Message from Mayor Florsheim.
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As some people know, we have a public information meeting scheduled tonight with DOT to talk about the upcoming Arrigoni Bridge and St. John's Square project. We have been carefully considering the best course of action for this event in the wake of COVID-19 preparations.
After consulting with state and local officials, we have decided to proceed with this meeting, but with some restrictions.
The meeting will be live streamed via Facebook Live on this page starting at 6:30.
If you are able to participate via live stream, you are encouraged to do that instead of attending in person. The feed will be monitored during the live stream and questions asked in the comments will be answered.
If you have advance questions or comments, you can email them to mayor@middletownct.gov and they will be asked at the meeting even if you do not attend.
In-person attendance will be limited to 50 people, with preference given to North End residents and business owners. Attendees are asked to please take precautions including washing their hands before arriving and avoiding unnecessary contact.
The presentation from DOT will be shared-- and I will of course continue to use this page to provide updates about the project's progress.
I want to thank the CT DOT team for really stepping up their community outreach about this project after hearing our concerns, and to everyone in Middletown for your cooperation in helping keep our community healthy!
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Opinion: DOT Plan Sacrifices Downtown Neighborhoods and Businesses
The following was submitted by Nathan Mealey.
NOTE: There is a public information session TONIGHT, 6:30PM, Macdonough School.
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The DOT plan for channeling additional auto traffic through downtown and the neighborhood streets surrounding it, is the complete opposite of the direction that Middletown should be taking. The DOT’s plans clearly prioritize the needs of drivers and cars over those of the families who live in these neighborhoods and the businesses that reside downtown. Increased traffic will surely decrease the quality of life and increase the safety concerns for those living in or near downtown.
I moved to Middletown a little over 2 years ago, and currently live on the edge of downtown by Wesleyan University with my wife and 2-year old son. We are regular walkers and runners, making our way to campus and downtown as well as walking throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Each day we walk to work and school, or go for runs in the area, and so have a great deal of first-hand experience as a pedestrian in Middletown.
On a day-to-day basis, I am consistently taken aback at the extent to which Middletown's streets prioritize cars and traffic over families and neighborhoods. Sidewalks are haphazardly available (at best) as soon as you get past High St., making it dangerous to walk on many streets, particularly if you have children with you (Bretton Road is a nightmare). And traffic regularly builds up in smaller neighborhood streets around downtown. When combined with the disregard drivers consistently demonstrate towards pedestrians and speed limits, this undermines the quality of life in these neighborhoods and makes them patently unsafe to live in.
Instead of continuing to prioritize cars over residents and families, Middletown and the DOT should be prioritizing the people who live here. Instead of doing things such as widening neighborhood streets so that more cars can pass through more quickly, the city should be making these streets less amenable to cars through whatever traffic calming means are appropriate. While traffic on Main Street and Washington Street may be inevitable, this does not mean that surrounding neighborhoods should be sacrificed to commuter traffic as well.
At the same time, the downtown district has become increasingly vibrant in just the short amount of time that I’ve lived here. Making it harder for people to find parking in town, or more dangerous for pedestrians to cross streets in downtown (and it is already fairly treacherous), will only serve to reverse this momentum. The city needs to grasp the opportunity to change the downtown experience from one that prioritizes the needs of traffic, to one that makes it safe and desirable for people to stroll and visit local businesses. This will increase the volume of foot traffic, which will benefit local businesses, and create the momentum that downtown needs to continue to evolve as a destination. Taking things in the opposite direction by prioritizing commuter traffic, will only erode the downtown experience.
Middletown has an opportunity to create a vibrant downtown ringed by coherent and safe neighborhoods, where people can live and walk without the constant presence and threat of traffic. Giving over more of our neighborhood streets is the wrong direction for the city, and a disservice to the people who live here. Instead of redesigning neighborhood streets to favor auto traffic, the city should be making them safer by building more sidewalks and implementing traffic calming measures wherever possible. The living conditions for residents and families in these neighborhoods should be the city's priority, and not the cars and traffic of commuters who are simply passing through.
NOTE: There is a public information session TONIGHT, 6:30PM, Macdonough School.
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The DOT plan for channeling additional auto traffic through downtown and the neighborhood streets surrounding it, is the complete opposite of the direction that Middletown should be taking. The DOT’s plans clearly prioritize the needs of drivers and cars over those of the families who live in these neighborhoods and the businesses that reside downtown. Increased traffic will surely decrease the quality of life and increase the safety concerns for those living in or near downtown.
I moved to Middletown a little over 2 years ago, and currently live on the edge of downtown by Wesleyan University with my wife and 2-year old son. We are regular walkers and runners, making our way to campus and downtown as well as walking throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Each day we walk to work and school, or go for runs in the area, and so have a great deal of first-hand experience as a pedestrian in Middletown.
