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Saturday, December 6, 2008

12/06/08 Greenwich School Children Are Being Sacrificed On The Altar Of Board Of Education Incompetence

Greenwich Parents Are Repeatedly Being Forced
To Deliver Their Children To Well Compensated School Administers
That Constantly Fail The School Community


You Won't Read This In The Greenwich Citizen, The Greenwich Post Or The Greenwich Time, because the Greenwich Board Of Education did not send out a press release......


Academic Roundup:


The Inner City NYC High Schools Rated Better
Than Greenwich High School


Nine New York City schools rank among the top 100 high schools in the nation according to US News and World Report. Over a dozen years ago Greenwich High School was on the list year after year. Now Greenwich High School is on the list of schools that have failed to meet the standards that President Bush set in the "No Child Left Behind" program.


Styuyvesant High School topped the New York Schools on the magazines "Gold Medal" list, hitting number 23. Two Boogie Down Bronx schools made it on the list with the High School of American studies ranking number 29 and the Bronx High School of Science at Number 33.


Also on the list is were three Queens schools - the Baccalaureate School for Global Education, the Queens High School Of Science, and Townsend Harris High School - as well as Staten Island Technical High School.


One newcomer was the High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies.


Even High Schools In "Crooklyn" New York had better results than Greenwich High School.


American High Schools that spend less per child than Greenwich are celebrating there "Gold Medal Schools", as Failed School Administrators repeatedly get Greenwich cited by "No Child Left Behind.


Please Read More:



MiamiHerald.com

Four Miami-Dade schools came in just out of the Top 100 and were named silver medal winners: Coral Reef Senior, New World School of the Arts, Doral Academy ...



San Jose Mercury News

By Kimberly S. Wetzel

It's a list every school dreams of making: US News & World Report's annual rundown of the top high schools in the country. ...



Newsday, NY

BY JOIE TYRRELL joie.tyrrell@newsday.com

Four Long Island public high schools were named in the top 100 in the nation in US News & World Report's annual ...



Chicago Sun-Times

Walter Payton College Prep was rated the nation's 63rd best high school by US News and World Report. "I'm thrilled that we're in the top 100,'' said Payton ...



Washington Post



Boston Globe

By Casey Ramsdell, Globe Correspondent Boston Latin School is one of the top 100 public high schools in the country, according to US News & World Report's ...



MarketWatch



News-Leader.com



Tucson Citizen, AZ

Two Tucson area high schools are among the top 25 schools in US News & World Report's second annual list of the top 100 public high schools in the United ...



Tampa Tribune



WBOC TV 16



Philadelphia Inquirer

By Kristen A. Graham

Masterman again made the list of top high schools as ranked by US News and World Report. The magazine looked at state test scores, ...








PLEASE ALSO SEE:






We Must Not Let Turkeys Take Advantage Of Us.
It Is Time To Get Rid Of Frank Mazza And The Greenwich Board Of Education




Hamilton Avenue School students won't be allowed to move into their new building until April if the school's building committee can't secure the necessary approvals to make the facility safe for occupancy by the end of next week, the head of the school board said.


Board of Education Chairman Nancy Weissler said Wednesday that the facility must receive a temporary certificate of occupancy by Dec. 5 if students are to safely return to classes there after holiday breaks end Jan. 5......


COMMENTS:


A GREENWICH ROUNDUP EDITORIAL


SCHOOL OF FOOLS


Nancy Weissler And Her Negligent Board Of Education And Frank Mazza And His School Building Committee Must Resign Now.


Only Newly Elected School Board Member Marianna Ponns Cohen Should Remain


The once great Greenwich Public School System has been brought to ruin by Nancy Weissler and her negligent fellow Board Of Education members. Ms. Weisller and her poorly managed board have cost thousands of tax dollars for every man woman and child in Greenwich.


Nancy Wiessler and the School Building Chairman she has supported through thick and thin will soon becoming to the taxpayers once again with their hands stretched out.


If Nancy Wiessler, Frank Mazza and the other negligent board members had any decency they would resign.


It Is Time To Bounce These Bozo Board Members And Their Failed High Paid Educrats
NANCY IS IN WAY OVER HER HEAD


Wielser's Poor Management Skills And Lack Of Experiences Orchestrated The Fall Of Our Once Great Public Schools.


Blame abounds, but most of it must accrue to Nancy Wiessler and the Greenwich Board Of Education for their undying support of Frank Mazza and his band of idiots on the Hamilton Avenue School Building Committee. .....


PLEASE READ:





ALSO:




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12/06/08 Greenwich Time News Links For Saturday


"Police Blotter ", 1990 (detail)


Posted: 12/06/2008 01:00:00 AM EST
Thomas Lau, 37, of 49 Park Ave., was arrested and charged with threatening and disorderly conduct at 11 a. m. Friday after an incident at his home, according to a police report.

