Citygirl

Now all of a sudden we "love" the Coast Guard- "we want them to grow and expand in our town" (Todd O'Donnell)-oh really? All this outpouring of love just gags me- and New London Landmarks (Sandra Chalk) had planted herself at Riverside with her petition against the Coast Guard expanding many times and now she has soooo much love for them - give me a break- what a bunch of phonies!

Grow the CG land ownership in New London. That is in the best interest of New London and the Coast Guard and the Nation. Semper Paratus.

New London was named number 3 as the worst College Town ....Good Luck with the expansion? Why would they stay here?

New New London high school cheer "Everywhere I go, People want to know, What the hell is going on in your town?"

How can our Coast Guard dignitaries stand in the same room with a mayor who has circumvented the very law the Guard uses to protect the country; to question the status of anyone they suspect of being here ILLEGALLY? Mayor Daryl, if you love the Coast Guard you will rescind your Illegitimate Executive Order providing illegals sanctuary from police. It interferes, instead of cooperates, with their duty to stop drug trafficking, stem gang activity and catch violent criminals. It makes our city safer; why do you want New London unsafe? You have a duty to protect us from drug trafficking and violent gang activity. Without the vote of council and electorate petition, you trampled on our rights. It is not your city it is our city. What good is your order; to the City and our children who will be indoctrinated into gangs, because of you? You will not establish sanctuary city in my hometown. You do not pay taxes in this town and you have been here for but a year. As a taxpayer, business owner and property owner, I will not go away, sir, until your orders are rescinded, voted down or decided in court. They are bad for business, bad for our children and bad for those vested in New London. New London has declined for over 50 years because of poor public policy. Your policies are among the worst. Age discrimination, race discrimination, out of control spending..... Council needs its own law director. Londregan has a conflict of interest. He serves at Mayor Finizio’s pleasure

It is unfortunate that the city of New London over decades upon decades has failed to appreciate and recognize the benefits and honor of having a not just a tier-1 college in their backyard but A U.S. Service Academy. The ammount of business the academy brings to CT alone demands respect, however, the newspaper, city officials, and denizens of NL have repeatedly shown disrespect, if not contempt, for the USCG Academy. Having served as a host family to numerous cadets I have witnessed some deplorable things done to & said about the Academy. In 2008, I attended a parade put on by the cadets during a dance weekend, not only did virtually no citizens show up, but the ones who did were actually protesting the cadets (many of them college students from presumably Mitchell or Conn Coll). After years of similar treatment, the cherry on top is the denial of the land adjacent to the Academy, which the Academy requires to execute its mission of educating and training America's future military officers. The Coast Guard Commanadant (an Academy graduate by the way) was right to suggest moving operations if not the whole base to a new location. After years of being neglected and despised, I think its time for the Academy to move on to a better home, where they can expand and be appreciated. Perhaps, after the Academy is gone New London will finally be able to appreciate the honor and the income the Academy provided for over 100 years.

The Coast Guard is entitled to look around and perhaps even find a deal that works for them. While it may need work, I would really like to see somebody/something find a use for the State Hospital property--whether that works for the CGA, I don't know. I really think it looks very bad that we make all these waves with the CGA and then come back looking two faced and phony with the ILY stuff. If we really "love" them so much, we would have had some discussions and been neighborly rather than treating them like the enemy and now trying to offer candy and roses! To be brutally honest, I went to some events at Riverside Park and I'm just not comfortable there--it sort of felt like a battle ground. Maybe that feeling will go away for me at some point. I'm not one to throw stones at anybody...I've seen a lot over almost four decades. Recently, a lot has changed very quickly in New London--not sure if it's good or bad at this point. I'm sort of trying to make my way through events and a lot of information that has been coming out. I’m left wondering about the direction of some things and in particular, the issues at the Police Department are really disconcerting and have broken my confidence.

