Youth groups help feed the local hungry to mark Souper Bowl of Caring

Originally published in the Southington Citizen.

Many must be thinking of the close-to-home match up of the New England Patriots and the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVII on February 5th. Well, there’s even more excitement, especially when our young people are so often the energizers behind charitable and compassionate movements like the Souper Bowl of Caring which utilizes Super Bowl weekend in America to mobilize teens to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. The vision is to transform Super Bowl weekend into America's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving. Monetary and food donations collected during the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday are given directly by each group to local charities chosen by the group.

In past years, going back fifteen years, the teens of six Southington churches have each organized a campaign to collect donations within their congregations. Collectively they have raised $22,981.84, 100% of which has gone to Bread for Life and Southington Community Services, along with several thousand food items.

Using Music and the Arts To Promote Human Understanding

Southington 16th Annual MLK Celebration: Message pairs music and using personal talents to promote understanding.

Originally published in the Southington Citzen January 20, 2012.

A frigid Sunday, January 15, 2012 didn’t deter a large and brave audience from attending the 16th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration at First Baptist Church in Southington. Cheryl Hilton-Campbell, event M.C., gently led the program. “Living Martin King, Jr.’s Legacy in the 21st Century:. The event opened with a cordial welcome and invocation by Rev. Jerrie Shepard Matney, pastor of the hosting church, included musical selections of the youth choral group known as Spirit Joy which under the leadership of Sr. Marie Roccapiore, performed uplifting music of God, country and hope for humanity. Dr. Aaron A. Flagg, Dean of the Hartt School was guest speaker. In his remarks, he suggested that “we reflect on three qualities Dr. King lived which impacted his effectiveness in leading: A passion for people and their potential, courage and moral leadership and great knowledge and intellectual integrity.”

Combining his extensive background in music at the higher education level as well as his intertwined professional career as an accomplished trumpet player, Flagg offered some practical thoughts on “how the arts can encourage and assist us living them ourselves.” The speaker’s message was one for the present and the future based on the heritage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work and lifetime commitment to all men living together in peace, harmony and love of one another, free of prejudice and hatred based on diversity of color, creed, race, ethnic origins and other differences.

Growing Healthy Kids: Taking on Drug Abuse

Published in the Southngton Citizen January 13, 2012
The problem of drug abuse in the United States may not be news but there are some startling pieces of reality that many not know. For example, the alarmingly higher rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. than those using cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined, according to a 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

In conversation with Aisha S. Hamid, Director, Substance Abuse Action Council, a division of CMHA (Connecticut Mental Health Affiliates), our eyes were opened to additional well-documented facts: One in ten teens has abused cough medication, 1 in 5 has abused prescription drugs and that every day, 2,700 teens experiment with prescription medicine to get high for the first time. Teens somehow believe that abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is safer than street drugs. The source: 70% of those who do so admit to acquiring them from family and friends.

A Video Preserving the 10th Anniversary Memorial of September 11, 2001

Seventy local organizations and many thousands of people who live or work in Southington, CT helped make the tenth anniversary memorial of 9-11-2001 an event that made history in its remembrance of the nearly 3,000 who perished in those attacks on America.

To thank the people of Southington for their part in the town-wide (indeed, nation-wide) efforts to remember that ominous day in history, the organizing committee has produced a moving twelve-minute video of the events surrounding the memorial service and the thousands of acts of kindness, charity, prayer and compassion dedicated to the victims of 9/11/01.

The dramatically moving film will be presented at the Calendar House Senior Center at 388 Pleasant Street in Southington on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 1:00 pm.  All are welcome to attend.

Participating organizations may pick up a reserved complimentary copy of the DVD at the Southington Publlic Library so that they may show the video to the members of their clubs, congregations, organizations, service groups or employees.

Individuals may also view the video by borrowing a copy of the DVD at the Library. 

For more information follow the link to New Video of 10th Anniversary Memorial of 9-11-2001.

The Southington 9/11 Committee wishes to publicly thank the Calvanese Foundation for its generosity in funding the cost of production of the memorial DVD.

Firing an exceutive employee of tenure because of performance

Here we go again: The search for the fine line between compassion and objective managerial decision making.

