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Monday, July 14, 2008

07/14/08 Greenwich Olympians


Twin rowers headed to Olympics

The Southampton Press

By Cailin Brophy

t would seem that Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss were destined to be Olympic rowers.

The 26-year-old twin brothers, who are part-time residents of Quogue, possess the tall and lean physique suitable to rowing, while the special connection they have as twins makes them the perfect team for the two-man boat they’ll be rowing in Beijing in August.

The Harvard graduates earned their spot on the team after competing in the U.S. qualifier on June 25 in Princeton, New Jersey. They will depart for Beijing on July 25 to represent the United States in the two-man boat. Their rise to the highest level of their sport is impressive, considering they only began rowing as high school freshmen. There was no rowing club in their hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut, and they had to create the rowing program at their school. Their dedication to the sport in the face of those obstacles is a testament to their persistence and desire to succeed....

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07/14/08 Home Invaders Caught In Greenwich


Three Stabbed In East Norwalk

WSTC-AM Norwalk

Police have four people in custody after a home invasion and triple-stabbing in East Norwalk. It happened on Charles Street early Monday. Police received a phone call of a woman with a stab wound and moments later received another call from the same address that two other people had been stabbed. Norwalk Police Sergeant Andres Valez says it was not a random incident.

"One of the victims told officers he recognized one of the assailants as a former acquaintance, possibly an ex-girlfriend," Valez says.

The three people were stabbed in the lower part of their bodies but the injuries are non life-threatening.

The alleged suspects fled the scene in a Green Saturn with Massachusetts plates and were stopped on Interstate 95 in the Greenwich area. Arrested are 24-year old Izabel Ramirez, 22-year old Nadia-Gomez Hernandez, 22-year old Oscar Hernandez and 21-year old Sheila Vargas-Selenas all from Queens, N.Y.

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07/14/08 Reader Submitted Coments - Glenville Bathroom Pics


How do I see the pictures of the school that were published?

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07/11/08 You Wont See This In The Greenwich Time - Failed Board Of Education Gives Our Children Facilities Like This - Glenville School Bathroom Pics

07/14/08 Press Release: "A phenomenal opportunity for someone to own this one-of-a-kind property for a fraction of its original value"


Accelerated Marketing Partners Announces United

States' Largest Residential Sealed-Bid Sale

for Greenwich Connecticut's Hillcrest Estate


Hillcrest Estate, a 30-Acre compound in Greenwich, Connecticut will be offered via sealed-bid sale, conducted by Accelerated Marketing Partners, with a minimum reserve price of $19 Million. The compound was originally valued at over $31 Million. This european-style estate has more than 36,000-square feet of living space.

reenwich, Conn. (PRWEB) July 14, 2008 -- Accelerated Marketing Partners will conduct the United States' largest residential sealed-bid sale for Hillcrest Estate, a sprawling 30-acre compound with more than 36,000 sq. ft. of living space, in Greenwich, Conn. Originally valued at more than $31 million, Hillcrest Estate will be sold to the highest bidder that meets or exceeds the published minimum reserve price of $19 million. Bids must be submitted no later than August 15 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

"After trying to sell my home conventionally, I realized that buyers in the current market are skeptical of real estate prices," said Stanley Cheslock, Hillcrest Estate homeowner. "Accelerated Marketing Partners has the ability to expedite the sales process through techniques and events that will get the attention of the right buyers."

A classic Greenwich compound, Hillcrest Estate features a 26,000-sq. ft. manor house built in 2003 as an energy efficient Smart Home, complete with private elevator, as well as two carriage houses and 12-car capacity garage. The expansive grounds of Hillcrest Estate adjoin The Stanwich Club, one of United States' premier golf courses, and include a large mouth bass pond, cascading waterfalls, meticulously maintained English gardens, and statuary by legendary sculptor Arturo Di Modica, who created the "Charging Bull" that visually defines New York City's Financial District.

Hillcrest Estate may be purchased in whole or in part, with the mansion and 22 acres available for a minimum reserve price beginning at $15 million. The two carriage houses and more than seven acres are available for a minimum reserve price beginning at $4 million.

"This property represents one of Greenwich's premier estates, and the sealed-bid sale is a watershed event for the luxury real estate market nationwide," said Jon Gollinger, co-founder and east coast chief executive officer of Accelerated Marketing Partners.

