In his weekly address, First Selectman David Denvir apologizes for the Freedom of Information issue and encourages a renewed sense of balance and consistency in the Town issues up for debate. Read David Denvir's complete remarks here.

HK Rec Offers Movie Making Camp
The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering a Movie Making Camp this summer. This program explores the process of creating a movie from the planning stages to shooting and editing. Each student will have an opportunity to act as well as assist with direction. All students will receive a copy of the movie on DVD. A premiere night will be scheduled after production is completed. Session I is for kids ages 12 & up and will be held July 12-23. Session II is for kids ages 7-11 and will be held July 26-August 6. Camp is from 9:00-3:00 pm and will be held at the HK High School Auditorium. The fee is $310. Non-residents please add $5. For more information or to register, call the HK Recreation Department at 345-8334 or visit them online at www.hkrec.com.

Outdoor Family Entertainment Series Kicks Off
The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department and the Killingworth Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring an Outdoor Family Entertainment Series this summer. All concerts are free. The first concert in the series is Friday, July 9 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on the Higganum Green and will feature the D. Smith Blues Band. Bring a blanket or a chair and come out and enjoy some Chicago-style blues from the fifties and sixties as well as some of the band's original material. The concert is cancelled in the event of rain.

The entertainment series also includes: The Shoreline Connection, on July 16 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on the Higganum Green. This six-piece band performs 60s and 70s music as well as an "Elvis set" in full costume. The country rock group Queen of Hearts will perform on July 23 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Sheldon Park. This nine-piece band performs cover and original contemporary country music. The series finale will feature Island Rhythm on July 30 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Sheldon Park. This group performs calypso, Hawaiian, reggae, and other party music from artists such as Harry Belafonte, Miami Sound Machine, Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffett, Baha Men and the Beach Boys.

Shoreline Conference Honors Scholar Athletes
On June 14, the Shoreline Conference held its 15th Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards ceremony at Old Saybrook High School. Forty-three Haddam-Killingworth High School scholar-athletes were among the 109 area high school students honored for excellence in both academics and athletics during the 2003-2004 school year. The event was sponsored by Shoreline Newspapers. Read more about the awards, and the biographies of the HK recipients in the Clinton Recorder.

Town Office Building Committee Holds First Meeting
Asked by the Board of Selectmen to "make a recommendation if the Town's investment in the Pharmedica Buildings would be appropriate at this time", the rechartered Town Office Building Committee held its first meeting Tuesday night. The Committee currently has four members; Phillip Evans, Hilary Kumnick, Ruth Patrick and Louis Annino, Sr. The members voted to have Evans serve as temporary Chairman, until two or three more residents come forward to fill the committee positions. Evans said, "the task is bigger than the people sitting in this room". The Committee will look into any needed code improvements, occupancy issues and other factors involved in a decision to purchase the Pharmedica Buildings, as well as make a recommendation on what to do with the existing Town Office building. One of the first orders of business was to schedule a thorough walk-through with Town building official Richard Leighton. The Committee was also encouraged by First Selectman David Denvir to look at what other towns are currently doing. Durham, Old Saybrook and North Branford are all facing similar decisions about Town Office plans. The committee will meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Offices. Those interested in serving on the committee may contact the First Selectman's office at 663-1765 or at twn.killingworth@snet.net.

D'Amico Calls for Tollefsen to Resign
According to the Hartford Courant, the head of Haddam's Republican Town Committee, Gary D'Amico, upset over the recent Regional School District mailing, wants building committee chairman Kjell Tollefsen to resign. D'Amico claims that Toffefsen has "botched plans to build a new Intermediate/Middle School" and the public should be calling for Tollefsen's resignation and for him to repay the amount of money already expended on this.