He was released on $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamfod on Monday.

********************************************************************************
Anthony Palmisano, 29, of 21 Gerry St., was arrested Thursday morning and charged with possession of cannabis under four ounces and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.
Police charged Palmisano after observing drugs in plain view in his bedroom while officers were placing him under arrest on four outstanding arrest warrants, police said.

Palmisano faced prior charges of failure to appear and violation of probation, according to the police report.

Palmisano was released on a $6,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford on Friday.

********************************************************************************

Two Bridgeport men were arrested Wednesday morning and charged with numerous drug offenses and interfering with a police officer, police said.

Jake Riley, 33, of 1202 Park Ave., in Bridgeport, and Daniel Upchurch, 33, of 168 Pixlee Place in Bridgeport, were stopped for speeding on East Putnam Avenue when police detected the odor of marijuana in their vehicle, according to the police report.

The driver, Upchurch, provided a license but was unable to provide a valid registration or insurance card, police said.

Further investigation revealed that Upchurch was smoking a maijuana-laced cigar and had crumpled it up when he was pulled over, police said.

Police also located packaged marijuana in an open yellow bag on the floor of the rear seat area, according to the police report.

After the two men were asked to exit their vehicle, Upchurch suddenly accelerated, fleeing east on East Putnam Avenue, and turned down Lockwood Lane, police said.

The vehicle with both men inside was located a short time later on Sound Beach Avenue at West End Avenue, police said.

Officers also located two small quart-sized plastic bags in the rear seat, but the yellow bag initially seen on the floor was no longer in the vehicle because the two parties had thrown it out of the car, police said.

The bag was later located by officers, according to the police report.

A total of 24 quart-sized bags containing marijuana were located, weighing 1 pound and 8.2 ounces, police said.

Both men were charged with possession of marijuana over 4 ounces, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell and interfering with a police officer, according to the police report.

Upchurch was additionally charged with reckless endangerment, engaging police in pursuit, traveling too fast, failure to carry registration and traveling the wrong way, police said.

Upchurch was released on $10,000 bond. Riley was released on a $20,000 bond, police said.
Riley and Upchurch are scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford on Wednesday.


Possible financial fraud reported by Shays election team
WASHINGTON - Federal law enforcement officials are investigating accusations that a former employee of Rep.


Call it an early birthday present. Upon arriving Friday at Greenwich Adult Day Care, as she does every weekday morning, Viola Carrington was treated to a party in her honor.



Internet sting: Doctor released on sex charge
A Greenwich doctor accused of soliciting a minor over the Internet was released on a $25,000 bond Friday, officials said.

Posted: 12/06/2008 02:42:07 AM EST

Nicholas Blatsiotis, 43, of 389 Farms Road, was arrested and charged with evading responsibility Wednesday evening after turning himself in to police, police said.
According to the police report, Blatsiotis left the scene of an accident on Orchard Street earlier Wednesday after he bumped into another vehicle heading in the same direction. No injuries were reported.

Blatsiotis also was charged with unsafe backing, police said.

Blatsiotis was released on a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford on Wednesday.

********************************************************************************

Stephen Pardo, 43, of 78 Northfield St., was arrested Thursday evening and charged with driving while under the influence, risk of injury to a minor and failure to carry a license, police said.

Police were dispatched to 25 Valley Road after they received a call from a day care center relating that an operator driving a 1997 Volvo could be driving intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, according to the a report. They told police the license plate number of the car.

After verifying Pardo's address, police went to his home, where they observed his vehicle pass by and accelerate away, according to police.

An officer attempted to catch up with Pardo's vehicle as it continued to accelerate from the scene on wet roadways, police said.

Police caught up with Pardo at Deer Park Road, at which time they activated their lights and sirens and Pardo pulled his vehicle over, according to the police report.

Pardo then jumped out of his vehicle and refused to return inside after several instructions from the police officer, police said.

When Pardo finally complied, police discovered he was travelling with an infant in the vehicle. He was asked to take a series of field sobriety tests, which he failed.

He was arrested and released on a $50,000 bond. Pardo is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford on Dec. 12.

********************************************************************************

David Anderson, 38, of 241 S. 9th Avenue in Mount Vernon, N.Y., was arrested Thursday night and charged with public indecency, police said.

Greenwich Police responded to the Wilton Police Department and took custody of Anderson who was being held at the department on an active arrest warrant. Anderson had exposed himself in central Greenwich, according to the police report.

Anderson was held overnight on $20,000 bond and was scheduled to appear Friday in state Superior Court in Stamford.

********************************************************************************

Michael William, 22, of 611 Crotona Park North, in Bronx, N.Y., was arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with second degree-forgery, third-degree identity theft, third-degree conspiracy to commit larceny and third-degree criminal attempt to commit larceny, police said.
Police were dispatched to 18 Railroad Ave. on the report of a person attempting to cash a counterfeit check, police said.

