Valley Courier

Plagued by Injury, Valley Girls’ XC Finishes Successfully without No. 1 Runner

2008-11-19T19:27:21Z

By Holly D’Addio, Courier Sports Writer:

It was a bug that was biting each and every member of the Valley Regional High School girls’ cross-country team one by one throughout the 2008 season: the injury bug. Despite the fact that not once during the season did the team run as a whole, the Warriors worked and ran hard to finish an impressive fifth in both the Shoreline Conference and Class SS.

“We finished very well,” said Coach Lou Luciani. “We had a lot of injuries, but I was pleased how everyone came through and worked hard despite those setbacks.”

Possibly the biggest blow of the season was losing No. 1 runner and senior co-captain Dana Callahan in the preseason, followed by up-and-coming freshmen Annie Kingston and Liza Jones who were both injured for the entire season.

“Dana was injured the whole season, but she was always there for support,” said Luciani. “This was a spectacular bunch of kids that really worked through the season despite injuries.”

Leading the pack alongside Callahan was senior captain Brenna Kelly, who brought a “cohesiveness and incredible work ethic” to the team, according to Luciani. Also adding to the successful mix was senior Brittany McConnell, who broke a school course record at John Winthrop Middle School during the season and earned Second Team All-Shoreline honors, and senior Kim Shepherd, who earned the Coach’s Award and also had a solid season for Valley.

“This group of seniors gave a sense of everything that had to be done would get done,” said Luciani. “Nobody ever complained and they did what needed to be done. Kim brought so much determination—whatever this girl had, she gave and she was always finishing in the top three or four. Brittany took over as our No. 1 runner after Dana’s injury and set our school record for the 5,000-meter course. All four seniors just had a lot of experience and will be missed.”

It was quite possibly the underclassmen that shone the brightest this season for the girls’ team. Most Improved runner and sophomore Liza Dee was a mainstay in the top 20 throughout the season’s races, including the shoreline and state meets, during which she earned Second Team All-Shoreline. Dee has also been named a co-captain of the 2009 team. Best First-Year Runner recipient and sophomore Megan Callahan also impressed, as well as junior Amelia Haney, who will also lead the team as a captain next season.

“These young kids had a lot of pressure on them throughout the season to conform and they’ve come so far in a year,” said Luciani. “If we’re healthy next season, we’ll be better for sure—we just never had a healthy day all season this year. These girls are starting to believe in themselves and it becomes infectious so hopefully next August, everyone will come healthy and ready to work.”

Valley Girls’ Cross-Country SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Season in Review

Record: 9-6, finishing fifth in both the Shoreline Conference and Class SS.

Captains: Dana Callahan and Brenna Kelly

Seniors: Dana Callahan, Kelly, Kim Shepherd, and Brittany McConnell

Biggest Accomplishment: The team placed in the top five in Class S despite running without Dana Callahan.

MVP: Kelly

Best First-Year Runner: Megan Callahan

Most Improved: Liza Dee

School Record Award: McConnell

Coach’s Award: Dana Callahan and Shepherd

Second Team All-Shoreline: McConnell and Dee

Next Year’s Outlook: The team will look to its youth next season after graduating several key runners, but with health on their side, the Warriors should prove to be one of the top in 2009.

Pictured: Senior co-captain Brenna Kelly had a solid season for the Warriors in 2008.

Photo by Nancy Dionne

Valley Boys’ XC Finishes Successful Season Despite Hurdles

2008-11-19T19:24:06Z

By Holly D’Addio, Courier Sports Writer:

Having an overall successful 2008 season, the Valley Regional High School boys’ cross-country team still had obstacles to overcome, particularly at the season’s beginning and end. Beginning the season with injuries, the team slowly climbed to the top throughout the season finishing third in the Shoreline Conference and ninth in Class S.

The Warriors counted heavily on top runners and captains Sam Haney and Rich Gilliland, as well as junior Darren Walden. Walden began the season with an injury and missed the first few weeks but was able to overcome and place high in meets the rest of the season. Haney finished uncharacteristically low in the state meet after suffering an illness and the team fought to finish high without its top runner and succeeded.

Haney, a senior, characteristically finished in the top five in the majority of his races this season. He set a new course record at John Winthrop Middle School on Oct. 3 and finished in first place and also finished first in the Husky Run later in the month. Haney was a repeat MVP candidate this season and won the Shoreline meet outright to give him First Team All-Shoreline honors. His only falter was the state meet during which he finished 36th after suffering the flu that entire week.

Also having a successful season for the Warriors was senior captain Gilliland, who received the Coach’s Award for the second year in a row and who ran several solid races throughout the season to give the team the points and support it needed.

“Both Sam and Rich had the experience entering the season,” said Coach Dawn Silver. “They were both strong leaders and they got done what needed to be done. They were a very cohesive team working together.”

Walden, a junior, was a quiet strength for the team. He started the season with an injury suffered in a road race over the summer but fought hard to come back by late September to finish in the top 10 for both the dual meet and shoreline meet and earn First Team All-Shoreline honors. He also placed in the top 30 individually in the state meet.

Junior Rodney Mosier, who was chosen as captain for next season, was a top-20 finisher for Valley throughout the season, running his best at the dual and shoreline meets. Freshman Glenn Holmes, who was predicted to be a “shining star” by Silver before the season began, fulfilled his status by earning Second Team All-Shoreline honors and running solid races throughout the season.

“Glenn had some of the best times I’ve seen for a freshman in a long time,” said Silver. “Early in the season, he was running very well so I knew as long as he stayed healthy, he’d be someone to keep up with.”