On a day-to-day basis, I am consistently taken aback at the extent to which Middletown's streets prioritize cars and traffic over families and neighborhoods. Sidewalks are haphazardly available (at best) as soon as you get past High St., making it dangerous to walk on many streets, particularly if you have children with you (Bretton Road is a nightmare). And traffic regularly builds up in smaller neighborhood streets around downtown. When combined with the disregard drivers consistently demonstrate towards pedestrians and speed limits, this undermines the quality of life in these neighborhoods and makes them patently unsafe to live in.
Instead of continuing to prioritize cars over residents and families, Middletown and the DOT should be prioritizing the people who live here. Instead of doing things such as widening neighborhood streets so that more cars can pass through more quickly, the city should be making these streets less amenable to cars through whatever traffic calming means are appropriate. While traffic on Main Street and Washington Street may be inevitable, this does not mean that surrounding neighborhoods should be sacrificed to commuter traffic as well.
At the same time, the downtown district has become increasingly vibrant in just the short amount of time that I’ve lived here. Making it harder for people to find parking in town, or more dangerous for pedestrians to cross streets in downtown (and it is already fairly treacherous), will only serve to reverse this momentum. The city needs to grasp the opportunity to change the downtown experience from one that prioritizes the needs of traffic, to one that makes it safe and desirable for people to stroll and visit local businesses. This will increase the volume of foot traffic, which will benefit local businesses, and create the momentum that downtown needs to continue to evolve as a destination. Taking things in the opposite direction by prioritizing commuter traffic, will only erode the downtown experience.
Middletown has an opportunity to create a vibrant downtown ringed by coherent and safe neighborhoods, where people can live and walk without the constant presence and threat of traffic. Giving over more of our neighborhood streets is the wrong direction for the city, and a disservice to the people who live here. Instead of redesigning neighborhood streets to favor auto traffic, the city should be making them safer by building more sidewalks and implementing traffic calming measures wherever possible. The living conditions for residents and families in these neighborhoods should be the city's priority, and not the cars and traffic of commuters who are simply passing through.
DOT Project: Analysis and Opinion
The Connecticut Department of Transportation plans to do maintenance work on the Arrigoni Bridge, to alter the St. John's Square intersection, and the Rapallo/Main Street intersection, and to make Rapallo Avenue one-way going west. There will be a public meeting on March 10, at 6:30, in Macdonough School.
Beth Emery contributed the following analysis and opinion, which follows her article with background documents (Part I). Emery is a former Planning and Zoning Commissioner, and current member of the Complete Streets Committee.
Beth Emery contributed the following analysis and opinion, which follows her article with background documents (Part I). Emery is a former Planning and Zoning Commissioner, and current member of the Complete Streets Committee.
In Part II, she interprets the plan from the perspective of all users of streets and sidewalks. She has concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and the effect of the plans on the vibrancy and sustainability of our downtown
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I understand from reading the documents on CTDOT BikePedDashboard that all projects are required to comply with Complete Streets protocols and the ATP. This is a great opportunity for the City of Middletown, CT DOT, and resident stakeholders to work together and come up with a Complete Streets plan for this area that is truly rigorous and integrated with all the principles the documents on the dashboard prescribe and more. I urge the CTDOT and Middletown to review the plans put into place prior to 2019 (but then not scheduled for construction until 2020) so that they reflect current DOT standards. This project has the potential to be a shining example of what can be done and done well when state and national complete streets protocols are followed. Main St Middletown is a vibrant downtown area, adjacent—in very close proximity—are neighborhoods that will remain, and hopefully thrive if CTDOT plans provide for them to do so.
Often “Complete Streets” is thought of as a transportation issue to make a city more bike and pedestrian friendly, and that it is, but it is also much, much more! Complete Streets initiatives are about live-ability and sustainable living concerns issues, which are a top priority for myself and I believe man Middletown residents—particularly those who live, work, visit, and go to school in the neighborhoods in and around these project areas. Bike-ability and walkability are critical for the neighborhoods these projects affect, and for all who choose to go, or have no option except to go car free.
Questions, Comments, Observations on Complete Streets
The three plans being discussed at this meeting should provide for:
a) The safety of all pedestrians (all pedestrians—mothers with carriages, wheelchair users, children, the frail, and those disabled but not in a wheelchair) and those who then become transit users—as a primary objective given the density of our urban/downtown location on state road 66, Middletown’s downtown, Main St.
Observation - The current set of plans do not appear to take into consideration the economic and health/safety, and social justice concerns of pedestrians, the neighborhood, and the city’s downtown. In as much as observed speed in adjacent neighborhoods has been consistently complained about as excessive, the plan should provide for traffic calming, and slower traffic on Main St., Grand Ave., Spring St., and Rapallo Rd. The plan must assure that the speed of traffic does not increase, only that the movement of traffic improves with the changes—in fact I would hope traffic speeds decrease. The DOT plans should add to the vibrant quality of life in downtown, and in no way detract from this vibrancy.
b) The safety of bicyclists.
