ESTY UNDER PRESSURE
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – An outspoken voice in the hash-tag Me-Too movement, Connecticut Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty now finds herself in the awkward position of apologizing for not protecting female staffers from violence, threats and sexual harassment. Esty issued a public apology Thursday after newspapers reported she did not suspend or fire her former chief of staff until three months after learning about allegations against him. Earlier this week, the Democrat reached out to leaders of several Connecticut groups that deal with domestic and workplace violence and sexual harassment, including the National Organization for Women, to let them know news articles would be coming on her handling of the harassment allegations in 2016. Some Republicans and the state’s largest newspaper, The Hartford Courant, have called for Esty’s resignation. Her Democratic congressional colleagues have offered muted criticism.
GROTON TOWN LEADERS CONSIDERING PAY HIKES FOR TOP ADMINISTRATORS
Groton’s Town Council will consider Tuesday whether to raise the salaries of the town manager and four other administrators. The resolution would give Town Manager John Burt a 13-thousand dollar a year boost to 170-thousand dollars. It would also extend his contract for another year, increase his car allowance, and provide mileage reimbursement for work-related travel outside of Groton. Human Resources Manager Robert Zagami would also get a pay hike, while assuming the additional title of assistant town manager. The town’s Planning and Development Director, his assistant, and the Community Development Manager would also see their pay increased. Unionized town employees are protesting the proposed salary hikes.
MAN TRAPPED
A man had to be taken to Backus Hospital in Norwich Friday morning, after a tractor unit rolled onto his foot. Norwich rescue crews responded to 24 Court Street around 10:45 AM to find the man trapped under the tractor. Fire officials say the man was disconnecting a trailer from a tractor-trailer unit on a steep hill, when the incident occurred. He was extricated from the vehicle. Shortly after that, rescue crews responded to an accident on Stonington Road, where a motorist crashed into two parked cars, and the Superior Auto Center. The driver refused medical attention. The building suffered minor damage.
AVALONIA BUYS MORE LAND
The Tri-Town Ridgeline Forest is now in the hands of the Avalonia Conservancy. The local land trust purchased the 409-acre wooded property from a Tennessee developer for 925-thousand dollars. It’s located where the boundaries of Griswold, North Stonington, and Preston meet, and is adjacent to two other land parcels owned by Avalonia. A grant from a state open space program, and a loan from a national non-profit conservation group will cover the purchase cost.
GIVE INMATE ALL HIS MONEY!!
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – A federal judge says Connecticut officials were wrong to keep more than half of a prison inmate’s $300,000 lawsuit award to help pay the costs of his incarceration – money the state was ordered to pay him for violating his rights. Judge Michael Shea in Hartford ruled Thursday that officials improperly used a state law on recouping imprisonment costs to reduce their penalty for violating Rashad Williams’ rights. Williams is serving a 30-year sentence for attempted murder and other crimes. He was beaten by another inmate at a Somers prison in 2010 and won a lawsuit against prison officials. Shea ruled he doesn’t have the authority to order the state to pay Williams the rest of the award and Williams must seek his money in a separate legal action.
