08/13/10 Fairfield; Middlesex; New Haven; Southern Fairfield; Southern New Haven; Westchester

Fairfield Briefing:

Fairfield; Middlesex; New Haven; Southern Fairfield; Southern New Haven; Westchester (The Hartford Courant)

Coastal Flood Advisory issued August 13 at 4:12AM EDT expiring August 13 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS NewYorkCity/Upton ...MINOR COASTAL FLOODING IS FORECAST AROUND THE HIGH TIDE CYCLES FROM THIS MORNING THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON... .HIGH PRESSURE OVER NEW ENGLAND AND LOW PRESSURE ALONG THE MID ATLANTIC STATES CONTINUE TO PRODUCE PERSISTENT EAST WINDS.

Jewish Home Files New Application to Permit Expansion (Fairfield Patch)

The Jewish Home for the Elderly has filed a new application to amend town zoning regulations to permit an expansion of the longtime and acclaimed nursing home on Jefferson Street in Fairfield.

Himes appeals for women's support at Fairfield rally (Fairfield Citizen-News)

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, gearing up for the home stretch of his re-election campaign against state Sen.

Himes appeals for women's support at Fairfield rally (Fairfield Citizen-News)

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, kneels by his daughters, Emma and Linley, wife and Honorary Co-Chair of Women for Himes, Mary, to his left, and supporters at Sherman Green on Thursday, Aug.

Police Blotter for Aug. 12: Golf Clubs Stolen from Barrister Lane Garage (Fairfield Patch)

The Fairfield Police Department's press briefing Thursday included the following cases: A golf bag containing golf clubs valued at $1,200 was reported stolen from an open garage on Barrister Lane in Fairfield sometime between 10:12 p.m. Wednesday and midnight Thursday.

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Bridgeport Officer Injured In Chase With Suspected Drunk Driver (Hartford Courant)

A suspected drunken driver who led state troopers and Bridgeport police on a chase through Bridgeport and Fairfield late Wednesday collided with two police cars and injured a Bridgeport officer.

Metro Center's Afternoon Court Session Zeroes in on Weddle (Fairfield Patch)

Afternoon Testimony on Whether Fairfield U. Professor Has Enough Time to be Wetlands Compliance Officer; Inland Wetlands Commission Chairman Incorrectly Testifies About Closed-Door Session new Part of the Fairfield Metro Center construction done by the state Department of Transportation - a motor vehicle bridge in the distance and a railroad ...

08/12/10 Sneaky Hearst Newspaper Editor Tom Baden Allows Plagiarizer Jonathan Kantrowitz To Update His Posting - No Apology To CT Post Readers

EXTRA!!!

EXTRA!!!

GET YOUR YELLOW JOURNALISM HERE IN THE CONNECT POST

YELLOW JOURNALISM AT THE CONNECTICUT POST

Is Hearst Newspaper Editor Tom Baden Crazy....

The Connecticut Post Has Only Its Credibility And Reputation To Rely On.

Connecticut Post Political Writer Jonathan Kantrowitz has updated his blog page, now that he has been exposed for plagiarizing from one of Jim Himes' fundraising emails.

The hopelessly biased and unethical Kantrowitz put the following above the plagiarized campaign material:

"From the Himes campaign information I think it's important to know"

Kantrowitz's added sentence was so hastily written, that it lacked proper punctuation and structure.

In fact there is no indication to the Connecticut Post reader that the web page was updated or corrected.

Hearst newspaper readers are entitled to know when and why corrections are made at the Connecticut Post.

What Jonathan Kantrowitz should have written was ....

Dear Valued Reader,

I took the information bellow from one of Congressman Jim Himes' fundraising emails and failed to tell you that it was written by Jim Himes campaign manager Mark Henson.

The fact is that I plagiarized from this political fundraising email. It was wrong and I am deeply sorry for what I have done to you the Connecticut Post reader.

Please rest assured that I have learned my lesson and will from now on up hold journalistic ethics and standards.

Further, I would like to apologize to my fellow Hearst Newspaper editors, columnists and reporters who have been stained by my plagerism of Jim Himes' fundraising email.

It was wrong and I am deeply soory and you can rest assured that it will never happen again.


Connecticut Post Editor Tom Baden has thrown truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability out the window.