Selectmen Disturbed by School District's Tactics
At last night's Board of Selectmen's meetings, Selectman Louis Annino, Sr. expressed his concern over the Reg. 17 School Distict's recent mailing and its tactics to bring supporters to the July 6 Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing. Annino said he considered himself a labeled "dissenter" because he has voiced his reservations over the Route 81 Intermediate/Middle School site and the lack of communication between Town officials and the Reg. 17 Building Committee. He said he is worried the Building Committee is "going to prejudice their case" before the application is voted on by the Commission. Both Annino and Selectman Charles Morgan said they resented that the list of names, addresses and phone numbers of the Board of Selectmen and the Planning and Zoning Commission was listed in the District mailing. Morgan said the addresses and phone numbers of the Building Committee and Board of Education should have been listed instead. He said if he receives any calls regarding the school, he will direct the caller to those individuals. Annino said he thinks "the whole project should be re-evaluated".

No Town Meeting for Road Striping Petition
Selectmen Charles Morgan and Louis Annino Sr., voted against a motion, at last night's Board of Selectmen's meeting, to allow the issue of road striping to be brought to a Town Meeting for resolution. A verified petition, asking the Board to reconsider its decision to stripe the Town footprint roads, was presented to the Board at its June 14 meeting. The petition was signed by approximately 60 Roast Meat Hill Road residents. According to First Selectman David Denvir, the Killingworth Charter requires a Town meeting be called whenever a verified petition is presented. Morgan agreed the petition had been verified, but said the petition did not ask for a Town Meeting. The Killingworth Charter reads:

section 3-7: Petitioned Town Meetings
The Board of Selectmen, whenever it shall receive a petition signed by fifty(50) persons entitled to vote at Town Meetings, shall call a Special Town meeting within thirty(30) days. The matters which the petitioners for a Special Town Meeting desire acted upon, if they are proper subjects for action at a Town Meeting, as determined by Town Attorney, shall be put in proper form for the call of a Town Meeting and for a Town Meeting Resolution, with the assistance of the Town Attorney and those matters shall come first in the Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen, at its discretion, may add other matters to the call of the meeting.

Denvir brought the motion to call the Town Meeting and was voted down, one in favor, and two opposed. After voting against the motion, Annino said, "the whole charter needs revision". There are so many holes in it; it is like a "sieve". Denvir contended that the charter did not require the petitioners to ask for a Town Meeting. According to Highway Foreman Jim Ward, the first round of road striping is set to begin immediately. Roast Meat Hill Road is not on the list for the first round, but is on the overall list.

HK Rec Offers Discounted Amusement Park Tickets
The HK Recreation Department has discount tickets available for Six Flags New England and Lake Compounce this summer. Tickets are available from May 1-Sept. 1 and are good for the '04 season. The fee for Six Flags New England tickets is $24.50 for Adults and Juniors (36" and up). There is a $1.00 handling fee per ticket. The total fee per ticket is $25.50. Children under 36" are free. Tickets are good for the whole day. (Regular admission prices are $39.99 for Adults- that is a $14.49 savings). The fee for Lake Compounce tickets is $21.95 for Adults and Juniors (ages 4 & up). There is a $1.05 handling fee per ticket. The total fee per ticket is $23. Children under 3 are free. Tickets are good for the whole day. (Regular admission is $30.95 - that is a $7.95 savings). For more information and how to sign up for discounted tickets, please call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334 or visit them online at www.hkrec.com.

K-Sox Trounce Cromwell in Hitting 'Feast'
On Saturday June 26, the Killingworth Juniors Red Sox Team defeated Cromwell, 22-6. Starting pitcher, Willy Tobelman, worked four strong innings and sat down the first 11 batters he faced. Then, with two outs in the fourth, a Cromwell hitter knocked a ground ball between the mound and third to break up Tobelman's no-hit bid. With a twelve-run lead, veteran reliever Mike Theriault came in to pitch the fifth inning; rookie sensation Ryan Taylor pitched the sixth, and Lou Annino came in to close in the seventh. Offensively, the K-Sox bats pounded Cromwell's pitching. All-Star selection Reed Sturman and Annino each posted three hits that earned them memberships in the Paul Zanardi "Hoagies for Hits" Club. This "coveted award" is granted to any player who is able to post three hits in one game. The award originated when K-Sox player Paul Zanardi was criticized for eating a whole grinder before a game, and then proceeded to hit three for four. The team decided that any player who did the same, would be granted the sandwich of his choice. Asked for comment after the game, Coach Loso said, "The way these guys are hitting, it might be wise to buy stock in Subway. It looks like we're going to be buying a lot of sandwiches." The K-Sox are back in action on Tuesday, June 29 against Portland.

