The Carpet City Chronicle

• Support Our Troops!

  Following the success of the troop surge, the media has largely stopped covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, this does not mean that they are over. America continues to have major contingents of troops serving extended deployments to the Middle East. As the war has dropped off the radar [...]
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  Posted: June 17, 2009, 10:51pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• A Leader Emerges: Sam Caligiuri Challenges Chris Dodd

  Number of comments: 2
  If one theme has been constant in recent elections, it has been the need for change. In the 2007 municipal elections, Enfield voters expressed their desire for fundamental change and turned control of the Town Council and Board of Education over to the Republicans. Voters rejected the punitive tax increases [...]
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  Posted: June 11, 2009, 1:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Greed In A Time of Sacrifice

  Number of comments: 1
  Greed In A Time of Sacrifice James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle The Enfield Press, April 16, 2009 “For greed, all nature is too little.“ —Seneca “A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.“ —George Bernard Shaw Our country faces an economic crisis unseen in decades. The “affluent society” [...]
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  Posted: April 15, 2009, 9:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Debates Over T-Ville Firehouse Continue

  Number of comments: 1
  Many residents received an email from Thompsonville activist Sue Read outlining a number of zoning concerns about the Thompsonville Fire Commission’s Proposal to build a new fire station in Thompsonville. Currently, the Fire Commission is looking to obtain stimulus funding for the new station. Below you will find Read’s email and [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 4:51pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• A Bill Too Far: Judiciary Co-Chairs Lawlor and McDonald Must Be Removed

  A Bill Too Far: Judiciary Co-Chairs Lawlor and McDonald Must Be Removed James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle The Enfield Press, March 26, 2009 “Noli Irritare Leonem.” (Do not irritate the lion.) —Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick “All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.“ —Lord Acton In the month of March, the agenda of [...]
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  Posted: March 26, 2009, 1:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Concession Rejection Exposes Teachers’ Union Greed: Anticipated Layoffs Have Roots In Controversial Contract

  Number of comments: 7
  Last Thursday, Republican and Democratic leaders of the Board of Education and the Town Council met with representatives of the ETA to discuss a last best offer for concessions. The bipartisan proposal rejected by the union included a wage freeze, a step freeze, and five furlough days. Together these measures [...]
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  Posted: March 18, 2009, 9:20pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Audio of Testimony by Deacon David Reynolds and Peter Wolfgang Against S.B. 899

  Earlier today, Peter Wolfgang, the Executive Director of the Family Institute of Connecticut addressed Catholics and Christians gathered in Hartford to protest S.B. 1098, the Lawlor-McDonald bill to wrest control of parishes away from pastors and bishops. In his remarks, Peter Wolfgang suggested that S.B. 1098 was a smokescreen for [...]
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  Posted: March 12, 2009, 2:30am EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Photos Of The Hartford Tea Party

  Number of comments: 2
  Photos Of Friday’s Tea Party In Hartford These photos were taken at the Tea Party held Friday to protest the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” AKA the porkulus. (Photo / James Bailey Brislin Posted in Commentary & Politics, Connecticut, Economics, News Tagged: ARRA, Hartford, Obama, Pelosi, Porkulus, Protest, Rick Santelli, Stimulus, Tea [...]
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  Posted: March 01, 2009, 11:18am EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Sunday Liquor: Campaign Filings Document Extensive Liquor Contributions To Colapietro

  Number of comments: 2
  Sunday Liquor: Campaign Filings Document Extensive Liquor Contributions To Colapietro James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle The Enfield Press, February 26, 2009 “Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people.“ —Henry Clay “Public officers are [...]
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  Posted: February 25, 2009, 4:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Kissel Pays His Dues to Working Families: Paid Sick Leave Bill Would Increase Labor Costs, Hinder Job Growth

  Last week, state lawmakers unveiled a bill that would require businesses with more than fifty employees to provide paid sick leave. The proposed bill is a poorly designed, ill-advised measure that will hurt businesses in a time of unprecedented economic crisis. It is supported by a coalition of left-wing groups that [...]
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  Posted: February 18, 2009, 5:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Welcome To Enfield!

