Monthly Archives: May 2014

Lyme Library’s Annual Book Sale Continues at Lyme Public Hall Today

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The exterior of Lyme Public Library. This year's annual Book Sale will be held in Lyme Public Hall.

The exterior of Lyme Public Library. This year’s annual Book Sale will be held in Lyme Public Hall.

The Friends of the Lyme Public Library will conduct their annual book sale on Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17.  Due to construction at the current Library site, the sale will take place at the Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Road in Lyme. Sale hours are: Friday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Between 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, books will be $5 per bag.  Bags will be provided for the $5 per bag promotion.   There will be a large selection of hardcover books, paperbacks, children’s books, audio books, music cds, and DVDs available for sale.   Items will be double priced on Friday.

Donations for the sale are still being accepted and can be dropped off at the Library during regular library hours. Donations can be dropped off at the Lyme Public Hall between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Condensed books and encyclopedias are not needed.

Call 860-434-2272 for more information.

Letter to the Editor: Senator Linares, Explain Your Voting Record

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To the Editor:

The ValleyNewsNow.com (April 29) and LymeLine.com (May 16) carry a press release written by supporters of Senator Linares expressing “marvel at what this young man has accomplished in such a short period of time.”  Given Mr. Linares’s lamentable voting record, it is hard to understand what the release is talking about.

The record shows that Mr. Linares has waged a quiet but persistent campaign against a wide range of legislation that most constituents in his District support.  For example, Mr. Linares has:

  • Voted against an increase in the minimum wage, a measure supported almost three to one by Connecticut voters (71% for, 25% against).
  • Voted against a measure that paves the way to allowing commuters, the elderly, working parents, and many others who have difficulty getting to the polls to exercise their right to vote by means of absentee ballot.  Such provisions are prevalent in other states and enjoy strong public support.
  • Voted against bipartisan legislation on gun safety following Newtown that was supported by a super majority of Connecticut voters (anywhere from 68% to 93% depending on the provision) and even by many in his own party.

Mr. Linares’s web site does not even mention these important votes, let alone explain his reasoning for them.  The web site is filled with details of his other exploits — toy drives, hosting flag collections, honoring a beauty queen (and, yes, his opposition to an increase in the gas tax and work on some other bills) — but not his opposition to major mainstream legislation that commands widespread public support.  It is hard to escape the conclusion that Mr. Linares seeks to draw attention away from his record.  Why?

One concern is that Mr. Linares may be more attuned to the interests of the Tea Party than those of the moderate center of his District.  Mr. Linares has stated publicly that he was inspired to enter public service by his experience in 2010 working “proudly” for Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, known in political circles “the Crown Prince of the Tea Party”. When it comes to voting, can it be that Mr. Linares hears the voice of the Tea Party more clearly than any other?

In the absence of information from Mr. Linares on his voting record, constituents can turn to Project Vote Smart, a well regarded, non-partisan, independently funded voter education website. It has posted a report on 10 “key votes” by Mr. Linares over the past two years.

In 7 of the 10 cases, Mr. Linares voted “no” — in other words, his “accomplishment” was to oppose any legislation.  In an 8th case, he did not vote at all.  In only one case in the sample did Mr. Linares vote for something that actually became law – the legalization of mixed martial arts competitions – a matter most voters would not consider a priority.

Mr. Linares, we are entitled to know why, in our name, you have opposed the exercise of basic voting rights, opposed economic fairness by means of increasing the minimum wage, and opposed protecting the public from gun violence.  Please give us a full accounting of your votes on these key issues, so that we may know you by your actions, rather than your press releases.

Sincerely,

David Harfst,
Essex.

Republican State Rep. Candidate Lanier Reaches Goal to Qualify for Public Election Campaign Funds

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Vicki Lanier

Vicki Lanier

Vicki Lanier (R) of Old Lyme has announced that in just six weeks of active fundraising, she significantly exceeded the required amount of funds and number of donors to qualify for public campaign funds to be used both in any primary efforts and ultimately in her race against any Democratic candidate this November.

Lanier’s donors have come from both statewide and the four towns with areas in the 23rd District, namely Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Lyme and Westbrook. Lanier commented, “I am excited by the level of support we have so quickly built for my campaign effort.  My extensive experience of true civic service and real accomplishments as an elected official have prepared me for the demands of serving as an effective state assembly member. ”

She added, “With the close of the 2014 legislative session, I would also like to express my thanks to our distinguished retiring 23rd district state representative, Marilyn Giuliano.  She has done an outstanding job of balancing leadership on issues with listening to constituents and advocating for their views.”