In response to the recent Region 17 mailing, residents Ray Celmer and Gwenne Lally have each written to voice their opinion on the flyer's tone and content. Read their letters here.

Killingworth in the Babe Ruth Playoff Hunt
The Killingworth Babe Ruth baseball team defeated North Branford I, 14-4, last night at Totoket Field in North Branford. The game was called after 5 innings under the mercy rule. At the plate, Eric Auer drove in 4 runs, Billy Kolodziej drove in 3 runs with a pair of doubles, and Michael Callahan and Alex Pollack continued their hot-hitting with 2 hits each. Auer, Kolodziej, Callahan and Pollack each scored 3 runs to pace the Killingworth attack. Last night's win, coupled with Saturday's, 9-0, defeat of North Branford III, improves Killingworth's record to 10-4. In Saturday's game, Matt Cartoceti pitched a seven-inning shutout with 11 strikeouts and no walks. Killingworth's defense is on a 17-inning streak without an error. Coach Larry Pollack says," that has been a huge factor in our winning ways". "The outfield play has been outstanding with Matt Difilippio, Eric Auer, Eric Couture and Matt Ward all making tough running catches game after game." The team has been playing without the services of its starting catcher, Todd Tyburski, who has been sidelined with a severe ankle injury. Forced to shuffle the lineup around the loss of one of its top players, Killingworth has called on Billy Kolodziej and Michael Theriault to handle the catching duties. Killingworth has 4 games remaining and looks to qualify for the playoffs in its first season in Shoreline Babe Ruth.

School District Receives Tax Abatement on Property
According to today's Clinton Recorder, The Region 17 School District, which is exempt from paying town property taxes, has received a tax abatement for taxes owed by the previous owners of the Route 81 property slated to house the new Intermediate/Middle School.

HK High School's Project Graduation
After their traditional graduation ceremony, Haddam-Killingworth High School graduates are treated to an all-night party in the school's fieldhouse. The theme of this year's Project Graduation was Henry VIII and 1/2. Project Graduation Chairman Nancy Bradley and a team of dedicated parents work all year to prepare for the event, and secure funding and gifts from area businesses. The theme is always kept secret until the graduates enter the fieldhouse on the night of graduation but tradition tells them that there will be fun, food, and gifts at the end of the party. This non-alcoholic celebration attracted 95 percent of the graduates and gave each a chance to celebrate in a safe and appropriate setting. Read more about the party in today's Clinton Recorder.

Board of Selectmen's Meeting Rescheduled
Tonight's Board of Selectmen's meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, June 29 at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Offices. On the agenda for visitors are: Michael Board - Study Board of Education and Building Committee Minutes, and Jim Thompson - Review of Action/FOI Decision. The agenda for New Business lists: Increase exemption for veterans; Bid Opening/Small Truck Equipment; "Clarification of FOI Statement by Denvir in Papers" per L. Annino Sr.

Outdoor Track and Field All-State Awards
The Connecticut High School Coaches Association held its 2004 Outdoor Track and Field All State Banquet on June 23. Haddam-Killingworth High School Coach Matt Diglio was named the 2004 C.H.S.C.A. State Outdoor Track and Field Assistant Coach of the Year. Diglio has been assistant coaching the HK Indoor and Outdoor Track teams for the past three years. He is in charge of the Cougar middle/long distance runners. He was born and raised in Monroe, New York and attended Duke University. Head Coach Dick Dupuis said, "Matt has only been with us for three years, his impact on the girls and boys teams has been substantial. He has been central to the development of our distance runners, which have been the primary factors in our recent success. He has motivated as well as earned the respect of our athletes, and has earned the respect of the coaches in the Shoreline Conference for his contributions."

