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Friday, November 20, 2009

Charnel Benner, who formerly administered Greenwich's $300 million pension fund, mysteriously leaves her job

You Wont Read This In The Greenwich Time .....

Former Greenwich Retirement Program Administrator
Takes Sudden Leave

Full story: Marin Independent Journal

Charnel Benner, administrator of the Marin County Employees' Retirement Association, went on paid administrative leave Thursday and it was unclear when, or if, she would return.

"That remains to be worked out," said Jim Phillips, chairman of the Marin association's board.

Phillips declined to say whether Benner or the association board initiated the administrative leave. Benner, who lives in San Rafael, could not be reached for comment.

"I think 'mutual' is the best term because it was worked out between us," Phillips said. "It was in the interests of both parties.".....

......Benner oversees the county pension fund's $1.2 billion stock and investment portfolio. She is paid an annual salary of $226,928.

During her tenure in Marin, Benner has been criticized for receiving a high salary and spending freely on a new headquarters while delivering less than stellar results. In June, a Marin civil grand jury reported complaints of "excessive delays in computing and delivering retirement benefits."

"There was a growing backlog in calculating benefits. There were also complaints about discourteous treatment by staff," the report said. The association board stepped up its oversight of Benner after it discovered she had allied herself with an investment broker.

The rate at which Benner's salary has grown - she was paid an annual salary of $155,000 when she was hired - became an issue in 2007 when the association board gave her a three-year, 30 percent raise, making her one of the 10 highest-paid county employees.

Her pay drew scrutiny again in 2008, when the association board granted her a $10,000 bonus.....

.....After the association spent $17.5 million to buy the building at 1 McInnis Parkway near the Marin Civic Center for its headquarters, Benner coordinated the building's remodeling at a cost of about $1.3 million. Amenities included a shower, a kitchen and a reception area enclosed by bullet-proof glass.

In February, after a four-hour closed session of the pension board, Benner announced she was ending her affiliation with an investment broker, Worldvest, a subsidiary of Trump Securities.

The closed session, which followed a closed meeting the previous week, was billed as "possible discipline of a public employee." No discipline was announced.

Benner said at the time that while the relationship created the appearance of a conflict of interest, she received no compensation for her affiliation with Worldvest.

When Benner reported to supervisors this summer that the market value of the Marin County Employees Retirement Association's investment portfolio dropped 17 percent during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.....

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11/20/09 The Greenwich Briefing

Nins celebrates 10 years of ministry through tough times
Greenwich Citizen
The Rev. Thomas L. Nins is a senior voice of faith in the Greenwich community and presides over one of the town's oldest churches, the 112-year old First Baptist Church on Northfield Street.

Photographer, Anne Hall Elser introduces her new book, "At Home in Tennessee"
Greenwich Citizen
Greenwich resident Anne Hall Elser is a portrait photographer of some renown. Having worked many years for The New Yorker, specifically in the Art Department, she has documented numerous New Yorker artists and writers in distinctive black and white photographs.

Funds hedge their bets on poker professionals w/Photo
Fulton County Daily Report
... said Aaron Brown, a 53-year-old former poker pro who is now a risk manager at AQR Capital Management LLC in Greenwich, Conn., which oversees $23 billion. 'They know to push when they have the edge and they know how not to bust, and that's a tough ...

Two downtown projects get $22M in development aid w/Photo
Connecticut Post
... conventional bank could offer," he said. "The actual costs of construction are relatively the same in Stamford, Greenwich and Bridgeport. But the rents we get are much lower [in Bridgeport]. Even though it costs the same thing to build a project, we ...

Forbes: World's most expensive homes
MSNBC
Last year, a 40-acre Greenwich, Conn., property with a 21,897-square-foot, 14-bedroom Jacobean manor was listed for $125 million.

Neuhaus grabs two 2nds, carries Lady Wreckers to 5th
Westport News
... with 360 points at Southern Connecticut State University. Cheshire (875) won the 21-team field and was followed by Greenwich (788.5), Glastonbury (480.5) and Trumbull (449). "I'm really proud of all of us," said Neuhaus. "We brought it together. We ...

Local officials sworn in
Westport News
... General Richard Blumenthal of local elected officials. "If you're a " statewide official and they don't like me in Greenwich or Stamford, I can go to Hartford. If they don't like me in Hartford, I can go to Westbrook. If they don't like me in ...

