A contentious subject since 2011, the property at 820 Farmington Ave has new tenants. Disguised with their traditional masks and hoping that no one will notice that they aren’t paying rent, these furry friends delight thousands of drivers daily when they are stopped at the intersection of Routes 4 &10 in Farmington.

It is unknown if the landlord wants to dispossess the squatters or has served a notice to quit and filed a summons against these trash pandas. The lack of upkeep on the property for the past 12 years seems to indicate the developer embraces entropy.

No need to pay the Town for trash pickup, these little dumpster bandits handle that work on their own. Unfortunately, they may have to relocate if the developer’s most recent plan for the property is passed by Town Planning and Zoning.

It’s another bank.

https://www.crexi.com/lease/widgets/415/properties/352015/connecticut-farmington-retail-development

The post Historic Property Gone Wild! appeared first on Farmington Mirror.

I have lived here my whole life. My wife’s family goes back thousands of years before that. Then these newcomers show up and tell us we are doing it wrong?

The First Newcomers

The first of you “newcomers” were the English immigrants in the 1600s. You decided that you should build a house in one spot and guard it with your life. No sharing. As more newcomers arrived, you relocated my people to a “special section” of town (Indian Hill and Reservation Road area) while you spread out your farmland and polluted the Farmington River with your industry.

Newcomers Who Forced More Newcomers

It was newcomers who brought Africans here to work for free, then they set them free and paid them poorly, then they systemically excluded them from factory jobs in favor of white immigrants, and then they mocked them in minstrel shows at the high school.

Inappropriate Newcomers

Then they had someone dress up as one of my people and run around the football field whooping at a bunch of people who never had to survive off the land (local Boy Scouts and veterans being the exception). There is a fine line between appropriation and appreciation.

As a point of comparison, in Pekin, IL, the school teams were known as the Pekin Chinks from the 1930s until 1980 when the school administration changed the nickname to the Dragons. The team mascots were a male and a female student wearing stereotypical Chinese attire. The mascots would strike a gong whenever the team scored, clearly honoring the Chinese people. People at class reunions pass out mementos with the slogan “Chinks Forever.”

That’s pretty much you newcomers with your “Indian”.

Newcomers Who Buy “New”

You newcomers also brought tons of garbage into our town. What mess did we leave? Maybe some stone tools in my family’s settlement along the Farmington River (my son left them behind even after I told him a thousand times to clean up his stuff). You have dumped endless amounts of metal car parts, glass bottles, and broken pottery buried in backyards all over town. Then you made a “dump” off Route 4 and, in 1971, when that was full, you newcomers made a new “sanitary” land-fill operation on 20 acres off Red Oak Hill Road. (Your young athletes can admire the pile at Tunxis Meade). Then that closed down and now you have to ship your garbage out of town because you can’t get enough at your “Big Box” stores.

How can you newcomers move into a community, tell us everything we are “doing wrong” and expect us not to be offended? If you want to honor the original inhabitants of this town, teach your children that racism is wrong; teach them that EVERY DAY. Reduce the amount of waste you create. Recycle and dispose of each item properly EVERY DAY. Remember that people were here before you for thousands of years and that you are only borrowing this land from future generations. I can only hope that the next newcomers will have more respect for this land and its original inhabitants.

The post Paleoindians Indignant: Newcomers Trying to Change Their Town appeared first on Farmington Mirror.

Maybe it’s in white font?

Local curmudgeons are frustrated that they will have to face members of the Town Council and Board of Education without the satisfaction of raising the blood-pressure of school parents.

“I like watching them pop-up out of their seats when I am in mid-tirade,” said Kent Trustalady.  “Won’t be the same without them lining up behind me and breathing down my neck”. He then went on to recite Chapter C, Article 10-1 of the Town Charter regarding the timing of the Annual Town Meeting – from memory.

According to the Town Newletter which was uncovered through an exhaustive search of the Town’s website (as it still hasn’t arrived in mailboxes), this year’s Annual Town Meeting will be at some undisclosed time on:

MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2018

Farmington High School Auditorium

Arrive early to ensure that you don’t get a broken seat that has been replaced with a metal folding chair.

The post Low Turnout Expected at Annual Town Meeting appeared first on Farmington Mirror.

FARMINGTON CENTER – Demolition continues along Farmington Avenue as outside developers seek to remove all traces of authentic charm and history and try to create an ersatz “Disney” version of the 18th century in Farmington.  Why restore a historic three-hundred year old building when you can knock it down and build a new one?

Historians Gone Hysterical

The folks who created Brick Walk Shops out of historic buildings were crazy! Why put together a village schoolhouse, the old Tunxis Library, and numerous other (painstakingly moved) historic buildings and create a charming shopping area filled with locally owned businesses? Why reuse the bricks from the tiny, old Town Clerk’s building to make a true “brick” walk? A modern strip mall could have been built in its place, with long swaths of faux concrete bricks.  It’s a shame that didn’t happen.