Firing employees of long tenure can raise public attention, especially in the discharge of a municipal department head in a town where everybody knows everybody. The process can excite emotions, passions and controversy, particular among family and friends, on the one hand, with strongly different positions of those with priority interests in the town's ability to run efficient operations within the vision and direction of its leadership., particularly in lean times such as these. It does happen in human relations that one or more members of a management team cannot adapt to a new vision, direction and/or management style. Each case presents different personalities and circumstances. Having all the facts helps objectivity. The following report attempts to provide information. Comments are invited, as always.


Published in the Southington Citizen 13 January 2012


Town fires longtime employee based on job performance

Last weekend’s announcement that Southington’s Town Engineer/Director of Public Works, Anthony Tranquillo, is no longer in the town’s employ, effective Friday, January 6, 2012, took most of Southington by surprise.

Details of the circumstances surrounding the move by Town Manager, Garry Brumback, were initially withheld in keeping with the town’s traditional policy of maintaining privacy regarding personnel matters.

However, on Monday, January 9th, further information about Tranquillo’s termination was released by Brumback in an e-communication response to an FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request of a member of the media. Brumback stated he had met several times over the past 11 months to discuss standards of service and expectations of Tranquillo in the management of his department. Brumback stated he formally met with Tranquillo and Town Attorney, Mark Sciota, on Aug 4th to express his concern that Tranquillo was making no progress toward meeting expectations, outlining those areas that needed significant improvement.

Brumback said he also met with Tranquillo and the Town Attorney on December 16th and that Tranquillo agreed that significant progress had not been made and that ”he understood my position. Mark (Sciota) and I felt as though he (Tranquillo), understood and agreed to retire. The only unanswered question was the date”, Brumback said, adding “These counseling sessions have not resulted in any appreciable improvement and therefore I feel compelled to make a change.”

Brumback said that the position of the Director of Public Works was designed as a critical component of the management team and thus must be held by an individual who both understands and supports the goals of the entire organization. “I don’t believe that Tony is that individual”, Brumback said, “but it was my goal to make this change and allow Tony to retire on his terms but he has decided that he would rather not retire for several more years. This is an option I cannot support and still meet the expectations of the (Town) Council and the community.”

In a letter of termination to Tranquillo, dated Jan. 4, 2012, Brumback states: “You will be entitled to your accrued vacation and sick leave in accordance with our current policies and procedures. You are eligible to retire and we will support that effort should you decide to pursue that option.”

In attempting to contact Mr. Tranquillo at his home, a member of the family stated that he is away and has left instructions to callers to contact his attorney, Gregg Adler, in Hartford. Adler told us that he has been retained by Tranquillo to explore the situation and make an assessment for Tranquillo as to his (legal) options. Adler stated that Tranquillo has been employed by the town for thirty-nine years, that he strongly disagrees with the town manager’s explanation and that he regards the statements concerning their meetings to be inaccurate.

We asked Brumback what’s next for the town in its continuing operations. Brumback pointed out that about five years ago, the Department of Public Works was created to encompass the offices of the Town Engineer, Superintendent of Highways and Parks and Water Pollution Control (sewers). Brumback plans to re-evaluate that decision to consolidate these departments pending his review as to whether that move has actually achieved its intended goal.

Immediate steps have been to appoint Assistant Town Engineer, Jim Grappone, to the interim position formerly held by Tranquillo, with Steve Wlodkowski as Superintendent of Highways & Parks and John DeGioia as Superintendent of Water Pollution Control (Sewers). Brumback indicated that he regards these three key officials with respect and confidence. As for a time table regarding the status of Public Works, he hopes to have a determination by the end of this fiscal year (June 2012). Brumback conjectured that the three departments could be direct reports to the Town Manager with greater efficiency while also eliminating the position of Public Works Director. Brumback added that efficiency in providing quality services as required by the community and the upgrading of the town’s infrastructure remain top priorities.

An awe-inspiring blend of art, beauty, compassion and faith

I Believe

art takes many forms, each of which are precious gifts. When art forms combine to communicate to hearts and minds, using the beauty and passion of words, sound and images, each appealing to all of the senses, that is when art approaches greatness.

It is with deeply inspired passion that we invite you to hear and see the exceptional human voice and graceful presence of Jackie Evancho, a prodigy, who by definition, breaks the rules of human expectation as she and a fine chorus and orchestra deliver a compassionate prayer of hope amidst despair for humanity.

