The flame will soon go out at Liberty Candle

After 20 years in business, Liberty Candle will close in July 2011. Photo source: Liberty Candle

The owner of Liberty Candle Company in Bolton has announced that after the annual fireworks sale, the building will be sold and the business will be closed.

Located at 263 Boston Turnpike (Route 44) – just off the I-384 ramp – the New England-style building is a familiar landmark to residents in this area as they travel to and from Vernon and Manchester.

Owner Tom Pope said an offer was received to sell the building and the timing just seemed to be right.  “Twenty years is a nice run for any small business but the opportunity for retirement made this offer too good to pass up” said Pope. “We will have our annual fireworks sale and sell off all existing inventory and displays by July 15. You might say we will go out with a bang.”

“Closing any business is done with mixed emotions, you always miss the people, but I have done it before” said Pope.  He explained, “I closed a real estate brokerage company and retired for 7 years before I got involved in the candle business.”

Mansfield Hollow Estates is next project

Pope said full retirement will wait a little while as he is currently working on a subdivision in Mansfield and will be selling some lots, although he does not intend to go “full bore” back into real estate brokerage.

“I had a lot of fun in that business but I don’t miss the stress,” he said with a laugh.

“The Candle Company philosophy was to rekindle the warmth of yesteryear and much of that philosophy can be found in the Mansfield subdivision”, said Pope.  He explained, “The rural character of New England is important to us and is being preserved in original stone walls throughout the site”.

New construction on the site is planned with maximum preservation of forest trees and privacy, he said.  Mansfield Hollow Estates is located on Bassetts Bridge Road and So. Bedlam Road in the Mansfield Hollow Dam area.

Local support

Liberty Candle Company started in the basement of a law office in East Hartford before moving to Bolton.

The company was recognized by the Bolton Economic Development Commission with an award in 1996 after expanding its operation.

“We have received lots of recognition over the years and being named Best of Connecticut for candles in 2010 was certainly a proud moment for us, said Pope.

Pope smiled when he said, “We have taken great care and pride in making quality products that performed above those of the mass market.  We preferred quality over low price, cutting corners was never in our business plan.”

There will be some unique opportunities for customers during the closing sale period. Pope explained that selling the aroma oils is something they have never done because they preferred to maintain that information in-house.

“This will be the first, last and only time consumers can bring in containers to buy aroma oils,” he said.

He explained that the aroma is the most expensive ingredient in Liberty Candles. “Our customers have been loyal and many have asked for oils, this will give them an opportunity to experience using some of those high quality oils,” he said.

Pope added, “If there is one message I would like to get out before we close, it would be ‘Thank you’ to all our customers. You have made it a pleasure to come to work every day.”

Posted June 12, 2011; photo caption corrected June 14, 2011

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Union leaders reach tentative agreement with Gov. Malloy

Gov. Dannel Malloy

The State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) announced this afternoon (May 13) that “after several months of discussions and many long nights,” union leaders and Gov. Malloy have reached a tentative agreement on a cost-savings package to help close the state’s budget deficit.

The administration has also agreed to rescind layoff notices for nearly 5,000 state workers that were announced earlier this week, the SEBAC press release states.

According to Patrice Peterson, President, CSEA SEIU Local 2001, “The agreement is intended to help reduce costs while protecting public services in the current and next fiscal years, and to help put Connecticut on a firmer footing for economic recovery.”

When finalized, the agreement is expected to result in approximately $1.6 billion in combined labor cost reductions and service efficiencies, she states.

“The agreement also provides job security, and does not contain any furlough days or reductions in work hours for permanent state employees… State employees used their knowledge and experience to create a better future for themselves, their services and the people of Connecticut they proudly serve,” she states.

The SEBAC did not release specifics of the agreement.

According to Peterson, “in order to respect the fundamental rights of the working men and women we represent, SEBAC leaders have agreed not to publicize details until they can be presented to members of our unions. This process will begin immediately.”

SEBAC represents about 45,000 members.

“Given the extraordinary stakes involved, we sought to avoid the speculation and misunderstandings that would hamper our ultimate goal of reaching a mutual settlement by keeping our discussions out of the media,” the release states. “The reality is that more work remains to be done. Any final agreements must be ratified by the members of our unions and approved by state lawmakers.”

Gov. Malloy’s remarks

Gov. Malloy also made an announcement on the tentative agreement to the media this afternoon.

“I am pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with our fellow state employee leaders that will, over the next 20 years, save Connecticut taxpayers a total of $21.5 billion,” he said.