  Number of comments: 6
    Posted in Connecticut, Economics, Enfield, Town Council Tagged: Enfield, Gateway, Route 5, Sunday Liquor Sales, Taxes [...]
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  Posted: February 11, 2009, 9:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Sunday Liquor: For Colapietro Protectionism Trumps Consumers, Open Government, Rule of Law

  Number of comments: 1
  Last Thursday's column, regarding the legalization of Sunday liquor sales, provoked a firestorm of controversy. On Thursday, Bristol Press political reporter Steve Collins featured it on his blog. This provoked a great number of heated comments both on Collins' blog and on my blog. Many of them came from liquor' [...]
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  Posted: February 11, 2009, 6:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Sunday Liquor Sales News and Commentary Trail

  Sunday Liquor Sales News and Commentary Trail Blue Laws: Easing Up on Sunday Liquor Sales http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/07/08/easing-up-on-sunday-liquor-sales.html Shop Owners Revive Fight Against Blue Laws http://www.wfsb.com/news/18609793/detail.html Sunday Suds In CT http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Sunday-Suds-in-CT.html http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Sunday_Suds__Hartford.html Bristol State Senator to Enfield: Drop Dead! http://carpetcity.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/sunday-liquor-sales/ Enfield Liquor Stores Don’t Like Colapietro http://bristolnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/enfield-liquor-stores-dont-like.html Colapietro Asks For Fairness http://bristolnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/colapietro-asks-for-fairness.html Colapietro Angry At Blog Commenters http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2009/02/07/colapietro-angry-at-blog-commenters/ Liquor Store Owners [...]
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  Posted: February 11, 2009, 5:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Bristol State Senator to Enfield: Drop Dead!

  Number of comments: 20
  This year, Connecticut liquor dealers are mounting a strong push to legalize Sunday liquor sales. They are seeking to repeal one of few remaining blue laws in Connecticut, prohibiting Sunday liquor sales at package stores and supermarkets. In the course of these efforts, border-town liquor dealers have locked horns with [...]
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  Posted: February 04, 2009, 10:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Politics In The New Year: Issues and Legislation To Watch For In 2009

  A new year has dawned upon us and it brings with it a new administration and a new political agenda. However, politics remains subject to the old adage , "The more things change, the more they stay the same." A prime example of this is the large number of Clinton administration [...]
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  Posted: January 08, 2009, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• For Healthcare Workers, An Early Christmas Present from the Bush Administration

  For Healthcare Workers, An Early Christmas Present from the Bush Administration James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle The Enfield Press, December 24, 2008 “Your institution will be permitted to govern itself according to it’s own voluntary rules, without interference from the civil authority, whatever diversity of shade may appear in the religious [...]
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  Posted: December 24, 2008, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• The Bridge Loan To Nowhere: When What’s Good for GM Is Bad for the Country

  Last week's defeat of a proposed $14 billion automaker bailout is a triumph for the general public and good government advocates. The senators who defeated the bailout are to be commended for putting constituent interests ahead of powerful corporations and labor unions. Earlier in the month, a combine of automakers, auto [...]
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  Posted: December 18, 2008, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• A Sentimental Journey: Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting Provoke Reflection

  Number of comments: 1
  A blanket of snow and punishing wind did not dampen enthusiasm for the annual Christmas parade. The parade featured fire trucks from throughout the region decked up in Christmas lights. A Buildings & Grounds vehicle pulled along Santa and Mrs. Claus's sleigh. The light poles of Thompsonville Village were decked [...]
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  Posted: December 11, 2008, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Fire Commission Meets to Buy Parcel for New Station

  Number of comments: 2
  On Monday, at 5PM, the Fire Commission will meet at the Thompsonville Fire Station to decide whether to purchase property for a new fire station. Last I heard, they were eying the Little Country Store property, on Pearl Street. The most recent property assessment occurred in 2006, at the height of the [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2008, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Smyth Breakfast Feeds 600, Raises $14,000

  Number of comments: 3
  Last Saturday's pancake breakfast to benefit Sam Smyth was a success by all measures. When I arrived at St. Bernard's, shortly after 9:00, only a handful of open spots were left in the parking lot. Rows of tables spanning the length of Fitzmaurice Hall were filled with people feasting on pancakes [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2008, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Uncle Fred’s Economic Common Sense

  Fred Thompson has recorded a video highlighting the dangers of government spending in the name of "bailout", "stimulus", and "rescue". He warns that the reckless spending policies proposed by some Washington leaders will simply set the stage for roaring inflation. [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2008, 5:41pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• In NC Register, Carl Anderson, Rev. Robert Sirico, and Others Weigh In on Financial Crisis

  The National Catholic Register features some incisive commentary on the financial crisis by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson and Rev. Robert Sirico of the Acton Institute, and  Frank J. Hanna, the author of What Your Money Means. Anderson writes: “What we need is a candid admission that the fault lies not just [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2008, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• For “Fundraiser”, EHS Teachers Dress In Drag

  Number of comments: 7
  Over at The Hartford Courant, Nancy Smyth Lastrina is reporting on a recent EHS fundraiser for The Enfield Food Shelf: So when I heard that a few male teachers at Enfield High School were dressing as women and parading around in front of the entire student body for charity at [...]
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  Posted: November 26, 2008, 10:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Unexpected Emergency: EMS System Works Like Clockwork