The Warriors will graduate several key seniors but will return several runners who have the potential to take the team far once again.

“We’re losing a lot of valuable runners and we’ll have to rebuild next season,” said Silver. “But we still have a very good team and we’ll have to go from there.”

2008 Valley Boys’ Cross-Country Season in Review

Record: 3rd in Shoreline Conference, 9th in Class S

Captains: Sam Haney and Rich Gilliland

Seniors: Haney, Gilliland, Eric Kaufman, and Matt Harrigan

Biggest Accomplishment: Placing third in Shoreline Conference and sweeping a meet earlier in the season held at John Winthrop.

MVP: Haney

Coach’s Award: Gilliland

Most Valuable First-Year Runner: Glenn Holmes

Most Improved: Kevin Dango

First Team All-Shoreline: Haney, Darren Walden

Second Team All-Shoreline: Holmes

Next Year’s Outlook: The Warriors will lose several valuable runners and will have to rebuild next season, but will still have the talent with returning runners Rodney Mosier and Walden, as well as the group of underclassmen that excelled this season.

Pictured: Senior co-captain Sam Haney had yet another stellar cross-country season after setting a couple of school records and winning shorelines.

Photo by Nancy Dionne

Doane Perseveres through Injury to Make Statement on Field

2008-11-19T18:57:32Z

By Holly D’Addio, Courier Sports Writer:

It was an unexpected turn in his football career, but Tucker Doane took it in stride. After a knee injury sidelined him for his entire junior season—the first year he was to start on varsity—Tucker took it upon himself to aim to play his best season yet for the Valley football team his senior year—a season where the Warriors so far hold a 5-3 record.

“The biggest part of our success so far is that our whole team meshes well and we’ve all played together since junior varsity,” says Tucker. “Coming into this season and up until now, there has been a lot of teamwork and everyone has the same goals.”

Tucker, who has played football since his middle school years when he was a member of Tri-Town Football, had surgery on his knee last year after the injury but was able to heal fast enough for lacrosse season in the spring, which just goes to show his work ethic and determination to heal.

As a center, Tucker has trained hard at summer football camps over the years, including a camp at Rutgers University this past summer, a 2007 Special Teams Solutions Camp at UMass Amherst and then Cornell, and a 2006 UConn camp.

“So far, we are in the running for the playoffs,” says Tucker. “It’s been awhile since the Valley football team has made some noise in the postseason so we’re playing hard and hoping for the best.”

Just three years ago, Tucker joined the Valley lacrosse team, which was only a junior varsity team before becoming varsity for the first time his sophomore year. The Warriors made the state tournament last season—the first time since the team’s beginning—and Tucker worked on his skills at the North Branford Sportsplex at a winter camp for the past two years.

“Lacrosse was one of those sports that I was initially dragged into,” says Tucker. “It looked interesting so I went along with it and now I love it.”

Besides sports, Tucker focuses his time on being a part of the Youth Advisory Council at Valley Regional High School and is an unofficial member of the Lions Club where his dad is a member. He attends all their fundraisers and helps out where he can, such as with the Lobster Bake over the summer and Thomas the Train event at the Essex Steamtrain.

College is fast-approaching for Tucker, whose first-choice school is the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kingsport, Long Island.

“I would really like to get into a marine engineering systems degree,” says Tucker. “If I get accepted, I’d like to try and continue to play football.”

Sidelines with Tucker Doane

What is your most memorable sports moment?

Our Thanksgiving game last year at HK, it was the only game I played last year because of my injury and I went out there and made a good block so we had the opportunity to score.

Who would you like to thank?

All the coaches for putting the time and effort into getting me ready physically and mentally for the season. I also want to thank my parents for pushing me. I want to mention that I am playing next to my younger brother and it is a very rare experience and I am proud to be able to stand with him on the field. I also want to thank my fellow linemen for battling it out with me every day.

Fishing the Curl at Season’s End

2008-11-19T17:55:36Z

Constant wind and wave action made for extremely difficult holding of ground tackle–no matter the scope. It was one of those “should we or shouldn’t we” types of decisions that was pondered over. Although safety is always first concern, it really didn’t figure in here as much as knowing that the trip was going to be wet, bouncy, and very salty.

If the season wasn’t waning so quickly and holiday gears weren’t forcibly meshing, the day would’ve been chalked off in favor of a pigskin game. But there were still blues lingering in the mid-50 degree water, stripers just aching to be caught, and togs, although deeper, still well within reach. A somewhat reluctant decision was made to uncleat and head out. And so we did.

Normally this time of year, mooring lines have already begun to stiffen while outboards begin to develop that early morning cough and shake. Soon that will be the case but not just yet. Knowing that in one week this could all change, we loaded hot thermoses to offset the gloomy day and ice chests optimistically reserved for the tide’s catch on board.

A little bit of this bait and a little more of that, we steamed ahead with the thought of letting Mother Nature dictate our game plan. Other than fishing, there was none. If conditions allowed for tautog then we’d drop a hook but if drifting or trolling seemed more productive, we had that covered as well.

When a couple of old salts get together, there can either be non-stop conversation or few words spoken. Often though, it’s an expressive glance that tells the story. That was the case here. With limited options, trolling and rolling the rips was the only logical choice–going with the flow, so to speak. Somehow the fish didn’t mind as much as, quite honestly, we did.

