Daylight Savings Time begins tomorrow Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 a.m. Remember to set your clocks ahead and use the opportunity to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

HK Sports: On Thursday, Februay 28th the Nutmeg Diving Championships were held at Plainville High School. HK Swim Team Divers, Reese Gesick, Corinne Mazzotta, and Denis Ugurlu participated in the event. Mazzotta placed third in the event earning All Conference. She also placed 8th in the Class S Diving Championships held on March 6th. The Class S swimming events will begin today at Plainville High School.

Corinne Mazzotta executing a back dive with one-half twist. Photo courtesy S. Mazzotta

To the Editor:
Of course this complaint doesn't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world, but it should not go without notice that Comcast has slowly but surely removed its presentation of NY Rangers' games for Clinton-based subscribers. There was a time when the occasional game might show up on C-SPAN 1 or 2. Other times - completely hit or miss - a fan might find the games on Fox Sports New England. No such luck anymore. The NY Rangers are owned by Comcast competitor Cablevision, so there is every reason to understand their reluctance to promote the team or the coverage. Ethical business practice would suggest that they notify subscribers of the change rather than trying to slink out of the room.

Will Duggan

The Killingworth Scholarship Association is offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are residents of Killingworth. Applications must be submitted by e-mail and are available through our website at www.KillingworthToday.com/KSA. The application deadline is March 31st.

The application process involves completion of a questionnaire and an essay, followed by an interview for promising candidates. Interviews will be held in late April and early May.

The Killingworth Scholarship Association has awarded over $85,000 to many outstanding students over the last two decades. Each year, the committee, which consists of community volunteers, reviews applications from an impressive group of young men and women. Based on their academic achievement, character, leadership skills, and participation in school and community activities, the committee selects several students for the scholarships. Income is not a consideration. The amount of each scholarship varies depending on both the number of successful applicants and the amount of money contributed.

If you are interested in supporting our students, please send your tax-deductible contribution to: The Killingworth Scholarship Association, Inc., c/o Robin Chasse, Treasurer, PO Box 653, Killingworth, CT 06419.

The Killingworth Lion's Club recently named Charles E. Martens, Jr. its 2008 Citizen of the Year. The Board of Selectmen proclaimed February 18, Charles E. Martens, Jr. Day. The proclamation stated, Martens has selflessly shared his time, effort, numerous skills and extensive knowledge for the economic, emotional, spiritual and fraternal enrichment of the Town of Killingworth and its residents, thereby raising up this humble community and providing to all a model of charity and goodwill. Through a variety of civic, social, professional, charitable and public service capacities, he has served this community with honor, integrity, humility, love and dedication.

Martens has served as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for twenty years, fourteen as Chairperson, member of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, the Open Space Sub-Committee, the Charter Revision Commission, the Killingworth Housing Partnership, the Democratic Town Committee and current active member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. He is also an active member of the Killingworth Lions having served as President and Vice President.

First Selectman Richard Cabral awards Charles E. Martens, Jr the Lion's Club Citizen of the Year Award. Contributed Photo

The Killingworth Evergreen Garden Club will host The Garden Earth - The English Lady - Maureen Haseley-Jones on Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Killingworth Old Town Hall on the grounds of the Congregational Church on Route 81.

This well renowned landscape horticultural designer sought after by radio, lecturer and newspaper columns will lecture on the Garden Earth. The Garden Earth series is about her philosophy of reconnecting people's hearts and hands with the nourishing energy of Mother Nature's live giving gardens. She will stress upon using organic materials in creating beautiful gardens while creating a symbiotic relationship with the earth. The English Lady with her upbeat humorous personality will teach us on how to make positive choices in our gardens to protect our health and lifestyles from harmful toxins. Please join us to see this wonderful speaker.

At the Healthy Communities-Healthy Kids Coalition meeting last Wednesday, visitors and members received an updated overview of the effects of marijuana on today's youth by Project Courage Director Andy Buccaro. He dispelled several myths about marijuana use, talked about addiction, the brain's reaction to marijuana and the consequences of use.

Myth one is that marijuana is a gateway drug. Buccaro said there is little research to support the belief that marijuana leads to cocaine and other harder drugs. However, he did say that when cocaine users were asked, a large percentage admitted to having started with marijuana. The second prevalent myth is that marijuana is exponentially more potent now then in the 60s and 70s. He said credibility is lost when youth are told that marijuana in 2008 is a hundred times more potent than decades ago. Buccaro said the truth is that marijuana is 2-4 times more potent now and that important fact gets lost when the numbers are exaggerated.