Designed by world-renowned architect Gilles Le Gorrec of Perkins Eastman, the manor house includes four master suites, a guest suite all with private spa baths and a service suite. The restaurant-style kitchen offers an oasis for the chef, complete with a wood-burning pizza oven, top-of-the-line appliances, separate accessories kitchen and a butler's pantry with walk-in refrigeration. The home offers sumptuous living and entertainment spaces throughout, including two cathedral-ceiling living rooms that both open onto a 2,500-sq. ft. terrace.

Exceptional amenities reflect the vast estate's decidedly European feel with a 100-ft. central atrium, rooftop cupola with stunning Long Island Sound views, hand-crafted stained glass windows, iron-clad elevator, seven Rumsford fireplaces, multiple laundries, handmade plaster moldings, chestnut flooring and geo-thermal heating and cooling. Hillcrest Estate also features a theatre-quality home cinema, 3,700 bottle-capacity wine room, cherry wood office/library, 50-ft. indoor lap pool with Siberian spruce sauna and granite steam room, and a fully equipped private gym.

The two carriage houses with garages offer additional living space located around the estate's beautifully landscaped property. The first carriage house is 7,000-sq. ft. and includes four bedrooms and four and a half baths. The second carriage house is 3,500-sq. ft. and includes three bedrooms and three baths.

"We are very excited to participate in this new paradigm for luxury homes sales," said Eric Bjork, vice president of Prudential Connecticut Realty. "This sealed-bid price point represents a phenomenal opportunity for someone to own this one-of-a-kind property for a fraction of its original value."

Interested parties may contact Accelerated Marketing Partners at (866) 508-0252 for a private tour of the property or visit the website at www.hillcrestgreenwich.com. The successful bidder will be notified within five business days of the bid deadline. The sale is being conducted in partnership with top local real estate company, Prudential Connecticut Realty.

Accelerated Marketing Partners

Accelerated Marketing Partners, a full-service residential real estate firm with offices in Boston, San Francisco and Irvine, Calif., specializes in the development and implementation of both accelerated and conventional marketing and sales programs. The company has brought together the industry's most seasoned professionals with decades of experience providing strategic marketing solutions for residential real estate developments nationwide. Accelerated Marketing Partners offers comprehensive integrated services including detailed marketing analysis, management of on-site sales initiatives and accelerated marketing campaign development and implementation. For more information, please visit www.acceleratedmp.com. ;

Prudential Connecticut Realty

Prudential Connecticut Realty has a long-standing tradition of being the #1 real estate company in Connecticut. Our Luxury Homes Program is designed specifically to reach the affluent buyers, those that are most willing and able to purchase a fine home. Our proprietary program utilizes a combination of traditional and creative marketing programs that include a strategic mix of print and electronic marketing elements. For more information on how to successfully market your fine home, contact one of our Luxury Homes Specialists.

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07/14/08 Parking Services Director Alan Cory: "Since January the town has sold about $15,000 in parking card credits."


Smart card parking to grow by 800 spaces

By Martin Cassidy
Greenwich Time Staff Writer

"Put it on my card" will soon be a reality for many more downtown Greenwich parkers. Within the next month the town will get two new central electronic kiosks online, creating more than 800 spaces where drivers will be able to use pre-paid, wallet-size cards to pump the long-term meters on Liberty Way and East Elm Street, as well as short-term spaces on Greenwich Avenue.....

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07/14/08 Reader Submitted Comments - Where Is The Town Of Greenwich Whistleblower Policy?



Does The Town Of Greenwich Have a Board of Selectman Approved Whistleblower Policy?

Every town and city must have an approved whistleblower policy and it should be shared with all employees.

A whistleblower protection policy is one of two Sarbanes-Oxley requirements that apply to all municipal organizations - right now!!!

Town related non-profit organizations must also have a board-approved whisleblower policy that is shared with all employees.

In addition, one of the questions in the newly revised IRS Form 990 is, "Does your organization have a board-approved whisleblower policy?

The Town of Greenwich must have an approved whistleblower policy before Dec. 31, 2008

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07/14/08 Puck Bunny Ranking For Colin Wilson


The Puck Bunny's Guide to 2008's NHL Draft

By James Cruz

Colin Wilson (age: 19, from: Greenwich, CT) - Drafted to Nashville Predators - Gets points for his blond hair and blue eyes - Loses points for that 70s hair cut (GROSS!) He gets 3/10 for being funny. You can't have that hair cut and NOT ...