In the curls, as port and starboard gunwales slapped the water, fish could be seen. There was a mix of striped bass and bluefish chasing heavy chromed spoons. Wiping spray and the occasional peak wave from our brows was effort enough but cranking in line while maintaining sound footing was the absolute chore–let alone de-hooking and releasing fish. A few fish were kept for the cooler. The hot thermoses? They weren’t even touched until the vessel was once again secured to the dock. And, that’s the way one of the last trips of a season can take place.

On the Water

Warm water temperatures have somewhat stalled the fall migration of blues and bass, giving us plenty of fishing but unfortunately winds and subsequent wave action have closed many windows of opportunity. When the weather chose to cooperate, fishing proved to be fantastic with schools of both bass and blues becoming seasonally aggressive.

With little time left before Thanksgiving and anglers beginning to focus on year-end events, precious bonus days have been few and far between. Nevertheless, striped bass are here in numbers, schools of blues continue to linger and blackfish/tautog are heading for deeper water beckoning ‘toggers to follow. In fact, bluefish blitzes have occurred within casting distance from shore just a few short days ago.

With cows either moving in from the Rhode Island coast or splitting ranks to follow the Atlantic coast, anglers are looking for that 50- to 60-pounder that’s been eluding them–in some cases, for a lifetime. Now is prime time to try for that record-buster as the big gals cruise the inshore reefs, move across Long Sand Shoal, linger around Southwest Reef, and head west and, in a few cases, move up along tidal rivers to hang out for the winter season.

Hints are that we’re in line for impending cold front(s), which ought to tighten the window on remaining blues. But look for striper action to continue a bit longer and, if another bonus day or two were to materialize, there should follow an arm-weary top water session or two. For those surf casters, jetties, some beaches, and a few of the wharves are producing fish on plugs, chunks, and eels. For these guys and gals, the season will continue–longer if you follow the striper coast.

As water temperatures continue to drop, Atlantic broodstock salmon in the twelve-pound range are becoming more active. Single hook spoons and small spinners have been connecting along with mixed-colored and dark streamers. These, along with trout in CT’s stocked rivers, have been offering decent fall fishing when the winds beg off.

Largemouths have not been very active but ‘smallie’ fishing has been hot, joining the good pre-front bite for northerns and black crappie. Carp are being caught in the main rivers while both river/lake catfish taking bottom baits. It seems that certain labrador retrievers have taken a liking to cheese/blood baits so watch your frisky outdoors pal. Tom Megargee (DEP fishing instructor, avid freshwater angler and excellent fish chowder creator) landed this colorful CT River cove 40½” 15.7Lb northern pike using live bait.

Wherever fishing, think Captain Morgan’s for all things fishy including the latest gear, bait, flies/flyfishing, rod/reel repair, clam/crabbing supplies and licenses. Swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days, located on 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time, from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...

Tight Lines,

Captain Morgan

Making a Contribution in Essex

2008-11-13T21:42:06Z

The Essex Lions Club is well known for its hugely successful lobster bakes each August at the Main Street Park. That’s not the only time the club spends at the town-owned park. It donated the original gazebo and last year, as the park was undergoing some renovation, the Lions renovated the gazebo as well. Recently, it installed a new, working drinking fountain at the park, a replica of the drinking fountain installed many years ago by Phil Lombardi, a local plumber and Lions Club member. Today his grandson Michael is president of the club and is pleased to see the park’s drinking fountain returned–and looking just like the one his grandfather installed. Here at the fountain are, from left, Denise Dudek, regional chair of the district Lions Club organization; Lombardi; and Bruce Lawrence, immediate past president of Essex Lions Club.

Photo by Marianne Sullivan

Police Incident Report: Oct. 29 to Nov. 4

2008-11-13T21:41:22Z

The Valley Courier publishes a Police Incident Report to inform residents of incidents, criminal activities, and police responses occurring in town. As those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the report does not include names. It may be edited for space and content.

Chester

Wednesday, Oct. 29

• A 45-year-old man of Maple Street was arrested at 2:27 a.m. and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and failure to obey a stop sign. He was processed and released at 6:35 a.m. to the custody of a 32-year-old man on a $500 non-surety bond pending a Nov. 6 court date.

Thursday, Oct. 30 to Saturday, Nov. 1

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Sunday, Nov. 2

No arrests were made.

• A motor vehicle accident without injuries was investigated by Trooper Paul Pedersen at 6:57 a.m. No details were available.

Monday, Nov. 3 to Tuesday, Nov. 4

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Deep River

Wednesday, Oct. 29

No arrests were made.

• A narcotics violation was investigated at 256 Kelsey Hill Road by Trooper Doris Fraser at 12:49 p.m. No details were available.

Thursday, Oct. 30

• A 29-year-old man of Main Street was arrested at 12:12 p.m. and charged with breach of peace and interfering with an officer. He was processed on bond and released at 8 p.m. to the custody of a 48-year-old man pending court arraignment on the following day.

Friday, Oct. 31

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Saturday, Nov. 1

• A 31-year-old man of Cedar Swamp Road was arrested at 2 a.m. and charged with breach of peace, threatening, and interfering with an officer following a dispute. He was processed and released on a $5,000 cash bond at 4:55 a.m. to the custody of his father and issued a Nov. 13 court date.

Sunday, Nov. 2

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Monday, Nov. 3

No arrests were made.

• A 46-year-old man of Gilbertville, Massachusetts, was issued a citation at 7:45 p.m. for failure to maintain the proper lane of a multiple-lane highway after the 2007 Toyota Corolla sedan he was operating northbound on Westbrook Road traveled out of the proper lane into the right shoulder and struck a tree. No injuries were reported at the scene.