Mystic0509 are you kidding me. Where do you think the C.G. got the land to begin with. From the people of N.L. What about the C.G. taking land from our park to build their own park then putting a fence around it so the people of N.L. can't use it. What about the fact that they wanted at first all of our park then settle for half and told us that they weren't going to do anything with it for 10 years. And to top it off they were going to be good neighbors and lease the park back to us for a fee. Lets not forget all that N.L dos for the C.G. Fire dept. Police when needed , water ,electric, No taxes except what the state wants to give us. Which is not a lot when you think of the value of that land. I know this sounds like I don't like the C.G. but nothing could be further from the truth. But there comes a time when you have to say sorry but we can't do that. I know a lot of you folks who want us to sell come from outside of N.L. and are making more money of the C.G. then we probably are but if the situation was reverse you all will be singing a different tune.

theres a boat going up the river ,its full of drugs but the coast guard can not stop it why ,the mayor said so ,is this what you are saying lori,

your comments are just getting worse by the day,sorry sue p but to read anymore of this womens comments makes me sick and im sure others feel the same way ,

lori you lost and you cannot change that or anything else with your rants and attacks

Lori this is about finding a place for the academy to expand. We all know you have no use for the Mayor but use something besides the Coast Guard for your soap box. I was in the Coast Guard and I wish the people of New London would of sold the land to them. All of a sudden other towns want the CG New London wants to start this love affair. Then you have the Mayor saying he wants to work with the Coast Guard. What happened Mr. Mayor did you see the money leaving town.

Mystic and David, If you cant dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with B.S. I cannot for the life of me figure out how the Academy could be any thing but grateful for what the City has already given them, which is everything they sit on. It continues to amaze me that the citizens of New London were asked to subsidize the expansion of Coast Guard services at their fiscal expense.I would like someone to explain to me how the City could have created 9 acres of infrastructure and amenities, (on rocky ledge) and acquire 9 acres of comparable land for 2.8 million dollars. Protesters at a parade, that may or may not come from New London is a pi** poor example. You people amaze me.
New London has been an excellent neighbor to the Academy. The fact that the majority of voters said no one time out of 5, does not equate to hostility, it was simply saying no. I assume every poster here has said no to someone they care about at one time or another.

You said no, you hate me! I would not even expect that mentality from my 7 year old!

My friends, I simply highlighted a few examples of New London's "unfriendly behavior" towards the academy. I didn't highlight any action of how the Academy is not grateful for what they have recieved from New London, if you read my brief piece again you will see that I neither stated nor insinuated anything of that measure. In fact if you want to break it down by metrics, The Academy shows its respect every day, every week, every month, every year. Look at the NL schools, they are filled with cadet tutors, and on the weekends cadets are part of big brothers & big sisters. Evening out numbering volunteers from Mitchell or CC who both outnumber cadets and undoubtedly have more free time. Additionally, the Academy requires service hours, puts cadets out in the community and assists in a myriad of facets. Trust me, whether NL is cogniscent of it or not, The Academy provides a young vibrant and reliable service to the community. As to Mr. Vendetto's assetion that the city of NL lost money on the land donated to the Academy, I feel it is grossly miscalculated and unforunded. The ammount of money brought in every year to the Greater NL area by graduation alone would exceed the imaginary number that Mr. Vendetto offered. & if I may remind everyone, there was a bidding for where to move the Academy back in the 1920-30's, The Academy worked to stay in NL largely due to Admiral Billards Wife, a NL native. There were larger offers in other states including NC, SC, and even Florida.

I am happier than anyone that those chose to stay & heaven forbird they move out of state! But I believe Ms. Orlando makes an excellent point that the Academy, & I would offer NL, would benefit from the Academy Shopping around. Perhaps it will make NL appreciate the Academy once again & perhaps it will remind the CG of their long history in our home.
But if they Academy wanted wholey move to Mystic, I would support that too. :)

Mystic, I would love to see your source, regarding the volunteer hours cadets spend in New London Schools. To state they outnumber Both CC and Mitchell, is to put it politely, a stretch, and another baseless assertion. Connecticut College i know for a fact contributes countless hours to our community. The fact that they don't sing it from the roof tops is to their credit

Gee Wayne I think all the Service Academies were given there land. Do you realize what a honor it is to have a Service Academy in there city. If I not mistaken those are cadets that are spending there money in New London during the weekends when they get Liberty. Due you think that without the CG New London would have the honor of having the President of the United States come to New London. I bet the Hotel owners are glad the Coast Guard is here when there rooms are Full. Didn't New London give L and M the land they are on. There would of been plenty of park left for both the Coast Guard and the city. New London could use some of the money to clean up the beach and do away with some of the ledge. Yea New London loves the Coast Guard, what a joke.

