CAPT test results for West Hartford

SCHOOL DISTRICT: WEST HARTFORD
MATHEMATICS: 56.8
SCIENCE: 63.9
READING: 62.0
WRITING: 68.3

The state averages are as follows:
Math: 45.2 | Science: 44.4 | Reading: 45.6 | Writing: 52.9

I’m predicting a new push in math so watch out kids!

King Philip and Hall on failing school list

King Philip Middle School and Hall High School are listed among 315 Connecticut schools that are “in need of improvement” for failing to meet federal No Child Left Behind Act benchmarks, the State Education Department reported today.

Who cares how large political signs are?

Democratic and Republican leaders in West Hartford are talking about a pact to get all of their candidates to “refrain from using oversize, billboard-style campaign signs,” according to a story in today’s Courant.

“I hope you will agree that this is one more way that we can put partisanship aside and do something that the people of our town will appreciate,” Democratic Chairwoman Maureen Magnan said in a letter asking Republican Chairman Carl Donatelli to agree to the ban, the story said.

Donatelli called it “a worthy objective,” the paper reported, but added, “I don’t know that I can make a promise on behalf of all the candidates that no signs will go up, regardless of the size. We can make the suggestion, but we really can’t enforce it.”

Two years ago, a few candidates erected some 4-by-8-foot signs, which are hardly billboards or something. They were criticized for it by “residents,” the paper said.

Last time I checked, this is still a democracy, and elections are a whole lot more important than all the signs we see every day for the Mohegan Sun, the lottery, restaurants and that big porn store on the Berlin Turnpike.

Candidates can put up any sign they like. It’ll either pay off at the polls … or not. But residents who are griping about sign size really need to take another look at their lives. It’s not a big deal.

And Magnan and the Democratic candidates who seem to have put the issue on the table should realize that handshake deals with Republicans as a way to undermine the rights given candidates by the First Amendment may be illegal. We have our rights as Americans and among them is the right to run for office and put our names on a big ol’ sign.

Personally, I don’t like political signs. They’re ugly. But I don’t like restrictions on free speech even more.

Another hypocritical right-wing jerk

Roll Call has the story that U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, a vicious right wing nut from Idaho, pleaded guilty to lewd sexual behavior in a Minnesota airport men’s room. He is, of course, yet another “family values” Republican who can talk the talk but can’t walk the walk.

Read the story. It’s almost painfully ridiculous.

Visconti gets Advocate to do PR for him

Party Animal: Gadfly Joe Visconti throws himself into the political fray

A new week… what’s happening in WH?

What’s fun and interesting this week? Anything?

Long-time professor killed on Cape Cod

According to the Cape Cod Times, a 37-year veteran professor at UConn’s School of Social Work in West Hartford, Albert Alissi, was struck and killed by a car while taking a walk in West Dennis. Alissi retired five years ago from the school.

Associate Dean Catherine Havens told the paper that Alissi was a specialist in social groupwork and remained active in the school’s doctoral program and as a scholar in his field.

“He would do anything to help a student learn,” Havens told the paper. “He was one of those very special faculty members that people come back to see. He was very active and very energetic, and still working and contributing, so it’s just tragic.”

Webster Hill kid was lying

The story seemed shaky all along, and the schools’ reaction overblown in any case, but now we know that that the intruder story was a lie from the start, according to a story in today’s Courant.

What bothers me most is the police clearly suspected from the start that the incident never happened. They should have expressed skepticism from the start, if only to alleviate the fear this sort of thing creates.

Monster rats in West Hartford?!?

“Lots and lots of rats” are invading the Charter Oak neighborhood in Elmwood, according to today’s Hartford Courant.

“A rat problem that resulted in occasional complaints to health officials has spread over the past 18 months, leading officials to step up efforts to contain the rodents, which Mayor Scott Slifka called a public health risk,” the story said.

“As many as 400 homes in the Charter Oak neighborhood in the South End of town are facing a rodent invasion and residents, running out of solutions, are pleading with the town for help,” the story continued.

Some residents told town officials last night “they were afraid to walk out at night because of the rats. Others said their pets were growing afraid of the rodents – largely brown Norway rats that can measure up to 18 inches from head to tail,” the story said.

Health officials cited 88 “serious offenders” whose failure to keep their garbage secure has helped draw the rats to town, a number that’s frighteningly high. I mean, do you really need inspectors to tell you to keep your trash contained when there are monster rats about?

“To help eradicate the rats, the town is looking to stage a ‘mass-kill’ in mid-September. Town Manager James Francis said the project could cost the town roughly $250,000 and residents may have to pay between $100 and $200 – which could be reimbursed – as part of neighborhood-wide project. Specific costs, dates and details of the mass-kill plan are pending,” the story said.

You have to love it. We have no money for Middle School Quest but we’re devoting a quarter million to killing rats. So much for our image, eh?

Bicycling in West Hartford

The new West Hartford Cycling Task Force is looking for ways to make the town more friendly for cyclists, which would be a good thing on many levels, including the reality that making cyclists safer will also make pedestrians safer.

Jamie Sullivan will serve as chairman, with Charles Beristain, Richard L. Hughes III, Richard Raport and Carmen Yiamouyiannis also on the panel, according to a Courant story.

“We’d like to see them come back to us in the next 90 days, with suggestions for how we can make it safer and more accessible,” said council member Chuck Coursey, according to the paper.

The task force’s first meeting is tentatively set for 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at town hall. If you care about cycling, go! But if you take your bicycle to attend, be damn careful. Drivers are crazy around here!

I’m curious to know more about the greenway trail along Trout Brook. When is that going to be done?