Milford Matters

The New Haven Register is launching a new page on Facebook to better engage with our suburban audience in the communities of Milford, the Valley and Amity. Since this page is designed so we can interact with you on a variety of issues we thought it would be fun to have readers send in pictures to serve as the background for our Facebook page. We’re looking for pictures that best symbolize the beauty or highlight the uniqueness of Milford, the Valley, and Amity. If you’re interested please post/share the pictures on my Facebook profile: http://www.facebook.com/nhrbmccready and/or email them to bmccready@nhregister.com . I’ve seen so many beautiful pictures on Facebook of all three communities, and it would be great for us to showcase your talents. We will write a blog post crediting the photographer for their artistic talents on all photos we use. Thanks, Brian McCready Metro Editor overseeing coverage of Milford, the Valley, and Amity bmccready@nhregister...

State of Connecticut, Department of Veteran’s Affairs Commissioner, Dr. Linda Schwartz is scheduled to be the key-note speaker for the City of Milford’s Memorial Day Parade.   Dr. Schwartz, a retired U.S. Air Force Registered Nurse and Vietnam Veteran, is an advocate and activist who has devoted her life to healing the wounds of war and improving the lives of America’s 24 million veterans. The City of Milford will host our annual Memorial Day Parade on Sunday, May 27 th , 2012 at 2pm.   All units and marchers are asked to assemble at the Daniel Wasson Field parking lot at 1pm.A short ceremony at the gazebo on the green will follow. The City Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held on May 27 th , 2012 in front of City Hall at 8:45am.   All are invited to attend this short but moving ceremony. For those who wish to join our veterans organizations, boys and girls scouts, and other community groups put “Flags on Graves” in preparation for our Memorial D...

It's been a pretty smooth ride thus far for new Mayor Ben Blake, but one of the biggest challenges he's faced this far includes what to do with East Shore Middle School renovations. In a story I wrote about the bids , the numbers came in more than $3 million over budget. Blake and the Board of Aldermen approved $12 million for renovations and an addition, but parents and staff asked for $16 million. Blake will meet with members of the city's Permanent Schools Building Committee 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall to discuss what to do. Blake told me Friday he's unsure what he will recommend. In order to complete the scope of work the city signed off on $3 million will need to be approved.  My guess and it's just that, I have no inside information, is Blake will either rebid the renovation project, or seek to negotiate directly with the low bidder in an effort to drop the price so the scope of the renovations do not have to be scaled back. We'll see what happen...

Milford police were busy this weekend and a couple of interesting arrests including someone walking into Shop Rite and allegedly stealing a $300 flat screen tv, and then someone allegedly caused a ruckus at Milford Hospital and damaged a wall.

Two dozen people volunteered at the prescription drug give-back Saturday at the Milford Senior Center on Jepson Drive. Residents drove into the parking lot and deposited their unwanted medications in a bag for ultimate incineration. The program was sponsored by the Milford Prevention Council in conjunction with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. It aimed to reduce medications in the households and provide a proper place for their disposal, police Officer Jeff Neilsen said. Representatives of the Milford Prevention Council, the Milford Medical Reserve Corps, the Police Department and alumni of the Milford Police Citizen Academy participated. Milford's program was among 70 take-backs Saturday in the state.

On my Facebook work account I received 35 comments concerning Connecticut’s repeal of the death penalty. I wrote an article about a Milford lawmaker , Gayle Slossberg, who initially supported the law, but over time changed her mind, and voted for the repeal. I asked people what they thought and I received an amazingly passionate debate that went round and round for days. I truly appreciate the feedback and comments. It’s exciting for me to read the comments and know better what the readers are thinking. A big thanks to everyone who submitted a comment. Here is the rundown below. Joe Della Monica Maybe Senator Slossberg should have voted the people's conscience and not her own! I believe she was elected for that purpose and not for a self-fulfilling "change" of heart. Sue Sawyer I think the people want the death penalty, especially after the horrific deaths associated with the Pettit case and our legislators should be representing what the people want ...

Milford police arrest Thursday include a shoplifting where the suspect is alleged to have used force to get away , of course, before being apprehended.

MILFORD – The Annual Milford Public Schools Art Show has become a favorite event in Milford with hundreds of students and their parents touring the halls of the Parsons Complex to view the student pieces on display.    While attendees enjoyed the elementary art show opening in March, it was the formal announcement of long-time art educator Frank Vespi’s retirement that took center stage during the show’s opening ceremony.   Mr. Vespi’s retirement will be effective at the end of this school year. Vespi, a 42-year veteran of the Milford Public School system, was honored by art teachers across the district with the dedication of the Elementary Art Show to him for his selfless service to the students of Milford for more than four decades.   To further credit Mr. Vespi for his life’s work, five of his students were selected to have replications of their artwork featured on the covers of the art show programs this year.   For those in attendance, it was a tear...

MILFORD—A 17-year-old city teen was arrested on a warrant Wednesday for uploading and possessing 200 images of child pornography into a Facebook account, police said Thursday. Police spokesman Lt. Vaughan Dumas wrote in a department press release Thursday that the department’s Computer Crimes Unit received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a person from Milford uploaded more than 200 images of child pornography into a Facebook account, police said.  The investigation led to a city address where a search and seizure warrant was executed, police said. Police seized a computer from the residence and after a forensic review an excess of 100 images and videos of child pornography were found, police said. The 17-year-old teen, whose name was not provided by police because of the juvenile’s age, was connected to this upload and to Facebook through his email address and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The teen was charged wi...