“This is the most significant agreement with state employees in Connecticut history, not just because it solves a short-term problem – but because it produces the kind of long-term, structural reform WE – Connecticut’s residents, elected leaders and our state’s workforce – so desperately need if we are to again grow, produce new jobs, and prosper together,” Gov. Malloy said.

“Our agreement is also historic because of the way we achieved it. We respected the collective bargaining process and we respected each other, negotiating in good faith, without fireworks and without anger. To my friends in SEBAC, thank you. You have stepped up to the plate and said you want to be part of the solution. Under this agreement, we will all share in the sacrifices necessary to stabilize the state’s finances,” Gov. Malloy said.

“In the short-term, over the next two years, this agreement will save taxpayers 1.6 billion dollars. The remaining $400 million we need to balance this budget will come from a mix of additional spending cuts and existing budgeted revenues,” he said.

He added, “Taxes will not rise beyond what is already in this budget.”

“These savings were achieved in the areas of healthcare and pension benefits, and wages. Our fellow state employee leaders have asked us to refrain from discussing the specific details within each of those categories until they’ve had a chance to communicate them to their members. We’re happy to comply with that request,” Malloy said.

Malloy also noted that there are no furlough days (unpaid days off) in this agreement or a reduction in the 40-hour work week.

“This means we’ve achieved these savings without reducing government’s ability to serve its constituents, and without reducing employees’ productivity,” Gov. Malloy said.

He also thanked Democratic leadership “for the strength and leadership they have demonstrated” as well as Mark Ojakian and Linda Yelmini who negotiated on behalf of the governor’s office and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman.

“As many of you know, Nancy has a long-standing relationship with our state employee unions and their members, and her guidance and wisdom throughout this process has been invaluable,” Gov. Malloy said.

He concluded by saying, “I want to be very clear that, as I said the day I signed the budget that was passed by the Legislature, this is not a day to celebrate. Yes, it’s a significant accomplishment, and yes, it will save taxpayers an enormous amount of money over time – but any time you ask sacrifices of people, you need to be mindful of the impact on their lives. And I am.”

He added that he will continue to downsize state government.

“Over the next few years, I intend to reduce the number of state employees, but rather than doing that by layoffs, we will do it by attrition, and by eliminating managerial positions,” he said.

Gov. Malloy also said he has directed OPM to immediately suspend layoff notices and rescind those that were handed out earlier this week, “as a show of good faith.”

He added, “I urge my fellow state employees to approve this agreement in a timely fashion. Once ratified by the rank-and-file workers, we stand ready to work with the leadership of the General Assembly to secure final approval. When that happens, come July 1, the state will have in place a budget that is balanced with no gimmicks, and one that provides something the state hasn’t had in many years: fiscal stability.”

Posted May 13, 2011

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Legislation would allow developers to use state-protected land

“East Haddam has been very actively looking for open space and my feeling is people considering making a deal with us will now ask themselves, ‘How long is it going to take for you to sell it to someone else?’” - East Haddam Selectman Emmett Lyman Photo source: Wikimedia Commons Free Use

Editor’s note: While this controversy has focused on the two towns most immediately affected by the proposed legislation (Haddam and East Haddam), I believe this issue is of interest to anyone in the state who is involved with conservation and preservation of open space, farmlands, nature preserves, etc. since SB 1196 will apply not just to this particular 17-acre parcel but to any state-protected property. That is why I am posting this story on all of our news sites. The bill is currently going before the House and Senate. If you have concerns, or if you would like to support this bill, now would be the time to contact your local representatives. This story also contains links to the two Web sites for the opponents and the developers and their supporters. Letters to the Editor on this subject can be emailed to editor@htnp.com (Posted May 12, 2011)

While he initially felt some economic benefit could come of a controversial proposal to use state-protected property in Haddam for development, East Haddam First Selectman Mark Walter has now joined fellow selectmen in sending a letter to the state to oppose the plan.

Walter said in an interview today that he originally favored the idea as “trying to support a regional focus on tourism.”

The state-protected land is in the Tylerville section of Haddam near the Connecticut River. Private developers Riverhouse Properties want to develop the land for a hotel or inn, shops, entertainment and other amenities.

They have proposed a land swap that would give Haddam 87 acres of woods in the Higganum section of town, adjacent to Cockaponset State Forest.

