Above: State Rep. DebraLee Hovey and Sen. Dan Debicella with incoming First Selectman Steve Vavrek of Monroe.
Rep. Hovey introduces Governor M. Jodi Rell (seated, background) at the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials in Newtown, including incoming First Selectwoman Pat Llodra. Governor Rell administered the oath of office.
FAIRFIELD—State Representatives Tony Hwang (R-134) and T.R. Rowe (R-123) are encouraging interested members of the public to attend a public information meeting orchestrated by the State Department of Transportation to discuss the resurfacing, safety and bridge improvements to a project currently under construction on Route 15, Merritt Parkway, in the towns of Fairfield and Trumbull.
The purpose of this meeting is to present project progress information, an overview of the project design and a discussion on the Department’s role in meeting the needs of the parkway as both a transportation artery and a historical and beautiful asset to the State. An open house will also be held prior to the meeting to allow guests to view and discuss project plans and landscaping details.
The event will be held at Osborn Hill Elementary School, on December 2, 2009, in the All Purpose Room ,760 Stillson Road ,Fairfield. It will begin with an open house at 6:30 p.m. followed by a presentation at 7:00 p.m.
By: Linda Zukauskas, Voices
November 18, 2009
Master of Ceremonies Tony Unger, commander of the Charles L. Ruman Post 160 in Easton, introduced Bishop Robert F. McKenna, O. P., from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chapel.
Bishop McKenna blessed the veterans, “[They] were ready to sacrifice their lives for us and are worthy of our admiration and gratitude.”
Mr. Unger introduced elected officials who spoke to the theme of the ceremonies.
State Rep. DebraLee Hovey, R-112, said Americans don’t question their freedom, thanks to the veterans.
She noted their sacrifices and the sacrifices made by their families here at home. “We owe them a debt of gratitude that is immeasurable.” Read More→
By: Dirk Perrefort, News-Times
November 20, 2009
DANBURY — The drive along the new Route 7 bypass that officially opened to traffic on Thursday only takes a couple of minutes, but road was more than 30 years in the making.
The 2.3-mile highway stretches through the old Brookfield quarry, tranquil ponds filled with largemouth bass and even a waterfall on the northern edge cascading down a rock face.
Some thought it was the highway that would never be built. But around noon traffic began using the new bypass, shortly after state and local officials held a ceremony officially opening the new stretch of highway.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell, a Brookfield resident, was flanked by local officials and state lawmakers when she cut the blue ribbon that stretched across the roadway.
She was also the first person to drive along the bypass — a dream of hers since she first began championing construction of the highway as a state representative more than 20 years ago.
“The truth is a lot of people thought they would never see this happen,” Rell said. “But today it’s come to fruition and it’s one of the highlights for me, personally. The construction of a new highway today is next to impossible. There are a lot of people over the years who worked really hard to make this road a reality.”
Brookfield Selectman Jerry Murphy said the opening of the bypass is a great day for Brookfield and the entire region.
“There are a lot of people who work down county but can’t afford to live there and have to commute,” he said. “This will be a great thing for them.”
State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony that the highway was a difficult project to complete, given environmental concerns and the rocky terrain, but in the end it was completed on time. Construction on the highway began in May 2007.
“We said we would open in November 2009 and we did it,” Marie said.
While the original cost for the project was estimated at around $87 million, DOT officials said the final cost for the new stretch of highway came in at just over $100 million.
The need to create a tunnel for eastern box turtles, as well as additional rock that had to be removed, led to the addition of about $18 million in cost.
Those figures don’t include the $20 million the DOT was ordered by the court to pay the owner of the former Brookfield quarry.
Bruce and Kathy Alexander, of Brookfield, were among the first residents to drive through the bypass shortly after it opened Thursday. The couple said they’ve been waiting for this day since they moved to the area in 1973.
“It really is a very beautiful drive,” Kathy Alexander said. “I’m really glad to see it open.”
State Rep. David Scribner, R-Brookfield, a ranking member of the legislature’s transportation committee, said during the opening ceremony said it took a long time to get to this day, but state officials, and especially Rell, kept their eye on the ball.
“This is the beginning of new future for western Connecticut and a connection between Fairfield and Litchfield counties,” he said. “It’s a very exciting day.”
Rell said her only regret is former state Rep. Oskar Rogg, who represented New Milford, was not alive to see the bypass open.
