A Message to Residents from U.S. Representative Joe Courtney

Listening to you helps me to serve as an effective advocate for the Second Congressional District. That is why it is important to hear from you about the issues that are most important to you and your family.

When disabled veterans across the region said that they were having difficulty finding transportation to their Veterans Affairs Hospital appointments, I helped to coordinate new transportation with the federal Veterans Affairs and Disabled Veterans of America organization. Now, eastern Connecticut vets have a new van service to help provide relief.

When families said they worried about struggling with home heating bills this winter, I called on House leadership to triple home heating assistance funds and to include more working middle-class families into the available assistance programs.

And when small businesses, including our local fishermen and truckers, told me about their problems with fuel costs, I introduced legislation to provide tax breaks to offset fuel costs.

Together, we have achieved many great things, but there are still challenges that must be faced and tackled.

Resident David Thomas turned himself in to police Thursday after being notified of a Superior Court warrant charging him with first-degree larceny by embezzlement. He was released on his promise to appear for a future court date.

According to Clinton police Detective Brian Pellegrini, Thomas was hired in 2005 by the Cedar Island Improvement Association to oversee the installation of the water main and to pay bills as they were incurred during the project. When problems arose, the islanders hired an attorney to investigate the matter, and an accounting firm to manage the payment of bills. Pellegrini said a $120,000 civil judgment against Thomas was won by the association in December 2007, and his license to practice law also was suspended that month, he said.

Pellegrini said Thomas contends the funds retained were to cover his bill. Read more about this in today's New Haven Register.

Local residents will receive an opportunity to learn how to monitor water quality in nearby rivers and streams at a workshop held at the Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park. The free one-day workshop will be presented by the CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Saturday, September 6, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The program, offered for the third time in the Madison area, will be led by Mike Beauchene of the DEP's Bureau of Water Management.

The state has about 5,800 miles of streams and rivers which are monitored for chemical, physical and biological health. The DEP actively encourages the public to assist in monitoring these streams and rivers. The workshop includes a training session, which will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by data collection at a local river or stream until approximately 2:00 p.m. Volunteers will collect data in teams of two or more at the Neck, East and Hammonasset rivers and their tributaries. Once trained, volunteers are encouraged to collect, document, and report data annually about macro-invertebrates (mostly insects), which are used to measure water quality. For more information on the program, visit www.dep.state.ct.us/wtr/volunmon/volopp.htm.

The workshop, sponsored by the Friends of Hammonasset, is free of charge and open to the public. Please bring a lunch, drink and waders, tall boots or other waterproof footwear. If interested, please sign up as soon as possible. Contact Don Rankin at 203-245-9192 or Ranger Russ Miller, Nature Center Director, at 203-245-8743.

The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is sponsoring a free Outdoor Family Entertainment Series on Fridays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Higganum Green. Participants should bring a blanket or a chair. In the event of rain, the concerts will be canceled. This week is Tom Sanders and the Known Unknowns. Bringing together musicians from The Hornets, Jim Shepley Band, Chris Tofield & The Bluesbenders, Eran Troy Danner & Hot Dallas, the band formed in 2003 as the result of a recording project. The set list includes originals, blues, soul and classic rock, including a full set of Allman Brothers. Tom Sanders, a Higganum resident, and his band perform again this year.

To the Editor:
You say you want a revolution?

Well, no. I am a conservative. Aren't you?

Everyone is aware that energy prices are nuts. We hear politicians promise that all of this can change, but that it might take 15 or 20 years. Why will it take that long? The situation might be a lot more complex and possibly more dangerous than you think.

Here are a few links that might help explain the situation a little better. Please take some time and take a look.

Consumer Issues
Who Killed the Electric Car: See the 11 part story on You Tube

Suspects include car companies, oil companies, battery technology, the California Air Resources Board, consumers, and the federal government.

Plug-In Vehicles - GM's EV (Electric Vehicle)

National Defense Issues
Anner Korin's Oil Solution - 7 parts (C-SPAN)

Testimony of Anne Korin before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rising Oil Prices, Declining National Security

The Sino-Saudi Connection by Gal Luft and Anne Korin

Set America Free website

Now, do you think that we need revolutionary change? Tell somebody.
Thanks for paying attention.

Joe Acker

The Farmer's Market at Running Brook Farms is very excited to announce its newest vendor, Rose's Berry Farm. Rose's will be at the farmer's market starting today, Thursday, August 7. They will be selling freshly baked pies, jam and jellies, blueberries, peaches and lots of other goodies from their farm in Glastonbury. The farmer's market is open from 2-6:00 p.m. every Thursday through October.

