Recent Stories

2017 Granby teacher of the year

By Christopher TranbergThe Granby Public Schools proudly recognized Joy Cloukey as the 2017–18 Teacher of the Year at the district’s closing ceremonies on June 19. In celebration of Joy’s achievements and contributions to the students of Granby, she was joined on stage by her husband Ryan, children Owen and Tessa, as well as her parents. Joy is currently a fourth grade teacher at Wells Road Intermediate School who takes a “kids first” approach to her work. Since gra […]

September BOE Candidate Forum

RegistrarsIn honor of National Voter Registration Day, candidates running for the Granby Board of Education on the November ballot have been invited to attend a candidate forum being sponsored by the registrars office. The event will be held in the Town Hall meeting room on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to meet the candidates, learn about local issues, and understand the importance of voting and registering to vote. The statutory duties and responsibilities of our local bo […]

Governor’s executive orders could decimate municipal aid

By Michael B. Guarco,Chair, Board of FinanceAs the new state fiscal year opened on July 1, high drama intensified in Hartford. Governor Malloy took aim at changing the overall municipal aid categories given to towns while simultaneously looking to prod the legislature to do its job in passing a budget. In late June, an executive order came down from the Governor’s office and is still in place that reduced state aid to Granby by $3.1 million from the $5.5 million budgeted in April. The $5.5 […]

Residents opposed to town’s use of RoundUp

By Shirley MurthaAt the Aug. 7 meeting of the Granby Board of Selectmen, resident Marge Goslee requested that the town look into the Public Works Department’s use of the herbicide glyphosate (RoundUp) to control roadside vegetation. She noted that it is being sprayed on the vegetation on the bridges over various town streams and brooks, thereby entering the watercourses where it can cause harm to the animal life as well as good vegetation and presumably eventually make its way to residents […]

Town manager institutes spending freeze

Also pulled would be funds from the Mashantucket and Pequot Funds (distributions from the state casinos) and the Municipal Revenue Sharing Account, among others.The total loss in income to Granby from these cuts would be $5.5 million. In addition, this is the year that Governor Malloy has proposed that cities and towns pay one-third of the cost of teacher pensions, an expense to Granby of $1.5 million.At the meeting, Finance Board Chairman Mike Guarco noted that the $5.4 million represents […]

Autumn in Granby Means AppleFest at First Church

By Linda BetschCelebrate autumn in Connecticut at AppleFest, hosted by the First Congregational Church, located at 219 N. Granby Road! On Saturday, Sept. 30, the day starts at 9 a.m. with a church-wide tag sale. Early birds welcome! From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the tag sale continues with a wide variety of area artisans and vendors displaying their wares for sale. Come hungry and enjoy some delicious homemade goods. For the sixth year, enjoy this traditional taste of New England at this fu […]

Celebrate Granby scheduled for Sept. 21–23

The Granby Chamber of Commerce and its sponsors will host the annual Celebrate Granby event Sept. 21-23 at Salmon Brook Park in Granby.The event has been well attended in the past with its many offerings, including: a business expo, a crafters’ expo, food from local restaurants, a carnival, a classic car show and a beer garden. Local band favorites— The Bus Drivers and Outta Whack— will provide live music, and a fireworks display will cap off the celebration. &ldquo […]

Foxfield F.A.R.M. Foundation sponsors polo tourney

Simsbury Polo ClubFoxfield F.A.R.M. Foundation is a 501C3 organization was established for equine groundwork therapy to treat U.S. veterans dealing with the trauma of PTSD and related mental challenges.The program encompasses the use of rescued/retired sport horses, most specifically polo ponies, which provides a reciprocal synergy in the rehabilitation of human and equine. Susan Patricelli-Regan, president and founder of Foxfield F.A.R.M. (For A Recovery Mission) presents the “Best P […]

265 Salmon Brook Street

By Carol Laun, Archivist, Salmon Brook Historical Society This rather ordinary looking white house was once the imposing Federal-style mansion house of a wealthy Granby resident. In the more than 225 years since it was built, it has undergone huge renovations, additions and subtractions. When built, it was located very close to the southwest corner of Rte. 10-202 and Rte. 20. The house has been moved from its original site and has had even more architectural changes. It has now been divided […]

Sunday morning visitor

On May 28, about 7:15 in the morning, John Dewey was photographing a turkey that had come into his yard. In a split second he ran and then flew away. A coyote appeared about 20 feet from the house where he was photographing from a window. It stayed around a few minutes then was off into the woods. […]

GMHS SPORTS

BOYS SOCCER OCT. 23 VS ROCKVILLE GIRLS SOCCER OCT. 26 VS. COVENTRY FOOTBALL NOV. 2 VS. GILBERT/NORTHWESTERN GIRLS SOCCER 11/7 VS. HOLY CROSS IN THE SECOND ROUND CLASS M GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS WHICH GRANBY WON 1-0 (PK3-1)

Raising funds for the USO

Granby Stop & Shop’s Rosia Kennedy doing what she does so well— raising funds for the USO. All of the raffle proceeds benefited U.S. service men and women in recognition of Veterans Day.

Food safety class for Granby organizations

Food is a powerful thing. Not only does it nourish our bodies, but preparing and sharing food with others cultivates community. If you or your organization is involved in food preparation, food service, or a food based fund-raiser, then this event is for you.

Granby schools NOT in decline

After reading Kim Becker’s October letter to the editor, I must make a number of comments in support of the Granby Public School System. In her letter, she states that “Granby schools are not stagnant; they are in full decline.” Ms. Becker bases this opinion statement solely on the recent standardized test scores, namely, the SBAC and the SAT.

Vote YES on Question 2

Last month, Eric Lukingbeal wrote an important op/ed piece describing how, as it currently stands, the legislature can sell, swap or give away public lands such as state parks, forests and even state-owned farmlands without public knowledge or input. 

Protocol calls for a public hearing, but at the end of a legislative session, the rules can be ignored, and that is when many of these transactions take place. 

The only way to make sure there is a public hearing before any of our land is taken away is to amend the State Constitution to require the public hearing. The amendment also contains the clause that any proposed legislation must pass by at least two-thirds of the House and the Senate.

Thanks from FOGPL

The Friends of the Granby Public Library completed its 36th Annual Used Book Sale in September on a beautiful weekend that included other major events both in Granby and Simsbury. I am pleased to note that we had the best book sale ever, raising $10,600. 

We started with a record number of donations, a large and enthusiastic sorting staff that operated during June and July, and a board that worked side by side with all throughout not only the sorting time, but the sale itself.

Kearns Community Center

Our family is very excited about the proposed Kearns Community Center. We have spent some time with the members of the steering committee and the ideas they’ve generated are fantastic.

Support for Democrats

I recently heard a local talk show host suggest that most people cannot name their state representative or senator. If you live in Granby, your state representative and state senators have been in office for a very long time.

Support for Republicans

This is an extremely important election for the citizens of the State of Connecticut and for our town. For decades, our legislature has spent too much and saved too little to pay for the state’s obligations.