A NEW ERA In January, UConn introduced Bob Diaco as its 30th head football coach. Diaco, who has a reputation as one of the brightest defensive minds in college football, is responsible for revitalizing the reputation of a program that has struggled since tying for the Big East title and earning a Fiesta Bowl bid in 2010. The Huskies are 13-23 since coach Randy Edsall left abruptly; his replacement, Paul Pasqualoni was fired after an 0-4 start this past season and 10-18 record overall. Diaco, who spent the past four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, was named the 2012 recipient of the Frank Broyles Award, presented to the top assistant coach in the country. It is the first job as a head coach for Diaco, a New Jersey native and 1995 graduate of the University of Iowa. politics Legislating Votes AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY KICKS OFF A NEW SESSION THIS MONTH, EXPECT A LOT OF VOTER-FRIENDLY ISSUES TO BE DEBATED. On January 9, 2013, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy addressed the state’s general assembly on the inaugural day of the legislative session. It was three weeks after a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and legislators were ready and waiting to draft legislation. Malloy and legislators wore green ribbons and pins on their lapels, colors of the school that lost 20 students and six educators. The legislative session of 2013 was dominated by the events at Newtown, including the public hearings and legislation on gun control, school security and mental health funding as well as arguments over reports and crime scene photos being made public. The 2014 session begins February 5 and there will be residual matters to discuss but what will dominate the legislature is the subject that does in every even-numbered year in the capitol: “Re-election. That’s going to be the predominant concern among all 187 lawmakers,” says Gary Rose, chairman of the Government and Politics department at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. “Virtually every vote will be based on electoral considerations.” Every member of the General Assembly is up for re-election in November, as is the governor and lieutenant governor and other top officials. Every senator and every representative will use the floor of their respective chamber as a stump for each speech while each vote will be touted on lists of personal accomplishments for the campaign trail. Unlike last year, legislation surrounding a specific event is not likely to be the most obvious issue to be tackled. Even Malloy has said he does not expect this session to be about guns—though he expects to discuss mental-health issues and school security. The issue of stricter gun control was supported by many Republicans who broke party line to vote for the bill—an issue which angered conservative constituents. We shouldn’t expect to see that happen again this year, says Rose. “When you get into those really emotional issues like that, it’s not too surprising to find some lawmakers abandon their party line,” he says. “But these issues that we’re talking about for this year, you’re once again going to see the drawn lines. These issues have real definitive Democrat vs. Republican sides to them.” Proposals for new laws will come from committees, although representatives have their eyes on a few specific issues they’d like to see addressed this session. Legislators will focus largely on areas that constituents are most concerned about, such as jobs, taxes and the state’s finances—though proposed solutions for those problems sharply divide Democrats and Republicans. Job creation is on the agenda of Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden). “Clearly we’ll be looking at trying to help the economy,” says Sharkey’s spokesman Larry Perosino. “There’s been some positive economic signs recently, but there’s still a lot to be done.” One example of an item to help with that is the expansion of the Department of Labor’s STEP Up (Subsidized Training and Employment Program). Currently the program gives financial incentives to companies to hire unemployed people and veterans. “It focuses on the two specific groups that are in particular need of assistance,” says Perosino. Healthcare is also likely to be a hotly debated topic. Sharkey is interested in looking into changing the approval process for nonprofit hospitals merging with for-profit entities, which has been occurring more frequently throughout the state. The state’s Office of Legislative Research (OLR), which prepares an annual report prior to the start of the legislative session, has also singled out this issue for attention. Currently, the Department of Public Health and state’s attorney general need to approve a sale or conversion, but the General Assembly could look to add more oversight. Last year, Sharkey re-launched the Municipal Opportunities and Regional Efficiencies (MORE) commission, which will continue to look at the consolidation of some local agencies. Among the items MORE has considered in the past—such as eliminating the state’s motor vehicle tax, which could come up again this year—is looking into ways to reduce the cost of public health departments and agencies by consolidation. They also plan to look at the cost of special education to individual towns, and to examine whether there’s a regional approach