The I heart CGA, Campaign is an embarrassment! What about New London loves Connecticut College.Mitchell College. Even better, how about New London loves it's volunteers, without whom, very little would be accomplished.
This campaign is about one thing and one thing only. Out of town business owners who want to see an albatross unloaded from around their neck. Ironically, Riverside Park was never seriously considered as a location for the Coast Guard Museum. Good God folks, where is your self respect?

John, the CGA, has more land per student than any of the other Service Academies. As for the hotel occupancy, Check out the Academy's website and see where they refer the people that are not staying on the Academy grounds. You as a Wtfd taxpayer have the luxury of benefiting from the land this City has seceeded to non tax paying entities. Please don't give me the tired argument of PILOT funds, because it doesn't do me much good when the City wants their tax bill paid!

there will always be people who see change and growth in a negative way, They will always try to stop it, good luck to all of you New London will not grow, I hope the park dwellers come back and use your parks, but most of them have cars now.

Ann, I for one welcome change and growth. I do however feel , that change and growth should not come at the expense of the taxpayer. Unfortunately, that seems to be the M.O. of this City"s leaders. The" take what we can get mentality" has dragged this City through the mud, and made us the laughing stock we are. There are many opportunities for the CG to expand within this City. The veiled and baseless threats are propagated by out of town people who's interests are not for the City of New London

Wayne I not only Served in the Coast Guard on a ship at the Academy and when I got out I lived. In New London for many years. I was a volunteer firefighter in new london and now I am a volunteer veterans rep with most of my clients in new london. So I learned how to volunteer from serving in the Coast Guard. With people like you New London will not go anywhere. You have a chance to make a nice sum of money and who do you think would help keep the rest of the park pristine. The United States Coast Guard. You don't get taxes from the park but you would get money from all the workers that would be needed to build and maintain this project. Since when doesn't New London need good paying jobs. This project would be a plus for both the city and the academy. Smarten up.

Wayne what tax payers? Your take what we can get ? Are you talking about 50 years ago or last week? By stalling all growth in new London we have become a city of very few tax payers, I am sure you will help keep New london free of any change or growth, I hope your dreams come true. It is always great to be afraid of progress.

Ann, please give me one example of my effort to stall growth. I suggest you all read the CGA's Environmental Impact Statement, so we can have a conversation based on fact rather than "hollow" assertions.

Two words: Damage Control

And yet not a one comments on the cadets that "have taken English as a Second Language classes at Mitchell College"??????????

Ken what I said is I learned how to be a volunteer in the CG nowhere did I state there were no other volunteers in New London. I wish the Coast Guard would come to Waterford like L and M is slowly doing. And Lori I don't care what it is that is brought up you have to bring up the Mayor. You are stuck with him you got whipped live with it. I never saw any plan you had for the CG. If it was on some web page for your election I wouldn't of looked at it because I don't live in New London anymore. I only care because we were tied up at the academy and used what the Academy had to offer. I go to Academy once a week, what do you want the Coast Guard to do tear down one of the buildings that are used. Where is this so called land that the CG has.

I have raised four children in NL, all have attended NL public schools. My children are 16-32 years old, and not one of them could remember ever seeing any cadets around volunteering. They did however, see Conn College students. One of them attended Conn, and did mentoring herself in the NL Public Schools. I am not doubting their presence, but I doubt the majority of their public service hours are performed in New London. I know they have a strong presence in Waterford schools. That being said, let's talk about the 8.5 acre site that the CG daycare center sits in the middle of! Is that efficient use of land? There are empty buildings, they have no parking garage, and there is undeveloped land on Farnsworth, now known as Eagle Drive. Growing up on Crystal Avenue in the sixties, we played at Riverside Park almost daily. I remember when they took a large section by eminent domain, immediately fenced us out, and built a beautiful park on the part we could see clearly from our side of the fence, but could not access. Maybe they should better utilize that parcel...

