Two more isshews to go before the end of the year, and a much-needed hiatus for the people here at the office. Next week, Dec. 17, will be the last papyrus before the holidays and we will be off with the next edition coming out Jan. 7. The difference in schedule was necessary as effen we kep’ with the every-other-week situation, we’d be coming out on Christmas Eve. Nobody wants that, and it will jest stale itself on the newsstands. Soooo,we made an executive decision betwixt the executives.
That means that next week’s issue will have Cobina’s wish list for what presents the local yokels and politicos of our great Asylum by the Sea should find under their evergreens this Christmas. We have a list, and we’re checking it twice, but like Ko-Ko in The Mikado, we’re also seeing what societal offenders never would be missed, effen yew git m’drift. All in all, it should be an interesting missive to yew honeybunch.
Here in the aforementioned Asylum by the Sea, the rumor mill is really perking up. Development seems to be the topic of this little twitterings – no not like the social media thing, but like little chirps. Of course, Sammy Bluejay was the one who brought said tweets to our attention.
Over the last little while, the city has been able to sell the former Allingtown Community Center, which of course has set off a hue and cry cuz they ain’t made any attempt to date of getting a place for the Piantino Library; but beside that, the Armstrong building or buildings is being eyed for some type of development. Of course, we had to kind of pry that info out of certain members of the Actors Colony retinue, who jest don’t like answering queries.
But there is a new twitter going about the berg and this has to do with the Savin Rock Conference Center. Rumor is that there might be some type of subdivision of the space into, according to what we’re hearing, multiple restaurants. And, the word we got was interesting cuz it was from someone who would be in the know.
The good news is the Savin Rock Museum would be maintained in the building, which it should be. What Sammy wanted to know was whether that would affeck the proposed pavilion for a carousel at the site. Yeah, I know it’s been more than 15 years since the idea was floated to git a carousel like the one that used to be at the amusement park, but that idea is dying on the vine. Back then it was to cost about $3 million to build the pavilion and get the carousel.
The pavilion was to be adjacent to the building closer to Savin Rock itself, one wonders effen this new rumored proposal would put the kibosh on the carousel or enhance. It will be interesting to see effen this is something that transpires.
There was a bidding process, but we ain’t been able to ascertain what, if anything, is truth and what is just more hot air.
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We hoid via Nelly Nuthatch that former chairman of the Charter Revision Commish Ed Granfield has decided to call it a career and is in the process of selling his business and his building. Granfield, who founded Oyster River Petroleum, now Oyster River Energy, has decided to live the good life and take a retirement.
Granfield has been a strong supporter of this papyrus since it began, but more than that, he was an advocate for what’s good and fine in the city. His last foray into charter revision wasn’t a big success, falling by just under 500 votes – more than anyone thought after the politcos decided to put the screws to it.
He once told us a story that he was informed via local politicians many years ago that the only thing really wrong with him was that he had an “R” next to his name, rather than a “D.” The implication was Republicans are not going to get anywhere in our fair community as long as the Demmies are in charge….Doesn’t that say what’s wrong with everything here and elsewhere. It ain’t what your ideas are, but whether you belong to the right club. What a damning comment on the way we do politics.
Of course, after more than five decades of watching the politicians in this berg, nothing, absolutely nothing, surprises.
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So, two buildings were torn down a couple weeks ago, but not much else has been happening over there at the Haven Projeck. Two very visible buildings were torn down at the corners of Water and Elm streets, and there looked to be some prep work elsewhere, but there ain’t exactly speed records being made over there. One wonders how long it’s gonna be before the neighbors hit the Actors Colony with torches and pitchforks.
Iva Lootey told me t’other day that cars and pick-ups have been seen entering and exiting the area, which ahs been closed to thru traffic since April. That might mean something is happening, but it sure as heck ain’t fast enuff. People want to know what’s going on, and the developers have been very unwilling to let anyone know what in Hades is going on.
Chairman of the City Council Ron Quagliani did ask for some answers regarding the timeline and setch, but I’m not exactly sure he got any answers. Maybe they will come with Santa Claus.
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Madam Olga happened by and said that plans right now called for the opening of West Haven High School this week. Yew remember the number of COVID cases in the school amongst the staff and faculty were setch that Superintendent Neil Cavallaor decided to go to distance learning.
They school was to reopen on Nov. 23, but things didn’t calm down as much as was hoped so it was extended for another couple o’ weeks. At this writing it should be open, but one never knows. Meanwhile, New Haven is staying closed until after the foist of the year, and so are many schools in New Haven and Fairfield Counties.
Methinks Cavallaro and Co. are doing the right thing. The kids need the structure of the day as much as the adults. From some of the teachers that we’ve hoid from distance learning ain’t the do all and end all some thought. In some districks it has set kids back years, not months. We shall see.
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Natchurly, Olga also discussed the departure of Asst. Super Ann Druzolowski. Olga didn’t need her crystal ball to tell me this. There are many, many people who were happy to see the backside of her as she exited for the last time. And, we ain’t talking staff and faculty only. Yew remember that he didn’t exactly make any points for tact or diplomacy when the whole elimination of shops imbroglio was happening about six or seven years ago. People had real questions about the decision, and instead of talking to them as the people paying the bill, they were given short shrift.
Meanwhile, faculty and staff, which once hailed her coming into the system, saw the bloom come off that rose PDQ. So, she might be gone, but the sour taste in people’s mouths have lingered and may linger for a bit longer.
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With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,