or a solution in having the state pay more. As speaker, Sharkey decides which issues are brought to the floor for discussion and votes, which means Democrats will most likely drive the agenda for the session. Last year’s session created numerous task forces (see sidebar at right) that will report recommendations to the legislature this year. Among those remaining issues is how to deal with crime scene photos from such tragic events as the shootings in Newtown—the legislature passed a bill signed by the governor that keeps such items private while a task force discusses the issue. Because the legislature passed a two-year budget last year, most of the blueprinting and number crunching is already done, although tweaks can—and probably will—still be made. As the OLR report previewing potential topics for this year notes, the legislature created a school security grant last year that gives school districts money to make security improvements. The conversation is likely to continue as the legislature looks to help school districts mitigate safety concerns. In addition to school safety, the legislature could also examine specific regulations for nightclubs—a few high-profile shootings last year prompted local legislators to call for new regulations. Debates about education funding and standards may also come to the front as the state is one of 45 involved in the implementation of the new Common Core State Standards. The standards are being rolled out incrementally but are set for full implementation starting with the 2014-15 school year. That process may produce additional issues for the legislature. Malloy, who will outline his vision for the upcoming session in his address on the first day, was still finalizing that message and the corresponding policy decisions in January. His spokesman Andrew Doba says the public can “rest assured” that Malloy’s focus remains on three areas of priority: Improving public education, creating jobs and working to improve state finances. Ultimately, the issues debated by the legislature will be ones that will play well come November. “Leadership sets the agenda, but they’re going to want to tell their constituents what they are attempting to do,” says Rose. “We know a good portion of it never makes it onto the table; nevertheless we’re going to see lawmakers announcing more legislative initiatives to let their constituents know they are trying. But, this is all par for the course in an election year.” | JENNIFER SWIFT | | in brief | Rough Landing A single-engine aircraft that took off in January from Danbury Airport on a daylong sight-seeing flight that included the Statue of Liberty was forced to make an emergency landing on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx, N.Y. On its way back to Connecticut, the Piper PA- 28 began to experience mechanical problems, forcing pilot Michael Schwartz to put the plane down on the normally busy highway, to the surprise of drivers. Schwartz and his two passengers were treated for only minor injuries. Bonus Babies Connecticut was one of 23 states to receive a bonus from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for improving access to Medicaid enrollment for children. After meeting five of the eight established criteria—covering various aspects of the enrollment process— the state will receive $1.7 million, which will go toward helping more children qualify for health insurance. Bioscience Backing Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public agency formed by the state legislature to help support promising technology companies, announced that it will be disbursing $200 million in grants, loans, equity investments and loan guarantees over the next decade to bioscience entrepreneurs. The plan is that $10 million will be given out in each of the first two years, $15 million in each of the next two and then $25 million annually for the final six years, with a “soft cap” of $500,000 per company. Up to the Task Members of the Connecticut General Assembly regularly pass legislation creating task forces to better delve into issues of public concern. Task forces created in 2013 will report back with recommendations to the legislature in 2014. Here’s a sampling of some areas where recommendations are due in this legislative session: Victim privacy and the public’s right to know: An act passed by the legislature exempted the release of photos, videos and images showing homicide victims and some audio recordings while simultaneously creating a 17-member task force to make recommendations about how to balance victim privacy with the public’s right to know. This law was passed after relatives of the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School asked that the crime scene photos showing the deceased not be released. Food in funeral homes: A 10-member task force was created to study the issue of permitting food and beverages to be served at funeral homes. Under current state law it is banned. Connecticut is one of four states that has such a ban. Sale of cats and dogs: The state created a task force to study pet shops’ sales practices. Animal advocates want the state to ban the sale of cats and dogs from stores that may get animals from inhumane or substandard puppy mills. The task force is expected to make recommendations on how to amend the state’s current laws to reduce the number of pets