Lanier, a life-long resident of Old Lyme, was elected to the Regional District 18 Board of Education in 2009, where she served as treasurer.  She holds a law degree from Quinnipiac University and practices family law.  She is a contributing mentor to various women’s groups and active in community efforts supporting children and small businesses.

Devin Carney (R) of Old Saybrook is also campaigning for the 23rd District State Representative seat currently held by Marilyn Giuliano, also of Old Saybrook.  Giuliano, who has represented the district since 2003, announced in February that she would not seek a seventh term.  If both Lanier and Carney continue to pursue the Republican nomination, a Primary election will be held on Aug. 12, in which only registered Republicans in the 23rd District will be eligible to vote.

For additional information on Lanier, contact vickilanier2014@gmail.com, visit her page on Facebook at “Lanier2014” and her website at www.lanier2014.com.

Bee & Thistle Offers an Open ‘Art Night’ This Evening with Author B.A. Shapiro, Then Sit-Down Dinner

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shell_outsideDelight the senses from palette to palate!  The Second Annual ‘Bee Inspired’ Art Night will be held this evening, Thursday, May 15, at the Bee and Thistle Inn.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour The Bee’s dining and guest rooms and beautiful grounds to meet the artists whose work fills the Inn’s spaces both inside and out.

Acclaimed author, B.A. Shapiro, will be on hand to greet fans and sign her New York Times bestselling novel, The Art Forger, a literary thriller about Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist that spans three centuries of forgers, art thieves, and obsessive collectors.

B.A. Shapiro

B.A. Shapiro

Creative cocktails and bar specials will be offered throughout the evening.  A “pop-up” boutique featuring work by local artisans will include items for purchase.

Admission is free for this part of the event.

At 8 p.m. an exclusive sit-down dinner with Ms. Shapiro, featured artists and celebrity guests will be presented by Chef Kristofer Rowe, showcasing his imaginative “art on a plate” accompanied by wine.

This intimate gathering is the place to “see and ‘Bee’ seen!”  Tickets are required for this part of the evening only and are $75 each, all inclusive.  Advance reservations are still available by calling the Inn at 860-434-1667.  Seating is limited, so prompt reservations are advised.

Sculpture by Gil Boro.

Sculpture by Gil Boro

‘The Bee’ serves as a ‘springboard’ for local artists to gain exposure, featuring work by Brian Keith Stephens, Chamomile Hixon, Thomas Caleb Goggans, Elizabeth Weiss, Jacques Pepin, and Pola Esther.

Striking outdoor art installations by Gil Boro, Michael McLaughlin and Chandler Davis also dot the picturesque grounds surrounding the Inn.

Linares Endorses McKinney for Governor

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John McKinney

John McKinney

State Senator Art Linares (R-Westbrook), whose district includes Lyme, has endorsed State Senate Republican Leader John McKinney to be the next governor of the state of Connecticut.

“Republicans have a great opportunity in this election to take back the governor’s office and win a number of new seats in the legislature, but we will not be successful unless we have a strong candidate at the top of our ticket, Senator John McKinney is that candidate,” Linares said, adding,  “Senator McKinney is a dynamic leader capable of taking our Party and our state in a positive new direction.”

Linares represents the 35th State Senate District in the Connecticut General Assembly, which encompasses, in addition to Lyme, the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland, and his hometown of Westbrook.  He is ranking member on the Banks Committee.  In his private life, Linares, 25, is co-founder of a successful, Middletown-based, commercial solar energy company.

Linares is of Cuban-American descent.  His grandparents fled communist Cuba in the 1960’s to start over in America where his father started his own business.  Linares, who volunteered for U.S. Senator Marco Rubio before running for office himself, has made it a priority to improve Republican outreach to Latino communities.

“Senator McKinney, can relate Republican values to young voters, female voters and Latino voters – constituencies we must rally to build a strong foundation for the future of our Party,” Linares said.

McKinney thanked Linares for his endorsement, saying, “Senator Linares represents the future of our Party.  I marvel at what this young man has accomplished in such a short period of time and what the future may hold for him.  I am grateful for his support and for what he has taught me about the issues important to his constituents in southeastern Connecticut.”