Hunting for a job -2009 - CT
Examiner.com
... sheets, corporates and banks are reducing headcount. In the "Gold Coast Triangle" - the area in Connecticut from Greenwich to Wilton to Fairfield - or some refer to it as "Hedgefund Alley" - there are slews of men and women suddenly dropping their ...

A.M. Best Assigns Ratings to Queena s Island Insurance Company, Ltd.
Business Wire
... year operating loss, and a net worth maintenance agreement with its parent, W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) (Greenwich, CT) [NYSE: WRB]. Queen's Island is registered as a Class 3A insurer by the Bermuda Monetary Authority in accordance with the ...

Love in 60 Seconds Part II...The Real Question
My Rye
... where the love in 60 second connection sparks can ignite! I would also say this stretches up to their location in Greenwich too, Elm Street Oyster House. So, now that we've established Love in 60 seconds is possible and we have Brian Howie around ...

Fairfield County Scene: Nov. 22
NewsTimesLive.com
Supporters of the Fairfield /Westchester Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America teed off at the Fairview Country Club in Greenwich last month for the nonprofit's 17th Annual Charity Golf Classic.

Car stolen from residential driveway
Darien News-Review
... he said. "Sometimes they do it to destroy DNA evidence like fingerprints." The Subaru was reported stolen from a Greenwich residence on Nov. 12, according to police. The Darien Police Department is working with the Greenwich PD to investigate the ...

Harvard Poker Pro Says Texas Hold 'Em Can Teach Traders When to Fold 'Em
Bloomberg.com
... said Aaron Brown , a 53-year-old former poker pro who is now a risk manager at AQR Capital Management LLC in Greenwich, Connecticut, which oversees $23 billion. a oeThey know to push when they have the edge and they know how not to bust, and ...

Briefs
Thehour.com
Applications for U.S. Census Bureau jobs NORWALK -- The Bridgeport 2010 Census Office covers lower Fairfield County and they are scheduling application/testing sessions in the Greenwich/Stamford/Norwalk area for field and office workers .

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11/20/09 The Raw Greenwich News Feed: Greenwich Resident Ned Lamont

Littwin: Playing politics an unhealthy game
Denver Post
I don't know what he wants — maybe to have Ned Lamont, the Democratic who ran against him in Connecticut, tried in a military court for crimes against ...

Electoral-vote.com: Election news
This race is a bit of a reprise of the 2006 Connecticut senatorial primary between Ned Lamont and Joe Lieberman except that nobody doubted that Lieberman was a Democrat until after he lost the primary and became an independent. ...
Electoral-vote.com - http://www.electoral-vote.com/
Connecticut Commentary: Red Notes from a Blue State: And God Said ...
By Don Pesci
CCAG's director is Tom Swan, the campaign manager of Ned Lamont's failed senatorial run against Lieberman.: ...
Connecticut Commentary: Red Notes... - http://donpesci.blogspot.com/
G's Polls. Mertens leads Senate race, and Lamont leads ...
By The GroundHog
Ned Lamont (D) Businessman, Ex-State Pension Board Member, Ex-Greenwich Selectman & '06 US Sen. Nominee 54%. Susan Bysiewicz (D) Secretary of State, Ex-State Rep. & Attorney 22%. Dan Malloy (D) Stamford Mayor 17% ...
GroundUp CT - http://groundupct.wordpress.com/



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11/20/09 BOE MEETING BRIEF: November 19, 2009

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING BRIEF:
MONTHLY MEETING - Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Hamilton Avenue School

Board Member Induction:
Re-elected Board Members Steven Anderson and Leslie Moriarty, and newly
elected members, Nancy Kail and Peter Sherr, were officially inducted to
the Board of Education at last night's meeting.

Election of Board Officers:
Steven Anderson was elected Chairman, 8-0; Leslie Moriarty was elected
Vice-Chairman, 8-0; and Michael Bodson was elected Secretary, 8-0.

Superintendent's Report:
Dr. Sidney Freund highlighted the welcome breakfast at Central Middle
School for recently appointed Principal Shelley Somers and his visits to
schools and with PTAs across the District. He presented the monthly update
on progress made on the District's Strategic Improvement Action Plan. See
attached.

Board Reports:
Glenville School Building Committee - Mr. Bodson reported that the new
Glenville School is opening on December 1, 2009, on time and under budget!
GHS Music Instructional Space and Auditorium Building Committee (MISA)-
Mrs. Moriarty reported that the building committee had completed and filed
a variance application with Planning & Zoning and were working on
finalizing the schematic design for the project.