sold from substandard conditions. Mental health: Several different task forces, studies and programs were established to study mental health and report back to the legislature. A behavioral-health services task force was created to primarily focus on mental-health care for people aged 16 to 25, as was a children’s mental- health task force. The task forces will look at clinical care—including ways to improve health screening in general and of children in public schools—and intervention by examining what is available for students in need of help as well as the assistance available to school districts. Legal disputes involving the care and custody of minor children: Prompted by concerns from parents about the costs of divorce and child custody cases, the task force was created to look into what creates such hardship. The task force will examine the role of guardians ad litem and legal expenses when it comes to child custody. Childhood obesity: A task force was created to study the effects of childhood obesity and explore ways to alleviate it. The members specifically will look at ways to increase physical activity in children, find programs to eliminate childhood obesity and recommend a pilot program through a board of education to schedule recess before lunch in an elementary school. update Cleanup in the Lab THE CONNECTICUT FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY CONTINUES TO RECOVER AFTER MUCH-PUBLICIZED ISSUES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. Sitting behind the desk in his office at state headquarters in Middletown, just a few weeks away from retirement, state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) commissioner Reuben Bradford says he’ll be able to retire a little easier now that one problem he inherited is on its way to being stamped out by this year’s end: The Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory, which once had a case backlog skyrocketing into the thousands, hopes to wipe out that backlog in 2014. “When I came, among the many problems I confronted, the lab was one of the main issues,” says Bradford. “It does give me a sense of satisfaction that it’s been straightened out, it’s in good hands. We can’t take our focus off it totally, but we can turn our attention to other issues.” Bradford says he owes that peace of mind to Crime Lab director Dr. Guy Vallaro, as well as every person working in the lab who now have “bought into the concept” of serving the public. Vallaro was appointed director in December 2012, taking over a facility that was under heavy public scrutiny. At that time, a DNA case waiting to be analyzed at the lab faced a backlog of 21/2 years. Vallaro is now optimistic that no backlog— meaning a case is at the lab 60 days or fewer—will soon be the norm. “We set the bar kind of high but I think we will go on to achieve it,” he says. The crime lab lost its accreditation in 2011 from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors after critical federal audits of the lab, which noted the backlog of cases—3,812 in DNA cases alone. That staggering number was a 400 percent increase for that type of case over the previous six years, though the number of lab scientists dropped by 10 percent in that period. The overall workload for the lab had increased 25 percent since 2005. In response, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy created a 17-member working group to try to address the backlog and other issues with the lab. The accreditation was earned in early 2012, prior to Vallaro’s appointment. “I think [the backlog] is something that got out of control without proper oversight,” says Bradford. He says problems have been resolved because the state provided the proper resources to do so—including increased funding and 48 new staff members—that weren’t available previously. The lab has also been moved under the auspices of the DESPP after being part of the State Police, which Vallaro describes as “a customer.” “It’s important that the lab is separate from law enforcement,” he says. As the audit numbers suggested, the amount of work being sent to the lab, coupled with the low staffing levels, caused major problems. “I don’t think anyone realized the volume that was going to come through that front door,” says Vallaro. In January 2012, guidelines limiting the number of specimens as well as the type of crime they could be submitted for were sent to local police, which reduced incoming evidence by 42 percent. As the lab catches up, Vallaro hopes the restrictions will be lifted. Submissions are still lower than they were three to four years ago. Part of that is due to the new regulations, but it’s also because agencies, unhappy with the backlog or not getting results, stopped sending them to the lab. “The expectation is when we start meeting the needs, it’s going to go back up,” says Vallaro. There was also a “CSI effect” years ago when the backlog started to add up—when DNA testing was being so highly publicized on television as the answer to everything, that too many cases were being sent to the lab. In addition to extra staffing, the crime lab’s productivity is up. Vallaro says that each individual is expected to take on a certain number of cases. In the case of DNA testing, the lab used to employ a “passive” method of allowing scientists to take on cases as they came— now cases are assigned