SIMMONS RETURNS DONATIONS
Stonington First Selectman Rob Simmons said that he has returned two campaign contributions totaling $1,100 “to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest” because the donors have pending business before the town. Simmons rebuffed Democratic challenger George Crouse’s public challenge to limit fundraising to $6,000. Crouse said the limit would stop big money and outside groups from influencing the election. He could not say what groups those might be. Crouse has pledged not to spend more than $6,000. Simmons has raised just over $9,200 .
DON’T BE ALARMED
If you hear a little more noise from the Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford, don’t be alarmed. Dominion Energy officials say a month-long period of routine maintenance on Unit 3 is underway, with it being off-line for re-fueling. They say the process can be noisy, with the venting of steam occurring at times.
SUB CHRISTENING TOMORROW
The 17th Virginia class submarine, South Dakota will be christened on Saturday at Electric Boat in Groton. Deanie Dempsey, wife of retired Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will christen the South Dakota by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the boat’s hull. Virginia-class fast attack submarines take about five years to build. South Dakota is expected to join the fleet in the summer/fall of 2018.
CANDIDATES DISCUSS OL ISSUES
Old Lyme candidates for first selectman and the Board of Selectmen debated a range of topics Thursday evening, from the level of policing in the town’s beach neighborhoods to controlling property taxes. During the debate, the candidates addressed what the town should do to stabilize property taxes. The candidates disagreed on progress toward a project to install sewers in Sound View, but they agreed in their support of the town working with the beach communities on the sewer project. In response to a question regarding the level of policing in beach neighborhoods, the two teams of candidates disagreed over exploring a potential collaboration with East Lyme, which recently established its own police force.
MILK BANK ESTABLISHED
Catholic Charities are seeking donations from people who have more breast milk than they can use. A grant distributed by the Thames Valley Council for Community Action has allowed the Norwich Diocese Catholic Charities branch to turn their offices in Norwich and New London into depots, where donors can drop off bags of unused breast milk, because they’re producing more than their infant can use. The donations go to the regional milk bank. The milk is given to premature infants as a supplement to their mothers’ milk in neonatal intensive care units or nurseries, or used in cases that mothers can’t breastfeed their children for medical reasons.
SCOUT EARNS GOLD AWARD
Cynthia Kaune of Gales Ferry recently received the highest honor in Girl Scouts, her Gold Award. With the help of family and friends, Kaune cleared debris from the Colonel Ledyard Park hiking trail and property, discovering a historical home foundation in the process. She also built a 36-foot bridge and relocated two other bridges to make the trail more accessible. Kaune earned her Bronze Award by cleaning up the Gales Ferry Cemetery and her Silver Award by collecting bottles and cans to purchase gas cards for people undergoing cancer treatment in New Haven.