It is now even more clear that Hearst Newspaper President Steven Swartz no longer subscriber to ethics and standards specific challenges faced by professional journalists.

Historically and currently at every news organization except Hearst Newspapers, media ethics is widely known to journalists as their professional "code of ethics" or the "canons of journalism".

All across America and most of the free world basic codes and canons commonly appear in statements drafted by both professional journalism associations and individual print, broadcast, and online news organizations.

If Hearst Newspaper Editor Tom Baden Had A Strong Journalistic Code Of Ethics At The Connecticut Post, Then The Hopelessly Biased Jonathan Kantrowitz Would Have Had Some Guidance On If He Should Plagiarize Congressman Jim Himes' Fundraising Email As If It Were His Own Writings.

Hearst Newspaper's failure to have strong principles of Journalistic ethics has allowed Connecticut Post reporters to ignore such issues as,conflicts of interest, to assist so-called political journalists like Jonathan Kantowitz in dealing with ethical dilemmas.

Connecticut Post Editor Tom Baden is ignoring the leading voice on the subject of Journalistic Standards and Ethics.

The Society of Professional Journalists.

The Preamble to its Code of Ethics states:

...public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility.

The one issue common to journalistic standards and ethics is...

Corrections are published openly and honestly when errors or violations of Journalistic standards are discovered

It looks like all of the cuts at Hearst Newspapers maintain and maybe they have no in-house Ombudsman whose role is, to keep the Hearst news organizations honest and accountable to the public.

This lack of an ombudsman, prevents the reading public a metheod to mediate in conflicts and maintain accountability to the public for news reported.

Jonathan Kantowitz failed himself and the hearst Corporation when he plagerized from a favored candidates fundraising email, and should be held accountable for this.

But Connecticut Post Editor Tom Baden has failed the reading public, because he has not fostered self-criticism and encouraged his Hearst Newspaper writers to adher to codified journalistic ethics and standards.

In journalism today there is a perennial concern that the standards of journalism are being ignored. One of the most controversial issues in modern reporting is media bias, especially on political issues.

In countries without freedom of the press, it would perfectly OK for Jonathan Kantrowitz to print a national legislator's propaganda word for word as if it was his reporters own.

In countries where there is no freedom of the press the media are often prohibited from criticizing the national government, and in many cases are required to distribute propaganda as if it were news.

For Jonathan Kantowitz to cut and paste from Congressman Jim Himes hit piece on an opponent and print on a Hearst Newspaper website, as if it was his own writings is as unethical as it gets.

Brave young men and women are shedding blood in two far of wars defending our American way of life and our precious freedoms, as Hearst Newspaper President Steven Swartz is throwing journalistic standards out the the window.

Jonathan Kantowitz's lack of proper attribution and plagiarism from Jim Himes campaign manager Mark Henson was unethical, and has taught the reading public that all Hearst Newspapers in Fairfield County can not be trusted.

Hearst Newspaper Editor Tom Baden and Connecticut Post political writer Jonathan Kantrowitz are engaging in Yellow Journalism, because of thier unprofessional or unethical actions.

but should we be surprised William Randolf Hearst invented Yellow Journalism.

Hearst drew America into the Spanish Anerican War by outright lying to the reading public.

The most famous example of this is when artist Frederic Remington telegrammed Hearst to tell him all was quiet in Cuba and "There will be no war." Hearst responded "Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war."

Just Like Hearst of old, Editor Tom Baden and writer Jonathan Kantrowitz are not concerned with distinguishing among fact-based reporting, opinion, literature, and plagiarism of a sitting congressman's fundraising emails.

The reason that Hearst Newspaper President Steven Swartz has failed to uphold journalistic standards at the Connecticut Post is that the privately held company has had ethics problems since the very beginning.

Hearst was a leading Democrat who promoted William Jennings Bryan for president in 1896 and 1900. He later ran for mayor and governor and even sought the presidential nomination, but lost much of his personal prestige when outrage exploded in 1901 after columnist Ambrose Bierce and editor Arthur Brisbane published columns that urged the assassination of President McKinley.

When McKinley was shot on September 6, 1901, critics accused Hearst's Yellow Journalism of driving Leon Czolgosz to the deed.