Observation - The three plans do not include the word bicycle or any infrastructure consideration or traffic related studies on the impact to a bicyclist, let alone any plans to improve conditions for bicyclists. Arguably, the plans will make the intersections more dangerous for bicyclists.
c) Considerations of what a Complete Street can and should look like.
Observation - The current design plans appear to give the motoring public top priority to get somewhere in less time and more efficiently above the needs of those who live, work, visit, bike, walk, and go to school in these project areas, though your documents state that all users be considered equally.
Considerations on Complete Streets Design Criteria
· Please substantiate what speed limits the plans are designed for.
· Please describe what speed reduction mechanisms and traffic calming provisions are embedded in all of the plans along Main St. to keep the speed of motorists at the speed limit.
· Please describe how and if lane width management is being used throughout the plan areas as a traffic calming measure.
· Please describe any new street trees installations within the project areas as trees themselves can stand in as a traffic calming measure. Describe quantities and locations. If there are none; why not?
· Please describe those features that substantiate how the CTDOT plans are designed with consideration for aesthetic elements, including materials, lighting, landscaping, and street furniture. Note that a complete street has aesthetically pleasing surroundings–such as public art, well-maintained landscaping, and human-scale architecture to enhance the experience of using a street and make it a place where people want to be.
· Please describe numerically the curb radii at each crosswalk location in this plan, particularly at Washington and Main Streets.
o Note that NACTO states that Curb radii that are designed to accommodate the largest possible vehicle at its highest possible speed, degrade the pedestrian environment and result in longer crossing distances. They can also create a danger zone for bicyclists that end up in the blind spot of motor vehicles and large trucks. Corner radii directly impact vehicle turning speeds and pedestrian crossing distances. Minimizing the size of a corner radius is critical to creating compact intersections with safe turning speeds for cyclists and pedestrians. While standard curb radii are 10–15 feet, many cities use corner radii as small as 2 feet. (In urban settings, smaller corner radii are preferred and actual corner radii exceeding 15 feet should be the exception.)
o Please substantiate turning speed calculations and how they comply with CTDOT design criteria at the intersections of all three plans.
o NACTO notes that turning speeds should be limited to 15 mph or less. Minimizing turning speeds is crucial to pedestrian safety, as corners are where drivers are most likely to encounter pedestrians crossing in the crosswalk.
<<<<<<<<more below the break>>>>>>>
Monday, March 9, 2020
DOT Project: Background to an Opinion
The Connecticut Department of Transportation plans to do maintenance work on the Arrigoni Bridge, to alter the St. John's Square intersection, and the Rapallo/Main Street intersection, and to make Rapallo Avenue one-way going west. There will be a public meeting on March 10, at 6:30, in Macdonough School.
Beth Emery, former Planning and Zoning Commissioner, and current member of the Complete Streets Committee, has collected documents relevant to this work below.
Beth Emery, former Planning and Zoning Commissioner, and current member of the Complete Streets Committee, has collected documents relevant to this work below.
Ms. Emery will follow this with her commentary on the project in Part II.
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Beth Emery Comments for March 10, 2020 public meeting with CT DOT for work scheduled to begin Spring 2020 Regarding Middletown, CT CTDOT Projects--
Project 0082-0320 St John’s Square; Rapallo Ave. improvements
Project 0082-0319 Main St. bump-outs; Washington St and Main St improvements
Project 0082-0312 Rehabilitation of the Approach Spans for Arrigoni Bridge
Other applicable CT DOT documents can be found on the extensive BikePedDashboard. I presume that CTDOT as well as Middletown’s planners, engineers, and public works departments are all very familiar with these documents and policy directives. I highlight below some of the key the documents that I will reference in questions and remarks on the specifics of the plans.
· On Oct 20, 2014 the Connecticut Department of Transportation issued a policy document Complete Streets Policy (Executive Order 31) so as to be in compliance with CT general statutes. In part it states; “it is the policy of the Department to consider the needs of all users of all abilities and ages (specifically including pedestrians, bicyclist, transit users, and vehicle operators) in the planning, programming, design, construction, retrofit and maintenance activities related to all roads and streets as a means of providing a “safe, efficient transportation network with enhance quality of life and vitality.
