Week In Review: An Election, Controversial Building Projects and A Veteran's Salute

In Tuesday’s election, 34% of Stonington’s registered voters made it to the polls. Not for nothing, as they say, but that’s a pretty good showing. Edward Haberek Jr. was re-elected to serve the town as First Selectman with 3207 votes and first time candidate Rich McKrell received 806. Not bad for a guy who became involved in politics after helping to organize the neighborhood opposition to the now-approved condo project for Pawcatuck. Glee McAnanly and George Crouse were also re-elected as selectmen. The Board of Education election was almost a nail biter but in the end it would be Craig Esposito, Frank Todisco and Deborah Downie, the latter beating out Stephen Bessette by two votes. Whew.

Speaking of the Pawcatuck condo project, folks are still talking about it. In a story this week by Patch editor Bree Shirvell, residents ‘sound off,' though not everyone is displeased. Some folks are looking forward to moving in. That may take awhile if an appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s approval goes anywhere. Time will tell.

Speaking of large scale projects, the plan for an assisted living community on the Coogan Farm may turn into another very controversial project, but besides the developer at least one entity has chimed in to say it’s onboard: the town’s Economic Development Commission, which will be hosting a special public information session at 7 p.m., Thursday Nov. 17 at at the Mystic Middle School for BROM Builders to present its plans for the development of a 245-unit assisted living facility on 18 acres of the Coogan Farm land in Mystic. 

Looking forward to the holidays? Area businesses certainly are, hoping for a good retail season. But Stonington Police are warning businesses to be vigilant following a near break-in at a Mystic package store, a brazen larceny at the Mystic Hilton – which resulted in two arrests; a Mystic woman and Ledyard man – and a robbery of a Pawcatuck convenience store. Times are tough, police said, so watch your cash drawers. Sad.

Finally, we honored and paid homage to the men and women who’ve fought for our freedoms and for many, paid the ultimate price. I loved the beautiful and moving video by Jessie King on the annual Veteran’s Day event at Electric Boat. If you missed it: http://patch.com/A-nBLS.

Thanks for a great week.