The Killingworth Library will hold registration for its fall children's programs beginning September 2. Space is limited and priority will be given to residents. Sign up is required and can be made in person or by phone, at 663-2000.

TERRIFIC TWOS
* for children between the ages of 24 and 36 months
* every Wednesday 10am-10:30am
* in October: 1st, 8th, 15th, (no 22) 29th

STORYTIME
* for children ages 3 and 4
* every Wednesday, 10am-10:30am
* in November: 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th

MUSIC WITH MARGIE
* for children 2½ years and older
* Tuesdays 10:30am-11:00am
* session starts September 9th - Nov. 25th (no 11th)

LOVE@SIGN WITH JAYE
* A "signing" preschool program especially for children ages 6 MONTHS - 6 YEARS
*AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE vocabulary enhances fine motor skills and language development, promotes creativity, builds confidence and self-esteem.
* AUTUMN session will run THURSDAY mornings 11:00 - 11:30
* OCT 2 thru NOV 6

Come support Killingworth artists and the Arts Center at Killingworth by dropping by the Town Hall to view artwork on display by talented, local painters and sculptors. Join us for the kick-off reception on September 2nd from 7-9pm, including baked goods and coffee. This exhibition is FREE to the public and will be open the month of September, Monday through Friday, from 9am-4pm.

Featured artists include Diane Afton Aeschliman, Nancy Armstrong, Sue Davenport, Bill Hosking, Ron Imbriglio, Joan Levy, Laura Ludington, Gloria Nilsson, Cora Ogden, Carole Pleines, Maryanne Rupp, Paula Solimene, Sandy Smith and Harold Wright.

The exhibit is honoring the memory of artist Jay Folger, who tirelessly worked to promote the artists of Killingworth and the Shoreline.

The HK Recreation Department is sponsoring a wrestling clinic, Monday through Friday, August 11-August 15 from 6-8:00 p.m in the old middle school gymnasium in Higganum.

Summer Training Creates Winter Champions
The clinic will cover Team Development Strategies for the new middle school wrestling program - Grades 5 through 8. The fee is $75

Individualized instruction
Strength training
Skill Development
Physical Conditioning
Fundamental wrestling techniques

To Register - please call the HK Recreation Dept. at 345-8334

Save the Date for the 15th Annual 5K Pumpkin Rrun & Walk to Benefit Youth and Family Services of Haddam Killingworth, Inc. The race is set for Sunday, October 26, 2008. The Pumpkin Run 5K and Kids' Run is produced by the Hartford Marathon.

For more information call 860-652-8866 or email info@hartfordmarathon.com. Bring the family out for a scenic, rolling 5K along a course filled with New England charm and fall foliage. The Kids' Run is a ½ mile run just for children prior to the start of the 5K race. After the race, enjoy the post-race refreshments and activities for the whole family! Come out and run and walk and help support Youth & Family Service of Haddam-Killingworth

Volunteers are needed and Welcome! Please call 345-7498 to find out how you can help. If you would like to be a sponsor of the race, download a sponsor form by visiting our website.

The Killingworth Foundation announces a new campaign called "100 X 100" which will help the Foundation achieve its goal of enhancing the quality of life for the people of Killingworth.

"100 x 100" seeks the contribution of $100 by 100 donors who will be investing in our town to make special programs possible through grants to non-profit organizations.

Last spring the Foundation received a generous leadership donation from the Killingworth Lions Club and now seeks to show community support by matching that same amount from individual donations. The money received will be spent exclusively in Killingworth during 2009 to encourage community spirit and enrichment.

The Killingworth Foundation believes in and depends on neighbors helping neighbors, so please join us in this effort. The campaign will end on December 31, 2008. Donations can be sent to P. O Box 621, Killingworth, CT 06419. Thank you in advance for your participation.

The HK Travel Basketball League will be holding tryouts for its 2008-09 season on the following dates:

GIRLS: Monday, September 8, 2008 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at HKHS (Fieldhouse)
Monday, September 15, 2008 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at HKMS

BOYS: Monday, September 8, 2008 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at HKMS (Fieldhouse)
Monday, September 15, 2008 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at HKHS

ATTENDANCE AT BOTH TRYOUTS IS MANDATORY

Boys and girls entering grades 4-8 in the 2008-09 school year are eligible to play (4th graders must be 9 years old by 09/01/08 and 8th graders must be 13 years old by 09/01/08).

