Category: Stratford

 

Legislation Would Allow CT Airport Authority to use Eminent Domain to Expand Sikorsky Memorial Airport through Land Seizure 

STRATFORD – Mayor Laura R. Hoydick is calling out the Connecticut Airport Authority on legislation they are pushing before the Connecticut General Assembly which would transfer the powers of eminent domain relative to airports from the State’s Department of Transportation to the Connecticut Airport Authority.   

The legislation, HB 5308, An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Connecticut Airport Authority and Changes to the Board of Directors of Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority, has received a joint favorable approval from the legislature’s Transportation Committee, and awaits action by the House of Representatives.  CAA Executive Director Kevin Dillon testified in support of the bill when it was before the committee. 

“This is precisely what we have been warning about with regard to the interest of the CAA in their effort to obtain the Sikorsky Memorial Airport from Bridgeport through a non-public process,” said Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick. “The CAA has stated they are interested in obtaining the Sikorsky Memorial Airport and restoring passenger service there, yet the runway length is insufficient for them to do that.  At the same time they are pushing this bill to obtain eminent domain authority.  It certainly seems that their intention is to expand those runways through land seizure into Stratford residential neighborhoods or environmentally sensitive marshlands surrounding the airport to accomplish their goal.  This would be key to their vision of competing with Tweed Airport in New Haven.  Why else would they seek to take the powers of eminent domain from DOT?” 

In addition to granting the CAA new powers, the legislation also removes powers from municipalities.  Under this proposal, a municipality would have to ask the CAA for authority to purchase an airport, an authority they do not currently have but seem to be imposing. 

Sikorsky Memorial Airport is located entirely within the territorial boundaries of the Town of Stratford, but has been owned by the City of Bridgeport since 1937.  Last month, when the City of Bridgeport revealed they intended to sell the Airport to the Connecticut Airport Authority without a public bidding process, Mayor Hoydick publicly expressed a desire for Stratford to have an opportunity to purchase the airport to control the kind of development that would take place there, protect the sensitive environmental conditions near the airport, and promote the interests of Stratford and Bridgeport residents living in the area as well as the interests of the region while complimenting activity at Tweed as opposed to competing against it.  

The current regular legislative session of the Connecticut General Assembly concludes on Wednesday, May 4^th, 2022. 

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2022-04-04@2:40pm–#Stratford CT– A car hit the Main Package at 1055 Main Street and then fled the scene.

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The Stratford Library will host Joe Diorio for a special “Meet-the-Author” program on Wednesday, January 12 at 6:30 pm.   Diorio will discuss his “A Few Words About Words”, on the Library’s Zoom platform.  The program is free and open to the public. 

Penned by a writer who had to teach himself the rules of English grammar, “A Few Words About Words” offers an easy and accessible approach to understanding and using the English language. In a world dominated by countless print media and social media outlets, written communication is king. Writing “your” when you mean “you’re” and “there” when you mean “they’re” can make the difference between getting or not getting new business. A missing comma can result in a PR catastrophe, and a well-written line can be remembered for generations.And yet, many native speakers struggle with the English language.

Spawned from the widely-circulated and beloved newsletter of the same name, Joe Diorio’s “A Few Words About Words” blends quick-witted anecdotes from more than 30 years of newsletter entries that highlight the common, uncommon, and surprising grammar mistakes most English speakers make. The result is a digestible, all-encompassing look at English grammar. For anyone who has ever wondered whether “also” should follow or precede the verb; if there’s a difference between ‘preventive’ or ‘preventative’; or whether the Oxford comma is as important as everyone says it is, “A Few Words About Words” provides relief for many common grammar anxieties. Humorous, enlightening, and completely comprehensible, “A Few Words About Words” will be the go-to grammar guide you pick up and can’t put down.

To register for the free January 12 Zoom program and receive an invitational link: https://stratfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/8495430.

For further information call the Library at: 203.385.4162.

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Homicide Investigation:
The Stratford Police Department is investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Light
Street near Barnum Avenue at approximately 1am on this date. During the incident two
individuals were shot by an unknown assailant.

The male victim was pronounced dead at the scene. A female victim was transported to a local
hospital and is being treated for wounds received during the assault. At this time no names are
being released until next of kin can be notified.