Buccaro said he would love to be able to demonize marijuana, but it is more important to maintain objectivity. He said marijuana use causes changes in brain chemistry and rewards the user with a flood of endorphins. Those changes cause consequences that are almost identical to heroin use: changes to the reward system that lead to developmental stunting; dishonesty; risk taking; mood swings, relationship changes and physical consequences such as respiratory, immune system and cardiovascular damage.

Buccaro said that treatment admissions have doubled since 1993. The Healthy Communities-Healthy Kids Coalition is working to educate the youth, parents and community members, to prevent children from starting the risky behavior of marijuana use and to identify and help children who need help breaking the addiction.

Andy Buccaro addresses coalition members

The Killingworth Lions Club will once again sponsor the "Annual Spring Egg Hunt" for the children of Killingworth. The event begins promptly at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 15th at the rear KES fields (rain date is March 22nd). All children, Pre-K through 4th Grade are welcome. Bring a bag or basket to collect all the eggs. Additional prizes will be awarded to a lucky few who find 'special' eggs. You may even see an appearance by a certain special Bunny!

HK Sports: Haddam-Killingworth High School Gymnasts Emery Johannes and Emily Pollack made 2nd Team All-State. The All State banquet is set for March 13th at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

Th HK Boys Basketball team were knocked out of the State Tournament last night with a 52-47 loss to Ansonia. Dan Wendt scored 20 points and Steve Landell chipped in 8. HK's record is 20-10.

Five young Cougar Aquatic Team swimmers swept first place in six different events at Connecticut Swimming's Regional Championships at Connecticut College in New London last weekend.

First place Regional Champions include Neal Tyson, age 12, first place in the 50-yard freestyle (28.04); Tess Grimaldi, age 10, 50-yard freestyle (31.95); Jake Gibbons, age 11, 50-yard butterfly (34.47); Mason Revis, age 10, 50-yard freestyle (31.67) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:33.98); Katie Faust, age 14, took first place in the 400-yard individual medley, (5:12.69).

Second place finishes were grabbed by Revis in the 50-yard backstroke and the 50-yard butterfly, Tyson in the 100 free, and Grimaldi in the 200-yd individual medley. Congratulations, CAT swimmers!

CT Swimming Regional Champions Tess Grimaldi, Katie Faust, Mason Revis, and Jake Gibbons. Missing from photo: Neal Tyson. Photo courtesy S. Grimaldi

11:00 AM: According to Fire Chief Richard Bauer, Rte 81 is now open. There was a large tree across the road at the Haddam / Killingworth line. The Killingworth and Haddam Fire Companies cut the tree up and cleared the road with assistance from Killingworth Public Works.

Rte 148 just east of Emanuel Church will be closed or down to one lane for most of the day due to a tree that took down the power lines and snapped a pole. CL&P is there but the pole needs to be replaced, lines repaired, tree cut, etc. SNET and COMCAST will also need to repair / re-attach their lines there. Bauer also reported incidents on Parker Hill Rd, Bethke Rd and Emanuel Church Rd this morning as a result of the storm.

7:00 AM: WTNH.com reports that Route 81 is blocked just north of North Parker Hill Road due to fallen trees. Reg. 17 School District alerted parents that there may be transportation delays.

Region 17 Schools Superintendent Gary Mala unveiled his 2008-2009 proposed budget last night to Board of Education members. Mala is proposing a budget of $36,358,743, which represents a $1,861,387 increase or a total increase of 5.4% over last year. The proposed budget includes a 5.29% or $98,405 increase in learning programs.

Killingworth's share of the proposed budget would be $15,405,219.13 based on student population. Haddam increased its enrollment by 97 students last year where enrollment in Killingworth dropped by 33 students. The budget reflects 91.05% nondiscretionary costs such as contractual obligations, salaries and benefits, transportation costs, debt service and facility expenses. This year's transportation budget is a 44.88% increase over last year.

According to Mala, the budget maintains the District's commitment to significant curriculum revision work; supports program changes at HKHS necessary for the upcoming NEAC accreditation scheduled for 2009-2010; maintains class sizes at to near maximum levels of adopted ranges; maintains the District's commitment to the acquisition of technology and the integration of such technologies into all instructional areas K-12; provides additional counseling services to support student transitions and advance specific initiatives included in the Strategic Plan for the District; increases support for the District's preschool population; introduces a virtual learning environment for students at HKHS and HKMS; increases support for athletic and non-athletic co-curricular programs; maintains a responsible, preventative Building Improvement Plan and maintains the District's commitment to providing the necessary resources for high quality professional development for staff.

The Board of Education will work to refine the budget over the next few months in advance of the annual hearing on April 28 and the town referendums on Tuesday, May 6th.

