IN THE LINE OF DUTY

n July 24 2010, Bridgeport fire fighters Lieutenant Steven J. Velasquez and firefighter Michel Baik died tragically in the line of duty while fighting a fire at 41 Elmwood Avenue. The Bridgeport Fire Department and the Bridgeport Firefighters Local 834 have established a fund to support the families of the two. Donations to the “Bridgeport Fallen Firefighters Fund” can be made through the Bridgeport Fire Department Employees Federal Credit Union at 3115 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605. For more information call 203-374-8120 or 1-800-242-8120.

 

RFP FROM BRIDGEPORT HOUSING AUTHORITY

roposals are being accepted from firms or individuals to audit all utility accounts paid by the BHA under the Energy Performance Contracts with Siemens Building Technologies. Deadline for submitting proposals to Eugene Sumter, Chief Contracting Officer, is 4:30 p.m., September 21, 2010.

 

VASE CONSTRUCTION

ase Construction invites subcontractors and major contractors and owners who wish to do business with The Housing Authority of New Haven to a session in which Vase will be providing technical assistance and support to Section 3 Resident owned, Minority owned, Women owned and Disabled owned businesses to encourage their small businesses to grow and become independent.  The sessions will be held every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at the Housing Authority.

 

THE GREEN CITY GANG: BARRELS FOR RESIDENTS

he Mayor’s Conservation Corps, organized in July of 2009 as part of Mayor Bill Finch’s BGreen 2020 initiative, delivered 300 rain barrels to East Side residents. The free rain barrels were recycled food barrels retrofitted for use as rain barrels that were requested by residents in response to a door-to-door canvassing campaign in which young adults knocked on more than 14,000 doors. The barrels capture rain water runoff and use it for basic landscape irrigation needs.

 

JAMES O’ROURKE STATUE UNVEILED AT THE BALLPARK AT HARBORYARD

e was born 160 years ago but his fame remains. Nicknamed “Orator James,” he was among the greatest baseball players of his time. And he was born, raised and died in Bridgeport. He got the first hit in the National League history, is the first player to get multiple extra-base hits in the same inning of a World Series game, is the oldest player (54) to catch a complete game and when the New York Giants promised to make him one of the highest paid players, he held out until they agreed to pay his college tuition at Yale Law School, from which he graduated with the class of 1887. At the end of his professional baseball career, O’Rourke returned to Bridgeport and started his own minor league team. He was honored with a statue designed by sculpture Susan Clinard which was funded by many contributions including the initial contribution of $50,000 by the Bridgeport Landing Development and the Christoph family. The unveiling took place at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on August 27 prior to the start of the Ducks vs. Bluefish ball game.

 

FRESH BRUSCHETTA AND THE FARMERS’ MARKET’S NEW LOOK

he second year of the city of Bridgeport’s Park City Farmers Market included fresh bruschetta made by Health Department nutritional intern Jacqueline Johannes and many more innovations, including the addition of a tent, large plants and new picnic tables and umbrellas. And local artist, Sergio Escobar, painted designs and signage on the Jersey barriers encircling the market, which will be open every Wednesday from 9:30 to 2:00 p.m. through October. 

HARTFORD COMPLETES ITS

“WEEK OF THE PARKS”

 

HARTFORD — Calling Hartford one of the most beautiful cities in the country, Mayor Pedro E. Segarra announced a comprehensive greening effort to clean, revitalize and sustain the Capital City’s historic parks. The “Week of the Parks” took place August 23-28th.

       “A strategy and vision are already in place as part of our ‘One City, One Plan’ conservation and development. What is essential is that we recognize the value of our parks which are huge assets to our city,” said Mayor Segarra. “There are so many partnerships that are involved from Riverfront Recapture to Knox Parks, our libraries to city departments. But the most important and essential part of all of this, if it is to be a success, is to get the community involved.”

       There are several elements of this greening campaign including jobs, the physical clean-up and repair, health and recreational activities, and educational events. The hiring and re-hiring of 30 seasonal part time workers has already been announced and is underway. Clean-up efforts regarding tree-trimming, mowing and picking-up litter have begun as well throughout the city’s parks and cemeteries.

       The Week of the Parks schedule included a centralized focus on the following parks:

 

Monday, August 23rd: 

Keney Park 

(Woodland Street entrance):

v Cut and removed fallen trees

v Cleaned and removed leaves along hiking roads and trails

v Removed old fence at tennis courts, clean area

v Repaired broken benches

v Repaired broken basketball rims

v Cleaned, patched and painted handball courts

v Removed old baseball backstop

 

Tuesday, August 24th: 

Colt Park

v Cut, removed and pruned trees

v Repaired park benches

v Cleaned area under old stage/pavilion

v Cleaned and removed boards at old ice rink

v Repaired Massek parking lot

v Repaired basketball courts

 

Wednesday, August 25th: 

Goodwin Park

v Removed branches and wood along Maple Avenue

v Repaired fit trail and equipment

v Repaired basketball courts

v Trimmed and cut trees on Maple Avenue

 

Thursday, August 26th:  Bushnell Park

v Removed perimeter shrubs near Pump House

v Repaired park benches

v  Pruned Pump House shrubs

v Refurbished mulch beds where needed

v Trimmed and pruned trees

v Removed old fencing  around playground area

 

Friday, August 27th:  Keney Park

(Barbour Street entrance)

v Cut up and removed fallen trees

v Removed old fence and nets at northern tennis courts

v Replaced or repaired rims and nets at basketball courts

v Painted basketball courts

 

       The educational component engaged the newly created Green Ribbon Task Force. Mayor Segarra announced that neighborhood activist Bernadine Silvers and noted local architect Tyler Smith—- both Founding Directors of Riverfront Recapture—- are the Chairpersons. One of their many roles is to be part of panel discussions about the unique park system’s past, present and future including exciting activities at the Pump House in Bushnell Park.  n