· In January of 2019 the Connecticut Department of Transportation formally adapted an Active Transportation Plan (ATP) that in part provides guidelines for the Complete Streets general statutes. The above link provides a library of resources including the:
o Within the Appendices is the Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel Needs Assessment Form (BPTNA) that states: “In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, Section 13a-153f, Accommodations and Provisions of Facilities for All Users and the Department’s Policy Statement No. EX.0-31, It is the policy of the Department to consider the needs of all users of all abilities and ages (specifically including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and vehicle operators) in the planning, programming, design, construction, retrofit and maintenance activities related to all roads and streets as a means of providing a "safe, efficient transportation network which enhances quality of life and economic vitality.” Therefore, the need for inclusion of accommodations specifically for bicyclists and pedestrians, including those with disabilities, must be reviewed for every project.”
o CTDOT also writes in the ATP that “The form requires such information as a description of existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities within or near the project limits, a review of bicycle and pedestrian crash data in the project area, and a review of existing or planned bicycle or pedestrian traffic generators, such as parks and schools. The form is expected to be completed to the extent possible during a project’s scoping phase with continual review throughout the Preliminary Design. Upon completion of Preliminary Design, the form is also completed and attached to the Preliminary Design Report for each project.”
· The 2019 Connecticut Pedestrian Safety Guide includes the stated vision “to provide a safe transportation system where people of all ages and abilities can walk, bike, and travel by automobile safely and comfortably on Connecticut roadways.”
· Incorporating On-Road Bicycle Networks Into Resurfacing Projects (FHWA 3/2016). States that “Installing bicycle facilities during roadway resurfacing projects is an efficient and cost-effective way for communities to create connected networks of bicycle facilities. This workbook provides recommendations for how roadway agencies can integrate bicycle facilities into their resurfacing program. The workbook also provides methods for fitting bicycle facilities onto existing roadways, cost considerations, and case studies.”
· Type: Design Guides | National Association of City Transportation Officials. The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) have Complete Streets guidelines available that are of great value and often provide better design guidelines than what is offered by the FHWA. Presumably, the city of Middletown has copies of the NACTO guidelines which are listed as a resource on the CTDOT dashboard.
General Background Information on the projects as written by CTDOT and cut and pasted here.
Project 0082-0320 is proposed to reduce congestion and improve safety at the intersection of St. John’s Square and Main Street with the addition of two turn lanes as well as geometric realignment. Hartford Avenue, which becomes Saint John’s Square at its intersection with Main Street, operates as an on and off ramp for Route 9. It currently intersects Route 9 at a three-way signalized intersection, providing both northbound and southbound access to and from Main Street. The four-lane cross section of St. John’s Square intersects Main Street in a curve, creating a large roadway footprint.The proposed work includes the addition of two turn lanes on St. John’s Square westbound. Widening will occur on the southbound side in order to incorporate the two new lanes as well as a proposed median island. In addition, geometric improvements will be made to the intersection by way of median islands on Main Street that will serve to normalize the alignment. Rapallo Avenue, which currently consists of one lane in each direction and on-street parking on both sides of the street, will be converted into a one-way street in the westbound direction with limited on-street parking. Grand Street will be widened for the addition of an eastbound turn lane. Widening will also occur at the northwest corner of the intersection of Main Street and Washington Street to accommodate a dedicated right-turn lane.
Project 0082-0319 is proposed to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce vehicular congestion by constructing sidewalk bump-outs to shorten pedestrian crossing distances along Main Street. Main Street is a north-south running four lane arterial with on-street parking on both sides of the road. It is the main arterial for downtown Middletown, providing access for pedestrians and vehicles to many restaurants and shops. Due to the on-street parking, current crosswalk distances are between 80 and 96 feet, creating long pedestrian phases which in turn lead to poor vehicular levels of service. This project will construct sidewalk bump-outs to effectively shorten the required crossing distance for pedestrians. A total of 18 bump-outs are proposed that will reduce the pedestrian crossing distances to approximately 55 feet, shortening the pedestrian phase. This will reduce the overall delay experienced at each intersection and improve the level of service. The presence of on street parking reduces the sightlines between a waiting pedestrian and vehicles on Main Street. The bump-outs will relocate the sidewalk ramps even with the end of the parking stalls, improving the visibility for the pedestrian and motorist and increasing safety.
Project 0082-0312 is for the rehabilitation of the Arrigoni Bridge approach spans carrying Routes 17 and 66 in Middletown and Portland. This project will take place simultaneously with the Saint John’s Square/Main Street intersection operational improvement project in Middletown. Work on the Arrigoni approach spans consists of replacing the bridge decks, superstructure steel upgrades and repairs as well as substructure repairs to improve the overall structural capacity, reliability and integrity of the bridge. Additionally, a new protective fence system ranging in height from 8 to 12-feet, will also be installed on both the approach and main spans as part of this project. Work on St. John’s Square and Main Street consists of the geometric realignment of the intersection to improve safety and operational efficiency, as well as the addition of two turn-lanes.
RELATED, BUT not in the scope of work that is being presented at the March 10, 2020 meeting.