2010-2011 Board Meeting Calendar:
Ms. Eves presented the proposed calendar of Board of Education meetings
for 2010-11. The calendar will return to the Board for action on December
17, 2009.

2011-2012 School Calendar
Dr. Freund presented two options for the proposed 2011-12 School Calendar.
Discussion focused on the February break, proposed to encompass
President's Day, leaving only one week before the start of the State's
Standardized Testing window in March. A sense of the Board indicated a
preference for moving the Feb. vacation week to Feb.13-17, 2012 and making
up the extra day at the end of the school year. The 2011-12 School
Calendar will return to the Board for action on December 17, 2009.

Strategic School Profiles Report
Mr. John Curtin presented the annual State-issued Strategic School Profile
Reports for 2008-09. Edits to the narrative section of the reports around
the District's efforts to address racial balance were suggested.

Update on Modulars
Dr. Susan Wallerstein reported on the results of a second RFP to remove
and/or demolish the modulars on site at Western Middle School. Board added
an item to the 12/3/09 Work Session to take action on demolishing and
removing the modulars, and restoring the property at Western.

Action Items:
Monitoring Report E-003 - Reading, Accepted 8-0
Opportunities for Student Involvement, Approved 8-0
Monthly Financial and Staffing Report, Approved 8-0
Transfers of $10,000 or More, Approved 8-0
Resolution to Amend GPS 403(b) Retirement Plan Document, Approved 8-0
BOE Minutes 10/8/09, 10/22/09, Approved 8-0
Policy Revision, E-001 Programs, Services and Curriculum, Approved 8-0

BOE 2009-10 Agenda Plan
Reviewed and adjusted per discussion. The plan is available as part of
Board materials for each work session and regular monthly meeting.

Next Board Meeting
The next meeting is the Board of Education Budget Meeting on Tuesday,
December 1, 2009, 7:00 PM at Cos Cob School. There will be an opportunity
for a public hearing, followed by a Board discussion on the budget Q&A.

Board of Education Meeting information is available on the GPS Web Site:
www.greenwichschools.org


Meeting Calendar: on GPS home page and under Board section of the site
http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=881


Meeting Agenda: Posted approximately 4-5 working days prior to meeting, go
to calendar on home page or Board section of the site, click on meeting
date.


Meeting Documents: Posted approximately 3-4 working days prior to meeting
and as available, go to calendar on home page or Board section of the
site, click on meeting date.


Meeting Minutes: Posted in DRAFT form after the Board meeting, and in
Final form after Board approval on BOE Meeting Minutes page:
http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=88

* A Monitoring Report is a comprehensive annual report presented to the
Board of Education by Administration. The report summarizes compliance
with a given Board Policy, detailing governance issues, management issues,
and progress made toward achieving goals and objectives set in previous
reports. Monitoring Reports may be found on the GPS Web Site at:
http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=89

Kim Eves
Director of Communications
Greenwich Board of Education
290 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830

www.greenwichschools.org

Phone: 203-625-7415
e mail:
kim_eves@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Fax: 203-869-8003

==================================

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11/20/09 The Raw Greenwich News Feed

Friday Diversion: Hilfiger Sells in Greenwich, 'Twilight' House For Sale
Wall Street Journal (blog)
Meanwhile, here's a look at some high-end finished homes making news this week: Fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger sells his home in Greenwich, Conn., ...
Colo. suspect in Old Greenwich librarians' deaths arrested again
Greenwich Time
By Colin Gustafson Sandra Lee Jacobson during an earlier court appearance for the drunk-driving deaths of two Old Greenwich librarians. ...
Outcome of Greenwich lacrosse coach's DUI case in hands of jury
Greenwich Time
By Debra Friedman STAMFORD -- A six-person jury will continue deliberations Friday in the drunken-driving trial of a Greenwich High School lacrosse coach ...
Health Department plans third H1N1 clinic
Greenwich Post
Today the Greenwich Department of Health announced that it will be offering a 3rd H1N1 Vaccination Clinic open to all persons who meet the priority group ...
Greenwich Republican leader won't seek another term
Greenwich Time
Camillo commended Raben for his work on behalf of Greenwich Republicans. "He was a good leader and a good friend to me personally," Camillo said. ...
Greenwich man arrested for drunk driving after sideswiping two cars
Greenwich Time
By Frank MacEachern A Greenwich man sideswiped a garbage truck and a few minutes later ran into a parked vehicle, causing his own vehicle's engine to erupt ...

