Norwalk News: Teacher Arrested

#Norwalk CT–On June 16, Mario York, a teacher at West Rocks Middle School, was arrested.An investigation was initiated on November 11, 2021, when a student at West RocksMiddle School reported that he was mistreated by Mr. Mario. Detective Kristina La Pakof the Norwalk Police Department Special Victims Unit assumed the case and worked together with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to conduct a thorough investigation. The investigation revealed that on October 29, 2021, Mario grabbed the student by his shoulder, while he was sitting in a chair, and pulled him causing the student to fall to the ground. Mario then dragged the student across the room while the student clung to another desk. Part of the incident was captured on video by another student. After consultation with the Stamford Superior Court, an arrest warrant was submitted and signed, charging Mr. Mario with Risk of Injury 53-21 and RecklessEndangerment 2nd degree 53a-64. Mr. Mario turned himself in on 6/16/2022 and was released on a $5,000.00 bond.


Arrested: York Mario, 61, of 320 Old Tavern Rd, Orange, CT

Charges: Reckless Endangerment 2nd, Risk of InjuryBond: $5,000

Stefanowski Campaign on DGA Ad 

Branford, CT– Liz Kurantowicz, advisor to Bob Stefanowski, Republican candidate for Governor of Connecticut, reacts to today’s advertisement posted by a Political Action Committee funded by the Democratic Governor’s Association (DGA).

“We know Ned Lamont is stuck on the same old tired policies and his friends at big money super PACs will say and do whatever they want to keep him in office. We’re running a different campaign with new ideas while Ned Lamont and democrats in Washington, D.C. are taking us back to inflation we haven’t seen in 40 years and the same status quo that’s costing families and businesses thousands and thousands of dollars,” said Liz Kurantowicz. 

Bridgeport News: City Reorganization, Still No Police Public Affairs Officer

Bridgeport, CT— The City of Bridgeport announced today that the administration is implementing a reorganization plan aimed at 1) improving city operations; 2) cleaning up the city; and, 3) building stronger relationships with the business community. This reorganization is the result of efforts that started pre-pandemic, but which was crafted as the result of conversations between departments heads and senior city officials over the course of the last two months. 

This reorganization is focused on the greatest areas of need for the City, which include permitting, licensing, and code enforcement, illegal dumping and graffiti, attracting new businesses to the City, streamlining city services, and improving government operations. The plan will be implemented immediately, and will affect personnel in the Chief Administrative Office, the Office of Planning and Economic Development, Public Facilities, the Department of Health, and Central Grants.

  • The Chief Administrative Office will create a new position of Deputy CAO for Planning, Permitting, Licensing, and Code Enforcement.
    • This Deputy CAO will work closely with OPED, the Health Department, and Public Facilities to coordinate and streamline their planning, permitting, licensing, and code enforcement processes with a focus on making these processes easier and more efficient.
  • The Office of Planning and Economic Development will establish the new position of Business and Community Development Liaison.
    • This individual will be the liaison to all non-governmental organizations with an interest in business and community development, including the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Special Services District, BEDCO, and the Neighborhood Revitalization Zones.
  • Paul Boucher will be elevated to the Zoning Official.
  • The City will seek to post and fill the Deputy Zoning Official and the Zoning Enforcement Officer positions.
  • Arben Kica will be elevated to the Building Official.
  • The City will seek to post and fill the Deputy Building Official and the Code Enforcement Officer positions.
  • Ernest Brown will be transferred to Public Facilities and will become Special Project Coordinator overseeing the City’s illegal dumping and property maintenance for the department.
  • Two Anti-Blight Technicians will also be transferred to Public Facilities and will focus on graffiti removal and illegal dumping.
  • Michele Otero will be elevated to Construction Manager in Public Facilities and will manage construction and related projects in that department.
  • The City will seek to post and fill the position of Contract Compliance Officer.
  • The City will elevate Isolina DeJesus to the position of Director of Central Grants.

“With the city’s entertainment assets making regional headlines, the City needs to do all that it can to keep our City clean to create a friendlier business environment and a positive experience for people moving to and visiting our city,” stated Ganim. “It is also critical that we continue to reassess city operations to improve the quality of life for our residents and streamline city operations.”

“It is my expectation that this reorganization will lead to tangible outcomes for our residents,” stated Council President Aidee Nieves. “Facilitating economic development and cleaning up our City are crucial to the positive transformation of our City.”

“We’re excited to have the City continue to provide critical resources to various community- based organizations through this new role.  This role will particularly be beneficial to the business community as we work together on Federal, State, and Local opportunities that will position the City for economic growth and job creation,” stated Dan Onofrio, President and CEO Bridgeport Regional Business Council.

Following Mayor Ganim’s announcement of plans to reorganize positions citywide, Director of Labor Relations Andre Forde and Director of Personnel Eric Amado have identified positions for which they are seeking qualified applicants and, in some cases, applicants that hold specialized skills or certifications. Filling these roles with talented experienced individuals is a priority.   The positions will be posted on the city’s website when they open for applications. https://www.bridgeportct.gov/careers

ANNUAL “BLUES ON THE BEACH” CELEBRATION SET FOR SAT. JULY 23rd

Stratford is set for the return of its annual “Blues on the Beach” summer music festival, which has become an increasingly popular summer ritual for the coastal town. The event will take place at Short Beach on Saturday, July 23rd, from 12:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.  Blues is part of the Stratford Celebrate Festivals and is run by volunteer Erin McLaughlin. 

“Erin and her team always do a fantastic job of organizing the bands, stage, and vendors for this terrific event. I hope residents will come out and enjoy the sun and sand, amazing music, and some of the best views that Stratford has to offer,” said Mayor Laura R. Hoydick.  

As with last year, Short Beach will close at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22nd, the evening before the festival, to accommodate stage set-up for Saturday’s events.  The Short Beach Golf Course will be closed the entire day on Saturday, July 23rd. 

Residents attending “Blues on the Beach” are asked to note the following: 

  • Only Town Residents will be allowed to park at Short Beach.  Stratford resident stickers are required to park at Short Beach. 
  • Beach access will be closed on Friday, July 22nd at 7:00 p.m., so preparations can be made. 
  • Parking for the public will begin at 9:30 a.m.
  • Bicycles are allowed but must be walked in the park area per Stratford Police Department.
  • Golf Cart parking is allowed in designated area.
  • No dogs or pets are allowed at the beach.
  • Cooking with charcoal is prohibited.
  • A pickup and drop-off area for Ubers and children or family members has been designated at Wayne’s Walk at the intersection of Riverdale Drive and Lighthouse Ave.
  • Trash from attendees must fit inside of the BigBelly compacting receptacles available on site.  Bagged garbage should be placed in dumpsters and not be left beside receptacles.

This year the Stratford Arts Commission is sponsoring a Tent Decorating Competition, and those winners that creatively decorate their tent will receive an early parking pass for Blues on the Beach in 2023. 

Line-Up of Performing Bands:

12:00 – 12:45 pm Music Kick-Off, Soundview

1:00 – 1:45 pm Oddfellows

2:00 – 2:45 pm Vinny & Ray

3:00 – 4:00 pm CK3

4:15 – 5:15 pm Swamp Hogs

5:30 – 6:45 pm Remember September

7:00 – 8:00 pm Chris D’Amato

8:15 pm Alpaca Gnomes

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