Project 0082-0318 is proposed to reduce congestion, improve safety, and improve access to downtown Middletown by removing two existing traffic signals on Route 9. Connecticut Route 9 is a north/south running freeway except for a short section of non-freeway in the downtown Middletown area where it overlaps with Route 17. This section of Route 9 stretches for approximately 0.36 miles (from exit 15 to exit 16) and includes two at-grade signalized intersections. These signalized intersections contribute to significant delays and crashes. The most recent three year crash history (January 2015 to December 2017) shows that there were 313 crashes resulting in 91 injuries including 1 fatality within the project limits.
I hope to have PART II Ready later in the day. There are many questions, suggestions, and comments that I am still working on putting together.
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Public Meeting on Main Street Changes Planned by CT's DOT
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| A common graphic which illustrates one of the dangers of the work planned for the corner of Washington & Main. |
The Department of Transportation is about to start work on a project which affects Main Street, and North End businesses and residents in particular.
There's a public meeting on Tuesday, March 10th at 6:30 pm at Macdonough School where the public can learn more about it and comment both to our Middletown officials and the CT DOT representatives.
The work has come as a surprise to most of the people that live and work here. Apparently it was verbally ok'd by our previous Mayor, without regard to the strong public comment against the plan when it was presented back in March 2018.
The current project has a few elements which add danger and inconvenience for people who live, work and walk downtown.
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| Work planned for Washington & Main |
First, the intersection of Washington & Main gets the boneheaded step of removing 8 metered parking spaces in front of Luce's to add a turn lane. If you've ever crossed at this corner, you know that trucks start their turn from close to the center of Main Street, and so this turn lane (which trucks couldn't possibly use) will be right in the blind spot of those turning trucks. Not to mention the added stress for pedestrians of having a turn lane next to the sidewalk, instead of a barrier of parked cars.
Word is that they'd like to get rid of the diagonal pedestrian crossing too - though they haven't spelled that out yet. With the tremendous volume of cars at this intersection, it takes constant vigilance to stay safe while crossing. The diagonal pattern -- where all cars come to a stop at the same time -- is the safest one for walkers. It's also an announcement to all who travel this way that this is a walkable downtown.
They plan to add bumpouts to the other three corners of Washington & Main - and will undoubtedly shorten the walk light cycles to make it easier for more cars to get through. In a well-documented process known as "induced demand", this kind of "improvement" leads to more cars using an intersection instead of less time spent sitting in traffic.
The height of irony is that they say this project is to improve pedestrian safety. If that was their real goal, they'd just add a red "no turn" arrow during the walk cycle, so cars couldn't go "right on red" while pedestrians have the right of way. Or, they could simply replace the "cross on demand" crosswalk they removed in front of Public Market. Or they could deal with all the cut-through traffic that threatens North End streets, like Pearl, High, Grand, Liberty, Prospect and, most urgently, Spring Street in front of Macdonough School.
But the needs of pedestrians and our local community are not their agenda. They've been clear that the eventual removal of the lights on Route 9 is what this project is about - although that work, and even an acceptable plan, are not yet on the horizon. They just know that they plan to bring significantly more pass-through traffic to Main Street in the future - though they don't yet know how - so this work will supposedly make room for all those extra cars.
Another aspect of this plan makes Rapallo Avenue a one-way street, just like in their last rejected Route 9 plan which made Rapallo an off-ramp from the highway.
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| Work planned for Rapallo/Grand/Main & St. John's Square |
In this plan, Rapallo would head one-way West, entering on to Main Street. For those who currently head East down Rapallo, they would likely shift to driving down Green and Ferry, which are both narrow residential streets which can only face decline and no benefit from this new cut-through traffic. For residents of Rapallo, it means endless trips round the block to get home, as well as impacts on parking.
There are other aspects to the plan as well - some work on the Spring Street access from the bridge, and altering the parking (dropping one space) in front of the Krust-NoRA-O'Rourke's Diner block. There may even be some good things for us in this plan - but that should be for us to decide, not just the people at CT DOT.
Yes, the Route 66 portion of Main Street is a state road, and we are host to tens of thousands of commuters each day. But that doesn't mean that our decades of work to revitalize Main Street should take second place to the needs of people passing through. And much of this work affects local roads, and even local portions of Main Street.
It is possibly - but not definitely - too late to stop this work from being done. The DOT is required to get official agreement before doing this kind of work that affects local roads. An official agreement should have input from the Common Council, the police, the fire department, the planning department and, ultimately, the Mayor. Do they have that?
We'll find out on Tuesday, 6:30 pm at Macdonough School.
Friday, March 6, 2020
First Church on Sunday: Historic Perspective on Every-day Life
Open your mind. Open your heart. Open some doors to safety.