I Believe

United Way of Southington rises to the many challenges of our times

Cross-published in the Southington Citizen.

An inside view of United Way of Southington—just looking at how it functions as a network of social and community services—reveals some of the mystery and magic of the virtual web of social and community services that are brought together under aegis of UWS.

Defined by its name, United Way of Southington is a way that unites the people of the community in supporting the needs of so many today who are living below the barest norm of economic standards.

The goals of local non-profit, 501(c) charities are to identify and provide help to those who truly need help and to develop programs and efficient ways as well as the funding to handle the diverse kinds of help needed. They also refer certain cases to other local agencies, at times with government support. But more and more, the local charities of Southington are raising funds by appealing to the generosity and compassion of local people.

United Way of Southington plays a major role in enabling such agencies to provide their services. In fact, the mission of UWS is "to facilitate a community-wide collaboration so that funds can be raised and assistance provided to organizations involved in human service programs in Southington, Marion, Milldale and Plantsville."

UWS directs funds it raises to the most important programs of the most important charities where all the money is used for the needs of our community. The UWS vision statement is so true: "Southington People Helping Southington People." Moreover, each donation touches seventeen local charities, partner agencies of UWS; such a simple concept.

Advice For The Morning After

The Writer's Almanac NPR:

Today is New Year's Day. If you are suffering from a hangover today, you aren't alone. The chief culprit is dehydration caused by the diuretic effect of ethanol, which can lead to shrinkage of brain tissue, and that causes headache. Alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach, causing queasiness. Other symptoms are caused by the toxic by-products of the liver's detoxification process. For something so common, hangover is poorly understood by the medical community, and quack remedies abound.

Hangover remedies probably evolved hand in hand with alcohol consumption. Pliny the Elder counseled Romans to eat fried canaries or raw owl's eggs. Ancient Assyrians tried to assuage their anguish by consuming a concoction of ground bird beaks and myrrh. Medieval Europeans consumed raw eels with bitter almonds.

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Are you serious about New Year’s Resolutions?

Frankly, I stopped making New Year’s resolutions decades ago. Why? They didn’t work; not for me, anyway.

I tried making New Year’s resolutions early in my life. Maybe my lack of success was immaturity, though I dutifully wrote them down on a sheet of paper; I would even memorize them and increase the size of the list each year. Then I would sit back and think about how nice it would be to have all my wishes come true. But I never experienced the magical “poof” that brought my goals to reality.

I started out in earnest each time, vowing that I would resolve to make some important changes in my life and would do all in my power to ensure their achievement. But, it was not to be.

I’m not saying I never followed through on one New Year’s resolution. But, if I had to hazard a guess as to my batting average, I would not bet on myself as being a .300 hitter. Now, .300 is an achievement in baseball, but not on the baseball diamond of real life accomplishments.

Fortunately, in time, I made an analytic assessment of my rate of success, (or lack thereof), in my New Year’s resolutions. Fortunately, again, I had a basis for analytic comparison: my specific and carefully set and regularly checked career goals. I tended to set those goals annually on a career anniversary and reviewed my progress at least twice a year.

Looking at the picture, I realized that I was trying to follow three paths, each separately planned. First was my professional life and goals. Then, my personal and family life and lastly our leisure time, interests, activities, vacations and avocations. All three are important but they were running on three separate tracks that were not synchronized with each other on the single track and timetable of life.

The first challenge is to find the appropriate balance and priorities of each phase of life for you and your life partner.

The next challenge, bigger I believe, is how to avoid the collisions of these three paths by planning, scheduling and anticipating the inevitable bumps in theroad, and the ability to adjust and correct, with a positive attitude that the unexpected is always to be expected.

Personal, career and other pursuits in your life need to be coordinated with manageable, measurable goals for each while holding yourself accountable. Schedule check points along the way and be ready to make positive adjustments as needed.

One more important element in the formula is to have good friends, role models and mentors who share your love of life’s challenges and opportunities and sustain you through frustrations and complications of the sometimes sharp twists and turns in life.

It may take years to achieve your ultimate goals, but the journey itself can be rewarding as you sense the joy of the ever-upward journey of a good life. In our case, we are most grateful for the great ride it has been.

The best for last: you don’t have to start at the stroke of midnight on December 31st. Set your own fiscal year, and have fun along the way. Happy 2012.