Senior Sean Gallagher was named to the Boys Class M All-State team in the Shot Put. The Girls Class S All-State Team included: Taryn Allegra, Katelyn Deimel, Meghan Scanlon and Kimber Stannard in the 4 x 100 M relay; Danielle Funaro, Lauren Padula, Maygan Salzano and Megan Wilson in the 4 x 800 M relay; Lauren McKinnon in the Triple Jump; Meghan Scanlon in the 200M and Kimber Stannard in the 100M.

Rep. O'Connor Secures State Funding For Clinton Recreation
State Representative Brian O'Connor (D, Clinton, Killingworth) and State Senator Eileen Daily (D, Westbrook) announced Friday that the State Bond Commission approved $161,337 in state bond monies to finance recreation improvements in Clinton. The State Aid included $61,050 for basketball courts at Ethel Peters Recreation Complex, $44, 287 for the Little League Field at Jared Eliot School and $56,000 towards the construction of a skateboard park.

According to their press release, "because of the growing wear and tear resulting from increasing demand on existing facilities, Rep. O'Connor and Sen. Daily pushed for the additional state aid in an effort to continue to promote a safe and healthy environment for young and old alike in the Clinton community".

"Today's announcement is a big victory for the Clinton community," Rep. O'Connor said. "Working toward passage of this bond package has been a high priority for me this session, and I am confident it will have a very positive impact on the quality of life for the community. Completing these necessary improvements to these recreation projects helps promote healthy, outdoor activities, including skateboarding, baseball and basketball, for kids and adults."

State Senator Eileen Daily said: "Rep. O'Connor and I worked hard to bring this funding to Clinton, and I am very pleased that the Bond Commission has placed it on this week's agenda. All of these improvements to the various ball fields will greatly benefit the children of Clinton who partake in leagues and other sporting activities, and the skate park will be a wonderful addition as well. I am glad we were able to help deliver this funding,"

Rep. O'Connor and Sen. Daily, according to the report, participated in meetings with town officials and other members of the community then worked with House and Senate leadership to ensure the "good-faith effort and financial contributions of the citizens of Clinton would be met with the state aid needed to carry out the projects".

Clinton First Selectman James McCusker said, "As in the past, both Rep. O'Connor and Sen. Daily have assisted us in pursuing any available grants that would improve the quality of life in the Clinton community. Again it appears they have been successful, and the community is much appreciative of their efforts."

Cubs Win KYL Minors Championship
The Nex-Gen Cubs defeated the Gersz Law Red Sox, 13-7, yesterday to win the Killingworth Youth League Minors Championship at Sheldon Park. The Cubs are coached by Lee Wezenski, Kevin Grealish and Bill Velez. Team members are: Austin Wezenski, Wes Nuhn, Aidan Grealish, Luke Velez, Cameron Gesick, Kaylle Jonas, Alex Benevelli, Jared McFarlane, Matthew McCann, Noah Gruskin and Robert Annino.

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
by Erik Larson
ISBN: 0609608444

The year is 1893, and the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, is about to open. As the mastermind and master architect of the buildings that came to be known as "The White City", Daniel Burnham had overseen a project that did not seem possible to complete. His coordination of architects, builders, and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted resulted in a creation so large and awe-inspiring that it attracted millions of visitors to Chicago. Burnham, who had built the Flatiron Building in New York and Union Station in Washington, D.C., was possessed to make his mark on Chicago and the world with the Chicago World's Fair.

In an adjoining part of the city, the charming and charismatic John Holmes is masterminding his horrific plans of murder. Holmes preys on innocent young women who are drawn to the city for work and opportunity. His boarding house, just on the edge of the train line into the Fair, provides rooms for young women, and ample victims for his schemes.

In The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson alternates between the inception and building of the World's Columbian Exposition, and the shocking trail of murders that John Holmes leaves behind. How the two stories intersect creates a fascinating page-turner of a 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