and given deadlines. While striving for higher productivity and faster results, Vallaro acknowledges that there will be questions about accuracy. “Quality is our default,” he promises, pointing out that the lab now has two employees dedicated to quality control. “You cannot diminish quality. We’re invested in quality.” The lab was also given $2 million to outsource certain processes in a case. While the lab still starts the work and identifies what should be tested, it sends items to the outsourced laboratory. Scientists get the raw data back, then make their own analysis and conclusion. Completing more cases and eliminating the backlog makes people happy, Vallaro says—but it also serves a greater purpose in allowing them to submit information to state and federal DNA databases, which aids in solving crimes more quickly. In the end, however, it all goes back to serving the public. “We have a very dedicated staff,” says Vallaro. “We constantly talk about the victims, and we’re well aware that there are people out there that are waiting for these results, so it’s important to us.” health Chef Chelsea? A COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND AN OXFORD GIRL WHO WANTS TO BE A CHEF BUT CAN’T EAT. The menu at a dinner and silent auction event Feb. 22 at the Villa Bianca in Seymour reads like exactly what it is—a tempting and bountiful feast that runs from hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and salad to stuffed baked chicken, penne alla vodka, carved pork loin, roasted potatoes, vegetables, chocolate mousse and other desserts. The girl at the heart of the event, Chelsea Wheeler of Oxford, won’t be able to enjoy any of it. In one of those disturbing mystery-of-the-maker ironies, Chelsea, who loves to cook and wants to become a chef with her own restaurant, is dealing with a very serious condition that has left her unable to eat—anything. Chelsea, who has experienced health-related issues since birth, and has logged more than 30 surgeries in her 10 years, has been diagnosed with pseudo obstruction, which has caused irreversible intestinal failure. As a result, she needs a small bowel transplant to save her life and make possible that future where she delights gourmets with her original recipes at an in-demand place called, simply, Chelly’s (She already has a location in Woodbury picked out.) But there’s a long way to go—and a lot more expense—for Chelsea and the Wheeler family before that bright future can be fulfilled. Since October of 2012, Chelsea has been TPN dependent, which means that she relies on IV feedings to live—a situation that cannot be sustained long-term. Chelsea is on the National Organ Transplant waiting list, and the transplant will take place at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. There are approximately 85 children on the list waiting at the Pittsburgh hospital for a small bowel transplant, with 18 of them in Chelsea’s age range (6 to 10 years old), and 10 in the next group (11 to 17), according to her father, Chris Wheeler. The age range numbers are important because of size and compatibility— and the small bowel can’t come from a living donor. In other words, a child has to die for Chelsea to live. The gravity of that is not lost on the Wheeler family. “You’re basically waiting for something unfortunate to happen,” says Chelsea’s mom, Linda Wheeler. To help the family through the process of preparing for and receiving the transplant, the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a national charity, is working with Connecticut volunteers raising funds for Chelsea. COTA is one of the good guys in the fundraising world, as 100 percent of all funds raised are used for patients’ transplant- related expenses. Despite what Chelsea endures, and what she faces, her hope is abundant, her smile infectious and her attitude so positive that it buoys her entire family—and hopefully an entire community, region and even state, because the family needs help. The procedure is expected to cost $1.5 million in all, of which insurance covers a portion and the family covers a portion, Chelsea’s dad explains. The goal right now is raising $65,000 to help cover the family’s additional out-of-pocket costs for just the first four years of the transplant. And that leads to the COTA for ChelseaW Benefit Silent Auction Dinner at the Villa Bianca. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children younger than 12—and in addition to the delicious menu, the event features both a raffle and silent auction that are overflowing with great items. Volunteer Marcy Kaether, who is coordinating the benefit, described some of the items in an email, with the roster being something of a work-in-progress in January. For example, one lucky guest will go home with two tickets the “Late Show With David Letterman,” with the possibility that a limo ride will become part of that package. Likewise, items have been promised from the New York Giants of the NFL, the World Champion Boston Red Sox and Connecticut’s own Ski Sundown, though the specific donations haven’t yet been quantified. Silent auction items that are set include: • A one-bedroom condo in St. Thomas for a week. • A Chloe handbag worth $1,500. • A Laser facsimile of a 2013 New York Jets signed football. • Stanley Black & Decker tools worth $600. • An autographed and personalized Zack Wheeler