To the Editor:
How ridiculous and petty can this world be, certainly there must be better things for the resource recovery group to do then look into taking money or deposits from the boy scouts. Scouts please, see if a simple container can be placed at the back side of the baseball field, or wherever. If the deposit cans don't get delivered to the recycle center then there's nothing to turn over and the matter is resolved. Ask the scouts or their parents or leaders to pick up the empties weekly and take them to a local store for a refund. This is absolutely ludicrous. Why in the world do these committees and attorneys need to get involved in boy scout deposits. Set the collection box up someplace else. If people want to, and I'm sure they will, they can drop the deposits off wherever else and the issue is resolved as the cans and bottles never enter the recycle center. The recovery committee should be ashamed of themselves for going after the boy scouts fund raising efforts. They certainly must have better things to do they try to recover $10 (a ton?) from the scouts. I wonder how many bottles or cans are in a ton. How silly and petty can they be?

Richard Graham

Spring is almost here and that means Summer is around the corner! Make this the Summer you feel great about yourself! Experience the results of small group personal training with Fitness Trainer, Joey Morman at The Fitness Connection. The Late Winter session starts the week of March 10th and there are still a few spots open. The 1 hour classes are held at The Fitness Connection studio and you get personal training in a small group setting for only $160. Classes meet twice a week for 6 weeks. You will work out your whole body each class and most importantly, you will love the way you look and feel after only 12 sessions.

New in 2008 is a one hour cardio training session meeting 2x a week at 5pm on Tuesday and Thursday. The class starts March 11th and runs for 4 weeks through April 3rd. The cost is $120 and the class is limited to 4 individuals. For details on the group training classes or the NEW Cardio class or to reserve a spot in either, call 860-663-0326.

The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) Board of Directors announced that Killingworth resident Gary King has retired after serving as its President and Executive Director for 16 years. King retired on February 29. John Craford has been appointed the Acting Interim President and Executive Director.

"On behalf of the Board and residents of Connecticut, I want to thank Gary for his work over the many years he has guided CHFA," Rolan Joni Young, Chairperson of the CHFA Board of Directors, said. "During his tenure, CHFA has initiated a number of programs that have had a positive impact on thousands of families throughout Connecticut and his commitment to assist homebuyers while guiding CHFA through the peaks and valleys of the housing market will be missed."

The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority was created in 1969. Throughout the years, CHFA has played a significant role in the housing market by financing thousands of mortgages each year for first-time homebuyers; more than 109,000 since its inception and has financed the construction and/or rehabilitation of over 28,000 affordable rental housing units. CHFA is able to make housing affordable to low- and moderate-income residents through its low-interest rate financing programs.

Assessor Donna Shanoff reported that the town's October 2007 grand list is up by 1.45 percent. The increase would generate about $248,220 in new tax revenue at the current tax rate of 21.2 mills, or $21.20 in tax for each $1,000 of assessed property value. Increases were recorded in all three categories: real estate, personal property and motor vehicles.

According to the Harford Courant, Shanoff said completion of several large new homes contributed to a $9.2 million jump in the real estate assessment total. She said personal property was boosted by the leasing of the former Pharmedica Communications building on Route 80. Simpson Healthcare Executives relocated from Old Lyme to Killingworth in April 2007, bringing about $287,000 in assessed equipment to the 20,000-square-foot building that had been vacant since its completion in 2002.

The building, and another 18,000-square-foot office building located on the same property, are now owned by M&M Realty Holdings LLC. The 18,000-square-foot building that was constructed in 1996 has been vacant since Pharmedica Communications ceased operations in late 2005.

Grand List Total: $806,619,307
Top Ten Taxpayers
   1. Jensens Residential Communities LLC, $4,681,390
   2. Connecticut Light & Power Company, $4,105,140
   3. Connecticut Water Co., $3,712,850
   4. Deer Lake II LLC, $3,187,040
   5. M & M Realty Holdings LLC, $3,028,110
   6. Cranberry Meadows Development LLC, $1,472,170
   7. Eugene and Catherine Gargiulo, $1,433,080
   8. George and Frances Ginsberg, $1,378,800
   9. Michael and Nancy Reznik, $1,289,440
   10. CBS-II LLC, $1,188,700

Plans for the Third Annual John P. Hine, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament, to be held at the Clinton Country Club on Monday, June 9, 2008, are well underway. The Tournament is a major fundraiser for the Killingworth Library and under the direction of its chairwoman, Shelly Cumpstone, has met and exceeded its goals during its first two years. This year's event is co-chaired by Shelly and Katherine Smith.

