To the Editor:
This letter is sent in response to Amy Perry's regarding speeding in our town. I commend Ms. Perry for admitting that she is among the speeders. As her neighbor, I can attest to the fact that Parker Hill Road and Extension are abused in this way, and If I'm being honest I can be counted among the hurried. I have recently made it a point to slow down as well.

A question in the letter that I'd like to answer ...it implies pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists are a hazard on our roads, causing more danger to themselves and motorists (I happen to belong to two of these three groups) and she would like to know the reasons why we don't use the State Forest nearby. Actually, we do. As a member of the equestrian community I will tell you that there are few access ways to the State forest these days, due in large part to development. In my particular case, I face a steep cliff, rocky outcroppings and a rushing river that prohibit entry on horseback from our property. We therefore walk on the road to the main entrance at County Road so that we do have access. It's not a choice we want to make, it's a necessity. Read more

Haddam-Killingworth High School Principal Charles Macunas has announced the fourth term Honor Roll for the 2006-2007 school year. Find the complete list here.

Hartford Courant Columnist Rick Green recently sat down with 'A Better Haddam' candidates Diane Stock and Tanja Moriarity to discuss their qualifications for higher office. Green gives his take on Haddam First Selectman Tony Bondi's recent comments regarding his opponents' status of being stay-at-home moms. Read Green's column

To the Editor:
I want to thank those who attended the recent Democratic caucus and put the democratic process to work. I am honored to be the Democratic Party's candidate for First Selectman and will work to conduct an issues based campaign that includes all members of the Democratic slate. As I said at the caucus, Marty Klein has begun projects long overdue. It is my intention to build on the positive initiatives that had their beginnings in the KDTC's 2005 platform and to take a comprehensive look at what we need to do now for the future health of our community. Read more

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To the Editor:
I think we ALL need to look at the speed we travel on the roads in town. I live on Parker Hill Ext. and am a speeder. You can all identify me because I have my name on the side of my vehicle. You feel I go TOO FAST... Yet what is your average speed on the roads? Are you going 30, 35, 40 mph? I feel you view speeding in degrees. You go 30 to 35 mph and feel this is alright. I may be going 40 to 45 and you feel I am speeding too fast. Guess what - we are all speeding!! If you get the resident trooper to patrol the roads of Killingworth, we will ALL get tickets!! I have been driving the roads of Killingworth for over 20 years. I have only followed vehicles a handful of times going just 25 mph. Read more

Did you know that your dog's waste can be a health risk and source of water pollution? Do you and your dog "Give a Bark for a Clean State Park?" Then join Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District staff at Chatfield Hollow State Park in the coming weeks to learn more.

This summer the District initiated an education and outreach campaign about the health and environmental risks associated with dog waste. The campaign, focused on Chatfield Hollow State Park, was developed in collaboration with the CT Department of Environmental Protection. Schreeder Pond and Chatfield Hollow Brook, which flows through the park and feeds the pond, are included on the state's List of Impaired Waterbodies due to beach closures that result from high levels of bacteria. Pet waste that collects on the roads and trails has been noted by park staff as a potential source of pollution to the brook and pond during rainstorms or when snow melts.

Five new pet waste disposal stations have been purchased and will be set up at the park, and educational materials have been developed and distributed to area veterinarian offices and pet stores. District staff will be visiting the park to hand out FREE Doggie Gift Bags full of educational materials, as well as human and dog treats! Be sure to look for our table during your walk and stop by to say "Hi" and learn how you and your pet can "Give a Bark."

This campaign is made possible with support from a US EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 Grant administered by the CT Department of Environmental Protection. Doggie Gift Bags include generous donations from the all-natural dog treat company, Blue Dog Bakery.

The Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Middletown, works to conserve the natural resources of towns in the lower Connecticut River watershed and coastal areas. For more information about the District and the "Give a Bark for a Clean State Park" project, visit our website at www.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal.

The Haddam-Killingworth Middle School PTO will be holding its 20th annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday November 17, 2007 from 9am-3pm at its new location, HK Middle School, 451 Killingworth Road(Rte 81), Killingworth. Interested crafters should contact Linda Kauffman at 860-345-9120 for an application.

The 3-2-1- Read author event scheduled for Saturday, August 11 has been postponed. Sudden Sea: The Great Hurricane of 1938 author R. A. Scotti has had to postpone her visit, but is still very interested in discussing her book and collecting stories from residents. A new date and time has not been determined yet, but the library staff are still collecting names and phone numbers of interested participants. Please call (860)663-2000 for more information.

To the Editor:
As Chair of the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee's Nominating Committee I would like to commend the entire KDTC and all town Democrats on our party's recent caucus.

Through a fair and open process the gratifyingly large turnout accommodated varying viewpoints - all of them focused on the best interests of all Killingworth residents. The procedure, adjudicated by Marti Carlson, 12th District State Democratic Committeewoman, was impartial, balanced and inclusive. The tone of the evening was congenial - friends and neighbors cordially agreeing to occasionally disagree. Read more

Sunday July 29:
• 2:51AM: Medical emergency, Chestnut Hill Rd
• 5:14 AM: Medical emergency, Schnoor Rd
• 5:55 PM: Medical emergency, Swan Lake Trl
Monday July 30:
• 2:40 AM: Structure fire, Route 148
• 11:36 AM: Medical emergency, Madison Hollow
Tuesday July 31:
• 3:59 PM: Fire alarm, Fawn Hill Rd
• 7:40 PM: Fire alarm, Old Mine Rd
Wednesday August 1:
• 12:49 AM: Mutual aid to Durham, station coverage
• 10:13 PM: Medical emergency, Rte 81 and Wolf Hollow Ln
Thursday August 2:
• 6:51 AM: Motor vehicle accident, Route 148
Friday August 3:
• 2:13 PM: Medical emergency, Stonewall Dr
Saturday August 4:
• 2:54 AM: Mutual aid to Clinton, Motor vehicle accident, Nod Rd

This summer's highly anticipated musical production of Oliver! will offer senior citizens a free dress rehearsal preview on Monday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Haddam-Killingworth Middle School on Route 81. Many area senior organizations have already arranged for transportation to the performance. All area seniors are welcome to attend. For more information, special arrangements, or to arrange transportation please contact the producer at 860-663-1092.