picture. • A framed piece of Mariano Rivera memorabilia from Rock Solid Sports. “We have a lot of raffle items,” Kaether says, including gift baskets, a one-night stay at the Crowne Plaza in Southbury, a $70 gift certificate to the Sports Center of CT in Shelton, Bridgeport Bluefish tickets, four New Britain Rock Cats tickets, a $25 gift certificate to Frank Pepe’s Pizza, tickets to a “Sing- A-Long Grease” event Feb. 27 at the Palace Theater in Waterbury and cookbooks from the Culinary Institute of America. “The Villa Bianca has been very generous as well,” Kaether says. The benefit goes from 5 to 10 p.m., with all proceeds going to COTA for Chelsea’s expenses. Anyone who wants to reserve a table, or has questions about the benefit, may email Kaether at marcy.chelseaw@gmail.com or call (203) 828-8379, and check in for details as they evolve on the COTA for Chelsea W page on Facebook. Meanwhile, a flier for the Villa Bianca benefit that’s also a ticket order form advises that filled-out forms and payments be sent to Kaether at her “Reality Road” address by Feb. 14—which, of course, is Valentine’s Day. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Chelsea’s reality on each Valentine’s Day in the future is to be able to cook dinner for people special to her— and then sit down and enjoy it with them? For more info, visit cotaforchelseaw.com. Bat Break In January, Tolland High School was forced into a brief lockdown situation when a bat got into the school. Students and staff were kept in classrooms for 20 minutes while animal control authorities were called to try and remove it. Fortunately, the winged creature quickly flew out of the building of its own accord and classes returned to normal with no injuries reported— including the bat. The Lone Blueway The Connecticut River will retain its status as federally designated “blueway”— an official water “trail” that encourages recreation, ecological education and conservation efforts—despite the dissolution of the U.S. Interior Department program, which only started in May 2012. The program was quickly ended because of protests in other parts of the country raised by groups who were concerned such a designation might eventually bring unwanted restrictions to rivers and adjoining lands. The Connecticut River is now the only blueway in the nation. Movin’ Out? In January, Connecticut topped the nation in the percentage of people moving outof- state. According to Atlas Van Lines, a national moving company, 1,230 of the moves it made in Connecticut in 2013—or 60 percent—involved transporting people to other places, while only 825 times did they move others into the state. The company reports that over the past decade, Connecticut has generally seen fewer people moving in, particularly over the past three years. seen Stepping Out BY PAT GRANDJEAN 1. Motown Records founder Berry Gordy (second from right) and TouchTunes President and CEO Charles Goldstuck (far right) were 2013’s special honorees at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Gala, held at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. (Others pictured here are, l to r, Michael Reinert, of the MMRF board of directors; Clive J. Davis, the gala’s award presenter and chief creative officer for Sony Music Enterprises; Grammy Award-winning artist NE-YO; and Kathy Giusti, cofounder of the MMRF). The evening, which welcomed 1,000 supporters—including NBC News anchor Brian Williams—raised more than $2 million for cancer research. (photo by Elaine and ChiChi Ubiña) 2. A benefit for local children’s charities, the Holiday Gala hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation, was held at Mohegan Sun’s Uncas Ballroom. The evening featured a champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception, a silent auction and live auction with professional auctioneer Sam Piotrkowski of Petrowsky Auctioneers, pictured (at right) with CoC President Tony Sheridan. (photo courtesy of Anne Ogden, The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation) 3. (L to r) CoC members Joan Collins, Michael Collins and Brenda Engel party at the Mohegan Sun holiday gala. (photo courtesy of Anne Ogden) 4. Susan Spencer and Dr. Arsenio Bustos raise a glass at the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut’s Think Positive; Think Purple Gala, a dinner and silent auction at Amarante’s Sea Cliff in New Haven. The event raised more than $26,000, which will be used for public education. (photo by Bill Shea) 5. (L-r) Kim Meier and Tanya Futoryan strut their stuff at the Pink Chair Luncheon and Fashion Show, designed by Bruno Cucinelli and hosted by Mitchells of Westport. More than 500 guests showed up on behalf of Pink Aid, a local nonprofit that provides support services for women diagnosed with breast cancer and funds other area organizations that do the same. (photo by Neil Landino) 6. Gourmands near and far gathered for some world-class local cuisine at the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction Gala, held at The Riverview in Simsbury. Participants included Craftsteak at Foxwoods, Farmington’s Brio Tuscan Grille, Avon’s Taste by Spellbound and Hartford’s Salute. Seen here are (l to r) Dr. Hema DeSilva, of the March of Dimes board of directors; Marc Spencer, MoD Senior Community Director; and Dr. Paula DeSilva. (photo by Kym Zwick/K. Zwick Photography)