• A motor vehicle accident without injuries on Route 145 near Stevenstown Road was investigated by Officer Raymond Sypher at 7:52 a.m. No details were available.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Essex

Wednesday, Oct. 29 to Thursday, Oct. 30

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Friday, Oct. 31

• A 29-year-old Portland man was arrested at 2 a.m. and charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, use and/or possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to maintain the proper lane of a multiple-lane highway following a motor vehicle stop. The arresting trooper found a bag of marijuana on the accused. The accused was processed and released at 5:54 a.m. on a $1,000 non-surety to the custody of a male and issued a Nov. 13 court date.

Saturday, Nov. 1

No arrests were made.

• A 27-year-old woman of Wakefield, Rhode Island, was issued a citation at 1:11 a.m. for failure to maintain the proper lane of a multiple-lane highway after she swerved the 2002 Toyota Corolla she was operating in an attempt to avoid striking a deer, veered off the right shoulder, and struck a metal beam guardrail. She was wearing a seat belt but the airbag did not deploy. No injuries were reported at the scene.

• At 2:07 p.m. Trooper David Tretter reported that a 52-year-old Watertown man was operating a 2005 Suzuki C90 motorcycle northbound on Route 154 in front of #186 with a 51-year-old female passenger onboard when he attempted to pass a 2001 GMC Sonoma operated by a 56-year-old Cromwell man. The Cromwell man slowed his GMC to turn right into the commuter parking lot when the motorcyclist attempted to pass on the right and struck the right front fender of the GMC. Both occupants of the motorcycle fell off and were transported by Essex ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital for treatment of injuries. No charges were indicated and the case remains under investigation.

Sunday, Nov. 2

No arrests were made.

• A motor vehicle accident without injuries in front of 41 Main Street was investigated by Officer Marc Pisciotti at 11:52 a.m. No details were available.

Monday, Nov. 3

No arrests were made and no incidents were reported.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

No arrests were made.

• A motor vehicle accident on Route 9 without injuries was investigated by Trooper Michael Brown at 7:47 a.m. No details were available.

Police correspondent Jason J. Marchi compiles the Police Incident Report

Tammy LeFoll: Making Community a Priority

2008-11-13T21:38:41Z

By Rita Christopher, Courier Senior Correspondent:

Tammy LeFoll should know how the Essex Community Fund works. She has held every office on the board including serving as president of the organization–twice.

At the moment, with Tammy at the helm, the fund is preparing to send out its annual appeal in the beginning of December.

The fund, according to Tammy, supports the efforts of charitable organizations operating in Essex, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton from the Boy Scouts to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen, traditionally the beneficiary of one of the largest grants the fund makes annually.

“Some people think that since out name says Essex, we don’t include Ivoryton and Centerbrook, but we serve the three towns that make up the village of Essex,” Tammy explains.

Among the organizations that receive grants, she notes, are Tri-Town Youth Services, Literacy Volunteers, and the town-wide Fuel Assistance program.

“In a community like Essex, it is easy to forget that there are people who need assistance with things like heating, and it will be especially important this winter with the economy,” she says.

Tammy explains that some of the organizations that receive grants from the community fund also run their own fundraising campaigns. In that case, she says, they may receive a smaller grant or a grant earmarked for a special project.

Many people, she says, aren’t aware of the diversity of the organizations that receive help from the fund. Some of the names are familiar: the Essex Fire Department, the Essex Historical Society, and both the Essex and Ivoryton Library associations. Among those that might be less well known, Tammy points out, are Gilead Community Services, which provides mental health assistance to people without medical insurance, and the Paul and Lisa Program, headquartered in Essex, that fights the commercial sexual exploitation of teens and children.

The fund, she notes, gives an annual grant to the Essex Housing Authority that pays for cable television at Essex Court in Centerbrook, an affordable housing residence for seniors.

“They are older people and may have trouble getting out and having that cable television is a real service,” she says.

Tammy says that groups seeking grants apply to the community fund by writing a letter, describing both the goals of the organization along with their financial data. All groups that apply for funding must be charitable organizations.

Tammy, who grew up in the Glastonbury area, first visited Essex in her early 20s and resolved that she would live here someday. In l996, when she was 29 and single, she bought a parcel of land and built a home. The choice of town proved beneficial on several counts. She joined the Essex Rotary Club through which she met Ed Noble, whom she married in 2004. The couple each brought their own dog to the marriage, Ed’s a corgi and Tammy’s a yellow Lab; together they have two daughters, Elaina, 3, and Vanessa, 1, whom they recently adopted.

Family responsibilities mean that Tammy, a graduate of the UConn Law School, now goes to the office only two days a week. She practices in a firm with her father in Rocky Hill. Given the demands of small children, she admits that on occasion the estate planning, family law, and real estate that make up the bulk of her practice seem the most ordered part of her life: “Sometimes it can be a relief to get to the office,” she admits.

Tammy, who joined the board of the Essex Community Fund shortly after she moved here, says that she would like to increase the number of donors to the fund both among Essex households and among businesses. Several years ago, donations had dropped to under $30,000 a year. There was some apprehension that the fund, started more than 50 years ago, might disappear.

“Then I thought about all the good it does and all the people who had worked hard over the years for the organization; there was a man–I didn’t know him but I’ve heard about him–Cornie Miller, who served on the board for 25 years. I didn’t think we could let those people and the community down,” she says.

