Off and Running

Fred Camillo launched his campaign for the 151st District House seat yesterday with a well attended kick off party in his childhood stomping grounds of Cos Cob. It was quickly apparent to all who attended that Camillo will be a formidable candidate. He spoke eloquently of his past accomplishments, including spearheading the Dog Park and being a founding member of Greenwich Recycling. He laid out his goals as a State Representative on issues such as taxation, spending and the environment. His roots grow deep in this Town. He understands the issues that face our community and identifies with residents from all walks of life.

If the Democrats think running against Camillo will resemble in any way the 06 Campaign against Dolly Powers, they are in for a rude awakening. People of the 151st are passionate about Camillo. Many grew up with him or watched him grow up. He is their friend and neighbor, a rare bond shared between a politician and his community.

While Powers was a fine Representative she did not illicit the same response. With her lack of energy on the campaign trail and the "Perfect Storm" against Republicans in 06 a strong Democrat should have defeated her. This is a new day and a new young, energetic and charismatic candidate. Ed Krumeich should think long and hard about taking him on.

Just Pick One!

Odds and Ends

In no particular order:

The much maligned Greenwich Board of Education got it right. Amid throngs of Glenville School parents, vehemently arguing against the use of the infamous mold laden Hamilton Avenue modular classrooms, they showed courage in deciding on their continued use. Mold remediation is not rocket science, it is done every day. Most of us have mold in our bathrooms or basements. But, when it is in our own homes, we don't move out and condemn the structure, we clean it up. These units will be spotless, believe me.

The Cos Cob Power Plant property should have two playing fields. Opponents will always play the wildlife card, but we need more fields and this is the perfect, centrally located spot for them. Enough already, let's just get it done...

The Powers that be are right to fight the North Mianus sewer lawsuit. I do not feel any need to subsidise these sewers. The septic systems in that area were failing and threatening the Mianus River. These residents should be grateful that the Town undertook this project. Their property values far outpaced the cost of the sewer assessment. There is no conspiracy guys. No one has it in for you. Just pay the bill.

If You Build It...Who Can Come?

Once again Greenwich is struggling with non-resident admission to Town facilities. Before we spend any more money on the design of a community pool in Byram Park this issue must be resolved.

First Selectman Peter Tesei is on record opposing any restrictions on non-resident use and suggests that to disagree with his sentiment indicates one must have been asleep for the last several years.

I think that is an outrageous statement. The beach access lawsuit is based on freedom of speech rights. I don't think anyone is entitled to speaking in the pool. A simple remedy would be to require that all guests be accompanied by a card holder. Having the right to speak in a public park does not equate to allowing open access to every Town amenity. The people of Greenwich work very hard in making this Town what it is. I, for one, resent the notion that reserving the amenities bought and maintained by its citizens is somehow inappropriate.

If Mr. Tesei sticks to his guns on this one, two things may happen. First, it will be much more difficult to raise private funds. Second, Ms. Lavery will move to his right and give him a real run for his money in '09.

"Greenwich has gone further than anyone in the State"

I have searched the Internet for an hour now and I give up. I cannot find any serious studies warning of the cancer causing effects of Barricade crab grass control. I did find this Material Safety Data Sheet. It categorizes the product as a 1 (slight risk) on a scale of 0-4. The active ingredient, Prodiamine 65%, is actually listed as a non-carcinogen.

So why then did the Board of Selectmen vote to ban its use? The only other way to eradicate crab grass is to get down on your hands and knees and yank it out. Any volunteers? This is typical of the feel good "Protect the Children" initiatives that are so common today. If you disagree, you don't care about our kids.

What about this fall when the crab grass dies? We will be left with large brown or bare areas which eventually will become mud holes. So when someone slips and falls in the mud and sues the Town, when our fields look like they have "The Mange", just remember who to call....