Officers met with a Citibank manager who had a photocopy of the check in the amount of $1,500 and the subject's identification.

William was placed under arrest and was released on a $1,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford on Thursday.



Town ceremony puts glitter on start of holiday season
Magic. That's how First Selectman Peter Tesei described the ease of this year's Town Hall tree lighting, at the exact moment he and a lawn full of children reached "one," counting backwards from ten at sundown Friday.



Tomorrow will be the 67th anniversary of Japan's surprise attack on the United States' naval base at Pearl Harbor that decimated the ......




To the editor:


Too many of our local families and individuals are suddenly struggling for food, housing, employment and protection from domestic violence. Fairfield County nonprofits are straining to help. But just as the demand for their services is skyrocketing, donations are declining.


Where can people who want to help be most effective in their giving? As board chair of the Fairfield County Community Foundation and a resident of Greenwich, I would like your readers to know that our foundation is offering a smart way to contribute: The Fairfield County Community Foundation will match donations made to the Safety Net Giving Circle, established by us to help area residents hit hardest by this economic crisis.


Thanks to a generous $100,000 matching grant from an anonymous donor, contributions made to the Safety Net Giving Circle by Jan. 15 will be matched. Ultimately $200,000 will be distributed to 10 area nonprofits to assist residents throughout Fairfield County in these difficult times to meet their basic needs. The Giving Circle will pool individual donations to amplify the impact of each gift.


The 10 nonprofits our foundation is working with are: Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Neighbor to Neighbor, Catholic Charities, Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging, Person to Person, Operation Hope, Norwalk Community Health Center, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Center for Women and Families and Tbico (community-based work force development).


Donations can be made either online or by check. More information is available at www.fccfoundation.org. The foundation's address is 383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, 06851
Thank you for helping us to promote this most important initiative.


W. Michael Funck
Riverside


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12/06/08 READER SUBMITTED COMMENTS: More on Crime


Things Were Not Always So Great In Riverside



"[crime] Statistics for your beloved Riverside are probably great".

They are since my brothers and I grew up!

--
Chris Fountain
Riverside CT

http://www.christopherfountain.com/



COMMENT:



Dear Chris,



I am glad to here that Riverside is now safe from your youthful indiscretions, now the town fathers only have to fear your blog posts.



RELATED POSTS:

===============================================================
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12/06/08 Greenwich Post News Links


The academic team from Greenwich High School will face the team from Stamford High School in the first round competition of Cablevision’s The Challenge, airing December 6 and 7 at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., exclusively on News 12 Connecticut and available on demand on Cablevision channel 612 through News 12 Interactive. Pictured during a break in taping are (l. to r.) Daryl Taylor (academic advisor), Paul Finkelstein, James Lewis, host Tom Appleby, Brian Plancher (team captain), John Tsai and Vinay Kadiyala (team alternate).




All-star student scholars from Greenwich High School will challenge Stamford High School in the first round of the 12th season of Cablevision’s The Challenge, an academic quiz show designed to test students’ knowledge in a Jeopardy-style format. The first round match-up between Greenwich High School and Stamford High School will air exclusively on News 12 Connecticut at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. The Challenge, hosted by News 12 Connecticut anchor Tom Appleby, can also be viewed anytime through video on demand (VOD) through News 12 Interactive, located on iO TV channel 612.




On Dec. 7 from noon to 5, shops along East Putnam Avenue in central Greenwich will be hosting a holiday block party. Stores participating are Cashmere Inc, Elsebe, J. McLaughlin, Patricia Gourlay, Vision Consultants, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, Splurge Unique Gifts, Home Decor and Jewelry, Inovation Luggage, Threads & Treads, and Mailboxes, etc.


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Friday, December 5, 2008

12/05/08 Associated Community Bancorp of Greenwich has announced the retirement of James McLean as president and the appointment of two new officers


PRESS RELEASE


McLean, who served as president of Associated Community Bancorp and Connecticut Community Bank for the past four years, will assume the role of vice chairman of Associated and Connecticut Community Bank.


A resident of Greenwich and Madison, he has held various roles with the company since 1998, including president of Greenwich Bank & Trust.


William Laudano Jr. was named president of Associated and will retain his chief financial officer title with Associated and Connecticut Community Bank. He has served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Associated Community Bancorp and Connecticut Community Bank since December 2003. He joined Associated seven year ago.


Laudano is a certified public accountant and lives in Guilford.


Richard Cummings Jr., who has served as senior vice president of Associated Community Bancorp and executive vice president of Connecticut Community Bank since December 2003, will assume the role of president of Connecticut Community Bank.


A Fairfield resident, Cummings has served in various capacities with the company since 1998, including president of Westport National Bank.


