Daily Five: Ritter Criticizes Media Coverage

1. Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 77, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight should be cloudy with a low around 56, according to the service.

2. State Rep. Betsy Ritter called Patch unexpectedly Wednesday morning, furious over the negative publicity about Connecticut Light & Power. People should be saluting them, not yelling at them, she said.

“They are working hard. We should be baking them cookies and thanking them,” Ritter said. “To complain about them is a shame.”
Ritter said people need to stop “bitching and moaning” about the crews, as they are working as hard as they can. She also said that if the staffing was increased, nobody would want to pay the higher electric bills.

Ritter also said she has had no power and no water at her home in Quaker Hill, and fully admits her house should not be high on the priority list, as it is not in a densely packed area.

3. Businesses affected by Irene are eligible for loans, according to an email from Rep. Joe Courtney. They are (this is straight from the email):

• Loans of up to $200,000 to companies for storm-related damage, including property, machinery and equipment, and working capital;
• Loan guarantees of up to $200,000 will be provided to banks and other lenders to spur local lending to businesses impacted by the storm;
• Grants will be available to businesses for assistance in disaster recovery, such as temporary help and training; and
• Technical assistance, linking businesses to a wide array of state and federal resources.

Agricultural businesses are eligible for funding.

Information for all services can be obtained by calling 1-860-270-8215.

Also, if anybody wants to donate to the clean up effort, go here.

4. Now, unfortunately, with all this Irene madness, Patch neglected to report on one of the biggest celebrations of the year: Madden 2012 came out earlier this week. It is available at several Waterford locations, including Best Buy and Walmart. For those who have power, I can think of no better way to rub it into the face of your buddy who doesn’t have power than by calling him up and bragging about how wonderful the new Madden is while he is helpless. A great opportunity.

5. On this date in 1939, Adolf Hitler orders all mentally ill and disabled people to be euthanized. And on this date in 1985, a joint American-French expedition finds the remains of the RMS Titanic.

Quote of the Day

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.”

-Charles Austin Beard

Trivia of the Day

What current standout athlete’s first and middle name is Carsten Charles?

Yesterday’s Answer: Van Morrison sang “stoned me just like a jelly roll” as part of his song, “And It Stoned Me.”