Monthly Archives: July 2015

Death of Former State Senator Eileen Daily Announced

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Former State Senator Eileen Daily, whose death was announced today. CTNewsJunkie.com file photo.

Former State Senator Eileen Daily, whose death was announced today. CTNewsJunkie.com file photo.

Former state Sen. Eileen Daily, 72, of Westbrook, died Wednesday. She was known as a tenacious lawmaker and served as co-chair of the powerful Finance Committee for five terms.

Daily, who had battled cancer toward the end of her legislative career, decided not to seek re-election in 2012 and to spend more time with her family,

Read the full article by Christine Stuart and published July 30 on one of our Independent Media Network partners, CTNewsJunkie.com at this link.

Daily represented the 33rd District, which included the Town of Lyme as well as well as the Towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook in the State Senate from 1993 to 2013.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman released the following statements regarding Daily’s passing:

Malloy said, “For decades, she was a tenacious fighter for her constituents and a committee chair who wielded enormous respect among colleagues—and she did it with a smile on her face. Eileen was one of the toughest elected officials in the state, yet her jovial disposition always made those around her feel at ease. She represented the best of public service and politics. She was tough, loyal, hardworking, knew the issues, and her word was always her bond. This is a loss for all of us—Eileen will indeed be missed. Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones.”

Wyman said, “Today is truly a sad day. Within the walls of the State Capitol, Eileen was more than just a public servant, she was a genuine leader. To me, Eileen was more than colleague, she was a friend. We served together for years. And while we worked closely together on so many different issues, we knew each other well. She was a wonderful person with whom I was close, and I received the news this morning with an extraordinarily heavy heart. My prayers are with her entire family at this difficult time.”

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven), Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos (R-Canton), and Senator Art Linares (R-Westbrook) released the following statement regarding the passing of former state senator Eileen Daily.

“For six years, I sat next to Eileen Daily in the Senate Circle,” said Sen. Fasano. “I got to know her well and deeply admire the way she served our state. She was a tremendous leader who had the ability to command respect with few words. When she did speak, she was decisive, logical and people followed. She balanced that with a great sense of humor. This is a great loss for Connecticut.”

“Eileen Daily was always a strong willed person,” said Sen. Witkos. “She had a tough exterior, but also a gentle collegial approach. I remember she always had a better handle on the state budget than most and it was clear that she put in the time and the energy to serve our state proudly. My deepest sympathy and condolences go to her family and loved ones.”

“Sen. Daily was a true champion for small towns and for the people of the 33rd Senate District,” said Sen. Linares. “She worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents, and her environmental advocacy will be a lasting legacy for our region and throughout Connecticut. She was personable and she knew the issues inside and out. Sen. Daily was respected by everyone at the State Capitol. Today, we honor Sen. Daily for her service and we remember her many accomplishments. Her passing is a tremendous loss for Westbrook and for Connecticut. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sen. Daily’s family and friends.”

State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) posted on Facebook that he is, “Very sad to hear about the passing of former State Senator Eileen Daily. She was a dedicated public servant and longtime Westbrook resident who served the town as First Selectman for 6 years and as the Senator from the 33rd (which includes Westbrook, Old Saybrook, and Lyme) for 20. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and many friends. She will truly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.”

Lyme Library Hosts Folk Duo “Hungrytown” in Free Concert Tonight

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The 'Hungrytown' duo will perform at Lyme Library on Friday evening.

The ‘Hungrytown’ duo will perform at Lyme Library on Friday evening.

Lyme Public Library hosts the folk duo, “Hungrytown,” Friday, July 31, at 7 p.m. at the library.

After more than a decade of world-wide touring and three album releases, Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson–who comprise ‘Hungrytown’–have earned a reputation for the quality and authenticity of their songwriting: “It’s great to hear an act eschew sentimentality in favor of honesty and to prove that you don’t have to go raiding the memory of others to find the stuff that really good songs are made of,” writes Jedd Beaudoin of Popmatters.

Lyricist Hall is credited with compositions “that sound as timeless as any traditional songs” (Northern Sky, UK) while producer/multi-instrumentalist/husband Ken Anderson is lauded for his “remarkable affinity for instrumental embellishment” (No Depression) and for crafting Hungrytown’s “gorgeous vocal harmonies” (Folk and Roots, UK).

Hall and Anderson met in New York City, where they had already been performing regularly–Hall as a jazz singer, and Anderson as a drummer for a variety of garage bands. Their introduction to folk music came later, when a close friend–who died young due to a tragic misdiagnosis–entrusted to them her collection of 1960s folk albums and her guitar (which has since been featured on all of their albums).

Inspired by the grit and true-to-life experiences she heard in these traditional ballads, Hall was inspired to write the lyrics that later became her first songs, aided by Anderson’s flair for musical arrangement. Soon afterwards, Hall released two solo albums, Rebecca Hall Sings! (2000) and Sunday Afternoon (2002), both produced by Anderson. In the winter of 2003, the duo quit their desk jobs, moved to the green hills of Vermont, and decided to pursue a full-time career as touring musicians.

They released their first CD, Hungrytown, in 2008; Any Forgotten Thing in 2011; and Further West in 2015. The couple continue to spend more than half of each year on the road, especially roads in North America, Europe and New Zealand.

Hungrytown’s music has received extensive radio airplay worldwide and has appeared on several television shows, including the Independent Film Channel’s hit series, Portlandia.

The New Port Richey Public Library, Fla., comments,“Rebecca and Ken have been performing on the NPR Library stage for years. They are a programmer’s dream, profoundly talented and down to earth. Hungrytown is the real deal, sharing folk traditions in their own unique enchanting style, and they are continually requested by our community.”