  Last Thursday's Voices for Thompsonville meeting was supposed to be just another business meeting of a community group trying to revitalize this gritty neighborhood in the heart of downtown Enfield. I arrived at the Polish Home not long after nightfall - a reminder of the ever shortening days and an omen' [...]
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  Posted: November 26, 2008, 7:00am EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Dodd Meeting Focuses on Transit Center, Radio Upgrades

  Number of comments: 2
  Dodd Meeting Focuses on Transit Center, Radio Upgrades James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle Today, Enfield officials met with Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) to lobby for federal funding for key municipal projects, including a planned multimodal transportation center in Thompsonville and equipment upgrades needed to migrate police, fire, and EMS radios to [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2008, 4:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Bailout Mania: Big Labor and Big Government Come To Collect Payoffs

  Nary a week has passed since the election of Barack Obama, and already special interests have lined up for payoffs in the name of "bailout." Leading the charge for bailouts are the American automakers: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. These companies are rapidly burning through their cash reserves and claim to [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2008, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• 21st Century Tactics: Is Ron Paul the Future of the GOP?

  Number of comments: 1
  Last Tuesday's election represents a triumph of rhetoric over ideology. Statistics show that Barack Obama was carried over the top by his talk of "hope" and "change", not by popular assent to his left-wing agenda. In the end, John McCain's nuts-and-bolts focus on issues like earmarks could not hold a [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2008, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Michael Steele For RNC Chairman

  Number of comments: 3
  The Carpet City Chronicle endorses Michael Steele for RNC Chairman. Steele served as Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 2003-2007 and is currently the chairman of GOPAC. [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2008, 11:25am EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Dereliction of Duty: Did Blumenthal Throw High Court Marriage Argument?

  Number of comments: 1
  Karen Lee Torre's recent bombshell column in The Connecticut Law Tribune, "‘Unseemly' Conduct By The AG" questions Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's advocacy in the recently decided gay "marriage" case, Kerrigan v. Department of Public Health. Torre draws attention to Footnote 15 in Zarella's opinion, which questions whether Attorney General Blumenthal zealously [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2008, 12:00pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Constitutional Convention: Blumenthal and Wolfgang Face-Off on Fox 61

  This morning, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Family Institute of Connecticut Executive Director Peter Wolfgang faced off on Shelley Sindland’s The Real Story, formerly known as Beyond the Headlines. The discussion topic was the Constitutional Convention. http://www.fox61.com/pages/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3087749 As usual Blumenthal’s large ego and penchant for demagoguery were on display. On multiple occasions, [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2008, 11:30pm EST
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Election 2008: Voters Face Significant Issues

  Number of comments: 4
  In a few days, we will drive to the polls, obtain a ballot, and in the privacy of a voting booth decide the future of our great country. After years of benign neglect, America's long slumber has come to an end. Never have the stakes been higher!' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2008, 5:01pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Constitutional Convention TV Ad

  The Constitution Convention Coalition has worked with the Connecticut Catholic Conference to produce a TV ad in favor of the Constitutional Convention. I like that the ad features a positive message. It is a marked contrast to the “Vote No” ad featuring Attorney General Blumenthal. The “Vote No” ad makes extensive use [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Mayor Kaupin on Energy Referendum

  Number of comments: 1
  Today I received an email from Enfield Mayor Scott Kaupin about the upcoming Energy Referendum. In recent days, an email riddled with half-baked facts about the referendum has been circulating around town. Kaupin effectively responds to the concerns raised by that email and explains why we need to vote yes: From: [...]
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  Posted: October 24, 2008, 9:00am EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Dodd Appearance Raises Questions About Priorities and Ethics

  Dodd Appearance Raises Questions About Priorities and Ethics James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle The Enfield Press, October 23, 2008 “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.“ -Lord Acton “‘We call it the ‘Bank of America bill on steroids.’ A House staffer told me that, demanding anonymity… Dodd-Shelby would let mortgage lenders off the [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Tallarita Mailer: A Recipe For Disaster

  Tallarita Mailer: A Recipe For Disaster James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle Enfield State Rep. Kathy Tallarita has sent out a campaign mailer to Enfield residents who live inside and outside her district (an efficient use of Citizens Election Program funds). Featured on Page 3 of the mailer is a recipe for [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2008, 9:00am EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• High Court Marriage Ruling Contravenes Public Consensus, Imperils Religious Liberty

  High Court Marriage Ruling Contravenes Public Consensus, Imperils Religious Liberty James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle The Enfield Press, October 16, 2008 “Because the long-standing, fundamental purpose of our marriage laws is to privilege and regulate procreative conduct … persons who wish to enter into a same sex marriage are not similarly [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Pork-Laden Bailout Package Portends Long Downturn

