Originally published on 12/11/2014 It is the holiday season, a time when Americans engage with greater than usual intensity in merrymaking, shopping, counting of blessings, and generosity toward those less fortunate. All four pursuits have their rightful place, but prioritizing the latter two tends to result in greater happiness for all. Ridgefield and its residents […]

Originally published on 11/13/2014 In the midst of post-election analysis and the endless speculation of talking heads, one fact stands out dramatically: gun safety candidates from both parties won up and down the ballot in 2014. Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s re-election victory was testimony to the developing consensus about sensible gun safety. His victory dealt

Originally published on 10/23/2014 The town of Ridgefield is a $130 million dollar enterprise, comparable to the total annual revenue generated by luxury brand Kate Spade of retail fame, or Derek Jeter’s lifetime earnings in baseball.  Neither Jeter nor Spade would dream of making business decisions, investing, or managing their money without professional, skilled money

Originally published on 10/9/2014 Our State Treasurer, Denise Nappier, who is seeking re-election on November 4th, has made financial decisions to protect CT’s families by managing sales of bonds to get the best deal for taxpayers, overseeing cash flow and smartly investing pension funds.  The significant financial achievements of the Treasurer’s office under her leadership

Originally published on 9/25/2014 It is election season, time to re-elect Congressman Jim Himes! Jim Himes has always promoted our best interests economically, politically and globally as citizens of Ridgefield and the United States of America. This year’s election is especially important to ensure our country continues to lead the world’s economic recovery and international

Originally published on 9/11/2014 The Jan Giegler spin machine is gearing up to distract from her record. State representative Giegler boasted recently to the Ridgefield Press that she achieved a 100% voting record during 2014. A spokesperson for her office told the Ridgefield Press that only about 33% of state legislators had a perfect performance.

Originally published on 8/28/2014 As a life-long small business owner, I have for years – to their delight — met client’s requirements and expectations when they need home improvement solutions done with care, craft and consideration for their hard-earned dollars. Frequently this means achieving balance between a homeowner’s vision and budget reality, or brokering a

Originally published on 8/14/2014 Traffic is overwhelming on I­95 and the Merritt Parkway. Commuter rails rely on underfunded infrastructure. We lack freight rail. With traffic, the 45­minute commute between Connecticut and New York takes 1½ hours. Any additional congestion and traffic is a nightmare. As Fairfield County residents know all too well, driving from our

I am constantly asked that question regarding recent, large, multi-family, residential and mixed-use developments appearing in Town. The answer is “Chapter 126a, section 8-30g of the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut,” hereinafter referred to as 8-30g, adopted in 1990. This statute regulates appeals from “affordable housing development” application denials.  [An affordable housing development

Ridgefield Democrats hope to see you at “SummerFest ’64-Ridgefield Rewinds” in downtown Ridgefield, July 18 and 19. Sponsored by the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, the event promises to be a fun, family-friendly summer activity.  Americans hold in our minds a belief about that time. The theme “SummerFest ‘64” brings visions of a society in transition.

Ah July.  Fireworks, BBQs, beaches and yes, those first college tuition bills! If you ever catch yourself wondering how you will pay for your child’s higher education, look no further than the CT CHET college savings program. Under the leadership of CT State Treasurer Denise Nappier, CHET is the premier program for Connecticut residents to save

We’re in a patriotic season, with the D-Day anniversary on June 6, sandwiched between Memorial Day in late May, and Independence Day in early July. We commemorate great sacrifices, celebrate vital triumphs and acclaim the ideals and fortitude of our founders. These observances, though different, share common elements, not least of which is our forebears’

If you live north of the George Washington Highway, you may be surprised to discover that your neighborhood is no longer represented in the CT State Legislature with the rest of Ridgefield (111th district).  Approximately 1000 Ridgefield residents are now joined with parts of Danbury and all of New Fairfield in the 138th State Legislative district as a

Recent incidents highlight how words and deeds elicit divergent responses.  National media worked itself into a furor in late April when a recording of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racist rant was made public. Baby Boomers can attest that unanimous public condemnation of racist speech is a very recent and still rare phenomenon, which only

Contrary to the loud and unceasing claims of its politically and ideologically motivated opponents, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a/k/a “Obamacare”, is working as Democrats promised. Opponents of Obamacare claim it has failed to achieve, and is in fact dangerously undermining, its two main goals of reducing healthcare inflation and increasing healthcare participation.

About once a year, usually around budget time, various financial myths pop up around town.  Below are three of the most common and the truth about each. MYTH #1:  Ridgefield property taxes are among the highest in Connecticut. A recent magazine article claimed Ridgefield has the 8th highest property taxes in Connecticut, which the author incorrectly calculated

Ridgefield High School’s Action for Gender Equality Club is dedicated to promoting gender and race equality, raising awareness about women’s issues, and fundraising for organizations that positively benefit women on the local, national, and international levels. There is a common misconception that feminism is about making women “better” then men. RHS Action was created to

Women are agents of social change. From historic crusades against child labor exploitation, fair wages for women, voting rights and women’s health to the establishment of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Newtown Action Alliance, women make significant impacts on economic, political and societal issues.   Connecticut women in public life and government have made history.  Ella

It happens every winter, with every cold snap or large snow dump. Cable “news” pundits, modern-day spiritual descendants of the self-regarding Sophists that Socrates so devastatingly lampooned 2500 years ago, spout off specious comments about how today’s (or this week’s) weather somehow casts into doubt the practically unanimous scientific consensus on human-caused climate change and

“Justified true belief” is the classical definition that has guided the study of knowledge for 2500 years. The concept holds that in order to “know” a true statement is actually true, one must believe the true statement to be true, and possess valid justification for holding such belief. Though certain exceptions were suggested in the