Associated Community Bancorp Inc. is a bank holding company with two subsidiaries: Connecticut Community Bank N.A., a national banking association, and Associated Community Brokers Inc., an insurance broker.
* Heather Spaide, of New Canaan, has joined the law firm of Cohen and Wolf P.C. in Bridgeport as an associate. She practices in the areas of commercial litigation and employment law.


Spaide previously was a litigation associate at Casper & de Toledo LLC in Stamford and at Neubert, Pepe & Monteith P.C. in New Haven. She has a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Fairfield University.


Spaide is admitted to practice in Connecticut, New York state and the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. She is a member of the American and Connecticut Bar Associations, and the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. She volunteers at the Connecticut Legal Services Day Laborer Wage and Hour Clinic in Stamford.
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Reports on new Greenwich businesses, company reallocations, awards, job changes and special appointments can be submitted by e-mailed to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com . Photographs are accepted and enouraged.
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12/05/08 READER SUBMITTED COMMENTS: Greenwich crime statistics


2007 Greenwich Crime Statistics Kept Under Wraps


Brian - the reason Greenwich wasn't listed can be found in the opening of the story: "The rankings of cities with populations greater than 75,000 were recently released ...."

Greenwich's population is under 75,000 (I think it's about 60,000) and so wasn't included. I know we're safer that Danbury, however How do I know? Because our police blotter has room to include stories about stolen bicycles and unleashed dogs. Res ipsa loquitur.


Best,
Chris
--
Chris Fountain
Riverside CT

http://www.christopherfountain.com/
HERE IS THE POST CHRIS IS TALKING ABOUT:


COMMENT:

Dear Chris,

That's why I asked these questions in the post:

Was Greenwich Included In This Database Of Statistics?

Would Greenwich Compare Favorably With Other CT Towns?

How does Greenwich Stack Up Against New Caanan, Darien, Westport and Fairfield?

Six months ago Greenwich Police Chief David Ridberg decided to sit on Greenwich's crime statistics and told taxpayers that they need to wait to the end of the year while he prepares a report.

Ridberg should stop playing games with the statistics and just post 5 years of reports on the town's web site for everyone to see.

Why can't taxpayers just have a little bit of transparency at the Greenwich Police Department?


We are still waiting for Chief Ridberg to release the High School taser video. I thought it was going to be released for all to see after the court case was over.


If the Greenwich's crime statistics are great why wont Chief Daivid Ridberg put them up on the town's website. If Ridberg wanted to be really transparent he could even break down the crimes by village.


Crime statistics for your beloved Riverside are probably pretty great.


But here in Western Greenwich many residents feel like this.


Please See:


12/94/08 Could Danbury Be Safer Than Greenwich ??? = Danbury Is Much Safer Than Gov Wanna Be Dan Malloy's Stamford !!!

But later in the article Ridberg admits that he's prematurely rushed out the numbers and they are not really ready for prime time

....Ridberg said that he is still analyzing some of the data, and that a final version of the report is expected later this year....

Aggravated Assualts in Town Increased 46 percent.

Assault is a crime of violence against another person or persons that refers to the threat of violence caused by an immediate show of force.

Like a bunch of rival gang members squaring off on Davis Avenue in Greenwich.And we know that all persons involved in Aggravated Assaults get properly reported by the Greenwich Police Department and the Greenwich Time and the free weekly news papers look the other way.

Not all of the Gang members involved Friday night were arrested Friday night.


Please Also See:


06/21/08 Gang Violence Comes To Down Town Greenwich

Will it take a gang fight in front of Richard's on Greenwich Avenue before Ridberg pulls his head out of the sand and admits that thier is a deadly gang problem in town.David Warner who is the new Greenwich Time Editor and Chief is not going to be able to stop the Greenwich Time's continued loss of readership if doesn't start teaching his reporters to hold town officials accountable to the public.


FBI Uniform Crime Report


The following report is generated from crime data submitted to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. This report does not reflect all crime as the UCR program only collects data on eight offense types and then only counts the most serious offense when numerous crimes are reported on the same police report.


Greenwich - Connecticut
In 2006, this city reported 25.00 violent crimes and 514.00 property crimes. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Violent crimes are defined in the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program as those offenses which involve force or threat of force. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims.


BY THE NUMBERS:


