Westport Firefighter Kevin Dumas today checks over food donations at Westport Fire Headquarters, one of several Connecticut fire stations designated as collection points in support of Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s announced statewide “Day of Caring & Compassion.” The donations of nonperishable food will help replenish the state’s two main food pantries, Foodshare and the Connecticut Food Bank. Dumas said by 10:30 a.m. “we’ve collected a lot of food contributions and we’re only half way through the morning collection period.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Good samaritan Westporter Joan Zimmerman rushes off to her Saturday morning schedule after dropping off packaged food contributions today at the Westport Fire Department in support of the statewide “Day of Caring & Compassion.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Gov. M. Jodi Rell today announced that applications are now available for a new federally funded health care plan specifically designed for individuals with pre-existing conditions that prevented them from getting health care insurance in the past.

The Connecticut Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, administered by the state Department of Social Services, will use $50 million allocated to Connecticut under the federal health care reform bill.

The governor approved launch of the program after her administration was able to successfully lower premiums by 35 percent over initial estimates to put costs within reach of many Connecticut residents, an announcement said.

Premiums for adults under the new plan start at $285 monthly for those under 30 and rise gradually by age to a high of $893 for adults 65 and older.

By James Lomuscio

The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission’s new decorum policy banning signs and T-shirts expressing a view is “problematic” according to an attorney for the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union (CCLU).
Supporters of the Westport Family Y’s move to Mahackeno wore yellow T-shirts at the opening of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s hearings on the application in March 2008. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

“Messages on T-shirts are often a constitutionally protected form of expression,” said David McGuire, the CCLU’s staff attorney based in Hartford.

“A ban on speech related to an item before a municipal body is problematic because it constitutes the most highly protected form of speech.”

McGuire was reacting to the new policy approved last week which says: “In order to minimize disruptions or distractions, the following behaviors will not be permitted at our meetings: displays of any kind on any surface including but not limited to clothing and signs.”

The Westport Fire Department today from 9 a.m. to noon is participating in a statewide “Day of Caring & Compassion” as fire stations around Connecticut collect donations of nonperishable food to help replenish the state’s two main food pantries.

“Mark it on the calendar. July 31 will be the day we can all help fill the shelves the shelves of Foodshare and Connecticut Food Bank,” Gov. M. Jodi Rell said in a statement last month. (See WestportNow July 14, 2010)

“Fire departments around the state made our 2009 campaign such a success that we are delighted to have them again this year as partners.”

The governor said the economy is still very volatile and the need remains great for many families who continue to struggle to make ends meet.