News roundup

Gold Coast GOP favors Romney

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appears to be the consensus pick for president of the town's GOP again, despite the recent emergence of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

The central Greenwich ZIP code of 06830 and backcountry ZIP code of 06831 ranked third and fifth nationally of those most generous to Romney's campaign through the second quarter, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The Washington, D.C., based organization the tracks the role of money in campaigns.

Topping its list of Romney strongholds was 06840, the ZIP code for New Canaan.

Romney held fundraisers in both towns in June, tapping into a vast donor network of bankers, hedge fund executives, corporate chieftains and fellow venture capitalists such as state Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-36.

"I have a pretty strong gut feeling that Governor Romney will come out on top because he's the only candidate who has extensive private sector experience, understands the economy, has created thousands of jobs and, frankly, is much more personally appealing," Frantz said.

A member of Romney's finance committee for Connecticut who represents all of Greenwich and parts of Stamford and New Canaan in the General Assembly, Frantz has hosted Romney several times at his home in Riverside, including in June.

A number of Romney's top donors played a major fundraising role in the 2000 and 2004 campaigns of former President George W. Bush, but appear reticent to do the Texas two-step, including Tom Foley, who ran unsuccessfully for Connecticut governor in 2012.

Foley was a Bush Pioneer during the 2000 presidential campaign, helping to raise over $100,000 for the then-Texas governor, who later tapped Foley as U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

"I think the feeling about Governor Perry is nobody really knows him," Foley said. "He seems even conservative for Texas. People have to wonder, would that sell even nationally in a general election?"

Foley, for whom Romney campaigned last year in the gubernatorial race, is also a member of Romney's finance committee.

Between the ZIP codes of 06830 and 06831, Romney raked in $331,600 through the second quarter, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Among his notable donors was professional wrestling power couple Vince and Linda McMahon, who each gave $2,500, the contribution limit for the primary phase of the 2012 election cycle.

-- Neil Vigdor

Staff writer

Debate centers on 9/11monument

The location of a proposed Sept. 11 memorial in Greenwich should be left up to those who were touched directly by the tragedy, said the lead organizer of a private fundraising effort for the monument, which would be the second one in town.

Former Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Mary Ann Morrison is calling on the town to consult with the families of local victims of the terrorist attacks.

"Where would they like to see it?" said Morrison, the steering committee head for the initiative.

Twelve Greenwich residents and 14 others with ties to the town died in the attacks, making Greenwich the community with the highest death toll in the state on Sept. 11, 2001.

Most of the victims worked at the World Trade Center.

Two were killed on the hijacked planes.

The steering committee is an offshoot of the group that raised private funds for the first memorial, which was dedicated last year on Great Captains Island on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

The group's first choice of location for the second memorial is Grass Island, a small promontory off Shore Road in central Greenwich, which is home to a public boatyard frequented by fishermen.

The Board of Parks and Recreation recently recommended Roger Sherman Baldwin Park over Grass Island to the selectmen, however.

"Their choice is based on visibility, access and setting," First Selectman Peter Tesei said last week.

Planners of the memorial are balking at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, host of myriad events from the Concours d'Elegance vintage car show to summertime concerts and this year's inaugural Greenwich Town Party.

"It just is not a quiet, reflective area for this kind of public art," Morrison said. "The noise from I-95 is extremely audible."

Morrison noted that the park, which is located next to the Arch Street teen center, is already home to a large metal sculpture and a firemen's memorial.

The steering committee is expected to return to the selectmen in September to discuss the recommendation of the parks board, which is an advisory body.

"We are going back asking them to supersede the parks (board) recommendation and go with Grass Island," Morrison said.

-- Neil Vigdor

Staff writer

Plan announced to protect Sound

Environmental officials said this week that new efforts are being made to reduce the amount of sewage and storm water being dumped into Long Island Sound and improve habitats in the waterway that's shared by Connecticut and New York.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and New York Department of Environmental Conservation said in addition to continued progress in reducing nitrogen pollution and sewer and sanitary sewer overflows, programs are being established to use shellfish and seaweed to reduce nitrogen pollution.

New targets are being set to restore 200 acres of coastal habitat and reopen 80 miles of migratory areas to fish, according to the announcement made Tuesday at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich. State Sen. L. Scott Frantz, a Republican from Greenwich, said the goals represent a "spirit of cooperation" between environmentalists and businesses such as marinas, shipyards and others that rely on the Sound to make money.

"I don't see it as a big compromise," he said. "I see it as an education play so private industry can say what their needs are ... so environmentalists can know business a lot better and vice versa."

Citing recent progress in the Long Island Sound restoration, officials announced an "action agenda" with 54 steps to improve water quality and the shoreline.

Officials also said they will commit to making Long Island Sound a "no discharge zone" for waste.

New York and federal environmental officials announced that beginning Thursday, boaters will be banned from discharging sewage into an additional 760 square miles on the New York state portion of the Sound.

The ban has been in force on the Connecticut side since 2007.

Richard Kral, owner of Cos Cob-based Beacon Point Marine, welcomes any additional moves to improve water quality.

"It's important that we are all cognizant of releasing storm water and preventing contaminated water into the Sound," he said. Kral's marina has a pump-out station that allows boaters to discharge sewage from their boats.

The town has pump-out stations at the Grass Island and Cos Cob marinas. Kral said his station is located at his fuel dock, enabling boaters to easily dispose of their sewage while fueling.

"It's convenient and you see a lot of boaters taking advantage of it," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Motor vehicle break-ins hit

Police are investigating a series of motor vehicle break-ins that occurred in the Milbrook area of town late Friday into Saturday morning. The unidentified suspect or suspects are apparently working on foot, breaking into locked vehicles or opening the doors of unlocked vehicles, and discarding what they don't keep in the neighborhood, police said.

Sgt. Sean O'Donnell said Greenwich is a very safe community, but that doesn't stop incidents from happening.

If you can park your car in a brightly lit area, do so, and no matter how long you're gone, "Always lock your car," O'Donnell said.

-- David Hennessey Staff writer