R.A. Scotti, the author of Sudden Sea: the Great Hurricane of 38, will speak at Killingworth Library on Saturday, August 11th, at 4:00 pm. Along with a talk and short film, audience members will have a chance to share their own "storm stories", (from 1938 or more recently). Be prepared to get swept away by tales surrounding the worst natural disaster in New England History!

* This program is free, but space is limited, so please sign up. Visit the Killingworth Library, or call 663-2000 to reserve a spot. This event has been postponed until fall. Please check with the library for information

Killingworth Evergreen Garden Club has awarded Matthew Cartoceti with the garden club's annual scholarship. He will be attending Cornell University in the fall and will be enrolled in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. Cartoceti realizes the importance of preserving nature as well as the environmental issues facing our world today. For the summer he was accepted into a program at Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island off the coast of Maine. There he studied marine life and helped in researching the fragile ecosystem of our coastal waters. Because of his love of nature as well as his concern for current environmental issues; Cartoceti will major in The Science of Natural & Environmental Systems with his concentration focused on Environmental Biology & Ecology.

Come to the beach at Chatfield Hollow State Park on Thursday, August 9 at 8:00 P.M. for a campfire on the beach. Join park staff as they tell some stories that may have been told by the Native Americans that once lived in the Chatfield Hollow area. Enjoy a beautiful summer night and learn a little history too.

The campfire will last no longer than two hours. Those planning to attend should bring their own blanket and chairs. This program is weather permitting. All ages are welcome to attend this free program, and no registration is required

For more information, call Samantha Wentworth at (203) 734-2513. For cancellations due to inclement weather, contact the Chatfield Hollow State Park Office at (860) 663-2030.

Killingworth resident Eileen Lawrence was the top female finisher in Saturday's Annual Killingworth Road Race hosted by the Congregational Church. Lawrence finished 16th overall with a time of 26:53.4 for the four-mile race. The winner of the race was Hamden resident Bart Wasiolek. A track and cross country coach at Shelton High School, Wasiolek said he is planning to run a race in Falmouth next week and decided this race was a good warm up. He finished with a time of 21:28.6. Wasiolek said it was a good race and would probably return next year. The race drew 105 runners this year despite the warm and humid weather. The top finishers for each division were rewarded for their efforts with pies.

The other top finishers were (2) Michael Waterbury from Higganum, also the winner of the Under 18 Division; (3) Lee Piccirillo from Murfreesboro, Tenn, winner of the Men's Master's Division; (4) Jake Corbett from Killingworth and (5) Bryan Feitel from Haddam. The other top female finishers were (23) Jessica Mullany, winner of the female Under 18 Division; (29) Katharine Van Itallie from New York, NY; (34) Joann Demicco from Plainville and (35) Kimber Stannard from Higganum, winner of the Women's Open Division.

For complete race results visit the Church's race website.


Overall winners Bart Wasiolek and Eileen Lawrence

Principal, Miriam Furey-Wagner, is pleased to announce the honor roll for the third term of the 2006-2007 school year at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School. View a complete list on www.rsd17.org

Killingworth resident Meghan Sepega (second row, fourth from left), recently traveled with her softball team, the CT Hornets of Branford, to the Pony National Fastpitch Tournament in Vienna Ohio. The 10 and under team came in third place behind the Connecticut Eliminators and Champion Lady Lasers Gold team from Upper Sandusky Ohio. The Lasers finished the season with a 60-0 record. The fast-pitch softball league plays from April to the end of July. The CT Hornets were coached by Bob Kenny and Gary Flowers.

Photo courtesy D. Sepega

Eleven year old Michael Milano (yep, a relation to this writer of Points of Light) sold his vegetables at the library book sale on Saturday, donating the profits to the library. Among the produce were heirloom tomatoes, onions, cucumber, eggplant, zucchini, cherry tomatoes and string beans. Mike and his dad have been planning and cultivating their new garden since early spring, having tremendous success with their first harvest. Glancing at the melon patch I'm wondering if we should look into shipping to third world countries. Mike plans to donate more vegetables this season to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen. A tip to parents whose children are vegetable-resistant: Have them grow their own. For some reason it's more appealing to eat what you've labored over. Go figure.

To the Editor:
In regard to the recent article the Killingworth Krier regarding Killingworth speeders, I must say that I am completely tired of the ridiculous speeds at which people drive on these country roads. Walking to my mailbox can be tricky. In the three years that I've lived on Roast Meat Hill Road, the speeding has substantially worsened. Had I known about this issue, I would never have purchased a home here. I walk my dog, but no longer my horse. It's treacherous. Cars, vans, trucks and motorcycles fly by at speeds of >60 mph. This is a through street for many large trucks going one town to another, which it should not be. It should be posted at both ends as not a through street. Also, many drivers are repeat offenders, and I have a rather long list of license plate numbers. I now call the police to report some instances, such as the red Jeep and the black BMW who go by women pushing baby strollers at at least 60 mph. They don't slow down. They don't move away from the walkers. Read more