Last year, according to Tammy, the fund raised some $54,000 to distribute to local groups and she hopes that their fundraising appeals, despite the downturn in the economy, will do at least as well this year.

“I know that people are getting a lot of mail at this time of year, but I hope they take a moment to look at our letter, “ she says. “This money is for town causes that are near and dear to our hearts.”

To find out more about the Essex Community Fund, contact the organization at P.O. Box 614, Essex, 06426, or call Tammy LeFoll at 860-767-7675.

Pictured: Tammy LeFoll launches the Essex Community Fund annual appeal and looks forward to seeing the donation boat sail toward its goal.

Photo by Rita Christopher

Basketball Court at Commuter Lot?

2008-11-13T21:36:36Z

By Marianne Sullivan, Courier Senior Staff Writer:

ESSEX:

As several groups within the community debate the future use of the state’s commuter lot at Phelps Corner, First Selectman Philip Miller decided to call in the town’s risk insurer to look at the property.

The commuter lot adjacent to Exit 3 off Route 9 will soon be closed and commuters are already being directed to use the new, much larger commuter lot created at Exit 4 near the Essex-Deep River town line. Once that switch has been completed, the state Department of Transportation, which owns the lot property at Exit 3, will turn it over to the town.

There are several groups interested in taking advantage of the property once it becomes town-owned. It sits adjacent to the Essex firehouse and the fire company would like to use a portion of the property, according to Miller.

The town’s merchants and the Economic Development Commission have both suggested that parking be retained at that location. Parking is a concern in Essex Village and the lot at Exit 3 could be used for overflow parking and for special events parking. Miller said special events such as Thomas the Tank Engine, which took place this past weekend at Essex Steam Train, and the Eagle Festival require significant additional parking.

At the same time, the Park and Recreation Commission has made a formal request to the Board of Selectmen seeking to build an outdoor basketball court on the property. At present, the town has no outdoor court for basketball. The commission told the selectmen it has sufficient commitments and donations to built the facility at little or no cost to the town.

If the town eventually decides to build an outdoor basketball court at the site, the senior consultant from the town’s insurer, CIRMA, had three recommendations.

• Consider placing a fenced basketball court in the far back corner of the lot. The parking lot will still be in operation. This should help keep the players away from the vehicles and prevent basketballs from entering the parking area.

• There is a CL&P substation at the front left of the property. The company may remove the substation in the near future. The town should inform CL&P of plans to put a basketball court on the site. Also, security at the substation should be upgraded before the court is installed.

• The town should consult with a traffic engineer to discuss recommendations for installing a crosswalk at the Route 154 intersection. There was a previous crosswalk with traffic control devices but it is no longer operational.

School Playground

CIRMA’s consultant also had some recommendations to ensure safety at the recently installed playground at Essex Elementary School. Miller said the school board and the PTO, which was the group that undertook the successful “Play is Good” playground project, have reviewed the recommendations and will implement them.

The major recommendation was the installation of barriers in the paved area adjacent to the play area at the school. The barriers will prevent vehicles from accidentally entering the playground area. The consultant also suggested locking the gate in that area so no vehicles could enter the paved area adjacent to the playground.

Essex Addresses ‘Housing for Economic Growth’

2008-11-13T21:35:08Z

By Marianne Sullivan, Courier Senior Staff Writer:

ESSEX:

“The issue of housing is a critical component of the continued growth and success of the town of Essex,” Planning Commission Chair Tom Danyliw said recently in a memo to the Board of Selectmen, and Danyliw noted that reasonably priced housing for many key groups–teachers, municipal employees, service sector workers–is difficult to find.

The selectmen agree and last week joined with the Planning Commission to request a state grant to finance the first steps toward addressing the problem. The state program is called “Housing for Economic Growth.”

First Selectman Philip Miller, in explaining the need, said, “People too often have a stereotypical idea of affordable housing but the need for workforce housing is clearly here. Over the last 20 years in Connecticut, housing costs have risen faster than income. We are losing our young college graduates. They are taking jobs in other states where living costs are more affordable. Connecticut leads the nation in losing the 25 to 35 year old worker.”

The migration out of state of young, well educated workers is so severe, Miller said, “The lead groups addressing this issue are the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and chambers of commerce.”

Without housing that these younger workers can afford, Connecticut’s economy and Essex’s economy suffers.

In his memo, Danyliw explained the problem eloquently.

“While most residents of Essex enjoy a very high quality of life and the unique character of our community, for many others, living in Essex has gotten further and further out of reach. As property values continue to rise (and property taxes along with them), many older residents are finding it harder to remain in their Essex residences.

“In addition, entering the still-pricey housing market is prohibitive for many key groups in town. Many of our children, finishing college and looking for a place to settle in to the working world, would find Essex virtually impossible to afford.

“In 2007, the median home sales price in Essex was over $415,000, while household incomes were approximately $82,000. Even without the current mortgage uncertainties, this means the median family could only afford about $250,000 for a home–a scarce commodity in Essex.

“The rental opportunities in town are not much brighter. Overall, the town of Essex has only 1.4 percent of its housing stock defined as ‘affordable’ by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The Planning Commission has made addressing this issue a top priority,” Danyliw concluded.

The commission identified the first step, which is to pursue a grant of up to $50,000 from the state’s Office of Policy and Management. The grants allow municipalities, Danyliw said, “to get out in front of this issue and truly plan for appropriate affordable housing.”