  Pork-Laden Bailout Package Portends Long Downturn James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle The Enfield Press, October 9, 2008 “Our banks are knowingly approving risky loans to get the feds and the activists off their backs… When the coming wave of foreclosures rolls through the inner city, which of today’s self-congratulating bankers, politicians and [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Financial Crisis Caused By U.S. Mortgage Woes

  For many Americans, recent weeks have been a sobering period. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been taken over by the federal government. Lehman Brothers is embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings. To avert crisis, the federal government took an 80% stake in AIG, in return for an $85 billion bridge loan. [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Traditional Marriage Threatened

  Number of comments: 2
  Traditional marriage is under attack. Led by the homosexual lobby, special interest groups have waged an ongoing campaign to redefine marriage. Now, more than ever, marriage is vulnerable. However, this year, we have an unprecedented opportunity to fight back — by amending the State Constitution to allow initiative and referendum. [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Democracy: The People or The Powerful

  Today’s Hartford Courant features a column by Rick Green opposing efforts to amend the state Constitution, headlined, "Injecting Chaos Into Democracy". In enumerating his opposition, Green constructs a series of straw-man arguments that are easily disproved. [...]
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  Posted: September 23, 2008, 4:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Enfield Press: The Facts

  Number of comments: 3
  A recent email from Mary Ann Turner dispels many of the rumors about The Enfield Press that are currently circulating around town. Contrary to rumor, The Enfield Press is not shutting down. From the looks of it, they will be redoubling coverage of Town Council, BOE, and P&Z meetings. You should know that [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Local Media Coverage of Last Night’s Planning and Zoning Hearing

  Both Stacey Silliman and Shawn Beals have articles in the Journal Inquirer and Hartford Courant, respectively, about last night’s public hearing. Thanks again to everyone who turned out to speak against the supportive housing. [...]
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  Posted: September 12, 2008, 2:30pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Enfield Planning and Zoning Denies “Supportive Housing” Application

  Number of comments: 2
  The Enfield Planing and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to deny Enfield People for People's application for a special use permit, to put "supportive housing" in Old North School, this evening. [...]
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  Posted: September 12, 2008, 1:52am EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Public Policy Statement on “Supportive Housing” Application

  Tonight, I urge the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny Enfield People for People's application for a special use permit to put supportive housing in the Old North School. [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2008, 8:46pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• “Supportive Housing” Plan Pits Social Services Against Revitalization

  Tonight, Enfield's Planning and Zoning Commission faces a choice of momentous proportions. Will they take steps to turn Thompsonville into a ghetto and approve Enfield People for People's plan to put "supportive housing" in Old North School? Or will they deny the application and support community-based efforts to improve the [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2008, 5:00pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Enfield Prepares for Tropical Storm Hannah

  The Town of Enfield has issued a press release about preparations for Tropical Storm Hannah. Due to proximity to the Connecticut River and prevalance of wetlands, flooding risks are high. Residents are urged to talk all precautions and in the case of an emergency, should dial 9-1-1. Emergency preparations proceed under the [...]
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  Posted: September 05, 2008, 3:17pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• P&Z Chairman’s Rules For Supportive Housing Hearing

  Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Charles Duren has issued some house rules for tonight's public hearing on putting "supportive housing" in the Old North School. The hearing will take place in the Council Chambers at 7:30 PM. The special rules appear on the Commission's agenda, which is posted on the [...]
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  Posted: September 04, 2008, 10:30am EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Palin Nomination Highlights McCain’s Audacity

  Palin Nomination Highlights McCain’s Audacity “Supportive Housing” Opposes Revitalization Strategy James Bailey Brislin The Carpet City Chronicle The Enfield Press, September 4, 2008 “Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don’t interfere as long as the policy you’ve decided upon is being carried out.“ -Ronald Reagan This is a very exciting time [...]
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  Posted: September 03, 2008, 5:00am EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• Local Media Coverage of Fire District Special Meeting

  Channel 3 (WFSB)'s Hallie Jackson produced a segment on the fire station vote for last night's 11:00 news: http://www.wfsb.com/video/17324200/index.html Also, Laura Alix has an article in this afternoon's Journal Inquirer: http://journalinquirer.com/articles/2008/08/28/towns/enfield/doc48b6b963974e8511954460.txt [...]
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  Posted: August 28, 2008, 1:30pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin

• BREAKING: Fire Station Tabled, As Commission Explores Other Options

  Residents of the Thompsonville Fire District voted to table a controversial $7.35 million plan for a new fire station, at tonight's special meeting. Additionally, Thompsonville Fire Commission Chairman Marge Perry announced that town officials have agreed to discuss possible arrangements for the Higgins parcel. [...]
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  Posted: August 27, 2008, 11:30pm EDT
  by James Bailey Brislin