Cityfile: Tommy Hilfiger Unloads in Greenwich
More than a year after listing it for $27.9 million, Tommy Hilfiger has finally found a buyer for his 20000-square-foot manse in Greenwich. The estate, which is known as Stone Hill, was purchased by the fashion mogul for $18 million in ...
Cityfile.com - Dailyfile - http://cityfile.com/dailyfile

Apple Lauren to boost traffic in Greenwich Greenwich Time
Apple Inc is in its final countdown for the opening of its Greenwich Avenue store Saturday keying what some observers say will be a renaissance for the ...



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11/20/09 The Raw Greenwich News Feed: greenwich Resident Linda McMahon

Are Vince and Linda McMahon Billionaires?
Inside Pulse (blog)
Linda McMahon has sectioned off over $3 million for her Senate race, which puts her in a great position to actually win. The chairman of the Government ...
WSTC/WNLK Local News Linda McMahon's Senate Campaign Warchest is Growing WNLK
By WSTC/WNLK Linda McMahon, the former executive of the Stamford-based World ...
Vince & Linda McMahon Worth Close To $500 Million - Details
LordsofPain.net
By Michael Bluth Paperwork filed by Linda McMahon in Connecticut for her 2010 Senate reveal that her and Vince McMahon have upwards of $500 million in ...
Hartford Courant
Former Professional Wrestler Blasts Linda McMahon And Her Campaign For Senate
Hartford Courant
By CHRISTOPHER KEATING The Hartford Courant Linda McMahon, in her campaign to unseat US Sen. Christopher Dodd, has repeatedly distanced herself from the ...
PWNewsNow.com
Vince and Linda McMahon's Financial Records: An Inside Look
PWNewsNow.com
The financials were reported as part of Linda McMahon's Senate campaign. Site Notes: Congratulations to "SherrylMullen6" for becoming our 730th follower on ...
Superstar Billy Graham On Linda McMahon, WWE, and His Pioneering Role In ...
Hartford Courant
... is speaking out against the woman whom he says made millions from condoning the violence, sex, and excesses of professional wrestling - Linda McMahon. ...
Former Wrestler Trying to Derail Linda McMahon's Senate Campaign
HoopsWorld
Former professional wrestler Superstar Billy Graham is speaking out against Linda McMahon's Connecticut senatorial campaign. He says McMahon was intimately ...
Hall of Famer Attacks Linda McMahon and Her Senate Campaign
LordsofPain.net
By Amish Patel - During an interview with the Hartford Courant, WWE Hall of Famer "Superstar" Billy Graham hit out at Linda McMahon and her run for senate. ...
WWE News: "Superstar" Billy Graham gains publicity for attacking Linda ...
Pro Wrestling Torch
Graham said, "Linda McMahon's hands are as bloody as her husband's (WWE CEO Vince McMahon) because she is aware of every move in the ring. ...

Inside Pulse Wrestling Are Vince and Linda McMahon Billionaires?
By Mike Shannon
According to the Connecticut Post, paperwork that Linda has filed for her Senate race has revealed that the McMahons have approximately $500 million in assets. Linda McMahon has sectioned off over $3 million for her Senate race, ...
Inside Pulse Wrestling - http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/
WWE: Vince & Linda McMahon Worth Close To $500 Million 3XGP.COM ...
By Rick From Chicago
Paperwork filed by Linda McMahon in Connecticut for her 2010 Senate reveal that her and Vince McMahon have upwards of $500 million in assets. Linda has donated over $3 million of McMahon money to the campaign, making her an instant ...
3XGP.COM is all about MUSIC-FASHION-S... - http://the3xgp.com/blog/
The GOP's Justin Bernier Problem - Rick Green CT Confidential
By Rick Green
Does anybody really think that the millionaire duo from Greenwich, Tom Foley and Linda McMahon, didn't have something to do with Sam Caligiuri's likely departure from the senate race? Caliguiri -- who now says he's also thinking about ...
Local News feed - http://blogs.courant.com/local_news/
Hall of Famer Attacks Linda McMahon/Her Senate Campaign The ...
By Hasan Yasar
Hall of Famer Attacks Linda McMahon/Her Senate Campaign Source :
The Martial Arts - http://www.the-martial-arts.com/
WWE Fighters - News and Information » Former Pro Wrestler Slams ...
Former Pro Wrestler Slams Linda McMahon's Senate Campaign TPMDC (blog) … to "bra and panty" wrestling matches between scantily-clad female performers — to cleaner content in the run-up to her campaign. The WWE and the … ...
WWE Fighters - News and Information - http://www.wwe-fighters.com/