Pursuing and accepting the funds from the state obligates the town to no specific actions, Danyliw said. The town, through the Zoning Commission and a town meeting, must pass resolutions agreeing to “consider the creation” of certain areas where affordable or workforce housing would be most suitable and to develop specialized regulations for the zoning, permitting and design of such housing.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Planning Commission’s request and the grant application.

Land Use Public Forum Wednesday

2008-11-13T21:34:00Z

By Marianne Sullivan, Courier Senior Staff Writer:

DEEP RIVER:

The town will sponsor its first Community Land Use Education Forum Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall auditorium. The forum is another step in efforts to educate residents about land use and their role in land use decisions and planning.

In mid-October the town mailed an informational brochure to every household. It was the first step in beginning an educational process meant to encourage greater participation from citizens in the town’s planning process. The town received a grant from the Rockfall Foundation to help with the development of the first in a series of educational brochures. The brochures, it was decided, would be followed by public forums.

The entire program is called CLUE, Community Land Use Education. It is dedicated to answering questions about development and conservation in town.

The first brochure describes a Town Plan of Conservation and Development and it is also the topic of the first public forum. The guest speakers will be J.H. Torrance Downes, a senior planner with the Connecticut River Estuary regional Planning Agency; William Howard, a land use attorney; and W. David LaVasseur, undersecretary of the state’s Intergovernmental Policy Division of the Office of Policy and Management.

Cathie Jefferson, the town’s zoning enforcement officer, explained, “There is a role for citizens to play in planning. We want resident to understand that and to participate. Citizens can make a difference.”

The blue and white brochure mailed to each household explains in simple language the reasons for a town’s Plan of Conservation and Development, how it is written, how it is adopted, what it is, and how it applies to Deep River. Jefferson said the purpose was to explain all this “in a simple, user-friendly approach.” The approach combines the brochure mailing with the public forum. The forum, she explained, allows residents to ask questions and participate in a discussion.

For a copy of the first brochure or for further information about the Nov. 19 forum, contact the Town Hall at 860-526-6020.

Valley Girls’ Soccer Has Successful Run in States

2008-11-13T17:57:15Z

By Holly D’Addio, Courier Sports Writer:

It was a case of “be the best you can be” for the Valley Regional High School girls’ soccer team during its postseason week. The team finished its regular season with an impressive 9-6-1 record and was poised to make some noise in the Class M State Tournament after narrowly missing qualifying for the Shoreline Conference tournament.

Valley started its states run on Nov. 4 against Northwest Catholic with a 1-0 win. Carolyn Learned scored the game-winning goal in the first half of the game on a loose ball in the box off a corner kick, while veteran goalie Lizzy O’Connor notched 12 saves and her fifth shutout of the season.

“It was a tough game against a tough team,” said Coach Rob Shepard. “We went to a double sweeper to take away the speed and skill of Northwest Catholic and forced them to take a lot of their shots from outside of the 18 because they were getting frustrated. I thought our kids played really well.”

The Warriors’ second-round game on Nov. 6 proved more difficult as they traveled to Suffield to face the top-ranked team, which had outscored its opponents 81-5 this season. Valley posted a huge upset, beating Suffield 1-0 on a goal by Megan Mallon. O’Connor had 16 saves in her sixth shutout.

“This was a huge, huge win and to beat the No. 1 team in Class M and No. 4 team in state, this was a huge accomplishment,” said Shepard. “These kids played incredible.”

On Nov. 8, Valley traveled to Lewis Mills in Burlington for the quarterfinals round where the Warriors fell 2-0 in a hard-played game. O’Connor had 11 saves in the effort.

“We played them scoreless for 70 minutes,” said Shepard. “With less than 10 minutes left, they scored when we were trying to push everyone up. They are a very talented team and have good offensive players, but we just couldn’t put the ball into the back of the net. We had some opportunities but couldn’t get it done. I’m very proud of them, though, as they all fought hard.”

Pictured: Co-captain Mary McGee was a pivotal part of Valley’s success in the postseason this year.

Photo by Erik Johnson

Senior co-captain Chelsea Crehan played a big part in getting the Valley girls' soccer team to the state quarterfinals this season.

Photo by Nancy Dionne

Russell Gets a Kick Out of Soccer

2008-11-13T17:41:05Z

By Holly D’Addio, Courier Sports Writer:

When Emma Russell was younger, it took her awhile to truly appreciate soccer and realize her own potential before she fully dedicated herself to the sport she now has a true passion for. As a first-grader, Emma admits youth soccer was “the thing to do” and didn’t play again until she reached fourth grade.

“When you’re really little, you don’t really appreciate sports,” says Emma. “So when I played again in fourth grade, I really loved it the second time around and just wanted to play all the time.”

Emma played for the Recreation Department teams as well as Valley travel soccer growing up, followed by a stint at John Winthrop Middle School. She then got some playing time upon entering Valley Regional High School as a freshman and became a full-time starter her sophomore year. She is now at the end of her senior season in which she co-captained of the team.

“This year we’ve been having a lot of success,” says Emma. “I just feel like it’s been the best year because the team is connected and bonded, which = is more rewarding than having a good record. Soccer has just been a really big part of my high school career—I’ve looked forward to every season because there’s nothing comparable to the fall season. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s always fun.”

While not playing for Valley in the fall, Emma stays involved with soccer and plays indoor until February through the Recreation Department with some of her teammates as well as other players from around the area.

“Indoor is nice because it’s not as intense as Premier soccer,” says Emma. “You have once-a-week practices and games. It’s not as intense, but you still learn a lot and have fun.”