NHL Atlanta Thrashers - http://nhlatlantathrashers.blogspot.com/

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07/14/08 Reader Submitted Press Release - Move In Day at Gemm City


Move in Day at Gemm City
Westchester & Fairfield County Learning Center Launches K-6 Social Network

Greenwich , Connecticut – July 14, 2008 – Designed to provide a sense of community and camaraderie, Gemm City, a secure social network created by Gemm Learning for its students, helps to connect children with others participating in Gemm Learning programs. The website, www.GemmCity.com, offers students in similar academic circumstances the opportunity to develop relationships through a virtual center experience.

Children are becoming increasingly internet savvy. From email and instant messaging to online homework support, the internet offers access to many child-friendly tools. According to a 2006 Nielsen//NetRatings report, social networking sites have become the most popular type of website among 12 to 17 year olds.

To combine the benefits of socialization with children's interest in the internet, Gemm Learning, a learning intervention service and the largest U.S. provider of Fast ForWord, has launched Gemm City, an online social networking community for its students 12 years of age and under.

Developed by ACQUAINT Interactive, GemmCity.com allows students to become a Gemm City citizen where they can design their own page. Students can create a profile, post pictures, chat in online forums, blog, add videos to the “Gemm City Box” and post comments on their “Comment Wall.” A book exchange board also allows students to recommend books to their friends in the neighborhood.

Gemm City offers its “citizens” the opportunity to meet their virtual neighbors and find those with similar interests. By accessing pages profiling each learning coach, students can increase their familiarity, comfort and connection with their coach.

The virtual community recognizes its resident’s achievements, both at school and in Gemm Learning’s programs. A new “Mayor,” who has made exceptional progress in their program, is elected weekly. This award gives Gemm Learning students an incentive to put forth their best effort and recognizes those who have excelled.

Parents, although not eligible to move into Gemm City, will also have the opportunity to recognize their children’s achievements through positive postings on Gemm City’s “Brag Board." Words of praise are displayed on their child’s personal page.

“We wanted to develop an online community which encourages learning and rewards initiative,” said Geoff Nixon, founder of Gemm Learning. “Through Gemm City we hope our students will develop friendships and benefit from peer support.”

All residents can track their progress in Gemm Learning programs, earn tokens and redeem them for prizes through GemmCity.com. Each Gemm Learning location has a running scoreboard online and the center that earns the most tokens each week will be recognized both in Gemm City and at the center, to further the concept of a community.

About Gemm Learning:
Gemm Learning is a learning intervention service that helps K-12 children by working on the cause of their learning difficulties, rather than the symptoms. Programs include Fast ForWord software, FASTT Math software and other leading edge therapies, which can be pursued in the center or at home, with or without a coach. The company also offers the Brain Fitness Program for mature adults. Gemm Learning has centers in Pelham and Scarsdale, New York and Greenwich, Connecticut. For more information visit www.GemmLearning.com or call 877.687.4366.

Press Contact:
Danielle Cyr
860-658-5700
Danielle@cocommunications.com




07/14/08 Greenwich Library News


Wee Ones

Where: Greenwich Library at Rear Children's Room Drop-in program designed for toddlers 12-24 months with a caregiver.

Program includes simple stories, songs, movement and finger plays. For more information, please call the Children's ...

Greenwich Library | Today's Events - http://www.greenwichlibrary.org

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07/14/08 Greenwich Blog Spotlight - For What It's Worth


Mega Mansions begin their decline?

The New York Times reports (and a large ad in yesterday's Greenwich Time announced) that a huge (the Times claims 26,000 sq. ft but that may not include the basement or, as such things are called at this price range, the "lower level) mansion on Taconic Road is on the auction block for $19,000,000, a sharp reduction from its original asking price of $31,000,000. I believe I wrote about this place when it came on a year ago. If memory serves, I thought it was too big for practical living and certainly that's what its owners think now. I once wondered in print what would become of these monstrosities when tastes changed and an older reader from the Back Country relied, "the joke in my peer group is that there will be no shortage of nursing homes when we need them".

There are still buyers for these things, of course, but fewer of them and I would think that even a multi-millionaire might question the wisdom of heating 20,000 sq.ft. with $5.00 per gallon fuel oil. Judge Judy is completing an enormous house for herself on lower Round Hill Road but aside from that (and it's rumored that she's paid $1,000,000 per episode, 50 weeks a year) I'm not seeing a lot of activity. Another article in the Times today focuses on the trouble investment bankers are having getting past co-op boards in Manhattan. It seems that the boards, like the bankers themselves, are just discovering that humongous annual bonuses don't necessarily appear every year. Plus, lenders no longer will count the bonuses as income and are demanding much larger down payments, so buying power is down. Jesus weeps, but if the bonus babies disappear, our Greenwich market will suffer alongside NYC. I think we're in for an interesting year.
Please also see other posts from For What It's Worth:


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07/14/08 Reader Submitted Comments - Do we really need the BOE?


