Animal 411

‘She’s a Sweetheart’: Twice-Orphaned Senior Beagle Up for Adoption, Fostering

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A dog that had been set to be euthanized Thursday—a stray originally adopted in New Canaan who turned up in New York City last week—is now available for fostering or adoption through a partnership between New Canaan’s animal rescue group and the police department. The small, approximately 9-year-old beagle mix is being called “Ladybug-Stacey-Hannah” by Officer Allyson Halm, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section, because those three names all appear on various paper work associated with the dog. She initially had been adopted in New Canaan from the local Animal Control shelter in 2011, and it isn’t clear just where she was in the intervening years. According to Halm, the Stamford man who had adopted her only had the dog for a few months and gave her away to a since-forgotten party. Claudia Weber, founder of Strays & Others, learned of Ladybug’s plight and decided immediately to help the orphaned animal.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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Congratulations to the South School Chess Club, which won first place at the Fairfield County Scholastic Team Chess Championship. The Nov. 8 tournament featured competitors from nine K-5 Fairfield County elementary schools. The South School team was led by Joseph Ho, Michael Telesco, Henry Chandra and Luke Gencarelli, who each won three games out of four. Strong contributors included Jenna Ho and Luke Van Dussen. This tournament also brought out young talents Quinn Kilkenny, Yuna Ho and Emily Telesco who were each playing in their first or second professional tournament.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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Congratulations to the New Canaan High School varsity girls’ soccer team on a 2-1 victory over Amity on Monday. The girls advance to play No. 7 seed Middletown at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Best of luck! ***

Though some bridled after Audit Committee members issued a list of “action items” they said they required in order for the volunteer group to feel comfortable signing off on New Canaan’s financial statements, it appears local officials—including the first selectman, Town Council, school and finance boards and Audit Committee itself—have worked together to move forward as one.

Government

Meet the New Canaan Charter Revision Commission

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Members of a newly formed commission charged with studying the governing document of New Canaan—with an eye on recommending updates for a town-wide vote on Election Day 2016—on Wednesday voted a former delegate to the state legislature as their chairman. John Hetherington of Valley Road will serve as chairman of the Charter Revision Commission, following a unanimous vote at the group’s first meeting, held at Town Hall. See the gallery above for some background on each of the commission’s 10 members, as they introduced themselves in turn at the meeting. After commissioners been sworn in by Town Clerk Claudia Weber, Town Council Vice Chair addressed the group. Asked during an interview after the meeting about the importance of the task before them, Karl said: “The importance is that these folks who know New Canaan like the back of their hand are going to look at the Charter, the DNA of the town, and review anything that should be changed or revised, and it hasn’t been done in 10 years.”

Commissioners agreed to set a schedule whereby they would meet twice per month with an eye on getting a draft proposal to the Town Council next April.

Government

Caucus Results: New Canaan Republicans Back New Candidates for Town Council, Board of Ed

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New Canaan Republicans on Tuesday night backed four candidates for Town Council and three for Board of Education—an incumbent from each elected group failing to garner the required votes for party endorsement—during the Republican Town Committee’s caucus at New Canaan High School. Officials said just 285 total ballots were cast during the caucus, which saw most voters exit the high school auditorium even before candidates had a chance to give their speeches. The hopefuls now eye the Nov. 3 local elections, to begin their terms on the Town Council and Board of Ed soon afterwards. “It’s a great civic duty on your part to attend this,” RTC Moderator John Ponterotto told those gathered at the caucus at the outset, prior to opening voting for those who wished to cast their ballots prior to candidate speeches.