Greenwich Voices For Accountability and Transparency

  Screenshot (Public Domain) In most jurisdictions across the country, June is Pride Month. It is described as a time to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ community, as well as to raise awareness about the struggles and discrimination that they face. It is a time for individuals to come together, show solidarity, and promote acceptance and diversity.   During Pride Month, events such as parades, workshops, flag raisings and panel discussions are held to bring awareness to LGBTQ+ issues and to create a space where members of the community can feel safe and supported.   Pride Month also involves controversy, referring to the ongoing debate surrounding the celebration of LGBTQ+ rights and visibility during the month of June. While many people view Pride Month as a time for love, acceptance, and unity, others argue that it promotes a harmful and divisive agenda. This controversy is often fueled by deeply held beliefs and values, making it a complex and multifaceted issue.   One of

  Screenshot (Public Domain) On Tuesday, may 28, 2024, Governor Ned lamont (D) signed into law Public Act 24-8 , which expanded workers' rights to take time off for various reasons, has had both positive and negative effects on the workforce in the state. While the Act has been hailed as a step in the right direction towards promoting work-life balance and employee well-being, it has also raised concerns about the potential negative impacts on businesses and the economy as a whole. There are implications for both employees and employers. Small Business Costs Hiked as Paid Sick Leave Clears Senate   One of the main concerns raised about CT Public Act 24-8 is the potential for increased costs for businesses. By expanding workers' rights to take time off for various reasons, such as illness, family emergencies, and personal reasons, businesses may be required to provide additional paid time off to their employees. This can result in increased labor costs for employers, which m

  Screenshot: (Public Domain) The Town of Greenwich Department of Public Works (DPW) is hosting a hybrid public hearing on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 6 p.m . in the Town Hall Meeting Room and via Zoom to share the ADA accessibility improvements plan for Greenwich Avenue. Improvements will include parking, sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, curbs, landscape beds, and lighting.   Yet, the experts' feedback says Greenwich is in compliance????  Public Works/First Selectman Fred Camillo is asking for $500K that was not budgeted. They have not presented a plan. To date all the intersections on Greenwich Avenue have sloping, red coloring and dotted raised surfaces??? ADA, also known as the American with Disabilities Act, is a set of nationally recognized accessibility standards for people with disabilities. Some of the existing infrastructure on Greenwich Avenue is deficient in accordance with modern ADA design requirements which must be addressed when reconstructing sidewalks or repaving. DPW

  The Registrars of Voters are responsible for overseeing the election process and voter registration within the Town of Greenwich. The Registrar of Voters plays a crucial role in ensuring fair and transparent elections, as well as maintaining accurate voter lists and records.   The Registrar of Voters in Greenwich are tasked with registering eligible voters, updating voter information, and ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process. This includes conducting voter outreach initiatives, organizing voter registration drives, and providing resources and information to help residents navigate the voting process.   Fred DeCaro III (R) is the Registrar of Voters in Greenwich along with his counterpart, Mary Hegarty (D), a position that carries significant responsibility in ensuring fair and efficient elections in the town. Both Registrars are part-time elected officials.   In addition to registering voters, the Registrars of Voters al

  Screenshot (Courtesy of a Resident) On a warm August 14, 2023 evening, a packed house of residents, including many outside the facility who couldn't squeeze in,  from the Pemberwick and Glenville areas of Town came together at the Glenville Volunteer fire Company's meeting hall to hear updates from First Selectman Fred Camillo (R) and Selectwoman Lauren Rabin (R) about issues in the their respective areas. This community forum was meant to give residents a chance to understand the progress of Town projects and ask quetions about their concerns.  Topics discussed by Camillo at the time incuded  a proposed $30,000 pledge from Adam Jacobson of Pet Pantry Warehouse to go toward a dog park in Glenville. The dog park would be located above the field adjacent to the Western Greenwich Civic Center. According to Camillo, the proposal would name the dog park the Pet Pantry Community Dog Park.  Other topics of concern: The status of the former Stop & Shop plaza property. 237 Pemberw

  Screen Shot (GCTV) If you didn't have the opportunity to personally attend or zoom in to the the recent Board of Selectmen meeting of May 23, 2024, we are providing the recorded GCTV video for your convenience.    BOS Meeting Agenda Material BOS Special Meeting Agenda Material 2024 Approved Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule Under the "Selectwonen's Updates," Selectwoman reported on the decoration of the barriers on Greenwich Avenue. This is a taxpayer funded town priority? Yet there was no funding for the decoration of the war memorials in town as noted by local Veterans. "4. Selectwomen’s Updates Selectwoman Rabin said she would keep things brief because the agenda was packed. She said she wanted to acknowledge they had received proposals for decorating the barriers that had been placed for outdoor dining on Greenwich Avenue and the side streets. She reported 16 proposals had been received and were being graded with a meeting likely to happen next week to pi

  Screenshot (Public Domain) Election integrity is a critical aspect of any democratic society, as it ensures that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, and that the results accurately reflect the will of the voters. The integrity of an election is vital for maintaining public trust in the political process and the legitimacy of the government that emerges from it. There are several key components of election integrity that are essential for ensuring that elections are conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.   One important aspect of election integrity is ensuring that the voting process is accessible to all eligible voters. This includes providing adequate polling places, ensuring that voter registration processes are simple and efficient, and making sure that voters with disabilities have the necessary accommodations to cast their ballots. By ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process, election administrators

  Screenshot (army.mil) Memorial Day, a  solemn holiday, was  originally known as Decoration Day. It is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering and honoring the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties. The holiday was first observed on May 30, 1868, following the end of the Civil War, to honor fallen Union soldiers. The date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of a battle. After World War I, the holiday was expanded to honor all American military personnel who died in all wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was officially declared a federal holiday to be observed on the last Monday in May.   The tradition of honoring fallen soldiers dates back to ancient times. The Greeks and Romans held ceremonies and built memorials to honor their fallen heroes. In the United States, the practice of decorating graves with flowers and flags dates back to before the Civil War.   The first known observance of a Memorial Day-type ceremony was