If your child is interested in playing and/or you are interested in coaching or assistant coaching, or if you have any questions or concerns, please send an e-mail to: HKTravelbball06@comcast.net

The public is invited to participate in the 1st Annual Jason Lantieri Memorial Foundation Golf Tournament on Friday, September 5, 2008. The foundation was created in loving memory of Jason Lantieri, a Killingworth resident and United States Army Sergeant, who tragically died in Iraq on October 10, 2007 while proudly serving his country.

The four person scramble format tournament will take place at Quarry Ridges Golf Course in Portland, CT. There will be a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start, awards and a raffle. The eighteen holes at Quarry Ridge are spectacularly set among rolling hills and granite rock outcroppings. Overlooking the Meshomasic State Forest and the Connecticut River, the course was designed by Al Zikorus and Joe Kelley and opened in 1993.

The entry fees are $150 per person and $500 per foursome. The fee includes golf, lunch, cocktail hour and dinner. If you are not interested in playing golf, you may join us for cocktails and dinner for $50 per person. All registration and fees must be returned by August 22, 2008.

There are also sponsorship opportunities: Tee Signs: $200 and Green Signs: $200. Please make checks payable to The Jason Lantieri Memorial Foundation, c/o Onsite Services, Inc 23 Meadow Road, Clinton, CT 06413. For more information please contact Jon Miller at 860.669.3988, 203.823.2538 or Stephen Haeckel at 860.227.8557.

The objective of the Foundation is to give back to the communities where Jason touched the lives of so many. One of the goals of the Foundation is to award an annual college scholarship, honoring Jason's many accomplishments, to a graduating senior of Haddam-Killingworth High School.

To the Editor:
Killingworth leads again. According to the MLS, for the second quarter in a row, Killingworth beats all other towns in Middlesex County in the per cent decrease of median home prices sold.

In 2007, at this point in the year the median price of homes sold in Killingworth was $555K, but that figure is now down 26.6% to $407K.

Now, as I said after the first quarter this year, this does mean that our property values are all down 26%, but these numbers should be troublesome for property owners in Killingworth.

I hope that Killingworth's government responds, and acts in a way that protects our property values from further step decreases.

Phil Stull

The Congregational Church held its Annual Road Race yesterday morning drawing a field of 70 runners. The relatively flat 4-mile course is a popular draw for local running enthusiasts and serious runners. The winner this year was Jake Corbett, an '06 HK High School grad, with a time of :23.22. Corbett, 20, is in his third year at Northeastern University and training for his next marathon. The top female finisher was Joanie Bohlke, 29, from Boston with a time of :25.06. Buhlke is originally from Old Saybrook and while home on the weekend decided to use the race as an off season training run. She runs middle distance for the New Balance Running Club out of Boston. Sen. Ed Meyer kicked off the race and winners received the traditional blueberry pie.

Also joining the field this year was Gary Miller, a teacher and cross country coach from Rapid City, South Dakota. He made a decision about 10 years ago to try and run a race in every U.S. state before he turns 60. At a spry 53 he has already checked off 42 states. He ran in New York last week and will run in Rhode Island today and New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania next week. Miller said he really enjoyed the race and thought it was well organized and had a good layout. Click for complete race results.

The race is part of the Church's annual fund raising activities. The weekend also included Friday's barbecue and Saturday's fair and silent auction.

Join us for an outdoor pot-luck fundraiser/party for Barack Obama's campaign with live music by CANTICO, on Saturday, August 9th 2008 from 3:00-6:00 pm. Enjoy the beautiful spacious outdoor setting of Someday Farm at 272 Roast Meat Hill Road Killingworth, CT 06419

There will be social-networking and voter registration. Anyone musically gifted is invited to bring an instrument and join in the "Jam for Obama Session". The rain date will be Sunday, Aug. 10th.

Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for your comfort. Bring your boots to observe the Beaver Baffle Program completed by the CT DEP on the property. Bring your comfortable shoes to enjoy the gardens, the fields, the woods, the ponds, and the trails. No alcohol will be served or allowed at this family event.

To register online please go to barackobama.com and look under "Find Events", enter the zip code 06419 to find the details and register. We set a goal to raise at least one thousand dollars for this event. To make your donation in any amount that you can afford, use the link above and it will move the thermometer upwards while generating a list of everyone who has contributed to this event. If you prefer, you can make your donation at the event.

CANTICO, meaning "song" in Portuguese, is a musical trio that combines the warmth and intensity of two Spanish-style guitars with light percussion. CANTICO is Dan Bernier, John Williams, and Hans Lohse. The members of this group are from Chester. They are generously donating their time for this event.

This event is sponsored by Someday Farm and supported by the KDTC. Contact: Patricia Lafayette or Patricia Worth at 860.663.2768. RSVP at www.barackobama.com