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Mailed free to requesting homes in Thompson Vol. IV, No. 35 Complimentary to homes by request (860) 928-1818/e-mail: [email protected] FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2009 THIS WEEK’S NECCOG QUOTE Building up volunteerism ‘The best thing proposes about the future is HABITAT that it comes one day COMPLETES at a time.’ PROJECT IN regional INSIDE PUTNAM revaluations BY OLIVIA BRAATEN VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT A8-9 — OPINION HBY MATT SANDERSON PUTNAM — Walter Euskas VILLAGER STAFF WRITER A16 — SPORTS isn’t usually the source of com- A combined bill is currently being B1 — HOT SPOT motion in his Marshall Street debated in the state’s House of neighborhood. The Putnam man, B3 — CALENDAR Representatives to delay the imple- elderly but spry, typically quietly mentation of recent property reval- B4 — OBITS tends to his plants, which, for a uations, or the phase-in of a proper- B5 — RELIGION master gardener, is one of life’s ty, until 2011. Legislators are also greatest delights. looking closely at an initiative craft- One of his favorite spots to ed by the Northeastern Connecticut work used to be the sunporch at Council of Governments and Senate LOCAL the back of his house. Six years President Pro Tempore Donald ago, that sunporch was in such Williams’ office to bring regional serious disrepair that Euskas revaluation to land parcels in the 12- hired a lone carpenter to fix it up. town region of the Quiet Corner, Eight hundred dollars later, the primarily to bring municipalities carpenter was gone and the sun- what could be significant savings porch still untouched. from the traditional mandated hir- So Saturday,May 9, more than a ing of individual revaluation com- dozen helpers bustled into the panies every five years. neighborhood. The bill passed the state Senate Habitat for Humanity of last Wednesday,May 6, in a 31-3 vote, Northeast Connecticut had been and if it passes the House, it could Olivia Braaten photos looking for a community project. reach the desk of Gov. M. Jodi Rell Lowe’s co-workers Angela White and Jenn Trayner, both of Dayville, signed up for for approval. This initiative could be Turn To HABITAT, page A18 the Habitat project as soon as they heard about the opportunity. a first of its kind in Connecticut, if approved. “This idea was brought to me by Guilbault hired as members of the Northeastern new principal at Stimulus funds include $618k for West Thompson Lake Council of Governments as a way to help ease the burden on property BY MATT SANDERSON St. Mary School VILLAGER STAFF WRITER taxpayers and lower the cost of Page A6 revaluation for smaller towns,” HARTFORD — As part of the Williams (D-Brooklyn) said in a United States Army Corps of statement. “This allows small towns SPORTS Engineers’ comprehensive civil to cooperate regionally and save works initiative to create construc- hundreds of thousands of dollars. tion and maintenance jobs for I’m glad I was able to work with Connecticut’s natural and recre- selectmen of our local towns and ational resources, Gov. M. Jodi Rell glad they came forward with such a announced last Wednesday, May 6, good idea.” that several state lakes, rivers and In the combined bill’s language, other areas of flood control — towns that agree to delay their most including West Thompson Lake — recent round of revaluations and go will benefit from $5.6 million in fed- into a regional effort with NECCOG eral stimulus funds. will give revaluation figures of all Currently, roughly $618,000 is slat- land parcels of real property encom- Marianapolis’ Flores ed to fund contracts for the Army passed within the towns at the same signs on to play Division Corps of Engineers New England time period and not less than once for not only a complete evaluation of every five years, or annually revalue I ball historic and archaeological approximately one-fifth of all such resources at West Thompson Lake parcels over a five-year period. Page A16 eligible to be listed on the National Matt Sanderson photo Turn To REVAL, page A15 Turn To LAKE, page A15 OUR BETTER NATURE Paddlers recently enjoy a leisurely afternoon on West Thompson Lake. XXXX PAGE A5 Marianapolis students do mission work in Haiti OPINION GET YOUR BY OLIVIA BRAATEN Daniels, who serves on the Board of POINT ACROSS VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT Trustees for the Gardner, Mass., PAGE A8 Four Marianapolis Preparatory nonprofit. The two arranged for School students recently returned Forward In Health founder Dr. WHAT TO DO from a week in Haiti volunteering John Mulqueen to speak to A CALENDAR with nonprofit Forward In Health. Marianapolis students during a school-wide chapel last October. OF AREA EVENTS The students, escorted by the school’s chief financial officer, Forward In Health’s mission is to PAGE