Just before the East Haddam Board of Selectmen’s meeting last week, that evening Walter had said, “At this point, I am starting to get the facts and understand how all this works… there’s a lot of misinformation out there… the main reason I am supportive of the Haddam selectman [First Selectman DeStefano, who favors the swap] is because we want to promote economic development in that corridor.”

“How it gets done is where it gets complicated, because it could set a precedence… it is of interest to both towns – to the whole state, really – because it’s being done through legislation,” he said.

Today, Walter said discussion at the selectmen’s meeting persuaded him that the legislation could have long-term negative impact on negotiations with property owners considering donating or selling their land for conservation purposes.

“As we have looked more and more into this, I have become uncomfortable with this use of state land,” Walter said.

The proposal has had strong support from State Sen. Eileen Daily – as it has in past years when it was unsuccessfully proposed – but it has ignited a firestorm of protest from many of her constituents.

Despite those protests, the bill is making progress. As of today, Senate Bill 1196 has already received unanimous approval from the Legislature’s Finance Committee and so, is set to go before the House and Senate.

Not compelling enough

In an interview last week, East Haddam Selectman Peter Govert said he introduced the motion to write the letter opposing Senate Bill 1196.

“First and foremost, I believe it will have a chilling effect on land conservation and preservation when it comes to donors,” he said.

He noted that at a Democratic Town Committee meeting attended by Sen. Daily, he heard an East Haddam resident who had recently sold a sizeable piece of land for conservation say that if this land swap had occurred before the sale, she would have decided to sell the land to a developer “and get more money.”

Govert also recalled that this “land conveyance bill” was vetoed by former Gov. M. Jodi Rell twice in the past. “This would be the third time they are trying to get it passed,” he said.

As for sending a letter to the Legislature, Govert said, “We thought we’d send a very clear message that we don’t support it.”

He added that the decision was not entered into lightly.

“We didn’t rush into this position… We talked about this at previous (Board of Selectmen) meetings. We discussed the pro’s and con’s. We saw the Powerpoint presentation by Riverhouse Development (March 10). We’ve looked at the (Stop the Swap) Web site,” Govert said.

Whether or not the plans he’s seen are realistic is another one of his concerns, Govert said: “We aren’t convinced by the state or by the developers that they have a viable plan. There are a lot of unanswered questions. Who pays for sewage? What about drinking water? Where’s the traffic plan?”

Govert also has some concerns about a part of the bill that includes 2.7 acres owned by Goodspeed. “It’s near the parking lot that the town (East Haddam) owns, by the river,” he said. The Town of East Haddam has an easement on that property for use of the boat launch.

He added that while Sen. Daily has said this property has been removed from the bill, “the last time I looked on the (legislative) Web site, it was still there.”

Opening a door

Walter also expressed concern that if this legislation passes, it could encourage other proposals that could be more difficult to stop.

For example, he recalled a proposal by the Audubon Society to sell a piece of land known as the Harlow Haagenson Preserve off of Creek Road.

The proposal led to the formation of a Friends of Haagenson to stop the sale, and former State Atty. Gen. Richard Blumenthal also stepped in, Walter said.

“Now, there are rumblings that the Audubon may try again to sell it,” Walter said.

He also pointed to the town’s acquisition of 280 acres known as the Shagrue property that ended up being resolved in court as an example of how complicated land negotiations can be.

Two sisters shared ownership – one owned five-sixths of the land and another one-sixth – and the court had to settle which part of the farm would constitute the one-sixth that was retained by one sister, Walter said. “This was because the (preserved) land had to stay in active farm use.”

“So, it’s never easy… and this bill could set a precedence that would make it even more difficult,” Walter said.

A viable plan?

East Haddam Selectman Emmett Lyman also expressed serious concern about the legislation opening the door to similar deals and the effect that could have on future negotiations.

Lyman noted he served on the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission and the Open Space Commission, “and I am very aware of how difficult it is to convince people to turn land over to the town or state.”

“One thing you’re always up against is a developer standing there with a checkbook in his back pocket,” Lyman said.

What gives the town, state agency or conservation group some kind of edge is a “special trust” that the property – and perhaps family memories connected to that land – will be protected from development, he said.

If this land conveyance bill is approved, “what we’re doing is violating that trust,” he said.

“East Haddam has been very actively looking for open space and my feeling is people considering making a deal with us will now ask themselves, ‘How long is it going to take for you to sell it to someone else?’”

He noted that in one instance, it took the town 10 years to negotiate with owners of a farm property. “That isn’t uncommon at all. It’s often a long and very fragile process,” he said.

