In his weekly address to residents, First Selectman David Denvir discusses the Board of Selectmen's decision to instruct legal counsel to commence negotiations for the possible purchase of the Venuti property and the Board's decision to consider the Pharmedica building as well. Read his complete remarks here.

Jordan Wins Two Events at State Swim Meet
Haddam-Killingworth senior Scott Jordan won the 200-yard individual medley and the breaststroke at the Class S meet at Southern Connecticut State University yesterday. The Cougars placed fifth in the team competition. Other top 10 finishers for HK were Michael Mullane who placed 5th in diving and Eric Boardman who placed 9th; Alex Bazazi finished 9th in the 100 Yard Butterfly and the team of Alex Bazazi, Adam Wargo, Kurtis Roth and Jordan finished third in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay and fourth in the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay. Brookfield was the overall Class S Champion. The State open meet is Saturday, March 20. Read about the Class S meet in the Hartford Courant. For complete meet results go to the CAS-CIAC website.

Urgent Repairs Needed on Reservoir Road Bridge

State Bridge inspectors have determined that the Reservoir Road bridge is in need of urgent repairs, according to First Selectman David Denvir at a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen, March 16. According to the minutes of the meeting, Denvir said there are four bridges in town under consideration for repair. The State inspectors looked at the Reservoir Bridge six months ago and determined it was not in need of immediate repair. However, the State reinspected the bridge on March 15 and concluded that repairs are now urgently needed. Five months ago, Denvir said he requested an estimate for repairs on the Burr Hill Road and Reservoir Road bridges because Federal and State monies were available. Denvir said the repair estimate given by Howard Pfrommer, Killingworth Town Engineer, for the Reservoir Road bridge was a minimum of $400,000. After discussion, the selectmen rejected pursuing federal bridge funds because the road and bridge would also have to be widened to meet federal requirements. It was agreed that town engineers would prepare a request for State funding to begin immediate replacement of the bridge and undertake finding a 'Bailey' bridge that could avoid closing the bridge until the repairs can begin.

Elementary School Scholarship Available
The William Cieslukowski Memorial Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for its annual summer enrichment scholarship. William Cieslukowski served as principal of KES from 1982-1993. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support to a deserving Killingworth Elementary School student who desires to attend a summer enrichment program. The student must currently be enrolled at KES; be nominated by a parent or teacher and submit a complete application by Friday, April 2. A brochure or other published information about the summer program must be included with the application. Selection will be based on benefit to the student and financial need. The Scholarship funds are for no more than $300. The Committee will review the applications starting April 5 and award the scholarship on April 28. Applications are available in the KES school office. For more information call the school at 663-1121.

Cougars Defeated in State Semi-Final
The Haddam-Killingworth boys basketball season came to an end last night as the Cougars were defeated by Enfield, 62-57, in the semi-final game of the Division IV state tournament in Glastonbury. Senior co-captain Cory Riordan led the way with 20 points and but it was not enough to over come the solid play of first-time finalist Enfield. Senior co-captain Matt Finlayson also played well scoring 16 points in the loss. The Cougars showed a great deal of determination this season, staying focused after losing star Riordan to a knee injury then again after a late-season ankle injury slowed junior Ryan Murray. HK ends the season 18-7. Read the complete semi-final game coverage in the Hartford Courant.

Elementary School Art Teacher Arrested

Killingworth Elementary School art teacher, Hans Strilbyckij was arrested Tuesday and charged with breach of peace and risk of injury stemming from a March 10 incident involving two KES students. Schools Superintendent Gary Mala released a statement saying, the matter is currently being investigated to determine an appropriate course of action. He said Strilbyckij is not currently in the school nor has he been during the initial stages of the investigation. The New Haven Register reported that the incident involved two students aged 9 and 10. Strilbyckij is alleged to have pushed one of the boys into a wall several times and pulled the second boy by his shirt collar while attempting to discipline them. The state police reported that the boys were examined and neither boy was injured. Strilbyckij turned himself in on the Superior Court arrest warrants and was released on his promise to appear in court Wednesday.

In his statement, Mala said he stands committed to maintaining the well-being of the children first and foremost in the decision making process and subsequent actions. He said," we want our children to feel safe and comfortable in their school setting. In order to facilitate meeting with students who may be concerned or confused by this situation, we will make our school social worker, school psychologist and other individuals in our building available as needed". He said he is prohibited from disclosing any information in order to respect the privacy of the children and the employee involved.

Strilbyckij is in his 30th year of teaching in the District and has been at KES since 1986 according to the Register article.

Cougar Captain to Play in All-Star Game
The New Haven Register reported that senior captain Cory Riordan has been named to the West squad for the Connecticut High School Coaches Association All-Star M-S East-West Basketball Game. The game is set for March 24 at Maloney-Meriden at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. The West Squad will be coached by Bullard-Haven's Mark Dickey and Watertown's Andy Taddei.

Five Measures Passed at Town Meeting
At the Killingworth Town Meeting on Monday, the five agenda items of town business were voted on and approved.

The town confirmed the Board of Selectmen's appointments of Mark Harwood, Steve Hollander and Shelly Cumpstone to the HK Regional Recreation Commission.

Fox Run Lane was accepted as a town road.

Over expenditures from fiscal year 2002-2003 were approved.

The town voted to approve the $15,000 for purchase of a used road sweeper from the Town of Westport.

The Board of Selectmen was authorized to transfer the town-owned property known as the 'Old Sand Pit Lot' to the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust. The 9.1 acres between Green Hill Road and Paper Mill Road was formerly the Shoreline Washed Sand and Stone Co. gravel pit and was transferred for no consideration.