A Difficult Conversation that's Dearly Needed
Sunday, International Women's Day
March 8, at 4pm
First Church,
190 Court Street in Middletown
The Murder Ballad Project
In Shades of Gray, Murder Ballad songs
Bear Witness to Domestic Violence
Through the Years
There have been so many years of this unpleasant phenomenon--domestic violence. And so little discussion about it. Until now. It's not an easy topic to address. It's terrifying to those who experience it; terrifying for those who hear about it. What can we do?
You may not know about domestic violence from your own family. But sadly domestic violence is pervasive in every-day life almost everywhere--it's global. Sadly. It's not fun to talk about or listen to, but if you can imagine how you'd feel if your mother or sister--or father or brother--was in a relationship that provoked violence in the home, that might bring it home to you and you might be deeply moved.
Think about that--think about where your mother or sister would go if they needed shelter from a threatening situation at home--or who they would talk with. In the past, when no shelter was available, the outcome was often drastic--abuse, threats, fear, uncontrolled violence of passion--murder, even. I think it's a form of bullying. That's what the murder ballads are about.
New Horizons, headed up by program director Denetra McBride, is a new organization that's up and running now through the Community Health Center (CHC) in Middletown. New Horizons is a sponsor of the Murder Ballad project, and addresses this shocking, ongoing need for safety for women in our culture, providing support services and direction for those whose domestic situation is intolerable.
The murder ballads that will be sung in Sunday's performance are songs about the awfulness of domestic violence. The ballads are a potent cry of the need for shelter and assistance through the ages, and also of the violent expression of difficulties in day-to-day living in an intimate or marriage situation.
Some of the songs may be heard in Friday's River Valley Rhythms broadcast on WESU. You can listen at the link below, and you will be amazed.
https://wesu.streamrewind.com/bookmarks/listen/286319/river-valley-rhythms?fbclid=IwAR0Jb7GWLYm2Ob8bh7VImf9EBX186P8Z_m847f_VC0HOodk9slfQLVPc1fY
You may have heard some of these songs, and if you come for the performance on Sunday, you'll hear more. The presenters, musicians, and singers* show a long and understanding perspective on the problem of domestic violence. And surely, they're not going to lecture you! --They will entertain you, talk to you, sing to you, and hope you'll come away with a feeling that we need to give more attention to domestic violence and family problems in our culture.
Be there, be aware! And if you do attend, please think about donating a little something for people at the shelters--cash, supplies, and a long list of everyday supplies--nonperishable food items, menstrual products (i.e., pads), body lotion, body wash/soap, laundry pods, hair products for women of color, gift cards (for outlets like Target where these items are available).
MAR8
or at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBallads/
Find out about New Horizons services at 860-344-9995.
______________________________________________
*Performers include Charissa Hoffman, Amanda Monaco, Karen Hogg, Pamela Means, Lara Herscovitch, Karen Dahlstrom, Kate Ten Eyck, Natalie Hamilton, Emily McDermott, Rani Arbo, Magdalena Abrego, and Merly De La Hoz-Cookson.
A Difficult Conversation that's Dearly Needed
Sunday, International Women's Day
March 8, at 4pm
First Church,
190 Court Street in Middletown
The Murder Ballad Project
In Shades of Gray, Murder Ballad songs
Bear Witness to Domestic Violence
Through the Years
There have been so many years of this unpleasant phenomenon--domestic violence. And so little discussion about it. Until now. It's not an easy topic to address. It's terrifying to those who experience it; terrifying for those who hear about it. What can we do?
You may not know about domestic violence from your own family. But sadly domestic violence is pervasive in every-day life almost everywhere--it's global. Sadly. It's not fun to talk about or listen to, but if you can imagine how you'd feel if your mother or sister--or father or brother--was in a relationship that provoked violence in the home, that might bring it home to you and you might be deeply moved.
Think about that--think about where your mother or sister would go if they needed shelter from a threatening situation at home--or who they would talk with. In the past, when no shelter was available, the outcome was often drastic--abuse, threats, fear, uncontrolled violence of passion--murder, even. I think it's a form of bullying. That's what the murder ballads are about.
New Horizons, headed up by program director Denetra McBride, is a new organization that's up and running now through the Community Health Center (CHC) in Middletown. New Horizons is a sponsor of the Murder Ballad project, and addresses this shocking, ongoing need for safety for women in our culture, providing support services and direction for those whose domestic situation is intolerable.
The murder ballads that will be sung in Sunday's performance are songs about the awfulness of domestic violence. The ballads are a potent cry of the need for shelter and assistance through the ages, and also of the violent expression of difficulties in day-to-day living in an intimate or marriage situation.