Violent Crimes
25
Property Crimes
514
Population
62,139

VIOLENT CRIMES
Murder
2
Forcible Rape
1
Robbery
10
Aggravated Assault
12


On Average, In 2006 There Was A Violent Crime About Every 14 Days


PROPERTY CRIMES
Burglary
58
Larceny-Theft
428
Motor Vehicle Theft
28
Arson
3


On Average, In 2006 There Were Are 9 to 10 Property Crimes A Week In Greenwich
Plus In 2006 And 2007 There Were Over 80 Civilian Complaints Against The Greenwich Police Department.
That's A Civilian Complaint About Every Nine Days
You Wont Read The Above Statistics In The Greenwich Time, Nor Will The Greenwich Time Report......
The Very Generous Taxpayers Of Greenwich Have Made The Greenwich Police The Best Compensated Department In All Of Westchester And Fairfield County.
In Fact, No Other Police Department In The Entire State Of Connecticut Is Better Compensated Than The Greenwich Police Department.
One Tuesday The Greenwich RTM Is Going To Approve Giving Our Police Officers An Additional $1,448,328 In Compenation Over The Next Two Years.
Also, The Greenwich First Selectman Is Going To Announce That Two Additional Parking Enforcement Officers Will Be Hired.
This Is All Happening When The Town Is Eliminating 15 Non-School Positions In Order To Save 1 Million Dollars.
This New Police Compensation Increase Comes When 25 Full Time Equivilant School Staff Positions Will Be Slashed From The School Budget.
All Because Next Year Is An Election Year And The Town Republican Must Keep That Mill Rate Between 3 and 4%.
Since The School And Town Positions Are Getting Cut, While The Police Department Is Getting Increased Compensation, It Shouldn't Be Too Much For The Taxpayers To Ask For A Little Accountability From GreenwichPolice Cheif David Ridberg.
Ridberg should take the crime statistics out of his desk drawer and put them up on the town web site for all too see. Then put up two or three years of previous reports so that the taxpayers and voters of Greenwich can observe any trends.
Then the Greenwich crime statistics should be updated every month and possibly broken down by neighbor hood.
The crime stats that Ridberg probably has some very good news, as well as, some troubling trends, but towns voters can't solve problems that are hudden from them in Police Cheif David Ridberg's desk.
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12/05/08 Reader Submitted comments: There once was a man named Dan...

Govenor Wanna Be Dan Malloy's Greenwich Poetry Trip Post
Is 404-Page Not Found


Greenwich Roundup:

I can't seem to find the link to Mayor Dan and his poetic plan!!!! But I will do a full history check later today!!!

However, I READ it. I think it was in Susie Costar-eggstremely exciting "DISH WATER DRAMA" where she writes about her adventures STALKING MEN OVER 50.

The Gene Wilder siting kind gave me the impression of desperation though. I mean, COME ON!!!!! He is like 75 years old.....and looks......well......very nice.......but......ok, he's very talented.

Dan is a man over 50. He could be considered a "STAR," or a prominent figure for those who follow that kind of thing. He's married.....ahhhh....the perfect man. Mayor Dan.

I know Susie Dirty Dishwater likes to follow Diana Ross so maybe it's the mayor's motown slant...."wanna be starting something" like running for governor.....that keeps it real for Our Susie. Why don't we ask Our Joe. Our Joe knows what makes the Dishwater TICK.....and she knows TOCK.

I think it caught my eye b/c the Poetic Dan "event" was being sponsored by the Stamford Library....but scheduled somewhere in Greenwich. And I said "WHOA!!!!!!!!" This is very mysterious to me.

Plus I knew the Greenwich Roundup Editor would be all over such important news.....when he wasn't cranking out sausage links......because our Greenwich isn't Susie's, Joe's, or Dan's. It's ours!!!! And Kristen Zimmerman cranks out absolutely nothing. Brian, that was your arm....

Its amazing what I can see up here!!!! I have some serious information to enlighten Greenwich on. But I'll wait for you to return from church and get the other stuff up!!!!!!

On the bell tower


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12-05-08 Greenwich Time News Links For Friday



Trini Leonard smiled as she held a sleeping baby boy up to his father, 9,000 miles away from the computer screen in front of her.


"He definitely has your nose," she said from Greenwich Hospital.


U.S. Marine Corps Captain Tim Leonard nodded in agreement. "Yes," he said, sitting in a video conferencing center Thursday in Al-Asad, Iraq.


It was the second time the Stamford resident had seen his new son. Thanks to modern technology and a New Jersey-based charity, Tim witnessed his son's birth the day before.


"It's a great feeling being able to witness this event far from home," Leonard, 30, told members of the media Thursday during a video conference arranged by the Freedom Calls Foundation.


"And I'm just so happy he's healthy. He's a big boy, 8 pounds, 12 ounces. Yesterday he was screaming and crying, so it's nice to see him so calm in his mother's arms."



Explicit chat online with cop posing as teen leads to arrest


A Greenwich doctor has been charged with engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover Westchester County investigator posing as a 15-year-old boy, New York authorities said.


Clifford Berken, 55, of 39 Cogswell Lane, Stamford, was arraigned in White Plains City Court Thursday on one count of first-degree attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors, a felony. He was being held until his bail hearing today, officials said.


Berken allegedly had online conversations with an undercover investigator from the Westchester County District Attorney's Office from Tuesday to Thursday, officials said. Berken believed the investigator to be a 15-year-old boy and the conversations discussed various sex acts, officials said.


During the conversations, Berken offered to meet the "teenage boy" in downtown White Plains, officials said. When Berken arrived for the meeting, he was placed under arrest.


