said. Some landing areas will be improved to boost safety, he added....

...The sand is so fine that once it’s scrapped from the pad site, "it just blows away," said Sgt. Guarionex Illas, 30, a heavy equipment operator from Buffalo, N.Y.

With the dust gone, the Marines water the solid base down and add a gravel surface that has to be packed down and leveled. A soil cement compound will be added to harden the surface.

The whole process will take the heavy equipment operators of the detachment about 10 days, Illas said.

"The dust has been the biggest hindrance," he said.

But the detachment has done several other helo pad projects and have the process "down to a science," Rice said.

Once the new pad is completed, the detachment will move onto other improvements at Rawah, preparing for future personnel and equipment, he said.

"Our goal is to build a better base for the units that will replace us," he said.

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07/10/08 Reader Submitted Comments About Glenville School (Updated)

Why does the town want to put those poor Ham Ave kids at Glenville?

Are they begging for another lawsuit?

The building has mold, broken windows, leaks, asbestos, and probably couldn't pass a building inspection if the town went in.

They are moving Glenville kids out because the building is a metal shed not fit for livestock much less children.

It is, as stated by Sternberg, educationally unsound and they know the school academic programs do not work as well in that building as they do in other schools.

Ham Ave test scores are droppping and the board of ed wants to put them in a building where they can't be educated equally compared to other schools?

Please see:

07/09/08 Surprise!!! - "A lot of it wasn't ready," Town Building Official Bill Marr said, "Most of these areas will need a re-inspection."


07/08/08 Hamilton Avenue School has passed only one of the 18 final inspections


07/08/08 - Hamilton Avenue Project Manager Gerard Adam,"Let's not keep repeating the same mistakes


Comments From Others:

JM Linds says:

If these things are "not hard to correct" when you fail an inspection, why are they not completed correctly to begin with????

Way to go Mr. Head of the Hamilton Avenue School building committee! Nice Job!

esg says:

From the exterior, it looks great. The building committee may have gone through some struggles but the final product is impressive.

HAS Mom says:

I agree that the final product will be impressive, when it is FINALIZED. They still have a long way to go before that building is complete. If work is continuing, explain to me please how the building systems, such as air, heat, etc. are already cleaned. This shouldn't be done until the building is finished, in total. Before my kids enter that school, whenever that may be, they damn well better get an outside hygienist in to test each corner!

Fed Up says:

I just heard that Hamilton Avenue wants to move into Glenville School while Glenville goes to the modulars. The town will delay the Glenville School project by atleast 4-6 months, driving up costs by millions and destroying the town's Capital Improvement Plan. The first project that will be taken off or indefinitely delayed is the High School Auditorium and classrooms. If your neighborhood has a project on the CIP list, you can all kiss it goodbye too.
This needs to stop now. They need to get Hamilton finished, they need to demolish Glenville tomorrow so they can't make more excuses and they need to fix the high school mistakes made when the auditorium was first built.

Parent says:

My kindergartener was in Glenville while we were dispersed and that building is a sty. The only thing its good for is a wrecking ball. I was horrified at the condition the town let it deteriorate to and there is no way I'd let my child step foot in that building again. Please tell me Principal Rau isn't considering putting us there! Why would she want us at a building full of mold, leaks, disgusting carpet and broken things?!

So Tired of This says:

Well that is exactly what she is lobbying for

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07/10/08 Greenwich Post News Links For Thursday

Longford’s opens in Old Greenwich

Written by Kristan Zimmer

Longford’s Own-Made Ice Cream, a franchise for 15 years with locations in Larchmont, N.Y. and Rye, N.Y., is opening a new location in Old Greenwich in honor of National Ice Cream Month, this month.

Field of dreams?

Written by Sam Cross, Post Correspondent

At the entrance of the Wiffle ball field between 96 and 100 Riverside Lane, rule No. 8 reads, “Do not annoy the neighbors.” The bottom of the page reads in bold, “If the rules are broken, there will be consequences.”

Congress to vote on money for dredging in Greenwich

Written by Ken Borsuk, Staff Reporter

With the help of a new appropriations bill making its way through Congress, Greenwich could see some federal money to start its long awaited dredging process.

Camp director, founder retires from post

After more than 30 years of dedicated service, Sally Radford Love retired last week as director of the Old Greenwich Riverside Community Center (OGRCC) Sandpipers beach camp on Tod’s Point.