Some of the songs may be heard in Friday's River Valley Rhythms broadcast on WESU. You can listen at the link below, and you will be amazed.
https://wesu.streamrewind.com/bookmarks/listen/286319/river-valley-rhythms?fbclid=IwAR0Jb7GWLYm2Ob8bh7VImf9EBX186P8Z_m847f_VC0HOodk9slfQLVPc1fY
You may have heard some of these songs, and if you come for the performance on Sunday, you'll hear more. The presenters, musicians, and singers* show a long and understanding perspective on the problem of domestic violence. And surely, they're not going to lecture you! --They will entertain you, talk to you, sing to you, and hope you'll come away with a feeling that we need to give more attention to domestic violence and family problems in our culture.
Be there, be aware! And if you do attend, please think about donating a little something for people at the shelters--cash, supplies, and a long list of everyday supplies--nonperishable food items, menstrual products (i.e., pads), body lotion, body wash/soap, laundry pods, hair products for women of color, gift cards (for outlets like Target where these items are available).
MAR8
The Murder Ballad Project
Find out more at https://www.themurderballadproject.com/ .or at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBallads/
Find out about New Horizons services at 860-344-9995.
______________________________________________
*Performers include Charissa Hoffman, Amanda Monaco, Karen Hogg, Pamela Means, Lara Herscovitch, Karen Dahlstrom, Kate Ten Eyck, Natalie Hamilton, Emily McDermott, Rani Arbo, Magdalena Abrego, and Merly De La Hoz-Cookson.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Police identify pedestrian killed in hit-and-run at Washington & High Streets
From the Middletown Police Department:
Press
Release: Car vs. Pedestrian
On Wednesday, March 04, 2020, just after 9pm a dark-colored vehicle traveling west bound on Route 66/Washington Street at the intersection of High Street struck a pedestrian crossing the road. The vehicle fled the scene continuing westbound on Route 66 possibly headed down West Street.
On Wednesday, March 04, 2020, just after 9pm a dark-colored vehicle traveling west bound on Route 66/Washington Street at the intersection of High Street struck a pedestrian crossing the road. The vehicle fled the scene continuing westbound on Route 66 possibly headed down West Street.
The
pedestrian succumbed to her injuries. The
victim has been identified as Brooke Rich age 41 from Middletown, CT. The Middletown Police Department would like
to send our condolences to Brooke’s family and friends.
We
do have a vehicle of interest that we believe was involved in the hit and run.
Witnesses
at the scene say there was a second vehicle that made contact with the victim
after the initial impact. We are looking
for that vehicle and operator. The operator may be able to provide more
information regarding the accident.
Anyone
with any information can call Officer Peter Botsacos, of the Traffic Unit at
860-638-4061
Pedestrian Killed On Washington Street at High Street.
From the Middletown Police.
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On Wednesday, March 04, 2020 just after 9pm a dark colored vehicle traveling west bound on Route 66/Washington Street at the intersection of High Street struck a pedestrian crossing the road. The vehicle fled the scene continuing west bound on Route 66 possibly headed down West Street.
The pedestrian succumbed to their injuries. Notification to next of kin has not been made; as such we will not be releasing the identity of the victim.
The vehicle is believed to be dark color four door sedan with heavy front end damage. The driver is believed to be a white male.
The Middletown Police Department Traffic Unit as well as the Major Investigation Detectives are on scene assisting patrol with the investigation. Anyone with any information can call 860-638-4000 or Sgt. Doug Clark, supervisor of the Traffic Unit at 860-638-4060
-----------
On Wednesday, March 04, 2020 just after 9pm a dark colored vehicle traveling west bound on Route 66/Washington Street at the intersection of High Street struck a pedestrian crossing the road. The vehicle fled the scene continuing west bound on Route 66 possibly headed down West Street.
The pedestrian succumbed to their injuries. Notification to next of kin has not been made; as such we will not be releasing the identity of the victim.
The vehicle is believed to be dark color four door sedan with heavy front end damage. The driver is believed to be a white male.
The Middletown Police Department Traffic Unit as well as the Major Investigation Detectives are on scene assisting patrol with the investigation. Anyone with any information can call 860-638-4000 or Sgt. Doug Clark, supervisor of the Traffic Unit at 860-638-4060
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Replace Our Trees -- Time For Action
After 237 people signed the petition on the Jonah Center website to replace the 100 trees lost in Middletown every year (that’s just the trees on public property), we are asking our readers to email the Common Council. Please urge them to increase the tree planting budget for Fiscal Year 2021 from $8500 (17 trees) to $58,500 (117 trees). Explain why trees are important to you and ask that they support this increase before we get further behind. Already, approximately 300 dead ash trees from prior years are waiting to be removed.
Here is a sample text that you can insert into your message.
We are reaching out to you now, before the budget hearings begin, to ask if you will support the initiative of the Jonah Center and the Urban Forestry Commission to address the rapid and alarming loss of trees in our community. Trees are essential to our quality of life and provide many documented benefits, including carbon absorption, air cooling, removal of air pollution, improved physical and mental health, enhanced beauty, increased property values, and reduced crime.