The lawmakers fought together decades ago to get the first $1 million in seed money for the project. After more than 10 years, the funds were approved in 1986.
“Together we really lobbied our colleagues in the general assembly to put some money aside for the project,” Rell said. “I am sorry that Rogg is not alive to see it. He always said that it would get done.”
Other officials who were in attendance during the opening ceremony Thursday included Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, New Milford Mayor Pat Murphy, state Sen. Andrew Roraback and former House Speaker Fran Collins.
Rep. David Scribner speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony held November 19, 2009 for the Route 7 Brookfield Bypass. As Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, Rep. Scribner has made the project a priority, with strong support from Sen. Andrew Roraback, Governor Rell, and local elected officials in Brookfield and New Milford.
STAFFORD — Rep. Penny Bacciochi stopped by Stafford Elementary School today and read to children there participating in American Education Week. One book, written by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, provided the students with a bit of information about congress. And Bacchiochi read a second book about Thanksgiving.
“4 Area Veterans Attain Hall of Fame Status”
By: Patricia Villers, New Haven Register
November 18, 2009
Four Greater New Haven residents were among 11 veterans to receive a prestigious honor Tuesday when they were inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.www.ct.gov/ctva.pvillers@nhregister.com.
Honorees include Shelton resident Alphonse N. Sabetta; Branford resident John “Jack” Joseph Dougherty; and Daniel A. Vece Jr. of Clinton. The fourth area honoree, the late state Rep. Richard O. Belden of Shelton, received the award posthumously.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell started the Hall of Fame in 2005 to pay tribute to those who have served the nation with distinction in the military and then returned home to serve their communities. Rell and Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Linda S. Schwartz inducted the veterans during a ceremony at the Legislative Office Building.
Rell said, “This is an exceptionally distinguished class of inductees — but they represent the dedicated military and public service of the many veterans in our state. They have made countless and important contributions to others with deeds and accomplishments that span a lifetime.”
Belden served in the Air Force from 1955 through 1961. Known as “The Dean of the House,” he served in the General Assembly continuously from 1974 until his death in 2007. He held many key leadership positions in the Legislature including assistant House Republican leader and deputy speaker of the House.
Sabetta, 78, is an Army veteran of the Korean War. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and earned two bronze stars and a presidential citation.
He and other Korean War veterans have always felt it was “the forgotten war,” Sabetta said. “It was always classified as a police action or conflict, but it was a war.” In 2008 he was inducted into the Department of Connecticut Hall of Fame.
Sabetta is past commander of Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16, American Legion in Shelton and serves as adjutant. He has served as chairman of Boys’ State selections and fundraising, oratorical contests, walkathons and community programs sponsored by Sutter-Terlizzi Post.
Sabetta was local coordinator of the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Korean War and is coordinator in anticipation of the 60th anniversary.
Carolyn Ivanoff, housemaster at Shelton Intermediate School, nominated Sabetta for the honor. “I nominated Al because he has worked very closely with the community and the schools for many years to advocate for the veterans,” Ivanoff said.
Sabetta is Shelton’s registrar of veterans’ graves and he heads the Permanent War Memorial Commission in Shelton. He is also a member of the Shelton Civil War Monument Committee.
Dougherty enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966. In Vietnam, he served as an infantryman and squad leader and participated in Operation Robin South Hill 685 (Phou Noui), during which he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. A volunteer since 1982 with the Boy Scouts of America, he is also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Devil Dogs. He serves as finance officer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and has been a member and officer of the Marine Corps League.
The Marine Corps League named him the Connecticut Detachment Marine of the Year in 2008. Dougherty also received the New England Division Roland G. Knapp Award in 2008, the Marine Corps League Distinguished Bronze Service Medal and the Distinguished Silver Citizen Medal.
Vece enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 before graduating from high school. He fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and is an organizer of the Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain. He is a member of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association.
He served as Clinton’s first selectman and held office on the Board of Selectmen for 13 years. A lifetime member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department and fire chief for 25 years, the Clinton Fire Department’s annual “Firefighter of the Year” award is named after him. During Vece’s tenure as chief, he helped bring regional 24-hour EMS services to Shoreline towns and was appointed by Gov. Ella Grasso to serve as chairman of the Emergency 911 Implementation Committee, which made Connecticut the second state in the nation to join the E-911 program. He is an active member of the American Legion, VFW and Lions Clubs.