Award marks Marine's legacy, honors others

When 18-year-old Ryan Zimmerman was killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve 2005, it did more than take away a beloved son, sibling and friend to many. It also prevented a promising young man from beginning his career in the Marine Corps.

Injured sailor rescued at sea by cruise ship

Having learned to love sailing as a child, Greenwich resident Hillary Bercovici never expected that a simple trip from Bermuda would turn into a medical emergency for him, necessitating a rescue at sea.

Greenwich12U Redbirds take flight

Written by Lucy Cobbs, Post Sports Correspondent

With the addition of the 12U age group this summer, the rapidly growing Greenwich Lady Redbirds softball team is beginning to take flight. The three-year-old Redbirds program includes four age groups, the 12U being the youngest and 18U the oldest.

“It is still in its infancy and is very young compared to most of the competing teams in the league,” said Redbirds coach Frank DeNicola of the fledgling program.

The 12U team is expected to give younger players more experience in order to raise the level of play in the older age groups.

Greenwich 14s eliminated from Districts

Written by Paul Silverfarb

Although the Greenwich Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Star team grabbed an early 1-0 lead, it was short-lived, as Darien exploded with a combined five runs in two innings and cruised to a 9-5 lead Monday afternoon during the elimination game of the District I tournament at Stamford’s Cubeta Stadium.

With the loss, Greenwich was eliminated from the tournament, while Darien moved on to play Stamford East Tuesday afternoon.

Greenwich Cal Ripken 11s reach District I finals against Norwalk

Written by Paul Silverfarb

Although the Greenwich Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Star team grabbed an early 1-0 lead, it was short-lived, as Darien exploded with a combined five runs in two innings and cruised to a 9-5 lead Monday afternoon during the elimination game of the District I tournament at Stamford’s Cubeta Stadium.

With the loss, Greenwich was eliminated from the tournament, while Darien moved on to play Stamford East Tuesday afternoon.

Greenwich Cal Ripken 11s reach District I finals against Norwalk

Written by Paul Silverfarb

The Greenwich Cal Ripken 11-year-old baseball team took one step closer to reaching the district championship on Monday, beating rival New Canaan 3-2. The team faced Norwalk in the finals yesterday.

New Canaan took a 1-0 lead when Willie Burger tripled and scored on a groundout by Matthew Toth, Greenwich came right back in the second inning.

Don't forget that you can Download Page One Of this weeks Greenwich Post

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07/10/08 "It is not appropriate for him to speak for the Democratic majority as chairman of Homeland Security,"

Lieberman foes petition Senate Democratic leaders for his ouster as committee chair

WASHINGTON -- Opponents of Sen. Joe Lieberman delivered 43,000 signatures Wednesday to Senate Democratic leaders, urging them to remove him as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee after the November elections.

Matt Stoller, a liberal blogger who helped deliver the signatures to members of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, blasted Lieberman as a turncoat for endorsing Republican presumptive presidential nominee John McCain...

... to push their agenda without fear of filibuster. In 2006, Lieberman lost a Democratic primary to Ned Lamont of Greenwich. During a primary debate, Lieberman stated that he wanted a Democrat to win the presidency in 2008 and argued that a Lamont ...

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07/10/08 Greenwich Time News Links For Thursday

Teenagers enter the Wiffle ball field from Riverside Lane.
(Bob Luckey Jr./Greenwich Time photo)

Safety, flooding concern neighbor
Expressing concerns about her personal safety, the owner of one of the homes next to a controversial Wiffle ball field in Riverside said she has been forced to consider additional security for her home.

Neighbors oppose plans for Whitby
As one private Greenwich school struggles to overcome neighborhood opposition to its expansion plans, another is preparing to face a similar battle.

Blaze traced to weed whacker

A weed whacker charging up in a greenhouse attached to a Fado Lane home likely sparked the ferocious fire last Tuesday morning that destroyed the house, fire officials said.

Reading is fundamental at the beach
Behind shrieking children, waves crashing and teens flirtatiously splashing, Julie Stewert, 51, tended to her own beach romance yesterday.

United Way grants boost organizations

Raising money has been difficult in this economic climate, according to Family Centers president and CEO Robert Arnold.

