Public Forum

On Environment

HARTFORD — The State Council on Environmental Quality is inviting everyone with an interest in environmental affairs to say what is on his or her mind at a special public forum on Thursday, March 30, at 10 am at the Weston Town Hall, 56 Norfield Road, Weston.

The forum will follow the council’s brief regularly-scheduled monthly meeting at 9:30 am. “We want people to tell us about the things they believe that state is doing well and which state environmental programs they believe need improvement,” said Council Chairman Donal C. O’Brien, Jr, of New Canaan.

“People can come and speak informally about what they think the state’s environmental priorities need to be, whether those relate to open space, enforcement of environmental laws, economic development, or the quality of life,” added Mr O’Brien. “This information will be very useful to us.”

The Council on Environmental Quality is the state agency that reports to the Governor and the legislature on the status of Connecticut’s environment, and makes recommendations for new laws or improved programs where state environmental programs are found to be inadequate.

“We want to know what people in Fairfield County think are the state’s biggest environmental problems, and which state policies need special attention,” said Mr O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien said the forum will be relatively informal. It is not necessary to register in advance to speak at the forum, but people who may need special arrangements, or have any questions about the forum, should call the Council’s staff at 860/424-4000.

Darlene Martin, a grandmother from Washington, won the 100 billionth Crayola crayon made by Binney & Smith. Mrs Martin won the crayon, which was made in the one-only color of blue ribbon, through a contest. She then sold it back to Binney & Smith for a $100,000 bond. The crayon is now in the Crayola Hall of Fame in Easton, PA.