Barbara, I barely remember them putting up the fence, but I do remember how beautiful the park was before they barricaded the streets with highway dividers and dumped trash in the park. It is still beautiful and priceless. Too bad we do not hear more from some of the families that used to live in East New London. Remember the pharmacy and supermarket before it declined? What a great little village. Pretty, clean. Before they built the extra gas station/convenience stores. Oh well. I guess people should have been there. Maybe they could relate better.

Gotta love the people who say they love New London but pay to send their children to schools like Waterford, St. Bernards, Fisher Island Wiliams....anywhere but New London. What is the matter? Love New London so much but not really enough to stake your children's education on it. What hipocracy.

Hey here is an idea maybe those of you paying the big bucks to send your children outside of our beloved New London Schools should invest that money into our New London School system. That would really be showing Love for New London and I am sure New London would really really appreciate it and show the love back.

Barbara Crocker has made the investment in New London. She lives here, raises her children here and sent her kids to the schools here. What a refreshing thought. Now I'd say she has the right to voice her opinion.....and I might even listen.

Hmmm interesting all quiet on the subject

Patricia: I went to Saint Bernard's and Saint Mary's. My daughter, who I adopted this past year was born and raised in Waterford. I am blessed with a successful business in New London, a beautiful home in New London, as well as, other real estate investments. I pay for New London Public Schools even though I believe in school vouchers and I am a person of faith who wants her children to grow up in a spiritual environment. Even if I did not send my son to St B's I would not send him to New London Middle School. Why? Take a look at the incidences of violence in New London Middle Schools. My kids can learn anywhere and NL has talented and capable teachers, but we have serious issues in New London schools. That is why the state may be stepping in. You gotta love people who stick their heads in the sand and expect everyone else to follow them blindly. Please do not attack me for my choices on how to raise my family and on my religion. I would not do that to you.

OMG and when did I attack you?

Interesting choices you made though. I think what we do speaks so more loudly than what we say. Don't you? I still say Barbara Crocker is New London and if she were to speak I just might listen

hehehehe.....If I am a cyber bully all you guys better watch out because just saying hello and good morning is going to get you labled abusive. lol

calling me names (a cyber bully) is in itself a form of cyber bullying. I never called anyone anything just made some comments which if I am correct...is still protected under the constitutional right of free speech. wow pretty defensive here

So let me get this straight, just so I understand correctly. By your own words, you NEVER attended New London schools your whole life and you choose not to send your son to New London Schools. Just curious as to where your adopted daughter goes to school? Is she also attending school for religious and spiritual growth?
This is pretty interesting stuff.

Lori - Again, it is you who is intimidating (bullying) Patricia, just your latest victim. Where has she bullied you? Can you cite any specific instance where Allyn Devars, the Mayor, or his supporters have ever 'bullied' you? I have never seen any specific example of that. No one has ever threatened or intimidated you. Not online, not in print, and not in person. To say otherwise is a lie. Perhaps you can you find some way in which this note is intimidating? To play victim after all the attacks you've made against, Allyn, me and others is laughable. You are absolutely right. Cyber bullying - and personal attacks - are in poor taste. And you've been called on it and it bugs you. Thankfully, you've 'cleaned up your act' a bit. But you continue with these mistruths and slanders and it's not helping anyone.

I was born and raised in New London. I attended public and Catholic school in New London. I graduated from New London High School and felt I was offered so much more than I could have gotten at that time from any other school in terms of Business training and job experience. I've owned two homes and paid taxes (I’m still living in New London). I’ve seen the taxes go up and down, found the extra job when I needed it to afford the increases etc. I had a teacher at New London High School, Mary Tytla, who made a HUGE impact on my life…so I’m a Business teacher (but also worked for many years as a Defense contractor). I would love to work in New London vs. driving an hour each way to work in Tolland County every day. I believe I could offer students, parents, etc. a lot with the skills I have, but budgets keep shrinking and the jobs just aren’t there. I have often felt that to improve things and this is just one piece of the puzzle, more people should be “tapped” when it comes to making things better: this includes students, parents, business people, alumni of the schools etc. Everyone, not just educators, is needed when it comes to working on school improvement. And, school improvement is an everyday task. I would like to see, if one doesn’t exist, more of a “citizens” task force to help with school improvement. Everyone has thoughts and experiences to share…a lot of good things can come from a network of people.

