08/02/10 GREENWICH BRIEFING: More town students choosing NCC

This Just In To The Greenwich Roundup Newsroom......

More town students choosing NCC (Norwalk Citizen News)

Seventeen-year-old Yvonne Arana had her heart set on studying foreign languages at a private four-year college, while 18-year-old Miguel Gomez wasn't sure he was ready for college just yet.

Another beautfiul day as the Vibes winds down (NewsTimesLive)

The 15th annual Gathering of the Vibes ended Sunday just as it began three days earlier, under clear blue skies with light, refreshing winds blowing in off Long Island Sound.

CT PRIMARY CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: State Comptroller (greenwichroundup.blogspot)

Lembo And Jarjura Battle In The Democratic State Comptroller Primary

A week from Tuesday, Aug. 10, registered Democrats will go to the polls to narrow the field in a number of contested races, but even after that, there are so many contenders in so many races that it's really hard to keep track.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first. Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

The battle to be comptroller, is very important given the state's nearly $3 billion deficit.

Many wonder why this seat is contested in such hard times.

One would think that it would be more fun to be the money person when the state is flush rather than broke.

But this hasn't deterred Democrats Kevin Lembo and Michael Jarjura from battling for the democratic nod.

The winner of that race will face Republican Jack Orchulli and Green candidate Colin Bennett.

Democrat Kevin Lembo, who served as assistant state comptroller to Nancy Wyman, is the party-endorsed candidate running against Michael Jarjura for the state comptroller seat.

Lembo is nationally recognized for his expertise in health care systems and consumer protection.

He currently leads the Office of the Healthcare Advocate for the state.

He lives in Guilford with his wife; they have three children. Today the Harwinton Democratic Town Committee is hosting a meet and greet so voters can meet candidates.

The event will be held at the Harwinton Senior Center, 209 Weingart Road, from 2 to 4 p.m. Mr. Lembo has confirmed that he will attend.

Mike Jarjura is the mayor of Waterbury.

He worked as a state representative in the 1990s and as an assistant attorney general. He has a B.S. in management from Post College and a J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law.

This weekenday, with Waterbury Mayor Jarjura was on the ropes after Lembo came out with three body blows.

First, a YouTube video surfaced of the Democrat speaking at a Tea Party rally.

"We needed a spark, and you're the spark that is going to be the change. So don't give up. Don't get discouraged because this country is worth fighting for and you're fighting for it," Jarjura said at the rally in Waterbury last September.......

Warrant: Norwalk man defrauded Greenwich boss to fund gambling (Connecticut Post)

A Norwalk man who fled to Las Vegas to elude capture for financial crimes in this state victimized his 88-year-old Greenwich boss just weeks after getting out of prison for other unrelated fraud offenses, according to his arrest warrant.

2010 ELECTIONS - CT CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: Secretary of the State Focus On Jerry Farrell Jr (greenwichroundup.blogspot)

Even the politically astute of Connecticut have got to be preparing scratch sheets to keep track of who is running for what this political season.

It is a tough job to try and keep track, but it is a job that needs to be done.

People shouldn't complain about their elected representatives if they don't at least cast an educated ballot first.

Do a little homework first.

Visit the candidates' websites and study their positions on issues that you care about.

Not sure who is running?

Then go to the secretary of the state's website (ctgov.org will get you started) and find out the candidate's names, political parties and offices that they are seeking.

Speaking of the secretary of state, did you know that Gerry Garcia (yes, that's really his name) could get bumped in next week's primaries in his bid to be Connecticut's new secretary of the state?

The Democrat is vying for the seat against party endorsed candidate Denise Merrill in what will be a three-way race Nov. 2 pitting either Garcia or Merrill against Republican Jerry Farrell Jr. and Green Party contender S. Michael DeRosa.

It's an important job, overseeing the state's elections, so we'd all do ourselves a favor by brushing up on the candidates' qualifications and platforms so we can make informed decisions come November.

Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr, nominated at convention for Secretary of State, reiterated the calls for fiscal conservatism, even through the Secretary of State's office.

Farrell just qualified for public campaign financing.and submitted his paperwork to the State Elections Enforcement Commission in preparation of the November general election. Farrell's campaign raised over $75,000 from over 900 contributors who were limited to a maximum of $100 per person.

Once approved, Farrell will receive a grant of $750,000 to compete with a Democratic opponent who will receive the same grant. Farrell and Democratic attorney general candidate

George Jepsen are the only statewide candidates without a primary election to receive public funding.

Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com

Pool safety campaign in honor of drowning victims (WABC)

Karen Cohn and Nancy Baker share a tragic experience few mothers could fathom: They watched their children die after they were entrapped by powerful suction in a swimming pool and hot tub.

Connecticut Primaries Drawing Apathy (The Hartford Courant)

The state primaries are a week from Tuesday. Everybody who knew that, raise your hand.

Weevils unleashed on Greenwich invasive vines (The Day)

Scientists are encouraged that tiny beetles unleashed last year in northwest Greenwich are beginning to make a dent in the spread of an invasive plant species.