Officials at the Westchester County District Attorney's Office were not available for further comment Thursday night.


Berken specializes in gastroenterology as an attending physician at Greenwich Hospital as well as through his own practice at 500 W. Putnam Ave.


He has been practicing medicine at Greenwich Hospital since 1983, according to information on his private practice's Web site.


"We are very sorry to learn about this incident," said George Pawlush, spokesman for Greenwich Hospital. "Dr. Berken has been highly regarded as a medical practitioner and until we hear final judgment on this matter, the hospital has suspended his medical privileges."




LAS VEGAS - A broken O.J. Simpson has been sentenced to at least 15 years in prison for a Las Vegas hotel armed robbery by a judge who rejected his apology and said, "It was much more than stupidity.


The economic crisis will likely lead to more students enrolling in the town's public school system as more cash-conscious families seek affordable education options, school officials said.


With private school tuition exceeding $33,000 in some cases, "there are some people in a situation where it's going to be difficult to make those payments and who we think may be withdrawing," said Assistant Superintendent John Curtin.
That could lead to an influx of new students transferring to the public school system in fall 2009, school officials said.


The prospect is a concern for some because the district's annual budget is based on enrollment projections that don't account for deteriorating economic conditions.


If enrollment exceeds those projections, class sizes could swell at some schools, forcing administrators to seek additional funding from the central administration to hire additional staff.


District officials won't have a clear picture of whether an enrollment spike is in store until families begin registering their children for classes in the spring and summer of 2009, Curtin said. But he cautioned there is no way to determine whether students have transferred into the public school system because of economic hardship.


However, with the economy declining, there are already signs that enrollment next fall will exceed the district's projections.


While there was little evidence that the economic crisis affected enrollment at the elementary and middle school levels this year, Greenwich High School saw enrollment exceed projections by 27 students as of Sept. 15. ....




NEW HAVEN - A campaign committee for U.S. Rep. Chris Shays, who was defeated in last month's election, says it has uncovered apparent fraud in its financial records and referred the matter to federal authorities.


The Shays for Congress Committee says it became aware, after a post-election review, of a series of anomalies that appear to be the result of fraudulent activity by one of its former employees. Details were not released.


Campaign officials say the committee's attorney contacted the U.S. attorney's office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Election Commission and is cooperating fully with law enforcement officials.


"This is a serious and sad situation," said Shays, a champion of campaign finance reform. "If true, the actions of this individual represent a betrayal of my campaign, its supporters and the very things I stand for, but in no way do they reflect upon the incredibly dedicated and honorable service of my other staff members and extended family of volunteers and supporters.".....


Greenwich Vietnam Veteran to be honored by state
There are many other ways Roger Paulmeno's story could have ended. Having enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War in 1970, the Old Greenwich resident served five months and a day before 30 percent of his body was burned and his eyesight damaged by a white phosphorus grenade.


Having enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War in 1970, the Old Greenwich resident served five months and a day before 30 percent of his body was burned and his eyesight damaged by a white phosphorus grenade.


"They ran me right into the operating room," said Paulmeno, 59, a native of the Bronx. "The last thing I remember, they were cutting off my crucifix (to treat me)."


Despite the odds, Paulmeno has recovered physically and emotionally, even dedicating his life to counseling other veterans back to health. For those reasons and others, he will be inducted into Connecticut's Veterans Hall of Fame Tuesday.


Established in 2005 by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, the Hall of Fame recognizes not only extraordinary service in combat but also extensive community and public service......


STAMFORD - Inside a seemingly normal Metro-North Railroad commuter car Thursday, a technician in a white lab coat sat at what looked like a command center.



Ex-FBI, CIA chief salutes Boy Scouts
STAMFORD - He was director of the FBI during the famous Abscam public corruption and organized crime investigation of the late 1970s that sent a U.S. senator and six members of the U.S. House of Representatives to jail.


The "Martha Stewart Show" has always focused on creating cost-effective meals and crafts, and it has recently taken this philosophy a step further with a daily segment offering budget-friendly tips.



Stamford's rappelling Santa spreads nationwide
STAMFORD - If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, organizers of the annual Heights and Lights celebration should be blushing.


Brunswick basketball aiming for sixth straight FAA title
There is nothing quite like the beginning of a new season. It is a blank slate which fills players and coaches alike with hope and excitement for the challenges they will undoubtedly face over the next few months.




Eddie Ross makes setting the table with other people's discards look easy. An hour or two rummaging in a Greenwich consignment shop and Ross has the makings of four holiday table vignettes.


An hour or two rummaging in a Greenwich consignment shop and Ross has the makings of four holiday table vignettes. Give him another minute to look around and he's found more good stuff amid the so-called junk: Stueben candlesticks, sterling flatware with a mother-of-pearl inlay and green Venetian glass birds for a pop of color. "This was probably grandma's stuff, but none of it says grandma," Ross says. "It's fresh and modern, and I can see a sophisticated young couple serving a holiday dinner this way."


