We heard that a New Canaan woman who learned last Monday (the eve of Election Day) that she needed to have open-heart surgery felt her vote was important enough that she arranged to cast an emergency absentee ballot.
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Though about a dozen New Canaan constituents entered “write-in” candidates on their ballots, just one of the names put down on Election Day counted (write-in candidates must register ahead of time with the Secretary of the State). Apparently, two or three New Canaanites put down “None of the Above” in the governor’s category.
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Word is that the owner of the Great Dane who on the morning of Sept. 17 broke free from its leash and attacked a far smaller dog (Cocker mix) on Elm Street is refusing to pay for the Cocker’s vet bill. We’re hearing this may go to small claims court.
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Longtime New Canaan Parking Commission member Patrick Swearingen announced at last Thursday night’s meeting that he’s stepping down from the role he’s filled with great care and conscientiousness, as he is moving out of state for work. (Best of luck to you, Patrick!)
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No action was taken by police on the report—at 4:52 p.m. on Oct. 23—of a motor vehicle passing a stopped school bus in the area of 393 Jelliff Mill Road. The accused driver told police that the bus driver stopped and deployed the stop sign when she already was alongside the bus, an account corroborated by video, police say.
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The Zoning Board of Appeals last Monday night approved 5-0 the application from a Ponus Ridge family to put an addition toward the (from streetside) rear of their 2-story antique home. Though one neighbor voiced support for the project, another one—the same neighbor that named the applicants as defendants in a law suit on a completely separate matter, regarding the disused, deteriorating Ponus Ridge Chapel—did raise some objections.
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Town Councilman Roger Williams got a hearty laugh at the start of Thursday night’s public hearing to list Waveny on the National Register of Historic Places. For the agenda item “Appointment of a Secretary for the Meeting” (an important and rather tedious minutes-taking task), town councilman John Emert asked whether someone would volunteer, Williams said: “I volunteer to nominate Sven Englund.” Added Land Use & Recreation Committee member Joe Paladino: “As a point of order, I will second that nomination.”
I have had the pleasure of working with Patrick Swearingen on a project concerning the Lumberyard Parking Lot. Patrick was truly an asset to our community — hard working, honest and such a down-to-earth respectable person.
Patrick will certainly be missed for his civic work in New Canaan. Best wishes, Patrick, to you and to your family as you embark on your new job. And remember that you have so many friends here in New Canaan!
It is great to hear about someone whose sense of civic responsibility is such that they arranged for an absentee ballot on the eve of an unanticipated open-heart surgery. We hope that the operation was successful and she that is on the mend!
New Canaan has a wonderful record for the percentage of residents that cast their votes in elections. None-the-less, hats off to this very responsible resident and hats off to those in Town Hall who made it possible!