Other honorees are Robert L. Genovese of Naugatuck, Dr. Harvey J. Grinsell Jr. of Putnam/Woodstock, Brig Gen. John J. King, formerly of Hartford (posthumous award), the Rev. William D. McGee of Winsted, Brig. Gen. Daniel J. McHale of Avon, Theodore J. Plamondon, Jr. of Enfield, and Homer L. Wise, formerly of Stamford (posthumous award).
Nomination packets for the 2010 Hall of Fame must be received by June 30, 2010. For information, visit
Patricia Villers can be reached at
“4 Area Veterans Attain Hall of Fame Status”
By: Patricia Villers, New Haven Register
November 18, 2009
Four Greater New Haven residents were among 11 veterans to receive a prestigious honor Tuesday when they were inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.www.ct.gov/ctva.pvillers@nhregister.com.
Honorees include Shelton resident Alphonse N. Sabetta; Branford resident John “Jack” Joseph Dougherty; and Daniel A. Vece Jr. of Clinton. The fourth area honoree, the late state Rep. Richard O. Belden of Shelton, received the award posthumously.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell started the Hall of Fame in 2005 to pay tribute to those who have served the nation with distinction in the military and then returned home to serve their communities. Rell and Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Linda S. Schwartz inducted the veterans during a ceremony at the Legislative Office Building.
Rell said, “This is an exceptionally distinguished class of inductees — but they represent the dedicated military and public service of the many veterans in our state. They have made countless and important contributions to others with deeds and accomplishments that span a lifetime.”
Belden served in the Air Force from 1955 through 1961. Known as “The Dean of the House,” he served in the General Assembly continuously from 1974 until his death in 2007. He held many key leadership positions in the Legislature including assistant House Republican leader and deputy speaker of the House.
Sabetta, 78, is an Army veteran of the Korean War. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and earned two bronze stars and a presidential citation.
He and other Korean War veterans have always felt it was “the forgotten war,” Sabetta said. “It was always classified as a police action or conflict, but it was a war.” In 2008 he was inducted into the Department of Connecticut Hall of Fame.
Sabetta is past commander of Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16, American Legion in Shelton and serves as adjutant. He has served as chairman of Boys’ State selections and fundraising, oratorical contests, walkathons and community programs sponsored by Sutter-Terlizzi Post.
Sabetta was local coordinator of the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Korean War and is coordinator in anticipation of the 60th anniversary.
Carolyn Ivanoff, housemaster at Shelton Intermediate School, nominated Sabetta for the honor. “I nominated Al because he has worked very closely with the community and the schools for many years to advocate for the veterans,” Ivanoff said.
Sabetta is Shelton’s registrar of veterans’ graves and he heads the Permanent War Memorial Commission in Shelton. He is also a member of the Shelton Civil War Monument Committee.
Dougherty enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966. In Vietnam, he served as an infantryman and squad leader and participated in Operation Robin South Hill 685 (Phou Noui), during which he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. A volunteer since 1982 with the Boy Scouts of America, he is also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Devil Dogs. He serves as finance officer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and has been a member and officer of the Marine Corps League.
The Marine Corps League named him the Connecticut Detachment Marine of the Year in 2008. Dougherty also received the New England Division Roland G. Knapp Award in 2008, the Marine Corps League Distinguished Bronze Service Medal and the Distinguished Silver Citizen Medal.
Vece enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 before graduating from high school. He fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and is an organizer of the Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain. He is a member of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association.
He served as Clinton’s first selectman and held office on the Board of Selectmen for 13 years. A lifetime member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department and fire chief for 25 years, the Clinton Fire Department’s annual “Firefighter of the Year” award is named after him. During Vece’s tenure as chief, he helped bring regional 24-hour EMS services to Shoreline towns and was appointed by Gov. Ella Grasso to serve as chairman of the Emergency 911 Implementation Committee, which made Connecticut the second state in the nation to join the E-911 program. He is an active member of the American Legion, VFW and Lions Clubs.
Other honorees are Robert L. Genovese of Naugatuck, Dr. Harvey J. Grinsell Jr. of Putnam/Woodstock, Brig Gen. John J. King, formerly of Hartford (posthumous award), the Rev. William D. McGee of Winsted, Brig. Gen. Daniel J. McHale of Avon, Theodore J. Plamondon, Jr. of Enfield, and Homer L. Wise, formerly of Stamford (posthumous award).
Nomination packets for the 2010 Hall of Fame must be received by June 30, 2010. For information, visit
Patricia Villers can be reached at
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