Lyman said he’s also surprised at how little the State has offered to convince residents this land swap would be a good thing. “I expected the State to come forth with really compelling arguments why this would be good for tourism, for the economy… they didn’t. In the past, they (the proponents) have just slid it past us – and that makes people uncomfortable,” Lyman said.

He added that he, himself, has 40 acres of land near Six Flags in Suffield and if this legislation passes, he would personally feel worried about selling or donating his property for conservation.

He also has simple ethical issues with the proposal, he said. “This is conservation money that comes from you and me and other taxpayers,” Lyman said.

He added, “Do I think economic development is important in the lower Connecticut River Valley? Could we use some help? Yes. But let’s do it in a very public way. And I just don’t think the case has been made… it has to be public and it has to be compelling because you’re betraying a trust.”

Originally posted in East Haddam Today on May 11, 2011; site walk poster added May 12

Related links:

Web site for proponents of the land swap http://www.haddamlandswap.com/

Sharp debate over land swap proposal, NPR http://www.yourpublicmedia.org/content/wnpr/sharp-debate-over-land-swap-proposal

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Job Fair May 12 for Storrs Center construction

Storrs Center Alliance and Education Realty Trust, together with Erland Construction, will host a local job fair for people from the area interested in potential job opportunities in the construction of the first phase of Storrs Center.

The job fair will be held in the gymnasium at the Mansfield Community Center (10 South Eagleville Road) in Storrs-Mansfield at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12.

Storrs Center will be a mixed-use town center and main street corridor at the crossroads of the Town of Mansfield and the University of Connecticut.

Storrs Center will combine retail, restaurant and office uses with a variety of residence types including studios, town homes, condominium apartments and rental apartments.

For inquiries about the job fair, contact StorrsCenterInfo@erland.com

(Use Storrs Center as your search term to read previous stories posted in Mansfield Today about the project.)

Posted May 8, 2011

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Learn more about impact of regional water use plans on Coventry

The Willimantic River as seen from the Garden on the Bridge next to ArtSpace. Photo copyright 2011 by Brenda Sullivan

Water supply is a global issue, but locally the issues hit closer to home when towns are trying to boost economic development – while at the same time, provide enough clean drinking water and sewage service.

Mansfield is currently trying to find ways to bring businesses back to the Four Corners area (Route 44 and 195), but one of the largest obstacles is water supply.

Willimantic is trying to “grow” its downtown, and at the same time, the Willimantic Whitewater Partnership is working on a major project that would create a whitewater park and tourist destination by tapping into the power of the Willimantic River.

Willimantic already has a small hydropower station operating on the river.

To learn more about regional decisions that will affect water supply in Tolland, Storrs/Mansfield, Coventry, Willington and Willimantic, come to the Water Supply Forum that will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. this Wednesday, May 11.

The forum, hosted by the Willimantic River Alliance, will be held at Storrs Community Church, 90 Tolland Turnpike (Route 195) in Coventry (the new church across the road from Pumpkin Paul’s Farm on Route 195).

According to Meg Reich, Vice President of the Willimantic River Alliance, representatives from the University of Connecticut, the Connecticut Water Company (CWC), the Tolland Water Commission and the Mansfield Four Corners Sewer and Water Committee will make brief presentations from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. and will be available to answer questions from 6 p.m. until the end of the forum at 9 p.m.

There also will be plans and maps on display for the following:

• CT Water Company’s proposed regional pipeline

• UConn’s new five-year water supply plan, including water conservation and wellfield management plans

• Tolland Water Commission’s water diversion application to increase water drawn from their Willimantic River wellfield

• Mansfield Four Corners Sewer and Water Committee’s draft plan for a source of water for the RT 195/44 intersection

Drawing more from the Willimantic River

The Tolland Water Commission has applied for a water diversion permit to double its withdrawals from existing wells along the Willimantic River to continue to supply Tolland homes, schools and businesses south of I-84 into the future.

It would also connect with the Connecticut Water Company’s water pipeline, from Shenipsit Lake (which already serves the Tolland Green area north of I-84) for a back-up emergency water source.

The Willimantic River Alliance suggests that the CWC could create a new regional water supply pipeline if it were to connect with the Tolland system south of I-84.

At Four Corners and UConn

A new pipeline from Tolland to Storrs-Mansfield extending along Route 195 could not only provide backup water for Tolland’s water supply needs, it could also meet the needs for water at Four Corners and the University of Connecticut in Storrs, the Alliance suggests.

A new well along the Willimantic River or interconnection with an existing piped water supply are options for Four Corners, according to a draft plan currently under review.