Western Greenwich residents and their children are tired of being treated like the trailer park trash of the town,

Yes it is true that Western Greenwich has low income housing and large minority based schools,

Yes it is true that hard working families from every walk of life that want only the best for thier children live in Western Greenwich.

Every child in this town wants and deserves the best education possible regardless of their social status.

Why doesn't the PTA take on the BOE?

Where have the elected Glenville And Hamilton Avenue PTA leaders been?

Why haven't they spoken out against the BOE.

Maybe they don't know what to say or how to say it, and maybe they don't want confrontation. Who knows?

Its time for a change.

We the richest town in Connecticut and we are failing our children.

We must not allow the BOE to continue disregarding the needs of Western Greenwich children.

Perhaps, it is time that the Town itself reconsiders the need for the BOE.

First selecman Peter J. Tesei would do a far better job of managing the school superintendent and the school administrators.

Why are we paying twice for the same product??

As a tax payer I would like to know!!.

Get rid of the BOE and let the Town Hall handle the superintendent and the school administrators.

We could save millions of dollars on salaries that could be put towards the education of our children.

Volunteer clerk of the works is the wrong way to go, Its all political

Public works jobs get done on time, maybe public works should be in charge of all public projects, with no B.O.E we could higher a few construction engineers to help over see the projects and base the salaries on how well they do the job.

We need to abolish the Board of Education and put it under Town Rule and we need to stop counting on volunteers to oversee the construction of buildings they have no idea how to build.

Western Greenwich parents and their children deserve to know what is happening.

Western Greenwich is tired of surprises, specifically the kinds handed out by the BOE.

The only way these changes will happen is if people step up, speak up and never give up.

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07/14/08 Greenwich Time Newslinks For Monday


Tour gets a rare look at Calf Island
Pam Sloane stopped short on a wooded path towards the western shore of Calf Island to pick a wild raspberry from a bush.

Fairfield County towns reflect on strong ties to foreign partners
While Fairfield County residents enjoyed barbecues and fireworks, members of the Greenwich Choral Society celebrated Independence Day in an unlikely place: France.

Ridership surge, rail-yard costs await new chief
Meeting an exploding demand for rail service will be the chief challenge facing the incoming president of Metro-North Railroad, commuter advocates say.

Are you one of the lucky ticket holders for Billy Joel's soldout "The Last Play at Shea," concerts, to be performed Wednesday and Friday at Shea Stadium?

New studies on Mallard Drive in Riverside and Tomac Avenue and Shore Road in Old Greenwich show speeding and congestion problems on those streets, prompting town action to improve pedestrian safety.

Most Saturdays in the summer months are reserved for rest and relaxation, but for those at Greenwich Point in the hot and hazy early morning sun yesterday, it was far from a lazy weekend spent sleeping in.

It doesn't take much of a voltage charge to ignite a recollection in my mind of some incident in the past

Public kept in the dark too often

It's pretty common for citizens to complain that their government operates behind the scenes, that they don't find out about decisions that affect their lives until it's too late to do anything about them, or that when they are given the chance to speak up, it merely provides the appearance of open, responsive government, not the real thing.

But even with that as a given, it seems there have been more complaints than usual lately from people who feel local government has pulled the wool over their eyes.

Therefore, it's important from time to time for everyone - citizens and government officials alike - to take a step back and remind themselves who is in charge. All those offices in city or town hall might be occupied by this person or that for a given time, but they belong to the people. So do the schools, parks, police station and so on.

Law gives elected and appointed officials decision-making power, but it's the people who are boss. It's too easy too often to forget that, particularly given our post-9/11 mindset, which is overly deferential to government on all levels.....

....Just like the political axiom that says it's not the scandal, but the attempted cover-up that causes the real damage, the perception that government is acting behind closed doors can provoke outrage even if the actual issue at hand is relatively benign.

In every case, it's clear the process would have worked out much better had it been open initially. Secrecy creates not only suspicion but outright cynicism. A wary and watchful public is essential to a democracy. A cynical one only hurts it....