Emma hasn’t always known she wanted to focus solely on soccer—her freshman year she tried tennis at Valley and crew her sophomore year.

“I really wanted to keep active in the spring,” says Emma. “I had a friend who did both sports, but once I started, it was kind of weird to start a new sport because I’d played soccer my whole life and had such a strong connection to it.”

She is also highly involved with her school community. She is a member of SPEAK (a human rights club), Student Advisory Council, Peer Advocates, and Reach Out, which is a Big Sisters-type program.

Emma is also involved with her church youth group at Deep River Congregational. She participates in yearly mission trips during the summer, fundraisers, soup kitchens, and helps run the younger youth group.

As busy as most seniors are this time of year, Emma is taking it all in stride. Her top college choices include UConn and St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and she intends on majoring in special education.

“Both school are Division I so I don’t think I’ll be playing soccer for either teams,” says Emma. “But my cousin is a coach at St. Joe’s for the club team and I’d most certainly be interested in playing on that sort of team.”

Sidelines with Emma Russell

What is your most memorable sports moment?

We won our second round states game this week against Suffield-they were seeded No. 1 in Class M and fourth in the state. Everyone expected them to go all the way.

Who would you like to thank?

My parents for their support and my entire team for making it such a great year. Also my travel coaches Mr. Sterner, Mr. McGee, and Mr. Crehan—they all got me to love soccer so much and made it fun. I also want to thank Coach Kleiman and Coach Shepard, especially Shep, because he’s been my coach since I was a freshman and he’s believed in me over the last four years. My freshman year when he was my JV coach, he convinced the head coach at the time to give me a shot and he was very encouraging last season when I had mono and told me I could get through it.

Pictured: Emma Russell has been a lifelong soccer player and is captain of the Valley Regional High School girls’ team this season as a senior.

Photo courtesy of Gary Ribchinsky

Campbell’s Late Interception for Touchdown Ices Game for Warriors

2008-11-13T17:27:02Z

By Ron Ragozzino, Special to the Courier:

The running game for Valley and Old Saybrook/Westbrook stole the spotlight on Friday night. The Valley Warriors ran the ball 27 times (out of 34 offensive plays) for 204 yards in a 34-17 win over the Old Saybrook/Westbrook Rams Friday night. The Old Saybrook Rams were not to be outdone, as they ran the ball 45 times (out of 57 offensive plays) for 249 yards.

“We wanted to play smash-mouth football,” Old Saybrook Coach Mark McCray said. “We wanted to put the ball in our best athlete’s hands.”

The big blow for the Rams came with 1:09 left in the game. Down by 10, the Rams were forced into the hurry-up offense when quarterback Cam Dunlap was intercepted by Warriors’ cornerback Nadrian Campbell, who returned the pick 72 yards to seal the game and give Valley the 34-17 win.

“That interception to ice the game was key,” Valley Coach Tim King said. “He intercepted the ball off of his shoe tops and his speed showed on the play.

This was a huge win for us. [Old Saybrook’s] running back Alex Dyer is great and it showed tonight. We knew this game was going to be a battle all the way through.”

Old Saybrook scored first, getting on the scoreboard late in the first half. Dyer finished off a 12-play, 63-yard drive by punching it in from three yards out to give the Rams an early 7-0 lead. On the drive, Dyer contributed to nine of those plays and recorded 54 yards. For the game, he was a workhouse with 27 carries for 146 yards.

Valley answered midway through the second quarter when quarterback Logan Whaley faked the handoff and went untouched 69 yards for the touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

The Rams got a late field goal by kicker Jon McKenna to take a 10-7 lead into halftime.

“It was a pretty good first half,” McCray said. “Being up, we had the momentum going into the second half.”

Valley used that momentum to score four more times in the second half, with three scores coming from the offense and the other was Campbell’s interception returned for a touchdown.

Following a three-and-out from the Rams, the Warriors went 43 yards to take a 14-10 lead. Mitchell King capped a five-play, 43-yard drive when he was on the receiving end of Whaley’s 22-yard touchdown reception.

On the next possession, Valley scored again to make it 21-10. This time Oliver Gregan got in on the action by catching Whaley’s three-yard touchdown pass, which capped off a three-play, 58-yard drive with the big play being Campbell’s 55-yard rush to the three-yard line.

The Rams responded with a touchdown drive of their own. Addison Moran took the handoff and went up the gut untouched for a 43-yard touchdown to make it 21-17, but that was as close as the Rams would get as the Warriors scored the next 13 points.

“Our defense played great,” McCray said. “The scoreboard doesn’t show it though. I wasn’t satisfied at all with the five turnovers or the penalties the offense had.”

Valley’s defense came away with five turnovers, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.

“Even with those five turnovers, Old Saybrook moved the ball on our defense—our defense bent but didn’t break,” King said. “The kids played with a lot of heart and played great. Kevin Woods, who is the offensive coordinator, called a great game as well.”

With the win, Valley improved to 5-3, while Old Saybrook/Westbrook dropped to 3-5.

Game at a Glance

Nov 7: Valley 34, Old Saybrook 17

Key Performances

• Nadrian Campbell (V): 12 rushes, 82 yards, 5 tackles, interception, touchdown

• Logan Whaley (V): 2 completions, 26 yards, 2 touchdowns, 8 rushes, 96 yards

• Oliver Gregan (V): 3-yard TD catch, 6 tackles, forced fumble, fumble recovery

• Alex Bozenhard (V): 7 tackles, interception

• Cam Dunlap (OS): 7 completions, 56 yards

• Alex Dyer (OS): 27 rushes, 146 yards, touchdown, 6 tackles

• Addison Moran (OS): 7 rushes, 63 yards, touchdown, 7 tackles

Pictured: Nadrian Campbell (1) shows off his speed by taking a hand-off and going 55 yards. Campbell also had a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown in a Valley 34-17 win Friday night.

