CT Republicans up to more shenanigans

[NewJeffCT]

With the nomination of Peter Zarella to be Chief Justice... I wonder if any of this will touch the media's Golden Girl in Jodi Rell?

High Court Nomination Troubled
Controversy Roils Capitol After Ex-Chief Justice Says He Tried To Help Successor's Chances
April 25, 2006
By LYNNE TUOHY, Courant Staff Writer

Former Chief Justice William J. Sullivan secretly postponed release of a controversial ruling on access to court documents to enhance Justice Peter Zarella's prospects of being confirmed as chief justice, precipitating an unprecedented crisis of confidence in the state's highest court.

The "bombshell" revelation was made to the governor and legislative leaders Monday morning in a three-page letter written by Senior Associate Justice David M. Borden, who is acting chief justice.

"The intent and effect of Chief Justice Sullivan's conduct was to deprive the legislature of the timely knowledge of Justice Zarella's vote in that case," Borden wrote of the court's sharply divided ruling last week foreclosing access to court documents under the Freedom of Information Act.

On Monday night, Zarella sent Gov. M. Jodi Rell a letter asking her to withdraw his nomination from consideration during the current legislative session, which some legislative leaders viewed as simply a tactical move to take the heat off until after the session ends.

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-zarella0425.artapr25,0,1252195.story?coll=hc-big-headlines-breaking

[wordpix2]

1. re: Golden Girl, see my letter to DeStefano campaign:

It is time to hit Jodi Rell on her environmental record if you really want to beat her. The DEP is in shambles. I have been involved as a concerned citizen and intervener in two town construction projects, the _____________Playing Fields and Schools Project, built adjacent to each other in an Aquifer Protection Area surrounded by wetlands and watercourses.


In the case of the playing fields, 15 acres of hillsides were leveled in a state-designated Aquifer Protection Area from which over 1200 homes get their drinking water. It was an environmentally terrible plan that I fought very hard to get revised but failed to make much headway, with the Town hell bent on getting the fields built cheaply. Two years after construction began, there are still major problems resulting in pollution to our waters. DEP slapped our town on the wrist in early 2005 with a single Notice of Violation for discharges without a permit, as seen in my photos, attached.

Like the playing fields, the Schools Project to expand and renovate two of our schools did not require an environmental impact evaluation (EIE) of the site and site plan. Under the CT Environmental Policy Act (CEPA), state projects must undergo EIEs but for some reason, schools are exempt from the law. The result is a town like ours develops a plan for a large school project and although the state is contributing millions of dollars, it provides little environmental oversight. The town can do whatever and build wherever it wants, Aquifer Protection Area and wetlands be damned.

When DEP does provide oversight, it is always too little too late because the agency does not have enough staff to do much of anything. The Repugs and Rell should be hammered for corruption and wasting tax dollars while making DEP ineffective and impotent for years on end.

Attached are some photos of violations I have taken on the playing fields site in 2004 and on the schools site just last Sunday 4/23/06 after a spring rainstorm. These are the types of problems DEP cannot deal with well because it is understaffed. I think John DeStefano should take a trip to DEP to see what’s happening there---make it a fact finding mission with media and environmentalists present. I will be glad to show up. The issue is mismanagement of taxpayer funds when there is only a mere skeletal DEP staff to ensure compliance with the state’s laws regarding protection of all of CT’s land, waters, air and drinking water supplies.

snip

Sincerely,

[NewJeffCT]

2. good job

let us know if you get a response. it might be worth a phone call to follow-up as well.

[AX10]

3. Good! I hope they take your advice. Rell is a fraud.

She's claims to be moderate, but still supports Bush.

[connecticut yankee]

4. They're twisting her arm

If she doesn't support him, they won't support her.

[AX10]

5. and that is why we must defeat every Republican possible.

Republicans will always stick together, at least those in elected office.

[NewJeffCT]

6. who won't support her?

Connecticut Republicans you mean? The Rowlandites?