Stratford, CT|News|
Burlington Coat Factory to Remain Closed Indefinitely
Leaks, breach cause local outlet to close for fear of partial or full roof collapse. Customers encouraged to visit Orange outlet for now.
<b>Email: christopher.carroll@patch.com<br> Phone: (203) 916-2579<br> Hometown; Milford, CT<br> Birthday: June 17</b>
My journalism career started in high school in Milford, continued at the University of Connecticut and my first full-time reporting job was at the <i>Willimantic Chronicle</i> while still an undergraduate. I am a longtime reporter and editor in southern Connecticut, starting with the Milford Citizen and Stratford Bard, where I was a beat and assignment reporter starting in 1979 through 1985. In January 1986, I joined Hometown Publications where I wrote for the Stratford Star soon after its launch and was editor of the Trumbull Times before being named executive editor at Hometown in August 1986. As such, I oversaw the entire editorial department and production of seven weekly newspapers. In 1997, I was a sections editor for the Bristol Press and was the executive editor at Housatonic Publications in 2000, a subsidiary of the Journal Register Co., before joining Patch in August 2010. <br> <br>
I was born and raised in Milford and attended the University of Connecticut in Storrs, graduating with a B.A. degree in History in 1980.
I am married to Debby Schneller Carroll, my Maple Street neighborhood sweetie, and we have five children -- Kelly, Kerrie, Katie, Kylene and William -- and three grandchildren -- David, Kylee and Brandon. My daughter, Kylene, 16 at the time, died in 2002 from complications of flu and we all miss her dearly.
For most of my journalistic career, I was a registered Independent who usually voted Democratic. Today, I am a registered Democrat who splits his ticket -- I would say 70-30% Democratic over Republican, although like many, I find myself becoming more conservative with age, which doesn't preclude being a Democrat as some on the far right might charge. However, I do believe that working within the system is the best way to stay involved and to bring about change when needed. That said, the partisanship of party politics is not something I enjoy nor partake in. In that sense, I remain an Independent.
I was brought up Roman Catholic and today consider myself independently religious.
As a reporter and editor, I believe that one of my functions is to proactively report and monitor the activities of politicians and officials. I like to write about politics, people, schools, the environment and town government.
In Stratford, hot button issues include the airport, Long Beach west, the high cost of housing, the high cost of providing a good public educational system, taxation issues, the high cost of health care and our aging population.
Leaks, breach cause local outlet to close for fear of partial or full roof collapse. Customers encouraged to visit Orange outlet for now.
Testifies last week in Hartford to change law.
Several fundraisers planned beginning with 'Bounce U' event set for February 18.
Mayor & Mrs. Harkins join Supt. Cornish in urging residents to consider becoming a mentor for a school student.
Results indicate that overall levels of satisfaction are high. However, ranking offficials agree that more work can be done.
The subject is on Monday night's Town Council meeting agenda.
Action comes in Junior Varsity Division in the Sterling House high school basketball league.
Sunday into Monday will see temperatures rise where they have not gone to in a while -- perhaps well into the 40s near 50 -- good weather to help the Stratford fire department clear out street fire hydrants before the next freeze.
Early Friday morning blaze does significant damage, but no one injured.
Members of the Waterfront and Harbor Management Committee asserted its right to set the hours of Bond's Dock at its meeting Thursday, so Stratford Patch brings you this brief photo tour of the dock and environs -- winter style.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT: No one in Stratford wants to see any neighborhood school closed, yet that may happen in time for next Fall when one, maybe two elementary schools could be closed and some school districts adjusted.
We asked readers and residents for their picks of the most romantic restaurant in Stratford as Valentine Day looms on Monday.
Franklin School fundraising effort at Barnum Avenue Burger King just one example of every school's efforts to add a little something extra "for the kids."
Look for a listing of Stratford property transfers every Thursday on Stratford Patch. The "record date" is the date that the transaction was recorded with the Town of Stratford. Information is from the Assessor's Office.
Friendly stray picked up last December now needs a home to continue progress toward full recovery.
Stratford police reported the following incidents and arrests for the period Feb. 1 through Feb. 3.
Engine 6 out due to computer glitch; Engine 7 at public works for brakes. Town borrows fire trucks from Bridgeport, Milford and Shelton.
Stratford department borrowing fire engines from area towns including Milford after losing two engines in January I-95 accident and two spares this week for repairs.
Norm Aldrich put the superintendent of schools on the spot in front of several hundred residents attending Monday evening's meeting studying the Stratford school closing issue: "What would you do?" he asked.
Games set for week of Feb. 7 through Feb. 12.