None of this something old-becomes-something new innovation should surprise viewers of Bravo's second season of "Top Design," who watched the Greenwich native's star-making turn as the fourth-place finisher and fan favorite known for his biting one-liners. For weeks it appeared the 30-year-old Ross, who until last month was the senior style editor at Martha Stewart Living magazine, was the designer to beat......



Legg Mason cuts 8% of corporate staff; Stamford office to see cuts
BALTIMORE - Baltimore investment firm Legg Mason says it is cutting its corporate staff by about 8 percent.



State must deal with its own woes
The news from Hartford keeps getting worse. As the state deficit grows, officials are running out of ways to keep pace without making debilitating cuts.


State Comptroller Nancy Wyman on Monday said the state's projected operating deficit has dramatically increased in the last month due to sharply declining tax revenues. She said the problem calls for another special session of the legislature. But with the year nearly over, that prospect is unlikely.


If a special session doesn't happen, that puts even more pressure on the start of the regular session on Jan. 7. Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Monday that she will put together a new deficit-reduction plan, and Democratic leaders will also need to examine every option for addressing the growing gaps between revenue and spending plans...... Blah ..... Blah ...... Blah ....... Blah ....... Blah ...... Blah ....... Blah ....... Blah .......


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12/05/08 Reader Submitted Comments: Sorry to disappoint you, but you are not number 2


Greenwich Roundup Is In 3rd Place


Hello Brian,


I hate to rain on your parade but I think you are number 3 not 2 since I have been average 2,000 a day, oops sorry.


On a serious note, congratulations, I no longer read the local newspapers I get all my news from you and Chris.


Claudette Rothman

Greenwich Diva


Dear Claudia,


If you are talking Unique Visitors and not just Visitors Or Page Views then you have a phenomenal amount of traffic and are are where I want to be in the future.


However, if the 2,000 number is for total visits or page views your numbers still are not too shabby and better than 80% of all bloggers.

You are right, to be proud of the constant hard work that you put into your blog.
I do not doubt your numbers, because I have noticed that your have monitized your blog with display and banner ads. I have even notice your adverstise with us link, but have not clicked on it because my wife won't let me spend any money on Greenwich Roundup.
I should have been nicer to Sarah Litman and the "Our Greenwich" crowd of fired reporters and editors, because I hear that Ms. Litman is loaded. The only problem is if you get help from Ms. Litman, then you have got to work with Ex-Greenwich Time Editor Joe "I Sat On The Moxley Investigative Report For 10 Years" Pisani and constant his side kick Susie "The Dish".

For right now I will accept third place behing you and Chris "I Have A Friend At The New York Times" Fountain.
I think it is interesting to note that the three bloggers that consistently make multiple postings on a daily basis are the ones with the highest traffic.


If the Greenwich Time was smart it would turn over it's web reporting to the three hardest working bloggers in Greenwich, so the corporate suits at Hearst Newspapers could send their web traffic through the roof.

The Journal News actually incorporates blogs into it's LoHud web page. For example there is a blog called the "Hall Monitor" blogs on school issues.

The only thing I would mention is that I wish Greenwich Diva did a few more local stories. Sort of like how #1 Blogger Chris "I Have A Friend At The New York Times" Fountain mixes, local and national news items in with his real estate reports.



Thank you for your kind words of only getting your news from Chris and myself.



sincerely,





Brian





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12/05/08 SHAZAM !!!!!! Greenwich Roundup Sets A New Daily Web Traffic Record !!!!!!


Greenwich Roundup has broken nearly all of the rules

and we are a huge success in Greenwich


There Is Nothing Like Google Analytics To Excite You

Or Send You Into Depression First Thing In The Morning.


Thanksgiving Week Every Single Day Was Wirse Than The Day Before Here At Greenwich Roundup.


November 24th 1,036 Unique Visitors

November 25th 780 Unique Visitors

November 26th 583 Unique Visitors

November 27th 360 Unique Visitors

November 28th 428 Unique Visitors

November 29th 355 Unique Visitors

November 30th 474 Unique Visitors


But Today I logged In To My Analytics And Nearly Fell Out Of My Seat.


1961

UNIQUE VISITORS


Please exuce me for a minute, while I dance and shadow box around the roon screeming dumbd things like,"Yeah Baby !!!!" and "Whose Your Daddy !!!!"


Now granted this does not beat Greenwich's ALL TIME WEB STAT record which is held by Chris "I Have Friends At The New York Times" Fountain, but it is a distant second place showing.


Well I have to go to my Men's prayer group and the go do some work at the proposed CVS site in Harrison New York. After that I am serving coffee at the Harvest Time Church ladies Christmas party. So the blog posts will be a little late to day.