Vince & Linda McMahon Worth Close To $500 Million Details ...
Paperwork filed by Linda McMahon in Connecticut for her 2010 Senate reveal that her and Vince McMahon have upwards of $500 million in assets Linda has ...
How Much Are Vince & Linda McMahon Worth WrestlingNewsArenacom
According to a report by The Connecticut Post, it was revealed how much money Vince & Linda McMahon are worth. The numbers were released as part of her US.



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11/20/09 Greenwich Post Breaking News:





Covering the news of Greenwich, Connecticut


Breaking News

Today the Greenwich Department of Health announced that it will be offering a 3rd H1N1 Vaccination Clinic open to all persons who meet the priority group criteria.
Read more Comment Share

If you thought the Greenwich municipal election was over...think again because District 5’s race for the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) is headed for a recount.



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11/20/09 The Raw Greewich News Feed

Greenwich Academy soccer team wraps up stellar season
Greenwich Time
Greenwich Academy's season came to an end by the slimmest of margins Wednesday as Milton Academy (Mass.) rallied late and then pulled out a 2-1 penalty kick ...
Staples seeks another FCIAC crown against surprising Hilltoppers
The Hour
Central (8-1) also defeated Greenwich 14-13 four weeks ago. Its only loss came against Trumbull, 21-0. Staples is aiming for its sixth FCIAC title while ...
Greenwich woman returns to Arctic Circle to help build frozen hotel
Danbury News Times
On Saturday, Gibbons will make her now-annual trip from Greenwich to Jukkasjärvi, a small village about 160 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden, ...
Hilfiger Tailors Price Tag, Sells Connecticut Home
Wall Street Journal
By SARA LIN Fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger has sold his Greenwich, Conn., home for $20 million. He first listed the estate more than a year ago for $27.9 ...
Annual Holiday Cheer at Saks Fifth Avenue--- Greenwich
FINalternatives
Join us for our annual holiday networking and philanthropy event at Saks Fifth Avenue on Greenwich Avenue. Celebrate the holiday season and enjoy a ...
Extended U.S. jobless aid rise clouds labor picture
Reuters
... unemployment rates, the emergency rolls are likely to remain swelled for some time," said Omair Sharif, an economist for RBS in Greenwich, Connecticut. ...
Cheshire's Depth Stops Greenwich
Hartford Courant
After winning a state championship every season from 1982 to 2004, Cheshire placed second behind Greenwich in the past four Class LL and State Open meets. ...
Greenwich Ends Farmington's Run
Hartford Courant
That's why when her team lost to Greenwich 1-0 Wednesday night in a Class L semifinal at Danbury High, she wasn't completely down and out. ...

Greenwich Time busts a story wide open « For What It's Worth
By christopherfountain
And this is the #1 Story viewed and e-mailed from Greenwich Time? Is there really so little news in Town? Well, with Walt and his friends off limits, yes. ...
For What It's Worth - http://christopherfountain.com/
Greenwich Gossip: Ralph Lauren Visits Greenwich
By Bill Clark
All the smartly-dressed salespeople in their monogrammed blazers are walking to and fro between the new Ralph Lauren store and Starbucks, abuzz with the news that the Great One (that's the GO with the initials RL) is coming to Greenwich ...
Greenwich Gossip - http://greenwich-gossip.blogspot.com/
The Fat Guy From Greenwich by Jane Genova Greenwich Blog...
By gb
"The Fat Guy From Greenwich" peeks at the comic underbelly of success on the Gold Coast of Connecticut. In this novel, the main character Jonathan Miller II aka The Fat Guy From Greenwich is a venture capitalist who became wealthy ...
Greenwich Blog :: The Blog of... - http://greenwichblog.com/

Apple Lauren to boost traffic in Greenwich Greenwich Time
Apple Inc is in its final countdown for the opening of its Greenwich Avenue store Saturday keying what some observers say will be a renaissance for the ...



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