Las Cruces Public Library, N.M., notes, “When not performing, this duo is known as Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson and you will need to go a long way to find a more talented and likeable couple. Their music mixes the snow of their home in Vermont, the dew on the grass of a cool summer morning in the Appalachians, the hard-scrabble grittiness and pluck of common folk the world over together with the melancholy of lost loves, broken hearts, and shattered dreams, distilling it into an intoxicating, hauntingly seductive blend that you always want more of.”

Chips and dips will be served at the concert.

Register at the Library.

Sunshine and Stone Creek Perform at Old Lyme Library Tonight

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Braiden&Stone_creek

Braiden Sunshine of Lyme and the band Stone Creek will give a free concert this evening, Wednesday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the lawn of the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library.

This is the final concert of the library’s summer music series.

Sunshine and Stone Creek will play covers of classic and modern rock ‘n’ roll songs.

All are welcome. Attendees are invited to bring their own beach chairs, blankets, and refreshments.

Caroline’s Miracle Foundation Event Draws More Than 500 Runners

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Ready to run ...

Ready to run …

The weather was perfect Saturday as more than 500 runners and walkers of all ages started to gather in front of Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School from 6:30 a.m. onward to participate in the three races being held that day to support Caroline’s Miracle Foundation (CMF).  It had previously been announced that this would be the final time that the event would be held.

Shortly before 8 a.m. when the 5K race began, a large crowd thronged the starting line.

Shortly before 8 a.m. when the 5K race began, a large crowd thronged the starting line.

The O’Brien family came together for a photo (below.)  It was their eldest daughter Caroline, who passed away in July 2010 from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) – a rare and inoperable form of brain cancer — at age 11, who formed CMF prior to her death. All proceeds from the event support the Foundation.

The mission of CMF is to bring smiles to the faces of children battling brain tumors and other serious illnesses, as well as supporting safety initiatives in Old Lyme.  To see some of the ways the foundation has brightened the lives of these children, visit carolinesmiraclefoundation.org.

The O'Brien family stand at the starting line.

The O’Brien family stand at the starting line.

After the race, some of the innumerable volunteers posed for a photo in their T-shirts spanning all five years of the event.

Some of the loyal volunteers, many of whom have served through all five years that the event has been held.

Some of the loyal volunteers, many of whom have served through all five years that the event has been held.

A total of 316 runners finished the 5K race.  The other two events were a 5K walk and a Kid’s K.

Twenty-five year-old James Rosenberger was the overall winner of the 5K with a time of 18.08.3.  The fastest woman was 19-year-old Sarah Hammond who completed the 5K course in 20.40.4.  Medals were awarded for the first, second and third placed runners in each age category.

Click here to view a full list of the race results.

Democrats Stick With Reemsnyder, Nosal to Lead November Slate

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Incumbents First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder (right) and Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal have been endorsed by the Old Lyme Democrats to run again in November.

Incumbents First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder (right) and Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal have been endorsed by the Old Lyme Democrats to run again in November.

Indicating that they are clearly comfortable with their current leadership, the Old Lyme Democratic town Committee (DTC)  last night endorsed incumbents Bonnie Reemsnyder and Mary Jo Nosal for First Selectwoman and Selectwoman respectively in the upcoming November election. The full slate of candidates, in fact, reflected a high level of satisfaction in the performance of those currently serving since the vast majority of endorsed positions were incumbents.

The only newcomers to the slate were Peter Hunt for the Region 18 Board of Education (incumbent Sarah Smalley is not running again) and Marissa Hartmann as an alternate for the zoning board of appeals.  Additionally, Ruth Dillon Roach is challenging Judith Tooker for the position of tax collector.

The remaining slate of incumbents includes David Woolley and Bennett Bernblum for the board of finance with Adam Burrows as an alternate.  Joseph Soucie was endorsed for Treasurer, Paul Fuchs and Michelle Roche for the board of education and Jane Cable for the zoning commission.  Finally, Karen Conniff and Kip Kotzan were endorsed for the zoning board of appeals.

In her endorsement acceptance speech, Nosal commented on the, “outstanding team of candidates,” noting its strength would enable the Democrats to, “continue to assert our message of collaboration, communication and community.”

She also noted that Reemsnyder, “is the right person, at the right time to continue as the CEO of our town … She has brought fair and balanced leadership to the office … She is respected in Hartford and the [Lower Connecticut] River Council of Governments.” Mentioning Reemsnyder’s ability to “get things done,” Nosal cited examples of Reemsnyder mending the “broken relationships” she inherited with the Town of Lyme and Region 18, and also Reemsnyder’s focus on customer service, which has been felt throughout Town Hall.

Nosal ended with a promise “to try and keep up with her as Selectwoman,” which sparked enthusiastic applause.

After the unanimous vote to endorse the full slate of candidates had been taken, Reemsnyder thanked the DTC for placing their confidence in her and said she found the endorsement, “humbling,” adding to rippled laughter, “Since taking office in 2011, we’ve been through a lot together.”  She mentioned Superstorm Sandy, the Sandy Hook tragedy, the Blizzard of 2013 and Winter Storm of 2015, but stressed that she does not spend much time looking back at her accomplishments because “I’m so embedded in what I’m doing.”

On her current “To Do” are completion of the boathouse/Hains Park project, implementing the Rte. 156/Hartford Ave. bikeway and improvements, and sorting out the Water Pollution Control Authority/sewer situation.  Reemsnyder commented that others may talk about fiscal conservatism but she prefers, “fiscal responsibility,” which requires planning ahead  for future needs and maintenance of current assets. She noted, “That’s what we’ve spent a lot of time doing.”

Finally Reemsnyder committed to “maintain my style,” of an open door policy, responsiveness, collaboration, and a willingness, “to continue to learn and listen.”