But I did interview the Greenwich town clerk in person and a YMCA spokeswowman over the phone and I have some interesting information and some modifications to previous Greenwich Roundup postings.


Plus I have an interesting report about what Al Morrielli said about Frank Mazza and contractor change orders, as well as, a bunch of intersting information about the next town budget and the controls that are being put in place.


And there are going to be new processes and new fees for the town ferry and beaches. Plus two weekend parking enforcement officers are going to be hired during the so-called hiring freeze.


I will blog to you later.

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12/05/08 Greenwich Post Press Releases For Friday

PRESS RELEASES:

Governor warns of holiday scams online

With the holiday season upon us, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and State Banking Commissioner Howard F. Pitkin want to remind consumers to protect their personal financial information when shopping on-line.

Time for Lyme to hold gala to raise money for research

On April 18, Time for Lyme will present its bi-annual Gala event titled, "The Dream, Creating a Lyme Free World," at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich. Proceeds from the gala will go towards combating the devastating effects of Lyme and other tick borne illnesses. Call 969-1333 for more information and tickets.

The rates of Lyme disease — and the serious, often debilitating symptoms it can cause -— have been rising steadily across the U.S. and throughout the world. In fact, health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society just released a report listing 12 pathogens, including the agents behind avian flu, Ebola, cholera, and Lyme disease, which are likely to invade new regions as a result of global climate change. Other experts are reporting that the ticks that carry the Lyme disease bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, once thought to be transmitted only by deer and mice, can also be spread by chipmunks and other small animals.

Fashion show seeks models, actors

“Fashion from the Heart” is seeking male and female models and actors, including children ages 5 and over, to help make heart health fashionable in an annual community event. Models will showcase fashions from six diverse clothes designers, and actors will star in two educational skits in the annual event.

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12/05/08 Sandra Morgan of Sandra Morgan Interiors Inc. in Greenwich has been named one of the Top 50 Interior Designers in the New York Metro Area

PRESS RELEASE:

Sandra Morgan of Sandra Morgan Interiors Inc. in Greenwich has been named one of the Top 50 Interior Designers in the New York Metro Area in a recent issue of NY Spaces Magazine.

Morgan has operated an interior design firm in Greenwich for 20 years. To celebrate the firm's anniversary in June, she launched SM Home, a retail showroom featuring Swedish antiques, quality reproductions, unique decorative accessories and fine art.

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Thursday, December 4, 2008

12/04/08 Becker Chicaiza, owner and founder of Becker Salon in Greenwich, recently won second place in the 2008 Coiffeur Mondial Paris

PRESS RELEASE

Becker Chicaiza, owner and founder of Becker Salon in Greenwich, recently won second place in the 2008 Coiffeur Mondial Paris, hosted by the Alexandre School in Paris. He competed with hairstylists from around the world and was the only American out of 55 contestants to place in the top three.

Becker entered the competition in conjunction with the L'Oreal Professional World Education Tour, which brings hairdressers to Paris to participate in a special academy program and attend the Mondial Coiffeur Beaute, a fashion and beauty exhibition.

Every five years, the Alexandre School presents a competition to honor top talent in hairdressing. Judges included beauty and style experts from companies such as Christian Dior and Chanel.

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Reports on new businesses, company relocations, awards, job changes and special appointments. Information can be submitted by e-mailed to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com . Photographs are accepted and encouraged.
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12/04/08 Could Danbury Be Safer Than Greenwich ??? = Danbury Is Much Safer Than Gov Wanna Be Dan Malloy's Stamford !!!


Crime Does Not Pay In Danbury

Danbury takes crown as state’s safest city
Nick

Good news for Danburians - you live in Connecticut’s safest city:

Danbury tops the list of the safest cities in the state, according to a ranking of the safest — and most dangerous — cities in the nation.

The rankings of cities with populations greater than 75,000 were recently released as part of the “City Crime Ratings” book published annually by CQ Press. Danbury came in at No. 55 of all cities in the nation and first in Connecticut.

“Danbury is fortunate to employ some of the best police officers in our area, who show a deep commitment to the safety of our city’s citizens and visitors,” Mayor Mark Boughton said.
“Our city is proud of this ranking, and we will continue focusing our efforts and commitment to our officers and their needs.”

Stamford came in second of Connecticut cities and No. 71 in the nation. Hartford brought up the rear as the most dangerous city in the state; its national rank is 359 of 385.

Police Chief Al Baker said Danbury has consistently done well on the rankings over the years and often fell in one of the top two spots for the state. Stamford, however, has come out ahead of Danbury in past years.

Read more here. Continue to pray for Hartford and New Haven, which reportedly was not ranked because it does not report certain categories of crime to the FBI.






Was Greenwich Included In This Database Of Statistics?


Would Greenwich Compare Favorably With Other CT Towns?


How does Greenwich Stack Up Against New Caanan, Darien, Westport and Fairfield?



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