UConn also recently prepared a new five-year water supply plan for the Storrs and Mansfield Depot campuses and areas adjacent to the campus.

The draft March 2011 plan calls for an integrated approach to managing its wellfields along the Fenton and Willimantic Rivers.

It also explores water conservation measures, including a reclaimed water facility to recycle treated wastewater from their sewage treatment plant to use as cooling water for their central utility plant and irrigation water for campus athletic fields.

The Alliance notes that the plan acknowledges that there is a greater demand for even more water during dry summers, so a new additional source of water is needed.

Potential sources include a new well along the Willimantic River or an interconnection with an existing piped water supply… the same options as for the Four Corners area.

All of these projects involve the Willimantic River, its watershed and aquifers.

They will affect not only the towns where they are planned, Tolland and Mansfield, but also adjacent towns, the Alliance notes.

Coventry Village

Coventry Village needs more water, and may also need a new well along the Willimantic River; Mansfield and Coventry officials have met to consider sharing a well.

Tolland’s water was extended to Willington’s Hall Memorial School on Route 32 two summers ago.

CWC’s proposed regional pipeline could result in demand for more intense development along the pipeline’s corridor, affecting land not only in Tolland and Storrs-Mansfield, but in Coventry and Willington, the Alliance suggests.

The pipeline would involve transferring significant amounts of water from the Hockanum River watershed to the Willimantic River watershed.

UConn’s reclaimed water facility would recycle water, but also reduce the amount of water flowing into the Willimantic River.

Towns need to work together

All of these water diversions need to be evaluated to make sure there is a good balance of water for people and for aquatic life, the Alliance notes.

Addressed separately, these water supply decisions could be uncoordinated and could result in unintended consequences, the Alliance states.

The Willimantic River Alliance is advocating for a coordinated regional approach where all of the parties can explore solutions with mutual benefits and minimal adverse consequences.

In an effort to provide the public with more information on these important projects and to foster the communication which a regional approach will require, the WRA is hosting this water supply forum

For more information, visit the Web site at www.willimanticriver.org Or call Meg Reich at 860-455-0532

Posted May 8, 2011

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Statewide labor unions plan May 1 protest rally in Hartford

The Connecticut Laborers’ District Council announced April 25 that, along with other major state labor unions and organizations, it will be part of a statewide labor rally on Sunday, May 1, 2011, from 1 to 3 p.m., rain or shine, at the Bushnell Park Pavilion in Hartford.

Being called the “Enough Is Enough,” rally, it is expected to bring together labor unions and political, business and community leaders at one massive rally which organizers say is intended to raise awareness about the increasing loss of workers’ rights in Connecticut and throughout the United States.

“At the rally, we intend to send a very strong message to the public, media and industry leaders that workers’ rights need to be preserved,” said Charles LeConche, business manager for Connecticut Laborers’ District Council.

The Connecticut Laborers’ District Council represents approximately 7,500 members employed in the construction industry, public sector and other building and trade fields throughout the state.

“This is not a Democrat or Republican issue – it’s a workers’ rights issue. Workers and their families involved in any type of business are invited to attend,” said Ed Reilly, president, Greater Hartford-New Britain Building & Construction Trades and business manager, Iron Workers Local 15.

A confirmed, partial list of scheduled speakers at the “Enough Is Enough” Rally includes:

Pedro Segarra, Mayor, City of Hartford, CT

Charles LeConche, CT Laborers’ District Council

Joe Courtney, U.S. House of Representatives

Billy Ciotto, Office of John Larson, U.S. House of Representatives

Nancy Wyman, CT Lt. Governor

Chris Donovan, CT House of Representatives

Peggy Sayers, CT House of Representatives

Joe Aresimowicz, CT House of Representatives

Susan Bysiewicz, former CT Sec. of State

Ed Reilly, CT Iron Workers

Dave Lucas, CT Teamsters

Dave Roche, CT Building & Construction Trades

Jeff Merrow, Waterbury Building Trades

John Livingstone, CT Sprinkler Fitters

Sal Luciano, AFSCME Council 4

David Laughton, New Hampshire Teamsters

John Olsen, CT AFL-CIO

Jim Parent, CT Machinists

Mark Norberg, Wisconsin Sheet Metal Workers

Keith Brothers, New London-Norwich Building & Construction Trades

Sean O’Brien, Massachusetts Teamsters

Andy Esposito, New Haven Building & Construction Trades

To view the most up-to-date information about the rally, including a full speakers and sponsors list, visit www.CTLPL.com/mayfirstunionrally.html.