The problem is that Hearst Newspaper Editor Tom Baden is not haunted by the Hearst Corporations "yellow sins", and has no interest in making the Connecticut Post a widely-respected publication.

Or as Jonathan Kantrowitz would say to Jim Himes' campaign manager Mark Henson,"You just keep sending me those misleading fundraising emails, and I will win this political campaign by using Hearst Corporation resources."

According to one Connecticut Post employee "Rosebud," is now the staffs pet name for Tom Baden.

The CT Post staffer says Tom Baden is just like the clitoris of Hearst mistress Marion Davies, because he doesn't have the journalistic balls to deal with Jonathan Kantrowitz's plagiarism and unethical behavior.

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08/12/10 Letter Writers Urge 'Yes' Vote in Thursday's Referendum

Fairfield Briefing:

Letter Writers Urge 'Yes' Vote in Thursday's Referendum (Fairfield Patch)

A 'Yes' Vote Means Voters Are in Favor of $350,000 to Build a Girls' Little League Field and Park Infrastructure on Hoyden's Lane; a 'No' Vote Means They're Opposed new The potential future home of a girls' Little League field at 520 Hoyden's Lane Credit ...

Filta cleans up where others won't (NewsTimesLive)

Matt Neeley and Neil Groglio, co-owners of a Filta franchise in Shelton, in front of their first customer, Stowe's Seafood in Stratford.

Bonding for softball field should strike out (Fairfield Citizen-News)

Even if interest rates are at historic lows and there is a documented need, the Town of Fairfield cannot afford to bond $350,000 to fund an athletic field and related structures on the Parsells property.

Referendum Supporters Get Word Out With Robo Calls, Flyers (Fairfield Patch)

Chris DeSanctis, who lost a Republican caucus in May for state representative, was a busy man Wednesday afternoon.

Wilson's Barbeque Goes Up in Smoke (Fairfield Patch)

Wilson's BarbequeA will be closed for a couple of days due to smoke damage from a fire that started in the rear of the Post Road restaurant about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, firefighters said.

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Suspect uses fake gun to hold up Fairfield CVS (Connecticut Post)

A man who police say brandished a fake handgun allegedly held up the CVS drug store on Black Rock Turnpike Tuesday night.

Penfield Building Committee to Ask For $3.28m (Fairfield Patch)

08/11/10 Foley Wins in Fairfield and State

Fairfield Briefing:

Foley Wins in Fairfield and State (Fairfield Patch)

As Greenwich businessman Tom Foley narrowly sailed into victory in Tuesday's Republican primary, Lt.

Fairfield and State Dems Go for Malloy (Fairfield Patch)

Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy has won the Democratic primary for governor of Connecticut, edging out businessman Ned Lamont by an unexpectedly wide margin.

Thunderstorm Advisory For Fairfield, Putnam Counties (WTIC-TV Hartford)

The National Weather Service issued a strong thunderstorm advisory for Fairfield and Putnam counties at about 7 tonight.

Suspect In Stabbing of Woman in Stratford Arrested in Fairfield (Fairfield Patch)

A man who stabbed his ex-wife in the face and chest outside Wal-Mart in Stratford early Tuesday was apprehended about five hours later after a Fairfield Police lieutenant spotted his car in an Interstate 95 rest area in Fairfield, police said.

Fairfielder who rescued capsized boaters Coast Guard, Bridgeport response (Fairfield Citizen-News)

A Fairfield man who, with his 12-year-old son, rescued three boaters from a capsized boat Sunday night blasted the Coast Guard and Bridgeport marine division for their response to the emergency.

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Fairfield, state voters head to polls for primaries (Fairfield Citizen-News)

Dotty Fejes, assistant registrar for District 10, votes in Tuesday primary at Sherman Elementary School.

Consolidated Probate Brings More Work But More Efficiencies (Ridgefield Patch)

Two veteran probate judges say the merger of four probate districts early next year will cause little disruption to the Ridgefield community.

Boat Sinks in Edgartown, All Aboard Are Rescued (Vineyard Gazette Online)

Barefoot, a 39-foot Grand Banks Eastbay cruiser, may have hit a rock when it sank late Saturday afternoon outside of Edgartown harbor.

