First Selectman Involved in "Bat-gate"
Faced with the dilemma of where to store a dead bat overnight until it could be tested for rabies, First Selectman David Denvir thought he took all the necessary precautions before placing it in the town office's communal refrigerator. According to town employees however, it was a very bad idea. The result is that "Canine Castle" has a new storage refrigerator, the town offices has none, and the story reads like a Dr. Suess children's book. Read all about this in today's New Haven Register.

Building Inspector Under Investigation
The Hartford Courant reported today that Richard Leighton, Killingworth's part-time building inspector and sanitarian has been suspended from his position in Essex, where he is the town's building inspector and fire marshal, after Essex town officials were informed he is the subject of a fraud investigation by the office of the chief state's attorney.

This week, Around Town On Foot traveled to the Deer Lake Scout Reservation. Maintained, preserved and well trod by the local Boys Scout troops, this is one of many great trails on the Connecticut Yankee Council Boy Scouts of America property. The trail is well marked and has wonderful views of the lake and wildlife. The trails on the reservation are used by campers and scouts for most of the summer so it is important to respect their space and privacy. So, get out for a hike this weekend and enjoy a family adventure right in your own backyard. Visit Exploring the Killingworth Trails for a preview and trail information. Visit the links section to add to your hiking experience. A new trail will be added every week throughout the summer. Send your trail suggestions or comments to editor@killingworthtoday.com

Final Tally Shows Low Voter Turnout
The unofficial primary results from the Connecticut Secretary of the State show a 16.7% voter turnout for enrolled Killingworth Democrats in Tuesday's Congressional primary; The average turnout for the District 2 primary was 17%. Of the 855 enrolled Killingworth Democrats, 85 voted for Shaun McNally and 58 voted for the eventual primary winner, and party nominated candidate, Jim Sullivan. The state average for all Democratic primaries was 19.2%. Jim Sullivan won the right to challenge incumbent Republican Rob Simmons in the November election.

Youth Center Ready for a New Year
The Haddam Youth Center, owned and maintained by the Town of Haddam, is gearing up for the new school year with an exciting line-up of teen activities. Haddam and Killingworth youths are encouraged to attend band nights, theatre groups, billiards, movies and more. Event schedules will be posted in your local areas. Membership fees are just $35.00 per year for Haddam residents and $45.00 for Killingworth students. Standard hours of operation are Fridays, 7:00-11:00 p.m. for 8-12th grades and Saturdays 7:00-10:00 p.m. for 5th-7th grades. For more information call the Youth Center directly at 345-5145 or Haddam and Killingworth Youth and Family Services at 345-7498.

Three Killingworth Youths Grab Gold Medal
The South-5 Intermediate Boys Soccer Team won the gold medal on Sunday at the 2004 Nutmeg State Games at Trinity College in Hartford. Killingworth's Greg Cumpstone, Liam Isleib and Tim Swanson were members of the Under-14 district team comprised of players from the southeast portion of the state. The South-5 team, coached by Steve Isleib, finished with a 4-1 record at the Games and won the final game, 3-2, against the North-6 squad. Nick Pezzente from Old Saybrook and Casey McGarvey from Bozrah scored the team's goals and Cumpstone had 10 goalie saves. In the Under-18 Futures Division, Isleib coached his son Drew's Predator East 3 team to a silver medal, losing, 4-1, to the North 1 squad in the finals. photos by Mary Lee Blackwell

OBITUARY
The Hartford Courant reported the passing of Kathleen O'Connor Kenney of Rebecca Lane on Sunday August 8 at her home. She was a member of St. Lawrence Church in Killingworth and enjoyed ballet, flowers and gardening. She was very family oriented and cherished her children. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Richard Kenney; her mother Mary (Barrett) O'Connor of North Haven; four children, Tiffany, Barrett, Brianna and Shane; a sister, Nora Graton of North Haven; two aunts and two uncles, Morgan, Rita, Maurice and Cecilia Barrett; and several other aunts, uncles and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August l2, at St. Lawrence Church, 7 Hemlock Dr., Killingworth. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Killingworth. There will be no calling hours and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to a college fund for her children's education, c/o Liberty Bank, 8 E. Main St., Clinton, 06413. Swan Funeral Home, 80 E. Main St., Clinton was entrusted with arrangements.

Sullivan Wins District Primary
Jim Sullivan has won the Democratic Primary tonight taking 67% of the votes in the 2nd District race against Shaun McNally. Sullivan will face incumbent Republican Rep. Rob Simmons in the November election for the U.S. House of Representative. The overall voting percentage for registered Democrats was 18.5%.

Sullivan was born and raised in Norwich, Connecticut. He and his wife Colleen, have three sons. He worked in the financial services industry for 12 years, rising to become the Branch Manager at the UBS Financial Services office in New London, before leaving his job to campaign full-time in December 2003. He was endorsed by the Democratic party at the convention in March 2004 and received endorsements from Sen. Chris Dodd as well as Rep. Rosa DeLauro from the 3rd District and Rep. John Larson from the 1st District.