Mother Nature's Late Winter Storm
Though Spring officially starts this weekend, it's clear Mother Nature has not had enough fun with winter yet. The early spring storm caused postponements and cancellations all over the region. Chatfield Hollow took the storm in stride and provided a beautiful setting for an afternoon walk.

Department of Education News Program Launches Tonight
The U.S. Department of Education has developed a television series about ways to ensure children's educational success. According to the press release, Tips for parents on how to encourage children to learn math and science outside the classroom will be among the topics covered in the monthly TV show, "Education News Parents Can Use," airing Tuesdays and available on broadcast, satellite and cable outlets as well as the Web. The program will feature interviews with department officials and guests on how the landmark No Child Left Behind Act is helping improve math and science instruction, as well as giving parents information on appraising their local school's math-science offerings.

The program is available on some educational access channels (none in Conn.) but can also be seen on webcast. The program will air on the third Tuesday of every month. Tonight, the program focuses on Math and Science: Preparing for the Future. The program will run from 8:00-9:00 p.m: a full description of the program is available here.
According to U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige,
It is paramount that America graduate greater numbers of young people who are strong in mathematics and science. Our future depends on them to lead the way in developing strategies and technologies that will keep us safe and prosperous for generations to come.

Guests on tonight's broadcast include: Susan Sclafani, counselor to the secretary and assistant secretary for vocational and adult education; Jerry Wheeler, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association; Sheila Byrd, director of the American Diploma Project; Dennis Young, principal of Meadowland Elementary School in Sterling, Va.; and Betsy Menickelly, a parent at Meadowland Elementary.

For more information or to ask questions of the panel email the event box at, Education.TV@ed.gov or call 1-800-USA-LEARN.

Chamber of Commerce Event Postponed
The Chamber of Commerce 'Business After Hours' reception to be held at Banknorth this evening, has been postponed until next Tuesday, March 23 from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. For more information contact Nadine Cabrera at 663-3894

Boys Divisional Swim Finals Postponed
The boys swimming divisional finals scheduled for today at SCSU have been postponed to Thursday, March 18 at the same site. The March 13 qualifying meet results are available here. Haddam-Killingworth swimmer Scott Jordan won the 200m IM and the 100 Yard Breaststroke; the team of Alex Bazazi, Adam Wargo, Kurtis Roth and Jordan placed fifth in the boy's 200 Yard Freestyle Relay and sixth in the boy's 400 Yard Freestyle Relay; HK's Michael Mullane placed fourth and Eric Boardman placed ninth in the boys diving competition.

Superintendent Welcomed with Open Arms
The March 7 reception for new schools superintendent Gary Mala and his family was covered in the Clinton Recorder. The parent-teacher organizations of all five district schools contributed baked goods and a gift basket to officially welcome Mala, his wife Sheryl and their two daughters into the District family.

Basketball Semi-Final On Storm Alert
UPDATE: The Semi-final game has been postponed according to the casciac.org website. The HK-Enfield game will be played Wednesday, March 17 in Glastonbury at 6:00 p.m.

The CIAC boy's basketball semi-final game tonight in Glastonbury is in jeopardy of being postponed according to tournament director Bob Cecchini. According to the Hartford Courant, the impending storm and school cancellations may postpone the state contests. If postponed, the game between Haddam-Killingworth and Enfield will be played Wednesday, but if the storm lingers, the semi-finals may have to be played Thursday and the final Saturday.

Preview the boy's match-up with Enfield in the Middletown Press.

Chamber of Commerce Offers 'Business After Hours' Event
The Killingworth Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a business after hours reception at Banknorth on Route 81, Tuesday, March 16 from 5-7 p.m. All are welcome to this meet and greet. Refreshments will be served. There is no charge for Chamber of Commerce members, $5 for non-members.

Superintendent Seeking Better Communication
Region 17 Schools Superintendent Gary Mala, says trust and communication are vital to the success of the school system and the goals of students in today's New Haven Register.

All-State Track Athletes Honored at Banquet
Eight members of the Haddam-Killingworth Indoor Track team were among the honorees at the 2004 CHSCA All-State Banquet on Wednesday, March 10 at the Aqua Turf. Class 'S' State Champions were, Danielle Funaro in the Girl's 1000 meters, the Boy's 4x800 Relay of Alex Holland, BJ Palumbo, Ryan MacNeeley and Jake Corbett and the Girl's Sprint Medley Relay of Meghan Scanlon, Katelyn Deimel, Kimber Stannard and Funaro.

True Notebooks
by Mark Salzman
ISBN: 0375413081

Mark Salzman, author of several excellent books including three novels, two works of non-fiction, and a memoir, is asked by a friend to speak to a writing class at Central Juvenile Hall, a lockup facility for violent teenage offenders in Los Angeles. It is not an invitation he is excited to accept, but being a kind person (and a writer who is suffering from writer's block) he can find no legitimate reason to decline. Salzman attends the writing class, and ends up becoming a permanent teacher of writing for Central Juvenile Hall. True Notebooks is an account of his teaching experiences with a group of young men who are angry, confused, and lacking hope or enthusiasm for their futures.

Through honesty, compassion, and a demonstrated ability to write, Salzman gradually gains the trust and respect of his students. He helps them learn to write from within, drawing on their own life experiences, which range from touching to tragic. Reading True Notebooks gives the reader a humorous and shockingly real glimpse of a group of young men who try to redeem themselves through the expressive act of writing. Salzman's students and their stories will stay with you long after you've finished reading the book.

Susan Miller is the Associate Director of the Arnold Bernhard Library at Quinnipiac University. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Music from Ohio State University and a M.S. in Library Science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Contact Susan at covertocover@killingworthtoday.com