The Laborers’ International Union, founded in 1903 largely by immigrant workers, includes more than 800,000 members who work in construction and hazardous materials remediation, as well as in healthcare, the U.S. Postal Service and other public service sectors of the economy.

For more information, call 860-296-8697 or visit www.CTLPL.com

Posted April 28, 2011

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Get rid of sensitive documents responsibly on Earth Day

A free shredding and paper recycling day will be offered on Earth Day, which falls on Friday, April 22 this year.

The service is being offered by the Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut and its subsidiary company, EnviroShred.

Shredding provides a safe and secure means for disposal of personal, confidential, or sensitive information.

EnviroShred operates as an affirmative business of Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut and directly employs individuals with disabilities in support of fulfilling their goals of self-sufficiency and community integration.

EnviroShred is a regional leader in providing safe, secure and environmentally-friendly document destruction. The company operates in accordance with all state laws and regulations and maintains compliance with Federal Government standards for document disposal.

An important part of this service is preserving our environment. Each ton of paper that EnviroShred shreds and recycles saves 17 trees, 100 gallons of gas, 60 pounds of air pollutants, 7,000 gallons of water and 4,200 kilowatt-hours of electricity.

EnviroShred will also accept office materials, corrugated cardboard, X-Ray film, magazines and newspapers to be shredded and recycled.

The Earth Day shredding and recycling event will be held at EnviroShred’s facility, located at 22 Prestige Park Circle in East Hartford.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can bring in bags, boxes, or containers of paper to be shredded on-site, so you can feel confident your documents are destroyed.

As an introduction to EnviroShred’s services, local businesses are also invited to bring in up to four (4) boxes of papers to be shredded free.

Questions? Contact Rosemary J. Aielloat (860) 833-9861 or visit the Web site at www.enviroshredct.com.

Posted April 22, 2011

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Looking for a summer job? McD’s holding a hiring blitz on April 19

If you’re a high school student, college student or retired person looking for a part-time job… if you’re at all interested in getting a job working for McDonald’s, be prepared to show up bright and early on Tuesday, April 19 and get in line.

Or submit your application online, now.

That’s because McDonald’s is planning to do all of its spring-summer hiring on that one day.

In all, according to a press release issued by the corporation, it plans to hire up to 50,000 new workers throughout the United States on April 19.

The hirings are expected to bring McDonald’s workforce up to 700,000 – a 7.7 percent increase over current levels.

In Connecticut, McDonald’s and its franchisees expect to hire more than 1,300 new crew workers and managers on April 19, according to a local spokesperson for McDonald’s, Charlene Durham.

Durham said the new positions will include a combination of both seasonal and “sustaining full-time and part-time positions” based on each restaurant’s specific needs.

If you’re interested in a job, you’ll want to visit a participating local McDonald’s (you can call ahead to find out if your local franchise is participating) or you can apply online at http://www.McDonalds.com/Careers

Want to find out if working at McDonald’s is for you? One way is to read the stories posted on McDonald’s Website under “While I Love My McJob,” also at http://www.McDonalds.com/Careers

Posted April 17, 2011

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FBI cracks international 'bot' network that has infected more than 2 million computers

Robot wallpaper image from blingcheese.com

Today, the Department of Justice and FBI announced it has cracked a network of hackers who have infected more than 2 million computers with a malicious “bot” program that hijacks sensitive personal and financial data from computers.

Known as a “bot” network – because the malware can be controlled remotely like a robot – it infects computers with a software program known as Coreflood, which installs itself by exploiting a vulnerability in computers running Windows operating systems.

The press release issued today by the FBI calls this sting “the most complete and comprehensive enforcement action ever taken by U.S authorities to disable an international botnet.”

Executive Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch Shawn Henry said, “These actions to mitigate the threat posed by the Coreflood botnet are the first of their kind in the United States and reflect our commitment to being creative and proactive in making the Internet more secure.”

Besides infecting personal computers, the network had accessed corporate and business computer networks and used information they contain to steal funds.

According to information contained in court filings, the group of all computers infected with Coreflood – known as the Coreflood botnet – is believed to have been operating for nearly a decade and to have infected approximately 2,336,542 computers around the world (About 1,853,005 are in the U.S.).