Joy - Sounds like you need to get yourself in front of the Board of Ed? I've met a lot of New Londoners who share your view and are looking for a way to get involved. I'll be keeping my ears open. Perhaps we can have a similar love-fest for the children of New London - and find ways to make it a year-long celebration?

Yes, a sense of humor is key to any day, lol.

Lori, you need to develop some thicker skin. If you put yourself and your ideas out there, you have to expect people to disagree with you. If you insult people, you have to expect a backlash. A lof of people do not agree with your vision. And you also need to cover your butt especially regarding your residency. It is common knowledge that your present spouse owns a home on Trumbull Road in Waterford. I believe you were interviewed by the Day and indicated something to the effect that you went back and forth between the two homes. It was an honest answer to the Day's questions. I believe you went on to say that if you were Mayor you would live in New London full time. Now that your bid failed, some may assume that you are still going back and forth betwen two homes. I don't personally know and I don't care. What I care about is your unwillingness to find a common ground with the present leadership of the City. Your soapbox approach has been great for the blogs. A lot of people have different opinions and the discussions have been lively. But the opinions are not a solution. Perhaps if you work to find some common ground with the New Mayor a solution can be found.

Wayne since there are so many volunteers in New London how come I have never seen you, Lori Kathleen or many of the other people that talk about volunteering at the cemeteries in New London during the week prior to the Memorial Day weekend putting flags on the graves of all the veteran's buried in New London's three cemeteries. Every year I write a letter to the editor asking for volunteers, and not one of you have showed up. I don't even live in New London but you know where I am at the cemeteries. If it wasn't for a group of NLPD officers getting us help the volunteers wouldn't be able to spend any of the Memorial Day weekend with our families. The only time I hear from anyone is if we miss one of the 3000 graves we take care of. I personally take care of gardner cemetary and there isn't anyone even taking care of that place. Maybe someone can volunteer and at least mow the damn grass and pick up the beer cans.

John-where is Gardner Cemetery? I would like to help you with it. Everyone has their own causes that are special to them including my mother and she has that down to a science. That being said I would love to help you with your cause! Email me @ mouthjjm1234@yahoo.com

Is Gardner cemetary on Ocean Ave.?

Lori: Gardner Cemetery is on Ocean Avenue less than 1/2 mile from your residence.

John-this is horribly off topic but it could be my only shot. Would know anything about an Anna Francis King (married several times, known marriages include; Darling, Scofield and Whitock <--last known marriage) who is supposedly buried in Gardner Cemetery in an unmarked grave? She was born 10/7/1842 and died after 1880. If you know anything at all I'd greatly appreciate it. You can drop me an email if you like lisabethdarling@gmail.com

That's what I thought. Thanks

Lori, I haven't been able to find who owns the land and I couldn't find a listing through vision appraisal. Your the real estate person and it would be a lot easier for you to find out that information. For some reason, I think it might privately owned or set up in some sort of a trust, but I can't find anything on that.

Lori, if you are interested, here is something to get you started. The Secretary of State lists Gardner Cemetery Association Incorporated with no agent name other than "Located in the Town" and an address of New London. So perhaps it is city owned?

Lori, I found it. It is in c/o Richard Humphreville.

Dick Humphreville may be a custodian of sorts. He does a lot of work on the Pequot Chapel, I think. He owned one of the many wonderful small businesses displaced by eminent Jane Glover, Mayor Finizio's right hand. I can call him.

Well, if nothing else positive was accomplished with this news article, at least there are a couple more volunteers to put flags on graves for Memorial Day. Well done.

lori,
cheak your facts ,last i knew humphrevilles shop was in the same place for years

Lori, just so you know, I meant citizens in the form of an "advisory panel" not to do any work projects.

Joy: Do you mean like the PTO?