Witherell golf tournament rescheduled
This time the bitter cold rain won't stop the game. After being canceled in May amid torrential rain storms, the first-ever Nathaniel Witherell Invitational golf tournament has been rescheduled for Monday, July 28, rain or shine, according to Charity Poth, director of development for the Friends of Nathaniel Witherell.

No. 1 in District 1: 13-year old All-Stars come from behind to claim title

The pressure didn't end for Liam O'Neil after he delivered a go-ahead three-run double in the sixth inning of the Greenwich 13-year-old All-Stars' Babe Ruth District 1 final against Stamford.

Juvenile facility's positive approach

A decided upgrade over the current facility, the state's new Juvenile Court and Detention Center is finally approaching completion.

A fledgling interest in feathered friends

We have checked out a book from the Cos Cob Library more times than we can count. We look for it and bring it home again whenever it is available.

Creation of ball field was a benefit for town

To the editor:

I agree wholeheartedly with the views well expressed by Charlene Prisinzano in her recent letter to the editor, commending all those involved - parents and children alike - in constructing the Wiffle ball field on Riverside Lane. I also commend Selectman Lin Lavery for having the courage as acting first selectman to calmly approach the situation and preserve the field.

In addition to creating valuable recreation space for our town's children, much in need as the recent debate over the Cos Cob Power Plant site revealed, the Wiffle ball teens and their parents also should be applauded for having reminded the town about an under-used, but valuable, piece of public pro-perty.

While I'm sure that the neighbors have enjoyed having a nice patch of wilderness in their back yards, it is also true, as Greenwich Time has well covered, that Greenwich lacks affordable housing for teachers, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and other town workers and those who serve the public good. It seems that, if a 1Ú2-acre plot of land in the midst of a residential neighborhood is not suited for a recreation field for Wiffle ball, it could be well used by the Greenwich Housing Authority to build as much affordable housing as possible. A similar plot on River Road in Cos Cob on the Mianus River seems to be able to hold two-to-four nice units.

Using either route, recreation or affordable housing, the whole town should benefit from this wonderful piece of public property. For this, we all owe a debt of gratitude to these industrious and well-motivated teenagers and their supportive parents.

Rick D'Avino

Riverside

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07/10/08 The Mortgage Forclosure Mess Happens On Steel's Watch. Thousands Of CT Families Lose Thier Homes. Is He Fired? No He Gets A Better paying Job

In this Nov. 2, 2007 file photo, Greenwich Resident and Treasury Undersecretary Robert Steel, left, and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner Brian Montgomery testify on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Financial Services Committee hearing to discuss progress in preventing mortgage foreclosures.

Who is Robert Steel, Wachovia's new chief?

Charlotte Business Journal

Robert Steel is a North Carolina native. He grew up in Durham near Duke University east campus. He attended Durham public schools and then Duke, graduating with a bachelor of arts in history and political science in 1973.

After college, Steel relocated to Chicago for his first job in asset management. In 1976, he joined Goldman Sachs & Co. in institutional sales in the Chicago office. While at Goldman, Steel earned a master in business administration from the University of Chicago. He graduated in 1984 and became co-head of institutional sales in Chicago.

In 1986, he transferred to London, where he founded Goldman European equity capital markets group and was extensively involved in privatization and capital raising efforts for European corporations and governments. He later became head of equities for Europe. In 1994, he moved to New York and was head of the equities division from 1998 to 2001, when he was named a vice chairman of Goldman. Steel retired from Goldman in 2004 but still serves as an adviser to the firm.

He also is a nonexecutive director of Barclays plc and Barclays Bank plc.

In October 2006, Steel became Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance. In that role, he was the principal adviser to the U.S. Treasury secretary on matters of domestic matters. He also led the department activities with respect to the domestic financial system, fiscal policy and operations, governmental assets and liabilities, and related economic and financial matters.

He has maintained ties to North Carolina through his involvement with Duke University. In 2000, Steel was named to the university board of trustees, and he was elected chairman of the board in 2005. He led the search committee that chose Duke ninth president, Richard Brodhead.

From February 2004 to September 2006, Steel taught at Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. He also serves in roles with organizations that include the National Humanities Center, The After-School Corp. and the Aspen Institute.

He and his wife, Gillian, and three daughters live in Greenwich, Conn., and Washington, D.C. They will relocate to Charlotte.

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