According to court documents, examples of illegal fund transfers allegedly conducted via Coreflood botnet include:

• $115,771 from a real estate company in Michigan,

• $78,421 from a law firm in South Carolina,

• $151,201 from an investment company in North Carolina,

• $934,528 in wire transfers that were attempted to be taken from a defense contractor in Tennessee, but was successful in stealing about $241,866.

Connecticut’s complaint filed against 13 “John Does” states, “The full extent of the financial loss caused by the Coreflood Botnet is not known, due in part to the large number of infected computers and the quantity of stolen data.”

In Connecticut

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut has filed a civil complaint against 13 “John Doe” defendants that accuses them of engaging in wire fraud, bank fraud and illegal interception of electronic communications.

Search warrants also were obtained for computer servers throughout the country, and a seizure warrant was obtained in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut for 29 domain names. (Click here for a PDF version of the warrant.)

“The seizure of the Coreflood servers and Internet domain names is expected to prevent criminals from using Coreflood or computers infected by Coreflood for their nefarious purposes,” said U.S. Attorney David B. Fein for the District of Connecticut. “I want to commend our industry partners for their collaboration with law enforcement to achieve this great result.”

Assistance was provided by Microsoft, the Internet Systems Consortium and other private industry partners, the release states.

Government will monitor infected computers

The government now has a temporary restraining order that authorizes it to respond to signals sent from infected computers in the United States, in order to stop the Coreflood software from running.

The Coreflood malware on a victim’s computer is programmed to request directions and commands from C & C [command-and-control] servers on a routine basis. A single C&C server can control millions of bots.

New versions of the malware are introduced using the C & C servers in an effort to stay ahead of security software and other virus protection updates.

If the C & C servers do not respond, the existing Coreflood malware continues to run on the victim’s computer, collecting personal and financial information.

The temporary restraining order authorizes the government to respond to these requests from infected computers in the United States using substitute servers with a command that temporarily stops the malware from running on the infected computer.

During that time, the hackers behind Coreflood will not be able to introduce different versions of the Coreflood malware onto the infected computers.

This will give computer security providers time to update their virus signatures and malicious software removal tools so their customers can use them to remove the Coreflood malware, the release states.

Is your computer infected?

The press release also states that, “The Department of Justice and FBI, working with Internet service providers around the country, are committed to identifying and notifying as many innocent victims as possible who have been infected with Coreflood, in order to avoid or minimize future fraud losses and identity theft resulting from Coreflood.”

If you are among those who are contacted, “at no time will law enforcement authorities access any information that may be stored on an infected computer.”

The FBI also stresses that this crackdown does not mean that Coreflood malware or similar forms of malware have been removed from the Internet entirely.

“Nor does it mean that criminals will not attempt to build another botnet using a different version of the Coreflood malware or other malware,” the release states. “The best defense against such malware, and botnets in general, is for users to ensure their computers are protected by regularly-updated anti-virus security software.”

The crackdown is the result of an ongoing criminal investigation by the FBI’s New Haven CT Division, in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service.

The matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Chang, and attorneys from the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

The targeted domain names

Besides the U.S. (many in Virginia and Washington), the hackers targeted by the FBI sting also originate from Australia, Canada, Germany, India and the UK.

They also employ misleading terms such as “spamblocker,” “taxadvice, “wiki,” “wellness,” “flu.medicalcare” “ticket,” “onlinebooking,” “licensevalidate,” “gamer,” “logon,” “unreadmsg,” “mediastream” and “google” in their domain names.

Some of the domain names (and their tertiary domain names) include:

SINKHOLE-00.SHADOWSERVER.ORG; adv-webhost.com; node1.adv-webhost.com; alex.adv-webhost.com; antrexhost.com; ads.antrexhost.com; cafe.antrexhost.com; coffeeshop.antrexhost.com; marker.antrexhost.com; old.antrexhost.com; spamblocker.antrexhost.com; bonuspages.net;

And… carl.bonuspages.net; diplodoger.com; ns1.diplodoger.com; ehostville.com; taxadvice.ehostville.com; fishbonetree.biz; brew.fishbonetree.biz; googlestat.net; hostfarmville.net; inews.hostfarmville.net; hostfields.net; wiki.hostfields.net; wellness.hostfields.net; hostnetline.com; ticket.hostnetline.com; joy4host.com; just-twin.com; celsius.just-twin.com; licensevalidate.net; acdsee.licensevalidate.net; savupdate.licensevalidate.net; medicalcarenews.org; flu.medicalcarenews.org; medinnovation.org; vaccina.medinnovation.org; nebuladay.net; gamer.nebuladay.net;

And… nethostplus.net; accounts.nethostplus.net; imap.nethostplus.net; logon.nethostplus.net; mediastream.nethostplus.net; onlinebooking.nethostplus.net; pop3.nethostplus.net; schedules.nethostplus.net; taxfree.nethostplus.net; netwebplus.net; ipadnews.netwebplus.net;

And… penlist.net; butik2000.penlist.net; realgoday.net; dru.realgoday.net; stafilocox.net; exchange.stafilocox.net; unreadmsg.net; jane.unreadmsg.net; vip-studions.net; a-gps.vip-studions.net; and virtukon.com; kelvin.virtukon.com.