Use the email address Council@MiddletownCT.gov to reach all the members of the Common Council with one message. The email addresses of individual members of the Common Council may be found here: http://www.cityofmiddletown.com/458/Common-Council
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Oddfellows Jr Rep Presents: The Love of Three Oranges
Oddfellows Playhouse Junior
Repertory Company stages one of the greatest comedies of all time, The Love of Three Oranges. The commedia
will run March 12-14 at the Playhouse, which is located at 128 Washington
Street in Middletown.
The play, combines a
traditional Italian fairy tale with the zany physicality of Commedia dell’
Arte. The story features a hypochondriac Prince, his jealous cousin who wants to bump him off to get the throne,
the Prince's commedia servant sidekick, various commedia standards like the
miser Pantalone and pedant Dottore, an evil sorceress named Fata Morgana, a
wicked fairy, numerous comic ghouls and monsters, and, of course, some magical
oranges. The Love of Three Oranges
is brought to rambunctious life by the cast of young actors ages 12-14, who
make up the Junior Repertory Company.
Directed by Playhouse
Artistic Director Dic Wheeler, the play features set design by Tina Hurlbert, lighting
design by Jon-Paul LaRocco, live musical accompaniment by Myke Halpin, costume
design by Nicki LaPorte, and properties design by Maria Louise Brower.
Performances will be at 7
pm on March 12 – 14, and there will also be a 2 pm matinee performance on
Saturday, March 14. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and kids.
Thursday, March 12 is a “Pay-What-You-Can” preview.
For more information or
to purchase tickets, go to www.oddfellows.org, email info@oddfellows.org,
or call (860) 347-6143. Oddfellows is a non-profit youth theater which has been
offering unique, high quality performing arts experiences to Connecticut young
people since 1975.
Monday, March 2, 2020
Rockfall Forest Invasive Plants Work Party
Saturday, March 14, 10am-noon
Honoring The Rockfall Foundation’s 85-year tradition of caring for public use lands.
Volunteers are needed to help clear invasive euonymus and multiflora rose from Rockfall Forest, adjacent to Wadsworth Falls State Park. Bring clippers and gloves if you have them. Tick repellant suggested. Meet at 9:45 in the Big Falls parking lot, 25 Cherry Hill Rd. in Rockfall. This will be the first clean-up in a series of work parties at Rockfall Forest throughout 2020. Since 1935, The Rockfall Foundation has been maintaining open space for public enjoyment. In this 85th year, please join our efforts to clear invasive plants in Rockfall Forest so that native trees, and with them the native fauna, can thrive.
Rockfall Forest contains the yellow Laurel Grove Brook Trail
and the terminal portion of the orange Main Trail that leads into Wadsworth
Falls State Park. The history of these two properties link Colonel Wadsworth’s
Legacy and The Rockfall Foundation. From potato farm to wild forest to outdoor
classroom, Rockfall Forest has a story to tell.
The History of Rockfall Forest
 |
| Rockfall Forest |
Colonel Clarence S. Wadsworth founded Rockfall Corporation (now The Rockfall Foundation) in 1935 “to establish, maintain, and care for parks and forest or wild land for the use and enjoyment of the public”. One of the Colonel’s land holdings was a large plot in Middlefield and Rockfall. He entrusted the land to Rockfall Corporation, with a small section known as “The Captain’s Field” retained for use by his son, Seymour Wadsworth. In 1941, after Colonel Wadsworth’s death, the largest portion of the land, 267 acres known as the “Great Falls Region” was donated by Rockfall Corporation to the Connecticut State Park and Forest commission. The State still maintains this land, the present day Wadsworth Falls State Park. Adjacent Captain’s Field, in the meantime, was leased out by Seymour and used for potato farming in the 1940s and 1950s. After Seymour’s passing, Captain’s Field was transferred to Rockfall Corporation for preservation. To this day, The Rockfall Foundation continues to protect these remaining 16 acres of land, which has reverted to forest since farming was abandoned. No longer a field, The Rockfall Foundation adopted the name Rockfall Forest in 2020.
The Future of Rockfall Forest
In its 85th anniversary year, The Rockfall Foundation continues to support conservation and environmental education. The trails in Rockfall Forest provide an important entry point to Wadsworth Falls State Park, connecting the orange Main Trail from Cherry Hill Road into the Park, and offering the yellow Laurel Grove Brook Trail. Beginning in 2020, Rockfall Forest will also become a place for outdoor education. Everyone Outside, a local non-profit organization that promotes understanding and appreciation of the natural world, will begin holding an after-school program at Rockfall Forest. Their Nature Explorers Program for grades 3 to 5 is set to begin on March 31.
www.rockfallfoundation.org
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