Author: Stephen Krauchick

DoingItLocal is run by Steve Krauchick. Steve has always had interest with breaking news even as an early teen, opting to listen to the Watergate hearings instead of top 40 on the radio. His interest in news spread to become the communities breaking news leader in Connecticut’s Fairfield County. He strongly believes that the public has right to know what is happening in their backyard and that government needs to be transparent. Steve also likes promoting local businesses.

Westport Yute Commision Seeks Volunteers

WESTPORT, Conn. — The Westport Youth Commission is seeking 9th through 12th grade students and adults to volunteer for the 2016-2017 school year. “The Youth Commission serves as a public forum for youth issues and advocates for youth needs and concerns in the community,” Human Services Director Barbara Butler said. “Its 30 members, 15 students and 15 adults, are appointed by the First Selectman.” Incoming 9th grade students are invited to join the Freshman Committee prior to applying for appointment as sophomores.

If you are currently in grades 8 through 11 or an adult who is interested in discussing youth issues on a monthly basis while making a difference in your community we invite you to join. The appointment process for youth and adults includes the submission of a letter of interest, a completed Interest Inventory and at least one letter of recommendation on behalf of the candidate. Completed documents must be received by April 8, 2016. The application and interest packet can be found on the Town of Westport website (www.westportct.gov) under “Appointed Boards: Youth Commission.” All WYC meetings are open to the public and are generally scheduled for the third Thursday of each month. Appointed WYC members commit to participate in at least one advocacy group and other tasks as needed throughout the year which may involve additional meetings. Please contact Kevin Godburn at 203-341-1155 or kgodburn@westportct.gov with any questions.

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Norwalk News: Residential Burglary

#Norwalk CT–On February 18, 2016, at 1:40 p.m., a male suspect and two female suspects entered the lobby of a condominium complex on Seir Hill Road. The three suspects gained access and then proceeded to the fourth floor, where they burglarized two apartments. Both apartment doors were forced open and jewelry and cash taken. There is believed to be a fourth suspect, who was driving a newer model, light color, mini-van, possibly a white or silver Dodge Caravan. The suspects remained inside the building for approximately forty minutes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dominick Cisero at 203-854-3034, dcisero@norwalkct.org or Detective Adam Mulkern at amulkern@norwalkct.org. Anonymous tips can be left at any of the contact below.

Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111 Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at: www.norwalkpd.com

Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing “NPD” into the text field, followed by the message, and sending it to CRIMES (274637).

(Norwalk Press Release)

Governor Malloy Wants Cheaper Booze

HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has introduced legislation that will empower businesses by modifying a 1981 state law, which mandates that retailers of alcoholic beverages sell their products at certain – and artificially high – prices. The proposal will put the authority to determine the prices of these products back into the hands of retailers and out of the hands of government.

Currently, Connecticut is the only state in the region with a law requiring that retailers of alcoholic beverages sell their products at a minimum price determined by the wholesaler industry. That means retailers cannot set the price of the products they put on the shelves in their own stores. As a result, consumers in Connecticut often pay more for these products than in other states because of an artificially determined price that was required by the government. This statute is unique to only off-premises alcohol retailers and treats no other types of industries in the same manner.

“Why would government force residents to pay artificially high prices? It’s illogical and backwards. We need to be competitive with surrounding states, who have lower prices – and we need to let the market work instead of allowing backwards laws to remain on the books,” Governor Malloy said. “You’re either for inflated, artificially high prices, or you’re against them. We’ve done much to reform out liquor laws in a consumer-friendly way, from Sunday sales to allowing stores to remain open later. But the prices for residents should come down – it’s the commonsense thing to do.”

The Governor is proposing that the law be modified to allow retailers to sell wine and liquor using a more reasonable, logical criteria: actual cost paid. This is the same standard used in neighboring states in the northeast.

The legislation is Senate Bill 14, An Act Ensuring the Regional Competitiveness of Connecticut’s Liquor Prices. It comes after the Governor passed a series of reforms, including allowing off-premises alcohol to be sold on Sundays and allowing stores to remain open later if they choose.

(State of Connecticut Press Release)

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