What you should do

Make sure you have virus and malware protection, make sure it’s up to date (usually there are daily updates), keep the program running and schedule a daily full scan.

To learn more about what you can do to protect your computer, including how to download and receive updates on security issues, visit these sites operated by U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) and the Federal Trade Commission: us-cert.gov/nav/nt01 and onguardonline.gov/topics/malware.aspx

Posted April 13, 2011

Coventry is among the towns to share in $400,000 of recycling rebates

For years, the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) has been reminding people that it pays to recycle.

Soon, 64 cities and towns will get checks to prove it. In the HTNP.com readership area, this includes Coventry, East Hampton and Hebron.

Coventry, with a population of about 12,307, recycled 1,209.74 tons. At $5 a ton, Coventry’s rebate is $6,048.70.

East Hampton, with a population of about 12,766, recycled 1,102.21 tons and will receive a rebate of $5,511.05

Hebron, with a population of about 9,304, recycled 859.76 tons and will receive a rebate of $4,298.80

The CRRA Board of Directors today (Feb. 24) voted to authorize these rebates.

Mid-Connecticut Project towns recycled 83,856 tons of material in fiscal 2010.

Altogether, the 64 participating towns will collect a total of more than $400,000 – based on $5 for every qualifying ton of recyclables they delivered to CRRA during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Add in 526 tons of electronics (not part of the rebate program) collected at CRRA electronics recycling events, and those towns recycled 84,382 tons of waste that for the fourth year in a row, set an all-time project record.

“Reducing trash and increasing recycling are the best ways to manage the state’s solid waste problem, and we’re delighted that our initiatives are making that happen,” said CRRA President Thomas D. Kirk.

Money for the rebates comes from revenues CRRA receives from the sale of recycled commodities.

Towns also saved on disposal fees

But the rebates aren’t the only financial incentive for towns to recycle.

By not sending 83,856 tons of waste to the Mid-Connecticut Project trash-to-energy plant, participating towns saved more than $5.7 million in disposal fees.

Again, these recycling figures do not include electronics (recycled through CRRA, manufacturers or retailers) and do not include other forms of recycling, such as deposit container redemption, composting of grass clippings, yard waste and food, and recycling of other commodities including scrap metal, waste oil, lead-acid batteries.

After taking all these other materials into consideration, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection estimates that Connecticut recycles about 30 percent of its solid waste.

Some towns stand out

For the third straight year, West Hartford led the Project by recycling 6,002.99 tons.

For the third straight year, on a per person basis, the towns of Sharon and Salisbury were the best recyclers. Through their shared transfer station, they recycled 969.07 tons, or 276.29 pounds per resident.

East Granby recycled 474.73 tons, an increase of more than 89 percent over its FY 2009 total, and represents the largest tonnage increase in the Project.

Torrington had the best increase in its recycling rate (the ratio of recyclables to garbage delivered to the Mid-Connecticut Project) – more than 51 percent

Other initiatives

The Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority is a quasi-public agency that is contracted to serve 96 towns and cities in Connecticut.

Besides offering rebates, the CRRA has worked to increase recycling by Connecticut’s residents by:

• Introducing to Connecticut (in 2008) single-stream recycling, which combines recyclables so that residents don’t have to sort glass, paper, plastic, etc. (Specialized equipment does the sorting after collection.)

• Initiating (in 2009) a public awareness campaign about single-stream recycling that included radio ads, printed materials and press interviews.

• Accepting plastics #3 through #7 (beginning in 2010) [See chart at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_recycling ] from Mid-Connecticut Project cities and towns.

• Offering education programs through the CRRA Trash Museum in Hartford and CRRA Garbage Museum in Stratford, which attracted 56,499 participants in 2010.

For more information about CRRA and its activities, visit http://www.crra.org. and you can discuss CRRA on its blog http://crra-blog.blogspot.com.

Posted Feb. 24, 2011