The scene is active and Barnum Avenue will be closed to traffic between Bruce Avenue and
Boston Avenue until approximately noon. Use Boston Avenue as an alternate route.
There is no further information being released at this time.

If anyone has any information concerning the shooting please contact the Stratford Police
Department confidential tip line (203) 375-8477 or the TIP411 phone app. The investigators can
be reached at 203-381-2098 (Det. Torres) and 203-385-4125 (Det. Policano).

#Stratford CT–Saturday was the grand opening of the Ruby & Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum at 952 East Broadway. Despite the weather, the grounds were filled with enthusiastic visitors here to celebrate the museum’s first official day.The museum would not be possible without the vision of Jeffrey Fletcher and his remarkable collection. We congratulate him on the opening and welcome him enthusiastically to his second home in Stratford!The realization of this museum has been hard work on the part of many, particularly Jeffrey and his team, and wonderful supporters such as the Shearman & Sterling Law Firm who sponsored today’s event. Our administration worked alongside Jeffrey and the Town Council, especially Councilors Chris Pia, David Harden, Jim Connor and Bill O’Brien who got behind the project with us early on.

STRATFORD – Stratford Police Chief Joe McNeil was awarded the “Distinguished Chief Award” by the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut at their 2021 PCAC Distinguished Chiefs & Meritorious Service Awards Dinner held September 29^th at Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford.  McNeil, who has served as Stratford’s Chief of Police since 2016, began his service with the Stratford Police Department in 1994.   

McNeil rose through the ranks, serving as a patrolman, detective sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and Deputy Chief prior to being named Chief.  His tenure as Chief of Police has been distinguished by decreasing crime rates, and a ground-breaking community engagement program for officers and citizens which has become a national model for departments across the U.S., working to build trust and empathy between police officers and community members. 

Many Stratford police officers, town officials and department heads attended the dinner in support of McNeil, including Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick.   McNeil was presented the award by Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour, who served as Police Chief in Stratford when McNeil was Deputy Chief.   

“I am truly humbled and honored by this award,” said Chief McNeil.  “This is a team effort to make our community a better place to live and work.  I also thank Mayor Laura Hoydick for her support and unwavering commitment to the residents of Stratford.” 

“In Joe McNeil our terrific and dedicated officers in the Stratford Police Department have a compassionate, experienced and supportive leader who puts has the safety of the community first, and has the well-being and skill-development of his officers as his primary objectives,” said Mayor Laura Hoydick.  “Our town is blessed to have such a dedicated servant in this role, and I know the entire Town joins with me in congratulating Joe on this impressive and well-deserved recognition from the Police Commissioners Association.” 

The Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut serves as a vital link between professional law enforcement officers and the public. Its objectives are to elevate the status of our local police departments through the exchange of ideas, information and experience, to foster public understanding and appreciation of the role of the police officer in society today; support legislation favorable to law and justice, improve training of police officers, and give recognition for outstanding performance in the field of law enforcement. 

2021-10-04@4:00pm–#Stratford CT–Firefighters were called to a structure fire in the 2000 block of Broadbridge Avenue. Turned out to be a fire on a light fixture in the rear of the structure. Firefighters quickly extinguished it and there was no extension beyond the light fixture.

If it was a real issue, our sponsor would have made it Like It Never Even Happened!

Stratford Police UPDATE:
On Friday, February 5, 2021, the Connecticut State Police – Eastern District Major Crime Squad(EDMCS) detectives were requested by Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese Walcott to assume theinvestigation of an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the area of Main Street, in the town of Stratford.

This incident occurred at approximately 7:35 p.m., during an attempt to serve a felony warrant for domestic charges. The suspect was observed entering a vehicle at which time Stratford Police Officers attempted a traffic stop where force was used. The suspect did sustain injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
It was confirmed that a firearm was discovered on-scene. The officers involved in this incident were wearing body-worn cameras (BWC). The Connecticut State Police and the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office will work to release the video footage in the coming days.

The intersection of Main Street (RT110) and Main Street Putney will be closed due to the ongoing investigation until further notice.The investigation is in its early stages and is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Connecticut State Police – Eastern District Major Crimes Squad at 860-896-3230