Miss Porter’s clearly has it all wrong, too. Restoring the charm of old is a waste of money.  Why does Miss Porter’s school continue to preserve and restore so many wonderful historic buildings in the village? The 1777 Grist Mill, as one example, was in terrible shape and looked as though it would soon fall into the river, but you have to be in the river to see the beautiful work they have done.  What a waste!

And why are the members of First Church trying to keep the exterior of the Meetinghouse looking like it did in 1772?  A building which, during the Revolutionary War, almost became a refuge for the General Assembly when resources in Hartford became scarce. A building in which the freed Amistad captives were welcomed and their farewell service held before their return to Sierra Leone.  Their worship services are held inside the building, along with community concerts, lectures, weddings, etc.  Who cares about the outside?  Throw some cheap vinyl siding on it, vinyl windows, a faux slate roof, and call it a day.

The Real Heroes

Thank you, “Insite Retail Development” for tearing down a beautiful historic home (The 1799 Lewis House) built by one of our most famous architects and builders, Judah Woodruff, to make way for a faux historic building (a bank next to two other banks no less). The gigantic sign on it is a most authentic touch.

Thank you, “788 Farmington Ave. LLC”, for tearing down a charming, historic building (old Chuck’s Steak House) to build the over-priced monstrosity  named “The Pennington”, a name which ironically means “penny settlement”.  You will easily find twelve up-and-coming hedge fund managers to shell out $760,000 for a two-bedroom condo and up to $850,000 for a three-bedroom condo.

We at the Farmington Mirror are most grateful to these, and all the other developers, as we have NO interest in remembering the town history which made those homes special before you purchased them and let them fall into ruin before our very eyes.

The Townspeople Have It Wrong

Farmington has ONLY SIX organizations which struggle to preserve our town and educate our citizens about its history: The Farmington Village Green and Library Association (including Farmington Library, Barney Library, Memento Mori Cemeterty, Stanley-Whitman House, and Farmington Town Green), The Farmington Historical Society, the Unionville Museum,  The Hill-Stead Museum, The Farmington Land Trust, and the Lewis – Walpole Library.  All of these organizations work tirelessly to maintain what George Washington called a “village of pretty houses”, especially the properties which are not included under the Town’s Historic Districts. Their work doesn’t mean a thing if there is a buck to be made by outside investors.

And what about the townspeople?  Hundreds attended the charrettes in 2014-2015 to give input on the vision for Farmington Center.   Was charm and history the order of the day? Surely the cry went out, “Bulldoze everything.  We want it to look like Blue Back Square, dagnabbit! (Oh, and we want to keep the Bank of America building as we like the look of a concrete garbage can).”

More Demolition!  *Yippee!*

Coming up next — 1 Waterville Road (brown house on corner of Rt.4 and Waterville Road), also known as  820 Farmington Avenue or the Woodford-Newell-Strong house. On January 19, 2018 a demolition permit was applied for by the owners, One Waterville Road LLC.

The Woodford-Newell-Strong house, has origins in 1665, a mere twenty years after Farmington’s incorporation. Its inhabitants lived much of our nation’s history at this major crossroad. The original owner of the property was, in fact, the Governor of the Connecticut Colony, John Webster.

Who cares?

Knock it down!

One of its inhabitants, Susan North Strong, wrote letters about her experiences in Farmington from 1775-1802, including the first time her mother made tea (she boiled it, strained out the water, and served the cooked leaves), and of the colonies on the verge of war (“News has just come that our men highest in authority, or, Congress, as they are called, have decided to be independent of England!”)

Who cares?

Knock it down!

Other inhabitants, Dr. Chauncy and Mrs. Julia Strong Brown, were, in 1841, caregivers for one of the children from the Amistad after the Supreme Court ruled “the Africans on board the Amistad were free individuals. Kidnapped and transported illegally, they had never been slaves.” They gave shelter to a child until she was able to return to her native land.

Who cares?

Knock it down!

Please. Whatever you do.

DO NOT write to Town Hall at the address below on or before February 14, 2018 and oppose this demolition:

Christopher Foryan

Town of Farmington

Farmington Town Hall

1 Monteith Drive

Farmington, CT 06032

foryanc@farmington-ct.org

DO NOT use the following text as a framework for your opposition:

     I am writing in opposition to the demolition of the property known as 1 Waterville Road or, historically, the Woodford-Newell-Strong house. I have been watching as a developer allowed the house fall into ruin; windows broke apart with no effort to seal out the elements, gutters were left in disrepair allowing for water damage. This property is in a highly visible intersection of town and should be preserved in its truest form.

     How is it that  “J. Timothy’s” in Plainville was able to keep the historic integrity of that building on a prominent corner and turn it into a successful business in spite of the fact that the surrounding area is nothing but strip mall? Is our town not capable of even more success?  Can the building not be restored with tasteful additions added?

