Charles Rothenberger, staff attorney, Connecticut Fund for the Environment, informs, “These standards address engine technology, which will help lower carbon pollution...”
Connecticut Fund for the Environment (CFE) applauds news released on September 16th that the Obama administration proposed the nation’s first greenhouse gas standards. The EPA, in conjunction with the nation’s Department of Transportation, would mandate that by 2016, cars and passenger trucks achieve a combined average carbon dioxide emissions level of 250 grams per mile, equivalent to 35.5 miles per gallon, limiting global warming pollution and reducing gasoline consumption.
The proposed standards are roughly equivalent to the California motor vehicle standards, approved by the EPA in June, which were already adopted by Connecticut and 13 other states. This action essentially makes the Connecticut and California program a national standard.
“This is a step in the right direction, but it is only the first step” said Charles Rothenberger, staff attorney, CFE. “These standards address engine technology, which will help lower carbon pollution, but we must also address the growing number of vehicle miles traveled in order to make an impact on overall greenhouse gas emissions.”
In Connecticut, the transportation sector accounts for nearly 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions, making mitigation in this area critical in order to achieve reductions in climate change pollution.
“I do what I do to give back to my community. I love working with a group of kids, making new friends and the fun and laughter as we work on community service projects,” explains Amanda Hartman, 13, of Montville.
story & photo
by Maren Schober
Today, I sit across from Amanda Hartman, 13, of Montville, at the Montville Youth Service Bureau admiring this joyful bundle of energy. What is behind this sparkle and joy of living? I soon find out.
“I do what I do to give back to my community,” Amanda tells me. “I love the connection with other people, meeting new friends and being part of a group. I love the laughter and fun we share.”
A few questions clears this all up. “My older sister Jordan was involved in volunteering at the Montville Youth Service Bureau a few years ago and I saw the change it made in her. She encouraged and inspired me to volunteer at the Bureau.”
The Montville Youth Service Bureau has a commitment to broaden the experience and strengthen the values and healthy functioning of youth while meeting their social and emotional needs. Among the many programs for youth is the Youth Action Council (Y.A.C.). “During seventh and eighth grade, I served as a member of Y.A.C. We mainly organized fundraisers such as the soda tab drive and the penny drive to raise money for needy people. For example, we gave money to the Make A Wish Foundation and the Heifer Foundation. You would be surprised at how fast the pennies add up and amount of money we collected!”
Other programs the Montville Youth Service Bureau sponsors include counseling and referral services, Hire-A-Teen job placement program, crisis intervention, drug, violence and alcohol prevention, parent education programs, parent/toddler play group and opportunities for those pursuing careers in the fields of human services, psychology, sociology, criminal justice and education.
Youth in Montville also enjoy using the Center as a recreational area for games such as basketball, dodgeball, air hockey, pool, foosball, ping pong, board games, video games, television, computers and arts and crafts.
This school year, Amanda is in ninth grade at Montville High School. “I am joining a class council for my school. I will help raise money for my class of 2013 for things such as field trips and for our prom.”
Amanda also knows and likes the fact that all her community service work will help her get into college. “My older sister is in college and I would like to go too”.
If it is Tuesday one can find Amanda on the back of a horse! “I take horse back riding lessons Tuesdays after school at the Bit By Bit Horse Stables,” Amanda shares. “I love to ride horses.”
Twenty-eight cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy volunteered several hours of their time on Sunday, September 13 to visit with residents at the Fairview Odd Fellows Home of Connecticut. The special occasion was Grandparents' Day. The cadets made several visits to Fairview over the years. Each time they visit they make a tremendous difference in the quality of the lives of the residents.
The Streetscapes Project in Pawcatuck is in its final stages. The Project in Downtown Msytic begins September 30th and will run until November 10th.
We are in the final stages of the Pawcatuck Streetscape project right now. We are very appreciative of the patience shown by the travelling public as we carry out this project.
In the next month or so, CL&P will install 13 new decorative lights from the railroad bridge up to Lester Avenue. They will be the same lights as the ones we have from the Railroad Bridge to the river. We will also be getting two new double fixture lights; one across from CC Obrien’s and the other over by the APizzo restaurant. We will also install new signage that will help better inform drivers as they go through the newly designed intersection.
There will also be flag inserts every 50 feet on both sides of West Broad Street from the Pawcatuck River to Lester Avenue so we can line the street with American Flags on special occasions.
The DOT stated that they are planning on paving this road next year. This would be a continuation of the work that was just completed at the end of Route 234. All of the new pavement markings will be reinstalled once DOT does their paving.
There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony in October.
Downtown Mystic
Mystic Fire Chief Fritz Hilbert, Najib O. Habesch, Vice President, Urban Engineers, Bill Haase, Director of Planning, Trica Cunningham, President, Mystic Chamber of Commerce, Town of Stonington Second Selectman Peter Ballestracci, Town of Stonington First Selectman Ed Haberek, Jr., Jenny Contois, Office of Congressman Joe Courtney, Sharon Beebe, Milton Beebe Co., Pat McLaughlin, Chief Inspector, Urban Engineers, Stonington Police Chief Darren Stewart, Joe Bragaw, Director, Stonington Public Works, and Barbara Majedek, CT DOT, partake in the groundbreaking ceremony on September 14th for the Streetscapes Project in Downtown Mystic.
The official kick-off for a $910,000 project funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), began with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 14 at Mystic River Park. Work will extend along U.S Route 1 from the Drawbridge to a point just east of the Willow Street intersection, to also include portions of Holmes Street and Cottrell Street. The project calls for new ADA compliant sidewalks, relocated crosswalks, granite curbing, cobblestone-type pavers, new roadway pavement and storm water drainage, benches, bicycle racks and wayfinding signage. Historical style lighting will also be installed on existing utility poles from the Drawbridge to the Civil War Monument. Construction will be carried out by the qualified low bidder, Milton C. Beebe & Sons, Inc., Storrs. Similar to their role on the Pawcatuck Streetscape Project, Urban Engineers, Inc., Hartford, will provide project coordination and construction inspection. Pat McLaughlin will be the chief inspector. He will be on-site every day that construction is taking place, and can be reached at 860.213.7807.
Construction is scheduled to take place September 30th through November 10th. There may be a winter shutdown prior to repaving the street. If this occurs, work will begin again approximately April 1, 2010 and take three weeks for completion.
(l-r) Megan Malmoe, Jessi Reel, Jon Winter, Brian DeRegt, Sam Stitt and James Dietz II are this year’s winners of the 7th Annual “Battle Between the Bridges,” held on September 19th.
Olympians and nationally known rowers lined up to compete for the 7th Annual “Battle Between the Bridges,” in downtown Mystic on September 19th. Both male and female competitors raced approximately 500 meters from the Amtrak Railway Bridge to the Mystic Drawbridge. This event was a perfect promotion for the Coast Week Regatta held at the Mystic Seaport the following day.
Michelle Guerrette, Olympic Silver Medalist, was the special guest judge for the battle. “Every time we come here it’s amazing, the people here really embrace the sport and it’s really awesome to see everyone have a good time,” said Michelle.
At first only men were allowed to compete in rowing, a Summer Olympic sport. Women’s rowing events were introduced at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
Andy Card, Lightweight Men’s Varsity Coach, Yale University, was the commentator for the day.
At the end of the day, trophies were presented to the winners for the men’s heavyweight division. James Dietz II took first place and Sam Stitt took second. For the men’s lightweight, Jon Winter took first and Brian DeRegt took second place. For the women’s division, Megan Malmoe won first and in second was Jessi Reel.