Letters have already been sent out to previous sponsors and donors and to potential newcomers. The generosity of the business and artistic community are an essential part of the Golf Tournament's sponsorship and a major source of donated auction and raffle items. Since the Killingworth Library is a non-profit organization, all contributions are tax-deductible.

Golfers can begin planning their foursomes and sign up early to guarantee a spot. There is a maximum capacity of 140 golfers and the successes of the 2006 and the 2007 Annual John P. Hine, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament are bringing many teams back. The cost for the day's outing remains the same, $175 per golfer. An 11:00 a.m. lunch will be followed by a 12:30 shotgun tee time. Cocktails and dinner in the Club's gracious dining room will follow the day's adventure. Shelly Cumpstone is the contact person. She can be reached at 860 663 2747.

Killingworth Elementary School celebrated the 11th Annual Read Across America Day and the 105th birthday of Dr. Seuss yesterday. Students gathered in the all-purpose room for an assembly to start off the day and the guest readers visited the classrooms to read their favorite stories. Guest readers included Town and school officials, members of the Board of Education, local senior citizens and special guests like WTNH weatherman Gil Simmons who read Green Eggs and Ham with Principal Rita Peretto at the kickoff assembly.

Organizers also unveiled a map of the United States to announce the Read Across America Challenge. If students read enough books during the month of March, Peretto and Simmons agreed to eat green eggs and ham on the roof of the school. A fun challenge that will hopefully inspire the children to empty the school and local libraries and gain a love of reading so often started in elementary school.

The Killingworth Historical Society is in search of volunteers to assist in its annual 4th grade program run in conjunction with the Haddam Historical Society. Fourth graders step back 200 years when they enter the fully restored Green School House on Roast Meat Hill Road. Students experience first-hand one-room schoolhouse activities such as a spelling bee, writing on slates, map work, oral recitation, and outdoor games at recess. The program will be held during the weeks of May 12th to June 6th with actual dates to be confirmed by the middle of April. They need volunteers for 8 days during these weeks. If you would like to be teacher for a morning session, afternoon session or all day, please call Claudette Lagasse at 663-1681. Volunteers will be contacted by Sarah Neal of the Haddam Historical Society with details and specifics.

Sunday February 24:
• 4:39 PM: Mutual aid to Chester, Standby at Chester Fire HQ
• 5:43 PM: Medical emergency, Bridlepath Trl
Monday February 25:
• 9:47 PM: Medical emergency, Swan Lake Trl
• 4:24 PM: Medical emergency, Route 81
Wednesday February 26:
• 1:36 PM: Medical emergency, Boulder Trl
• 3:08 PM: Medical emergency, Woodland Trl
• 4:43 PM: Fire alarm, Route 148
Thursday February 27:
• 2:25 AM: Medical emergency, Iron Works Rd
• 3:14 AM: Medical emergency, River Rd
Saturday March 1:
• 6:51 PM: Mutual aid to Clinton, Structure fire, Grant Pl

This is the final version of the 2008-2018 Town Plan of Conservation and Development. It is effective March 15, 2008. A permanent link is located on the Town Services page. A copy is also on file with the Town Clerk. Click here to view the plan. It is a 16MB document and may take a few moments to download
Thomas L. Lentz
Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission

Three parents faced with the death of their teenage children have turned their family tragedies into lessons for our children. Sherry Chapman and Janice Palmer lost their sons in automobile accidents within two weeks of each other in December, 2002. David Roy lost his daughter Alyssa just last August in a crash that killed four teens. Chapman and Palmer visited the high school in 2005 and were invited back to reinforce their message to a new generation of teens. Roy's loss, just six months ago, inducts him into this heartbreaking alliance.

These parents are members of Mourning Parents ACT, Inc. !MPACT's mission is to eliminate tragedies caused by inexperienced drivers through awareness, education and legislation.

The presenters shared their experiences with the teen audience last Friday in a powerful message designed to encourage students to make safe driving decisions and to look out for the welfare of one another. HK High School Principal Charles Macunas said, "At a time when teenage driving fatalities are on the rise and the State of Connecticut is proposing new teen driving legislation educating our children of the importance of making good decisions is critical. This presentation serves that purpose. "

In a letter of thanks to the presenters Macunas said, "Your personal, heartfelt and tragic stories, while painful to share, will have a lasting impression on me and I'm certain on the students of HKHS. Judging by the student responses on the feedback forms as well as by direct comments made to me by students, you have touched their lives."

"While there are many programs and venues for addressing students about the need to make prudent decisions when it to comes to safe teenage driving, none connect as deeply with teenagers or have the emotional impact , as those words shared by parents who have lived through such a devastating loss."

To learn more about !MPACT visit the web site at www.mourningparentsact.org