Week in Review

Though the start of July brought the start of a new fiscal year at Town Hall this week, Darienites could be forgiven for thinking about anything but budgets.

As area residents looked forward to July 4th fare, YWCA Darien/Norwalk's sixth annual Push-n-Pull Parade saw huge numbers of children and parents roll through downtown. Not a few of the marchers had turned out to Weed Beach four days earlier for a sandcastle building contest, where an "awesome fortress" took first prize. (Octi the Octopus could not be reached for comment.)

Over at Town Hall, developer Margaret Stefanoni likened Darien's application for an 8-30g affordable housing moratorium to trading in her used minivan—one of many pieces of feedback which will be included when the town submits its materials to Hartford. Harbor master Robert Price was honored by friends, family, and officials as he put the capstone on a 20-year career, and at the regional level, Rep. Jim Himes held a forum on transportation issues facing Fairfield County.

Darien police disclosed the arrests of a man attempting a $3300 fraudulent withdrawal and a couple in possession of heroin, while the department's License Plate Reader kept up the pressure on drivers with unpaid tickets or outstanding warrants. Firefighters, meanwhile, reported responding to a pair of smoke scares and a leaking propane tank, all of which were safely contained.

Over on the diamond, Little League tournament action—and a potential journey to Williamsport—got underway this week, while Darien Legion watched its path to the state tournament get a little harder. The news for sports fans of a colder bent was better, as the list of stars for the 'Big Assist' fundraiser grew to include hall of famer Glenn Anderson and Tampa Bay Lightning player Martin St. Louis.

On a sadder note, funeral services for Robert Franklin, beloved employee of the former Shaw's Supermarket, were held this week. Franklin was 54.