Annino Delays Selectman's Appointment
Killingworth's Democratic Selectman Louis Annino Sr. said, at last night's Board meeting, that he and his party need more time before considering candidates for the vacancy created when Selectman Charles Morgan abruptly resigned on July 30. Annino said his party is investigating the procedure for a special election and requested that the item be put on the agenda for the next Board of Selectmen's meeting without a vote. Republican First Selectman David Denvir however, said his party was prepared to present a name for consideration and wanted to move forward. After some discussion on the procedure for filling the selectman's vacancy, Denvir decided to call for a vote to appoint Republican John Amport to the seat. Amport currently serves on the Board of Finance and serves as the Republican Town Chairman. The vote was: one in favor; one opposed, so no action was taken. The Killingworth Town Charter states that the vacancy be filled according to State statute. The two remaining selectmen have until August 30 to agree on an appointment. If they cannot agree, the decision is deferred to the elected Republican town officials for an appointment. Following an appointment, a petition may be presented within 15 days to call for a special election. Town Clerk Susan Adinolfo said she spoke with the secretary of the state's office and was told a special election could not be put on the November ballot and the earliest it could take place was January.

The Connecticut Statute 9-222 states:

Sec. 9-222. Filling of vacancy in office of first selectman or selectman. Petition for special election. When a vacancy occurs in the office of first selectman or in the office of selectman it shall be filled within thirty days after the day of its occurrence by the remaining members of the board of selectmen. Said remaining members may appoint one of themselves to fill a vacancy in the office of first selectman, if they so desire, and shall then fill the ensuing vacancy in the office of selectman as herein provided. If such a vacancy in the office of first selectman or of selectman is not so filled within thirty days after the day of its occurrence, the town clerk shall, within ten days thereafter, notify the elective town officers enrolled in the same political party as the first selectman or selectman, as the case may be, who vacated the office, or all elective town officers, if such first selectman or selectman who vacated the office was not enrolled with a political party, and it shall be filled by such elective town officers within sixty days after its occurrence. Any person so appointed shall serve for the portion of the term remaining unexpired or until a special election called as hereinafter provided upon petition of a number of electors of such town equal to five per cent of the names on the last-completed registry list thereof, but not fewer than fifty such electors. Such petition shall be filed no later than fifteen days after the appointment by the remaining selectmen or such elective town officers, as the case may be. Such a special election shall forthwith be called by the town clerk upon the filing of such a petition with him and shall be held in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-164, 9-450 and 9-459. The term "town officers", as used in this section, shall not include state representatives or town officers who serve on town boards whose members are not all elected at one town election for the same term.

Connecticut Democratic Primary Today
The 2nd Congressional District Primary will be held today to decide who will run against incumbent Republican Rep. Rob Simmons in the Congressional race in November. Voting will take place at Killingworth Elementary School from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. All registered Democrats are eligible to vote. For more information on the candidates go to their websites or read these recent articles.
Jim Sullivan
Shaun McNally
War a key issue in 2nd District according to the Hartford Courant.
How the candidates match up according to the Middletown Press.

OBITUARY
The New Haven Register reported the death of Roast Meat Hill Road resident Edward F. Nash. He was employed by Durham Manufacturing Co.,was an avid NASCAR fan and a member of the Model A Ford Restorer's Club of Connecticut. Nash was a volunteer fireman in the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company since the age of 14 and was awarded an honorary life membership in the KVFC in November 2002. He is survived by his parents H. Franklin and Carol Ann Nash; sisters Ginger and Susan; grandmother Chary and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A celebration of his life will be held at the Congregational Church of Killingworth, Saturday, August 14 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company, Rt. 81.

Volunteer Fire Company Car Show Set for Sunday
The Killingworth Volunteer. Fire Co. will hold its 7th Annual Car Show from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 15 at the Killingworth Elementary School. Spectators will be admitted free while show cars will be admitted for $5. Trophies will be awarded based on spectator judging and dash plaques will be awarded to the first 100 cars. Refreshments will be available and show proceeds will benefit the Connecticut Burn Foundation. For more information contact Brent Cody at 663-1785

Images from the Congregational Church Fair

Beyond the Deepwoods
by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
ISBN: 0385750684

Beyond the Deepwoods is the first book in the children's fantasy series The Edge Chronicles, introducing the reader to Twig and his wild world. Twig lives in a strange and dangerous area called the Deepwoods with his parents Spelda and Tuntum Snatchwoods. The story begins with Spelda telling Twig the story of his naming, where the truth comes out that Twig is not really their child. Twig knows he looks very different from the two woodtrolls who have raised him, but this news is surprising and sad to him. This single fact changes his life, and launches him on his adventures to find his true place in the world, which will require leaving the familiarity of the Deepwoods.

Twig sets out into the Deepwoods, where his life is constantly at risk. He encounters a venomous halitoad, a horrible hover worm, flesh-eating trees, and many other terrible and deadly creatures. Twig's journey is exciting and thrilling; he must use all of his talents and will to keep himself alive. In his darkest hour, will the caterbird come in time to rescue him? And is it possible that his long-lost father is a sky pirate?

Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell have also authored Stormchaser, the wonderful second novel in this children's fantasy series. It takes Twig aboard a sky ship with a motley crew of sky pirates, on a perilous mission to acquire the volatile substance stormphrax. The third novel in the series, Midnight Over Sanctaphrax, will be released September 14, 2004.

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