Wiffle ball field neighbors not being considered

To the Greenwich Time editor:

The Wiffle ball field's unfortunate neighbors who poured their life savings into their homes have seen the value of their nest egg disappear overnight. God forbid one of these villainized neighbors falls on hard times and has to sell his or her home right now. There's no market for a house with 40 strangers hanging out in the back yard, yelling, swearing, littering and loitering.

Since the town property is not visible from the street, police cannot properly patrol the area for criminal activity.

Some teens were witnessed stealing gardening and construction supplies, and cutting down town trees and bushes to build their stadium. These victimized neighbors, who believed town officials would protect them, were foolish for not immediately calling the police because this would have resolved their problem long before the public harassment began.

These teenagers and their parents are trying to bully the town into getting what they want. When denied a permit and instead were instructed to immediately remove all structures previously installed, these residents ignored town officials and in turn called the local media and politicians.

The property is designated as a drainage detention area to ensure the surrounding homes do not flood. The foot traffic, construction and clearing out of trees and underbrush that has occurred will ensure these poor neighbors homes will flood with the next rainy season.

Last, and most incredibly, the North Mianus Elementary School field is wide open for use, and it's within walking distance! Since only two teenagers live near the "field," and all other patrons drive to or are dropped off at the site, they should be dropped off at the elementary school field, and the two neighborhood teens can walk on our newly installed sidewalks to meet them!

The town should defend these poor neighbors and their dwindling nest eggs!

Eileen Tweddle

Cos Cob

Ball field is in the tradition of Rene Anselmo

To the Greenwich Time editor:

Despite having Tuesday's paper in my hand after my early morning walk through Bruce Park, I didn't read "Squeeze play: Neighbors cry foul over Wiffle ball park" until late in the day. It was after a colleague in Rockland County mentioned the story and was effusive in her praise of the kids involved.

When I got home and finally read Neil Vigdor's story, my first thought was daja vu all over again. We have the spirit of the late Rene Anselmo at work. Residents may remember his love of beauty from the fence and plantings in front of North Street School to the thousands of daffodils he and his workers planted up and down the length of lower North Street. We enjoy his legacy and take joy in driving that way every spring.

You might also remember his deciding to remove an ugly chain-link fence in Bruce Park and replace it with what stands in its place to this day, a beautiful white picket fence surrounding the croquet field. Like today's teens, he did not follow rules or process. He simply started to remove the old fence and begin the new. The project was stopped in its tracks and languished for about six months, then town officials went through the process and accepted his marvelous, generous, lasting gift.

This is a tempest in a teapot. It is great to see teens doing something positive. It is highly likely something else will come along to gain their attention.

Brouhaha it is, but perhaps also a learning experience for the teens and for our town officials.

Peter J. Flierl

Greenwich

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07/14/08 More Bad Press For Greenwich - All of America Seems To Think That Teenage Boys Build Wiffle Ball Stadium in Worst Place: "Greenwich, CT"


The Flip Side: Neighbors want Wiffle ball field built by teens taken down

The Baltimore Sun

... empty lot so they would have a place to play football. Turns out it's a good thing Mr.Flip didn't grow up in Greenwich, Conn. Some teenagers there set up their own field for Wiffle ball in an empty lot. They cut down weeds and brush and even built ...

Page 2: Oliver's Twist

MySanAntonio.com

... sitting on top of it. But the warm memories linger, renewed again last week by a somewhat similar story out of Greenwich, Conn. There, a group of teenagers took note of an empty lot in their neighborhood overgrown with weeds and poison ivy and .

Wiffle Ball Woes Get Wealthy Wafflers Whining

The Post Chronicle

... it comes to evaluating the woes of the wealthy. Kids are good at this. Especially teenagers. This brings me to Greenwich, Conn., and the current crisis there among some of the landed gentry. Greenwich is a town of roughly 62,000 people; most of them ...

Back in the day...

It was safe to play wiffle ball in the street - now air-conditioned giant SUV's dominate, and drivers cant hear - never look..

Neighbors talked, handled disputes - now they hire lawyers and sue.

You could play at or around the schoolyard in the evening - now everthing has to supervised or it is prohibited.

Let the kids play ball.

The property in question used to be - a recreation field and a pocket park.

What is the matter with these selfish people who have called the police, P&Z, the Selectmen, the Tree Warden, lawyers, politicians etc. etc.

Come September these kids are going to be in school and have other activities and will probably forget all about wiffle ball.

If these selfish home-owners would have just worked something out with the teens this wouldn't have made National headlines.

Now, because of all the ruckus these selfish home-owners created the whole world is talking about this and laughing at Greenwich!

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