Photo by Matthew Lucas

‘Play Is Good’ for Everyone in Essex

2008-11-06T20:36:22Z

ESSEX:

It was a cold afternoon with a stormy sky. Nevertheless, a large crowd of students, parents, school administrators, residents, and public officials gathered at Essex Elementary School last week to celebrate the completion of the new school community playground.

Two years after officially kicking off the $200,000 “Play Is Good” Accessible Playground Campaign, the school’s PTO acknowledged and thanked the many individuals, businesses, civic organizations, and private and public donors for their support in building two fully-ramped, wheelchair accessible playscapes. The new equipment replaced deteriorating, pressure-treated wood structures that were at the end of their useful life. In addition, the playground boats a new climbing rock, teeter-totter, swings, benches and table.

Susan Daniels, chair of this campaign, said the PTO raised $155,000 in cash and more than $40,000 of in-kind donations through a series of fundraisers, State Senator Eileen Daily helped procure a $25,000 state grant, and the Deupree Family Foundation donated $10,000. First Selectman Philip Miller and Public Works Director Dave Caroline agreed to have the town crew provide all site demolition, site preparation, and equipment installation at no charge.

“These efforts, along with donations from over 200 area residents and businesses, turned a vision into a reality. There is now a play area where children of all abilities and disabilities can play side by side,” Daniels said.

Pictured: State Senator Eileen Daily, center, cuts the ribbon to open Essex Elementary School’s new playground. She is helped here by several Essex children and also by several of the project’s supporters. Standing behind the students are, from left, Board of Education Chair Lon Seidman, Selectman Vin Pacileo, First Selectman Philip Miller, State Representative James Spallone with his baby, and Susan Daniels, chair of this successful PTO project.

Photo by Roman Daniels

Police Incident Report: Oct. 22 to 28

2008-11-06T20:35:25Z

Chester

Wednesday, Oct. 22 to Sunday, Oct. 26

No arrests were made and no significant incidents were reported

Monday, Oct. 27

No arrests were made.

• A 39-year-old Chester woman was issued a citation at 8:10 a.m. for failure to maintain the proper lane of a multiple-lane highway after the 2003 Thomas school bus she was operating on Railroad Avenue struck a 1997 GMC school bus operated by a 41-year-old Old Lyme woman. The cited driver attempted to pass a bus that was stopped and facing her on a narrow stretch of road. A juvenile onboard the Thomas school bus complained of scrapes on both knees and was transported to the Shoreline Clinic for treatment. No other injuries were claimed.

Tuesday, Oct. 28

• A 45-year-old man of Maple Avenue was arrested at 1:59 a.m. and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and failure to obey a stop sign. He was released on a $500 non-surety bond pending a Nov. 6 court date.

Deep River

Wednesday, Oct. 22

No arrests were made.

• A disturbance on Kelsey Hill Road was investigated by Trooper Doris Fraser at 9:53 a.m. No details were available.

Thursday, Oct. 23

• A 20-year-old man and a 37-year-old man of the same Stonwoll Hill Road address and 31-year-old man of no certain address were arrested at 9:30 p.m. on warrants charging them with operating a drug factory and other drug related charges. (see story)

Friday, Oct. 24

No arrests were made.

• Assistance to a civilian was provided on Lafayette Avenue by Officer Peter Lewis at 6:25 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25 to Sunday, Oct. 26

No arrests were made and no significant incidents were reported.

Monday, Oct. 27

• A 13-year-old juvenile male was arrested at 5:45 p.m. at the Mount Saint John School at 137 Kirtland Street and charged with assault in the third degree and disorderly conduct. He was scheduled to appear in New Haven Juvenile Court on Nov. 12.

• A 51-year-old woman of Meadow Woods Road was arrested at 9:40 p.m. and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. She was released at 11:09 p.m. to the custody of a 36-year-old woman on a $500 non-surety bond pending a Nov. 11 court date.

Tuesday, Oct. 28

No arrests were made.

• A disturbance at the Mount Saint John School at 137 Kirtland Street was investigated by Trooper Christopher Cope at 3 p.m. No details were available.

Essex

Wednesday, Oct. 22

No arrests were made.

• A larceny at 50 Main Street was investigated by Officer April Pawlow at 10:31 a.m. No details were available.

Thursday, Oct. 23

No arrests were made.

• A burglary at 12 River Road Drive was investigated by Trooper Mark Testoni at 8:41 a.m. No details were available.

Friday, Oct. 24

• A 63-year-old man of Hopper Road in Ivoryton was arrested at 4 p.m. and charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer. He was released on a $1,000 cash bond pending an Oct. 25 court date.

• A motor vehicle accident without injuries on Bokum Road was investigated by Officer Marc Pisciotti at 3:15 p.m. No details were available.

Saturday, Oct. 25

• A 43-year-old man of Hooper Road in Ivoryton was arrested at 5 p.m. and charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer. This arrest was related an earlier arrest on Hopper Road on Oct. 24. He was released on $1,000 surety bond pending an Oct. 27 court date.

Sunday, Oct. 26 to Tuesday, Oct. 28

No arrests were made and no significant incidents were reported.

Police correspondent Jason J. Marchi compiles the Police Incident Report