08/02/10 BREAKING NEWS: Bridgeport Newspaper Chooses Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele Over Greenwich Millionaire Tom Foley In Republican Primary For Governor

CT Post Says Tom Foley "Brings Some Unpleasant Baggage To The Race"

Photo: Republican gubernatorial candidate and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele

Connecticut Post Says Fedele The Choice Among Republicans

Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele has the combination of government and business experience that, given the chance to serve in the No. 1 seat, would be good for the state of Connecticut.

The Connecticut Post endorses his candidacy in the Aug. 10 Republican three-way primary.

The 55-yearold Fedele brings 10 years of legislative experience, serving in the state House of Representatives from 1992 to 2002, and three years in his current position.

But Fedele is also a self-made businessman and understands that job creation is the top challenge to the state.

Fedele understands in no uncertain terms that improving the atmosphere in Connecticut for small business is essential to turning around the state's economy.

His stand against any new taxes speaks to his understanding of the situation.

We compliment him for his position.

Given his experience, Fedele is confident solutions to the state's problems of spending and borrowing can be resolved through good management, and not through new taxes.Though Fedele has been part of the Rell administration ... well, that in some respects sums it up.

It was indeed the Rell administration, and if anyone can name a Connecticut lieutenant governor who shaped policy from that office, we'd be curious to know who it was.

Fedele rightly says he can be held accountable only for those areas in which he had authority.

He's been an effective ambassador for the state, recruiting business and reaching out to the Henkel Corporation, manufacturer of Loctite adhesive products and successfully encouraging them to consolidate operations in Rocky Hill.

Fedele also figured in the move of Columbia Elevators from New York to Bridgeport.

We also applaud Oz Griebel, another candidate in the GOP primary, for his passion and clear commitment to improving the business climate in the state.

And Tom Foley brings a business background as well. But he also brings some unpleasant baggage to the race.

But Fedele earns our endorsement. We believe he's the best of the three choices to lead the state.

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08/01/10 CT PRIMARY CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: State Comptroller

Photo: Kevin Lembo On The Campaign trail

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, according to his campaign website. 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.

Jarjura, a Democrat, defended his attendance at the ultra-conservative rally.

Jarjura claimed he was there at the request of Waterbury citizens and he wasn't there to advocate for any political group," he said. "Every one is trying to do a 'gotcha' in these campaigns and manipulate things to something you don't even represent."

Lembo isn't buying it.

"It's an odd choice for a Democratic mayor to be attending a Tea Party rally," he told the press.

The second blow to Jarjura's campaign was the Waterbury teachers union endorsing Lembo, following the lead one week ago of the local police union.

Jarjura's response: it's backlash from the tough contract negotiations between the city and the unions as a result of the tight economy.

Finally, Lembo launched a television advertisement attacking Jarjura for hiring former Gov. John Rowland, a Republican forced to resign by a corruption scandal.

"Jarjura hired Rowland to a $100,000 dollar a year job after he got out of prison -- calling him the best governor Connecticut has ever had," the 30-second advertisement says.

Jarjura backed the hiring of John Rowland, the disgraced former Republican governor, in an economic development job partly funded with city money.

Jarjura has responded with mailings touting his negative web site, called Lembo Lies, and filed a lawsuit attempting to block Lembo's ability to spend public financing money.

Jarjura's mailer to registered Democrats, accusing Lembo of being a secret conservative. The mailer directed Democrats to a web site created by Jarjura's campaign.

“Some of my opponents’ claims are just bizarre. But let me be clear – I have never ever lied to the people of Connecticut or distorted my record," Lembo said.

The Lembo campaign responded by saying that Jarjura is a cultural conservative who opposes abortion rights.

A Superior Court judge Tuesday rejected Michael Jarjura's effort to block Kevin Lembo from using public financing in their Democratic contest for state comptroller.

The terse order by Judge James T. Graham frees Lembo to begin spending the $375,000 awarded to him last week for his Aug. 10 primary with Jarjura, the mayor of Waterbury.

Jarjura, who also has received $375,000 in public financing.

This legal challenge is the second of two attempts by Jarjura to deny public financing to Lembo.

08/01/10 2010 ELECTIONS - CT CANDIDATE ROUNDUPS: Secretary of the State (Jerry Farrell Jr, Gerry Garcia, Denise Merrill

Photo: Connecticut Republican Candidate Secretary Of State

Jerry Farrell Jr

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.