Environmental Concerns Coalition Hosts Mayoral Debate

Milford's local recycling group, The Environmental Concerns Coalition, will be hosting a Mayoral debate this evening at 6:00 P.M. The meeting will be held at the Milford Library located at 57 New Haven Ave. For anyone who wishes to call for directions their telephone number is (203) 783-3304.

The debate will arrive on the news that Milford's statewide recycling record is purported to be the worst in the state of Connecticut. The ECC set out some years ago to try and bring reform to our city and introduce innovative programs like single stream recycling to our community.

Currently Milford recycles about 6% of its renewable waste as compared to other towns that recycle as much as 35%. Milford is also met with environmental challenges from our current contractors such as RESCO, and Recycling Inc.

Recycling Inc. currently had Zoning and Planning deny their application to expand their recycling facility on Oronoque Road. Their permit became the subject of controversy when Recycling Inc. intended to import renewable waste by barge, train, truck along the Housatonic River.

Local residents in the area especially those living at Caswell Cove objected to the hardship the added commercial traffic would bring through their neighborhood. Caswell Cove residents also saw their taxes double in recent years and are already having difficulty maintaining their property values.

Residents in the area said "We have a power plant to our right, a sewage treatment center to our left, high voltage power lines over our heads and freight trains that produce seismic tremors in our homes behind us. But the tax assessor says we are Direct waterfront and that is true we have a beautiful view on one side, however expansion of a recycling facility may be the ad-infinitum to this development it would just firm up the belief that there is no place for homes in the middle of heavy industry. I am looking forward to this debate this evening to see where we end up on renewable waste management."

The ECC also runs an environmental Blog, with public events and activities, it can be accessed by clicking HERE. The main ECC website can be accessed by clicking HERE.

A Very Busy Week in Milford

This was a week packed with activities and today I would like to express my thanks to all those volunteers who organized the Housatonic River cleanup on the 3Rd. of May. I would also like to mention the Bass fishing contest (also this weekend) that was full of family fun and the great Quality of Life programs I love to hear about, and lastly something I would like to write a little more about the "Respect" program that is expected to "kick off" this month behind the Milford library. This great event has been the topic of many newspaper stories.

These news stories, i.e. the CT Post story, invoked something in me that I would like to share about the authors description of our towns "Respect" program. But before that I would also like to mention that I appreciated my step daughter being enlightened with the motivational speaker who spoke to the student body, she found the experience very positive and uplifting. She liked the fun manner in which issues like "bullying" were addressed. My thanks to all those who made that event possible.

On the other hand, what I was somewhat concerned about, was the article in the CT Post that spoke of this program in the context of division between the ideology of some intolerant Christian Churches, and went so far as to use the word "Homophobes." The article also mentioned a body of growing support for gay teens.

The reason I mention this is because I felt the Post article dicotomized and divided a very honorable event into opposing factions, and then without directly saying so left a "good guy", "bad guy" feeling. To be perfectly clear about why I bring this up, I personally do not "respect" or support divisive school politics nor do I support the social engineering of our children. I believe that kids should be free to decide for themselves about how they wish to think and also they should feel comfortable enough to speak out without fear reprisal. Parents should encourage free thinking, as part of raising their kids.

Personally I do not judge anybody based on their religious views, creed, or personal life preferences, I have my own irrelevant opinion about life and publicly the pursuit of happiness of all individuals, whatever that may be, is what I support. I also support freedom of religion, and the right to express our thoughts as we see fit. So no one gets lost here and to summarize the bottom line I will quote (Matthew 5:43-47 )

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?

FYI I am not very religious, but this is one of my favorite quotes.

Kids Protest War On Town Green.

Last Night my wonderful stepdaughter and her loyal friend were both dressed up in some colorful clothes. Those of the 1960's know this colorful style as the popular "tie die" a name that bears the "undying" trend that is still envogue to this day.

During our Sunday family dinner tradition I commented to the kids, across from me at the dinner table, that the clothes they were wearing reminded me of the anti-war demonstrations so common during the "hippie" era of the 1960's.

At this point my brilliant step daughter had an idea, "can you take me and my friend to the ComputerFox with you so we can make some protest signs?" I was a bit taken, and impressed that these kids had an opinion about the war and wanted to make a difference. Of course, after setting the terms of adult supervision we made way for the ComputerFox and then the town green.

The spot they picked was perfect, right below an illuminated American flag by the town fountain. The sign they are holding in the photo reads "honk for peace" and after 50 honks and much positive feed back we called it a night. Only one person in a white car made a rather negative and inappropriate remark. The girls were not dissuaded by it, they only got more energized as to their convictions.

Despite all public opinions, It was a great pleasure seeing their good idea and selfless pride culminate into such positive energy. If only more kids had this kind of motivation, our national leaders may listen.

At nights end, both these young ladies were rewarded for their brave act of citizenship with a couple of large cups of hot chocolate.