     The parcel attached to 1 Waterville Road  at 1 Canal Path (also up for demolition) was built in the 1950’s (cluster of small white houses).  Can newer structures built within the regulations of Farmington Center be built without demolishing 350 years of our town’s history?  

     I urge you to deny the demolition permit and demand that the owners endeavor a new strategy for the parcel.  I assure you that, if that building is destroyed, the business in the new building will get no business from me or anyone I know.

Please don’t send that.  Because, who cares?

The post Demolish Historic Buildings Because, “Who Cares?” appeared first on Farmington Mirror.

• HANDLE ALL SIGN-UPS AND SCHEDULING WITHOUT THEIR CHILD’S INPUT
• TAKE PART IN PRACTICES AND GAMES WITH A FOCUS EQUAL TO THAT OF THE COACHES
• TALK ABOUT THEIR CHILD’S PARTICIPATION USING “WE” STATEMENTS
• MAKE THEIR CHILD’S SUCCESS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF THEIR EGO-GRATIFICATION
• MUTTER ABOUT COACHES, UMPIRES, AND (ESPECIALLY) THAT KID PLAYING FOR FUN, TO AVOID EXPULSION FROM GAMES FOR YELLING
• WRITE STERNLY-WORDED EMAILS TO COACHES AND COPY ALL 30 MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In order to join this League, parents must provide a physician’s letter proving current pregnancy, pending adoption, or a birth certificate showing a birth-date on or after April 30, 2014.

Upon acceptance to the League, parents will receive a blanket, a onesie, and and a “tummy time” rug of a bear flattened by a line drive.

Children who have aged out of this exceptional program may sign up for Farmington Little League Baseball and Softball,which offers leagues for youths ages 4-16. This program is open to all Farmington Youth regardless of parents’ participation in the Zygotes. Parents of these players will have to accept that development can’t be rushed, that children have to be allowed to develop at their own pace, and that maybe their kid would rather write satire.

The post Premier Pre-Natal League Established for Over-Invested Sports Parents appeared first on Farmington Mirror.

The decision follows complaints made on social media regarding long parent drop-off lines. Many commenters indicated unclear procedures, inadequate enforcement, and unchecked parental egos.

The shuttle service offers transportation to and from Farmington public schools, with pick-up and drop-off points in close proximity to your home. The shuttles are easily identifiable by their bright yellow color and traffic-stopping, flashing red lights. The service will also offer students a space to socialize, get ahead on their homework, or simply read a good book. It also gives younger students the opportunity to learn new things that they wouldn’t otherwise learn in school.

For more information, and to find the shuttle stop closest to you, please visit: District Transportation Information

The post Shuttle Service to Reduce Wait Time at Parent Drop-Off appeared first on Farmington Mirror.

His campaign manager, Mr. Carpenter, spoke to the press afterward while holding a big stick of butter. “Everyone thinks it’s all about Fairfield County, but they are burning out from their insane real estate and extravagant lifestyles.  Hartford is trying, but ultimately, Farmington represents the best of Connecticut, ” he said. “The founder’s son settled here, we have a river that travels in every direction, and both Mike Tyson AND 50 Cent wanted to live here.  Walrus will win. Farmington will continue to win.”

The post Walrus Announces Bid for Connecticut Governor appeared first on Farmington Mirror.

It’s the holiday season, and while families and friends will gather around the table to share traditional meals, I am preparing to dig in my heels.

You see, I don’t like certain foods.  I can have issues based on texture, color, smell, and/or preparation methods. There isn’t much rhyme or reason to my pickiness; it’s just me in a particular mood at any given time. As far as I know, I do not have any food allergies (okay, walnuts, but that doesn’t come up too often) so I really don’t have any excuse except my earnest wish to control the situation.

While home cooks are carefully preparing their menus for all the holiday festivities, I am preparing my responses to make it clear to them that I’M NOT GOING TO EAT THAT.  You might think that I am a toddler, but I am actually an adult with a Masters Degree in Communications.

Here’s what I have planned so far:

When offered a meal at a holiday event, I could put a little bit of each food on the plate and push it around while making conversation so that it would appear as though I am being respectful and eating the food.  I could even take a fake bite and then compliment the cook, but I will probably just sit there in silence, looking miserable, and make the cook feel bad for me.

If it’s a big family dinner and I don’t like any of the food, I will just go into the kitchen and make cinnamon toast or something.  Mom might have spent FOUR hours cooking but if I don’t like it, I am not eating it. She can go ahead and cry into her Pinot Noir if she thinks I am going to eat that masterfully created cuisine.

If I am a guest at someone’s home who doesn’t know me very well I go for the fake food allergy.  It’s not that hard these days.  I have even faked a rice allergy because the texture of the rice looked too sticky.

For all you home cooks out there, buckle up.  If it’s not me coming into your Food Network-Anthony Bourdain-loving-Cuisinart-world, it’s someone like me. It is our goal to squash your love of cooking and sharing food with those you love.

The post Picky-Eater Develops Strategy For Holidays appeared first on Farmington Mirror.