Roraback’s next step

The nomination of former Republican state Sen. Andrew Roraback to Connecticut’s Superior Court by Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is a natural. Who in this state has given more in public service time and effort than Roraback? During his tenure in public office, from representing the 64th District in the state House to the 30th in the state Senate, Roraback was as dedicated an elected official as there can be. Incredible as it may seem, he never missed a vote in 18 years of holding state office, and was known for his thoughtful consideration of each of those votes. Roraback kept himself ever available to his constituents and the media during that time, so his decision-making process was transparent. He has been active in statewide open information groups, including the education arm of freedom of information, the Connecticut Foundation for Open Government. He often took the time to be a part of the awards ceremonies at schools in his districts, presented honors to students and supported their efforts.Roraback made himself very much a part of the communities he served. Since his loss last November in the race for the 5th District seat in U.S. Congress to Democrat Elizabeth Esty, many in the state have been wondering what the next step would be for this 52-year-old with so much valuable legislative experience. His skills would be of great benefit in a wide range of arenas, but this newspaper believes he would make an excellent judge. For anyone who may need to face courtroom proceedings in Litchfield Superior Court, having Roraback on the bench would be reassuring, offering confidence in the presiding judge at what is usually one of the most difficult times of life for all involved. Roraback has said he will never rule out running for office again (see last week’s article on the front page by Patrick Sullivan), and that is an eventuality that would be welcomed by many of his former constituents. However, serving as a Superior Court judge in the meantime would offer an opportunity for him to utilize the wisdom he has acquired over almost two decades representing Connecticut’s voters in Hartford. His knowledge of this region runs deep, and his ability to care about and understand Connecticut people would stand him in good stead on the bench.Here’s hoping Roraback’s nomination leads to a judgeship for him at the Litchfield Superior Court. He deserves it, and the people of Litchfield County deserve to have him there.

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Club baseball at Fuessenich Park

Travel league baseball came to Torrington Thursday, June 26, when the Berkshire Bears Select Team played the Connecticut Moose 18U squad. The Moose won 6-4 in a back-and-forth game. Two players on the Bears play varsity ball at Housatonic Valley Regional High School: shortstop Anthony Foley and first baseman Wes Allyn. Foley went 1-for-3 at bat with an RBI in the game at Fuessenich Park.

 

  Anthony Foley, rising senior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, went 1-for-3 at bat for the Bears June 26.Photo by Riley Klein 

 
Siglio Press: Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature

Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.

Richard Kraft

Siglio Press is a small, independent publishing house based in Egremont, Massachusetts, known for producing “uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.” Founded and run by editor and publisher Lisa Pearson, Siglio has, since 2008, designed books that challenge conventions of both form and content.

A visit to Pearson’s airy studio suggests uncommon work, to be sure. Each of four very large tables were covered with what looked to be thousands of miniature squares of inkjet-printed, kaleidoscopically colored pieces of paper. Another table was covered with dozens of book/illustration-size, abstracted images of deer, made up of colored dots. For the enchanted and the mystified, Pearson kindly explained that these pieces were to be collaged together as artworks by the artist Richard Kraft (a frequent contributor to the Siglio Press and Pearson’s husband). The works would be accompanied by writings by two poets, Elizabeth Zuba and Monica Torre, in an as-yet-to-be-named book, inspired by a found copy of a worn French children’s book from the 1930s called “Robin de Bois” (Robin Hood).

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Cycling season: A roundup of our region’s rentals and where to ride them

Cyclists head south on the rail trail from Copake Falls.

Alec Linden

After a shaky start, summer has well and truly descended upon the Litchfield, Berkshire and Taconic hills, and there is no better way to get out and enjoy long-awaited good weather than on two wheels. Below, find a brief guide for those who feel the pull of the rail trail, but have yet to purchase their own ten-speed. Temporary rides are available in the tri-corner region, and their purveyors are eager to get residents of all ages, abilities and inclinations out into the open road (or bike path).

For those lucky enough to already possess their own bike, perhaps the routes described will inspire a new way to spend a Sunday afternoon. For more, visit lakevillejournal.com/tag/bike-route to check out two ride-guides from local cyclists that will appeal to enthusiasts of many levels looking for a varied trip through the region’s stunning summer scenery.

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