B6 Courtesy photos Doug Daniels, joined 10 other area improve health conditions in VILLAGE TRIVIA students and chaperones for the Fonde Fred, Haiti, by building a April 21-28 trip. medical clinic. The group also Marianapolis What problem did Leonardo “Marianapolis has a real sense of leads student trips, giving youth girls teamed up da Vinci, Winston Churchill, urgency for community service,” the opportunity to work with a to paint at an Albert Einstein, Thomas Daniels said. The trip was simply local orphanage, nursing home and orphanage in Haiti while vol- Edison and Gen. George an offshoot of that passion. clinic. Daniels, also an emergency med- That’s what senior Anna unteering with Patton have in common? ical technician, heard about the nonprofit Forward In Answer on page 2. opportunity from his brother, Wes Turn To HAITI, A17 page Health. A2 • Friday, May 15, 2009 THOMPSON VILLAGER Source to Sea Expedition continues VILLAGER ALMANAC The exciting trek through the Little League Fields Complex and team. Payment methods are cash or Thames River Watershed continues Wayne Lafreniere Canoe Launch. check, and checks are made payable QUOTATION OF THE WEEK this week with more free, family- Check-in and day-of registration to Killingly Parks and Recreation. friendly events. The “2009 Source to will be held from 7 to 8 a.m., with a For more information, contact “A lot of people think Haiti is on the dark Sea Expedition: Connecting the mandatory pre-race meeting at 8:15 Killingly Parks and Recreation at side of the moon. We get it in our head Drops through The Last Green a.m. The race will start at 9 a.m. (860) 779-5390 or Valley” is proudly presented by The Enter a team of up to five mem- [email protected]. that it’s dangerous, and it’s not. Last Green Valley Inc. (TLGV) and bers or, for those weekend warriors, Following the race, a Quinebaug It’s a very polite society.” more than 80 partners. Thousands of try it solo. This sprint-style relay River Paddle will be held, with a new people have participated in this cele- race will have a mass start including water trail segment dedicated. — DOUG DANIELS, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF bration of the water resources of the the following disciplines: .7-mile Paddlers will meet and shuttle at 11 local region. run, 2-mile paddle (choose kayak or a.m., with the ceremony and then MARIANAPOLIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL, WHO ACCOMPANIED On Saturday, May 16, take part in canoe; one or two team members the paddle starting at noon. FOUR STUDENTS ON A VOLUNTEER TIP TO HAITI WORKING WITH the Quaddick Lake Paddle in allowed for this leg), 1-mile “just This scenic but challenging THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FORWARD IN HEALTH Thompson, sponsored by the wheels” (skateboard, rollerblade or stretch of river winds through 5 or 6 Quaddick Lake Association. a non motorized scooter) and a 1- miles of mostly Class I and some PEN TO LOSE Beginning at 10 a.m., paddle from mile bike. Class II waters. Registration is O C Quaddick State Park to the north All teams and solo participants required. This event is limited to 20 THOMPSON end of the lake, which remains in must provide their own equipment boats. Paddlers must be at least 16 pristine condition, surrounded by for all disciplines of this relay race. years old and have their own boat TOWN HALL state forestland. Return to the state The first team or solo competitor and equipment, including life jacket Monday through Friday ..................................8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. park for refreshments and an educa- across the finish line will take home worn at all times on the water. For ........................................................(Hours will vary by office.) tional session. Paddlers who so a $100 cash prize. A Coast Guard more information or to register, con- LIBRARIES choose will then take a leisurely pad- approved PFD and a helmet must be tact The Last Green Valley, which Thompson Public Library/Community Center dle to the south end of the lake and worn for participants performing sponsors the event, at (860) 774-3300. Monday and Friday ............................................10 a.m.-5 p.m. back. the kayak/canoe leg of the race. In Other events include Quinebaug Tuesday, Wed., Thursday ....................................10 a.m.-8 p.m. Registration is required. This addition, helmets are mandatory for Valley Fish Hatchery Tour in event is limited to 20 boats; children the bike and “just wheels” portion of Plainfield at 2 p.m. Saturday,May 16, POST OFFICES under 12 are welcome in the same the race. Participants must be 12 and 9 a.m. Sunday, May 17; 366 Thompson Hill Road craft as a parent. Paddlers must have years old, and anyone under the age Bakerwoods Family Day May 16 in Monday-Friday ............................P.O.